The favor which has been shown to the "Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay Company" has resulted in a large measure from its being written by a native-born Canadian, who is familiar with much of the ground over which the Company for two hundred years held sway.
A number of corrections have been made and the book has been brought up to date for this Edition.
It has been a pleasure to the Author, who has expressed himself without fear or favor regarding the Company men and their opponents, that he has received from the greater number of his readers commendations for his fairness and insight into the affairs of the Company and its wonderful history.
George Bryce.
Kilmadock, Winnipeg,
August 19, 1910.
[CONTENTS]
| [ CHAPTER I.] | |
| THE FIRST VOYAGE FOR TRADE. | Page |
| Famous Companies—"The old lady ofFenchurch Street"—The firstvoyage—Radisson and Groseilliers—Spurious claim of the French of havingreached the Bay—"Journal published by Prince Society"—The claiminvalid—Early voyages of Radisson—The Frenchmen go to Boston—Cross overto England—Help from Royalty—Fiery Rupert—The King a stockholder—Manyhitherto unpublished facts—Capt. Zachariah Gillam—Charles Fort built onRupert River—The founder's fame | 1 |
| [ CHAPTER II.] | |
| HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY FOUNDED. | |
| Royal charters—Good QueenBess—"So miserable awilderness"—Courtly stockholders—Correct spelling—"The nonsenseof the Charters"—Mighty rivers—Lords of the territory—Toexecute justice—War on infidels—Power to seize—"Skin forskin"—Friends of the Red man | 12 |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| METHODS OF TRADE. | |
| Rich Mr. Portman—Good ship PrinceRupert—The earlyadventurers—"Book of Common Prayer"—Five forts—Voting afuneral—Worth of a beaver—To Hudson Bay and back—Sellingthe pelts—Bottles of sack—Fat dividends—"Victorious asCæsar"—"Golden Fruit" | 20 |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| THREE GREAT GOVERNORS. | |
| Men of high station—Prince Rupertprimus—Prince James, "neminecontradicente"—The hero of the hour—Churchill River named—Plateof solid gold—Off to the tower | 27 |
| [CHAPTERV.] | |
| TWO ADROIT ADVENTURERS. | |
| Peter Radisson and "Mr.Gooseberry" again—Radisson v. Gillam—Back toFrance—A wife's influence—Paltryvessels—Radisson's diplomacy—Deserts to England—Shamefulduplicity—"A hogshead of claret"—Adventurersappreciative—Twenty-five years of Radisson's life hithertounknown—"In a low and mean condition"—The Company inChancery—Lucky Radisson—A Company pensioner | 33 |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| FRENCH RIVALRY. | |
| The golden lilies in danger—"Toarrest Radisson"—Theland called "Unknown"—A chain of claim—Imaginarypretensions—Chevalier de Troyes—The brave Lemoynes—Hudson Bayforts captured—A litigious governor—Laugh at treaties—The gloryof France—Enormous claims—Consequential damages | 47 |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| RYSWICK AND UTRECHT. | |
| The "Grand Monarque"humbled—Caught napping—The Companyin peril—Glorious Utrecht—Forts restored—Damages to beconsidered—Commission useless | 56 |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| DREAMS OF A NORTH-WESTPASSAGE. | |
| Stock rises—Jealousyaroused—Arthur Dobbs, Esq.—An ingeniousattack—Appeal to the "Old Worthies"—Captain ChristopherMiddleton—Was the Company in earnest? The sloop Furnace—Dobbs'fierce attack—The great subscription—Independentexpedition—"Henry Ellis, gentleman"—"Without success"—Dobbs'real purpose | 61 |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| THE INTERESTING BLUE-BOOK OF1749. | |
