Louis Billouart
 | This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2018) ) |
Louis Billouart de Kerlérec | |
|---|---|
Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil | |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Jacques Blaise d'Abbadie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 27, 1704 Quimper, Brittany, France |
| Died | September 8, 1770 (aged 66) Paris, France |
| Spouse | Marie Josèphe du Bot |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France |
| Branch/service | French Navy |
| Years of service | 1718-1763 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | Natchez Revolt War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War |
Louis Billouart, Chevalier de Kerlérec (1704–1770) was a career French
Quimper, Finistère
. In the late 1750s, during the Seven Years' War, he got into conflict with other officials and had three men recalled to France. They ultimately secured the support of the government, which recalled Kerlérec in 1763 and exiled him from Paris for a year. He was exonerated and remained in Paris for his last years.
Colonial career
Kerlérec had to struggle in greater than usual isolation during his administration, as the French government was immersed in conducting the
troops
went unanswered.
Kerlérec tightened his discipline over the troops already stationed in the colony. During his governorship, relations between the
British if they were not provided with more supplies and trade goods. Kerlérec tried to hire Swiss mercenaries for defense, but the Commissary-Commissioner, Vincent de Rochemore
, refused to pay for them. This was one of several public disagreements which they had.
After a few years of not receiving communications or supplies from France, the colony learned that France had ceded
Spanish as a result of the French and Indian War, and to avoid being forced to give up control to Great Britain, which had defeated France. Kerlérec and Rochemore had many public quarrels; the latter accused Kerlerec of stealing money from the colony's treasury and acting as a dictator. Kerlérec ordered Rochemore and two allies (treasurer and comptroller Jean Baptiste d'Estrehan and Antoine Philippe de Marigny) recalled to France, but they succeeded in turning the government against him. Kerlérec was recalled to France and thrown into prison in 1763. He was exiled from Paris
in 1769 but was exonerated a year later. Kerlérec then returned to Paris where he died in 1770.
Legacy
- A street in New Orleans' 7th Ward is named for Kerlérec. It goes from Chartres Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, north to Dorgenois Street. Due to developments over the years, the road is "broken" and does not run straight through its original course.
References
- Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1961. LCCN 59:9088.
- Hervé Gourmelon. Le chevalier de Kerlérec. L’affaire de la Louisiane. Rennes:Les Portes du large, novembre 2003. Second edition, février 2004. Collection Bretons à travers le monde
External links
- Timeline of Kerlerec's Life
- Governor Kerlerec, La Louisiane Française 1682-1803] website (French)
| First French Louisiana (1682–1762) |   | |
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| Spanish Louisiana (1762–1802) | ||
| Second French Louisiana (1802–1804) |
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| National | |
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