Chapter I: Part 1

Vol. I JULY, 1921 No. 10

_The Beaver
A Journal of Progress_

_Devoted to The Interests of Those Who Serve The Hudson's Bay Company_

The "Lords of the North" in Annual Conclave

_Commissioned Officers of H.B.C. Met in Grand Councils to Formulate
Annual Plans for Administration of Vast Fur Districts; a Typical
Meeting in 1878_

By J. BROWN

"Lords of the North" was the appellation sometimes applied to those intrepid Factors and Chief Factors of H.B.C. who for many years gathered in annual conclave at some central fort to arrange for the administration and provisioning of the great fur-trade districts.

Norway House, Fort Carlton on the Saskatchewan, Fort Garry on the Red and the "Stone Fort" were successively the meeting places of these ancient councils.

When the season's furs had been gathered and stoutly baled and marked with the cryptic signs which destined them for the far-away auction mart at London--when the shouting, chanting fur brigades of the north went swinging away down roaring watercourses to meet the sailing ships on the great Bay--just at this time the bearded chieftains of the inland districts mobilized their voluminous accounts, dried their goose quill pens and shot away in swift birchbarks to the grand council.

Some of these officers travelled a thousand miles; others, at more southerly stations had not far to go. But in any case their only carriers were the canoe, the York boat, the plodding oxen or the pony of the plains.

The council was not usually complete until early July. Then the grizzled veterans of the fur service sat down to "talk musquash" under the chairmanship of the Chief Commissioner, and in the space of a fortnight had deliberated upon the commerce and government of a wilderness empire and promulgated the specific orders that would control the victualing, the supply and the trade, the commercial, civic, industrial and religious life of the vast unplotted north country for another year.

Weighty problems of transport were solved at these historic meetings, so that the chain of H.B.C. communication might be unbroken; mail packets, freight and furs traversed the forest leagues and the expanse of mountain and prairie under "timetables" placed in effect by this council. And rare indeed was there instanced the loss of a package of merchandise or pelts--or even a letter--notwithstanding the extraordinary difficulties of travel, the storm and stress of climate.

Some idea of the plan under which the grand council operated may be conveyed by the following extracts from the minutes of a typical meeting of the Factors and Chief Factors held at Fort Carlton, beginning the first of July, 1878:

Minutes of Council, 1878

Memoranda having reference to a Meeting at Carlton called by the
Chief Commissioner for the purpose of receiving advice and
information regarding the Trade and Requirements of the Several
Districts in Northern Department from the officers in charge of the
same commencing on the 1st day of July, 1878, at which the
undermentioned qualified Commissioned Officers were present by
request:

Richard Hardisty, Chief Factor.
Lawrence Clarke, Chief Factor.

The following Factors, Chief Trader and Junior Chief Trader were
also invited to attend:

Archibald McDonald, Factor.
Horace Belanger, Factor.
Wm. McKay, "C", Factor.
James McDougall, Chief Trader.
J. Ogden Grahame, Junior Chief Factor.

_Article 1_--That the appointments of Commissioned Officers for the
current outfit be as follows, viz.:

McKenzie River--Julian S. Camsell, Factor; John Wilson, Junior
Chief Trader; Charles F. Gaudet, Chief Trader.

Peace River--James McDougall, Chief Trader; Alexr. MacKenzie, "A"
Junior Trader.

Athabasca--Rodk. McFarlane, Chief Factor: Henry J. Moberly, Chief
Trader; John McAulay, Junior Chief Trader; William F. Gairdner,
Junior Chief Trader.

English River--Ewen McDonald, Chief Trader.

Edmonton--Richard Hardisty, Chief Factor.

Saskatchewan--Lawrence Clarke, Chief Factor; Wm. McKay, "C" Factor.

Cumberland--Horace Belanger, Factor; Pierre Deschambeault, Senior
Chief Trader.

Grand Rapids--Alexander Matheson, Chief Trader.

Norway House--Roderick Ross, Factor.

Island Lake--Cuthbert Sinclair, Junior Chief Trader.

York Factory--Joseph Fortescue, Factor.

Swan River--Archibald McDonald, Factor; William J. McLean, Junior
Chief Trader.

Manitoba--Wm. Clarke, Junior Chief Trader.

Red River--John H. McTavish, Chief Factor; Wm. Flett, Chief Trader;
Joseph J. Hargrave, Junior Chief Trader; Duncan Matheson, Junior
Chief Trader; Alexr. Christie, Junior Chief Trader.

Lac la Pluie--Alexr. R. Lillie, Chief Trader; James B. McKenzie,
"A" Junior Chief Trader.

General Service--George S. McTavish, Inspt. Chief Factor; J. Ogden
Grahame, Junior Chief Trader.

