Daniel de Rémy de Courcelle

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Daniel de Rémy de Courcelle, Sieur de Montigny, de La Fresnaye et de Courcelle^[1] (1626 – October 24, 1698), was the governor general of New France from 1665 to 1672.

His main contributions to the colony during his tenure were the actions he took to resolve conflicts amongst the various Indian tribes and to raise the status of the French within the native societies. This promoted peace for New France and retained substantial fur trade that was in danger of being taken over by the Dutch and the English. He also approved Robert La Salle's plan to mount expeditions to seek a western passage to China^[2]

He was instrumental in upgrading the judicial procedures of the colony along with Intendent Jean Talon and, acting on the orders of Louis XIV, he established militia units in New France. This militia would be instrumental in the colony’s future wars.

[edit] Notes

^ The name of his family was "Rémy de Courcelles", but the governor seemed to have signed "Courcelle" while in Canada, so he is know as "Courcelle" in Canada.
^ Francis Parkman, La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West, France and England in North America 3 Williamstown, MA: Corner House Publishers, 1980), 15.