Governors & Officers of the Company of New France

The governance structure of the Company of New France (Compagnie des Cent-Associés) involved both administrators in France and officials in the colony. These individuals were responsible for implementing the company’s commercial objectives while establishing French authority in North America.

Administrative Structure in France

Cardinal Richelieu (Armand Jean du Plessis, 1585-1642)

As the Grand Master, Chief and Superintendent General of the Navigation and Commerce of France, Richelieu was the ultimate authority over the company. He drafted the company’s charter and appointed its initial directors.[1]

Board of Directors

The company was managed by a board of directors based in Paris, comprised of twelve associates who served renewable three-year terms. They made decisions about investments, shipments, and colonial policies.

Key Directors

Antoine Cheffault de la Regnardière

Served as the company’s secretary in Paris and managed correspondence with colonial administrators.

Jean de Lauzon (1584-1666)

One of the most active directors who would later become Governor of New France (1651-1656). As a director, he was involved in many key decisions about land grants and trading policies before his appointment as governor.[2]

Colonial Governors

Colonial governors appointed under the Company of New France were responsible for both military affairs and implementing company policy.

Samuel de Champlain (1574-1635)

Though the company didn’t formally name him governor, Champlain continued as the de facto administrator of New France until his death in 1635. He was the Lieutenant of Cardinal Richelieu in New France and maintained his position after the restoration of French rule in 1632.[3]

Charles Huault de Montmagny (1583-1653)

Appointed Governor of New France in 1636, serving until 1648. Montmagny was a Knight of Malta who established a more formal government structure. He oversaw the construction of fortifications, helped defend the colony against Iroquois attacks, and managed relations with Indigenous allies. He also implemented seigneurial land grants as directed by the company.[4]

Louis d’Ailleboust de Coulonge (1612-1660)

Served as Governor from 1648 to 1651. Previously the governor of Montreal, d’Ailleboust continued Montmagny’s policies and worked closely with the Jesuit missionaries. He improved Quebec’s fortifications and attempted to form a defensive alliance with New England colonies against the Iroquois.[5]

Jean de Lauzon (1584-1666)

Transitioned from company director to Governor of New France (1651-1656). His administration was marked by continuous Iroquois raids and financial challenges. As a former director, he had extensive knowledge of the company’s objectives but struggled with the military aspects of colonial leadership.[6]

Pierre de Voyer d’Argenson (1626-1710)

Served as Governor from 1658 to 1661. His brief tenure was characterized by difficulties with the Iroquois and growing tensions between the colonial administration and the religious authorities.[7]

Pierre Dubois Davaugour (1602-1664)

The final governor under the Company of One Hundred Associates (1661-1663). His disagreements with Bishop Laval over alcohol sales to Indigenous peoples contributed to the decision to revoke the company’s charter.[8]

Colonial Officers

Sieur de Bras-de-Fer de Châteaufort

Served as interim administrator of New France between Champlain’s death in 1635 and Montmagny’s arrival in 1636.

Charles Jacques Huault de Montmagny

Lieutenant Governor under Montmagny and a relative of the governor who assisted in administration.

Jean-Paul Godefroy

Served as a company agent in Quebec and was involved in both administrative and commercial activities.

Louis-Théandre Chartier de Lotbinière (1612-1688)

Served as Civil and Criminal Lieutenant General of the Seneschal’s Court in Quebec, essentially functioning as a chief judge in the colony.[9]

Jean Bourdon (1601-1668)

Engineer, land surveyor, and cartographer who served the colony in multiple capacities, including as Attorney-General of New France from 1646.[10]

Local Governance

In addition to the governor, local governance included:

The Seneschal’s Court

Established in 1651, this was the first formal court of justice in New France.

Local Commanders

Military officers who commanded forts and outposts throughout the territory.

Seigneurs

While not company officials per se, these local land administrators were granted authority by the company to develop specific territories and collect dues from settlers.

Transition to Royal Government

The ineffective governance of the company eventually led to its dissolution. In 1663, Louis XIV, influenced by his minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert, revoked the company’s charter and established direct royal rule through the Sovereign Council of New France.[11]

  1. Eccles, W.J. “The French in North America, 1500-1783.” East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 1998, p. 33-35. ↩︎

  2. Trudel, Marcel. “LAUSON, JEAN DE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  3. Fischer, David Hackett. “Champlain’s Dream.” New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008, p. 408-425. ↩︎

  4. Dubé, Jean-Claude. “HUAULT DE MONTMAGNY, CHARLES,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  5. Desrosiers, Léo-Paul. “AILLEBOUST DE COULONGE ET D’ARGENTENAY, LOUIS D’,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  6. Trudel, Marcel. “The Beginnings of New France, 1524-1663.” Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1973, p. 212-214. ↩︎

  7. Eccles, W.J. “VOYER D’ARGENSON, PIERRE DE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  8. Eccles, W.J. “DUBOIS DAVAUGOUR, PIERRE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  9. Vachon, André. “CHARTIER DE LOTBINIÈRE, LOUIS-THÉANDRE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  10. Hamelin, Jean. “BOURDON, JEAN,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  11. Eccles, W.J. “Canada Under Louis XIV, 1663-1701.” Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1964, p. 18-22. ↩︎

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