_Article 2_--Winter Arrangements, 1878-9

_ENGLISH RIVER_

Isle a la Crosse--Ewen McDonald, Chief Trader; Walter B. West,
Apprentice Clerk; Francois Maurice, Clerk.

Portage la Loche--Nicol Sinclair, Clerk; Pierre Laliberte, Clerk.

Green Lake--Scott W. Simpson, Clerk.

Outpost--Charles Lafleur, Interpreter.

Disposable--Fredk. S. Church, Apprentice Clerk.

_Article 3_--That 25 servants, including tradesmen and
interpreters, and about 550 pieces of goods including winter
allowances and servants' equipments constitute the current outfit
of English River District, the goods to be conveyed inland via
Carlton and Green Lake.

_Article 4_--That the appointments of Clerks and Postmasters,
Summer 1879, be made by Chief Trader Ewen McDonald as he may deem
expedient and that he be directed to superintend the transport of
outfits and returns of A. & R. Districts between Green Lake and
Portage la Loche.

_Article 5_--That the country-made articles for English River
District for Outfit 1879 be provided at Fort Garry, Summer 1878.

_Article 6_--Winter Arrangements, 1878-9.

_EDMONTON_

Edmonton House--Richard Hardisty, Chief Factor; John Sinclair,
Clerk; Frank Wilson, Clerk; Wm. Leslie Wood, Clerk.

Lac Ste. Anns--James Kirkness, Clerk.

Victoria--Wm. R. Brereton, Clerk.

Bow River--Angus Fraser, Interpreter.

White Fish Lake--Joseph Nooskeyah, Clerk.

Lesser Slave Lake--Harrison S. Young, Clerk; Charles Anderson,
Interpreter.

Lac la Biche--Wm. E. Traill, Clerk.

Disposable--Joseph Favel, Pilot.

_Article 7_--That 8 engaged and 4 temporary servants with about 800
pieces of goods including winter allowances and servants'
equipments constitute the current outfit for the Edmonton District,
the goods to be conveyed from Fort Garry by steamers.

_Article 8_--That Chief Factor Richard Hardisty be instructed to
assist Saskatchewan District with country produce required for
general service as far as his means will admit.

_Article 9_--That Chief Factor Hardisty be authorized to make the
necessary and proper arrangements for the summer business of the
District, 1879, and to change the appointments of the clerks if he
deem it necessary.

_Article 10_--That Chief Factor Hardisty be instructed to be
prepared to forward to Lesser Slave Lake from 600 to 800 pieces of
goods intended for the Peace River and Athabasca Outfit, 1879, as
early as possible after the same shall have reached Edmonton and
that he superintend the transport between Edmonton and Smoky River.

_Article 11_--That the following country produce be forwarded to
Lesser Slave Lake from Edmonton for the Transport Service between
that point and Smoky River:

20 bags flour.
30 bags pemmican, each 100 pounds.
50 whole buffalo skins.

_Article 12_--That the following supplies for New Caledonia Outfit
1879 be forwarded from Edmonton to Peace River for delivery at
Hudson's Hope on or before the 10th September, 1879:

350 whole buffalo skins.
300 lbs. common pemmican.
20 lbs. sinews.

_Article 13_--That the country-made articles required for the trade
of Edmonton District for Outfit 1879 be provided at Fort Garry,
Summer 1878.

_Article 14_--Winter Arrangements, 1878-9

_SASKATCHEWAN_

Carlton House--L. Clarke, Chief Factor; George McCrum, Clerk; Jas.
K. Simpson, Clerk; Angus McKay, Apprentice Clerk.

Fort Pitt--Wm. McKay, "C" Factor.

Cold Lake--Wm. McKay, "J" Clerk.

Turtle Lake--Daniel Villebrun, Interpreter.

Battleford--August H. Bastien, Postmaster.

Prince Albert--Philip Turner, Clerk; Colin McIntyre, Apprentice
Clerk.

Fort a la Corne--George Goodfellow, Clerk.

_Article 15_--That Chief Factor Lawrence Clarke be authorized to
make the necessary and proper arrangements for the summer business
of the District season 1879, including the forwarding of the Outfit
for the Districts north of Carlton and that he change the
appointments of clerks in his District as he may deem necessary.

_Article 16_--That the following country produce be deposited at
Cumberland House in the Spring of 1879 for the use of passing
brigades and for the trade of that District:

200 bags common pemmican.
400 whole dressed buffalo skins.
50 large dressed moose skins.
8 leather tents, each 10 skins.

_Article 17_--That the following country produce be forwarded to
Green Lake, Autumn 1878, or Spring of 1879, for transport service
in English River District, Season 1879, viz:

250 bags common pemmican, each 100 lbs.
400 whole dressed buffalo skins.
50 large dressed moose skins.
8 leather tents, each 10 skins.

