^> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) /. A f/. ^c5 1.0 iia|2j8 1^ ■^ !■■ 1112 2 I.I ill 1 ft 1.25 1 1.4 J4 v] <^ ^ /] Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ •^ <^ Ci^ '^^f- 23 WEST ft AIN STREET W: f \f TEH, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 5? . W CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes tachniquas at bibliographiquaa The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D D D D D D D D Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couvdrture restaurie et/ou pelliculie Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas At6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppiimentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibiiographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dasis la mithode normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. Th« tot I I Coloured pages/ y D D This item is filmed at the reduction ratio chocked below/ Ce document est ii\m6 au taux de reduction 3ndiqu6 ci-dessous. Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculies Th( po) of fiir Or! bei the sio otK firt sio or Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d^color^es, tachetdes ou piqu6es n Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es EShowthrough/ Transparence Transpar Quality c Qualit^ inigale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel suppiimentaire I I Quality of print varies/ |~~| Includes supplementary material/ Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6x6 filmdes 6 nouveau de fa^on 6 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 7 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th sht TIf wti Ml dif en\ be\ rig rec mc The copy filmed here he* been reproduced thankt to the generosity of: Library of the Public Archives of Canada L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grflce A la ginirositA de: La bibiiothdque des Archives publiques du Canada The images appeering here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont At6 reproduites avec ie plus greind soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet^ de l'exemplaire film*, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or th<« Sack cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrf»ted impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —►(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as requirt^d. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim^ sont fiimis en commen^ant par Ie premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par Ie second plat, selon Ie cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont fiimis en commenqant par la premiAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iliustration et en terminant par la derni^re page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon Ie cas: Ie symbols —»» signifie "A SUiVRE", Ie symbols ^ signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent dtre fiimfo A des taux de r6duction diff^rents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour 6tre reproduit en un seul cliche, 11 est film* A partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 'ta 'I I iHi I i ./' TV A FEW WORDS iSS THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY; WITH A statem'^nt of the grievances OP THE NATIVE AND HALF-CASTE INDIANS, ADDRESSED TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THROUGH THEIR DELEGATES NOW IN LONDON. CONTENTS. *> /. Introdtiction.^The H* B; C. incorporated A. t>. 1690.-^ Chartet of Incorporation not Confirmed by Parliament. — Act of 2d William and Mary Confirming it "/br 7 ^eara Und no longer.— Xtt Expires A. D. 1697.-^//a» never been Re- newed.— hkence of i82i renewed Va tft%«, vM a Con^ firmation of the Original Charter.— Income and Enopi^cius } Piotits of the Company.— Trade as at Present cohducted M . .>> Benefit to Great Britain . * • • * ' • ' Memorial — Petition, &c. . . . . i - * Statements from Published Works Cohllasted with Reports emanating from the Company < . . . < • Extracts Indicative of the Policy of the Company from the Earliest Times— Robson, A. D. 17.'>2 ; UmfreVille^ 1790 ; Lieut. Chappell, R.N.^ 18l7; Rev. Mh fleater, 1^36; Mr. Alex. Simpson, 1845 . . t i ' \ ^ Tariff . . . • ^ • * < • . • Act of 2d William and Mary ■ . . i Resources of tlie Country • • • • • < * / / 1 4 13 2v" Communieatiom to he addressed to A. K. IsBiST£:i(» 77, Jubilee Hti'eel^ Mile End* LONDON t C. GILPIN, 5, BISHOPSCrATE STREET, WITHOUT. MAY BE HAD OF iLL BOOKSELLERS. ^ Price One Shilling. V i»^_ m O' M 1^ m mm^^ •;m^'s »>■ g? ^( rr ^ ^•~" ^^1 ^^ «.f* A FEW WORDS ON THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY. The Hudson's Bay Company is now the only siirvivor of the numerous exclusive bodies which at one time depi-essed almost every branch of British commerce ; and from the very peculiar con- ditions under which it holds even its present tenure of existence, is well wortliy more than passing observation. Occupying a territory c()m[)rising a superficial area nearly one -third larger than all Europe, it reigns supreme over .50 native tribes of Indians, who are the slaves of its laws and policy, and scarcely removed but in name from being its actual bondsmen ; it is, however, not upon that j)oint, we pur- ])ose to dwell, but rather ijion a i'iir more important and hitherto luipublished fact, nnnely, that although exercising commercial and territorial sovereignty over so wide a range of country, the Charter under which it claims this right of despotic sway is illegal. This Company was incorporated in the year 1070, under a Charter of King Charles II., granting to them and their successors the sole trade and commerce to Hudson's Bay and Streights, with territorial rights and jurisdiction over all the lands and countries on the coasts and confines of the same, which were not actually pos- sessed by the subjects of any other Christian prince or state, to be reckoned and rejiuted as one of the British plantations or Colonies in America, under the name of liupert's Land. Of this territory the Company was constituted j)r(>prietor for ever, by free and common soccage, as such enjoying over it supreme Jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with power to grant lands, pass laws, make war or peace with all nations not beiiig Christians, and, in short, to enjoy, under the Crown of England, all the rights and powers of a commercial sovereignty. This extensive grant, however, did not receive any parliamentary sanction or confirmation, and was, on that ground, held to be uncon- stitutional ; oi, at all events, failed to secure to the ('ompany the ])rivileges intended. To prevent the intrusion of rival traders, whom the defective Charter could not restrain, the Company in 1790, were under the necessity of petitioning parliament to confirm HB it. Alter considerable