envoyais

Envoyais, sometimes referred to as L'Envoyais, was a fictitious country created in the late 18th century as part of a geographic and investment hoax. It was marketed as a vast, fertile realm in North America with a structured government, settlers, and abundant natural resources. The project relied on a suite of promotional materials said to come from supposed settlers and officials, including letters, prospectuses, and maps.

The hoax centered on publications and imprints that described the country’s geography, climate, and economic potential, often accompanied by detailed plans for towns, roads, and governance. These materials were circulated in France and other parts of Europe, sometimes through merchants and salons, presenting Envoyais as a ready-made destination for colonization and private investment. The narrative director or promoter of the scheme presented Envoyais as a legitimate opportunity for land speculation, settlement, and trade.

The enterprise unraveled when investigators and skeptics questioned the authenticity of the sources, and later historians identified inconsistencies and fabrications in the documentation. The exposure of the Envoyais materials led to financial losses for some investors and served as a notable example of a geographic hoax in the period. The episode contributed to discussions about the reliability of promotional literature and the risks of speculative colonial ventures.

Today Envoyais is cited by historians as a cautionary tale in the history of cartography, publishing, and finance. Surviving pamphlets and maps are studied as artifacts illustrating how fabricated geography can be used to persuade and profit, and they remain a reference point in discussions of early modern scams and propaganda.