|
i}
| | vi A GENERAL HISTORY

engaged in thofe diftant expeditions, and fpread the fur trade as far
Welt as the banks of the Safkatchiwine river, in 53. North latitude, and

|
|
tH
| longitude 102 Welt.
| 4)
AN I
. }

| At anearly period of their intercourfe with the favages, a cuftom was
iH ° .
HW introduced of a very excellent tendency, but is now unfortunately dil-
si]
1

continued, of not felling any fpirituous liquor to the natives. This

te | admirable regulation was for fome time obferved, with all the refpeét
G | due to the religion by which it was fanétioned, and whofe fevereft cen-
Es i fures followed the violation of it. A painful penance could alone reftore
“<< ii) the offender to the fufpended rites of the facrament. ‘The cafuiltry of
i i trade, however, difcovered a way to gratify the Indians with their favour-
A ite cordial, without incurring the ecclefiaftical penalties, by giving,
| | -inftead of felling it to them. j
Ss
‘ But notwithftanding all the reftri€tions with which commerce was

oppreffed under the French government, the fur trade was extended to
the immenfe diftance which has been already ftated; and furmounted
many moft difcouraging difficulties, which will be hereafter noticed ;

while, at the fame time, no exertions were made from Hudfon’s Bay to

¢
¥

obtain even a fhare of the trade of a country which, according to the
charter of that company, belonged to it, and, from its proximity, is fo

much more acceflible to the mercantile adventurer.

Of thefe trading commanders, I underftood, that two attempted to
penetrate to the Pacific Ocean, but the utmoft extent of their journey I
could never learn; which may be attributed, indeed, to a failure of the
undertaking.

For