Acte pour l'établissement de la Compagnie des cent Associés…, 29 Avril, 1629

Document Summary:
Establishes the Compagnie des Cent-Associés (also known as the Compagnie de la Nouvelle-France), and gives it authority in New France (also called Canada) to govern civil affairs. Nobles and ecclesiastics can join the company without losing their privileges or status. Twelve of the associates are promised noble status.

This document gives the company exclusive rights to trade in New France for 15 years, with the exception of the cod and whale fisheries. The territory granted goes from Florida to the Arctic Circle, and from Newfoundland to the "freshwater sea" (i.e.: the Great Lakes).

In return, the company is expected to:

• Promote the Catholic faith amongst Aboriginal people,
  
  
• Settle the country with 4000 French Catholic settlers,
  
  
• Help the settlers with supplies for three years,
  
  
• Administer justice in the lands it controls, and
  
  
• "Improve" the country as it sees necessary.

Text in English.