_Article 18_--That the following country produce be furnished by
the Saskatchewan District, season 1878, for distribution 1879,
among the Districts of Norway House, York Factory and Island Lake,
and that the same be forwarded to Grand Rapids for that purpose:

300 bags common pemmican, each 100 lbs.
20 leather tents, each 10 or 12 skins.
600 whole buffalo skins.
400 half buffalo skins.

_Article 19_--That the country-made articles for the Saskatchewan
District for Outfit 1879 be provided at Fort Garry, Summer 1878.

_Article 20_--That Chief Factor Clarke be instructed to comply with
no additional requisitions for country produce of any kind except
he is satisfied there may be a hitch in the transport for the want
of them.

Article 21--Winter Arrangements, 1878-9.

_CUMBERLAND_

Cumberland House--Horace Belanger, Factor; Nicol McDougall, Clerk.

Le Pas--Charles Adams, Clerk; Robert Ballendine, Postmaster.

Moose Lake--John McDonald, "D" Clerk.

Pelican Narrows--John E. Stewart, Apprentice Clerk; Antoine Morin,
"B" Interpreter.

Lac du Brochet--Pierre Deschambeault, Chief Trader; Pierre Morin,
Postmaster.

Rapid River--Philip McDonald, Clerk; Angus McLeod, Interpreter.

Disposable--Joseph Hourston, Postmaster.

_Article 22_--That 20 servants and 700 pieces of goods, including
Winter allowances and servants' equipments, constitute the current
outfit for Cumberland District, the goods to be conveyed from Fort
Garry by steamers.

_Article 23_--That Factor Belanger be authorized to make the
necessary arrangements for the summer business of the District,
Season 1879, and that he change the appointments of commissioned
officers and clerks in his District as he may deem necessary.

_Article 24_--That Factor Belanger be instructed to forward to
Norway House, Spring 1879, the following country produce, viz:

50 lbs. large snowshoe netting.
50 lbs. small snowshoe netting.

_Article 25_--That Factor Belanger take measures to have rendered
at Portage la Loche, Summer 1879, on or about 25th July but not
later than 1st August, 8 boat loads, each boat load to consist of
75 pieces of the Athabasca Outfit which will be landed from the
Steamer "Northcote" at Cumberland, and that on the return trip the
crews of the 8 boats be engaged to take in each boat not less than
50 packs furs and deliver the same at the Grand Rapid should the
Steamer "Northcote" have ceased running.

_Article 26_--That the country-made articles for Cumberland
District, Outfit 1879, be provided at Fort Garry, Summer 1878.

_Article 27_--Winter Arrangements, 1878-9.

_GRAND RAPIDS_

Grand Rapids--Alex. Matheson, Chief Trader; Colin Thompson,
Apprentice Clerk.

_Article 28_--That Chief Trader Alexander Matheson be instructed to
receive at the Grand Rapids all goods intended for the Northern
Districts that may be sent there and have conveyed by the Steamer
Northcote to Cumberland the goods intended for that District and
600 pieces of those intended for Athabasca District, sending to
Carlton by the same steamer the goods intended for the Districts of
Saskatchewan, English River, Edmonton, Peace River and McKenzie
River as well as the remainder of those intended for "i."

_Article 29_--That the country-made articles for Grand Rapids
District for Outfit 1879 be provided for at Fort Garry, Summer
1878.

_Article 30_--Summer Arrangements, 1878-9.

_NORWAY HOUSE_

Norway House--Roderick Ross, Factor; D. C. McTavish, Clerk; James
Flett, "C" Apprentice Clerk; Walter Franklin, Apprentice Clerk.

Nelson River--Wm. Isbister, Clerk.

Berens River--James Flett, "B" Clerk.

Grand Rapids--John Moar, Postmaster.

Poplar River--Alex. Stout, Postmaster.

Disposable--John C. Sinclair, Postmaster.

_Article 31_--That 20 servants and 650 pieces of goods, including
Winter allowances and servants' equipment, constitute the current
outfit for Norway House District and that the outfit be conveyed
from Fort Garry by steamer or otherwise as most convenient.

_Article 32_--That Factor Roderick Ross be instructed to forward
per boats to the Grand Rapids, Summer 1879, any goods on depot at
Norway House intended for the trade of the Northern Districts
Outfit as early as navigation will permit and have brought back
from there to Norway House any returns or country produce intended
for the supply of Norway House, Island Lake or York Factory
Districts or for shipment to England from the latter place.

