Louis-Hector de Callière
| Louis-Hector de Callière | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Governor of Montreal | |
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In office 1684–1699 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Tarieu de LaNouguère |
| Succeeded by | François Provost |
| Governor of New France | |
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In office 1698–1703 |
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| Monarch | Louis XIV |
| Preceded by | Louis de Buade de Frontenac |
| Succeeded by | Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
12 November 1648 Torigni-sur-Vire, Manche |
| Died | 26 May 1703 (aged 54) Quebec City |
| Relations | François de Callières |
| Parents | Madeleine Potier de Courcy Jacques de Callières |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Signature |  |
Louis-Hector de Callière or Callières (12 November 1648 – 26 May 1703) was a French politician, who was the governor of Montreal (1684–1699), and the 13th governor of New France from 1698 to 1703. During his era 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 the 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 demand 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 to the galleys in France some Iroquois chiefs captured at Cataracoui (Kingston).
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 Phipps. 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 Indians. The treaty of Montreal (1701), agreed to by representatives of all the tribes, was the crowning result of all his efforts. This treaty is considered as Callières' chief title 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.
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