opposition a Bill was obtained " For con- firming to the Governor and Company of Adventurers trading to Hudson's Bay, their privileges and trade," but for the term of " seven years only, and no longer," and subject to certain conditions for the regulation of the sale of furs (for which see p. 21), respecting which it is sufficient to observe that they have not beon carried out. But though extending over a very limited period, there is reason to believe it, effectually secured the immediate object contemplated, namely, the exclusion of rival traders from the country. Whether the Company, after the expiration of the Act, were ap- prehensive that parliament would not renew it, or whether they deemed impolitic to awaken public attention to the subject of their monopoly, the fact is no less certain than extraordinary, that they have never from that time to the present, applied for a second con- firmation of their Charter, and to this day hold their monopoly of the trade to Hudson's Bay tinder the original grant of King Charles II., which, as shown above, was confirmed, with reservation only tor seven years, and upon its expiration in 1097, was not re- newed. It is important here to insist upon the position of the Hudson's Bay Company, at the period when it obtained its original grant, and when that grant was confirmed by the Act aforesaid ; thus it will be seen that in 1690 the Company existed as a per- petual body, under no reservation, whereas under the 2d of William and Mary, it held its rights and privileges under restrictions, and only for a limited period. Up to the cession of Canada to Great Britain they continued in undisturbed possession of the territories to which they laid claim, but this event throwing the fur trade (which had been carried to a great height by foreigners trading under then existing French charters) into the hands of British subjects the leading fur merchants of Canada formed thenjselves in the year 1783 into association under the name of the North West Company of an throughout Montreal, who, after rapidly spreading themselves the interior of North America to the Arctic Circle and Pacific Ocean, finally extended their establishments to Hudson's Bay itself. A contest, marked with great bitterness cand animosity en- sued, which was carried on for many years, and ended in a coalition of the rival companies in 1821. The influence of the new association was sufficient to procure from the legislature a licence of exclusive trade for the term of 21 years, over such parts of the Indian country as were not included in the original Charter. This Licence was renewed in 1842 for a further term of 21 years, but with a reservation on the part of the Crown, namely, to revoke at it any time. We have here to callc&pecial at- tention to the important character of this Licence, and of the dis- tinction existing between it and the original Charter. In the firf;t place it is not in any way a confirmation or extension of any former i grant, and well aware that no government of the present day would renew sucli a charter as that of King Charles II., it has always beert the policy of the Hudson's Bay Company to affirm that it requires no renewal ; accordingly, the Companyj in framing this last grant, took extreme care that the chartered territory described by them as the ' proper territory of the Company^' should be excepted out oj it. Now the grant or liicence of 1821, which was renewed with the reservation before mentioned, is expressly limited to such '• parts of North jimerica as do not form part of thd lands and territories there- tofore granted \hji Charter^ to the Governor and Company of Ad~ venturers of England trading into Iludson^s Bay, and not being part of the provinces of Canada, or of any lands belonging to the United States of America." The extent of territory thus granted under the Licence of 1842, is about 2,i5()(),000 square miles, that claimed under the Charter very little less, comprising together the whole of British America, with the exception of the Canadas^ The entire stock in trade of the Company is not more than 400,000/. The yearly revenue they denve from all sources averages 200,000^^ per annum, the ])rofits upon which amount to 110,000/. Now from this large amount of income Etiglarid derives the enormous rental of 5*. yearly ! whilst the exports consist of articles of trifling importance, the annual stim of which amounts to about 23,000/., employing three ships of about 300 tons burthen, yearly. Hence it is evident that the Hudson's Bay Company's monopoly is not productive of the slightest advantage to the Budget of the mother country. If England derives no benefit from the establishment of the! monopoly, still less advantage is it to the natives of Rupert's Land. The avowed object of the exclusive arrangement of 1821, besides preventing competition in trade, and removing all inducements to the supply of spirituous liquors to the Indians as an article of com- merce, was to provide facilities and means for instructing the natives, the Company stipulating to make *' due provision for their civilisation and moral and religious iniprovement." The subjoined Memorial and Petition addressed to the British Government bv those natives themselves, will snoW how far the Company have complied with the terms oi' theii' agreement/ Nevertheless^ in the teeth of notorious facts, on the occasion of the Company's applying for a renewal of their Licence in 1842, Sir George Simpson, as local Governor of the country, submitted a report to the Goverftmeht (which has been printed b;^ order of the House of Commons)^ de* tailing the exertions of the " Company's chaplains, missionaries, and schoolmasters," in civilizing and evangelising the Indians,- aftd describing the improved condition of the native population generally throughout the territory, since the passing of the Grant of 1821 • B 2 The loUowlng is tlu' Mciuorial : — To the lllirlit llonourablo the Secretary of State tor THE CoLOMEt*, — The humble Memorial of the undersi}j;i\ed Delegates from the Natives of Rupert's Land, in North America, Most respectfully sheweth, — That your Memorialists are natives of Rupert's Land, North America, entrusted with the duty of presentinj^ the accompanying petition from their fellow-countrymen the Iiulians, and Half-breeds residing in and near the Colony on the Red River, praying for the redress of certain grievances therein set forth. That from the harsh administration of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany discontent and misery prevail amongst the natives of Rupert's Land to an unparalleled extent ; and yom- Memorialists are most anxious that her Majesty's (Jovernment should, as early as possible, inquire into the condition of the unfortunate people who are com- pelled to appeal to their Sovereign for