Notes Of A Twenty-Five Years' Service In The Hudson's Bay Territory.

VOL. I.

LONDON: R. CLAY. PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, Publisher in Ordinary to her Majesty. 1849....

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PREFACE.

The writer's main object in first committing to writing the following Notes was to while away the many lonely and wearisome hours which are the lot of the Indian trader;—a wish to gratify his friends by the narrative of his adventures had also some share in inducing him to take up the pen. While he might justly plead the hacknied excuse of being urged by not a few of those friends to publish these Notes, in extenuation of the folly or presumption, or whatever else it may be termed, of obtruding

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THE FIRST VOLUME.

The Hudson's Bay Company and Territories I enter the Hudson's Bay Company's Service — Padre Gibert On Service — Lake of Two Mountains — Opposition — Indians — Amusements at the Posts Portage des Chats — Tactics of our Opponents — Treachery of an Iroquois — Fierce yet ludicrous nature of the Opposition Arrival at the Chats — Installed as Bourgeois — First Trading Excursion — Bivouac in the Woods — Indian Barbarity Trip to Fort Coulonge — Mr. Godin — Natives Superseded — Feelings on the Occasion —

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CHAPTER I.

THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY AND TERRITORIES. That part of British North America known by the name of the Hudson's Bay territory extends from the eastern coast in about 60° W. long. to the Russian boundary in 142° W.; and from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, along the Ottawa River and the northern shores of Lakes Huron and Superior, and thence to the boundary line of the United States; extending in latitude thence to the northern limit of America; being in length about 2,600 miles, and in breadth about 1,

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CHAPTER II.

I ENTER THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY'S SERVICE — PADRE GIBERT . I entered the service of the Company in the winter of 1820-21, and after passing my contract at Montreal in the month of January, I took up my residence for the remainder of the season with a French priest, in the parish of Petit le Maska, for the purpose of studying the French language. The Padre was a most affable, liberal-minded man, a warm friend of England and Englishmen, and a staunch adherent to their government, which he conside

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CHAPTER III.

ON SERVICE — LAKE OF TWO MOUNTAINS — OPPOSITION — INDIANS — AMUSEMENTS AT THE POSTS . I arrived at Montreal about the beginning of May, and soon learnt that I was appointed to the post at Lake of Two Mountains. The Montreal department was headed at that time by Mr. Thane, a man of rather eccentric character, but possessed of a heart that glowed with the best feelings of humanity. I was allowed to amuse myself a few days in town, having directions however to call at the office every day, in case

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CHAPTER IV.

PORTAGE DES CHATS — TACTICS OF OUR OPPONENTS — TREACHERY OF AN IROQUOIS — FIERCE, YET LUDICROUS NATURE OF THE OPPOSITION. Mr. Fisher returned from town in the month of March; he had learnt that our opponents intended to shift the scene of operations to the Chats, (where the greater number of the Indians pass on their way going to or returning from their hunting grounds,) and were making preparations of a very extensive nature for the spring competition. The Company were not tardy in adopting suc

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CHAPTER V.

ARRIVAL AT THE CHATS — INSTALLED AS BOURGEOIS — FIRST TRADING EXCURSION — BIVOUAC IN THE WOODS — INDIAN BARBARITY. I arrived at the Chats on the 26th of August, 1822. As we approached the establishment, the crew struck up a song which soon attracted the notice of its only inmate; a tall gaunt figure, who was observed moving toward the landing-place, where it remained stationary. With the exception of this solitary being, no sign of animation was perceptible. We landed, and found the recluse to b

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CHAPTER VI.

TRIP TO FORT COULONGE — MR. GODIN — NATIVES . A large canoe arrived from Montreal about the latter end of June, by which I received orders to proceed to Fort Coulonge, situated about eighty miles higher up the Ottawa, to relieve the person then in charge of that post. I accordingly embarked in the same canoe, accompanied by my young friend Mr. MacDougal, who joined me last autumn, and who kindly volunteered to proceed along with me to my destination. This canoe was under the charge of people hir

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CHAPTER VII.

SUPERSEDED — FEELINGS ON THE OCCASION — MORE OPPOSITION — Æ. MACDONELL — TACTICS — MELANCHOLY DEATH OF AN INDIAN. About the middle of September, I observed a north canoe paddling in for the landing-place, having a gentleman passenger on board, who immediately on landing ordered his servant to carry his baggage up to the Fort. On his entering the house, the apparent mystery was soon unfolded. Mr. Siviright handed me a letter from Mr. Thane, conveying the agreeable Intelligence of my being superse

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CHAPTER VIII.

