Pierre de St. Paul, Sieur de La Motte (Pierre La Motte or Pierre Lamotte) (d. November 27, 1685)[1] was captain of a company of the Carignan-Salieres Regiment[2] that was dispatched to New France (Canada) in 1665 by King Louis XIV to protect French colonists to protect French settlers aided by Algonquians against Iroquois attacks.
[1] He and his company sailed on a decrepit royal ship, the Aigle d’Or (Golden Eagle)[3] from La Rochelle, France on May 13, 1665[1] accompanying the Marquis de Salières, Colonel of the Regiment.
[1] La Motte’s company was almost immediately dispatched to fortify the southern flank of New France.
The fort was garrisoned by about 300 French soldiers over the next four years, after which time the troops were pulled back to Québec.
La Motte was made commander at Montreal and later interim governor.