HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON THIS DAY IN CANADA

10 March

Huault de Montmagny (1622-1654)

New Governor Appointed

When Champlain died at Quebec on Christmas Day, 1635, the man who was given the unenviable task of taking his place was Charles Huault de Montmagny. He was appointed Governor of Canada on March 10, 1636, and arrived at Quebec in June.

Montmagny was a soldier and a knight of the Maltese Order, as was his aide, Bréhaut l'Isle. It was an inspiring sight when they stepped on shore wearing their black robes with white eight-pointed crosses on their breasts. They were followed by soldiers in scarlet uniforms and flashing breastplates. The party numbered forty-five in all, including six daughters of two of its members. Their arrival nearly doubled the population of Quebec!

Canada needed trained military men. Montmagny and his aide, Bréhaut l'Isle, had fought the Turks on land and sea, and were believed to be the leaders who could handle the Iroquois. The Five Nations had declared war on the French to revenge the defeats inflicted on them by Champlain and had taken strategic positions along the rivers. It was not safe for small parties of white men to go into the woods, and small communities were always in danger.

The Iroquois were armed with guns, most of which had been supplied by the Dutch who had a base at what is now Albany, New York. They were remarkable warriors and planned their campaigns on lines that would be considered modern today. They established positions along the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, from Three Rivers to Chaudière Falls. This separated the French from the Hurons and Algonquins who were their allies.

The Iroquois "army" 'was divided into ten sections with most of the strength around Montreal Island, which was the crossroads of the trade routes. One of the sections was a large mobile force that could be moved quickly to any sector. The Iroquois did not commit large numbers of warriors to single actions, but used small bands to kill the French in what is now called "guerilla warfare." If the French could be weakened sufficiently, that would be the time for a united attack.

Montmagny made the First plans for countering the Iroquois but it took another thirtysix years to make much headway. Count Frontenac had arrived by that time to take charge.

10 March

-1816    Jean-Baptiste Lajimonière, father of the first white child born in western Canada, traveled 1,800 miles in winter from Red River to Montreal to bring Lord Selkirk news of the colony.

-1865    The Parliament of Canada asked Britain to unite the North American colonies.

-1871    The first Legislative Council of Manitoba opened.

-1910    Prince Rupert, British Columbia, was incorporated.

-1915    Canadian troops were in action in battle of Neuve Chapelle.