ACTIVITY OF OUR OPPONENTS — VIOLENT CONDUCT OF AN INDIAN — NARROW ESCAPE — ARTIFICE — TRIP TO INDIAN'S LODGE — STUPIDITY OF INTERPRETER . When we discovered that our opponents had outwitted us, we would despatch messengers in pursuit; and I need scarcely add, the same means were resorted to by our neighbours, when inquisitive about our movements. We had now the advantage in point of numbers, being nearly two to one; yet it so happened that we seldom could perform a trip unattended; very frequent

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CHAPTER IX.

EXPEDITION TO THE BEAR'S DEN — PASSAGE THROUGH THE SWAMP — CUNNING OF THE INDIANS — A SCUFFLE — ITS RESULTS . I set off on this trip accompanied by another interpreter recently sent from Montreal, and one of my men, all with heavy burdens on our backs, the season not allowing the use of sledges. The second day we arrived at an Indian lodge about half-way to the Bear's Camp, where I learned that our opponent at the lower outpost had given our people the slip, but had been induced to return from t

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CHAPTER X.

PÈRE DUCHAMP — MR. S.'s INSTRUCTIONS — UNSUCCESSFUL — TRADING EXCURSION — DIFFICULTIES OF THE JOURNEY — LOSE OUR WAY — PROVISIONS FAIL — REACH THE POST — VISIT TO AN ALGONQUIN CHIEF — HIS ABUSIVE TREATMENT — SUCCESS. Mr. Siviright arrived about the latter end of August, accompanied by another junior clerk, and a few days afterwards the opposition were seen passing. I embarked with my fellow-scribe, and arrived next day at the lower outpost, when I was much disappointed to find my old interpreter

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CHAPTER XI.

SUCCESS OF THE IROQUOIS TRADERS — APPOINTED TO THE CHARGE OF THE CHATS — CANADIAN DISPUTES POSSESSION — BIVOUAC WITHOUT A FIRE — RUSE TO BAFFLE MY OPPONENTS — ROMAN CATHOLIC BIGOTRY. The Iroquois passed early in spring with eighteen Indian packs in their canoes,—each pack might be estimated at 60 l. ,—our other opponent started for Montreal about the same time as last year, and I was ordered down to Fort Coulonge to take Mr. S.'s place for the summer. He returned from Montreal about the end of A

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CHAPTER XII.

JOURNEY TO MONTREAL — APPOINTMENT TO LAC DE SABLE — ADVANTAGES OF THIS POST — ITS DIFFICULTIES — GOVERNOR'S FLATTERING LETTER — RETURN FROM MONTREAL — LOST IN THE WOOD — SUFFERINGS — ESCAPE. Early in spring I returned to the Chats, and after the close of the trade took my departure for Montreal, having finished my apprenticeship. I renewed my contract for three years, and was appointed to the charge of Lac de Sable, a post situated on a tributary of the Ottawa, called Rivière aux Lièvres , two h

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CHAPTER XIII.

NARROWLY ESCAPE DROWNING — ACCIDENT TO INDIAN GUIDE — AM NEARLY FROZEN TO DEATH — MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ALGONQUINS AND IROQUOIS — MASSACRE AT HANNAH BAY. Nothing occurred this year out of the usual routine, save an accident that happened to myself, and had nearly proved fatal. A couple of hounds had been presented to me by a friend, for the purpose of hunting the deer that abounded in the neighbourhood. The dogs having one day broken loose from the leash, betook themselves to the hills; and t

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CHAPTER XIV.

FALL THROUGH THE ICE — DANGEROUS ADVENTURE AT A RAPID — OPPONENTS GIVE IN — ORDERED TO LA CHINE — TREATMENT ON MY ARRIVAL — MANNERS, HABITS, AND SUPERSTITIONS OF THE INDIANS — FEROCIOUS REVENGE OF A SUPPOSED INJURY — DIFFERENT METHODS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT MISSIONARY — INDIAN COUNCILS — TRADITION OF THE FLOOD — BEAVER-HUNTING — LANGUAGE. Finding that my presence was more wanted at the outpost than elsewhere, I resolved on taking up my residence there for the winter 1831-32. Our ac

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CHAPTER XV.

