Chapter II: Introduction

Mr. Beckles Willson has asked me to write a short introduction for his forthcoming book on the Hudson's Bay Company, and it gives me great pleasure to comply with his request.

It is gratifying to know that this work has been undertaken by a young Canadian, who has for some years had a laudable desire to write the history of what he appropriately calls "The Great Company," with whose operations the development of the Western parts of Canada has been so closely connected.

The history of the Company during the two centuries of its existence must bring out prominently several matters which are apt now to be lightly remembered. I refer to the immense area of country--more than half as large as Europe--over which its control eventually extended, the explorations conducted under its auspices, the successful endeavours, in spite of strenuous opposition, to retain its hold upon what it regarded as its territory, its friendly relations with the Indians, and, finally, the manner in which its work prepared the way for the incorporation of the "illimitable wilderness" within the Dominion.

It is not too much to say that the fur-traders were the pioneers of civilization in the far West. They undertook the most fatiguing journeys with the greatest pluck and fortitude; they explored the country and kept it in trust for Great Britain. These fur-traders penetrated to the Rocky Mountains, and beyond, into what is now known as British Columbia, and even to the far north and northwest, in connection with the extension of trade, and the establishment of the famous "H. B. C." posts and forts, which were the leading features of the maps of the country until comparatively recent times. The names of many of these early explorers are perpetuated in its rivers and lakes; and many important Arctic discoveries are associated with the names of officers of the Company, such as Hearne, Dease, and Simpson, and, in later times, Dr. John Rae.

The American and Russian Companies which were seeking trade on the Pacific Coast, in the early days of the present century, were not able to withstand the activity and enterprise of their British rivals, but for whose discoveries and work even British Columbia might not have remained British territory. For many years the only civilized occupants of both banks of the Columbia River were the fur-traders, and it is not their fault that the region between it and the international boundary does not now belong to Canada. Alaska was also leased by the Hudson's Bay Company from Russia, and one cannot help thinking that if that country had been secured by Great Britain, we should probably never have heard of the Boundary Question, or of disputes over the Seal Fisheries. However, these things must be accepted as they are; but it will not, in any case, be questioned that the work of the Company prepared the way for the consolidation of the Dominion of Canada, enabling it to extend its limits from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the international boundary to the far north.

The principal business of the Company in the early days was, of course, the purchasing of furs from the Indians, in exchange for arms, ammunition, clothes and other commodities imported from the United Kingdom. Naturally, therefore, the prosperity of the Company depended largely upon good relations being maintained with the Indians. The white man trusted the Indians, and the Indians trusted the white man. This mutual confidence, and the friendly relations which were the result, made the transfer of the territory to Canada comparatively easy when the time for the surrender came. It is interesting to note also, that while intent upon trading with the Indians, the Company did not neglect the spread of civilizing influences among them. The result of their wise policy is seen in the relations that have happily existed since 1870 between the Government and the Indians. There has been none of the difficulties which gave rise to so many disasters in the western parts of the United States. Even in the half-breed disturbance in 1869-70, and in that of 1885, the Indians (with very few exceptions) could not be induced to take arms against the forces of law and order.

Although the Red River settlement was inaugurated and carried out under its auspices, it has been stated, and in terms of reproach, that the Company did not encourage settlement or colonization. The statement may have an element of truth in it, but the condition of the country at the time must be borne in mind. Of course, the fur trade and settlement could not go on side by side. On the other hand, until the country was made accessible, colonization was not practicable. Settlers could not reach it without the greatest difficulty, even for many years after the transfer of the territory took place, or get their produce away. Indeed, until the different Provinces of Canada became federated, and were thus in a position to administer the country and to provide it with the necessary means of communication, the opening up of its resources was almost an impossibility. No single province of Canada could have undertaken its administration or development, and neither men nor money were available, locally, to permit of its blossoming out separately as a Colony, or as a series of Provinces.

The work of the Company is still being continued, although, of course, under somewhat different conditions. The fur trade is quite as large as ever it was, and the relations of the Company are as cordial as of old with the Indians and other inhabitants in the districts remote from settlement, in which this part of the business is largely carried on. It has also adapted itself to the times, and is now one of the leading sources of supplies to the settlers in Manitoba, the North-West Territories, and British Columbia, and to the prospectors and miners engaged in developing the resources of the Pacific province. Besides, it has a very large stake in the North-West, in the millions of acres of land handed over to it, according to agreement, as the country is surveyed. In fact, it may be stated that the Hudson's Bay Company is as inseparably bound up with the future of Western Canada as it has been with its past.