protection against the ruinous etlects and conse([uences of the monopoly which the Hudson's Ray Company have so long enjoyed under a charter that, according to some of the highest legal authorities, has long since lost its force. Your Memorialists, trusting, that a wise and paternal government, distinguished for its attachment to a liberal policy and the prin- ciples of commercial freedom, will not suffer to pass imheeded the ])rayers of an oppressed iuid injured race, proceed to lay hefore voiu' JiOrdsliip the grievances which gave rise to the accompanying j)etition, and humbly solicit your earnest attenti(m to the same. Tliey complain in the first instance, — Tli;it by the practice of exclusive trading with the natives, which the Hudson's iJay Company assert is secured to them by a royal Charter, that Company has for nearly the last two hundred years, to ■ the utter impoverishment, if not ruin, of the natives, amassed a princely revenue, which, as your Memorialists believe, now amounts to nc'irly a quarter of a million sterling, per annum. Though one of the leading objects contemplated by the incorporation of the Company was the introduction of Christianity anu)ngst the Indians and the securing a due provision for their moral, religious, and social improvement, little or none of the vast sums the Company has been ])erniitted to accumulate, has been devoted to such pur- poses. That on the contrary, with a view of keeping the natives in a state of utter dependence, and of perpetuating the wandering and precarious life of the hiuiter, on which they erroneously consider the existence of the fur trade to depeiul, they have permitted gene- ration after generation of the ha|)less race consigned to tlieir care to pass their lives in the darkest heathenism. There is not at present, A nor as your Memorialists fonfidently lii'lieve, has there ever been a sin{?le Indian school, dnirch, or other establishment for religious or general instruction established by the Company throughout the whole of their extensive territories. What little has been done for the religious and moral improvement of the natives is wholly due to the persevering exertions of the Church Missi(mary Society, and since the year iSfil), of the Wesleynn Society of JiOudon. The ('hurch Missionary Society receives no assistance whatever from the Company, and owing to the heavy expenses attending the establishment of Indian missions, its operations are necessarily very circumscribed. What assistance the Wesleyan missionaries receive from the Company, if, indeed, they receive any, your Memorialists are not prepared to ;>.iy. The other objects for which the Charter was granted, namely, for improving the country by opening up its mineral aiul agricultural resources, and facilitating the means of in- ternal navigation and transport, so as to fit it for a future cohmy, have bee 1 equally overlooked, with the like view of adding to the aggrandizement of the Company. That the Company, after having entered into a solemn obligation with the Jkitish govermnent to discontinue the supply of spirituous liquors to the Indians, and after having actually abolished the trade in ardent spirits in some districts for ol)vious purposes, for the first few years, before and after the renewal of their last License, have again introduced this deadly and demoralizing poison, thus undoing tbe slight amount of good which the missionaries were beginning to efl'ect, and interposing the greatest obstacle to their future suc- cess. That owing to the numerous lumting excursions which the dt;- mands of the fur trade rendi'r necessary, and to the great slaughter of animals consequent thereon, the only present resources of the country have been gradually diminishing to such an extent, that the larger part of the native population can no longer find the means of supporting life from the produce of the chase, or the natural produc- tions of the soil. In til ■ nu)re northern parts of the countiy from which all missionaries are rigorously excluded, and where the richest furs are obtained, but where the animals which supply the food of man have almost become extinct, the Indians are exposed to the most frightful destitution. Numbers of them die yearly of famine, while others in the extremity of want and despair are tempted to commit the most revolting crimes to preserve a wretched existence. It is impossible for your Lordship's ^lemorialists ade- quately to describe the sufferings of the natives who inhabit these portions of the country, arising from the exorbitant prices demanded by the traders for the wretched and almost valueless articles given in a mockery of exchange for thi' richest and nu)st valuable furs. Witlumt tents of any kind to protect them from the severity of an arctic clinuitc — unable from their migratory j^ursuits to abide in per- r ntanent habitations — half naked, owing to the exorbitant prices de- inundod lor the clothes furnished by the Company, whilst they are, At the same time, restricted from exclianging the produce of their toil with ony other parties — kept constantly in the Company's debt, which they spend their whole lives in an ineffectual effort to clcor off — exposed yearly to all the horrors of famine, and the attendant crimes of murder ond cannibalism — the wretchedness of the people's condition can scarcely admit of addition. The scarcity which pre- vails in the northern districts is gradually but surely extending to the south, and unless government interpose its paternal authority to wean the Indians from their present wandering habits, and endea- vour to turn their attention to agricultural pursuits, the whole of the northern tribes must at no distant period, when the resources of the chase shall have failed theni, be subjected to all the horrors of u widcrspread famine, from which they never can emerge. That from the line of conduct pursued by the Company it does not appear probable to your liordship's Memorialists, that suflficient precaution will be taken by thiin to avert so overwhelming ati evil ; their agents in the country are for the most part men of very limited information, and doubtful exemplars to a people arriving so slowly at a social state. Wholly imbued with the mere spirit of trade, few of them are possessed of those generous sympathies and more en- larged views which are necessary for undertaking and ca*^ ing out any comprehensive scheme of social amelioration, Their deity is gold, to obtain which they trample down Christianity and bene- volence, That feeling the utter inadequacy of the remuneration for their furs from the Company, many of the more enterprising of the natives have formed a resolution to export their own produce, and import their own supplies inde]>endently of the Company. They urge, that even supposing the Charter were still valid, and