France; and indeed, to cross the country, from St. Margaret's River,* which runs into the River of Canada, or St. Lawrence to Rupert's River, at the bottom of Hudson's Bay, is not above 150 miles. The French have a house or settlement for trade near the southern branch of Moose River, about one hundred miles above the factory, where they sell their goods cheaper than the Company do; altho' it be very difficult and expensive to carry them so far from Canada...... The French get all the choice skins, and leave only the refuse for the Company. The French have also got another house † pretty high up, upon Rupert's River, by which they have gain'd all the trade upon the East-Main, except a little the Company get at Slude River, the mouth of which is about thirty leagues to the north of Rupert's River. TRADE OF THE REMOTE INDIANS WITH MONTREAL, 1747.-Montreal drives a vast trade with the natives, whose chiefs go first to pay their duty to the governor and make him some presents...... This concourse begins about June, and some of them come hither from places distant above five hundred leagues. The fair is kept along the bank of the river, and those natives are suffered to go and exchange their wares with the French. This concourse lasts off and on near three months. The natives bring thither all sorts of furs, which they exchange for guns, powder, ball, great-coats, and other French garments, iron and brass works, and trinkets of all sorts. HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY'S TRADE WITH THE INTERIOR, 1747.-The English who trade here [New South Wales], have no plantations or settlements within land, but live near the coast within their forts, in little houses or huts. BOUNDARIES OF HUDSON'S BAY, 1750-1755—1761. EXTRACTS FROM M. DE LA GALISSONNIERE'S MEMOIR ON THE FRENCH COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA, DATED DECEMBER, 1750. Having treated of Canada in general, we consider ourselves bound to enter into some details respecting its different parts, and shall commence with those of the north. Hudson's Bay, which was one of its most lucrative establishments, has been ceded to the English by the Treaty of Utrecht, under the denomination or title of restitution. They carry on a profitable trade there, but the excessive cold and the difficulty of subsistence, will never permit them to form establishments there, capable of affording any uneasiness to Canada; and if the strength of the latter country be augmented, as proposed, it will possibly be in a condition, in the first war, to wrest Hudson's Bay from the English. The Treaty of Utrecht had provided for the appointment of Commissioners to regulate the boundaries of Hudson's Bay; but nothing has been done in that matter. The term restitution, which has been used in the Treaty, conveys the idea clearly, that the English can claim only what they have possessed, and as they never had but a few establishments on the sea coast, it is evident that the interior of the country is considered as belonging to France. By this is meant the St. Maurice or the Saguenay River-most probably the latter, whose head branches interlace with those that fall into Lake Mistassin. + Fort Nemiscau, on the lake of that name, is probably here alluded to. It was established before the close of the 17th century. N. Y. Hist. Col., Vol. 10, pp. 224-5. EXTRACTS FROM THE PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS TO M. DE VAUDREUIL, DATED VERSAILLES 1ST APRIL, 1755.* By article 10, of the Treaty of Utrecht it had been agreed that Commissioners should be named on both sides, to settle the boundaries between the French and British American colonies. On occasion of an expedition that the English fitted out, in 1718, against the fishing posts, which the French had in the Islands of Canso, the two Courts did, in fact, nominate Commissioners to decide the property of these islands. The Commissioners met at Paris. At the very first conference, those of the King of England, who claimed that the Islands of Canso were dependent on Acadia, which was ceded to the English by the Treaty of Utrecht, were convinced, on inspecting the map which they presented themselves, that those islands were on the contrary, included in the reserves expressed in the article of the Treaty of Utrecht, containing the cession of Acadia, and that, consequently, France had retained the property thereof. They withdrew, saying they required new instructions from their Court, and did not again make their appearance. Although there had been question on different occasions that since presented themselves, of naming other Commissioners in execution of the treaty, the English had always eluded it, until the last war; and Sieur de Vaudreuil is better informed than any person how they abused the moderation which had always governed his Majesty's proceedings and views, since he has been a witness of their unceasing usurpations, on the territory of Canada, during the long peace which followed the Treaty of Utrecht. His Majesty did flatter himself that he should eventually succeed in placing bounds to their enterprises, and securing tranquillity to his colonies, by a definite fixation of the respective limits. In consequence of the last Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, whereby that of Utrecht has been renewed, Commissioners have been named on both sides, and did meet at Paris, to regulate Il the disputes concerning the French and British possessions. But whatever earnestness and facilities His Majesty had lent to this settlement, the success of the labour of these Commissaries is far from corresponding, up to the present time, to the hopes he had entertained thereof, from the dispositions his Britannic Majesty had caused to be evinced in that regard. As yet the Commissioners have not entered upon the limits of Canada, further than what regards Acadia. * * * They [the