In New France, all public assemblies required prior authorization, and the right to elect an individual who would speak on behalf of everyone had to be duly approved by the government. The colony's merchants received permission from the King to gather for the purpose of doing business and discussing questions of trade in a place that in France was called la place, l'échange or la bourse. They were also given the right to appoint a spokesman who, in an effort to promote their common interests, would represent them in dealings with the civil authorities.