_Article 33_--That Factor Ross be instructed to make arrangements
with Factor Fortescue as to the number of boats requisite to bring
up from the Factory any gunpowder or other articles intended for
shipment inland and avail himself of the freight room downwards to
forward to the Factory as large a portion as possible of the
returns of Norway House District besides any castorum, buffalo
tongues and quills received from other Districts for shipment to
London, after providing for the country produce intended for Island
Lake and York Factory.

_Article 34_--That the country-made articles for Norway House
District for Outfit 1879 be provided at Fort Garry, Summer 1878.

_Article 35_--Winter and Summer Arrangements, 1878-9

_ISLAND LAKE_

Oxford House--Cuthbert Sinclair, Junior Chief Trader.

Island Lake--Thos. M. Linklater, Clerk.

_Article 36_--That 8 servants and 320 pieces of goods constitute
the current outfit for Island Lake District, the same to be
conveyed from York Factory by the Oxford House boats and provided
for in York Factory requisition.

_Article 37_--That the Island Lake boats make one round trip
between Norway House and York Factory, Summer 1878, laden with such
cargoes as the officers in charge of these Districts may have to go
forward should they be required to do so.

_Article 38_--Winter and Summer Arrangements 1878-9

_YORK FACTORY_

York Factory--Joseph Fortescue, Factor; John K. McDonald, Clerk; A.
O. T. Bennett, Apprentice Clerk; James Cowie, Apprentice Clerk;
George Grieve, Postmaster.

Severn--John Taylor, Postmaster.

Trout Lake--James Tod, Clerk.

Churchill--John R. Spencer, Clerk.

_Article 39_--That 35 servants, including mechanics, constitute the
summer and winter establishments of York Factory District and that
the outfits and returns of the Posts of Severn and Trout Lake be
transported in the usual manner and those of Churchill landed from
and shipped in the annual vessel from London which is directed to
call at Churchill on its way out to York Factory.

_Article 40_--That Factor Fortescue be instructed to have in
readiness, Spring 1879, for shipment to Oxford House the outfit
intended for the trade of Island Lake District, 1879, and that he
direct Mr. Cuthbert Sinclair to send to York Factory by boats the
returns of Island Lake District as early in the summer as possible
providing at the same time a sufficient number of men and boats for
the transport of the Outfit for 1879.

_Article 41_--That Factor Fortescue be instructed to forward to
Norway House as opportunity offers the gunpowder and country-made
articles on hand at York Factory (exclusive of beads, country-made
articles, etc.) which are set aside for the Inland Districts.

_Article 42_--Winter Arrangements, 1878-9.

_MANITOBA_

Oak Point--Wm. Clark, Junior Chief Trader; Geo. F. Kinnaird,
Apprentice Clerk.

Manitoba House--Isaac Cowie, Clerk.

Water Hen River--Alexr. Munro, Clerk.

Shoal River--Donald McDonald, "A" Clerk.

Fairford--An Interpreter.

_Article 43_--That Junior Chief Trader William Clark be authorized
to make the necessary and proper arrangements for the summer
business of the District, Season 1879, and change the disposal of
the clerks if he may think it necessary.

_Article 44_--That 4 servants and 300 pieces of goods, including
winter allowances and servants' equipments, constitute the current
outfit of Manitoba District and be imported via St. Paul to Fort
Garry and thence by carts to Oak Point.

_Article 45_--That the live stock on inventory in Manitoba District
be priced at their market value in the District, less 33-1/3%

Article 46--That Junior Chief Trader William Clark be instructed to
procure at Fairford and forward to Berens River for the use of
Norway House District, Summer 1879:

20 fathoms birch bark for canoe bottoms. 20 fathoms birch bark for
canoe sides. _Article 47_--That the country-made articles for
Manitoba District, Outfit 1879, be provided at Fort Garry, Summer
1878.

_Article 48_--Winter and Summer Arrangements, 1878-9

_SWAN RIVER_

Fort Ellice--Archibald McDonald, Factor; David Armit, Clerk; Hugh
McBeath, Clerk.

Riding Mountain--James C. Andy, Clerk.

Qu'Appelle--Wm. J. McLean, Junior Chief Trader; George Dreyer,
Postmaster.

Fort Pelly--Adam McBeath, Clerk; John Calder, Apprentice Clerk.

Touchwood Hills--Angus McBeath, Clerk; Thomas W. Lillie, Apprentice
Clerk.

Egg Lake--Henry McKay, Clerk.

_Article 49_--That 10 servants and 800 pieces of goods, including
winter allowances and servants' equipments, constitute the current
outfit of Swan River District and be imported via St. Paul to Fort
Garry and thence by carts to the District.

_Article 50_--That Factor Archibald McDonald be authorized to make
the necessary and proper arrangements for the summer business of
the District, season 1879, and change the disposal of clerks if he
may think it is necessary.

