Investors and Backers of the Company of New France
The Company of New France, also known as the Company of One Hundred Associates (Compagnie des Cent-Associés), was founded in 1627 by Cardinal Richelieu to colonize New France and develop the fur trade. The company received a monopoly on trade in New France and ownership of all lands between Florida and the Arctic Circle, from Newfoundland to the shores of the Great Lakes.
Notable Investors and Associates
Cardinal Richelieu (Armand Jean du Plessis, 1585-1642)
The principal architect and founder of the Company of New France, Cardinal Richelieu was Chief Minister to King Louis XIII. He established the company to strengthen French colonial presence in North America and counter English and Dutch influence.
Jean de Lauzon (1584-1666)
One of the most prominent investors, de Lauzon was an early director of the company and later became Governor of New France (1651-1656). He acquired extensive land holdings, including the Island of Montreal and the seigneury of Lauzon.[^1]
François Fouquet (1587-1640)
A wealthy financier and father of Nicolas Fouquet (who would later become Louis XIV's Superintendent of Finances), he was among the original associates who invested in the company.
Antoine Cheffault de la Regnardière
Served as the company's secretary in Paris and was one of the principal investors. He managed many of the company's affairs in France.
Guillaume de Caën
Although not initially part of the Company of One Hundred Associates, de Caën was a significant trader who had previously held trading rights in New France through the Compagnie de Montmorency. He was compensated when the new company took over his trading rights.[^2]
Jacques Castillon
A Paris merchant who was among the first associates. He was actively involved in the company's commercial operations.
Samuel Champlain (1574-1635)
While better known as an explorer and administrator, Champlain was also a shareholder in the company and advocated for its establishment to better support the colony he had founded at Quebec.
Claude de Roquemont
Led the first expedition of the company to New France in 1628, which unfortunately was intercepted and captured by the Kirke brothers who were acting on behalf of England.
Simon Le Maître
A wealthy Parisian merchant who invested in the company and served on its board of directors.
Thomas Bonneau
A financial backer who contributed to the company's establishment.
Organizational Structure
The investors were organized hierarchically:
- Directors-General and administrative council in Paris who made major decisions
- Smaller committees that managed specific aspects of operations
- Local representatives in New France who implemented policies
Most shareholders were merchants, financiers, and noblemen from Paris, Rouen, Dieppe, and Bordeaux. Each associate committed to investing 3,000 livres and sending 2-3 settlers to the colony annually.[^3]
Challenges Faced by Investors
The company's investors faced numerous challenges, including:
- The capture of their first supply fleet by the Kirke brothers in 1628
- The temporary English occupation of Quebec (1629-1632)
- Difficulties recruiting settlers
- Competition from unlicensed fur traders
- Financial losses that led many investors to reduce their involvement over time
Financial Struggles and Reorganization
By the 1640s, the company was experiencing serious financial difficulties. Many of the original investors had withdrawn or reduced their participation. In 1645, the company transferred its fur trade monopoly to the Communauté des Habitants, a group of colonial merchants and administrators, while retaining its seigneurial rights and title to the land. This marked the beginning of the company's decline.[^4]
Legacy
Although the Company of One Hundred Associates was ultimately dissolved in 1663 when Louis XIV established royal government in New France, the investors had successfully established a French colonial presence in North America that would last until 1763. Their investment, though not financially rewarding for most, laid the foundation for what would become Canada.
[^1]: Trudel, Marcel. "LAUSON, JEAN DE," in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003.
[^2]: Trudel, Marcel. "The Beginnings of New France, 1524-1663." Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1973.
[^3]: Eccles, W.J. "The Canadian Frontier, 1534-1760." New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969, p. 28-30.
[^4]: Innis, Harold A. "The Fur Trade in Canada: An Introduction to Canadian Economic History." Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999 (revised edition), p. 42-45.