| "Le roi est mort"—Royaltyunfavourable—Earl ofHalifax—"Company asleep"—Petition to Parliament—Neglecteddiscovery—Timidity or caution—Strong "Prince of Wales"—Increaseof stock—A timid witness—Claims of discovery—To makeIndians Christians—Charge of disloyalty—New Company promiseslargely—Result nil | 70 |
| [CHAPTERX.] | |
| FRENCH CANADIANS EXPLORE THEINTERIOR. | |
| The "Western Sea"—ArdentDuluth—"Kaministiquia"—Indianboasting—Père Charlevoix—Father Gonor—The man of thehour:—Verendrye—Indian map-maker—The North Shore—A line offorts—The Assiniboine country—A notable manuscript—A marvellousjourney—Glory, but not wealth—Post of the Western Sea | 78 |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| THE SCOTTISH MERCHANTS OFMONTREAL. | |
| Unyielding oldCadot—Competition—The enterprising Henry—Leadsthe way—Thomas Curry—The elder Finlay—Plundering Indians—GrandPortage—A famous mart—The plucky Frobishers—The Sleeping Giantaroused—Fort Cumberland—Churchill River—Indian rising—Thedeadly smallpox—The whites saved | 92 |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| DISCOVERY OF THE COPPERMINE. | |
| Samuel Hearne—"The Mungo Park ofCanada"—Perousecomplains—The North-West Passage—Indian guides—Twofailures—Third journey successful—Smokes thecalumet—Discovers Arctic Ocean—Cruelty to the Eskimos—Errorin latitude—Remarkable Indian woman—Capture of Prince of WalesFort—Criticism by Umfreville | 100 |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| FORTS ON HUDSON BAY LEFTBEHIND. | |
| Andrew Graham's "Memo."—Prince ofWales Fort—Thegarrison—Trade—York Factory—Furs—Albany—Subordinateforts—Moose—Moses Norton—Cumberland House—UpperAssiniboine—Rainy Lake—Brandon House—Red River—Conflict of theCompanies | 109 |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| THE NORTH-WEST COMPANY FORMED. | |
| Hudson's Bay Companyaggressive—The great McTavish—TheFrobishers—Pond and Pangman dissatisfied—Gregory andMcLeod—Strength of the North-West Company—Vessels to bebuilt—New route from Lake Superior sought—Good will attimes—Bloody Pond—Wider union, 1787—Fort Alexandria—Mouth ofthe Souris—Enormous fur trade—Wealthy Nor'-Westers—"The HauntedHouse | 116 |
| [CHAPTERXV.] | |
| VOYAGES OF SIR ALEXANDERMACKENZIE. | |
| A young Highlander—To rivalHearne—Fort Chipewyanbuilt—French Canadian voyageurs—Trader Leroux—Perilsof the route—Post erected on Arctic Coast—Returnjourney—Pond's miscalculations—Hudson Bay Turner—RoderickMcKenzie's hospitality—Alexander Mackenzie—Astronomy andmathematics—Winters on Peace River—Terrific journey—The PacificSlope—Dangerous Indians—Pacific Ocean, 1793—North-West Passageby land—Great achievement—A notable book | 124 |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| THE GREAT EXPLORATION. | |
| Grand Portage on Americansoil—Anxiety about theboundary—David Thompson, astronomer and surveyor—Hisinstructions—By swift canoe—The land of beaver—A dashto the Mandans—Stone Indian House—Fixes the boundaryat Pembina—Sources of the Mississippi—A marvellousexplorer—Pacific Slope explored—Thompson down the Kootenayand Columbia—Fiery Simon Fraser in New Caledonia—DiscoversFraser River—Sturdy John Stuart—Thompson River—BourgeoisQuesnel—Transcontinental expeditions | 133 |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| THE X Y COMPANY. | |
