Based on our study of New France we produced a letter. The class wrote
the letter in the role of Jean Talon to Sir Jean-Baptiste Colbert under Royal Government. The letter displays the seigneurial system, mercantile system allies with the Aboriginal Peoples and how to increase New France population.
It is my pleasure to inform you about the current activities occurring in New France.
Base on my stay I am able to distinguish the different events that are promoting the colony.
Their land distribution was based on the feudal system; a hierarchical order with a foundation of noble birth and privileges. The nobles are responsible for recruiting and transporting people from France to clear and settle the land.
These individuals and families are estimated to pay annual fees for the land.
They also work on the seigneursproperty for a set number of days a year and to pay tithes to help support the parish priest and maintain the parish church.
They are members of the nobility nor were they much wealthier. Some of the seigneurs participated in the fur trade and other commercial pursuits to increase their finances.
The Mercantile system is another popular structure that is being used in New France.
The system is seen as the more gold or silver the territory owns the wealthier it becomes. This organization was served as the suppliers of raw materials to France and the buyers of manufactured goods supplied by our main land. Thus, there are more exports from France than imports.
Although the system is great they are some negative aspects in regards to the growth of the industry.
Mean while the system is allowing others with financial stability. The leaders for the new colony are trying to increase the population. Their methods are to have superior families. They are stating to have at least 10 children. Therefore, the population would increase and so would the production.
The citizens have a unique relationship with the Aboriginals. The citizen’s trade schools in exchange for fur,
so they can increase their economy. The Natives have no political rights. Yet they are being used as French allies, but at the same time being assimilated to the French culture. There is a military administrator in the province of New France. This is to bring peace and security to the settlement, also to enlarge its resources and population. In closing I would like to add that the colony is moving in a very positive direction. Hopefully it will continue doing so without threats from the Aboriginals.
Sincerely,Jean Talon