Jacques cartier

Excerpts from the Diary of Jacques Cartier December 25 1519 Dear Diary, I have just been married and I feel so happy. My wife’s family has enough money to help me sail and prove myself to be a good sailor to everyone. I am excited to see where my journey will take me. I am putting my personal thoughts in my diary so I can look back and remember the good and bad times that are ahead of me.

January 15, 1520 Dear Diary, I am ready to sail and hoping that this first journey will help me prove myself to other people. My good friends Jonathan and David are by my side. The ships food is okay. The weather is wet and stormy. My wife is crying at the dock. Jonathan is yelling at me to start the voyage already. As we leave the dock we are all a bit worried that the storm will follow me January 17, 1520 Dear Diary, The storm has been following us for two days. I still miss my wife. I wish that this journey will help me prove myself as a sailor. The people on the boat are relieved the storm is breaking up. David is calling me from above to watch the sun breaking through the clouds. This is what I live for.

April 20, 1534 Dear Diary, I am going to meet with King Francis I and talk about a possible route to Asia. I am excited to see what King Francis I has to say. My wife is feeling mixed emotions about me possibly leaving again. I have been sailing for 14 years. I have learned how to navigate exceptionally well.

April 21, 1534 Dear Diary, I have just met with King Francis I and he has offered me a job to find a shorter route to Asia. King Francis I has provided the crew and all the supplies that are needed for my journey. My wife is sad but proud that I have been given a chance to find the route to Asia that so many other sailors have failed to find. If I find a quicker route to Asia I will reduce the time it takes on trading. Hopefully, fewer men will die from scurvy, pirate attacks, and hurricanes.

May 16, 1534 Dear Diary, I am setting off on my journey. My wife is excited for me. I am just as excited as she is. This journey is going to long and hard but I am hopeful that I will find a shorter route to Asia.

May 19, 1534 Dear Diary, The journey is going well so far. The weather is calm and peaceful. The crew is happy but doubtful that we will find a route to Asia. I am trying to encourage them with my belief that we can make it.

July 23, 1534 Dear Diary, I have been exploring the coastline and have placed a cross on the ground for France. The cross has written on it “Long live the king of France�. I do not know what land I have found. I am hopeful and will keep searching for gold and a better route for Asia to make King Francis 1 happy.

October 10,1534 Dear Diary, I told Kind France I about the land I found and the cross I placed in the ground. I told him I thought it could be Asia and I should return with more supplies to help search for gold and establish new trading. The king was excited and gave me what I had requested to continue my journey. The two captured natives should be of great help in finding a better route and more gold and spices.

December 21,1535 Dear Diary, This is a cursed journey. We have finally made it back to where I planted the cross. I am disappointed to find out this is not Asia. Winter is hurling down on us. Twenty-five of my men have died from scurvy and I do not know what to do. The indians are telling me of uncharted rivers that might lead to Asia but it is too cold to travel further. We have capture three chiefs to bring back to France. The indians are now furious us with us and we must flee.

March 1, 1536 Dear Diary, I have returned to France and met with King Francis the I. I told him about a potential river that could lead to Asia. He was most interested in what I had to say about the rubies and gold. My wife is happy to see me and have told her about the adventures I have had.

November 17, 1541 Dear Diary, I feel so pressured to find the rubies and gold the King wants. He no longer cares about a route to Asia. I am worried what will happen if I come back from this journey with no jewels. What will the King do to me? I will be setting off soon and I fear I may not come back alive because I know the natives are still angry with me.

February 10, 1541 Dear Diary, I have finally found the jewels that have eluded me for so many blasted years! I have ships full of treasure and I am going to return as a hero. The crew and I are drinking rum and feeling happy. When I come home my wife will be so excited with me. I am sure the King will share some of the jewels I have found. My goal has been accomplished by finding jewels and gold for the King.

May 1, 1542 Dear Diary, I have found out that jewels I found were worthless. The worthless jewels were just quartz, crystals and metals. The King has decided that I stop sailing and told me that I should leave his presence before he squashes me. Now I know the true sting of defeat and have decided to stop writing in my journal goodbye and thank you.