| "Le Marquis" Simon McTavishunpopular—Alexander Mackenzie, hisrival—Enormous activity of the "Potties"—Why called X Y—Fiverival posts at Souris—Sir Alexander, the silent partner—OldLion of Montreal roused—"Posts of the King"—Schooner sent toHudson Bay—Nor'-Westers erect two posts on Hudson Bay—Supremefolly—Old and new Nor'-Westers unite—List of partners | 148 |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| THE LORDS OF THE LAKES ANDFORESTS.—I. | |
| New route to Kaministiquia—Vividsketch of FortWilliam—"Cantine Salope"—Lively Christmas week—The feastingpartners—Ex-Governor Masson's good work—Four great Mackenzies—Aliterary bourgeois—Three handsome demoiselles—"The man in themoon"—Story of "Bras Croche"—Around Cape Horn—Astoria takenover—A hot-headed trader—Sad case of "Little Labrie"—Punch onNew Year's Day—The heart of a "vacher" | 155 |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| THE LORDS OF THE LAKES ANDFORESTS.—II. | |
| Harmon and his book—An honestman—"Straight as an arrow"—Newviews—An uncouth giant—"Gaelic, English, French, and Indianoaths"—McDonnell, "Le Prêtre"—St. Andrew's Day—"Fathoms oftobacco"—Down the Assiniboine—An entertaining journal—A goodeditor—A too frank trader—"Gun fire ten yards away"—Herds ofbuffalo—Packs and pemmican—"The fourth Gospel"—Drowning ofHenry—"The weather cleared up"—Lost for forty days—"Cheepe,"the corpse—Larocque and the Mandans—McKenzie and his half-breedchildren | 166 |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| THE LORDS OF THE LAKES ANDFORESTS.—III. | |
| Dashing French trader—"Thecountry of fashion"—An air of greatsuperiority—The road is that of heaven—Enough to intimidatea Cæsar—"The Bear" and the "Little Branch"—Yet more rum—Agreat Irishman—"In the wigwam of Wabogish dwelt his beautifuldaughter"—Wedge of gold—Johnston and Henry Schoolcraft—DuncanCameron on Lake Superior—His views of trade—Peter Grant, theready writer—Paddling the canoe—Indian folk-lore—Chippewaburials—Remarkable men and great financiers, marvellousexplorers, facile traders | 178 |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| THE IMPULSE OF UNION. | |
| North-West and X Y Companiesunite—Recalls the Homericperiod—Feuds forgotten—Men perform prodigies—The new fortre-christened—Vessel from Michilimackinac—The old canal—Willsbuilds Fort Gibraltar—A lordly sway—The "Beaver Club"—Sumptuoustable—Exclusive society—"Fortitude in Distress"—Politicalleaders in Lower Canada | 189 |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| THE ASTOR FUR COMPANY. | |
| Old John Jacob Astor—American FurCompany—The MissouriCompany—A line of posts—Approaches the Russians—Negotiateswith Nor'-Westers—Fails—Four North-West officials joinAstor—Songs of the voyageurs—True Britishers—Voyageof the Tonquin—Rollicking Nor'-Westers in SandwichIslands—Astoria built—David Thompson appears—Terrible end ofthe Tonquin—Astor's overland expedition—WashingtonIrving's"Astoria, a romance"—The Beaver rounds theCape—McDougall andhis smallpox phial—The Beaver sails for Canton | 193 |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| LORD SELKIRK'S COLONY. | |
| Alexander Mackenzie's book—LordSelkirk interested—Emigrationa boon—Writes to Imperial Government—In 1802 looks toLake Winnipeg—Benevolent project of trade—Compelled tochoose Prince Edward Island—Opinion as to Hudson's BayCompany Charter—Nor'-Westers alarmed—Hudson's Bay Company'sStock—Purchases Assiniboia—Advertises the new colony—Religionno disqualification—Sends first colony—Troubles of theproject—Arrive at York Factory—The winter—The mutiny—"Essenceof Malt"—Journey inland—A second party—Third party underArchibald Macdonald—From Helmsdale—The number of colonists | 203 |