that it vests in the Company an exclusive right of trade to Hudson's Bay as against all other traders from Britain, none of its provisions are, or can be binding on the natives to trade with the Company ex- clusively, or can prevent them from carrying their furs or other j)ro- perty out of the country to the best market. Where this course has been adopted, however, the Company's agents have seized the furs of sucn parties as refused to sell them at the prices fixed by the Company, and in some instances have imprisoned the recusant natives. Against such gross aggressions on the rights and liberties of the natives your Memorialists lost vehemently protest. Being unable to obtain redress from the local courts of the country, your Memorialists feel entitled to claim the protection of the British Go- vernment, and humbly intreat your Lordship to take the case into your kind consideration. It is also the painful duty of your Lordship's Memorialists to ad- vert tg the precarious state of the public peace throughout the terr fc i ritory, pnrticulurly in niul about the colony on the Rod River. The niHJorily of thu IndinnH and HuU'-hreodH in that district dt^pcnd mainly on the yearly summer huilalo hunts — the colony itself verging on the boundary line of the United States, the whole of the hunting grounds arc in the American territories. From these grounds the American government has warned oil' the hunters of the Red River in favour o*' the natives of the plains who arc under its protection, and for this purpose detachments of American troops are stationed throughout the plains to warn oil' all persons intruding from the ])ritish side, but at the same time profl'ering them the alternative of becoming American citizens. The Hudson's Bay Company on the other hand claim whatever is hunted on the Rritish side of the line, distraining the goods and imprisoning the persons of those who refuse to accede to their prices. Owing to these con- flicting claims the natives, who are the original owners of the soil, have their energies and hopes completely paralysed, and are doomed to starvation in a land which is their own both by birth and by de- scent. Deeply convinced that the present appalling condition of the native population, their ignorance, their barbarism, and the sufferings and crimes consecjucnt thereon, are ascribablc to the ])resent system of misgovemment, and also being fully satisfied that tht t s isting evils would be remedied, and the still more fearful ones now pe.viing, averted by the adoption of a system founded upon more 'luaiane and enlightened views, your Memorialists most earnestly desiii^ to impress upon your Lordship the solemn and sacred duty o/incpur'ng into the conditio' (;f this deeply suffering people (the last remnant of a noble race), before inquiry or remedy prove too late. Hitherto no efforts have been made in their behalf by the Govenunent of this country, to which alone they can properly look for protection and justice. The occasional reports which have from time to time been fowarded to the Government of this country, at least such as have been made public, are destitute of truth, and were evidently framed with a view to mislead the colonial authorities, and avert further in- quiry. To show this we need only request your Lordship's atten- tion to the reports of Sir George Simpson, and beg of you to con- trast them with a work published in 1845, entitled, " The Life and Travels of Thomas Simpson," by his brother Alexander. Though both brothers participated in the profits of the monopoly, and must, therefore, be presumed to be less than impartial witnesses, your Lordship will find that the book (published by Bentley, New Bur- lington-street), strongly sustains and fully corroborates the state- ments which we have the honour of laying before you. The spirit and tendencies of the Hudson's Bay Company are for reasons that will readily suggest themselves, opposed to the spread of information among the native ))opulation, and unfortunately they possess but too many facilities for carrying into efl'ect the short- 8 sighted and pernicious policy by which they have uniformly been guided in their intercourse with the natives. They are without any direct or positive accountability to the legislature of this country, and as regards their operations in the distant region over which they exercise jurisdiction, are practically beyond the reach of public opinion. Their sole aim is i>.\'owedly to draw the greatest possible revenue from the country, to attain which the considerations of hu- manity and religion are overlooked ; while, as yoiu* Lordship will perceive by the statements now submitted, the lives of the unoffend- ing native race, who, for no fault of their own, and for no reascm that can be given, are deprived of their inheritance and their na- tural rights, and thus of the power of helping themselves, are being virtually sacrificed year by year to the same selfish and inicjuitous object. What must be the ultimate fate of this unhappy people luuler such a system it is as easy to foresee as it is painful to con- template. Yo\n* memorialists feel assured that upon a due consideration of the statements now submitted, supported as they can be by a weight of testimony which places their accuracy beyond dispute, your Lord- ship will extend to them that humane and considerate attention to which their great and urgent importance entitles them. What further corroboration in support of the above allegations may be considered necessary your Memorialists are ready to supply, as well as to suggest such remedies as are calculated to remove the evils complained of — such simple remedies as a people both willing and able to help themselves, but (le])rived of the power, alone require to restore to tlicm the blessings of ])eaee and prosperity, and render them happy, contented, and grateful subjects. A. K. IsnisTF.R, Thomas Vincknt. ,F()ir\ IM'I^KOD. D. V. Stkwakt. .IaMIS IslUSTKK. A Sixth Memorialist, Mr. Sinci.aih, has been under the neces- sity of returning to America. The following is the Petition which has been entrusted to the Memorialists f(n- ])resentation to her gracious Majesty : — Nous soussigm's les humbles et loyaux snjets de sa Majeste Victoire Heine des Royaumes Unis d'Angleterre, d'Eeosse et d'Irlande, i^c, &c., iKe., habitant \m coin reeule de ses vastes domaines siu* la Riviere R(mge Departement de la Baye d'lludson avons use avee lui con fiance entierc, nous adresser a votre Seigiunu-ie, pour la su])plier de deposer au pied du Trone et d'appuyer de son credit les representations et les demandes (pie nous exposons avee un humble respect, dans la ])n'sente R-e(|iu''te. Attires par de pompeuscs ])romesses sur ce point du vastc ter- 9 ritoire de la Buye d'Hudson, nos peres avoient espere que les plans de feu Lord Selkirk