Louis-Hector de Callière

Louis-Hector de Callière or Callières (12 November 1648 – 26 May 1703) was a French military officer, who was the governor of Montreal (1684–1699), and the 13th governor of New France from 1698 to 1703.[1] During his tenure as governor of Montreal, the Iroquois war had enhanced the importance of that position. He conducted himself so well during this period that he was awarded the prestigious cross of Saint-Louis in 1694 partly under the recommendation of Buade de Frontenac. He, additionally, played an important role in defining the strategy that New France followed during Queen Anne's War. He ranked as captain in the regiment of Navarre. He came to Canada in 1684, and was appointed Governor of Montreal at the request of the Sulpicians who were Seigneurs of the island. The situation of the colony at that time was most critical, owing to Frontenac's departure, the weakness of Governor de la Barre, and the woeful error of the French government in sending some Iroquois chiefs captured at Cataracoui (Kingston) to be galley slaves in France.

Louis-Hector de Callière
Governor of Montreal
In office 1684–1699
Preceded by	Thomas Tarieu de LaNouguère
Succeeded by	François Provost
Governor of New France
In office 1698–1703
Monarch	Louis XIV
Preceded by	Louis de Buade de Frontenac
Succeeded by	Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
Personal details
Born	(1648-11-12)12 November 1648 Torigni-sur-Vire, Manche
Died	26 May 1703(1703-05-26) (aged 54) Quebec City
Relations	François de Callières
Parents	Madeleine Potier de Courcy Jacques de Callières
Signature

In 1689 Callières proposed to Louis XIV to invade New England by land and sea, and obtained the reappointment of Frontenac as governor. In 1690 he marched to the defense of Quebec, when it was besieged by William Phips. A valiant and experienced soldier, he aided Frontenac in saving New France from the Iroquois and in raising the prestige of the French flag. He was one of the first to receive the Cross of St. Louis (1694). Having succeeded Frontenac in 1698, he devoted all his skill and energy to the pacification of the indigenous nations. The treaty of Montreal (1701), agreed to by representatives of 39 nations, was the crowning result of all his efforts. This treaty is considered as Callières' chief claim to fame. That same year he sent Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac to found Detroit. One of the most conspicuous figures in Canadian history, he left a reputation of disinterestedness, honour, and probity.