Item 001 - Letter from Jean-Olivier Briand, 24 July 1771

Jean Olivier Briand was the seventh bishop of Quebec. He was born in Plérin, France on 23 January 1715, the child of François Briant and Jeanne Burel. He was educated and (in March 1739) ordained in the Séminaire of Saint-Brieuc in Brittany. He migrated to Quebec in 1741 with Abbé René-Jean Allenou de Lavillangevin and Bishop H.M. Pontbriand, the sixth bishop of Quebec. Starting as a canon, he move up to become the bishop's assistant. At Montcalm's defeat on 13 September, 1759, Bishop Pontbriand left Quebec for Montreal with the French forces and appointed Briand vicar-general of Quebec. After Pontbriand's death in June 1760, amid an extemely complicated political situation, it was difficult to formally replace the bishop. During this time, Briand was important in preserving peace and continuing the activities of the church in Quebec. He was, somewhat reluctantly, consecrated as the Bishop of Quebec in 1766. During his tenure, he replenished the ranks of priests depleated during the Seven Years' War, and took great strides in reconciling the church with Quebec's new English authorities. He resigned and gave the administration of the diocese of Quebec over to L. P. d'Esgly in 1784. He died on 25 June 1794 in Quebec.