Talon was appointed by King Louis XIV and his minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, to serve as the Intendant of Justice, Public Order and Finances in Canada, Acadia and Newfoundland for two terms: 1665 to 1668 and 1670 to 1672.

[1] Talon attempted to change the economic base of the colony from fur trading to agriculture, but found this could not be accomplished without a larger population.

He encouraged population growth through marriage grants and baby bonuses, which were financial compensation given to a couple when they married, and again when they had children.

Talon tried to diversify the economy of New France by introducing new crops such as flax and hops for making beer, by starting a shipyard and lumber industry, and by encouraging mining.

Its failure in progress had been due to several key factors, including poor governance of the colony by trading companies, forgetfulness on the part of France, and the horrors caused by the wars between the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat clans.

[5] For 25 years, the colonists had been living with the effects of engaging in a violent war against the native inhabitants of the land, the Iroquois.

[8] Its functions included general jurisdiction for the administration of justice in civil and criminal matters, and the questions of police, roads, finance, and trade.

The instructions dealt with mutual relations of Church and State, discussed the question of assistance to the recently created West India Company, and contemplated the war against the Iroquois and how it could be carried out successfully.

[12] Once Talon arrived in New France, his first task was to organize transportation of provisions, ammunition, tool, and supplies for the maintenance of the troops and to take care of incoming soldiers and laborers, making sure that those who contracted disease, received proper nursing and medical attention.

[13] Tracy had led a successful attack against the Iroquois and won peace for the colony, restoring order and harmony.

In 1665, he had taken back the land granted to the Jesuits to establish about forty dwellings in preparation for new settlers, who would arrive the following year.

New villages were established as close as possible to the capital and the settlers were grouped around a central point to encourage mutual help and defense.

Talon proceeded to fill these dwellings with settlers, trying to have some skilled artisans, such as carpenters, shoemakers, and masons in each village.

[21] To balance the number of men and women living in the colony and to promote further marriage, girls were carefully selected from France to be taken to Canada.

[24] Jean Talon was hard at work in laying the foundation of an economic and political system and making commercial, industrial progresses.

Talon designed the main government buildings, especially the palace, paying special attention to the administration of justice.

[25] Under his commission, Talon had the right to "judge alone and with full jurisdiction in civil matters," to "hear all cases of crimes and misdemeanours, abuse and malversation, by whomsoever committed" to "proceed against all persons guilty of any crime, whatever might be their quality or condition, to pursue the proceedings until final completion, judgment and execution thereof.

[27] In 1669 Talon wrote a memorandum in which we find these words: "Justice is administered in the first instance by judges in the seigneuries; then by a lieutenant civil and criminal appointed by the company in each of the jurisdictions of Quebec and Three Rivers; and above all by the Sovereign Council, which is the last instance decides all cases where an appeal lies"[28] Talon attempted to establish a method of settlement out of court.

In 1667, the Sovereign Council inspired by Talon discussed the formation of a company of Canadians to secure the exclusive privilege of trading.

In 1663, the Sovereign Council established a law prohibiting indirect or direct selling or giving of brandy to Native Americans.

[34] He came to consider prohibition of the liquor traffic as a mistake, damaging to the trade and progress of the colony and to French influence over the Native Americans tribes.

His earnest desire for the prosperity of the colony misled him to make the wrong judgment and brandy trafficking was accepted and approved.

Louis XIV gave him leave to return to France and Claude de Bouteroue was appointed to take over his duties.

On October 10, 1670, he wrote to the king: "Since my arrival, I have sent resolute men to explore farther than has ever been done in Canada, some to the west, and north-west, others to the south-west and south.

"[40] His policy of exploration and discovery was directed towards increasing France's reputation, developing trade; and therefore, preparing the way for the future greatness of Canada.

[41] Under the authority of a decree of the King's Council of State, Talon gave a large number of seigneuries as grants.

Jean Talon had saved the colony from destitution through the implementation of policies that cultivated agriculture, colonization, trade, industry and naval construction.