Henri Peyroux de la Coudrenière facts for kids
Henri Peyroux de la Coudrenière (1743–18??) was a French politician and writer. He is most known for his plan to help the Acadians move from France to Louisiana. The people known as Cajuns today are descendants of these Acadians.
Henri Peyroux de la Coudrenière was born in Mortagne-sur-Sèvre, Poitou, France. His father, Charles Peyroux, was a pharmacist and surgeon. His mother was Marguerite Suzanne Joudad.
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Helping the Acadians Move
Henri Peyroux had an idea to help the Acadians, who had been forced to leave their homes. He wanted them to settle in Spanish Louisiana. He got support and money from Spain for his plan.
Working with Olivier Terrio
Peyroux worked with an Acadian named Olivier Terrio. Together, they talked with French and Spanish officials. They also worked with the Acadian families themselves. Their goal was to organize this big move.
Challenges Along the Way
The project faced many problems. For example, French merchants did not want the Acadians to leave. This was because the Acadians owed them money. These issues caused delays and difficulties.
The Journey to Louisiana
Despite the setbacks, the plan moved forward. Between May and October 1785, about 1,600 Acadian exiles sailed to Louisiana. This was a huge journey for them.
Life in Louisiana
Henri Peyroux also traveled to Louisiana. There, he held important positions. He became a captain in the Spanish Army. He was also a leader at the post in Sainte-Geneviève. This area is now part of Missouri.
Disagreement with His Partner
After the Acadians had settled, Peyroux had a disagreement with his partner, Olivier Terrio. Peyroux did not pay Terrio for his help.
How Some People Saw Him
Because of this, some people saw Henri Peyroux differently. They did not see him only as someone who helped the Acadians. Instead, they saw him as someone who looked for ways to benefit himself in the colonies.
Other Ideas and Writings
Around 1784–1785, Peyroux wrote about another idea. He wrote a plan for Spain to settle Van Diemen's Land. This place is now called Tasmania.
When Spain did not respond, he offered the idea to the French government. He wrote about the benefits of a strong colony there.