English] have not yet explained themselves respecting the extent they propose giving their Hudson Bay boundaries. But it is to be expected that they will wish to stretch them to the centre of the Colony of Canada, in order to enclose it on all sides. However that be, His Majesty is firmly resolved to maintain his rights and his possessions against pretensions so excessive and so unjust; and whatever be his love for peace, will not make for its preservation any sacrifices, but those which will accord with the dignity of his Crown, and the protection he owes to his subjects. Such is the principle on which his Ambassador at the Court of England has orders to labour in a negotiation that has been entered into with that Court, for the termination of all those differences, by a provisional or definitive treaty; and it is also on that principle that His Majesty wills that Sieur de Vaudreuil do regulate his conduct, in relation to these objects, until the issue of that negotiation whereof His Majesty will have him informed. He is, in consequence, to be on his guard against all attempts the English might make against his Majesty's possessions; carefully to avoid affording them any just cause of complaint; to act on occasions, wherein there will possibly be acts of violence, in such a manner that he might not appear the aggressor; and to confine himself to the adoption of all possible measures to enable him to repel force by force. His Majesty's intention is, in fact, that he confine himself to a strict defensive, so long as the English will not make any attack, which is to be regarded as a rupture on their part. If, to ensure this defensive, he considers it necessary to make the Indians act offensively against the English, he will be at liberty to have recourse to that expedient. N. Y. Hist. Col., Vol. 10, pp. 290-3. But His Majesty desires that he do not determine on that course, except so far as the conduct of the English will render it indispensable for the safety and tranquillity of his government. Supposing, in the meantime, that, notwithstanding what ought to be naturally expected from the equitable and pacific dispositions whereof the King of Great Britain does not cease to give assurances, hostilities on the part of the English should reach the point that they must be regarded as a rupture, he should not, in that case, confine himself to a simple defensive, and his Majesty wills that, in such contingency, he makes use of all the powers that have been confided in him, for the operations which will be best adapted to the good of his service and the glory of his arms. As these operations must depend on circumstances, His Majesty relies on Sieur de Vaudreuil's zeal, prudence, and experience for undertaking those that will appear to him the most advantageous and the most honourable. He recommends only to him to observe, in the selection of those that he will think he can undertake, to give the preference to such as will have for object the English posts that can be wholly destroyed, such as that of Choueguen, and even Fort Beaubassin; or will deserve to be preserved, after he shall have become master of them, either for the purpose of increasing the colony of Canada, as would be the case with Acadia, or of being used for exchange, according to the circumstances which will possibly occur or happen, whenever there will be question of a peace, and such would be the capture of Hudson's Bay. But before coming thus to operations of an open war, His Majesty desires that Sieur de Vaudreuil do assure himself that the English will have in fact committed absolute hostilities, either against the French settlements or forts of Canada, or against some other colonies, or at sea. In this category may be regarded the usurpations they will possibly attempt on the un settled lands of Canada, and on which they have undertaken to set up unfounded pretensions. His Majesty's intention meanwhile is, that so long as they will confine themselves to operations of that sort, Sieur de Vaudreuil do content himself with opposing them, and even employ force for that purpose, only after he has protested and made the summons, which time and circumstances will have possibly permitted. And in this regard, His Majesty is very glad to enter into a fuller explanation of the pretensions of the English, in order to enable Sieur de Vaudreuil to act more understandingly, on occasions relative thereto. Independent of the Hudson Bay boundary, of which there has, as yet, been no question with the English, their pretensions, as has been already observed, have for object, to extend the limits of Acadia, on one side as far as the south shore of the river St. Lawrence, and, on the other, as far as the frontiers of New England; to include in those of Virginia the lands that reach to Lake Erie, and those of the Beautiful River [Ohio], and to penetrate into the lakes of Canada: so that in this system they would wrest from the French all the posts the latter possess south of the River St. Lawrence; and the colony of Canada would find itself reduced to those they have on the north of that river, and wherein it would be soon crippled, in consequence of the extension the English will not fail to desire to give the Hudson's Bay boundary. [THE DUC DE CHOISEUL, in 1761, referring to the same boundaries of Hudson's Bay, says, "Nothing was done." GRANT OF THE POST A LA CARPE, NORTH OF LAKE NEPIGON, AND EXTENDING TO THE SHORES OF HUDSON'S BAY: GOVERNOR LA JONQUIÈRE TO SIEUR SIMBLIN, 1751. (Copy obtained by the Government of Ontario from the archives of the Department of the Marine and Colonies, Paris.) DECREE OF M. DE LA JONQUIÈRE, WHICH PERMITS SR. SIMBLIN, ENSIGN OF THE TROOPS IN CANADA, TO CONSTRUCT AT HIS OWN EXPENSE AT LAC A LA CARPE, a Fort, a HOUSE AND A STOREHOUSE, WITH THE POWER TO COMMAND THEM, AND THERE TO CARRY ON EXCLUSIVE COMMERCE DURING THE TERM OF SIX YEARS. 