Before Jean Talon came to New France, the population was small. To make matters worse, the colony's principal economic activity — the fur trade — had fallen into disarray following the 1648-1650 destruction of Huronia by the Iroquois.
Faced with imminent ruin and possible abandonment, the colony needed an experienced and confident administrator. The intendant would also have to be a man of unquestioned loyalty to the Crown, because he would have to represent, in Louis XIV's own words, "the eye and hand of the King".
Jean Talon accepted the position of "Intendant of justice, policing and finance in Canada, Acadia, Newfoundland and France's other northern territories" for an initial term of two years. This was later extended by a year, for a period lasting from 1665 to 1668. ".
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