The French Indies Company was the main French overseas trading company during most of Louis XV's long reign in the 18th century. It emerged in March 1723 from the reorganization of John Law's Company following the termination of John Law's giant monetary experiment which the company had channelled. As a delayed consequence of the Seven Years' War, the company's privilege was eventually withdrawn in 1769, and the company was liquidated the next year.
Overview
While born from John Law's Company, the Indies Company kept none of the former's monetary and fiscal role in mainland France. In June-July 1725, a series of royal edicts cleared it of any residual liability for Law's System and confirmed its overseas trading and colonial privileges, except for the Atlantic slave trade towards Saint-Domingue.[1]
The company developed dynamically, particularly after 1731, thanks to the initiative of comptroller-general Philibert Orry who streamlined its ownership structure, governance and portfolio of operations, with a main focus on Asian trade. By then, the king was the company's main owner and appointed its leadership.[2]