In a letter to king Francis I., dated July 8th, 1524, he thus describes the Narrows and the Bay: "After proceeding one hundred leagues, we found a very pleasant situation among some steep hills, through which a very large river, deep at its mouth, forced its way to the sea.

From the sea to the estuary of the river, any ship heavily laden might pass, with the help of the tide, which rises eight feet.

But as we were riding at anchor, in a good berth, we would not venture up in our vessel without a knowledge of the mouth.

Therefore we took the boat, and entering the river, we found the country, on its banks, well peopled, the inhabitants not much differing from the others, being dressed out with the feathers of birds of various colors.
"They came towards us with evident delight, raising loud shouts of admiration, and showing us where we could most securely land with our boat.

We passed up this river about half a league, when we found it formed a most beautiful lake three leagues in circuit, upon which they were rowing thirty or more of their small boats, from one shore to the other, filled with multitudes who came to see us.