| [CHAPTER XXIV.] | |
| TROUBLE BETWEEN THE COMPANIES. | |
| Nor'-Westers oppose thecolony—Reason why—A considerableliterature—Contentions of both parties—Both in fault—MilesMacdonell's mistake—Nor'-Wester arrogance—Duncan Cameron'singenious plan—Stirring up the Chippewas—Nor'-Westerswarn colonists to depart—McLeod's hitherto unpublishednarrative—Vivid account of a brave defence—Chain shot fromthe blacksmith's smithy—Fort Douglas begun—Settlers drivenout—Governor Semple arrives—Cameron last Governor of FortGibraltar—Cameron sent to Britain as a prisoner—Fort Gibraltarcaptured—Fort Gibraltar decreases, Fort Douglas increases—Freetraders take to the plains—Indians favour the colonists | 215 |
| [CHAPTER XXV.] | |
| THE SKIRMISH OF SEVEN OAKS. | |
| Leader of the Bois Brûlés—Acandid letter—Account of aprisoner—"Yellow Head"—Speech to the Indians—The chief knowsnothing—On fleet Indian ponies—An eye-witness in Fort Douglas—Arash Governor—The massacre—"For God's sake save my life"—TheGovernor and twenty others slain—Colonists driven out—Easternlevy meets the settlers—Effects seized—Wild revelry—Chanson ofPierre Falcon | 229 |
| [CHAPTER XXVI.] | |
| LORD SELKIRK TO THE RESCUE. | |
| The Earl in Montreal—Alarmingnews—Engages a body ofSwiss—The De Meurons—Embark for the North-West—Kawtawabetay'sstory—Hears of Seven Oaks—Lake Superior—Lord Selkirk—A doughtyDouglas—Seizes Fort William—Canoes upset and Nor'-Westersdrowned—"A banditti"—The Earl's blunder—A winter march —FortDouglas recaptured—His Lordship soothes the settlers—An Indiantreaty—"The Silver Chief"—The Earl's note-book | 238 |
| [CHAPTERXXVII.] | |
| THE BLUE-BOOK OF 1819 AND THENORTH-WEST TRIALS. | |
| British law disgraced—GovernorSherbrooke's distress—Acommission decided on—Few unbiassed Canadians—Colonel Coltmanchosen—Over ice and snow—Alarming rumours—The PrinceRegent's orders—Coltman at Red River—The Earl submissive—TheCommissioner's report admirable—The celebrated Reinhartcase—Disturbing lawsuits—Justice perverted—A store-house offacts—Sympathy of Sir Walter Scott—Lord Selkirk's death—Tomb atOrthes, in France | 252 |
| [CHAPTER XXVIII.] | |
| MEN WHO PLAYED A PART. | |
| The crisis reached—Consequencesof Seven Oaks—Thenoble Earl—His generous spirit—His mistakes—Determinedcourage—Deserves the laurel crown—The firstGovernor—Macdonell's difficulties—His unwise step—A captainin red—Cameron's adroitness—A wearisome imprisonment—Lastgovernor of Fort Gibraltar—The Metis chief—Half-breed son of oldCuthbert—A daring hunter—Warden of the plains—Lord Selkirk'sagent—A Red River patriarch—A faithful witness—The Frenchbard—Western war songs—Pierriche Falcon | 260 |
| [CHAPTER XXIX.] | |
| GOVERNOR SIMPSON UNITES ALLINTERESTS. | |
| Both Companies in danger—EdwardEllice, a mediator—GeorgeSimpson, the man of destiny—Old feuds buried—Gatheringsat Norway House—Governor Simpson's skill—His marvellousenergy—Reform in trade—Morality low—A famous canoevoyage—Salutes fired—Pompous ceremony at Norway House—Strainsof the bagpipe—Across the Rocky Mountains—Fort Vancouvervisited—Great executive ability—The governor knighted—SirGeorge goes round the world—Troubles of a book—Meets theRussians—Estimate of Sir George | 270 |
| [CHAPTER XXX.] | |
| THE LIFE OF THE TRADERS. | |
