Governor of New France
Encyclopedia
The Governor of New France was the viceroy
of the King of France in North America. A French noble, he was appointed to govern the colonies of New France
, which included Canada
, Acadia
and Louisiana
. The residence of the Governor was at the Château St-Louis in the capital of Quebec City
. Acadia, Louisiana, and the towns of Trois-Rivières
and Montreal
had their own particular governors.
Prior to the establishment of the 1663 Sovereign Council, the highest positions in New France were that of Governor
and Lieutenant-General
, which were often held by the same person. The Governor then had responsibilities over both military and civil affairs in the colonies. With the new royal administration of 1663, the title of Governor General was given to the person responsible for the military and diplomatic relations. The administration of justice, police, and finance was given to the Intendant
, who presided over the Sovereign Council. The Governor General answered to the French Secretary of State of the Navy and the Controller General of Finance.
Beginning with Charles de Montmagny
, North American Indians referred to the governor as Onontio
, meaning "Great Mountain". Each Onontio was the head of the Franco-Indian alliance.
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
of the King of France in North America. A French noble, he was appointed to govern the colonies of New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
, which included Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Acadia
Acadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
and Louisiana
Louisiana (New France)
Louisiana or French Louisiana was an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682–1763 and 1800–03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle...
. The residence of the Governor was at the Château St-Louis in the capital of Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
. Acadia, Louisiana, and the towns of Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Trois-Rivières is a city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, located at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence Rivers. It is situated in the Mauricie administrative region, on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River across from the city of Bécancour...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
had their own particular governors.
Prior to the establishment of the 1663 Sovereign Council, the highest positions in New France were that of Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and Lieutenant-General
Lieutenant General of New France
Lieutenant General of New France was the military post that governed early New France from 1598 until 1627. Before 1598, the office was briefly occupied from 1541 to 1543. The office was replaced by the title of Governor of New France in 1627...
, which were often held by the same person. The Governor then had responsibilities over both military and civil affairs in the colonies. With the new royal administration of 1663, the title of Governor General was given to the person responsible for the military and diplomatic relations. The administration of justice, police, and finance was given to the Intendant
Intendant of New France
New France was governed by three rulers: the governor, the bishop and the intendant, all appointed by the King, and sent from France. The intendant was responsible for finance, economic development, and the administration of justice . He also presided over the Sovereign Council of New France...
, who presided over the Sovereign Council. The Governor General answered to the French Secretary of State of the Navy and the Controller General of Finance.
Beginning with Charles de Montmagny
Charles de Montmagny
Charles Jacques Huault de Montmagny was governor of New France from 1636 to 1648. He succeeded Champlain, who was Lieutenant General of New France, although treated de facto as if he were governor...
, North American Indians referred to the governor as Onontio
Onontio
Onontio was a title used by North American Indians of the Great Lakes region to refer to the governor of New France. The title was first given to Charles de Montmagny and was subsequently applied to all later French governors. Onontio is a Mohawk rendering of "great mountain", the literal...
, meaning "Great Mountain". Each Onontio was the head of the Franco-Indian alliance.
| Office Holder | Term | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Richelieu | 1627–1632 | Louis XIII Louis XIII of France Louis XIII was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1610 to 1643.Louis was only eight years old when he succeeded his father. His mother, Marie de Medici, acted as regent during Louis' minority... |
| Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain , "The Father of New France", was a French navigator, cartographer, draughtsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler. He founded New France and Quebec City on July 3, 1608.... |
1632–1635 | Louis XIII |
| Charles de Montmagny Charles de Montmagny Charles Jacques Huault de Montmagny was governor of New France from 1636 to 1648. He succeeded Champlain, who was Lieutenant General of New France, although treated de facto as if he were governor... |
1635–1648 | Louis XIII |
| Louis d'Ailleboust de Coulonge Louis d'Ailleboust de Coulonge Louis d'Ailleboust de Coulonge was the French governor of New France from 1648 to 1651 and acting governor from 1657 to 1658.- Biography :... |
1648–1651 | Louis XIV Louis XIV of France Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days... |
| Jean de Lauson | 1651–1657 | Louis XIV |
| Pierre de Voyer d'Argenson, Vicomte de Mouzay Pierre de Voyer d'Argenson, Vicomte de Mouzay Pierre de Voyer d'Argenson, Vicomte de Mouzay was the French governor of New France from 1658 to 1661. He was a son of the diplomat René de Voyer de Paulmy d'Argenson.-External links:*... |
1657–1661 | Louis XIV |
| Pierre Dubois Davaugour Pierre Dubois Davaugour Baron Pierre Dubois Davaugour was the French governor of New France from 1661 to 1663. He was related to the old family who were counts and dukes of Penthièvre.- External links :** - Catholic Encyclopedia article... |
1661–1663 | Louis XIV |
See also
- Governor of Montreal
- Governor of Acadia
- Governor of Plaisance
- Governor of Louisiana