Nick

__ **Diary of a Seigneur: Jacques Dupont **__

January 2nd, 1634

Dear diary, Four months ago, I was assigned by the bishop to manage and settle on some of the church’s land. I was delighted to have heard such great news and to be given the role of a Seigneur had always been my dream. When I arrived at the large area which was given to me by the crown, I came across a nearby river and immediately I realized that it would be the exact place that I would start establishing my Seigneury. Later upon my arrival, I hired some men to build me and my family a large and extravagant manor made out of stone and equipped with the finest pine furniture available in all of New France. After having completed my own house, It was my obligation to start building a mill, church and hospital and believe me, this did not come in cheap. In addition, I also acknowledged the fact that I would have to leave some fertilized land for the Habitants that have recently arrived from France. Already they have begun to create disputes between each other. Not only are they squabbling over land and refusing to give me a portion of their crops and, but they are also refusing to pay their taxes! Such impertinent behaviour will not besupported in my Seigneury! This coming Friday I will have to settle disputes between farmers who are claiming that Jean Fortier, a Habitant who has just recentlyarrived to this Seigneury, has been going around and stealing harvested crops from enraged farmers. I am definitely going to raise taxes; that will show them whose boss. Today, I attended Sunday church in order to make sure that things were going according to plan. I followed directly after the priest, sat in the first pew and last but not least, I was the first member of congregation to receive the waver of mass. So far, my arrival in New France has proved to be worthwhile. I have obtained the power that I have always dreamed of; and at the same time, I have been living in luxury.

Sincerely, Jacques Dupont

__Diary #2__
December 12, 1634

Dear diary, It has been a year since my arrival in New France; and I do indeed yearn to go back home. The prevailing winds of winters in New France have shown that survival can be tough and food can be scarce. The endurance of the Habitants has been exemplary; despite the lack of food due to harsh weather, they are still doing their best to pay me their taxes. Two days ago, I received news that Jacques Jaqueson’s eight-year-old son was lost from his family during a blizzard that has wrecked many houses and left calamitous results for all. However, the sturdy stone manor that I had built for myself managed to endure the harshest of winds and keep my office and valuable furniture safe. This morning, I sent three of my finest horsemen to search for the lost boy that has left the whole Seigneury worried. Alas, only recently have they returned with the dreadful news that no one was hoping to hear; the boy was not found. Today I woke up, had my normal breakfast consisting of Tourtière and Pea soup, and as it was Sunday, I then attended church. As I walked to the entrance of the church, I immediately heard families mourning due to the damage from the blizzard and the failure of crops. While I was in the church, I stumbled upon Ambros Heidel, who like other Habitants told me that he was struggling to put food on his family’s table. He made me aware of the fact that at times like this which could hardly be more austere, we must help each other survive and I realized that it is therefore crucial for me to decrease taxes. To my surprise, she also added that some of her chickens had been brutally slaughtered. At such times, we must not destroy food, but rather we must cherish it. As the Seigneur of longueuil, I will take all necessary actions to find the person who is responsible for such barbaric acts.

Sincerely, Jacques Dupont 

Bibliography: //"Life in New France." Tprpmtp: Fitzhenry and whiteside, 1976. Print.// //Baldwin, Douglas. "New France and the Fur Trade". Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Weigl Education Publishers Ltd., 2003. Print. Nelson, Sheila. "The Settlement of New France & Acadia". Broomall, Pennsylvania: Mason Crest Publishers Inc, 2006. Print.// //"Beginnings: From the First Nations to the Great Migrations" by Marshall Jamieson//



 