150 Sir ALEXANDER MAcKENZIE

“By last advices the grand crisis was con- sidered as not being far distant, and we fer- vently pray that it may terminate in the ruin and disgrace of our unprincipled enemy.” In July, 1804, McTavish died suddenly; his death made possible a restoration of peace, and it was soon followed by a reconciliation and a merger of the two concerns which pre- served the name of the North West Company and lasted until 1821. The contest undoubt- edly did harm; but one may point out in Mac- kenzie’s favour that he fought the North West Company only because he could not persuade it to adopt his far-sighted plans, and that McTavish was the chief sinner. In 1804. Mackenzie became once more a partner; he retained his partnership until his death, but the active management passed to others, of whom McGillivray was the chief. Mackenzie was now in a position of some detachment, with leisure on his hands for the first time in his life. Expansion to the Pacific was still his chief desire, and he was probably responsible in large measure for the extension of the trade of the North West Companyacross the Rockies.