Governor of New France. Born in the French region of Languedoc in 1643. In his youth, he joined the army and proved himself valuable in Germany. In the King's musketeers, in which he served from 1659 to 1676, he ranked as brigadier and finally as colonel. He came to Canada in 1687 in command of a marine detachment. After the massacre of French settlers in Lachine in 1689, he prevented the Iroquois from assailing Montréal. In 1690, he took an active part in the defense of the city of Québec, at that time besieged by Admiral Phips. In 1698, he received the Cross of St. Louis, and replaced as Governord of Montréal, Louis-Hector de Callières, who was promoted Governor of New France. When De callières died in 1703, he replaced him again and his prudence and experience fitted him to govern the whole colony at that trying period. He was loved by the people and feared by the Indians with whom he strove to strengthen an alliance, while the English colonies sought to shake their fidelity. In 1711, he fortified Québec against Admiral Walker, whose fleet was shipwrecked off Egg Island. Peace being restored, he encouraged agriculture, commerce, and education, but his administration was marked by an economic depression due to the bankruptcy of the “Compagnie de la Colonie” and the devaluation of the currency. He received the Grand Cross of St. Louis in 1721 and ordered the construction of Fort Niagara. He died in his capital city of Québec on October 10, 1725.
Governor of New France. Born in the French region of Languedoc in 1643. In his youth, he joined the army and proved himself valuable in Germany. In the King's musketeers, in which he served from 1659 to 1676, he ranked as brigadier and finally as colonel. He came to Canada in 1687 in command of a marine detachment. After the massacre of French settlers in Lachine in 1689, he prevented the Iroquois from assailing Montréal. In 1690, he took an active part in the defense of the city of Québec, at that time besieged by Admiral Phips. In 1698, he received the Cross of St. Louis, and replaced as Governord of Montréal, Louis-Hector de Callières, who was promoted Governor of New France. When De callières died in 1703, he replaced him again and his prudence and experience fitted him to govern the whole colony at that trying period. He was loved by the people and feared by the Indians with whom he strove to strengthen an alliance, while the English colonies sought to shake their fidelity. In 1711, he fortified Québec against Admiral Walker, whose fleet was shipwrecked off Egg Island. Peace being restored, he encouraged agriculture, commerce, and education, but his administration was marked by an economic depression due to the bankruptcy of the “Compagnie de la Colonie” and the devaluation of the currency. He received the Grand Cross of St. Louis in 1721 and ordered the construction of Fort Niagara. He died in his capital city of Québec on October 10, 1725.
Bio by: Guy Gagnon
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