 This shocked the French colonists , who feared that their capital city would be the next target . Quebec did not have extensive fortifications in 1690 , and the whole landward side of the city to the north and west was exposed , particularly at the Plains of Abraham . Count Frontenac returned to Canada for a second term as Governor @-@ General , and ordered the construction of a wooden palisade to enclose the city from the fort at the Château Saint @-@ Louis to the Saint @-@ Charles River . Town Major Provost oversaw the construction of eleven small stone redoubts in this enceinte , which would have protected against cannon . Facing the plains on the west side was the strong point of the landward defences — a windmill called Mont @-@ Carmel where a three @-@ gun battery was in place . The palisade line ended on the east side of the city , near the hospital . The batteries facing the river were also improved , with eight guns mounted beside the Château and six 18 @-@ pounders at the docksides . Temporary obstacles had also been put in place on the street leading up to the upper city . 