EMBARK FOR THE INTERIOR — MODE OF TRAVELLING BY CANOES — LITTLE RIVER — LAKE NIPISSING — FRENCH RIVER — OLD STATION OF INDIAN ROBBERS — FORT MISSISSAGA — INDIANS — LIGHT CANOE-MEN — SAULT STE. MARIE — LAKE SUPERIOR — CANOE-MEN DESERT — RE-TAKEN — FORT WILLIAM — M. THIBAUD — LAC LA PLUIE AND RIVER — INDIANS — WHITE RIVER — NARROW ESCAPE — CONVERSATION WITH AN INDIAN ABOUT BAPTISM. On the 25th April, 1833, I embarked on board of a steamboat at Lachine, and reached Hull on the 27th. Here the regula

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CHAPTER XVI.

CONTINUATION OF THE VOYAGE — RUN SHORT OF PROVISIONS — DOGS' FLESH — NORWAY HOUSE — INDIAN VOYAGEURS — ORDERED TO NEW CALEDONIA — LAKE WINNIPEG — MACINTOSH'S ISLAND SUBMERGED — CUMBERLAND HOUSE — CHIPPEWEYAN AND CREE INDIANS — PORTAGE LA LOCHE — SCENERY — ATHABASCA — HEALTHINESS OF THE CLIMATE. High winds detained us in camp on the 21st. The crews of two canoes, having finished their last meal to-day, bartered some more of their clothes for dogs. We reached a small outpost called Berens House on

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CHAPTER XVII.

ARRIVAL OF MR. P. FROM CALEDONIA — SCENERY — LAND-SLIP — MASSACRE AT FORT ST. JOHN'S — ROCKY MOUNTAIN PORTAGE — ROCKY MOUNTAINS — MAGNIFICENT SCENERY — M'LEOD'S LAKE — RECEPTION OF ITS COMMANDER BY THE INDIANS. Mr. Paul Fraser, a senior clerk, arrived from Caledonia with three canoes, on the 26th of September, and on the 28th we took our departure. Above Fort Dunvegan the current becomes so strong that the canoes are propelled by long poles, in using which the men had acquired such dexterity tha

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CHAPTER XVIII.

ARRIVAL AT NEW CALEDONIA — BEAUTIFUL SCENERY — INDIAN HOUSES — AMUSEMENTS AT THE FORT — THREATENED ATTACK OF INDIANS — EXPEDITION AGAINST THEM — BEEF-STEAKS — NEW CALEDONIAN FARE — MODE OF CATCHING SALMON — SINGULAR DEATH OF NATIVE INTERPRETER — INDIAN FUNERAL RITES — BARBAROUS TREATMENT OF WIDOWS. Fort St. James, the depôt of New Caledonia district, stands near the outlet of Stuart's Lake, and commands a splendid view of the surrounding country. The lake is about fifty miles in length, and from

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CHAPTER XIX.

INDIAN FEAST — ATTEMPT AT DRAMATIC REPRESENTATION — RELIGION — ORDERED TO PORT ALEXANDRIA — ADVANTAGES OF THE SITUATION — SENT BACK TO FORT ST. JAMES — SOLITUDE — PUNISHMENT OF INDIAN MURDERER — ITS CONSEQUENCES — HEROIC ADVENTURE OF INTERPRETER. Mr. Dease arrived from Fort Vancouver on the 5th of September, and expressed himself highly gratified with the appearance our "gardens" presented; an ample stock of salmon had also been laid in, so that we had nothing to fear from want, which sometimes

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CHAPTER XX.

APPOINTED TO THE CHARGE OF FORT GEORGE — MURDER OF MR. YALE'S MEN — MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF MR. LINTON AND FAMILY — ADVENTURES OF LEATHER PARTY — FAILURE OF CROPS — INFLUENZA. In the beginning of September, Mr. Ogden arrived from Fort Vancouver, and I was appointed by him to the charge of Fort George, whither I proceeded forthwith. Mr. Linton, my predecessor, was directed to wait the arrival of the party sent to Jasper's house for a supply of leather, ere he took his departure for Chilcotin, an outpo

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CHAPTER XXI.

CLIMATE OF NEW CALEDONIA — SCENERY — NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — ANIMALS — FISHES — NATIVES — THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS — DUELLING — GAMBLING — LICENTIOUSNESS — LANGUAGE. Ere I proceed on my long journey, I must pause for a little to describe more particularly the country, which I am about to quit, perhaps for ever, and the manners of its savage inhabitants. The climate of New Caledonia is exceedingly variable at all seasons of the year. I have experienced at Stuart's Lake, in the month of July, every

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THE SECOND VOLUME.