(_Note_--Articles 51 to 107 of the Minutes are of a similar nature
to the foregoing.)

LITTLE JOURNEYS TO FUR TRADE POSTS OF THE HUDSON'S BAY CO.

Hudson's Hope Post, B.C.

By JOHN GREGG

The Post is situated at the head of navigation on the Peace river. From here to Vermillion there is good water for stern-wheelers and gasoline boats, for five hundred fifty miles.

Immediately to the west is the famous Rocky Mountain canyon, which makes a horseshoe of twenty-five miles; and from the head of the canyon to Finlay Forks there is another good stretch of water. The Peace river here cuts through the Butler range, the most easterly range of the Rockies.

The climate is excellent. In winter chinook winds break up the cold snaps. The extreme minimum last winter was 45 below on two nights. In summer, the maximum sometimes rises over 90. One peculiarity is that during winter there are no winds excepting the warm chinooks. The country generally is well wooded. Many streams are unexcelled for fly-fishing. At Moberly Lake (15 miles south) trout very often scale more than 35 pounds.

The "town" consists of the Honourable Company's buildings, postoffice, telegraph, police offices and the freighter. Close in are several homesteaders. There is also a meteorological station, deputy mining recorder's post and hydrometric station.

During the summer business is brisk, for usually there are government geological parties in the field, tourists passing through and trappers going outside to "blow in their wads." In winter things are somewhat dull, for there are not enough Indians to keep business steady. Then it is that the violin, gramophone and H.B.C. library are called on to relieve _ennui_ in the evenings, for there is no theatre nearer than Edmonton.

For industrial possibilities, Hudson's Hope undoubtedly occupies a strategic position. It is known that extensive bodies of the hardest soft coal in the world are in the immediate vicinity, but owing to lack of transport facilities they have not been worked to any extent.

Some gold is found forty miles west on Branham Flat and a few outfits will be in this summer to work there.

A marvellous mountain of copper and silver was reported up north some two years ago, but for some reason or another nothing definite has transpired regarding it.

For the past three years government geologists have been examining the vicinity for oil possibilities and their reports have been so good as to lead one or two drilling outfits this way.

Although all grains and vegetables grow here to perfection the agricultural aspect of the country is not to be enthused over, for the arable land is along the river bank only. A cattle ranch has started on the south fork of the Halfway river.

It should be added that the river invariably opens for navigation the first week in May. This year the spring was early--bluebirds and robins on the 8th of April, geese on the 12th, with poplars in bud.

Discovery and Exploration of the Yukon (Pelly) River

By ROBERT CAMPBELL, F.R.G.S.

(_Former H.B.C. Chief Factor_)

_NOTE--Sir George Simpson expressed his satisfaction regarding
these explorations in a letter to Mr. Campbell, the author, and
spoke of the arrangement made by H.B.C. with Russia for a great
stretch of Alaskan territory. The letter follows:_

Red River Settlement,
16th June, 1839.

To R. Campbell, Esq.,
Fort Halkett.

Dear Sir:

I have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of your letter of
17th September, and have to express my entire satisfaction with
your management in the recent voyage down the Pelly or Stickine
river, bearing ample evidence that the confidence reposed in you
was well placed.

I was always of the opinion that the Pelly and Stickine rivers were
identical, but many of my friends in this country thought
differently. You have at length, however, set the question at rest,
and your writing the note to our gentlemen on the coast was very
judicious.

I last winter concluded an arrangement for the Company with Baron
Wrangle, acting on behalf of the Russian-American Company, by which
we become possessed of the whole of the Russian mainland territory
(for a term of ten years) up to Cape Spencer. By that means we
become possessed of their establishment situated on Point
Highfield, entrance of Stickine river, immediately, and have access
to the interior country through all the rivers falling into the
Pacific to the southward of Cape Spencer.

This arrangement renders it unnecessary for us now to extend our
operations from the east side of the mountains or Mackenzie river,
as we can settle that country from the Pacific with greater
facility and at less expense.

Your services will now therefore be required to push our
discoveries in the country situated on the Peel and Colville rivers
and I am quite sure you will distinguish yourself as much in that
quarter as you have latterly done on the west side of the
mountains.

With best wishes, believe me,

Very truly yours,
(Signed) GEORGE SIMPSON.

The Yukon is the largest river that flows from the American continent into the Pacific ocean. Rising as the Pelly in the Rocky Mountains on the northern frontier of British Columbia, it maintains a westerly direction for several hundred miles.

It crosses the 141st meridian, which forms the eastern boundary of Alaska, and holding a northwest course for more than six hundred miles, it is joined by the Porcupine river from the north. Up to this point it is called the Pelly, but for the remaining 1200 miles of its course to its embouchure in Behring Sea it is known as the Yukon.

