on to become a member of the Legislative Assembly, elected in 1820. Business career Cuvillier was hired by Henry Richard Symes, a wealthy Montreal auctioneer, and eventually took over the business when Symes retired in 1802. He formed a partnership with two other men, Thomas Aylwin and John Harkness, doing business in both Montreal and Quebec City. However, the business was taken over by their creditors in 1806. In spite of the reverse, Cuvillier was acquiring a great deal of knowledge about local and foreign markets, as the auctioneering business involved importing large quantities of dry goods and then selling them in lots to local firms. He developed a network of contacts and an understanding of finance and banking, and also began to develop a reputation amongst colonial merchants. As a result of his involvement in the British-dominated business world, Cuvillier gradually adopted the anglicized first name Austin, first in English, and then in French as well. By 1807, he was back in the auction business, although he continued to have financial difficulties from time to time. At one point, his wife opened a business in her own name, which may have been a front for Cuvillier's business, avoiding his creditors. He played an important role in the founding of the Bank of Montreal and was one of its first directors. He also helped found the Montreal Fire Insurance Company and became president in 1820, although the firm agreed to a costly takeover by the Quebec Fire Insurance Company in late 1820, after Cuillivier had resigned as president and director. Even though heavily involved in the affairs of the Legislative Assembly, he continued to develop his businesses until by the 1830s he was Montreal's leading auctioneer, including imported manufactured goods, fish, salt, and liquors, as well as selling the inventories of insolvent businesses. He acted as a financial agent and stockbroker, selling shares of Canadian banks. In 1836, he was named as a Montreal representative on the board of the Bank of British North America, founded in Britain to act as a colonial bank. By 1836, he was president of the city's Committee of Trade, leading the group which secured its incorporation as the Montreal Board of Trade. He was also involved in real estate transactions. Militia service: War of 1812 During the War of 1812, Cuvillier served with the militia. He initially was a lieutenant with the 5th Select