There are, of course, many other things that might be mentioned in an introduction of this kind, and there is room especially for an extended reference to the great and wonderful changes that have been apparent in Manitoba, the North-West Territories, and British Columbia, since, in the natural order of things, those parts of Canada passed out of the direct control of the Company. The subject is so fascinating to me, having been connected with the Company for over sixty years, that the tendency is to go on and on. But the different details connected with it will doubtless be dealt with by Mr. Beckles Willson himself much better than would be possible in the limited time at my disposal, and I shall therefore content myself with stating, in conclusion, that I congratulate the author on the work he has undertaken, and trust that it will meet with the success it deserves. It cannot fail to be regarded as an interesting contribution to the history of Canada, and to show, what I firmly believe to be the case, that the work of the Hudson's Bay Company was for the advantage of the Empire.

LONDON, June 23rd, 1899.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER I.--1660-1667.

Effect of the Restoration on Trade -- Adventurers at Whitehall --
The East India Company Monopoly -- English Interest in North
America -- Prince Rupert's Claims -- The Fur Trade of Canada --
Aim of the Work. 17

CHAPTER II.--1659-1666.

Groseilliers and Radisson -- Their Peregrinations in the
North-West -- They Return to Quebec and Lay their Scheme before
the Governor -- Repulsed by him they Proceed to New England --
And thence Sail for France, where they Endeavour to Interest M.
Colbert. 23

CHAPTER III.--1667-1668.

Prince Rupert -- His Character -- Serves through the Civil War
-- His Naval Expedition in the West Indies -- Residence in
France -- And ultimately in London -- He receives Groseilliers
and introduces him to the King. 35

CHAPTER IV.--1668-1670.

The Prince Visits the _Nonsuch_ -- Arrival in the Bay -- Previous
Voyages of Exploration -- A Fort Commenced at Rupert's River --
Gillam's Return -- Dealing with the Nodwayes -- Satisfaction of
the Company -- A Royal Charter granted. 44

CHAPTER V.--1668-1670.

Danger Apprehended to French Dominion -- Intendant Talon -- Fur
Trade Extended Westward -- News of the English Expedition
Reaches Quebec -- Sovereign Rights in Question -- English
Priority Established. 52

CHAPTER VI.--1671.

First Public Sale at Garraway's -- Contemporary Prices of Fur
-- The Poet Dryden -- Meetings of the Company -- Curiosity of
the Town -- Aborigines on View. 60

CHAPTER VII.--1671-1673.

Mission of the Père Albanel -- Apprehension at Fort Charles --
Bailey's Distrust of Radisson -- Expedition to Moose River --
Groseilliers and the Savages -- The Bushrangers Leave the
Company's Service -- Arrival of Governor Lyddal. 69

CHAPTER VIII.--1673-1682.

Progress of the Company -- Confusion as to the Names and Number
of the Tribes -- Radisson goes to Paris -- His Efforts to
Obtain Support there, and from Prince Rupert, in England, Fail
-- Arrival of M. de la Chesnaye -- With his help Radisson
Secures Support -- And Sails for Quebec -- Thence Proceeds with
Two Ships to Attack the English Ports in Hudson's Bay -- His
Encounters with Gillam's Expedition from London, and his Son's,
from New England. 80

CHAPTER IX.--1682-1683.

Death of Prince Rupert -- The Company's Difficulty in Procuring
Proper Servants -- Radisson at Port Nelson -- The two Gillams
-- Their Meeting -- Capture of the New England Party -- The
First Scotchman in the Bay -- Governor Bridgar Carried off
Prisoner -- Indian Visitors to the Fort -- Disasters to the
Ships -- The French Burn the Island Fort -- Radisson's Harangue
to the Indians -- Return to France. 94

CHAPTER X.--1684-1687.