seroient ponctiiellement eft'ectues ; que suivant les contrats en faveur des Colons leurs deurhees, &c., seroient vendues a un prix sufRsant fixe dans ces dits contrats, et que les travaux du laboureur ne seroient pas paralises par I'impuissance d'envendre les produits ; Toutes ces promcsses ont ete eludees toutes ces esperances ont ete frustrees. Le monopole qui depuis environ cent soixante et seize ans pese sur nous, va toujoms s'appesantissant, au point ([u'il ne nous est plus permis de nous entre echanger des pelleteries de notre pays pour des effets importes, ou vice versa, sons peine d'etre impri- sonnes, on de voir nos ejfets saisis sons le seul soup^on nieme qu'ou doive les echanger pour des pelleteries. Cette severite a ete poussee jusqu'aii point de defendre de recevoir du payement pour des vivres procures a des Indiens perissant de faim, a des DISTANCES EixiGNEES DE TOUT sEcouRS vu quc cc paycDunt ne pouvoit etre que des pelleteries, et nonobstant I'assnrance de livrer les dites pelleteries an magazin de la Conipagnie meme, et an prix (ju'elle en voudroit donner. Une severite si revoltante, pour ne pas dire inluunaine, a irrite tons les csprits, et quoiqu'on fut en partie dispose a soutfrir encore longtenis pour prevenir les emeutes et t'viter les consequences funeste d'une irritation a peupres generale, ne pouvant plus adrcsser nos plaintes au Gouverneur de la Com- pagnie, pour le quel le pcuple n'a plus de confiance, nous prenons le seul nioyen qui nous reste d'epargner le carnage, et le sang, en de- posant au pied du tr^'ne nos humbles et respectueuses supplication. 1st. CoMME SVJETS liRITAN NIQU ES NOUS DESIRONS ARDEM- MENT ETRE (iOUVERNES d'aI'RKS LES PRINCIPES DE CETTE CON- STITUTION QUI REND HEUREUX TOUS LES NOMRREUX SUJETS DE NOTRE AUOUSTE SoUVERMNE. La justice s'adniinistrant ici par un juge soldi par la Conipagnie ; les conseillers (jui font les lois etant, ou creatures de la Conipagnie, ou interessi's a ne point lui deplairc ; etant tons d'ailleiirs, elus par le gouvcnieiir et le Coinite de la dite Conipagnie, il s'en suit que le peuplc ('prouve un manque de confiance, et ne croit nulleinent a la possil>ilitc d'avoir gain de cause en tout ce qui concerneroit la Conipagnie, ou un ami, ou un i'avori di'celle. Cette disjjosition des csprits, si (hmgereuse a la jiaix et a la tranciuilite publique, n'existeroit pas, si le peujile eomnie aillcurs dans les possessions Britanniques avoit part aux loix (|ui se font, et si les iurisconsultes etoicnt indcjiendants de la ('ompagnie. Nous oscnis liunibleniont emettre la pensee ou nous somnies qui des juges de poix ou Magistrals choisis parnii ceux que le peuple especte et considere coinme justes, aides de .lures, seroit un mode de justice qui pourroit encore suliire longtenis, ou duinoins jusqu' a cc que les revemis niunicipaux pussent permittre les frais qu' exigeroit un cours de justice regulier. 10 2 of {-omni> Kwr. 8, ISi'i: — Simpson, hy l»is hrother Alexander. Hentiey, New Burlinjrton-street, iSl'.'j ; and a Letter of the Rev. Herhert Reaver relat.n)? to the In- dians on the N.W. coast of America, to tlie AhorijriiK's Protection Society. — Tracts Relating to the Ahorigines. ^Llrsh, 81', Uoundsditch, 1842:— " Tills extensive fiehl fi>r missionary enterprise [the H. B. territories], was cUisive manafrement fell into the hands unoccupied until the year 18.']!), when the of the H. B. Company), it was found attention of the Wesh'yan Conference " Durin<>- the competition in tradi j)ievious to the year LS'il (when the ex 14 impoHHible to takennyeHVctual measure towarJH tlic civilisation or mural and ivli(j^ious iuipruvi'inent of the native population. Since that period the Com- pany have eHtaliliHlu'd nix Protestant misKions under the management of their chaplainN, at Ued lliver Settle- ment, where there are likewise two Ca- thoiiu misMions and 13 schools." — J{e- port of Sir G, Simpson, p. 16. "It is (gratify inff to be able to say that tiie /ealouM endeavours of oxr mis- sionaries have been most successful." — lb. '• The Hudson's Bay Company have likewise established missions and (•chools at several uf the pincipal depots or |)OKts on the Colutnbia Kiver, west side of the llocky Mountains, un- der the manaf^ement of another of their chaplains." — | Mr, Beaver, the onlrj clerf^ytiian who ever entered that part of tin' Company's territories. H is own somewhat (lifferent account of liis la- bours will be found in the oppoiiite co- lumn. | " We are usin^ our utmost endea- vours in every other yixt of tiie country, where the cinnate and soil admit of it, to collect the Indians into villafj^cs, and direct their attention to af^ricu'ture, as the lirst step towards civilisation." — lb. " I have no hesitation in saying that the native population of tiie countries through which the Hudson's Bay Com- pany's business extends, never derived any real benefit from their intercour.s!e with the whites until the fur trade be- came exercised under the existing licence. In proof of this the population of some of the tribes previous to that time sensibly diminishing, is now iu- tretisinff." — ih'ports of Sir G. S., p. 17. " The employment we alTord at these seasons to many of the Indians, where- by they ar(f brou;',iit into frequent coin- of Canada was directed towards it." — A. Simpson, p. 432. " From time to time I reported to the Governor and Committee of the Com- pany in England, and to the Governor and Council of the Company abroad, the result of my observations for an immediate attempt at the introduction of civilization bnd Christianity among one or more of the aboriginal tribes, but my earnest representations were neither attended to nor acted upon. " Although the Hudson's Bay Com- pany owes its entire prosperity, nay, its very existence, to commerce with the natives of the well nigh unlimited terri- tory over which it exercises a nearly uncontrolled sway, yet little has HITIIKRTO BEEN DONE BY THE COM- PANY ON THE EAST SIOE OF THE KOOKY MOUNTAINS, AN» NOTHING ON THE WEST SIDE, towanls advancing in the scale of creation the innumerable tribes of untold rational and immortal beings, whose most imj)ortant destinies have for the last 170 years been placed in its Iiands." — Beaver, p. 16. " With the exception of those j)laced on the contines ot civilisation, and the few located at Red lliver Colony, none have, until a very recent period, heard of Christianity, save, perhaps, acci- dentally, from traders whose lives but little accorded with its precepts." — A. Simpson, p. 431. " God knows that I speak the convic- tion uf my mind, and may He forgive me if I speak unadvisedly when I state my firm belief that the life of an Indian was never yet hi/ a trapper put in compe- tition with a beaver sicin ! " — Heaver, p. 1». " I cannot close this descrij)tion of tlie character and condition