He studied at the Séminaire de Nicolet, articled as a notary with Louis Panet and qualified to practice in 1833.
In 1837, he helped form a chapter of Les Fils de la Liberté at Saint-Hyacinthe.
After participating in earlier battles and wanted by the authorities, he attempted to escape to the United States in November of that year.
When his route was blocked, he hid himself near Saint-Hyacinthe until a general amnesty was declared in June 1838.
He was arrested in December 1838 after attending a Patriote meeting and released the following January without being charged.