27th February, 1751. SEEING THE PETITION which has been presented to us by the Sr. de Simblin, second ensign in the troops of this colony, with the petition [? plan] appended to it, after having given attention to the reasons contained in the said petition, and having seen with evidence, by the said plan, that the savage nations which are in the interior of the northern part of the said lands, and of whom certain are yet to be known, the French are obliged to supply their needs at Hudson's Bay, and there to carry on their commerce with the English in passing by way of the three arms of the river marked on the said plan, not being in a position to carry on their traffic elsewhere. We, having been assured that they have never carried it on at Nepigon, nor in any other French post, that it would be very possible to cut all commerce and connection of the savages with the English in establishing a fort at the lake called Lac à la Carpe, which has not been up to the present occupied by the French, nor comprised in the limits of any of our posts, and we not being able ourselves to refuse the invitation which a chief of the said savages has given to us by the Sr. de Simblin, in the name of the said nations, to found the said establishment. Persuaded in other respects that the said establishment could not but be, in every way, very advantageous to the benefit of the King's service, to the interests and to the service of the colony; Taking into account the excellent evidence which has been given to us of the zeal, the fidelity, the experience, the credit which the said Sr. de Simblin has acquired amongst these savage nations, and that he is very capable of forming the said establishment, and the closest alliance between the said nations and the French, We, in virtue of the power which has been given to us by the King, have received and receive the offer which has been made to us by the Sr. de Simblin, to found the said establishment at his own expense; and in consequence have appointed, and appoint him, under the good pleasure of His Majesty, to proceed next spring to the said Lac à la Carpe, there to establish a fort, a house, and a storehouse, the whole to be built of logs; of which we have given to him, and give by these presents, the command and the exclusive trade from the said Lac à la Carpe, extending from the shore of Hudson's Bay in the eastern section, and from the west to 30 leagues of distance, for the time and term of six consecutive years, which shall commence in the spring-time of the next year, 1752, and will finish in the spring-time of the year 1758. ON CONDITION : First, that he will bear the expenses of the said establishment at his risk and with his fortune, without His Majesty being liable on anything, directly or indirectly; that he will not lay claim to any annual indemnification during the said six years, nor to any compensation when the said six years are finished; that he will not carry on any trade except with the nations which shall go to the said post. Second, that he shall have caused the said fort, house, and storehouse, to be constructed in the spring-time of the next year, 1752; that he shall have there during the said year, and until the end of his command, the merchandise necessary to carry on trade with the savages; and that he shall not found any establishment, nor winter on the River du Cassetête, having only the liberty to pass by the Lake of the Nepigon and the said River du Cassetête in order to proceed to his post; and neglecting one of these conditions these presents will remain void. And on this condition we shall send forward to him gratis each year, our permission for the departure of the canoes which shall make the transport of the said merchandise, and it will be free to him to buy the bark canoes and his provisions at Missilimakinac for these purposes. In testimony whereof, etc. Done at Quebec, etc. LA JONQUIERE. CLAIMS OF HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY, 1752, 1755, 1759, WHEREBY IT IS ALSO ADMITTED THAT THE LIMITS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE LETTER FROM THE COMPANY TO THE LORDS OF TRADE. SIR, I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson Bay Company to inform His Majesty's Ministers that in the year 1752, by the orders of the Lords of Trade, they laid before their lordships a statement of their claims, which hath subsisted ever since; and in consequence of the Treaty of Utrecht, and as they are desirous of having your assistance and support, they order me to inform you that they will be ready to give such further information as to their rights as may be wanted to prove the justice of their said claim. I am with the greatest respect, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, Hudson's Bay House, 19th Feb., 1755. CHAS. HAY. Right Hon. Sir Thos. Robinson, MEMORANDUM ANNEXED TO THE PRECEDING LETTER. The Hudson's Bay Company claim, The lands to the northward of a line drawn from 59 degrees of north latitude in the Atlantick Ocean, south-westward to the Lake Miscosink, otherwise Mistoseney, and through the same Lake, down to the 49th degree of north latitude (as described in a mapp delivered to the Lords of Trade), and thence continued by a meridian line of the said latitude of 49 degrees westward. These boundaries, together with a demand of £108,514 19s. 8d. sterling, was claimed by the Company in the year 1709, and afterwards by the Commissaries appointed by virtue of the Treaty of Utrecht. To the Right Hon. Sir Thos. Robinson, Knt, One of His Majesty's Principal Secretarys of State, &c. &c. THE LORDS OF TRADE TO MR. PITT. WHITEHALL, December 19th, 1759. SIR, The Governor and Company of Merchants trading to Hudson's Bay having presented a Memorial to Us, stating their claims with respect to limits and other matters provided for by the Treaty of Utrecht, and praying that in case of a peace with France, His |