50 EROXTEXAC AND DUCHESXEAU. [1675-80. 



trary to my edict concerning that council ; and I 

 am the more surprised at this demand, since I am 

 very sure that you are the only man in my king- 

 dom who, being honored with the title of governor 

 and lieutenant-general, would care to be styled 

 chief and president of such a council as that of 

 Quebec." 



He then declares that neither Frontenac nor the 

 intendant is to have the title of president, but that 

 the intendant is to perform the functions of pre- 

 siding officer, as determined by the edict. He 

 continues : — 



" Moreover, your abuse of the authority which I 

 have confided to you in exiling two councillors and 

 the attorney-general for so trivial a cause cannot 

 meet my approval ; and, were it not for the dis- 

 tinct assurances given me by your friends that you 

 will act with more moderation in future, and never 

 again fall into offences of this nature, I should 

 have resolved on recalling you." 1 



Colbert wrote to him with equal severity : " I 

 have communicated to the king the contents of all 

 the despatches which you have written to me dur- 

 ing . the past year ; and as the matters of which 

 they treat are sufficiently ample, including dissen- 

 sions almost universal among those whose duty it 

 is to preserve harmony in the country under your 

 command, his Majesty has been pleased to examine 

 all the papers sent by all the parties interested, 



1 'Le Roy a Frontenac, 29 Avril, 1680. A decree of the council of 

 state soon after determined the question of presidency in accord with 

 this letter. Edits et Ordonnances, I. 238. 



