. An historical and descriptive account of British America [microform] : comprehending Canada Upper and Lower, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, the Bermudas, and the fur countries, their history from the earliest settlement, the statistics and topography of each district, their commerce ... : to which is added a full detail of the principles and best modes of emigration. Hudson's Bay Company; Compagnie de la Baie d'Hudson; Natural history; Sciences naturelles. EARLY DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. 47 pally from the Highlands of Scotland, whose hardy and adventurous hab
. An historical and descriptive account of British America [microform] : comprehending Canada Upper and Lower, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, the Bermudas, and the fur countries, their history from the earliest settlement, the statistics and topography of each district, their commerce ... : to which is added a full detail of the principles and best modes of emigration. Hudson's Bay Company; Compagnie de la Baie d'Hudson; Natural history; Sciences naturelles. EARLY DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. 47 pally from the Highlands of Scotland, whose hardy and adventurous habits were well suited to such pursuits, and who, after acting some time in their individual capacity, threw their stocks together, and, in 1783-4, formed the North-west Fur Company. This body became very prosperous ; and from their central establishment at Mon treal, extended operations to the remotest quarters of America. Their capital, amounting in 1788 to £40,000, had before 1799 increased threefold^ and probably was afterwards much farther enlarged.* The best account of the way in which this trade was ma- naged, and of the mode of life led by the Company's agents, is that given by Daniel Williams Harmon, a citizen of the United States, who served them many years as a clerk, and afterwards became a partner. On the 30th April 1800 he set sail from La Chine with a squadron of thirty canoes, divided into three brigades, to each of which one or more pilots were attached. These barks were steered by Canadian voyageurs, the most skilful in the world for guiding a boat through the many perilous rapids. Like sailors in tropical seas, they had certain stations, where they claimed the right of duck- ing every new passenger, unless, to their great satisfac- tion, he chose to purchase exemption by giving a few bottles of spirits. Harmon, havmg embraced this alter- native, witnessed a complete brightening of the doleful aspect worn at parting from their relations. At these rapids it was
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booksubjectsciencesn
