 The fort was an important link in the defence of New France as news from the Great Lakes and from among the Indians would arrive there first and be redirected to the appropriate authority.However, as the war with the Anglo-Americans grew Picquet was removed as commander of the fort by Governor Vaudreuil, replaced by Captain Claude-Nicolas de Lorimier de La Rivière, while keeping his position as chief missionary.This led to a rift as Picquet was the "de facto" leader of the Indians and trained them in warfare, while Lorimier was left in command of just the French.