Journey to Norway House 9 Arrival at York Factory — Its Situation — Climate — Natives — Rein-Deer — Voyage to Ungava — Incidents of the Voyage — Arrival at Ungava — Situation and Aspect 16 Exploring Expedition through the Interior of Labrador — Difficulties — Deer Hunt — Indian Gluttony — Description of the Country — Provisions run short — Influenza 32 Distressing Bereavement — Exploring Party — their Report — Arrival at Esquimaux — Establish Posts — Pounding Rein-Deer — Expedition up George's R

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CHAPTER I.

I started from Stuart's Lake on the 22d of February, and arrived at Fort Alexandria on the 8th of March. Although the upper parts of the district were yet buried in snow, it had disappeared in the immediate neighbourhood of the establishment, and everything wore the pleasing aspect of spring. Mr. F—— was about to remove to a new post he had erected on the west bank of the river. Horses were provided for us to perform the journey overland to Okanagan. We left on the 13th; on the 15th we encamped

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CHAPTER II.

ARRIVAL AT YORK FACTORY — ITS SITUATION — CLIMATE — NATIVES — REIN-DEER — VOYAGE TO UNGAVA — INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE — ARRIVAL AT UNGAVA — SITUATION AND ASPECT. I arrived at York Factory, the dépôt of the Northern department, early in July. This establishment presents a more respectable appearance than any other that I have seen in Rupert's Land, and reflects no small credit on the talents and taste of him who planned, and partly executed, the existing improvements, all which have been effected

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CHAPTER III.

EXPLORING EXPEDITION THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF LABRADOR — DIFFICULTIES — DEER-HUNT — INDIAN GLUTTONY — DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY — PROVISIONS RUN SHORT — INFLUENZA. The Company having learned, through a pamphlet published by the Moravian missionaries of Labrador, that the country produced excellent furs, were induced by the laudable desire of "ameliorating the condition of the natives," to settle it; and a party was accordingly sent overland from Moose Factory to take possession in the summer of

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CHAPTER IV.

DISTRESSING BEREAVEMENT — EXPLORING PARTY — THEIR REPORT — ARRIVAL OF ESQUIMAUX — ESTABLISH POSTS — POUNDING REIN-DEER — EXPEDITION UP GEORGE'S RIVER — ITS DIFFICULTIES — HAMILTON RIVER — DISCOVER A STUPENDOUS CATARACT — RETURN BY GEORGE'S RIVER TO THE SEA — SUDDEN STORM, AND MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. Having thus ascertained the impracticability of the inland communication, I transmitted the result of my observations to the Governor—a report which, I doubt not, proved rather unpalatable to his Excellen

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CHAPTER V.

ESQUIMAUX ARRIVE FROM THE NORTH SHORE OF HUDSON'S STRAIT, ON A RAFT — DESPATCH FROM THE GOVERNOR — DISTRESS OF THE ESQUIMAUX — FORWARD PROVISIONS TO MR. E——. RETURN OF THE PARTY — THEIR DEPLORABLE CONDITION. We reached Fort Chimo on the 20th September. A greater number of Esquimaux were assembled about the post than I had yet seen; and among them I was astonished to find a family from the north side of the Strait, and still more astonished when I learned the way they had crossed—a raft formed of

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CHAPTER VI.

TRIP TO ESQUIMAUX BAY — GOVERNOR'S INSTRUCTIONS — MY REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE — RECOMMEND THE ABANDONMENT OF UNGAVA SETTLEMENT — SUCCESS OF THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION, CONDUCTED BY MESSRS. DEASE AND SIMPSON — RETURN BY SEA TO FORT CHIMO — NARROWLY ESCAPE SHIPWRECK IN THE UNGAVA RIVER — INHUMAN AND IMPOLITIC MEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR — CONSEQUENT DISTRESS AT THE POST. Immediately on the opening of the navigation I started for Esquimaux Bay, with two Indians, in a small canoe, and without any of the usual

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CHAPTER VII.

ANOTHER EXPLORING EXPEDITION — MY PROMOTION — WINTER AT CHIMO — OBTAIN PERMISSION TO VISIT BRITAIN — UNGAVA ABANDONED. 1841.—On the opening of the navigation I set out on another exploring expedition. Without entering into particulars so devoid of interest, I would merely observe that, with patience and perseverance, we ultimately succeeded in making good our passage by the Hamilton, or Grand River, and found it to answer our expectations in every respect. On arriving at Esquimaux Bay, we found

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CHAPTER VIII.

