Torture and the Truth: Angelique and the burning of the Montreal

We believe that Angelique is guilty for setting the fire in New France because
when Angeliques owner Therese de Couagne sold Angelique to Francois-Etienne
Cugnet, she threatened de Couagne by promising her that she would "make her
burn". Because of that in March, de Couagne, fearing for her safety, sent
Angelique to live with her business partner Alexis Moniere and confirmed that
Angelique had been sold and would be shipped to Quebec City as soon as
possible. Moniere also took Thibault into his employ. Shortly thereafter, Thibault
and Angelique each set their beds on fire and attempted to escape to New England
before she gets shipped to Quebec City. This proves that she might have set the
fire again in her owner Therese de Couagnes house to cover their escape.
Although the prosecutor didnt find any direct evidence but there were a large
number of witnesses, none of whom claimed to have seen Angelique set the fire,
but who were certain that she had done it. When the judge was about to close the
trial the prosecutor brought Alexis Monieres five-year-old daughter Amable, who
claimed to have seen Angelique put some fire in a shovel and take it upstairs the
day of the fire. We think that the evidence that defended her only blocked the
rumors set upon her but that doesnt mean she is innocent.
According to the book The Blacks in Canada: A History by Robin W. Winks we
found out that, On April 10, 1734, Angelique learned that she was about to be
sold and, in a fit of fear and anger, retaliated by setting fire to her owner's home.
The fire spread and the final damage was forty-six buildings, including the famed
L'Hotel Dieu hospital. After trying to escape, Angelique was captured and brought
to trial. From this book and the evidences we think that it is clear that Angelique
did set the fire and she is guilty.

TORTURE AND THE

TRUTH: ANGELIQUE AND
THE BURNING OF THE

MONTREAL

By: Hasseb, Kevin & Mehraz