of a much injured, nmch neglected, and therefore, HAi'iDLY UECREAsiNG branch of the gns'it family of mankind, without (juotiiig the following remarks on the proper conduct of white men towards savages (of all regions), which were ad- dressed to me by an associated body of FrcMcli i)hilanthropists (far difi'erent, alas! is the general conduct of the Frtn;h nation)." — A. Simpson, p. i32. " It is an observation never more truly exemplified than at the Company's settlements, that whenever the Gospel IK \r, i 1 niunicatioii ami intercourse with i\\e orticers and servants, /(■««/*■ towards their gradual civilisation and imi^rovement ; and we lind our own interests promoted by an equitable and liberal system of trade and management," — lieport of Sir G, Simpson. " On the banks of the Columbia we are directing our attention to agricul- ture on a large scale. " I have also the satisfaction to say that the native population are l)eginning to prolit by our example, as many for- merly dependent on bunting and fish- ing now maintain themselves by the produce of the soil." — Report of Sir G, Simpson, ban been carried among modern heathen nations there simultaneously has vice before unknown, been imported. As- suredly the Indians saw no recom- mendation of religion in the example of the generality of the Company's servarts, with whom its precepts seemed to be in total abeyance," — Beaver, p. 18. " An awful fatality seems to over- hang the retiring members of the Com- pany, a punishment for the unprincipled and licentious lives they have led." — ../. Simpson, p. 81. " I also became acquainted with many acts of cruelty and murder com- mitted upon the natives by persons in tlie Company's service, some of which 1 narrated by letter to the Deputy Governor of the Company at home, and to the Governor of the Company's Fo- reign Possessions, in the hope that a stop might be put to the recurrence of ihese lion'ible atrocities ; but from both 1 incurred a rebuke for my undue in- terference in matters which did not pro- fessionally concern me." — Beaver, f. 16. " One gieat cause of the immorality at the place where I was stationed, and a consequent barrier to the improve- ment and conversion of the Indians was the holding of some of them in a STATE OF SLAVERY by persons of ail classes in the Company's service, and by those who have retired from it, and become settlers on the rivers Willa- mette and Cowlitz, but over whom the Company retain authority. The women themselves, who were living with the lower class of the Company's servants, were much in the condition of slaves, being j)urchased of their Indian pro- prietors or relations, aiul not unfre- quently resold amongst each other by their ])urcliasers. But 1 forbear to add more upon this part of my subject, having communicated full information risjiecting it to tiie Conunittee of the Ant. Slavery Convention by wiiom my coiinnunication has been published," — Braver. " The employment we afford at tliose seasons to many of the Indians, whereby they are brought into fre- quent conmiunication and intercourse with our ofHcers and servants, tends towards their gradual civilization ami " With resjject to the furs of that country, to rob their lawful owner of tlrem by taking possession of them eitlier wHli no pai/ment, or with a most ituuleqiuite one, is surely not a legitimate method of teaching him their proper r^ to iinprovenieiit ; ami we fiiul our own iiitt'ivsts proinutfit hy ttii eqnlUtbU' uiiil tiheral sifsti'm of I rude und mnuutiemeut." — Itrporl nf Sir (i. Shiipunn. " The priiu-ipnl bonnlit the Conii)any derive from tlie exclusive licence ol" trade is the peaceable occupation of their own pro]»er territory, from which tliey draw nearly tlie whole of the prof Is of tlieir trade, and for the protection of which they have a rifj[ht to look to go- vernment in common with tlie rest of her Majesty's subjects, as tiie trade of the country embraced in tlie royal Li- cence is, as yet, of very little beiiejif In them, and affords greater adraiilages to the miither eoinitry in the emplnyiiieiil of shipping, and in the revenne arising from imports and e.rports, than the Company derive from it." •Sir J. U. Felly's Re- port, p. '2(J, use and value. Of articles bartered by the (.'ompaiiy for jieltry and other native produce, ime half may he classed as useless, one ijuarter us pernicious, and the remainder us of doubtful utility." — Heaver, p. 10. " The prices paid to the natives for their furs are, in i,'eneral, exceedingly small. Throughout the whole of the protected territories, the value of goods bartered for fnrs is certainly under one-twentieth of the value of these furs in England." — J. Simpson, p. 427. " The entire value of all the furs and other articles traded by the Company from the Indians in all its territories and possessions, average less than 200,000/. i)er annum. In one year it amounted to 211.000/., and the nett jirotits for that year were declared at 1H),000/. .'.'.'"— //a p. 428. The following extracts from works of an earlier date, taken in connexion witli the foregoing statements of JJeaver and Simpson show that the policy of the llndson's Bay Company towards the natives, has been throiif/lioiit siicli as ahovc described by these authors : — *' The Company find the profits arising from that inconsiderable part of the produce of this country which they have monojjolised, so enormous, that, while they arc resolved to be undisturbed in the possession, they can have no motive to increase them, but are rather induced to prevent this as an evil that woidd endanger the loss of the whole. From hence, perhaps, proceeds that vigorous exertion of their art and power to keep all their servants except the chief factors and the captains of tlieir shijis, totally ignorant both of the country and trade ; hence their treatment of the natives, which so so far from aiiniiH/ at iiislnicfiuf/ their tniiid.'i, and rrfoDiiiiif/ their manners, is made up of critelfi/ to their persons, impositions upon their itjnorance or their neeessiti/, and a fomentation of a spirit of discord aniony them that in time must destroy them all.''' — Rohson's jrcount of a Six Years' Residence in Hudson's Ray,S\o. London, \7>y''2. P. 74. " During the long time in which the Company have been in pos- * The Company annually fit out one ship, of about 300 tons burthen, to the territories here si)oken of, and from it are tlerived tliose " great advantages to the mother country, in the employment of shipping," which Sir John I'elly de- scribes. As there is no duty on furs, and all the exciseable articles sent out to the country are jmrcbased in bond, the total revenue Great Britain derives " from exports and imports," and every other source, amounts to the sum of five shillings, amnvdWy jtaid as" Rent" into her Majesty's Treasury, every 