Hays writes to Lord Preston -- Godey sent to Radisson's
lodgings -- La Barre's strenuous efforts -- Radisson Returns to
the English -- He leaves for the Bay -- Meets his nephew,
Chouart -- Fort Bourbon Surrendered to the Company --
Radisson's dramatic Return to London. 112

CHAPTER XI.--1683-1686.

Feigned Anger of Lewis -- He writes to La Barre -- Importance
Attached to Indian Treaties -- Duluth's Zeal -- Gauthier de
Comportier -- Denonville made Governor -- Capture of the
_Merchant of Perpetuana_ -- Expedition of Troyes against the
Company's Posts in the Bay -- Moose Fort Surrendered. 125

CHAPTER XII.--1686-1689.

The French Attack upon Fort Rupert -- Governor Sargeant
Apprised -- Intrepidity of Nixon -- Capture of Fort Albany --
Disaster to the _Churchill_ -- The Company Hears the ill News --
Negotiations for Colonial Neutrality -- Destruction of New
Severn Fort -- Loss of the _Hampshire_ -- The Revolution. 134

CHAPTER XIII.--1689-1696.

Company's Claims Mentioned in Declaration of War -- Parliament
Grants Company's Application for Confirmation of its Charter --
Implacability of the Felt-makers -- Fort Albany not a Success
in the hands of the French -- Denonville urges an Attack upon
Fort Nelson -- Lewis Despatches Tast with a Fleet to Canada --
Iberville's Jealousy prevents its Sailing to the Bay --
Governor Phipps Burns Fort Nelson -- Further Agitation on the
part of the French to Possess the West Main -- Company Makes
another Attempt to Regain Fort Albany -- Fort Nelson
Surrendered to Iberville -- Its Re-conquest by the Company. 146

CHAPTER XIV.--1696-1697.

Imprisoned French Fur-Traders Reach Paris -- A Fleet under
Iberville Despatched by Lewis to the Bay -- Company's four
Ships precede them through the Straits -- Beginning of a Fierce
Battle -- The _Hampshire_ Sinks -- Escape of the _Dering_ and
capture of the _Hudson's Bay_ -- Dreadful Storm in the Bay --
Losses of the Victors -- Landing of Iberville -- Operations
against Fort Nelson -- Bailey Yields -- Evacuation by the
English. 158

CHAPTER XV.--1698-1713.

Petition Presented to Parliament Hostile to Company --
Seventeenth Century Conditions of Trade -- _Coureurs de
Bois_ -- Price of Peltries -- Standard of Trade Prescribed --
Company's Conservatism -- Letters to Factors -- Character of
the Early Governors -- Henry Kelsey -- York Factory under the
French -- Massacre of Jérémie's Men -- Starvation amongst the
Indians. 169

CHAPTER XVI.--1697-1712.

Company Seriously Damaged by Loss of Port Nelson -- Send an
Account of their Claims to Lords of Trade -- Definite Boundary
Propositions of Trade -- Lewis anxious to Create Boundaries --
Company look to Outbreak of War -- War of Spanish Succession
Breaks Out -- Period of Adversity for the Company -- Employment
of Orkneymen -- Attack on Fort Albany -- Desperate Condition of
the French at York Fort -- Petition to Anne. 187

CHAPTER XVII.--1712-1720.

Queen Anne Espouses the Cause of the Company -- Prior's View of
its Wants -- Treaty of Utrecht -- Joy of the Adventurers --
Petition for Act of Cession -- Not Pressed by the British
Government -- Governor Knight Authorized to take Possession of
Port Nelson -- "Smug Ancient Gentlemen" -- Commissioners to
Ascertain Rights -- Their Meeting in Paris -- Matters Move
Slowly -- Bladen and Pulteney return to England. 198

CHAPTER XVIII.--1719-1727.

The South Sea Bubble -- Nation Catches the Fever of Speculation
-- Strong Temptation for the Company -- Pricking of the Bubble
-- Narrow Escape of the Adventurers -- Knight and his
Expedition -- Anxiety as to their Fate -- Certainty of their
Loss -- Burnet's Scheme to Cripple the French -- It Forces them
Westward into Rupert's Land. 208

CHAPTER XIX.--1687-1712.

Hudson's Bay Tribes Peaceful -- Effect of the Traders' Presence
-- Depletion of Population -- The Crees and Assiniboines --
Their Habits and Customs -- Their Numbers -- No Subordination
Amongst Them -- Spirituous Liquors -- Effect of Intemperance
upon the Indian. 217

CHAPTER XX.--1685-1742.

