Gilles Hocquart

Gilles Hocquart was born in France in 1694. A government worker by profession, he arrived in Canada in 1729 as interim intendant and received full appointment to the post the following year. In charge of the police (public order), justice and finances, the intendant oversaw the civil administration of the colony. Following the fire, Hocquart uses the king’s funds to hasten the reconstruction of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital. He backs the requests of eminent citizens in Montréal for compensation, but the Ministre de la Marine refuses to offer any indemnity to individuals. Hocquart does not undermine the trial process. He is convinced of Angélique’s guilt and states in his correspondence that she is responsible for the fire.