CLIMATE OF UNGAVA — AURORA BOREALIS — SOIL — VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS — ANIMALS — BIRDS — FISH — GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. It need scarcely be observed that, in so high a latitude as that of Ungava, the climate presents the extremes of heat and cold; the moderate temperature of spring and autumn is unknown, the rigour of winter being immediately succeeded by the intense heat of summer, and vice versá . On the 12th of June, 1840, the thermometer was observed to rise from 10° below zero to 76° in the shad

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CHAPTER IX.

THE NASCOPIES — THEIR RELIGION — MANNERS AND CUSTOMS — CLOTHING — MARRIAGE — COMMUNITY OF GOODS. The Indians inhabiting the interior of Ungava, or, it may be said with equal propriety, the interior of Labrador, are a tribe of the Cree nation designated Nascopies, and numbering about one hundred men able to bear arms. Their language, a dialect of the Cree or Cristeneau, exhibits a considerable mixture of Sauteux words, with a few peculiar to themselves. The Nascopies have the same religious belie

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CHAPTER X.

THE ESQUIMAUX — PROBABLE ORIGIN — IDENTITY OF LANGUAGE FROM LABRADOR TO BEHRING'S STRAITS — THEIR AMOURS — MARRIAGES — RELIGION — TREATMENT OF PARENTS — ANECDOTE — MODE OF PRESERVING MEAT — AMUSEMENTS — DRESS — THE IGLOE, OR SNOW-HOUSE — THEIR CUISINE — DOGS — THE SLEDGE — CAIAK, OR CANOE — OUIMIAK, OR BOAT — IMPLEMENTS — STATURE. The Esquimaux are so totally different in physiognomy and person, in language, manners, and customs, from all the other natives of America, that there can be no doubt

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CHAPTER XI.

LABRADOR — ESQUIMAUX HALF-BREEDS — MORAVIAN BRETHREN — EUROPEAN INHABITANTS — THEIR VIRTUES — CLIMATE — ANECDOTE. The country denominated Labrador, extends from Esquimaux Bay, on the Straits of Belleisle, to the extremity of the continent, Cape Chudleigh, at the entrance of Hudson's Strait. The interior is inhabited by two tribes of Indians, Mountaineers and Nascopies, members of the Cree family. The coast was inhabited at one time by Esquimaux only, but the southern part is now peopled by a mon

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CHAPTER XII.

VOYAGE TO ENGLAND — ARRIVAL AT PLYMOUTH — REFLECTIONS — ARRIVE AT THE PLACE OF MY NATIVITY — CHANGES — DEPOPULATION — LONDON — THE THAMES — LIVERPOOL — EMBARK FOR NEW YORK — ARRIVAL — THE AMERICANS — ENGLISH AND AMERICAN TOURISTS — ENGLAND AND AMERICA — NEW YORK. 1842.—I embarked for England on the 18th of August, on board a small schooner of sixty tons, deeply laden with fish and oil. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the accommodations the craft afforded were of the meanest kind; but t

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CHAPTER XIII.

PASSAGE FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY BY STEAMER — THE PASSENGERS — ARRIVAL AT ALBANY — JOURNEY TO MONTREAL. The navigation of the Hudson not being yet interrupted by ice, I determined on proceeding to Albany by steamboat, in preference to the railroad, with the view of seeing the far-famed scenery of the country through which the river flows. I accordingly embarked on the 5th of February. We had not proceeded far, however, when we found the face of the country covered with snow; and thus the pleasure

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CHAPTER XIV.

EMBARK FOR THE NORTH — PASSENGERS ARRIVE AT FORT WILLIAM — DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR — APPOINTED TO MACKENZIE'S RIVER DISTRICT — PORTAGE LA LOCHE — ADVENTURE ON GREAT SLAVE LAKE — ARRIVE AT FORT SIMPSON — PRODUCTIONS OF THE POST. I spent the remainder of the winter enjoying the good things of this life, and on the 28th of April received orders to proceed to Lachine, preparatory to embarking for the north. I embarked on the 29th, but the crews were so intoxicated that we were compelled to land on an

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CHAPTER XV.

