1675-80.] WAR WITH THE CLERGY. 45 



succeeded. An intendant was now, therefore, 

 sent to Quebec, not only to manage the details of 

 administration, but also to watch the governor, 

 keep him, if possible, within prescribed bounds, 

 and report his proceedings to the minister. The 

 change was far from welcome to Frontenac, whose 

 delight it was to hold all the reins of power in his 

 own hands ; nor was he better pleased with the 

 return of Bishop Laval, which presently took 

 place. Three preceding governors had quarrelled 

 with that uncompromising prelate ; and there was 

 little hope that Frontenac and he would keep the 

 peace. All the signs of the sky foreboded storm. 



The storm soon came. The occasion of it was 

 that old vexed question of the sale of brandy, 

 which has been fully treated in another volume, 1 

 and on which it is needless to dwell here. Another 

 dispute quickly followed ; and here, too, the gover- 

 nor's chief adversaries were the bishop and the 

 ecclesiastics. Duchesneau, the new intendant, took 

 part with them. The bishop and his clergy were, 

 on their side, very glad of a secular ally ; for their 

 power had greatly fallen since the days of Mezy, 

 and the rank and imperious character of Fronte- 

 nac appear to have held them in some awe. They 

 avoided as far as they could a direct collision with 

 him, and waged vicarious war in the person of their 

 friend the intendant. Duchesneau was not of a 

 conciliating spirit, and he felt strong in the sup- 

 port of the clergy ; while Frontenac, when his 

 temper was roused-, would fight with haughty and 



1 The Old Regime in Canada. 