| Lonely trading posts—Skilfulletter writers—Queer oldPeter Fidler—Famous library—A remarkable will—A stubbornHighlander—Life at Red River—Badly-treated Pangman—Foundingtrading houses—Beating up recruits—Priest Provencher—Afur-trading mimic—Life far north—"Ruled with a rod ofiron"—Seeking a fur country—Life in the canoe—A trustedtrader—Sheaves of letters—A find in Edinburgh—Faithfulcorrespondents—The Bishop's cask of wine—Red River, a "landof Canaan"—Governor Simpson's letters—The gigantic Archdeaconwrites—"MacArgrave's" promotion—Kindly Sieveright—Traders andtheir books | 283 |
| [CHAPTERXXXI.] | |
| THE VOYAGEURS FROM MONTREAL. | |
| Lachine, the fur traders'Mecca—The departure—The flowingbowl—The canoe brigade—The voyageurs' song—"En roulant maboule"—Village of St. Anne's—Legend of the church—The sailors'guardian—Origin of "Canadian Boat Song"—A loud invocation—"Ala Claire Fontaine"—"Sing, nightingale"—At the rapids—Theominous crosses—"Lament of Cadieux"—A lonely maiden sits—TheWendigo—Home of the Ermatingers—A very old canal—The ruggedcoast—Fort William reached—A famous gathering—The joyous return | 304 |
| [CHAPTER XXXII.] | |
| EXPLORERS IN THE FAR NORTH. | |
| The North-West Passageagain—Lieutenant John Franklin'sland expedition—Two lonely winters—Hearne's mistakecorrected—Franklin's second journey—Arctic sea coastexplored—Franklin knighted—Captain John Ross by sea—Discoversmagnetic pole—Magnetic needle nearly perpendicular—Back seeksfor Ross—Dease and Simpson sent by Hudson's Bay Company toexplore—Sir John in Erebus and Terror—ThePaleocrysticSea—Franklin never returns—Lady Franklin's devotion—Thehistoric search—Dr. Rae secures relics—Captain McClintock findsthe cairn and written record—Advantages of the search | 315 |
| [CHAPTER XXXIII.] | |
| EXPEDITIONS TO THE FRONTIEROF THE FUR COUNTRY. | |
| A disputed boundary—Sources ofthe Mississippi—The fur traderspush southward—Expedition up the Missouri—Lewis and Clarkmeet Nor'-Westers—Claim of United States made—Sad death ofLewis—Lieutenant Pike's journey—Pike meets fur traders—CautiousDakotas—Treaty with Chippewas—Violent death—Long and Keatingfix 49 deg. N.—Visit Fort Garry—Follow old fur traders'route—An erratic Italian—Strange adventures—Almost findssource—Beltrami County—Cass and Schoolcraft fail—Schoolcraftafterwards succeeds—Lake Itasca—Curious origin of name—Thesource determined | 326 |
| [CHAPTER XXXIV.] | |
| FAMOUS JOURNEYS IN RUPERT'SLAND. | |
| Fascination of an unknownland—Adventure, science, orgain—Lieutenant Lefroy's magnetic survey—Hudson's BayCompany assists—Winters at Fort Chipewyan—First scientificvisit to Peace River—Notes lost—Not "gratuitous canoeconveyance"—Captain Palliser and Lieutenant Hector—Journeythrough Rupert's Land—Rocky Mountain passes—On to the coast—Asuccessful expedition—Hind and Dawson—To spy out the land forCanada—The fertile belt—Hind's description good—Milton andCheadle—Winter on the Saskatchewan—Reach Pacific Ocean in apitiable condition—Captain Butler—The horse Blackie and dog"Cerf Vola"—Fleming and Grant—"Ocean to ocean"—"Land fitted fora healthy and hardy race"—Waggon road and railway | 337 |
| [CHAPTER XXXV.] | |
| RED RIVER SETTLEMENT. 1817-1846. | |
| Chiefly Scottish and Frenchsettlers—Manyhardships—Grasshoppers—Yellow Head—"GouverneurSauterelle"—Swiss settlers—Remarkable parchment—CaptainBulger, a military governor—Indian troubles—Donald McKenzie,a fur trader governor—Many projects fail—The flood—Plentyfollows—Social condition—Lower Fort built—Upper FortGarry—Council of Assiniboia—The settlement organized—DuncanFinlayson governor—English farmers—Governor Christie—Seriousepidemic—A regiment of regulars—The unfortunate major—Thepeople restless | 348 |
