In 1634 Jean Nicolet, emissary of Gov. Samuel de Champlain of New France, landed at Red Banks on the shore of Green Bay about a mile west of here to arrange peace with the "People of the Sea" and ally them with France. Like many explorers who followed Columbus, he was more interested in finding an easy route to Asia than in exploring and settling this continent, and he half expected to meet Asiatics on his voyage, bringing an elaborate Oriental robe that he put on before landing. The Winnebago Indians who met him were more impressed with the "thunder" he carried in both hands as he stepped ashore firing his pistols. Nicolet reported to his superiors that he was well entertained with "sixscore beavers" being served at one banquet, but it was the pelts and not the flesh of the beaver that were to be highly prized by those who followed him.