Errant Tribes of the Bay -- The Goose Hunt -- Assemblage at
Lake Winnipeg -- Difficulties of the Voyage -- Arrival at the
Fort -- Ceremony followed by Debauch -- Gifts to the Chief --
He makes a Speech to the Governor -- Ceremony of the Pipe --
Trading Begun. 230

CHAPTER XXI.--1725-1742.

System of Licenses re-adopted by the French -- Verandrye Sets
Out for the Pacific -- His Son Slain -- Disappointments -- He
reaches the Rockies -- Death of Verandrye -- Forts in Rupert's
Land -- Peter the Great and the Hudson's Bay Company --
Expeditions of Bering -- A North-West Passage -- Opposition of
the Company to its Discovery -- Dobbs and Middleton --
Ludicrous distrust of the Explorer -- An Anonymous Letter. 240

CHAPTER XXII.--1744-1748.

War again with France -- Company takes Measures to Defend its
Forts and Property -- "Keep Your Guns Loaded" -- Prince
"Charlie" -- His Stock in the Company Confiscated -- Further
Instructions to the Chief Factors -- Another Expedition to
Search for a North-West Passage -- Parliament Offers Twenty
Thousand Pounds Reward -- Cavalier Treatment from Governor
Norton -- Expedition Returns -- Dobbs' Enmity -- Privy Council
Refuse to Grant his Petition -- Press-gang Outrages -- Voyage
of the _Seahorse_. 257

CHAPTER XXIII.--1748-1760.

Parliamentary Committee of Enquiry Appointed -- Aim of the
Malcontents -- Lord Strange's Report -- Testimony of Witnesses
-- French Competition -- Lords of Plantations Desire to
Ascertain Limits of Company's Territory -- Defeat of the
Labrador Company -- Wolfe's Victory -- "Locked up in the Strong
Box" -- Company's Forts -- Clandestine Trade -- Case of Captain
Coats. 269

CHAPTER XXIV.--1763-1770.

Effect of the Conquest on the Fur-trade of the French --
Indians again Seek the Company's Factories -- Influx of
Highlanders into Canada -- Alexander Henry -- Mystery
Surrounding the _Albany_ Cleared Up -- Astronomers Visit Prince
of Wales' Fort -- Strike of Sailors -- Seizure of Furs --
Measures to Discourage Clandestine Trade. 286

CHAPTER XXV.--1768-1773.

Reports of the "Great River" -- Company Despatch Samuel Hearne on
a Mission of Discovery -- Norton's Instructions -- Saluted on
his Departure from the Fort -- First and Second Journeys --
Matonabee -- Results of the Third Journey -- The Company's
Servants in the Middle of the Century -- Death of Governor
Norton. 299

CHAPTER XXVI.--1773-1782.

Company Suffers from the Rivalry of Canadians -- Cumberland
House Built -- Debauchery and License of the Rivals --
Frobisher Intercepts the Company's Indians -- The Smallpox
Visitation of 1781 -- La Pérouse appears before Fort Prince of
Wales -- Hearne's Surrender -- Capture of York Fort by the
French -- The Post Burned and the Company's Servants carried
away Prisoners. 314

CHAPTER XXVII.--1783-1800.

Disastrous Effects of the Competition -- Montreal Merchants
Combine -- The North-Westers -- Scheme of the Association --
Alexander Mackenzie -- His two Expeditions Reach the Pacific --
Emulation Difficult -- David Thompson. 327

CHAPTER XXVIII.--1787-1808.

Captain Vancouver -- La Pérouse in the Pacific -- The Straits
of Anian -- A Fantastic Episode -- Russian Hunters and Traders
-- The Russian Company -- Dissensions amongst the Northmen --
They Send the _Beaver_ to Hudson's Bay -- The Scheme of
Mackenzie a Failure -- A Ferocious Spirit Fostered -- Abandoned
Characters -- A Series of Outrages -- The Affair at Bad
Lake. 344

CHAPTER XXIX.--1808-1812.