| [CHAPTER XXXVI.] | |
| THE PRAIRIES: SLEDGE, KEEL,WHEEL, CAYUSE, CHASE. | |
| A picturesque life—The prairiehunters andtraders—Gaily-caparisoned dog trains—The great winterpackets—Joy in the lonely forts—The summer trade—The York boatbrigade—Expert voyageurs—The famous Red River cart—Shagganappeponies—The screeching train—Tripping—The western cayuse—Thegreat buffalo hunt—Warden of the plains—Pemmican and fat—Thereturn in triumph | 360 |
| [CHAPTER XXXVII.] | |
| LIFE ON THE SHORES OF HUDSONBAY AND LABRADOR. | |
| The bleak shoresunprogressive—Now as at the beginning—YorkFactory—Description of Ballantyne—The weather—Summer comes witha rush—Picking up subsistence—The Indian trade—InhospitableLabrador—Establishment of Ungava Bay—McLean at FortChimo—Herds of cariboo—Eskimo rafts—"Shadowy Tartarus"—Theking's domains—Mingan—Mackenzie—The gulf settlements—TheMoravians—Their four missions—Rigolette, the chief tradingpost—A school for developing character—Chief Factor Donald A.Smith—Journeys along the coast—A barren shore | 376 |
| [CHAPTER XXXVIII.] | |
| ATHABASCA, MACKENZIE RIVER,AND THE YUKON. | |
| Peter Pond reaches AthabascaRiver—Fort Chipewyanestablished—Starting point of Alexander Mackenzie—TheAthabasca Library—The Hudson's Bay Company roused—Conflictat Fort Wedderburn—Suffering—The dash up the PeaceRiver—Fort Dunvegan—Northern extension—Fort Resolution—FortProvidence—The great river occupied—Loss of life—FortSimpson, the centre—Fort Reliance—Herds of cariboo—FortNorman built—Fort Good Hope—The Northern Rockies—The Yukonreached and occupied—The fierce Liard River—Fort Halkett in theMountains—Robert Campbell comes to the Stikine—Discovers theUpper Yukon—His great fame—The districts—Steamers on the waterstretches | 386 |
| [CHAPTER XXXIX.] | |
| ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE. | |
| Extension of trade in NewCaledonia—The WesternDepartment—Fort Vancouver built—Governor's residence andBachelors' Hall—Fort Colville—James Douglas, a man of note—Adignified official—An Indian rising—A brave woman—The fertileColumbia Valley—Finlayson, a man of action—Russian furtraders—Treaty of Alaska—Lease of Alaska to the Hudson's BayCompany—Fort Langley—The great farm—Black at Kamloops—Furtrader v. botanist—"No soul above a beaver'sskin"—A tragicdeath—Chief Nicola's eloquence—A murderer's fate | 399 |
| [CHAPTER XL.] | |
| FROM OREGON TO VANCOUVERISLAND. | |
| Fort Vancouver on Americansoil—Chief Factor Douglaschooses a new site—Young McLoughlin killed—Liquor sellingprohibited—Dealing with the Songhies—A Jesuit father—FortVictoria—Finlayson's skill—Chinook jargon—The brothersErmatinger—A fur-trading Junius—"Fifty-four, forty, orfight"—Oregon Treaty—Hudson's Bay Company indemnified—Thewaggon road—A colony established—First governor—Goldfever—British Columbia—Fort Simpson—Hudson's Bay Company in theinterior—The forts—A group of worthies—Service to Britain—Thecoast becomes Canadian | 408 |
| [CHAPTER XLI.] | |
| PRO GLORIA DEI. | |
| A vast region—First spiritualadviser—A locum tenens—TwoFrench Canadian priests—St. Boniface founded—Missionaryzeal in Mackenzie River district—Red River parishes—Thegreat Archbishop Taché—John West—Archdeacon Cochrane, thefounder—John McCallum—Bishop Anderson—English MissionarySocieties—Archbishop Machray—Indian Missions—John Black, thePresbyterian apostle—Methodist Missions on Lake Winnipeg—TheCree syllabic—Chaplain Staines—Bishop Bridge—MissionaryDuncan—Metlakahtla—Roman Catholic coast missions—Church ofEngland bishop—Diocese of New Westminster—Dr. Evans—RobertJamieson—Education | 420 |
