Part 14 (2/2)

THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY

I. EARLY HISTORY:

1. Groseilliers and Radisson interest Prince Rupert in possibilities of trade in North-Western Canada. Two vessels fitted out for Hudson's Bay. Report favourable.

2. Charter granted Hudson's Bay Company by Charles II, 1670.

3. Forts Nelson, Albany, Rupert, and Hayes attacked and captured by DeTroyes and D'Iberville, 1686. Restored by Treaty of Utrecht, 1713.

II. NATURE OF FUR-TRADE:

1. Furs gathered by Indians in winter.

2. Conveyed to forts in summer, after incredible difficulties.

3. Ceremonies on arrival of Indians at forts.

4. Articles exchanged for furs at first showy and worthless, but later more useful and valuable, for example, guns, hatchets, powder, shot, blankets, etc.

III. RIVALS OF HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY:

1. Coureurs-de-bois.

2. Scottish traders--ranged from Michilimackinac to Saskatchewan.

H.B. Co. built c.u.mberland House on Saskatchewan to compete for interior trade.

3. North-West Company, 1783-4--at first friendly to H.B. Co., but later bitter enemies.

IV. THE SELKIRK SETTLEMENT:

1. _Establishment._--Lord Selkirk, a Scottish philanthropist, and a shareholder in the Hudson's Bay Co., purchased from the Company 70,000 square miles of land around Red River for Scotch colonies, 1811. About three hundred settlers came within three years. Miles Macdonell at head of the colony.

2. _Trouble with North-West Company._--

(_a_) Suspicion of N.W. Co. that colony was established by H.B. Co.

to compete for fur trade.

(_b_) Proclamation of Macdonell that food should not be taken out of settlement. Attack on colony by Metis Indians encouraged by N.W.

Co. Withdrawal of colonists to Lake Winnipeg.

(_c_) Return with reinforcements under Semple. Skirmish at Seven Oaks, 1816. Semple with twenty others killed.

(_d_) Selkirk's descent upon Fort William. Arrest of several Nor'Westers. Colony at Red River restored.

(_e_) Nor'Westers acquitted of murder of Semple. Selkirk convicted and heavily fined for acts of violence. Selkirk withdrew from Canada in disappointment and disgust.

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