USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The term intendant has historically been used to refer to someone in a higher-ranking administrative office, particularly in France, Spain, and Portugal, as well as the colonies of those nations.

Detailed explanation-2: -intendant, administrative official under the ancien régime in France who served as an agent of the king in each of the provinces, or généralités. From about 1640 until 1789, the intendancies were the chief instrument used to achieve administrative unification and centralization under the French monarchy.

Detailed explanation-3: -Second in rank to the governor, the intendant controlled the colony’s entire civil administration. He gave particular attention to settlement and economic development, and to the administration of justice. Because he also managed financial matters, he had the most sweeping powers in the colony’s government.

Detailed explanation-4: -The king normally appointed intendants from the royal service. These were men who entered the service at an early age and had been promoted as the result of tested fidelity to the interests of the monarchy and of industry shown in office. The Intendants of New France were not appointed for a fixed number of years.

Detailed explanation-5: -intendant in American English 1. a person who has the direction or management of some public business, the affairs of an establishment, etc.; a superintendent. 2. the title of various government officials, esp. administrators serving under the French, Spanish, or Portuguese monarchies.