Nicolas de Vignau

Who is Nicolas de Vignau?

Nicolas de Vignau was a companion of Samuel de Champlain in New France. Champlain said of him in his writings "[He is] the most impudent liar that has been seen for a long time".

In 1611, Vignau volunteered to live with a group of Algonquin natives to learn their language and customs. He accompanied them on their journey North to Allumette Island becoming the second white man to travel up the Ottawa River.

Vignau spent the winter on Allumette island with a band of Algonquins led by a one-eyed chief named Tessouat. Anyone coming down the river was forced, by rapids on either side of the island, to portage through Tessouat's territory. Thus his band could easily make a living as toll keepers and fur brokers, buying and selling furs for profit. In the spring of 1612, Vignau paddled down to Montreal and caught the next sailing ship to France. Once there he claimed to have discovered the Northwest Passage. Vignau swore that at the sources of the Ottawa River, he had found a great lake. After crossing it he discovered a river flowing northward. This river led to the shores of the sea.