Sébastien le Gonard de Sourdeval

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On this stamp issued by St Pierre et Miquelon issued in 1970 is depict one of the commanders of the colony and some ships most probably of that time frame.

Sebastian le Gonard de Sourdeval (1647-1710) was appointed commander of St Pierre et Miquelon by the King of France on 01 March 1702.
Sourdeval was a gentleman from Normandy, after his appointment he went to Plaisance (now Placentia in Newfoundland) and thereafter to Saint Pierre in July 1702.
By the 1690’s in Saint-Pierre, harbour tensions often arose between local inhabitants and the seasonal captains from France over trade issues and access to the vital shoreline and graves for drying and curing of fish.,
First Sourdeval after arrival settled differences between the local inhabitants there and the visiting French captains.
He reinforced a small fort that was built by a former commander, with limestone.
He was warned for a British attack on the island, and mobilizes the local people.
The island was under British attack from 11 September till 07 October 1702, then they surrendered to save the houses the chapel and 60 boats, Sourdeval army did have only 25 rifles against a British force of several warships armed with 60 guns and a detachment of 400 British troops.
Next year in July the British arrived again and landed at Plaisance to organize an offensive against St John, Newfoundland in 1704. At that time was St Johns in the hands of the French.
1709 Sourdeval left Saint Pierre and returned back to France.
09 March 1710 he died.

St Pierre et Miquelon 1970 60Fr sg490, scott?

Source: http://www.grandcolombier.com/histoire/ ... a-colonie/