1st of June. 17 rtaiiily m session, they have not once nHomptcd to civilize the manners or in- form the understiuulinf^s of tlie natives ; neither instructed them in the great principles and duties of piety." — lb. p. 82. *' The instances of neglect and abuse of the natives are so gro^s that they would scarcely gain credit even among uncivilized bar- barians who never heard of the mild precepts of Christianity. Be- sides the facts already mentioned, the following one was well at- tested by the servants of the Jiay, and was also produced in evi- dence before the Committee [of the House of Commons] : — An Indian boy at Moose Factory, being taught to read and write through the humanity and indulgence of a governor there, wrote over to the Company for leave to come to England, in order that he might be baptized, but upon the receipt of his request, which any man who had the least sense of religion, and the least regard for the spiritual happiness of a fellow creature, would with joy have complied with, an order was sent to the governor to take the boy's books from bin), and turn him out of the factory, with an express l)rohibition against any Indian's bt-ing instructed lor the future. This was the source of nuich allliction to the ])()()r boy, who died soiiti after, with a ])enitence and devotion that wo\dd have d(me honc.ur to his masters. But. from whence can micli preposterous and nnnati'ral behaviour lake its rise, unless from the apprehension that if the natives tvere properlii instructed and made converts to Christ- ianity the// would all claim the privi/cf/es of British subjects, and apply to Britain to be supported in them f The Company, therefore, to prevent their suffering a remote evil as traders, have violated their indispensable duty as men and Christians." — liobson, p. 77. " When we recollect that this eomitry has been in the hands of an incorporated Company for upwards of 113 years, and compare the few discoveries that have been made during that period with those made in other parts — when we reflect how little we are acquainted with its soil or productions, and how ignorant we are with resj)ect to its capability of improvement — when we further con- sider that no care has lieen taken to cultivate a reciprocal friend- ship with remote nations of Indians ; but on the contrary, that those we are already ac(]uainted with have been vitiated by the introduc- tion of spirituous liquors, and disgusted by ill-usage ; such reflec- tions naturally excite in the bosom of every one tliat has the good of their country at lieart, a wish that so extensive and improveable a country were in the ])ossession of those who would take more pains to render it more beneficial to the mother country." — ■ Vmfrcvilles Present State of Hudson's Bay, p. 102. London, 1790. The following instance of barbarity, related by Lieutenant Chap- pell, R.N., of H. M. S. Rosamond, in his " Narrative of a Voyage to Itudson's Bay," would appear incredible, did it not rest, to use his own expression, on " the most indubitable authority : "— -!• r, 18 "When first the Euroiiejuis [the agetits of the Hudson's Bay Company], went to settle at Iliohniond [a whalinfj station on the coast, which was shortly afterwards abandoned], the Esquimaux, who reside about this part, kept them in a continued state of alarm all the winter by lurking about the woods in their sledges drawn by dogs. At length an English boy was missing from the settlement, and after some ditlieulty, two Esquimaux were seized and confined in separate apartments. In order to recover the absent youth the settlers made use of a stratagem. A musket was discharged in a remote apartment, and the settlers entering tho room in which one of the Escjuinuuix was confined, they informed him by signs that his comrade had been put to death for decoying away the boy ; and they gave him to understand at the sanu* time that he mu:t prepare to undergo the same fate, unless he wonld faithfully pledge himself to restore the absentee. The Esquimaux naturally promised everything, and on being set at liberty be nuide the best of his way into the woods, and of course was never after- wards heard of. They ke|)t the othor native for some time a pri- soner : at length he tried to ellect his escape by boldly seizing the sentinel's firelock at night, but the ))ieee accidentally going off he was so teiTified at the report tliat tliey easily replaced him in con- finement ; yet either the loss of liberty, a siippositicm that his countryman had been nnirdered, or that be was himself reserved for some cniel death, deprived the poor wretch of reason. As he be- came excedingly troublesome the settlers held a conference as t»> the most eligible mode of getting rid of him ; and it beiiii/ deemed good policii to deter the uati res from similar offences hy mokivcj an example, they accordinyli/ shot the poor maniac in cold blood, with- out haviny yiven themselves the trouble to ascertain whether ht was really yuilfy or innocent." — \ar>-nlire of a Voyage to Hudson's Bay, by Lieut. Chappell, R.\., p. l')0. London, 1817. The instances of similar atrocity whic-li m.'iy be adduced would fill a volume, but linnted space will not admit of more than a con- eluding extract from the work of Mr. Heaver, already alluded to, with which tliese appalling details will be closed : — " About the middle of the summer hS,'}(>, and shortly before my ari'ival at Vancouver, six Indians were wantonly and uratiiitonsly murdered by a l)ar y of trappers and sailors, who landed for the purpose, from one of the Company's vessels, on the coast some- where between the mouth of the river Columbia and the confines of ('alifornia. Having on a former occasion read the ))articnlars of this horrid massacre, as 1 received them from an eye witness, be- fore a meeting of the Aborigines' Society, I will not now repeat them. To my certain knowledge the circumstance w'as brought officially before the authorities of Vancouver, by whom no notice was taken of it, and the same party of trappers, with the same leader, one of the most infamous murderers of a murderous fra- '9 ^ 10 tcrnity, i» animally bent tu the uanitt vicinity to perl'unu, if they please, other eciually trajjic scenes. " In the former part of the same year I was crcdihly informed tliat the same party kiUed one Indian, wounded another, supposed mortally, and threw a child into a fire, in consequence of a (juarrel respectin<; a knife, which was afterwards found upon one of theni- .selves. And durin}^ the year before they put four Indians to death for stealin;i; their horses, which mijilit he pleaded as some excuse for the brutality, but that they afterwards killed ten or twelve njore in cold blood, and set fire to their villas^e. " Since writing the above,"' he adds at the end of his communi- cation, " I have learned