New France Sovereign Council

The Sovereign Council was a political body appointed by the King consisting of a governor, an intendant and a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. All were answering to the French Minister of the Marine. The members of the council were chosen as part of the French nobility.

The introduction of this government cancelled the contract with the Compagnie de la Nouvelle France which had failed to organize the establishement of thousands of colonists in America.

Composition

The Sovereign Council included a dozen officials fully responsible of all legislative, executive, and judicial matters.

The governor of this new regime was the direct representant of the king of France and was responsible for defense and diplomatic relations.

The intendant was responsible for economic affairs and trade, the administration of justice, finance, settlement and seigneurialism.

The bishhop was in charge of religious affairs which included charity, education, hospitals and the chritianization of amerindians.

The Captain of the Militia had the role of informing the inhabitants of the colony of the intendant's plans of development for the colony and report of the concerns the people had.