Gabriel Franchere

Narrative of a Voyage Gabriel Franchere

Gabriel Franchere, an explorer who was among the very white European settlers to venture to what is now British Columbia and the Northwesterly United States, recounts here his journeys by sea and land.

Beginning first in Montreal, Franchere makes his way to New York where a ship is preparing for an expedition around South America, and onwards to the northwesterly reaches of North America, is soon to set sail. Franchere begins by detailing the various crew members who were aboard the vessel - the Tonquin - whose mission was to make its way up the little-charted, faraway coastline.

Eventually the Tonquin and its crew reach the Columbia river. Noting the river's width, a decision is made to journey into it and discover the mysterious lands beyond. Meetings are soon made with previously unknown Native American tribes, and the company's decides to make a permanent presence in the area, staging multiple expeditions inland.

Later in the book Franchere takes part in explorations across lands which would later host the great cities and towns of the USA's west coast. A fascinating account of what the undeveloped locality looked like at the opening of the 19th century, Franchere writes in a digestible and plain style which his editor aptly compares to that of Daniel Defoe.

Reproduced from an edition of 1854, this book also contains the three original illustrations, together with short preface by the editors.