Clément Lérige de La Plante.

Compagnies franches de la Marine.

At age 25, Clément was a cadet in the Compagnies franches de la marine who arrived in Canada in the fall of 1685. He served as an aide to the Governor General of Quebec, Jacques-René de Brisay de Denonville (1685-89). It is unclear whether he might have been on the same ship as Denonville, which arrived safely on 1 August 1685, or more likely, if he was transported on one of the troop ships which landed about a month later. La Dilligente made it to Quebec on 20 August, Le Fougon made port riddled with typhus and scurvy, and finally Le Mulet. Over 300 troops were cared for at Hôtel-Dieu at Quebec, joining scores of colonists who had been struck down by an influenza outbreak.

Ministère de la Marine

The secrétaire d'État de la Marine oversaw the administration of the navy and merchant fleets, all French ports and the defense of the colonies. France withdrew is regular army from Canada to attend to other fronts; the Troupes de la Marine were sent to Québec when it was clear that the colonists still needed help warding off marauding Iroquois and to defend the fur trade. As members of the navy the men served on ships, but it soon became apparent that the colony needed men on the ground. The Compagnies franches de la marine was organized to meet this need.

In the beginning most of the recruits were from France. Officers were gathered from the colony for many of them had gained experience during their service in the Régiment de Carignan-Salières. While enlisting locals was discouraged because it cut into the available work force, the numbers of Canadians serving would swell. A commission was a sure way to raise oneself in the social strata of the colony and was highly sought after.

The men had to be at least 16 years of age and at least 5'5" tall (which was about average height for the day). They were often bivouacked in the homes of the settlers who were required to offer a straw bed and a place by the fire. Extra pay was awarded when engaged in helping to construct roads or forts, and the colonists would pay them for work on their farms.

While they reported for drilling, their level of discipline was regarded as being somewhat lax. They were, however, unparalleled in their command of bush fighting. They adapted to a hit-and–run style of battle to match that of their native allies.

Nicolas Varin dit la Pistole was another of our ancestors who served in this branch of the military.

The position of cadet was awarded to young men training to become an officer. While waiting for a coveted commission to open up cadets served with the rank and file. Their uniform differed by the addition of an aiguillette [braided loops of blue and white silk with brass tips which hung from the shoulder]. While engaged on a mission, their clothing more closely resembled that of a woodsman, who in turn adapted the attire of the Native Americans to include buckskin leggings and moccasins. The French quickly adjusted to the use of snowshoes like those native to the region to traverse the snow-packed countryside in the winter months. Like his comrades, Clément was armed with a musket and a brass-hilted sword that had a straight blade.

To his credit, the new governor travelled throughout the colony to assess its status. Like many observers of the time he was taken aback by the "robust and vivacious" youth who so resembled the Indians in their manner and dress - a byproduct of living in such close contact. He also noted that the arrangement of the seigneuries spread out along the river front represented a defensive nightmare and would have preferred the farmers homes were built in clusters that could be defended by a palisade.

Clément was garrisoned at Montréal.

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