Sir George's administration, it is granted, has been a successful one; yet his own friends will admit that much of this success must be ascribed to his good fortune rather than to his talents. The North-West Company had previously reduced the business to a perfect system, which he had only to follow. It is true he introduced great economy into every department; but the North-West Company had done so before him, and the wasteful extravagance which preceded his appointment was entirely the result of the rivalry between the two companies, and under any governor whatever would have ceased when the coalition was effected.
Not a little, too, of Sir George's economy was of "the penny-wise and pound-foolish" kind. Thus it has been already observed, that the lives of the Company's servants, and the property of an entire district, were placed in extreme jeopardy by his false economy; and a contingency, which no prudent man would have calculated upon, alone prevented a catastrophe which involved the destruction of the Company's property to a large amount, as well as of the lives of its servants. But independently of this, he has committed several errors of a most serious kind. Of these the chief is the Ungava adventure, an enterprise which was begun in opposition to the opinion of every gentleman in the country whose experience enabled him to form a correct judgment in the matter; and this undertaking was persisted in, year after year, at an enormous loss to the Company. Finally, he has not even the merit of correcting his own blunders. It was not till after a mass of evidence of the strongest kind was laid before the Committee, that they, in his absence, gave orders for the abandonment of the hopeless project.
His caprice, his favouritism, his disregard of merit in granting promotion, it will be allowed, could not have a favourable effect on the Company's interests. His want of feeling has been mentioned: a single example of this will close these remarks. A gentleman of high rank in the service, whose wife was dangerously ill, received orders to proceed on a journey of nearly 5,000 miles. Aware that his duty required a prompt obedience to these orders, he set off, taking her along with him. On arriving at the end of the first stage, she became worse; and medical assistance being procured, the physicians were of opinion that in all probability death would be the consequence if he continued his journey. A certificate to this effect was forwarded to Sir George. The answer was, that Madame's health must not interfere with the Company's service; and that he must continue his journey, or abide the consequences.
In consequence of this delay, he only reached Montreal on the day when the boats were to leave Lachine for the interior. He hurried to the office, where he met Sir George, and was received by him with the cool remark—
"You are late, Sir; but if you use expedition you may yet be in time for the boats."
He earnestly begged for some delay, but in vain. No regard was paid to his entreaties; and he was obliged to hurry his wife off to Lachine, and put her on board a common canoe, where there is no accommodation for a sick person, and where no assistance could be procured, even in the last extremity.
VOCABULARY OF THE PRINCIPAL INDIAN DIALECTS IN USE AMONG THE TRIBES IN THE HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY.
| English. | Sauteu, or Ogibois. | Cree. | Beaver Indian. | Chippewayan. |
| One | Pejik | Pay ak | It la day | Ittla hē |
| Two | Neesh | Neesho | Onk shay day | Nank hay |
| Three | Nisway | Nisto | Ta day | Ta he |
| Four | Neowin | Neo | Dini day | Dunk he |
| Five | Nā nan | Nay nā nan | Tlat zoon e de ay | Sa soot la he |
| Six | Ni got as way | Nigotwassik | Int zud ha | L'goot ha hé |
| Seven | Nish was way | Tay pa goop | Ta e wayt zay | Tluz ud dunk he |
| Eight | Shwas way | Ea naneo | Etzud een tay | L'goot dung he |
| Nine | Sang | Kay gat me tā tat | Kala gay ne ad ay | Itla ud ha |
| Ten | Quaitch | Me ta tat | Kay nay day | Hona |
| Eleven | Aji pay jik | Payak ai wak | Tlad ay may day | Itla, ja idel |
