Talon left Quebec in November 1668.  Expressions of deep regret were heard on all sides.  Mother Marie de l’Incarnation wrote:  ’M.  Talon is leaving us and goes back to France.  It is a great loss to Canada and a great sorrow for all.  For, during his term here as intendant, this country has developed more and progressed more than it had done before from the time of the first settlement by the French.’  The annalist of the Hotel-Dieu was not less sympathetic, but there was hope in her utterance:  ‘M.  Talon,’ she said, ’left for France this year.  He comforted us in our grief by leading us to expect his return.’  Perhaps these last words show that Talon even then intended to come back to Canada if such should be the wish of the king and his minister.

CHAPTER VII

TALON’S EVENTFUL JOURNEY

Talon returned to France in an auspicious hour.  It was perhaps the happiest and brightest period of the reign of Louis XIV.  France had emerged victorious from two campaigns, and the king had just signed a treaty which added to his realm a part of the province of Flanders.  The kingdom enjoyed peace, and its prosperity had never been so great.  Thanks to Colbert, the exchequer was full.  In all departments the French government was displaying intelligent activity.  Trade and commerce, agriculture and manufacture, were encouraged and protected.  With ample means at their disposal and perfect freedom of action, Louis XIV and Colbert could not but be in a favourable mood to receive Talon’s reports and proposals.  Talon acted as if he were still the intendant of New France; and though for the time being he was not, he was surely the most powerful agent or advocate that the colony could have.  The king and his minister readily acquiesced in his schemes for strengthening the Canadian colony.  It was decided to dispatch six companies of soldiers to reinforce the four already there, and ultimately, upon being disbanded, to aid in settling the country.  Many hundred labourers and unmarried women and a new stock of domestic animals were also to be sent.  Colbert had never been so much in earnest concerning New France.  He attended personally to details, gave orders for the levy of troops and for the shipping of the men and supplies, and urged on the officials in charge so that everything should be ready early in the spring.  To M. de Courcelle he wrote these welcome tidings: 

His Majesty has appropriated over 200,000 livres to do what he deems necessary for the colony.  One hundred and fifty girls are going thither to be married; six companies complete with fifty good men in each and thirty officers or noblemen, who wish to settle there, and more than two hundred other persons are also going.  Such an effort shows how greatly interested in Canada His Majesty feels, and to what extent he will appreciate all that may be done to help its progress.

That the minister was not actuated merely by a passing mood, but by a set purpose, may be seen from a passage of a letter to Terron, the intendant at Rochefort:  ’I am very glad,’ Colbert wrote, ’that you have not gone beyond the funds appropriated for the passage of the men and girls to Canada.  You know how important it is to keep within the limits, especially in an outlay which will have to be repeated every year.’