THE ILE ROYALE GARRISON, 1713-45

BY

MARGARET FORTIER

1981

Report H E 15

Fortress of Louisbourg

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APPENDIX A. GOVERNORS AND COMMANDANTS OF ILE ROYALE, 1713-45

Philippe Pastour De Costebelle

Born in 1661, Costebelle was sent to Plaisance to serve as a lieutenant in 1692. He distinguished himself in conflicts with the English during the next two years and was made a captain of a company in 1694. Partly as a result of the good relationship he enjoyed with the colony's governor, Monbeton De Brouillan (uncle of St. Ovide), he was named lieutenant de roi the following year. Passed over twice for command, he was finally appointed governor in 1706. Following the Treaty of Utrecht, Costebelle oversaw the evacuation of Plaisance by the French and the establishment of the new colony. He died at Louisbourg in the fall of 1717.

Joseph Monbeton De Brouillan dit St. Ovide

Costebelle's successor entered the Gardes de la Marine in 1689 at the age of 13 and joined his uncle at Plaisance as an ensign in 1692. Promotions came quickly - to lieutenant at 18, captain at 20 and, despite a brief period in disfavor with his uncle's successor, Joseph De Monic, lieutenant de roi at 30. Given command of the Semslack by Costebelle, St. Ovide surveyed the Island of Cap Breton to find suitable sites for settlement and landed the first contingent at Hâvre à l'Anglais. He succeeded Costebelle as governor in 1717 and, in spite of numerous complaints concerning his administration, was given the rank of capitaine de vaisseau du roi (the equivalent of colonel in the Infantry) in 1730. Removed from office in 1739, he lived in France until his death 16 years later.

Isaac-Louis De Forant

Prior to his appointment to Ile Royale, De Forant served his entire career as a ship's officer, including several years commanding the Heros which made frequent visits to the Port of Louisbourg. In 1731 he was accorded the rank of capitaine de vaisseau. Though his term of office in Louisbourg showed much promise, he was destined to serve only eight months before his death in May of 1740.

Jean Baptiste Louis Le Prévost Duquesnel

Another officer whose experience was confined entirely to the sea, Duquesnel suffered the loss of his left leg and part of his right foot in 1704 in the Battle of Magala off the coast of Spain. Despite his handicap, he continued active service and was named capitaine de Brûlot in 1708 and capitaine de vaisseau in 1731. From 1737 until his appointment as commandant of Ile Royale, Duquesnel commanded the Jason which carried supplies to Québec and guarded the Grand Banks fishery. On De Forant's death in 1740, Duquesnel was named commandant instead of governor of the colony. This rank carried with it all the authority, privileges and pay that were enjoyed by governors, and there was no explanation offered by the minister as to why St. Ovide was not made a full governor. Duquesnel died at Louisbourg on 9 October 1744, and like his predecessor was buried beneath the chapel.

Le Moyne De Chateaugué

Appointed in January 1745, but unable to leave for Ile Royale that year, Chateaugué was never to see his new charge. He died in March 1747, before the return of the colony to the French. Prior to his commission to Ile Royale, Chateaugué had served as lieutenant de roi in Louisiana and Martinique, and as governor of Cayenne.

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