Another of Talon’s ventures was to send prospectors in search of minerals.  The use of malleable copper by the Indians had been noted by the French for many years and various rumors concerning the source of supply had filtered through to Quebec.  Some of Talon’s agents, including Jean Pere, went as far as the upper lakes, returning with samples of copper ore.  But the distance from Quebec was too great for profitable transportation and, although Pere Dablon in 1670 sent down an accurate description of the great masses of ore in the Lake Superior region, many generations were to pass before any serious attempt could be made to develop this source of wealth.  Nearer at hand some titaniferous iron ore was discovered, at Baie St. Paul below Quebec, but it was not utilized, although on being tested it was found to be good in quality.  Then the intendant sent agents to verify reports as to rich coal deposits in Isle Royale (Cape Breton), and they returned with glowing accounts which, subsequent industrial history has entirely justified.  Shipments of this coal were brought to Quebec for consumption.  A little later the intendant reported to Colbert that a vein of coal had been actually uncovered at the foot of the great rock which frowns upon the Lower Town at Quebec, adding that the vein could not be followed for fear of toppling over the Chateau which stood above.  No one has ever since found any trace of Talon’s coal deposit, and the geologists of today are quite certain that the intendant had more imagination than accuracy of statement or even of elementary mineralogical knowledge.

Above the settlement at Three Rivers some excellent deposits of bog iron ore were found in 1668, but it was not until five decades later that the first forges were established there.  These were successfully operated throughout the remainder of the Old Regime, and much of the colony’s iron came from them to supply the blacksmiths.  From time to time rumors of other mineral discoveries came to the ears of the people.  A find of lead was reported from the Gaspe peninsula, but an investigation proved it to be a hoax.  Copper was actually found in a dozen places within the settled ranges of the colony, but not in paying quantities.  Every one was always on the qui vive for a vein of gold or silver, but no part of New France ever gave the slightest hint of an El Dorado.  Prospecting engaged the energies of many colonists in every generation, but most of those who thus spent their years at it got nothing but a princely dividend of chagrin.

Mention should also be made of the brewing industry which Talon set upon its feet during his brief intendancy but which, like all the rest of his schemes, did not long survive his departure.  In establishing a brewery at Quebec the paternal intendant had two ends in mind:  first, to reduce the large consumption of eau-de-vie by providing a cheaper and more wholesome substitute; and second, to furnish the farmers