ABSTRACT
At length, in 1664, Colbert1 undertook to give France a share of the Indies trade. This connexion with Asia presented great drawbacks. It could scarcely procure anything other than luxury items; it would slow down the development of the arts that the French were striving so successfully to establish; it would provide few outlets for home products and manufactured goods; and it would require significant export of coin. Considerations of such importance were very much of a kind to sway an administrator whose efforts had all been directed to extending industry and increasing the wealth of the kingdom. But like the other European nations, the French had a great liking for the luxuries provided by the Orient. It was decided that it would be more useful, more honourable even, to go in search of them across the wide ocean, rather than to receive them from rivals, perhaps from enemies.