After the failure of previous efforts to establish a Hudson's Bay Company's trading post at Dease's Lake, I volunteered my services for that purpose; and in the spring of 1839, after overcoming many difficulties, I succeeded in my mission, and then crossed over the mountains to the west side, where I struck the source of a rapid river, which I ascertained from the hordes of Indians I met to be the Stikene (afterwards the great highway to the northern gold fields of British Columbia), a discovery which caused no small commotion and surprise at the time among H.B.C. men, especially from the fact that a young man with only a half-breed and two Indian lads had effected what had baffled well-equipped parties under prominent and experienced Hudson's Bay officers from both sides of the mountains. This led to part of the coast being leased by the Company from the Russian government.

On returning to Dease's Lake, we passed a winter of constant danger from the savage Russian Indians and of much suffering from starvation. We were dependent for subsistence on what animals we could catch, and, failing that, on "tripe de roche." We were at one time reduced to such dire straits that we were obliged to eat our parchment windows, and our last meal before abandoning Dease's Lake, on 8th May, 1839, consisted of the lacing of our snowshoes.

In the spring of 1840 I was appointed by Sir George Simpson to explore the north branch of the Liard river to its source, and to cross the Rocky Mountains and try to find any river flowing westward, especially the headwaters of the Colville, the mouth of which was in the Arctic ocean, discovered by Dease and Simpson.

In pursuance of these instructions I left Fort Halkett in May with a canoe and seven men, among them my trusty Indians, Lapie and Kitza, and the interpreter Hoole. After ascending the stream some hundreds of miles, far into the mountains, we entered a beautiful lake, which I named Frances lake, in honor of Lady Simpson. The river thus far is rather serpentine, with a swift current, and is flanked on both sides by chains of mountains, which rise to a higher altitude in the background. The country is well wooded with poplar, spruce, pine, fir and birch. Game and fur-bearing animals are abundant, especially beaver, on the meat of which, with moose, deer, geese and ducks, we generally lived.

The mountain trout are very fine and plentiful, and are easily taken with a hook and any bait. About five miles farther on the lake divides into two branches round "Simpson's Tower." The south, which is the longer branch, extends forty miles. Leaving the canoe and part of the crew near the southwest extremity of this branch, I set out with three Indians and the interpreter.

Shouldering our blankets and guns, we ascended the valley of a river which we traced to its source in a lake ten miles long, which, with the river, I named Finlayson's lake and river. The lake is situated so near the watershed that in high floods its waters flow from both ends down both sides of the mountains towards the Arctic on the one hand and the Pacific on the other.

From this point we descended the west slope of the Rocky Mountains, and on the second day from Finlayson's lake we had the satisfaction of seeing from a high bank a splendid river in the distance. I named the bank from which we caught the first glimpse of the river "Pelly Banks," and the river "Pelly River," after our home governor, Sir H. Pelly.

I may mention, in passing, that Sir George Simpson in a kind letter called them both after me, "Campbell's Banks and River," but in my reply I disclaimed all knowledge of any such places. After reaching the actual bank of the river, we constructed a raft, on which we embarked and drifted down a few miles on the bosom of the stream, and at parting we cast in a sealed tin can with memoranda of our discovery and the date.

Highly delighted with our success, we retraced our steps to Frances lake, where we rejoined the rest of our party, who during our absence had built a house on the point at the forks of the lake which we called "Glenlyon." Returning, we reached Fort Halkett (on Liard river) about the 10th of September, and forwarded the report of our trip by the party who brought up our outfit.

The Company now resolved to follow up these discoveries, and with this view I was ordered in 1841 to establish a trading post on Frances lake so as to be ready for future operations westward. In 1842, birch bark for the construction of a large canoe to be used in exploring the Pelly was brought up from Fort Liard with the outfit, and during the winter was sent over the mountains by dogsleighs to Pelly banks, where the necessary buildings were put up, and the canoe was built in the spring of 1843.

Early in June, I left Frances lake with some of the men. We walked over the mountains to Pelly banks, and shortly after I started down stream in the canoe with the interpreter Hoole, two French Canadians and three Indians. As we advanced, the river increased in size and the scenery formed a succession of picturesque landscapes. About twenty-five miles from Pelly banks we encountered a bad rapid--"Hoole's"--where we were forced to disembark everything; but elsewhere we had a nice flowing current. Ranges of mountains flanked us on both sides; on the right hand the mountains were generally covered with wood; the left range was more open, with patches of poplar running up the valleys and burnsides, reminding one of the green braeface of the Highland glens. We frequently saw moose and bear as we passed along, and at points where the precipice rose abruptly from the waters edge the wild sheep--"big horn"--were often seen on the shelving rocks. They are very keen-sighted, and when once alarmed they file swiftly and gracefully over the mountain. When we chanced to get one we found it splendid eating--delicate enough for an epicure.