STATEMENTS IN THE EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY — ALLEGED KINDNESS OF THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY TO THE INDIANS — AND GENEROSITY — SUPPORT OF MISSIONARIES — SUPPORT WITHDRAWN — PREFERENCE OF ROMAN CATHOLICS — THE NORTH-WEST COMPANY — CONDUCT OF A BRITISH PEER — RIVALRY OF THE COMPANIES — COALITION — CHARGES AGAINST THE NORTH-WEST COMPANY REFUTED. A volume of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library, in which the Company's territories are described, came lately into my hands. It is there remarked, that "the Compa

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CHAPTER XVI.

ARRIVAL OF MR. LEFROY — VOYAGE TO THE LOWER POSTS OF THE MACKENZIE — AVALANCHE — INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE — VOYAGE TO PORTAGE LA LOCHE — ARBITRARY AND UNJUST CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNOR — DESPOTISM — MY REPLY TO THE GOVERNOR. In the early part of this winter several Indians came in, complaining that they were starving for want of food; and their emaciated forms proved that they did not complain without cause. Our means, however, were too limited to afford them any effectual relief. We were glad to le

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CHAPTER XVII.

SITUATION OF FORT SIMPSON — CLIMATE — THE LIARD — EFFECTS OF THE SPRING FLOODS — TRIBES INHABITING MACKENZIE'S RIVER DISTRICT — PECULIARITIES — DISTRESS THROUGH FAMINE — CANNIBALISM — ANECDOTE — FORT GOOD HOPE SAVED BY THE INTREPIDITY OF M. DECHAMBAULT — DISCOVERIES OF MR. CAMPBELL. Mr. Lewis embarked for York Factory on the 4th of August. I set out on my return on the 6th, and arrived at Fort Simpson on the 22d. Having prepared and sent off the outfit for the different posts with all possible e

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CHAPTER XVIII.

MR. MACPHERSON ASSUMES THE COMMAND — I AM APPOINTED TO FORT LIARD, BUT EXCHANGE FOR GREAT SLAVE LAKE — THE INDIANS — RESOLVE TO QUIT THE SERVICE — PHENOMENA OF THE LAKE. On the 2d of October Mr. McPherson arrived from Canada, and I forthwith demitted the charge. I was now appointed to Fort Liard, but the season being far advanced, it had been found necessary to appoint another previously, whose arrangements for the season being completed, it was deemed expedient that I should pass the winter at

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CHAPTER XIX.

REFLECTIONS — PROSPECTS IN THE SERVICE — DECREASE OF THE GAME — COMPANY'S POLICY IN CONSEQUENCE — APPEAL OF THE INDIANS — MEANS OF PRESERVING THEM, AND IMPROVING THEIR CONDITION — ABOLITION OF THE CHARTER — OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. The history of my career may serve as a warning to those who may be disposed to enter the Hudson's Bay Company's service. They may learn that, from the moment they embark in the Company's canoes at Lachine, or in their ships at Gravesend, they bid adieu to all that civili

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CHAPTER XX.

WESLEYAN MISSION — MR. EVANS — ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN BY THE COMPANY — MR. EVANS'S EXERTIONS AMONG THE INDIANS — CAUSES OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE COMPANY'S SUPPORT — CALUMNIOUS CHARGES AGAINST MR. EVANS — MR. E. GOES TO ENGLAND — HIS SUDDEN DEATH. Allusion has been made in a former chapter to the Company's encouragement of Missionaries; I shall now add a few facts by way of illustration. The Rev. Mr. Evans, a man no less remarkable for genuine piety than for energy and decision of character, had bee

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CHAPTER XXI.

RED RIVER — SOILS — CLIMATE — PRODUCTIONS — SETTLEMENT OF RED RIVER, THROUGH LORD SELKIRK, BY HIGHLANDERS — COLLISION BETWEEN THE NORTH-WEST AND HUDSON'S BAY COMPANIES — INUNDATION — ITS EFFECTS — FRENCH HALF-BREEDS — BUFFALO-HUNTING — ENGLISH HALF-BREEDS — INDIANS — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS — STORES — MARKET FOR PRODUCE — COMMUNICATION BY LAKES. Red River rises in swamps and small lakes in the distant plains of the south; and after receiving a number of tributary streams that serve to fertilize and b

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CHAPTER XXII.

SIR G. SIMPSON — HIS ADMINISTRATION. Sir George Simpson commenced his career as a clerk in a respectable counting-house in London, where his talents soon advanced him to the first seat at the desk. He was in this situation when first introduced to the notice of a member of the Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company, who were at that time engaged in the ruinous competition with the North-West Company already referred to. While the contest was at its height, the Company sent out Mr. Simpson as Gove

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