from good authority, that in the month of August, 1 840, an Indian was hanged near the mouth of the Co- lumbia River, aiul several others sliot, and their village set on fire by a party in the enii)loyuu'nt of the Hudson's Bay Company, under the command of chief factor M'Loughlin, who led them from Kort Vancouver, thus indiscriminately to revenge the death of a man who lost his life in an aliVay while curing salmon." Do not these things, as ]\lr. Beaver himself elsewhere asks, imperatively demand incpiiry and interference .' Is not such treat- ment as has l)een narrated of their red brethren, unbecoming to persons who profess the religion of the Prince of Peace, and to per- sons who, ignorant themselves of the precepts of Christianity, may be in the service of such professors { PRICES PAID TO THE INDIANS FOR THEIR FURS. Sir J. II. Pelly, in his Report to the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council for Trade, already quoted, states that the " tradu of the country embraced in tlie royal Licence is, as yet, of very little benefit to the (^)iupany," and allbrds greater advantage to the mother country than to vhem. The annexed Tarifi", exhibiting at once the articles supplied, and the prices paid, to the Indians in- habiting that territory, for their furs, will show, that whatever may l)e the cause of the limited profits derived from this trade it cannot be attributed to any undue liberality in the remiuieration afilbrded to the natives. The Tarifi' here triven is that, with a few triflint) 6 Yards Gartering . . 1 Pair of Trowsers . . 1 Shirt (Cott.;n) . . . 1 Handkercliief(Cotton) 1 oz. ^ ermilion . . . 1 Pint of Rum (watered) > T 1— < "' ■I MUM M hS ?? M M M M 1^ ^2 i c c C-. C-. Oi o c 05 0-. © c. c. oi cv Ci © ^ (t 3 M t>S tC tC © I'f M -^1 ^1 M to M to t.S 4' t'S l>S IC •^ lik U l>9 -^l Ci tCi KStO tO Ol ~ C-. ?-. --5 a. c. I* y. a, 1.1 Ci •,£ ct Ci M OS C-. ci C8 M c Ci 4- «3 OS o> os o>. © •*" c. OS r. c. c. a cs e © © c: c rs ?; © 01 OS OS © c © © © S-. C-. o-. OS OS © p- 3, si •SHI>|S .I.>AU.>}| f 0} m,l|1IAIllb,1 SI U1>|S XOJ J'lAljg I j^, • re to p— w M 10 M 4. b> }^ to 10 to -1 to to I-i © © ti to «;i to to Oi to to to Ci f. 10 10 "'I to to to to © ~ ©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©CCC©.^' ©CCC©©© = ©©©©©©C©C©C©0C©©C©©©©!1. ►1 3" M MMM&j^MC'lMl.iCMOSMMlOMMMlOICk't-IOSeOMMMMO V! £ * s. d. 20 1 1 1 1 (» ;J 1(> 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 I (i i» 1 10 12 12 .5 1 9 3 1 1 1 X ■- . M — M ro M M M W -.r M tl IC to M C. M M IC M M M to to M M C 4* M M -< M P c N- «— "-• ^' M to 4u. ta-i—i— iw©i->ci4»4'«-''-'"^»*"'— 'toi-'MB-toiOfc-'i— 'ocwi^^'Mik-wrs CJ Oi i; © M w^i to to Ci W M w w "^J W W OJ -^ -1 W W C © M w w w © ." C-. © c. C-. c. OS ©. © © © © © er. 0; © o» OS OS © © ci © c c © © cs © © a. ter Skins. Value. cn 2 w o w H 3; n w H 5 H ■<; en N^ ?8 B3 S3 n >• ?r M^ W t^ ^^ fit fi 'X H H HN > ^ a w 5S K^ > t-l f WN W ^^ w I 21 I 3' > "I S- y n -5 If ■ ft) »3 H c > H W O W C/3 H 2 r o w o H W H W 3. 3 ■** .• SL5? « s ■ s* y,^ < re ►1 ^*^ ■5 C^ a r- 3 w y, P t^ ••»■ ■* I* a) ■ •y< P c f-» t ^ . icorporatiou nien- 11(1 vested in the ver in such sort, • or letters patent, ?(l, and as thereby lid Governor and leh diffieulty and ts of the trade to •h as now and for rind ])r()litable to niiierals, and other the said trade can- ■ither to the honour Aith a joint stock, NY SnOlLO UAVK lorities, privik'i;es, ,' s;iid trade, and to )r the due inanage- y as trade, and for 'of forfeitures and^ as hy authority of ' Kiiiji and Uueen's^ vice and consent of ons in this ])resent tl'.e same, that the of En;zhuul trading' at all times from tic and c()r]>orate in ■cording to the pur- larter herein before )r Charter herein- dav of May, in the hue M:\jesty King tainefl. be, and by orth ratified, esta- )r and Company of Bay, and to their inor and Company exercise and enjoy autliorities, matters cr nu'ntioned to be patent or Charter, lunities, privileges, ■editaments, matters vind soever thereby given, granted or Mbemaile, Karl of particularly named, M and thereby incor])orated, and to the (xovernor and Company tliereby created, made or erected, and to their successors, and to all governors, deputy governors, committees, and other members, officers and servants, of or upon tne said governor and company for the time ^cing, and their successors, or otherwise. Howsoever, with and luider such restraints and prohibitions, and subject and liable to such forfeitures and remedies for rkcovkring thereof, as in the said Charter are contained, shall from henceforth be good and effectual, and available in the law, and to all intents, constructions, and purposes to the aforesaid new Govi^rnor and Company and their successors for evermore, and sliall and may be by the nkw Governor and Company and their successors from time to time for ever hereafter holden and enjoyed, and put in execution after and according to the form, words, sentences, jmrport, elfect and true meaning of the said hitters patent or Charter, and that as amply, fully, and largely, to all intents, constructions, and pur- poses, as if the same letters jiatent or Charter, and the general matters and things therein mentioned, and thereby granted or men- tioned to be granted, were word for word recited and set down at large in this present Act of Parliament, any law, statute, usage, custom, or other matter or thing to the contrary notwith- standing. Puovtni'.n ALWAYS, and be it furtlier enacted by the authority aloresaid, that the said Governor and Company shall make at least two public sales of Coat Beaver in every year, and not exceeding four, and that they shall ])roportion the same into hjts each of about 100/. sterling, but not exceeding 200/. value; and that in the intervals of public sales tlie said Company may not sell Coat lieaver by ])rlvate contract, and at any lower price than it was set u)) at the last ))ul)lic sale, and that the C'oat Heaver now in the Company's hands shall be liable to the same rules. Provided always that this Act shall continue and be in force for the timk of seven years, and from thence to the end of the next session of parliament and no longer." Mr. Robson givs the following account of the passing of tlie Act, which will be found to perfectly explain away any contradictions apparent in it :■ — " It being allegetl in the Coinmitlee [of the House of Commons], that tlie Company's Charter was coitiiruied by Act of Parliament, the Lords' a!ul Conunoi\s' .louvnals were inspected, from which it ap))eared, that in lrise and ead, and abound ; dong the try could low sup- lishing of ural pro- y wholly cruing to and com- idi »n of thai they it by the deprived virtually ' states of of lucre, and they incentive from the ! not one ancestors ove every lUinue to helpless, mce to a e honour ', we pray y, Amen.