Document Record

Creator

France. Administration des colonies.

Title

France. Fonds des Archives nationales: Série F3. Collection Moreau de Saint-Méry

Identifier

lac_mikan_100163
100163
MG 1 F 3
R11577-23-6-F
Government
French Canada
Foreign relations
Law and justice
oocihm.lac_mikan_100163

Document source

Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada

Language

French

Description

In the 16th century and early 17th century, the King of France left the administration of the colony of New France to trading companies or those interested in colonization (for instance, the Company of a Hundred Associates). In 1663, King Louis XIV took a role in the development and administration of the colony. Depending on the model of the French provinces, a governor and intendant was appointed as representatives of the King over the colonial territory, and they reported their activities to the King and to the Secretary of State of the Navy. The Department of the Navy retained the responsibility for the administration of the colonies until the late 19th century. After 1710, a Colonial Office was created within the department to support, more specifically, the colonial policy of France. The King of France and the Minister of the Navy would play a very active role in all decisions made about New France and this would affect its destiny.
Médéric Louis Élie Moreau de Saint-Méry (1750 - 1819) was a Creole colonist born at Fort-Royal (present-day Fort of France) in Martinique. He was a lawyer and writer with a career in public office in France, Martinique, and Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). He is best known for his publications on Saint-Domingue and Martinique.
This collection includes a selection of documents related to French colonies in North America. They include correspondence of colonial and metropolitan authorities, acts of sovereign power, orders of governors and intendants, newspapers campaigns, deeds and other documents.

URL

https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_mikan_100163