76 ‘The French in Prince Edward Island

the others never visited the colony they need only casual notice when in conflict with their Director.’

Of Roma’s antecedents and previous training little is known but he seems to have had a varied experi- ence prior to his venture in Isle Saint Jean. In a letter to the Minister, May 31, 1741, he complained that his fortune had been ruined as early as 1715 by a M. Desmarets, that the Duc d’Orleans by reunit- ing to the Royal domain a concession on the south coast of Santo Domingo had prevented him from re- establishing that fortune and that he had been dis- suaded from entering the service of the King of Sardinia in 1726 by the French Ambassador at Turin.* The same ill luck seemed to dog his steps in Isle Saint Jean, where from the first he was always in conflict with both cleric and layman.

The chaplain of his Company was Abbé Bierne, who was either too great or too small for his position. No sooner had the axe of the pioneer begun to make a clearing at Brudenell than he and Roma came to blows. As Commandant for the King and director of the Company, Roma looked upon the Abbé as an employee to be treated with courtesy but not to be obeyed.* The Abbé on the other hand regarded his authority as coming from on high and proceeded to dictate to the Commandant. He accused him of neg- lecting the ordinances of the church and forbade all work on holy days and Sundays. Without pausing to

2B, Vol. 653, p. 887.

3 F, Vol. 155, p. 162. 4C11 IV, Vol. 14, p. 221.