Thus, but for the war with England, Quebec would have seen its population trebled in 1628.  As it was, the situation became worse than ever.  Lewis Kirke had been careful to seize the cattle pastured at Cap Tourmente and to destroy the crops.  When winter came, there were eighty mouths to feed on a scant diet of peas and maize, imperfectly ground, with a reserve supply of twelve hundred eels.  Towards spring anything was welcome, and the roots of Solomon’s seal were esteemed a feast.  Champlain even gave serious thought to a raid upon the Mohawks, three hundred miles away, in the hope that food could be brought back from their granaries.  Finally, on the 19th of July 1629, Lewis Kirke returned with a second summons to surrender.  This time only one answer was possible, for to the survivors at Quebec the English came less in the guise of foes than as human beings who could save them from starvation.  Champlain and his people received honourable treatment, and were promised a passage to France.  The family Hebert, however, decided to remain.

We need not dwell upon the emotions with which Champlain saw the French flag pulled down at Quebec.  Doubtless it seemed the disastrous end of his life-work, but he was a good soldier and enjoyed also the comforts of religion.  A further consolation was soon found in the discovery that Quebec might yet be reclaimed.  Ten weeks before Champlain surrendered, the two countries were again at peace, and the Treaty of Suza embodied a provision that captures made after the treaty was signed should be mutually restored.  This intelligence reached Champlain when he landed in England on the homeward voyage.  It is characteristic of the man, that before going on to France he posted from Dover to London, and urged the French ambassador that he should insistently claim Quebec.

As a result of the war Canada and Acadia were both in the possession of England.  On the other hand, the dowry of Henrietta Maria was still, for the most part, in the treasury of France.  When one remembers that 1628 saw Charles I driven by his necessities to concede the Petition of Right, it will be readily seen that he desired the payment of his wife’s dowry.  Hence Richelieu, whose talents in diplomacy were above praise, had substantial reason to expect that Canada and Acadia would be restored.  The negotiations dragged on for more than two years, and were complicated by disputes growing out of the captures made under letter of marque.  When all was settled by the Treaty of St Germain-en-Laye (March 1632) Quebec and Port Royal became once more French—­to the profound discontent of the Kirkes and Sir William Alexander, [Footnote:  Alexander had received grants from the British crown in 1621 and 1625 which covered the whole coast from St Croix Island to the St Lawrence.] but with such joy on the part of Champlain as only patriots can know who have given a lifelong service to their country.