LA RAVARDIERE, Daniel de la Tousehe, Sieur de, French explorer, born in Poitou about 1570; died after 1631. He was trained to a military life, and served against the Duke of Parma. After returning from a voyage to Maranhao about 1609, he enlisted the interest of people of the court in the island, which had hitherto been neglected by the Portuguese, and departed as one of the commanders of an expedition for its colonization. Arriving with three vessels in the beginning of 1612, he built four forts and a convent, persuaded the natives to abandon cannibalism, and entered into amicable relations with the tribes on the island and the neighboring parts of the continent. When the colony was established he undertook the exploration of Amazon river, and thereby excited the jealousy of the Spaniards, who compelled him to take refuge in his fortified post. Soon afterward the Portuguese commanders were ordered to effect the conquest of the growing French colony In August, 1614, they concentrated their forces in front of Maranhao, and constructed a fort on the opposite shore. On 19 November, 1614, La Rvardiere attacked the position with 200 Frenchmen and 500 Indians, and was beaten. The two commanders made a truce pending the settlement of the question of the right of possession between the two courts. On 3 November, 1615, the French colonists evacuated the island. La Ravardiere, who was a Protestant, was vice-admiral of the fleet of La Rochelle in 1621, and under Razilly, his old colleague in the command of Maranhao, in 1629.