habitants of New France before the year 1603.

In the year 1608, trading was conducted with the Indians at Tadousac,
but in 1610 it was alternately at Tadousac, and near Cape de la Victoire
at the entrance of the Richelieu River. During the latter period, the
fur trade was a failure, although the vessels annually carried from
twelve to fifteen thousand skins to France, which were sold at one
pistole each. From the year 1610, Tadousac ceased to be the rendezvous
of traders, and the great centre was at Sault St. Louis, until the year
1618. From this time, for several consecutive years, Three Rivers was
the principal trading-post, and finally the Indians went down to Quebec,
or to Cape de la Victoire, or du Massacre, and at a still later period
the Isle of Richelieu, opposite the parish of Deschambault, some fifteen
leagues above Quebec, was chosen as a trading-place.

Champlain was not opposed to the fur trade; on the contrary, he favoured
it, provided that it was conducted honestly, as it afforded him
opportunities for making new discoveries, and also for maintaining
friendly relationship with the Indians. The Recollets had no connection
with the trade, although through their efforts commercial intercourse
was often facilitated.

Speaking of the trading of 1618, Champlain mentions a class of men who
eventually attained considerable influence in colonial affairs. These
men were the factors or clerks employed and paid by the merchants. Some
of them obtained notoriety on account of their treason and bad conduct,
while others were distinguished by their devotedness to Champlain and
the missionaries. The clerks or factors were engaged by the fur trading
merchants who had their principal factory at Quebec. The staff consisted
of a chief clerk, of clerks and underclerks; and their functions were
to receive merchandise on its arrival, to place it in the store, and
when the trading was complete, to exchange the goods for skins, which
were then carefully packed for exportation. The clerks visited the
places chosen by the Indians for trading, and generally conducted the
exchanges themselves. Some of them employed the services of interpreters
who were readily found, and were frequently sent among the natives to
induce them to visit the clerks. The duties of the clerks were not
always easily performed. They had many difficulties to encounter, but as
successful trading might lead to future promotion, there were advantages
connected