46 FRONTENAC AND DUCHESNE AU. [1675-80. 



impracticable obstinacy for any position which he 

 had once assumed, however trivial or however mis- 

 taken. There was incessant friction between the 

 two colleagues in the exercise of their respective 

 functions, and occasions of difference were rarely 

 wanting. 



The question now at issue was that of honors 

 and precedence at church and in religious cere- 

 monies, matters of substantial importance under 

 the Bourbon rule. Colbert interposed, ordered 

 Duchesneau to treat Frontenac with becoming 

 deference, and warned him not to make himself 

 the partisan of the bishop ; ' while, at the same 

 time, he exhorted Frontenac to live in harmony 

 with the intendant. 2 The dispute continued till 

 the king lost patience. 



u Through all my kingdom," he wrote to the 

 governor, " I do not hear of so many difficulties 

 on this matter (of ecclesiastical honors) as I see in 

 the church of Quebec. " 3 And he directs him to 

 conform to the practice established in the city of 

 Amiens, and to exact no more ; " since you ought 

 to be satisfied with being the representative of my 

 person in the country where I have placed you in 

 command." 



At the same time, Colbert corrects the inten- 

 dant. a A memorial," he wrote, " has been placed 

 in my hands, touching various ecclesiastical honors, 

 wherein there continually appears a great preten- 



1 Colbert a Duchesneau, 1 Mai, 1677. 



2 Ibid., 18 Mai, 1677. 



3 Le Roy a Frontenac, 25 Avril, 1679. 