| Twelve | Aji neesh | Neesh way ai wok | Ong shay day may day | Nank hay, ja idel |
| Twenty | Neej ta na | Neesh tan ao | Ong ka gay nay day | Ta he, ja idel |
| Thirty | Nisway mittana | Neo meatanao | Tao gay nay day | |
| Forty | Neo mittana | &c. | Deo gay nay day | |
| Fifty | Nanan mittana | &c. | ||
| Sixty | Nigot asway mittana | |||
| Seventy | Nish was way mittana | |||
| Eighty | Shwas way mittana | |||
| Ninety | Sang mittana | |||
| One hundred | Ni goot wack | Me ta tin mittanao | Kay nay tay | Itla honan nanana. |
| How often | Anin. tas ink | Tan mat ta to | Tan ay tien | Itla hon eeltay. |
| How many | Anin ain tas ink | Tan ay ta tik | Tan ay tien | Itla elday. |
| How long since | Anapé apin aijo | Ta ispi aspin | A shay doo yay | Itla hon il tao. |
| When | Anapé | Ta is pi | Dee ad doo yay | Itlao. |
| To-day | Nongum. kajigack | Anootch kee je gak | Doo jay nee ay | Deerd sin o gay. |
| To-morrow | Wabunk | Wa bakay | Ghad ay zay | Campay. |
| Yesterday | Chenāngo | Ta goosh ick | Ghagh ganno | Hozud singay. |
| This year | Nongum egee wang | Anootch egee kee wang | Doo la | Do uz sin e gay. |
| This month | Wà á. Keēsis | Awa pee shum | Teeay tee za | Dirius a gay. |
| A man | Ininé | Nā bay o | Taz eu | Dinnay you. |
| A woman | Ikway | Isk way o | Iay quay | Tzay quay. |
| A girl | Ikway says | Isk way shish | Id az oo | Ed dinna gay. |
| A boy | Quee we says | Na bay shish | Taz yuz é | Dinnay yoo azay. |
| Interpreter | Oten way ta ma gay | On tway ta ma gay o | Nao day ay | Dinnay tee ghaltay. |
| Trader | Ata way ini niu | Ataway ininiu | Meeoo tay | Ma kad ray. |
| Moose-Deer | Moze | Mozwa | Tlay tchin tay | Tunnehee hee. |
| Rein-Deer | Attick | Attick | May tzee | Ed hun. |
| Beaver | Amick | Amisk | Tza | Tza. |
| Dog | Ani moosh | Attim | Tlee | Tlee. |
| Rabbit | Waboose | Waboose | Kagh | Kagh. |
| Bear | Maqua | Masqua | Zus | Zus. |
| Wolf | Ma ing an | Mahigan | Tshee o nay | Noo nee yay. |
| Fox | Wa goosh | Ma kay shish | E. yay thay | Nag hee dthay. |
| I hunt | Ni ge oz ay | Ni mā tchin | Na o zed | Naz uz ay. |
| Thou huntest | Ki ge oz ay | Ki ma tchin | Nodzed | Nan ul zay. |
| He hunts | Ge oz ay | Ma tchio | Nazin zed | Nal zay. |
| We hunt | Ni ge oz ay min | Ni ma tchinan | Naze zedeo | Na il zay. |
| Ye hunt | Ki ge oz aim | Ki ma tchinawao | Nazin zedeo | Nal zin al day. |
| They hunt | Ge oz ay wok | Matchiwog | Owadié tzed | Na hal zay. |
| I kill | Ni ne ta gay | Ni mi na hon | Uz éay gha | Zil tir. |
| Thou killest | Ki ne ta gay | Ki mi na hon | Uz éay ghan | Zil nil tir. |
| He kills | Ne ta gay | Minaho | Ud zeay gha | Tla in il tir. |
| We kill | Ni ne ta gay min | Ni mina honan | Uz ugho-ghay uzin | Tla in il dir. |
| Ye kill | Ki ne ta gaim | Kim in a honawa | Uz ugho ghay uzin | Zee ool dir. |
| They kill | Ne ta gay wok | Minahowog | Utza ghay agho | Tla in il tay. |
| I laugh | Ni baap | Ni baap in | Utzay rad lotsh | Naz-lo. |
| Thou laughest | Ki baap | Ki baap in | Utlint lotsh | Na-id-lo. |
| He laughs | Baapé | Baapio | Utroz lotsh | Nad-lo. |
| We laugh | Ni baap imin | Ni baap in an | Utlo wod lotshay | Tlo a-ee-el-tee. |
| Ye laugh | Ki baapim | Ki baapin a wao | Tlodzud udzee | Tlo gha ee-ol-tee. |
| They laugh | Baap ewog | Baapiwog | Tlodzud udzee | Tlo-gha-ee-el-tee. |
| I trade | Ni da ta way | Ni da dā wan | Mata oz lay | Naz nee. |
| Thou tradest | Ki da ta way | Ki da dā wan | Mata an eelay | Na el nee. |
| He trades | Ataway | Atawayo | Kita od eenla | Na el nee. |
| We trade | Ni da ta way min | Nin da tā wan an | Mata ad oz id la | Na-da-ell nee. |
| Ye trade | Ki da ta way min | Ki da tā wan o wa | Mata a la ozayo | Na ool nee. |
| They trade | A ta way wok | Ata way wok | Ma tā a leeay la | Eghon a el nee. |
| I fight | Ni me gaz | Ni no ti ni gan | Magad ay a | Dinī gun as tir. |
| Thou fightest | Ki me gaz | Ki no ti ni gan | Magad osee ya la | Dini gun a ee dthir |
| He fights | Mi gazo | No ti ni gay o | — | — |
| We fight | Ni me gazomin | Nino ti ni gān an | — | — |
| Ye fight | Ki me gazom | Ki no ti ni gan a wao | — | — |
| They fight | Mi guz o wog | Notini gay wok | — | — |
