In the 1600s, La Rochelle chose to espouse the new ideas of the Reformation and sided with the Huguenots. Both Huguenots and Catholics went to New France in the early 1600s as the Kings tried to find a balance between the Grench Protestants and French Catholics and La Rochelle was the Port of Departure. When Cardinal Richelieu came to power, he was determined to reduce the power of the Huguenots in France and in New France; and, especially in La Rochelle. He laid siege to the city in 1627-28 as punishment for it having asked for the King of England's protection. Driven to starvation, La Rochelle's population was forced to capitulate and the Mayor, Jean Guiton, forced to beg for a royal pardon. After 1628, Richelieu reduced the role of the Huguenots in New France and sent Catholics into New France and Acadia. Some authors confuse New France with Acadia and also confuse the time periods. The Acadians who left France in 1785 for Louisiana were predominantly Catholic. Stanley LeBlanc www.thecajuns.com