Trade hatchet, 17th
century
Forged iron
Found at the site of the second
Quebec settlement
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec,
Archaeological Collection
Photo: Steven Darby, Canadian Museum of Civilization
The hatchet was a highly coveted item of trade.
(1615) . . . I gave a hatchet to their chief who was as happy and pleased
with it as if I had made him some rich gift and, entering into conversation
with him, I asked him about his country, which he drew for me with charcoal
on a piece of tree-bark.
Champlain, The Voyages, 1619
The Europeans also exchanged awls, knives, copper cauldrons, glass or
ceramic beads and trinkets, for furs (beaver, marten, lynx, otter, muskrat,
fox, etc.).
Inkstand, 17th
century
Pewter and lead
Found at the site of the second
Quebec settlement
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec,
Archaeological Collection
Photo: Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec
The clerks of the companies and Champlain himself weighed and
distributed trade goods and provisions, and sometimes paid the
engagés. They kept the books, and wrote letters and reports. A few
small weights, tokens and coins (lost after 1633), and an exceptional
inkstand made of pewter and lead provide evidence of this.
