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Caption: Marquis de Beauharnois, Governor General of New France, circa 1748

Charles de Beauharnois de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois (1671-1749) was Governor General of New France between 1725 and 1747. He encouraged western exploration by military officers such as La Vérendrye, an action that would have incalculable positive returns for Canada as a nation when it expanded westwards. He also encouraged the building of sizeable forts at the frontiers such as Fort Niagara and Fort Saint-Frédéric (now Crown Point, NY) and the erection of walled defences around the city of Montreal. (National Archives of Canada, C141180)