Union of the Fur Companies

Today’s installment concludes Fur Companies Abolished,
our selection from The Canadian Northwest: Its History And Its Troubles From The Early Days Of The Fur Trade To The Era Of The Railway And The Settler by G. Mercer Adam published in 1885.

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Previously in Fur Companies Abolished.

Time: 1869

In 1818, when Fort Astoria again changed its flag after its restitution to the Americans under the Treaty of Ghent, most of the Canadian traders returned to Fort William, to Red River, and to Montreal. Donald Mackenzie was the only one of the influential partners to remain. For several years he continued to trade on the Willamette and Snake rivers and in the country of the Nez Percés, having Fort Walla-Walla as his headquarters. But in 1822 he crossed the mountains to York Factory, and three years later he succeeded Robert Pelly in the governorship of the Red River colony. The departure of the Canadians from Oregon is thus graphically sketched by Bancroft: “It was a grand affair, this journey of the Northwest brigade from the mouth of the Columbia to Fort William and Montreal; it was at once a triumph and a dead-march. Ten canoes, five of bark and five of cedar, each carrying a crew of seven and two passengers, ninety in all, and all well armed, embarked at Fort George (As toria). Of the party were McTavish, McDonald, John Stuart, David Stuart, Clarke, Mackenzie, Pillot, Wallace, McGillis, Franchere, and others, some of whom were destined for the upper stations. Short was the leave-taking for so large a company, for now there were not many left at the fort to say fare well. The voyageurs donned their broadest bonnets; arms were glittering, flags flying, the guns sounded their adieu, and, midst ringing cheers, in gayest mood the party rounded Tongue Point, and placed their breasts under the current. On April 17th they arrived at Rocky Mountain House on their way to Athabasca River. This post was more a provision-depot for the supplying of the Northwest Company’s people in their passage of the mountains than a fur-hunting establishment. The glittering crystal eminences on which was perched the curved-horn mountain-goat, beyond the reach even of hungry wolves; the deep dense forests, snow-whited and sepulchral; the resting streams, laughing or raging according as their progress was impeded; the roystering torrent which no cold, dead, calm breath of nature could hush—these and like superlative beauties met the eye of the footsore travelers at every turn.”

From the company’s supply-house in the mountain-pass the Scotch traders pushed forward to the Athabasca, down whose waters the gay flotilla proceeded at a rapid pace. From the Athabasca they portaged across to Beaver River, descending which they entered Moore River and traversed Moore Lake. From this point the route lay across the plains to Fort Vermilion on the Saskatchewan, thence to Cumberland House and to English Lake. Crossing this they proceeded to Lakes Bourbon and Winnipeg, thence by the Winnipeg River to the Lake of the Woods, and over the portage to Fort William, where they arrived about the middle of July.

At Fort William the Nor’westers were greatly exercised over the discussion in the English Parliament of the affairs of the rival trading companies. Both companies had considerable in fluence in English politics. Each was eager to have its own version of the Selkirk affair laid before the House and the country. Neither hesitated to resort to sharp dealing to accomplish its purpose. Associated as was Lord Selkirk with the Hudson Bay Company, it does not seem that the latter very warmly espoused his interests. Its concern was more about its charter and its rights in the territory. He was no trader, but a lover of his kind. Stock in the Hudson Bays he purchased only to give influence to his name in the territory, to secure facilities in the transport of his people to Red River, and, as he hoped, protection when they got there. The whole matter of his colony’s troubles was brought up in the House of Commons, and a blue-book was the result of the call for papers and correspondence. Little else, however, was done. From London the broken-spirited noble man retired for rest to the Continent; but the most untroubled rest he could find was in the grave. This true patriot and baffled philanthropist died at Pau, France, on April 8, 1820.

With the death of Lord Selkirk the occasion for further dissension between the rival fur companies in some measure ceased. The English Government, though it did not see its way to effect anything by legislative enactments, endeavored to do something by mediation. With its aid, and the interposition of the Hon. Edward Ellice, one of the most influential of the resident English partners of the Northwest Company, a basis of agreement between the companies was arrived at. This agreement developed into a joint-stock partnership, which was entered into on March 26, 1821.

With the union of the companies, fur-stock again rose to a premium. Dividends that for years had fallen to 4 per cent., and even to nothing, now mounted to 10 and even to 20 per cent., with a handsome rest and an occasional large bonus. Posts that had fallen into decay were reestablished, and trade was extended in all directions. Nor was amalgamation without its benefit on both human and brute life in the territories. The demoralization of the Indians, occasioned by the introduction of intoxicating liquors during the period of strife, ceased; while hunting “out of season,” which was now strictly forbidden, had its effect upon the peltries and tended to conserve trade. But the country, in the years of even the poorest yield, was drained to an enormous extent of game. The fur yield of the Northwest Company for 1800 was as follows: 106,000 beaver, 2100 bear, 5500 fox, 4600 otter, 17,000 musquash, 320 marten, 1800 mink, 600 lynx, 600 wolverine, 1650 fisher, 100 raccoon, 3800 wolf, 700 elk, 1950 deer, and 500 buffalo! The gross returns of this one company for the year 1790 amounted to forty thousand pounds sterling ($200,000). Fifteen years later, when the Nor’ westers had absorbed the X.Y. Company, a rival Canadian institution, the gross value of its trade was one hundred twenty thousand pounds.

This ends our series of passages on Fur Companies Abolished by G. Mercer Adam from his book The Canadian Northwest: Its History And Its Troubles From The Early Days Of The Fur Trade To The Era Of The Railway And The Settler published in 1885. This blog features short and lengthy pieces on all aspects of our shared past. Here are selections from the great historians who may be forgotten (and whose work have fallen into public domain) as well as links to the most up-to-date developments in the field of history and of course, original material from yours truly, Jack Le Moine. – A little bit of everything historical is here.

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