Nicolas Denys, Bras d’Or Pioneer

Is it possible that Nicolas Denys, Cape Breton’s first permanent European settler, was so captivated by the Bras d’Or Lakes that he was willing to endure battle, plunder, imprisonment and betrayal to remain on their shores?

A careful reading of Denys’ opus, “Description géographique et historique des costes de l’Amérique septentrionale: avec l’histoire du païs,” written in the twilight of his long life – and regarded as one of the most valuable accounts of Acadia produced in the 17th century – may shed some light on the motives of one of Canada’s most indomitable merchants, colonists and pioneers.

Back to Bras d’Or: From 1632 – 1688, against enormous odds and amidst an unrelenting string of failures and misfortunes, Denys persisted in his efforts to establish viable fishing, lumbering, fur trading and farming operations in New France. Although his reach extended from the south coast of Nova Scotia to the eastern coast of New Brunswick, Denys reserved most of his time and effort for the Bras d’Or region of Cape Breton. Again and again, over a period of 18 years, he returned to his fishing and trading post at Saint-Pierre (present-day St.Peter’s), situated at the southwest end of the Bras d’Or Lakes. During his Cape Breton tenure, Denys navigated the waters of the Bras d’Or many times, sailing between his base at Saint-Pierre and his satellite post at Saint-Anne, at the opposite end of the Lakes.

In the beginning, Denys’ New World prospects seemed promising. He had arrived at La Hève (near present-day Bridgewater, Nova Scotia) in 1632, in the company of the competent French colonist, Isaac de Razilly. Together, Denys and de Razilly established the first-ever Canadian lumbering venture, harvesting white oak for export to France. Denys quickly diversified, opening a fishing operation at present-day Liverpool.

Mounting Misfortune: Denys’ troubles began when de Razilly died, leaving de Razilly’s cousin and lieutenant, Charles de Menou d’Aulnay, in control of the colony. The ruthless d’Aulnay refused to allow Denys to export his timber, and forced him to abandon his operations and return to France. For the next 5 years, d’Aulnay, who had acquired the king’s commission as governor of Acadia, thwarted Denys’ repeated attempts to establish new trading posts at Miscou Harbour and the Miramichi.

When d’Aulnay died in 1635, Denys seized the opportunity to relocate his fishing and trading operations to Cape Breton, where he built posts at both ends of the Bras d’Or Lakes. But he soon discovered that his arch enemy’s influence extended beyond the grave. In 1651, soldiers dispatched by the tyrant’s widow, Madame d’Aulnay, captured both of Denys’ settlements and imprisoned Denys. Although he soon obtained his release and returned to Saint-Pierre, he was not left in peace. Within 2 years, d’Aulnay’s angry creditor, Emmanuel de Borgne, came looking for his rightful property. Once again, Denys was ousted from his posts and thrown in jail.