In this manner we travelled on for several days. We saw only one family of Indians--"Knife" Indians--till we reached the junction of the Pelly with a tributary which I named the Lewis. Here we found a large camp of Indians--the "Wood" Indians. We took them by no ordinary surprise, as they had never seen a white man before, and they looked upon us and everything about us with some awe as well as curiosity. Two of their chiefs, father and son, were very tall, stout, handsome men. We smoked the pipe of peace together, and I distributed some presents. They spoke in loud tones as do all Indians in their natural state, but they seemed kind and peaceable. When we explained to them as best we could that we were going down stream, they all raised their voices against it. Among other dangers, they indicated that inhabiting the lower river were many tribes of "bad" Indians--"numerous as the sand"--"who would not only kill us, but eat us." We should never get back alive, and friends coming to look after us would unjustly blame them for our death. All this frightened our men to such a degree that I had reluctantly to consent to our return, which under the circumstances was the only alternative. I learned afterwards that it would have been madness in us to have made any further advance, unprepared as we were for such an enterprise.

Much depressed, we that afternoon retraced our course upstream; but before doing so I launched on the river a sealed can containing memoranda of our trip.

I was so dejected at the unexpected turn of affairs that I was perfectly heedless of what was passing; but on the third day of our upward progress I noticed on both sides of the river fires burning on the hill-tops far and near. This awoke me to a sense of our situation. I conjectured that, as in Scotland in the olden time, these were signal-fires and that they summoned the Indians to surround and intercept us.

Thus aroused, we made the best use of paddle and "tracking-line" to get up stream and ahead of the Indian signals. On the fourth morning we came to a party of Indians on the further bank of the river. They made signs to us to cross over, which we did. They were very hostile, watching us with bows bent and arrows in hand and would not come down from the top of the high bank to the water's edge to meet us. I sent up a man with some tobacco--the emblem of peace--to reassure them; but at first they would hardly remove their hands from their bows to receive it. We ascended the bank to them and had a most friendly interview, carried on by words and signs. It required, however, some finesse and adroitness to get away from them.

Once in the canoe we quickly pushed out and struck obliquely for the opposite bank, so as to be out of range of their arrows, and I faced about, gun in hand, to observe their actions. The river was there too broad either for ball or arrow. We worked hard during the rest of the day and until late. The men were tired out, and I made them all sleep in my tent while I kept watch. At that season the night is so clear that one can read, write or work throughout.

Our camp lay on the bank of the river at the base of a steep declivity which had large trees here and there up its grassy slope. In the branches of one of these trees I passed the greater part of this anxious night, reading "_Hervey's Meditations_" and keeping a vigilant lookout. Occasionally I descended and walked to the river bank, but all was still.

Two years afterwards, when friendly relations had been established with the Indians in this district, I learned to my no small astonishment that the hostile tribe encountered down the river had dogged us all day, and when we halted for the night had encamped behind the crest of the hill, and from this retreat had watched my every movement. With the exactitude of detail characteristic of Indians they described me sitting in the tree holding "something white" (the book) in my hand, and often raising my eyes to make a survey of the neighborhood; then, descending to the river bank, taking my horn cup from my belt, and even while I drank glancing up and down the river and towards the hill.

They confessed that had I knelt down to drink they would have rushed upon me and drowned me in the swift current and after thus despatching me would have massacred the sleeping inmates of my tent. How often without knowing it are we protected from danger by the merciful hand of Providence!

Next morning we were early in motion and were glad to observe that we had outwitted the Indians and outstripped their signal-fires. After this we travelled more at leisure, hunting as we advanced, and in due time reached Frances lake.

For a few years after this we confined our operations to trading between Frances lake and Pelly banks; but during the summer we sent hunting parties down to Pelly to collect provisions for our establishments; and by this means we obtained accurate information respecting the Pelly river, its resources and Indian tribes.

In the winter of 1847-8 we built boats at Pelly banks and, sending off our returns to Fort Simpson, we started off early in June, 1848, to establish a post at the forks of Pelly and Lewis rivers, which I named Fort Selkirk. Ever since our discovery of the Pelly in 1840 various conjectures were hazarded as to what river it really was and where it entered the sea. Fort Yukon was, I think, established in 1847, from Peel river near the mouth of the Mackenzie.

From the first I expressed my belief, in which hardly anyone concurred, that the Pelly and the Yukon were identical. In 1850, having obtained Sir George Simpson's permission, I explored the lower river, descending a distance of about 1200 miles and by reaching Fort Yukon proved the correctness of my opinion.

