Bertrand d’Ogeron was a significant figure in the early French colonization of Saint-Domingue. He initially acted as an agent of the Company of the Islands of America. Later, he became the governor of Saint-Domingue.
Here’s a summary of what Moreau de Saint-Méry said about him:
- Early Enterprises and Travels: D’Ogeron was a member of a company from Southern France that intended to establish settlements on the mainland. He embarked on enterprises that led him to America. He visited Martinique and Jamaica. He was in Saint-Domingue for the third time in 1662.
- Activities in 1662: While in Saint-Domingue in 1662, d’Ogeron visited the Lucayes and Caïques islands. Following this visit, he requested and obtained a perpetual concession for these islands. Convinced that this project was no better than his previous unfortunate ventures, he subsequently came to Saint-Domingue to establish a plantation (“habitation”) at Port-Margot with the remnants from those enterprises.
- Taking Control of Tortue Island: D’Ogeron saw Jérémie Deschamps, Chevalier Seigneur Du Rausset (who had helped Le Vasseur conquer Tortue) on Tortue Island. D’Ogeron recognized Du Rausset’s value and suggested to the Company of the Islands that they compensate him and acquire his rights. Before the rights were formally acquired, the Company chose d’Ogeron to take possession of Tortue on their behalf. The King then made him governor of Tortue on October 27, 1664. He was officially put in possession of Tortue on June 6, 1665. While residing on Tortue, he planned the “La Tour” fortification, which began in April 1667.
- Developing Saint-Domingue: While residing on Tortue, d’Ogeron planned to extend settlements onto the island of Saint-Domingue itself and eventually expel the Spanish to make the entire island a French possession. He played a significant role in influencing the buccaneers and filibusters, managing to transform them into cultivators. As the Spanish actions involving dogs destroyed the cattle population the buccaneers relied on, forcing them to seek other resources, d’Ogeron promoted cultivation. He is credited with leading the first Frenchmen towards cultivation. He introduced the cultivation of cocoa at Port-Margot and Port-de-Paix. He is described as having a significant influence on the customs of the French conquerors.
- Administration and Settlement: D’Ogeron favored Port-de-Paix, which began to show promise under his governorship. Port-Margot and Port-de-Paix were the two points closest to Tortue and benefited most from his leadership. To encourage settlement and stabilize the population, he had wives sent from France for his colonists, who were still somewhat wild. He attracted settlers from Anjou, his compatriots.
- Military Actions: He demonstrated French capability by having Saint-Yague attacked and ransomed in 1667. He attempted two expeditions against Porto-Rico to rescue stranded Frenchmen, but these were unsuccessful and further depopulated Tortue.
- Challenges: The inhabitants of the colony revolted against d’Ogeron’s authority in 1670 because he wanted to prevent them from trading with the Flemish. He imprisoned some individuals involved in the revolt, including a priest and a syndic, sending them to France.
- Later Life and Death: At the end of 1668, d’Ogeron went to France, leaving his nephew M. de Pouançay as interim governor. He returned around June 1669, bringing several hundred indentured laborers (“engagés”), and continued to reside on Tortue. Knowing of the impending suppression of the West India Company, he requested permission to return to France, which was granted in January 1675. He died in Paris in May 16761.
In summary, d’Ogeron was instrumental in the transition of French presence in Saint-Domingue from a buccaneer/filibuster economy based on hunting and raiding to one increasingly focused on agriculture, establishing plantations, attracting settlers, and securing French control over parts of the island, particularly centered around Tortue and the northern coast
