The Jesuits had prepared at a great expense a shipment for Quebec.  Father Noyrot brought with him Father Charles Lalemant, who was returning after an absence of nearly two years, Father de Vieux-Pont, Brother Louis Malot and twenty-four persons.  Driven by a terrible storm, their barque was wrecked near the Island of Canseau.  Fourteen were drowned, including Father Noyrot and Brother Malot.  The others miraculously escaped.

The Chevalier de Razilly was finally ordered to assist Quebec, but it was found that an agreement had been concluded between France and England on April 24th.  Razilly had his commission cancelled and proceeded to Morocco.

The failure of these three expeditions, together with that of Emery de Caen, occurring at the same time under unfortunate circumstances, resulted in the loss of the colony for France, and won at least temporary prestige and importance for the Kirke family.

Champlain relates some remarkable events during his sojourn at Tadousac.  Religious fanaticism displayed itself in its worst form.  The French had with them Father de Brebeuf, who was quite competent and willing to champion the cause of the Catholic faith, and especially when assailed by his own countrymen.  A French Huguenot, named Jacques Michel, apparently headed a crusade against the Jesuits.  One day Michel said to a party that the Jesuits had come to Canada to annoy the Sieurs de Caen in their trade.  “I beg your pardon,” replied the father, “we had no other design in coming here than the glory of God and the conversion of the savages.”  To which Jacques Michel answered still more audaciously:  “Yes, convert the savages, say rather, convert the beavers.”  “It is false,” replied the priest, somewhat vexed.  Michel, who was angry, raised his arm to strike the father, at the same time saying, “If I were not restrained by the respect due to my chief, I would slap your face for your denial.”  “I ask your pardon,” said the father, “it was not in my mind to injure you, and if my answer has vexed you, I regret it.”  Michel was not satisfied and began to blaspheme, so that Champlain was scandalized, and said:  “You swear much for a Reformer.”  “It is true,” replied the Huguenot, “but I am furious against this Jesuit for his denial, and if I hang to-morrow I will give him the blows he deserves.”  During the day, however, Michel drank heavily and was attacked by apoplexy, from which he died thirty-five hours later, without exhibiting any signs of repentance.

The commander Kirke appears to have acted somewhat strangely on this occasion, for instead of having Michel quietly buried, he ordered a splendid funeral, accompanied with military honours.  When the remains were lowered into the grave, a salute of eighty guns was fired, as if the deceased had been an officer of high rank.  Whatever may have been the reasons for showing these tokens of honour to the remains of Michel, we know not, but the savages seem to have resented the proceedings, for they unearthed his body and gave it to the dogs.  Michel had been a traitor to his country and to his God, and this was the method of his punishment.