New Voyages to North America

Considered the best work on 17th century New France for its detailed descriptions of the environment and North American native society,[1] the book includes accounts of the two winters Lahontan spent hunting with a group of the Algonquin people.

The volumes provide historical perspective on the landscape, the native peoples, and the developing economic, social, and political involvements of the French explorers.

[4] The letters are lengthy descriptions that begin with one dated November 8, 1683 which tells of his voyage from France to Canada, in which he details a good trip with the exception of a storm that took place.

He spends a winter hunting with the Algonquin “in order to develop a more perfect knowledge of their language” while the city of Montreal is fortified to be protected against attacks.

[5] Lahontan writes that the way the Indians fought was comical, with their “bows and arrows and stark nakedness.” Montreal was the city of merchants, some traveling only once a year there to sell their goods such as wine.

Lahontan continues his travels around the Great Lakes region describing the country around Michilimackinac, specifically detailing his trip down the “Rivière Longue” (some scholars argue that he had discovered the Missouri River, while others consider this a fanciful tale).

While geographically situating these bodies of water he discusses what can be found on the shores of the lakes, citing the native peoples that live there as well as the animals that are present.

Lahontan's second volume contains discourses on various topics of native life including: habits, temperament, customs, beliefs, love and marriage, diseases and remedies, hunting, military art, Coats of Arms, and hieroglyphics.

Sayre writes that Lahontan’s “text both analyzes Indian life for insights into European culture and imposes European categories on Indian culture.” [16] Sayre also points on that unlike others at the time who interpreted the actions of the natives from a religious and moral perspective Lahontan used one of enlightenment, puts him ahead of the times.

This is especially true with reference to native customs, in which he believed that “strong passions such as love and jealousy were contrary to reason, and led to pointless strife and violence.” [17] The work is significant in Sayre's opinion for its ethnographic fieldwork.

Lahontan’s letters though incredibly knowledgeable in providing information about his travels in New France could be limited by “time and experience” suggests Sayre whereas the memoirs stem from a large collection of documents leaving some inconsistency.

The beaver was an important feature of Algonquin life, especially for the fur and pelt trade but also in the everyday lives of natives as a source of food and warm clothing. (New Voyages to North America, 1703)
In the winter of 1689 Lahontan went elk hunting with a group of Algonquins. These snow shoes or "rackets" are what they wore when hunting. (New Voyages to North America, 1703)
This map drawn by Lahontan depicts the geographical area of New France he traveled most notably the Lake of the Hurons (Lake Huron) and the River St. Laurence (St. Lawrence River) (New Voyages to North America, 1703)
The discourse provides information that is easily visible in this drawing, information on child rearing tactics, native dress for various activities, and village plans. (New Voyages to North America, 1703)