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Lesser Known Explorers
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The contents of the following essay shall encompass some of the nameless authors of early colonial times, who with the help of explorers documented their travels and experiences in the Gulf of St. Laurence to the cost of Newfoundland. These experiences are not always experienced by them first hand but cover a wide variety of crewmembers experiences, which the author notes. The documentation of these experiences have been systematically recorded so that other explorers can utilize them as tools in their respected fields. Occasionally discoveries will be made as to the first original documentation of specific buildings plants and animals but a conclusion as to their names or significance cannot always be found readily. Due to the fact that the natives did not share the same methods of enlightenment and because some Europeans did not have access to the actual names of these objects. Jean Alphonse de Saintonge was a relatively unknown French sea captain originally hailing from the village of Saintonge. He sailed to Canada in 1542 as Roberval’s navigator and pilot. Later, he engaged in an act of piracy against the Spanish-an act which would prove fatal. At his death he left two manuscripts of substantial historical interest. His accounts refer to the geographical facts of Newfoundland and Cape Breton. Jean’s comments on the acts and beliefs of the natives of those areas in very interesting. La Terre-nerve has the best ports and harbors of the entire sea, and great rivers, abundant fisheries. It is all covered with trees, pines, and others such. The coast runs North and South to Cap de Ras. The people here are large, and somewhat dark. They have no more God than beasts, and are evil folk. On this coast are many islands and little islets. The people are named Tabios. They live on fish, flesh, and fruits of trees…(Ganong,1934, pp.274-6) This account contains the description of the native people in Newfoundland in the 1540’s. It is common knowledge that the people of the island were the Beothuk, a race of people that were wiped out of existence because colonialism reached Newfoundland first. This statement by Jean Alphonse contains the sole record for the Beothuk term for themselves. Also Jean describes their religious practices comparing them to beasts because they have no God and they must be evil people. Truly a uneducated speculation derived from the fear of a foreign race. Beyond the Cap de Ras the coast turns to the West as far as the gouffe de S. Iehan. Before you approach this gulf is another which makes Terre-neufe an island, and merges with another of which we have already spoken. All these lands are high mountains…At the gulf of S. Iehan is an island which is named S. Iehan which has a good 30 to 40 leagues of coastline about 15 or 20 leagues of widlth, and is in the midst of a strait. It is inhabited by people who are like those of Terre-neufve. This island is of good soil, fine rivers and trees are there, as in Spain. The land is about the same latitude.(Ganong,1934, pp.274-6) Jean Alphonse has a impeccable approach to describing the peaks of Cape Breton Island and the rich soil and fertility of Prince Edward Island in comparison to the soils of Spain. His cartography paints a picture of what is out there, however he did not include any maps to pinpoint exactly. The addition of latitude should confirm which area is being discussed. However the Jean Alphonse doesn’t seem too sure by saying “about” instead of a direct number of latitude.
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