ROCHE, Troilus de Mesgouat, Marquis de, French colonizer, born in Nantes, France, in the 16th century; died in Brittany after 1600. He was created lieutenant-general of Canada and the neighboring islands by letters-patent of Henry 1V. in 1598, and empowered to found colonies in any part of North America. He fitted out a vessel and embarked with Chedotel, a skilful pilot of Normandy, and a crew that was mostly drawn from the French prisons. He landed forty of his men on Sable island and then explored the shores of Acadia. After obtaining such information as he desired, he sailed for France, intending to take on board those that he had left on Sable island, but he was prevented by head-winds from landing. On his arrival in France his pilot was ordered by the parliament of Rouen to go in search of his followers, who would have perished of cold and hunger if they had not chanced to discover some wrecked vessels on the coast. The marquis was imprisoned for a year by the Duke de Mercaeur, governor of Brittany, and after his release is said to have died from vexation at not being allowed to complete his discoveries. Narratives of Roche's expedition are inserted in the "Voyages" of Champlain and in the histories of Lescarbot and Charlevoix. Some writers assign an earlier date for the discoveries and imprisonment of the marquis.