ion.

At this time, and for a long time afterwards, Protestantism was unknown
in Canada, for the King and Jesuits had decided to keep the colony
entirely free from heresy. The French Protestants, after the
revocation of the edict of Nantes, gave to England and the Netherlands
the benefit of their great industry and manufacturing knowledge. Some
of them even found their way to America, and stimulated the gathering
strength of the southern colonies of Virginia and the Carolinas.

The new regime under Colbert was essentially parental. All emigration
was under the direction of the French authorities. Wives were sent by
shiploads for the settlers, newly-wedded couples received liberal
presents suitable to their condition in a new country; early marriages
and large families were {161} encouraged by bounties. Every possible
care was taken by the officials and religious communities who had
charge of such matters, that the women were of good morals, and
suitable for the struggles of a colonial existence.

While State and Church were providing a population for the country,
Colbert and Talon were devoting themselves to the encouragement of
manufactures and commerce. When the Company of the Hundred Associates,
who appear to have been robbed by their agents in the colony, fell to
pieces, they were replaced by a large organisation, known as the
Company of the West, to which was given very important privileges
throughout all the French colonies and dependencies. The company,
however, never prospered, and came to an end in 1674, after ten years'
existence, during which it inflicted much injury on the countries where
it was given so many privileges. The government hereafter controlled
all commerce and finance. Various manufactures, like shipbuilding,
leather, hemp, and beer, were encouraged, but at no time did Canada
show any manufacturing or commercial enterprise. Under the system of
monopolies and bounties fostered by Colbert and his successors, a
spirit of self-reliance was never stimulated. The whole system of
government tended to peculation and jobbery--to the enrichment of
worthless officials. The people were always extremely poor. Money was
rarely seen in the shape of specie. The few coins that came to the
colony soon found their way back to France. From 1685 down to 1759 the
government issued a {162} paper currency, known as "card money,"
because common playing cards were used. This currency bore the crown
and