La Tour, Charles Amador de

   Son of Claude de la Tour. Came to Acadia in 1610 with his father. Driven out of Port Royal by the English; built a post near Cape Sable, on what is now known as Port Latour. In 1632, when Acadia was restored to France, Razilly came out with Charnisay to strengthen the colony. Razilly died in 1636, and a bitter conflict followed between Charnisay and La Tour, both of whom claimed to represent the king in Acadia. Charnisay had rebuilt Port Royal, and La Tour occupied a fort at the mouth of the St. John. The outcome of the quarrel was an order for the arrest of La Tour. Charnisay attacked La Tour's fort, but was driven off. When he blockaded the harbour, La Tour escaped to Boston, returned with English ships, and drove Charnisay to the shelter of Port Royal. The latter's opportunity came, however, later. He attacked the fort during La Tour's absence. La Tour's wife made a gallant defence, and Charnisay succeeded in the end only by resorting to treachery. He carried Madame La Tour to Port Royal, where she died in 1645. Some years later, after the death of Charnisay, La Tour brought this curious drama to a conclusion by marrying the widow of his rival. He had already obtained restitution from the king, who made him governor of Acadia; and some years later showed his powers of persuasion by obtaining a generous grant of land from Cromwell, who had, in 1654, taken possession of the colony. Died about 1666.

   Bib.: Parkman, Old Régime; Hannay, History of Acadia; Kirke, The First English Conquest of Canada.