c had the power of the sword he could execute his plans most
freely in the region which lay beyond the fringe of settlement. It was
here that he achieved his greatest success and by his acts won a strong
place in the confidence {84} of the settlers. This was much, and to
this extent his first term of office was not a failure.

As Canada was then so sparsely settled, the growth of population filled
a large place in the shaping of public policy. With this matter,
however, Duchesneau had more to do than Frontenac, for it was the
intendant's duty to create prosperity. During the decade 1673-83 the
population of Canada increased from 6705 to 10,251. In percentage the
advance shows to better advantage than in totals, but the king had
hardened his heart to the demand for colonists. Thenceforth the
population of Canada was to be recruited almost altogether from births.

On the whole, the growth of the population during this period compares
favourably with the growth of trade. In 1664 a general monopoly of
Canadian trade had been conceded to the West India Company, on terms
which gave every promise of success. But the trading companies of
France proved a series of melancholy failures, and at this point
Colbert fared no better than Richelieu. When Frontenac reached Canada
the West India Company was hopelessly bankrupt, and in 1674 the king
acquired its rights. This change produced little or no improvement.
Like France, {85} Canada suffered greatly through the war with Holland,
and not till after the Peace of Nimwegen (1678) did the commercial
horizon begin to clear. Even then it was impossible to note any real
progress in Canadian trade, except in a slight enlargement of relations
with the West Indies. During his last year at Quebec Duchesneau gives
a very gloomy report on commercial conditions.

For this want of prosperity Frontenac was in no way responsible, unless
his troubles with Laval and Duchesneau may be thought to have damped
the colonizing ardour of Louis XIV. It is much more probable that the
king withheld his bounty from Canada because his attention was
concentrated on the costly war against Holland. Campaigns at home
meant economy in Canada, and the colony was far from having reached the
stage where it could flourish without constant financial support from
the motherland.

In general, Frontenac's policy was as vigorous as he could make it.
Over commerce, taxes, and religion he had no control. By tra