| I set a net | Ni bug-é ta wa | Ni bug-e ta wan | Zoo meet la uz loo | Tloo e kanistan. |
| Thou settest a net | Ki bug-e ta wa | Ki bug-e ta wan | Too meet lan itlo | Tloo é kan e than. |
| He sets a net | Bug-e ta wa | Bug-e ta wao | Ta eet loon | Tloo e kan ethan loay. |
| We set a net | Ni bug-e ta wa min | Ni bug-e ta wānan | Ta ghoo loo hoon | Tloo e kan oodthan. |
| Ye set a net | Ni bug-é ta wam | Ki bug-e ta-wan a wao | Ta ghoo loo uz éo | Tloo e kan eethan. |
| They set a net | Bug-e ta wā wog | Bug-e-ta-wa wog | Too milt at la oozoon | — |
| I sail | Ni be mash | Ni be mashin | — | — |
| Thou sailest | Ki be mash | Ki be mashin | — | — |
| He sails | Bi mash é | Be mash eo | — | — |
| We sail | Ni bi mishimin | Ni bi mashinan | — | — |
| Ye sail | Ki bi mash im | Ki bi mashin a wao | — | — |
| They sail | Bi mash i wog | Be mash i wog | — | — |
| I sleep | Ni ni bā | Ni ni ban | Zus tee ay | Thee id ghee. |
| Thou sleepest | Ki ni ba | Ki ni ban | Zin tee ay | Theend ghee. |
| He sleeps | Ni ba | Ni ba o | Na gho tee azay | Thad ghee. |
| We sleep | Ni ni bā min | Ni ni bān an | Zut ié tsho | Theed ghāz |
| Ye sleep | Ki ni bam | Ki ni ban ā wao | Tsuz ié tsho | Thood ghaz |
| They sleep | Ni ba wog | Ni ba wog | Tsugh ien tiez | Hay ud ghaz |
| I drink | Ni minik way | Ni minik wan | Uzto | Haysta |
| Thou drinkest | Ki minik way | Ki minik wan | Nadho | Nad-ha |
| He drinks | Minik way | Minik way o | Ughiehedo | Ee ed ha |
| We drink | Ni minik way min | Ni minik wānan | May ee ta | Heel tell |
| Ye drink | Ki mink waim | Ki minik wanāwao | May lee ta la | Hool tell |
| They drink | Minikway wog | Minikway wok | May atta | He el tell |
| I want to drink | Ni we miniquay | Ni we miniquan | O ghoz to | Oz ta in is tan |
| Drink | Minik quaine | Minik quay | Llhad ho | Ned ha |
| Eat | Wiss in | Mee tisso | In tzits | Zinhud hee |
| Sleep | Ni bān | Ni ba | Njuz ti ay | Dthin ghee |
| Go away | Eko kān | Awiss tay | E yow é tshay | E you issay |
| Come here | Undass is han | Ass-tum | Tee ad zay | E youk uz ay |
| Tell him | Win da ma o | Wi da ma o | Tee ay tin day | Hal in nee |
| Trade | Atāwaine | Ataway | Tee ay gho tsho | Na il nee |
| Whence do you come? | Andé wentchipai an | Tanté way to tay | Tee ay ghay dzin aghon dee ay | Ed luzeet gho adzee an adee |
| Where are you going? | Andé aish āe an | Tanté ay to tay an | Tee ay ghay de āza | Ed luzeet hee hee ya |
| Be quick | Wee weep é tan | Kee-ee pee | Dzag ghay | Ee-gha |
| I shoot | Ni bas giss é gay | Ni bas giss é gan | A jes tee o | A yous kay |
| Thou shootest | Ki bas giss é gay | Ki bas giss é gan | A tee tshe etsh | Ahil kay |
| He shoots | Bās giss e gay | Bas giss e gay-o | Agha tee et yetsh | Ahil guth |
| We shoot | Ni bas gisse gay min | Ni bas gisse gān an | Ateed yetsh | Ahel keeth |
| Ye shoot | Ki bas gisse game | Ki bas giss é gan ā wao | Atad yetsh | Er. ool keeth. |
| They shoot | Bās gisse gay wog | Bas giss é gay wog | Aza du ghad yetsh | Tay ar el keeth. |
| A Gun | Bās gisse gan | Bas giss é gan | Tié yaz o o | Tel git hay. |
| Powder | Makatay | Kas. ki tay o | Al aizay | Tel ge gonna. |
| Shot | She shep ass nin | Nisk ass in ee a | Noo tay ad-o o | Telt hay. |
| Give me | Meesh ish in | Mee an | Tes yay | Daz ee. |
| I give you | Ki mee nin | Ki mee ni tin | Nan uz lay | Na gha on in in nee. |
| Look | In ā bin | Etā bi | Ag gan eetha | Ghon el lee. |
| Wait | Pee ton | Pay ho | Ad oog-a. | Gad day. |
| Tobacco | Na say ma | Na stay mao | Aday ka yazé | Sel tooe. |
| Pipe | Poagan | Os poagan | Tsee ay | Dthay. |
| Net | Assup | A he apee | Too me | Dtka bill. |
| Fish | Kee kō | Kee no shay o | Tloo | Tloo-ay. |
| Flesh | Wee-ass | Wee ass | Ad zun | Berr. |
| River | See pé | See pé | Za ghay | Dāz. |
| Lake | Sa ka i gan | Sa ka i gan | Meet hay | Nad koo al ta. |
| Water | Nee pee | Nee pee | Too | Too. |
| Summer | Nee been | Nee been | Ad o lay | Seen nay. |
| Winter | Pay poon | Pay pun | Ealk hay ay | Ghā e yay. |
| Spring | See goan | Me as gamin | Do o | Tloo guth. |
| Autumn | Tag wā gin | Tag wā gin | Edoo aidlosin | Ghao ud azay. |