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Cadillac, Antoine de La Mothe

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

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1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Cadillac, Antoine de La Mothe
• Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac

(1657-1730) Founder of Detroit, born Toulouse, France; died Castelsarrasin. A young officer, experienced as pioneer in New France, he was made commandant of Michilimackinac. In 1701 he established a fortified post at Pont Chartrain, later known as Detroit, in order to monopolize Indian trade. Utilizing his position to carry on illegal traffic, he quarreled with the Jesuits who protested against his abuses in transactions with the Indians. He was recalled to France; appointed Governor of Louisiana in 1712, deposed in 1776, and sentenced to the Bastille. After his release he was appointed governor of Castelsarrasin, and regained possession of his Detroit property.