Pierre Du Gua de Monts
Monts, Pierre Du Gua de
Pierre Du Gua de Monts, explorer, trader, colonizer (b at Saintonge, France c 1558; d in France 1628). A founder of the earliest permanent French settlements in North America and a close associate of Samuel de CHAMPLAIN, de Monts exerted great influence during the first 2 decades of the 17th century. His first visit to Canada was probably made in 1600 with Pierre Chauvin de Tonnetuit, and in 1603 he received royal patents for the colonization, commercial exploitation and government of Acadia. In 1604 he established a settlement on the Île Ste-Croix (Dochet Island).
Forced by climate and disease to move to PORT-ROYAL in 1605, the colony survived and prospered until the revocation of de Monts's fur-trading monopoly in 1607 forced its temporary abandonment. By then de Monts had returned to France and turned his attention to the St Lawrence Valley. Although he never visited North America again, he sent Champlain to found a trading post at Québec in 1608, thus playing a leading role in establishing it as a continuing French settlement. De Monts pursued his commercial interests in Canada until 1617, when he retired to the Ardennes.
Port-Royal
Port-Royal, Nova Scotia, established by Champlain in 1605, was the centre of Acadian life. This reconstruction is a national historic park (photo by Bill Brooks/Masterfile).
Author JOHN G. REID
Links to Other Sites
Living in Canada in the Time of Champlain
This website documents Samuel de Champlain’s role in the exploration and development of New France. Includes maps, artifacts, and related notes about Pierre Du Gua de Monts. Part of the Virtual Museum of New France.
Port-Royal National Historic Site of Canada
This national historic site features a reconstruction of early 17th- century buildings representing the former colony of the French who settled for a time along the Nova Scotia coast. Costumed interpreters and period demonstrations help recreate the look and feel of Port-Royal, one of the earliest settlements in North America. A Parks Canada website.
Indepth: Champlain Anniversary
This CBC site chronicles Samuel de Champlain's adventures in North America during the early part of the 17th century.
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Learn about Saint Croix Island and the remarkable story of the early French settlements in North America. Includes maps and other historic documents. From Parks Canada.
Mathieu Da Costa Day Act
The official text of the “Mathieu Da Costa Day Act.” From the Parliament of Canada.
The story of the founding of Montreal is perhaps unique in history....
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