30. Champlain becomes a spy for King Henry IV in the Spanish West Indies
Champlain explores the Spanish Empire in the West Indies and learns how not to treat Indigenous peoples.
Ambitious French and English sailors in the late 16th Century were drawn to the Spanish West Indies like bugs to bright lights. Any unauthorized entry was punishable by death. Samuel de Champlain was no different, except he sought authorization to go there.
Champlain needed to find a reason to join a Spanish fleet sailing to the West Indies. That would not be easy even though Spain concluded a peace treaty with France in the 1590s. Amazingly, he found a way, but when he got there, he was astonished at the flora and fauna he had never seen before. He was fascinated by the natural surroundings of the islands and landscapes of New Spain. The native people there never ceased to astonish him by their strength and unique cultures. Yet, his sense of morality was deeply offended by the treatment of these native peoples by the Spanish authorities both civil and clergy. The same feelings were aroused when he saw the extensive use of slaves that generated vast amounts of wealth for Spain.
It was this Spanish wealth that enticed French corsairs and English privateers to attack Spanish treasure ships sailing back to Spain and rob them of their valuable cargos. The most famous privateer from this age was Sir Francis Drake who made quite an impression on the Spanish authorities for his daring and success. He became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth for his skills, which gave his contemporary Sir Martin Frobisher’s unending hatred of the more famous buccaneer. From time-to-time English privateers made daring attacks on Spanish ports such as San Juan in Puerto Rico when opportunities arose. Champlain would see firsthand the results of one such raid.
Back in France, Champlain found himself unexpectedly out of work. After the defeat of the Spanish forces during 1598 by a combined effort of English and French forces, many soldiers and officers were relieved of their duties. This included Champlain. Without work, he decided to find an authorized means of visiting the Spanish West Indies and author a report about what he saw to King Henry IV. This would make him a spy for his King, although he never thought of himself that way.
This is the story of how Champlain managed to visit the Spanish West Indies and what he learned from his experiences while there. What he experienced left an indelible impression on him. He learned what not to do when found himself in New France. This journey instilled in him a respect for Indigenous cultures. His Canadian settlements would not repeat the horrors inflicted on the Indigenous peoples in New Spain.
