The Lost Code

Responsible for diplomacy

Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, Governor of New France (1672–1682, 1689–1698)

Musée de la civilisation, fonds d'archives du Séminaire de Québec. Frontenac. After 1890.
N° Ph1997-1395

The governor was at the top of colonial hierarchy. Appointed by the king, who could dismiss him as he saw fit, the governor represented the king in the colony and had to report his actions to the minister of the navy. The governor was responsible for diplomacy, which included relations with the aboriginal nations and English colonies. He was also the colony's military leader and he led the troops and oversaw military facilities. Since he lived at Château Saint-Louis in Québec City, other governors represented him in Montréal, Trois-Rivières, and Acadie. He sat alongside the intendant, the bishop, and councilors on the Sovereign Council, the colony's highest court of law.