Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-05-27
LAKE cHAMPLAIN.
Historical Sketch BY Mary Z. Whit
neY Of RoYalton.

Il
ney Of Royslton.
There are places which need but to be
mentioned to bring to mind some famous
battle or world-renowned event. The
names Of some places such as Hastings.
Yorktown, Gettysburg are SO closely assoc
ciated With events transpiring there as to
seem almost Indispensable. There are other
places of equal historical importance
which are familiar to us through other
associations. Though we pass through
them many times We seldom think OF his
tory, or. at best, have q dim idea "that
something did happen there sometime,
but really can't Just recall " hat il vas
or when it happened.
When we see that most beautiful OF all
our American lakes sheltered and protect
ed by the Adirondacks on the one side
and by our own beloved Green Mountains
on the other side, do we think Of the
stirring events for which this lake Turn
ished an arena, or do we merely feast our
aesthetic eye upon the beauties Of ma
ture Perhaps it is q blessing that this
charming scenery can lead US to forget
some of the terrible things which have
been done there.
must confess that, although l was
born near Lake Champlain, have never
before realized what part It has taken in
the worlds history. l say worlds his
tory because the future of three of our
present leading nations was affected by
the battles in this vicinity, and we never
can tell how far the influence OF those
changes may have gone to the remote ma
tions Of the earth.
just at sunrise on July 4, 1909, Sam
uel de ChamplRin discovered the lake
which bears his name, thus claiming it
and the surrounding territory for his
country, France. On the thirtieth day OF
the same month he took part in y battle
which materially affected the ability OF
that nation to control the new world.
The French had made friends of the Al
gonquin Indians and it was natural for
them to invite Champlain to accompany
them on an exploring expedition up the
lake and into the enemy's country. How
far this exploration was pursued We have
no certain knowledge; whether Champlain
landed on the Vermont mainland is a dis
puted question; even the site Of the battle
between these Indian tribes is a contro-
versial point. So much difference Of
opinion has been expressed with regard
to some OF these points by historians and
others that writer in the Free Press re-
marks that it is good thing that Cham
plain gave his name to the lake he discov-
cred, or else we might be holding the
Tercentenary celebration out in Utah
around Salt Lake.
One thing is certain, Champlain and his
Indian friends sailed up the lake past
Mohawk Rock which is near Burlington.
q mark OF hostility, a declaration OF war
between the two tribes. SO on the Thrift
eth, these tribes were drawn up in battle
array. Suddenly out stepped Champlain.
clad in armor, and fired an arquebus
which laid low two OF the Iroquois chiefs.
This shot may not have been "heard
around the world, F" but it cost the French
all possibility OF alliance or friendliness
with the Iroquois Indians. Although the
lroquois were defeated at this time, their
tribe was the most powerful in the new
world, and their power and prestige were
thus by Champlain's thoughtless deed
forever lost to France. Since we know
from subsequent history that what
France lost was England's gain, we may
call this battle in which were engaged
but three white men and less than three
hundred indians, "one OF the worlds de-
eisive engagements"
Not many years after the discovery OF
st. Anne on Isle La Motto. Here in 1868
the Holy Sacrament Of mass was celebrat-
ed for the first time in Vermont. Il is on
this island that the tercentenary commit
tee propose to erect = statue OF Champlain
and lighthouse in recognition OF the
historical Importance OF Champlain and
the lake that bears his name.
Most OF our interest as Americans and
Vermonters centers in those events hich
first placed our land under English rule
and later wrenchei us free from that
power. Strange though il may sound,
we have equal cause to be thankful for
both Of those victories.
In 1871 the French built a fort at
Crown Point, and in 1855 tbey built one
at Ticonderoga. Murray says that n
Quebec was the head of French strong
holds on the continent. then Ticonderoga
aud Grown Point were the two mailed
hands. In i75S General Abercrom bic at
tempted to take this fort from the
French. That battle was the bInodiest OF
American history. two thousand men
having been left dead or dying on the
field. The English general failed this
time, but the next year that fort. with
crown Point, was won for the English
by General Amherst. The French. in
leaving Crown Point, burned the fort, the
blackened chimneys OF which gave the
place the name of Chimney Point. In
these battles and the battle Of Quebec. I
France lost forever all supremacy in 4
America.
Thus we see that TiconderoRa had al 4