He remained to the last, Lieutenant of the king in Canada. At the
beginning of October 1635 he was stricken with paralysis, and passed away on
Christmas Day of the same year. We do not possess the oration, which Father Paul
Le Jeune delivered at his funeral, but there remains from Le Jeune's pen, an
appreciation of his character in terms which to Champlain himself would have
seemed the highest
praise.
On the twenty-fifth of
December, the day of the birth of our Saviour upon earth, Monsieur de
Champlain, our Governor, was reborn in Heaven; at least we can say that his
death was full of blessings. I am sure that God has shown him this favor in
consideration of the benefits he has procured for New France, where we hope some
day God will be loved and served by our French, and known and adored by our
Savages. Truly he had led a life of great justice, equity, and perfect loyalty
to his King and towards the Gentlemen of the Company. But at his death he
crowned his virtues with sentiments of piety so lofty that he astonished us
all. What tears he shed! How ardent became his zeal for the service of God! How
great was his love for the families here! Saying that they must be vigorously
assisted for the good of the Country, and made comfortable in every possible
way in these early stages, and that he would do it if God gave him health. He
was not taken unawares in the account which he had to render unto God, for he
had long ago prepared a general Confession of his whole life, which he made
with great contrition to Father Lalemant, whom he honored with his friendship.
The Father comforted him throughout his sickness, which lasted two months and a half, and did not leave him until
his death. He had a very honorable burial, the funeral procession being formed
of the people, the soldiers, the captains, and the churchmen. Father Lalemant
officiated at this burial, and I was charged with the funeral oration, for
which I did not lack material. Those whom he left behind have reason to be well
satisfied with him; for, though he died out of France, his name will not
therefore be any less glorious to posterity.
THE FOUNDER OF NEW FRANCE - A Chronicle of Champlain - By CHARLES W. COLBY TORONTO, 1915