Louis-Joseph Gaultier

Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Vérendrye (9, November, 1717 – 15, November, 1761) a French-Canadian explorer, soldier, spy, trader and veteran of the Seven Years War. He spearheaded a ring of French spies who contended with the British, and established a fur trade through New France to Saskatchewan with his father and three brothers.

Early Life
Born in Quebec to  to a family of explorers on Île aux Vaches at Lake Saint Pierre. Louis-Joseph grew up to follow in his father's footsteps and join the family business.

In 1735, he went to Fort Saint Charles on Lake of the Woods in his first expedition with his father. The following year his brothers François, Jean-Baptiste, and Pierre, rebuilt Fort Maurepas and spent the next four months exploring Manitoba, North Dakota, & Saskatchewan, and established the La Vérendrye trading company. In 1744, Chevalier became the commander of a frontier post for the French government.

La Vérendrye Company
On 6, June, 1736, Sioux Indians ambushed a party led by Louis' brother Jean-Baptiste soon after they left Fort St. Charles on Lake of the Woods. While headed for Fort Kaministiquia to fetch provisions, Jean Baptiste and twenty other men were massacred.

After being appointed commandant of the La Vérendrye's western fur trade outposts, Louis worked alongside Nicolas de Noyelles in the service of Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois and Governor of New France until his father's death in 1749. After managing his father's financial affairs, settling his debts, and taking control of the business, Louis-Joseph and his brother François entered a business partnership with fur trader Luc de la Corne.

Later Life & Death
He died while returning to France, following the British Conquest of Quebec in 1760, when his ship sank off the coast of Cape Breton.

Personality
Short tempered, impatient, and easily angered, Louis-Joseph was disliked by his colleagues. Haunted by the death of his brother, he felt a great deal of guilt over his failure to save him.