 I started writing this diary in April 1634, at the beginning of my adventure to New France. At that time, my father Gaspard Boucher and my mother, Nicole Lemaire, had four children: myself, Pierre Boucher, my little brother, Nicolas and my two sisters Marie and Marguerite. This is what I have written in my diary since. Mortagne, April 1634 For the first time in my life, my father is leaving on a trip. He is going to the end of the world! In New France! This morning, he hugged my mother very tight and he threw a large canvas bag over his shoulder. The bag contained wooden clogs, some warm clothes, a wool blanket, some tools, a pot of pear jam, a large loaf of bread and a little salted meat in a box. He will eat this food on board the ship. The other things will be very useful during his absence, which will last from 6 ot 8 months. He will have to leave Québec before a large river that flows there freezes over. If all goes well, we will see him again this fall. Mother helped him pack his things. She looks calm, but I know she is worried. Carrying both my little sisters in his arms, father went out and walked to the gate of the garden, where a few men were talking while waiting for him. One of them said : – Ho ! Gaspard Boucher, hurry up ! You want to make us miss the ship? Laughing, he answered: – Don't be afraid! We will make it to Dieppe on time for boarding! My father let Marie and Marguerite down on the grass, and he gently stroked Nicolas' head. He then turned towards me. He held his hand out to me and said: – Pierre Boucher, my son, it may happen that you do not grow up in Mortagne, nor anywhere else in the Perche for that matter. I am leaving for Canada, to see if we can live in the colony to which Monsieur de Champlain returned last year. England gave that country back to France and we must populate it. There is land to cultivate and houses and towns to build. I will come back this fall. When I return, we will decide. Until then, since you are of age, I am leaving your mother, your sisters and your brother in your care. I too managed to keep my composure. I mingled with the men and followed them for at least one league. I stopped in the middle of the road, and started daydreaming... |
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Last update: August 17, 2001 © Museum of New France – Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation |
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