Jean de Lauson | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Jean de Lauson

Jean de Lauson, governor of New France 1651-56 (b c 1584; d at Paris, France 16 Feb 1666). Long before coming to the colony as governor, Lauson had enjoyed a close and lucrative connection with Canada.

Lauson, Jean de

Jean de Lauson, governor of New France 1651-56 (b c 1584; d at Paris, France 16 Feb 1666). Long before coming to the colony as governor, Lauson had enjoyed a close and lucrative connection with Canada. As intendant of the Compagnie des Cent-Associés since 1627, he had accumulated vast estates in the St Lawrence. As governor, Lauson used his authority to enrich himself and his family. In 1654, a time of declining prosperity, he gave himself a virtual monopoly in the fur trade, and 2 years later he seized pelts worth 300 000 livres from Des Groseilliers.