Crisis in the Company's Affairs -- No Dividend Paid -- Petition
to Lords of the Treasury -- Factors Allowed a Share in the
Trade -- Canada Jurisdiction Act -- The Killing of MacDonnell
-- Mowat's Ill-treatment -- Lord Selkirk -- His Scheme laid
before the Company -- A Protest by Thwaytes and others -- The
Project Carried -- Emigrants sent out to Red River -- Northmen
Stirred to Reprisal. 361

CHAPTER XXX.--1812-1815.

The Bois-Brulés -- Simon McGillivray's Letter -- Frightening
the Settlers -- A Second Brigade -- Governor McDonnell's
Manifesto -- Defection of Northmen to the Company --
Robertson's Expedition to Athabasca -- Affairs at Red River --
Cameron and McDonell in Uniform -- Cuthbert Grant -- Miles
McDonnell Arrested -- Fort William -- News brought to the
Northmen -- Their confiscated account-books -- War of 1812
concluded. 383

CHAPTER XXXI.--1816-1817.

A New Brigade of Immigrants -- Robert Semple -- Cuthbert
Grant's Letter -- The De Meuron Regiment -- Assembling of the
Bois-Brulés -- Tragedy at Seven Oaks -- Selkirk at Fort William
-- McGillivray Arrested -- Arrest of the Northmen -- Selkirk
Proceeds to Red River. 404

CHAPTER XXXII.--1817-1821.

The English Government Intervenes -- Selkirk at Red River --
Makes a Treaty with the Indians -- Hostilities at Peace River
-- Governor Williams makes Arrests -- Franklin at York Factory
-- The Duke of Richmond Interferes -- Trial of Semple's
Murderers -- Death of Selkirk -- Amalgamation. 423

CHAPTER XXXIII.--1821-1847.

The Deed Poll -- A Governor-in-Chief Chosen -- A Chaplain
Appointed -- New License from George IV. -- Trade on the Pacific
Coast -- The Red River Country Claimed by the States -- The
Company in California -- The Oregon Question -- Anglo-Russian
Treaty of 1825 -- The _Dryad_ Affair -- Lieutenant Franklin's two
Expeditions -- Red River Territory Yielded to Company --
Enterprise on the Pacific. 436

CHAPTER XXXIV.--1846-1863.

The Oregon Treaty -- Boundary Question Settled -- Company
Proposes Undertaking Colonization of North America -- Enmity
and Jealousy Aroused -- Attitude of Earl Grey -- Lord Elgin's
Opinion of the Company -- Amended Proposal for Colonization
Submitted -- Opposition of Mr. Gladstone -- Grant of Vancouver
Island Secured, but Allowed to Expire in 1859 -- Dr. Rae's
Expedition -- The Franklin Expedition and its Fate -- Discovery
of the North-West Passage -- Imperial Parliament Appoints
Select Committee -- Toronto Board of Trade Petitions
Legislative Council -- Trouble with Indians -- Question of
Buying Out the Company -- British Government Refuses Help --
"Pacific Scheme" Promoters Meet Company in Official Interview
-- International Financial Association Buys Company's Rights --
Edward Ellice, the "Old Bear." 459

CHAPTER XXXV.--1863-1871.

Indignation of the Wintering-Partners -- Distrust and
Misgivings Arise -- Proposals of Governor Dallas for the
Compensation of the Wintering-Partners in Exchange for their
Abrogation of Deed Poll -- Threatened Deadlock -- Position of
those in Authority Rendered Untenable -- Failure of Duke of
Newcastle's Proposals for Surrender of Territorial Rights --
The Russo-American Alaskan Treaty -- The Hon. W. McDougall's
Resolutions -- Deputation Goes to England -- Sir
Stafford-Northcote becomes Governor -- Opinion of Lord
Granville as to the Position of Affairs -- Lack of Military
System Company's Weakness -- Cession now Inevitable -- Terms
Suggested by Lord Granville Accepted -- First Riel Rebellion --
Wolseley at Fort Garry. 481

CHAPTER XXXVI.--1821-1871.

The Company still King in the North-West -- Its Forts Described
-- Fort Garry -- Fort Vancouver -- Franklin -- Walla Walla --
Yukon -- Kamloops -- Samuel Black -- Mountain House -- Fort
Pitt -- Policy of the Great Company. 497

The Hudson's Bay Posts. 509