Talon, Jean-Baptiste

(1625-1691)

   Born in Picardy, France. Held offices in the intendancies of Bordeaux and Lyons, and intendant of Hainant from 1661 to 1663. In 1663 intendant of New France. During his administration in Canada, was the first to build ships in the colony; opened up trade between Canada and the West Indies; established the first brewery in North America; and developed cod fisheries along the St. Lawrence. In 1668 left for France, but returned to Canada in 1670, and resumed the intendancy. In 1672 returned to France, and for several years held high positions in the king's household.

   Index: F Intendant, 51; character, 54; attitude to the clerical power, 55; labours for the prosperity of the country, 55; recalled at his own request, 60; instructed to guard against ecclesiastical encroachments, 69; secures permission for Récollets to return to Canada, 72. L Appointed intendant, 51; arrival of, 79; his zeal for settlement of the country, 79, 80; his high character, 81; takes steps to develop St. Maurice mines, 82; sends Perrot to visit western and northern tribes, 82; promotes explorations of Jolliet and Marquette, 82; recommends de Queylus to Colbert, 107, 135; to counterbalance influence of Jesuits, brings out Récollet Fathers, 109; obtains decree permitting sale of liquor to the Indians, 113; styled the "Canadian Colbert," 113; his exertions for the good of the colony, 114-116; returns to France, 143; his reports prejudice mind of Colbert against clergy, 170. E His seigniory of Des Islets made a barony in 1671, 181. WM Montcalm marries his grand-niece, 5.

   Bib.: Mémoire sur l'État Présent du Canada, attributé à M. Talon (Quebec Lit. and Hist. Soc., Hist. Doc., 1st ser., 1840); Parkman, Frontenac; Garneau, Histoire du Canada; Faillon, Histoire de la Colonie Française; Bibaud, Histoire du Canada sous la Domination Française; Ferland, Cours d'Histoire du Canada; Miles, Canada under French Régime; Kingsford, History of Canada; Colby, Canadian Types of the Old Régime; Roy, Intendants de la Nouvelle France (R. S. C., 1903); Chapais, Jean Talon.