Date Published:
March 2005

L’Encyclopédie de l’histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia

Rémy, Sieur de Courcelle

Courcelle, Rémy, Sieur de (d. 1698), governor of New France (1665-72), was a soldier who had been governor of Thionville. On March 23, 1665, he received the appointment of governor of New France. In 1666 he led an expedition against the Mohawks, and though he was forced to retreat, the courage showed by this sally had a salutary effect on the Iroquois tribes. Later in the year, he aided Tracy in completely. subduing the Mohawks, and in 1668 he concluded peace with the Iroquois. In 1760 his firmness and impartiality, in executing three French soldiers who had murdered an Indian chief, saved the colony from another war. His foresight was responsible for the erection of a fort at Cataraqui (Kingston). Failing health compelled him to request his recall, and he left Canada in 1672. On his return to Paris, he was appointed commander of Toulon, and this position he retained until his death on October 24, 1698. See R. Roy, Rémy de Courcelles (Bull. rech. hist., vol, xx).

Source  : W. Stewart WALLACE, ed., The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. II, Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948, 411p., p. 140.