French Marines in Canada, 1683–1715
The additional military manpower of the Carignan-Salières Regiment tipped the scale in favour of the French, and the Iroquois sued for peace in 1667.
When the Iroquois resumed hostilities ten years later, the colony was once again unable to defend itself in spite of the foundation of a militia system in 1669.
[1] The object of the first troupes de la marine sent to Canada in 1683 was to defeat the Iroquois, and then return to France.
[4] Through the initiative of governor Denonville, the rank of second ensign was added to the complement in 1699, explicitly in order to recruit young Canadians of good families to the officer corps.
In 1687 the rank of "commandant of the troops in Canada" was created, with a major as his chief of staff added to the organization in 1691.
Officer's billets were always filled, but the actual number of private marines were almost always lower than the required strength.
Most of the recruits were volunteers, but since service in Canada was not attractive, sometimes deception or violence was used to induce young men into the Marines.
From 1686, each newly raised company also included a veteran core of 14 non-commissioned officers and men from the Marine guards in French ports.
With the exception of 200 indentured servants that arrived 1684 and 1685, the marines were the only external additions to the population of Canada during the period 1683–1715.
Canada lacked barracks and the marines were – like their predecessors of the Carignan-Salières Regiment – billeted on the people of the local community, especially during the cold season.
Brought about by utter necessity, this probably constituted the principal element in the rapid integration of the marines into the host society.
[25] Another factor favorable for integration was the two privileges granted the marines by the Intendant of New France, Jacques de Meulles, in 1685.
The captains of the marine companies were in their turn more than happy to give soldiers leave for work, as they then pocketed their military pay; an illegal but common practice.
[26] In 1686 the King confirmed, that any soldier who wished to marry and become a settler cultivating uncleared land was to be released from service and during a year thereafter be paid as if he still was serving.
