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 ...
Was born in Plattsburgh,NY. We learned about Champlain in grade school.
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.
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.
Look at post 3. Many military folks go where it it warm.
I have my buddy from NV to put you on his sights. Its HopNevada. LOL
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.