over the Council, 'in the absence of the said Sieur de
Frontenac.' Why this last clause should have been inserted one finds
it hard to understand, for Colbert's subsequent letters {66} place his
intention beyond doubt. He meant that Duchesneau should preside,
though without detracting from Frontenac's superior dignity. The order
of precedence at the Council is fixed with perfect clearness. First
comes the governor, then the bishop, and then the intendant. Yet the
intendant is given the chair. Colbert may have thought that Duchesneau
as a man of business possessed a better training for this special work.
Clearly the step was not taken with a view to placing an affront upon
Frontenac. When he complained, Colbert replied that there was no other
man in France who, being already a governor and lieutenant-general,
would consider it an increase of honour to preside over the Council.
In Colbert's eyes this was a clerk's work, not a soldier's.

Frontenac saw the matter differently and was unwilling to be deposed.
Royal letters, which he produced, had styled him 'President of the
Council,' and on the face of it Duchesneau's commission only indicated
that he should preside in Frontenac's absence. With these arguments
the governor stood his ground. Then followed the representations of
both parties to the king, each taxing the other with misdemeanours both
political and {67} personal. During the long period which must elapse
before a reply could be received, the Sovereign Council was turned into
an academy of invective. Besides governor, bishop, and intendant,
there were seven members who were called upon to take sides in the
contest. No one could remain neutral even if he had the desire. In
voting power Laval and Duchesneau had rather the best of it, but
Frontenac when pressed could fall back on physical force; as he once
did by banishing three of the councillors--Villeray, Tilly, and
Auteuil--from Quebec (July 4, 1679).

Incredible as it may seem, this issue regarding the right to preside
was not settled until the work of the Council had been disturbed by it
for five years. What is still more incredible, it was settled by
compromise. The king's final ruling was that the minutes of each
meeting should register the presence of governor and intendant without
saying which had presided. Throughout the controversy Colbert
remonstrated with both Frontenac and Duchesneau for their turbulence
and unwillingness to work toge