jacques cartier

Excerpts from the Diary of Jacques CartierDecember 25 1519Dear Diary,I have just been married and I feel so happy. My wife’s family has enough money to helpme sail and prove myself to be a good sailor to everyone. I am excited to see where myjourney will take me. I am putting my personal thoughts in my diary so I can look backand remember the good and bad times that are ahead of me.January 15, 1520Dear Diary, I am ready to sail and hoping that this first journey will help me prove myselfto other people. My good friends Jonathan and David are by my side. The ships food isokay. The weather is wet and stormy. My wife is crying at the dock. Jonathan is yellingat me to start the voyage already. As we leave the dock we are all a bit worried that thestorm will follow meJanuary 17, 1520Dear Diary, The storm has been following us for two days. I still miss my wife. I wish thatthis journey will help me prove myself as a sailor. The people on the boat are relievedthe storm is breaking up. David is calling me from above to watch the sun breakingthrough the clouds. This is what I live for.April 20, 1534Dear Diary, I am going to meet with King Francis I and talk about a possible route to Asia. I amexcited to see what King Francis I has to say. My wife is feeling mixed emotions about mepossibly leaving again. I have been sailing for 14 years. I have learned how to navigateexceptionally well.April 21, 1534Dear Diary, I have just met with King Francis I and he has offered me a job to find a shorterroute to Asia. King Francis I has provided the crew and all the supplies that are needed for myjourney. My wife is sad but proud that I have been given a chance to find the route to Asia thatso many other sailors have failed to find. If I find a quicker route to Asia I will reduce the time ittakes on trading. Hopefully, fewer men will die from scurvy, pirate attacks, and hurricanes.May 16, 1534Dear Diary, I am setting off on my journey. My wife is excited for me. I am just as excited as sheis. This journey is going to long and hard but I am hopeful that I will find a shorter route to Asia.

May 19, 1534Dear Diary, The journey is going well so far. The weather is calm and peaceful. The crew ishappy but doubtful that we will find a route to Asia. I am trying to encourage them with my beliefthat we can make it.July 23, 1534Dear Diary, I have been exploring the coastline and have placed a cross on the ground forFrance. The cross has written on it “Long live the king of France”. I do not know what land Ihave found. I am hopeful and will keep searching for gold and a better route for Asia to makeKing Francis 1 happy.October 10,1534Dear Diary, I told Kind France I about the land I found and the cross I placed in the ground. I toldhim I thought it could be Asia and I should return with more supplies to help search for gold andestablish new trading. The king was excited and gave me what I had requested to continue myjourney. The two captured natives should be of great help in finding a better route and moregold and spices.December 21,1535Dear Diary, This is a cursed journey. We have finally made it back to where I planted the cross. Iam disappointed to find out this is not Asia. Winter is hurling down on us. Twenty-five of my menhave died from scurvy and I do not know what to do. The indians are telling me of unchartedrivers that might lead to Asia but it is too cold to travel further. We have capture three chiefs tobring back to France. The indians are now furious us with us and we must flee.March 1, 1536Dear Diary, I have returned to France and met with King Francis the I. I told him about apotential river that could lead to Asia. He was most interested in what I had to say about therubies and gold. My wife is happy to see me and have told her about the adventures I have had.November 17, 1541Dear Diary, I feel so pressured to find the rubies and gold the King wants. He no longer caresabout a route to Asia. I am worried what will happen if I come back from this journey with nojewels. What will the King do to me? I will be setting off soon and I fear I may not come backalive because I know the natives are still angry with me.February 10, 1541Dear Diary, I have finally found the jewels that have eluded me for so many blasted years! Ihave ships full of treasure and I am going to return as a hero. The crew and I are drinking rumand feeling happy. When I come home my wife will be so excited with me. I am sure the Kingwill share some of the jewels I have found. My goal has been accomplished by finding jewelsand gold for the King.May 1, 1542Dear Diary, I have found out that jewels I found were worthless. The worthless jewels were justquartz, crystals and metals. The King has decided that I stop sailing and told me that I shouldleave his presence before he squashes me. Now I know the true sting of defeat and havedecided to stop writing in my journal goodbye and thank you.