Talon, Jean

He studied in Paris at the Jesuit seminary de Clermont. At a young age he entered the military administrative service: he was a commissar during the war in Flanders, an instructor in the army of Turenne in 1653, commissioner of Le Canois in 1654. In 1655, he became governor of the Belgian province of Hainaut . In this position, he earned several accolades from Cardinal Mazarin for his zeal and competence.

In 1665, Louis XIV and the royal minister, J.-B. Colbert sought a viceroy for a colony of Canada . For over 20 years, the weakened and disorganized colony in North America has been in the hands of a fierce and elusive enemy, who daily threatened her fragile existence. Canada devoted all its efforts to fighting the Iroquois , whose "warlike and bloodthirsty disposition" increased in proportion to their success. The whole life of the colony was affected by the confrontation with them: the fur trade, the economic basis of the country, almost ceased, which jeopardized the future existence of New France . It is for this reason that Louis XIV and Colbert decided to intervene before it was too late. The appointment of the governor, in particular, was part of the plan for the necessary reorganization of New France.

The governor of the province of Hainaut J. Talon was appointed to this post. On March 23, 1665, he received the credentials, and on May 24 went to New France aboard the Saint-Sebastian ship together with Governor Remy de Courcelles. Arrived in Quebec on September 12, 1665.

In 1665–1672, he proved to be the “quartermaster of law, public order and finance in Canada and New France” as a faithful servant of the king and royal minister, J.-B. Colbert , turning an insignificant remote settlement into a considerable income and capable of protecting himself province.

Arriving in America, Talon tried to change the economic base of the colony from the fur trade to agriculture , but found that this could not be achieved without a larger population.

The first steps of J. Talon were the assessment of the natural resources of the region and the occupations of its inhabitants. The Quartermaster organized brewing , supported handicrafts , shipbuilding , fishing, and began trading with the French West Indies . Under him, the development of iron ore deposits on the river was started. Saint-Maurice, northern tributary of the river. St. Lawrence . 2,000 immigrants and former soldiers were brought into the province, including 800 women known as Royal Girls , who, according to Talon's plan, were supposed to marry baptized Indians to serve the purpose of increasing the population of New France. However, this plan failed because the Indians did not want to marry the French , and J. Talon was forced to impose penalties for bachelors (who were forbidden to hunt and fish until they got married) and incentive welfare for newlyweds and large families . As a result, the population of the colony by 1676 grew to 10,000.

Initially, J. Talon intended to implement a grandiose plan of French expansion on the North American continent, as reported to Colbert:

"Nothing can stop us from erecting the banner of His Majesty in Florida, New Sweden, New Holland and New England, and through the first of them penetrate into Mexico."

However, obeying the instructions of Colbert, who sought to reduce spending on the colony, Talon concentrated his efforts on the settlement of the river valley. St. Lawrence, where he founded three new settlements.

In 1671, Talon petitioned the king to transfer him to France "because of his obedience when leaving Europe and the many dangers and labors on earth so severe."

For the second time, J. Talon held the post of quartermaster of New France from 1670 until the fall of 1672, after which he finally returned to France.

At court, Talon received the post of royal secretary and the title of Count D'Orsenville. After the departure of Talon, affairs in New France fell into decay, the colonists mainly began to engage in agriculture and the fur trade.

Talon died in France on November 24, 1694.

• Talon, Jean