Answer · confidence: strong
Did Spanish records say who recruited Acadians in Brittany, and did France know?
Research question: What do Spanish colonial archives in Louisiana and Spain document about the recruitment of Acadians in Brittany, including the agents involved and whether the effort was kept secret from France?
The records show that Spain paid for approximately 1,600 Acadians to travel from France to Louisiana after years of preparation 2. A French soldier of fortune named Henri Peyroux de la Coudrenière led the recruitment effort in 1784, working through an Acadian shoemaker named Olivier Terriot 35. Peyroux expected a substantial reward from the Spanish monarch for supplying these colonists 7. The French government refused to fund the relocation, reasoning that the benefit would go only to the Spanish crown 8.
Checked 2026-10-15. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
The French government made unsuccessful attempts over about 20 years to establish Acadian colonies in Brittany and several other places.
"Over the course of 20 years, the French government made unsuccessful attempts to establish Acadians colonies in Brittany, Belle-Isle-en-Mer, Poitou, Corsica, French Guiana, Santo Domingo, and the Falkland Islands."Migrations of Acadians - Acadian Genealogy - Historical Acadian-Cajun ...
[2] supported
Spain paid for about 1600 Acadians to travel from France to Louisiana, which was then a Spanish colony, after years of preparation.
"After years of preparation, Spain paid for about 1600 Acadians to travel from France to Louisiana, which was now a Spanish colony."ACADIAN-CAJUN Genealogy: Cajuns in the 18th Century: 7 Ships of LA
[3] supported
In 1784, Henri Peyroux de la Coudrenière, a French soldier of fortune recently returned from Louisiana, exploited Acadian interest in Louisiana colonization.
"this continuing interest was successfully exploited in 1784 by Henri Peyroux de la Coudrenière, a French soldier of fortune recently returned from Louisiana."Acadian Immigration Into South Louisiana, 1764-1785
[4] supported
After the French attempts failed, the Spanish government offered Acadians land in Louisiana, and nearly 1600 left for the Spanish colony in 1785.
"The Spanish government finally came to the rescue with an offer of land in Louisiana, and in 1785 nearly 1600 Acadians left for the Spanish colony."Migrations of Acadians - Acadian Genealogy - Historical Acadian-Cajun ...
[5] supported
Peyroux worked through an Acadian shoemaker named Olivier Terriot in his recruitment effort.
"Working through Acadian shoemaker Olivier Terriot"Acadian Immigration Into South Louisiana, 1764-1785
[6] supported
Seven ships carried the Acadians to Louisiana in 1785.
"In 1785 , seven ships brought the Acadians to Louisiana."ACADIAN-CAJUN Genealogy: Cajuns in the 18th Century: 7 Ships of LA
[7] supported
Peyroux expected a substantial reward from the Spanish monarch in return for supplying colonists to Louisiana.
"By providing colonists for Louisiana, Peyroux anticipated a handsome reward from a grateful Spanish monarch."Acadian Immigration Into South Louisiana, 1764-1785
[8] supported
The financially strapped French government refused to pay for the relocation of Acadians from France to Louisiana, reasoning that the benefit would go only to the Spanish crown.
"the financially embarrassed French government refused to subsidize their relocation as it would benefit only the Spanish crown."Acadian Immigration Into South Louisiana, 1764-1785