| [CHAPTER XLII.] | |
| THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY ANDTHE INDIANS. | |
| Company's Indian policy—Characterof officers—A race ofhunters—Plan of advances—Charges against the Company—Liquorrestriction—Capital punishment—Starving Indians—Diseased andhelpless—Education and religion—The age of missions—SturdySaulteaux—The Muskegons—Wood Crees—Wandering Plain Crees—TheChipewyans—Wild Assiniboines—Blackfoot Indians—Polyglotcoast tribes—Eskimos—No Indian war—No police—Pliable anddocile—Success of the Company | 431 |
| [CHAPTER XLIII.] | |
| UNREST IN RUPERT'S LAND. 1844-1869. | |
| Discontent on Red River—Queriesto the Governor—A courageousRecorder—Free Trade in furs held illegal—Imprisonment—Newland deed—Enormous freights—Petty revenge—Turbulentpensioners—Heart burnings—Heroic Isbister—Half-breedmemorial—Mr. Beaver's letter—Hudson's Bay Company notified—LordElgin's reply—Voluminous correspondence—Company's fullanswer—Colonel Crofton's statement—Major Caldwell, apartisan—French petition—Nearly a thousand signatures—Love,a factor—The elder Riel—A court scene—Violence—"Vive laliberté!"—The Recorder checked—A new judge—Unruly Corbett—Theprison broken—Another rescue—A valiant doctor—A Red RiverNestor | 438 |
| [CHAPTER XLIV.] | |
| CANADA COVETS THE HUDSON'SBAY TERRITORY. | |
| Renewal of licence—Labouchere'sletter—Canada claims toPacific Ocean—Commissioner Chief-Justice Draper—Rests onQuebec Act, 1774—Quebec overlaps Indian territories—Companyloses Vancouver Island—Cauchon's memorandum—Committeeof 1857—Company on trial—A brilliant committee—Fourhundred folios of evidence—To transfer Red River andSaskatchewan—Death of Sir George—Governor Dallas—A cunningscheme—Secret negotiations—The Watkin Company floated—Angrywinterers—Dallas's soothing circular—The old orderstill—Ermatinger's letters—McDougall's resolutions—Cartier andMcDougall as delegates—Company accepts the terms | 448 |
| [CHAPTER XLV.] | |
| TROUBLES OF THE TRANSFER OFRUPERT'S LAND. | |
| Transfer Act passed—A moribundGovernment—The Canadiansurveying party—Causes of the rebellion—TurbulentMetis—American interference—Disloyal ecclesiastics—"Governor"McDougall—Riel and his rebel band—A blameworthy governor—The"blawsted fence"—Seizure of Fort Garry—Riel's ambitions—Loyalrising—Three wise men from the East—The New Nation—Awinter meeting—Bill of Rights—A Canadian shot—The Wolseleyexpedition—Three renegades slink away—The end of Companyrule—The new Province of Manitoba | 459 |
| [CHAPTER XLVI.] | |
| PRESENT STATUS OF THE COMPANY. | |
| A great land company—Fort Garrydismantled—The newbuildings—New v. old—New life in the Company—Palmydaysare recalled—Governors of ability—The present distinguishedGovernor—Vaster operations—Its eye not dimmed | 472 |
| [CHAPTER XLVII.] | |
| THE FUTURE OF THE CANADIANWEST. | |
| The Greater Canada—Wide wheatfields—Vast pasturelands—Huronian mines—The Kootenay riches—Yukonnuggets—Forests—Iron and coal—Fisheries—Two greatcities—Towns and villages—Anglo-Saxon institutions—The greatoutlook | 477 |
| APPENDIX. | |
| [ A].—Authoritiesand References | 483 |
| [ B].—Summaryof Life of Pierre Esprit Radisson | 489 |
| [ C].—CompanyPosts in 1856, with Indians | 491 |
| [ D].—ChiefFactors (1821-1896) | 493 |
| [ E].—RussianAmerica (Alaska) | 495 |
| [ F].—TheCree Syllabic Character | 497 |
| [ G].—Namesof H.B.Co. Officers in Plate opposite page 442 | 498 |
| [ Index] | 499 |