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Champlain was here
The Boston Globe ^ | March 9, 2008 | Ted Widmer

Posted on 03/12/2008 4:24:33 PM PDT by forkinsocket

America's founding myth tells of the Puritans landing in wild, uncharted lands. Yet a French explorer had already mapped the territory in exquisite detail.

NEW ENGLANDERS GROW up imbibing certain creation myths, most of which relate to how unbelievably historic we are. It all started here, and entire businesses -- the vending of tricorne hats, for example -- depend on the tight control of information relating to the beginnings of America -- the Revolution, and the Salem witch trials before that, and at the dawn of time, the Pilgrims, hacking their way into the forest primeval. Everything trails in their wake; or so we like to believe.

more stories like thisBut is it possible that New England trails in someone else's wake? As in, the dreaded French? These disorienting thoughts will become harder to push away in 2008, as Quebec celebrates the 400th anniversary of its founding by Samuel de Champlain -- the explorer who found not only New France, but much of New England as well. Indeed, if a few things had turned out differently, we might all be bundled up in scarves and hats bearing the fleur-de-lys insignia of the New France Patriots.

By 1620, when the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower, Champlain had accomplished nearly everything for which he is famous. He had crisscrossed the Atlantic dozens of times (29 times before his death in 1635), he had penetrated deeply into the hinterland, and he had glimpsed -- and named -- most of the harbors, rivers, and capes that we rediscover every weekend of the summer. It is startling to return to his maps, and see the familiar contours of Cape Cod, Cape Ann, and Boston Harbor, all included as part of an American region that was anything but "New England."

(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: champlain; france; newengland; puritans
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1 posted on 03/12/2008 4:24:34 PM PDT by forkinsocket
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To: forkinsocket; Pharmboy
I had read that there were European trappers, explorers, etc. here before the Pilgrims. Even Jamestown. Plymouth was the first successful colony.
2 posted on 03/12/2008 4:51:52 PM PDT by AmericaUnite
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To: AmericaUnite

Was born in Plattsburgh,NY. We learned about Champlain in grade school.


3 posted on 03/12/2008 5:00:12 PM PDT by Lumper20
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To: forkinsocket
if a few things had turned out differently, we might all be bundled up in scarves and hats bearing the fleur-de-lys insignia of the New France Patriots.

John Keegan describes why things fell as they did in his great book about America, Warpaths. He says that while the Brits were sending settlers to America, the French were unwilling to do more than license a few trappers and fur-trading posts.

You can't hold a territory without boots on the ground, now, can you? It was very hard on the few French colonists that lived on this continent. In retrospect, France was lucky to hang onto Quebec.

4 posted on 03/12/2008 5:26:41 PM PDT by SamuraiScot
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To: Lumper20
Lake Champlain and its founder also taught in my young school years, In Tennessee. :^)
5 posted on 03/12/2008 5:49:15 PM PDT by eyedigress
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To: eyedigress

A few years ago Patrick Leahy tried to have Lake Champlain classified as one of the Great Lakes so that Vermont could cash in on some federal program for the Great Lakes.


6 posted on 03/12/2008 6:10:35 PM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: eyedigress

Look at post 3. Many military folks go where it it warm.


7 posted on 03/12/2008 6:36:40 PM PDT by Lumper20
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To: Lumper20

I have my buddy from NV to put you on his sights. Its HopNevada. LOL


8 posted on 03/12/2008 9:33:29 PM PDT by eyedigress
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To: eyedigress

Anyone, who was born in Plattsburgh has seen the statue of Samuel De Champlain. Do you really think people are that ignorant about their hometown? Do you think kids do not ask parents, teachers, ETC? Amazing. Kids may move, but; they do not forget.


9 posted on 03/12/2008 11:01:20 PM PDT by Lumper20
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