Pontbriand, Henri-Marie Dubreuil de

(1709-1760)

   Born in Vannes, France. In 1741 consecrated bishop of Quebec, and left Paris for Canada. Soon after his arrival in Quebec engaged in a lawsuit with the nuns of the general hospital as to the ownership of the episcopal palace, which they claimed Bishop Saint-Vallier had bequeathed to them. The king, however, confirmed him in its possession. Another royal decree prohibited religious congregations from holding lands in mortmain, but the bishop refused to enforce it. In 1760, after the fall of Quebec, he appointed a vicar-general, admonished the clergy to observe strictly the terms of capitulation, and went to Montreal, where he died after a short illness.

   Index: WM Bishop of Quebec, urges inhabitants to take to arms, 63; his palace converted into redoubt, 86; visits hospital in spite of fatal illness, 153; administers last sacrament to Montcalm, 220; issues mandemant in support of Lévis' attack on Quebec, 245. L Bishop of Quebec, 12.

   Bib.: Têtu, Evêques de Quebec.