The Sovereign Council of New France was a political body appointed by the King of France in the 1675 reorganization of the colony of New France. The major officers of the Sovereign Council were the Governor General, who was responsible for military affairs and diplomatic relations, the Intendant of New France, who was responsible for finance, economic development, and the administration of justice (law and order), and the Bishop of New France, who was responsible for all spiritual matters in the colony. The Intendant served as the presiding officer of the Soveriegn Council.
The introduction of this government cancelled the contract with the Compagnie des cents associées, which apparently had failed to organize the establishment of thousands of colonists in America.
The institution lasted from its introduction in 1663 to the fall of New France in 1760. Its last meeting occurred on April 28, 1760, the day of the Battle of Sainte-Foy.
As early as June 16, 1703, the King of France refers to the council as the Conseil Supérieur instead of the former Conseil Souverain.
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