From Fort Yukon I directed my boat and party upwards into the Porcupine river. I was accompanied by Mr. Murray, who was conveying the returns and whose duty it was to take back with him the Yukon outfit from La Pierre's house at the head of the Porcupine river, to which point supplies were transported over the mountains in winter by dogsleighs from Peel river. La Pierre's house duly reached, we left our boat there and walked over the mountains to Peel river, about ninety miles; thence by boat we ascended the Mackenzie river to Fort Simpson.

I thus performed a circuit of several thousand miles from my point of departure on the Liard river. Great astonishment was felt by all my friends and acquaintances when they saw me reach Fort Simpson by coming up the Mackenzie river instead of descending the Liard, for no one entertained a suspicion that the Pelly river had any connection with the Yukon or that the Pelly was linked with the Porcupine, Peel and Mackenzie rivers.

Thenceforward this new route, so unexpectedly found out, was made the highway for the transport of outfits to, and results of trade from the Pelly and all intermediate posts.

When I visited England in 1853 this vast stretch of country--until then a blank on the map and untrodden and unknown of white men--was under my direction correctly delineated on his map of North America by J. Arrowsmith, Hudson's Bay Company's topographer; and hence it happens that many of these rivers and places of note are named after my friends or after the rivers in my native glens.

I may mention that in these explorations, which embraced a period of fifteen years, we had to rely for the means of existence almost entirely on the natural resources of the scene of our operations, however dreary and barren a region it might be. We were once cut off from all supplies and connection with our people, to the extreme peril of our lives, for over two years--from May, 1848, till September, 1850--during which time we received neither a letter nor supplies, and the opening up of communication with the outside world was ultimately brought about by our own unaided and determined efforts in the face of appalling obstacles.

The Pelly-Yukon is a magnificent river, increasing in size as it is joined by the many affluents that swell its tide. It sweeps in a gentle, serpentine course round the spurs of the double mountain range that generally skirts each side of the valley. Of these twin ranges the more distant is the loftier. Many of its summits are dotted with wreaths of snow, while others wear a perpetual mantle of white.

At a distance of some forty-five miles from Yukon the mountains recede, the river widens and for miles wanders among countless islands. Many of the Pelly's tributaries are large streams--especially the M'Millan, Lewis, White, and Stewart rivers.

Four kinds of salmon ascend the river in great numbers in their season; and then comes a busy harvest time for the Indians, who assemble in large camps along the river and handle their spears with great dexterity. Large numbers of salmon are killed, some for present and some for winter use. This fish has been seen and killed above Pelly banks, which is more than two thousand miles from the sea.

Steamers from the Pacific have already ascended to Fort Yukon (twelve hundred miles); and during the freshet they can ascend more than twelve hundred miles further (to Hoole's Rapid).

The lakes all over the country abound in excellent white fish.

The fauna of the country is abundant and varied. It includes moose and reindeer, bears (black and grizzly), wolves and wolverines, rats and hares, the fox and lynx, the beaver, the mink, and the marten. I saw the bones, heads and horns of buffaloes; but this animal had become extinct before our visit, as had also some species of elephant, whose remains were found in various swamps. I forwarded an elephant's thigh bone to the British Museum, where it may still be seen.

The flora of the country is rich and diversified. I forwarded several specimens of the vegetation to Sir William J. Hooker, director of the Kew Gardens, I also sent him specimens of all the rocks from Yukon to Pelly banks. The climate is more pleasant and genial than in the same latitude on the east side of the mountains.

Aged Fur Trader Moves

H. J. Moberly, 86, fur trader in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company for thirty-seven years, passed through Edmonton, June 15th, on his way from Cedarvale, B.C., to his home at Duck Lake, Sask.

This aged veteran of the H.B.C. fur trade service has the distinction of having seen Edmonton at an earlier date than any living white man. He reached the Saskatchewan at Edmonton in 1854, sixty-seven years ago. Mr. Moberly has been staying for the past year at the fruit ranch of his son, forty miles west of Hazelton, B.C.

_Published Monthly by the Hudson's Bay Company for Their Employees
Throughout the Service_

The Beaver

"_A Journal of Progress_"

Copyright, 1921, by the Hudson's Bay Company

Address all communications to Editor,
"THE BEAVER," York and Main Streets,
Winnipeg, Canada.

Vol. I JULY, 1921 No. 10

A National Flag for Canada

Canada has no flag; a startling assertion, but true. The Dominion emblem so familiar to Canadians is a marine ensign authorized by the Imperial Government many years ago _for use on Canada's merchant shipping_. No flag has ever been officially adopted by the Canadian people.

Among designs submitted for a distinctive Canadian flag, one which most appeals to the sense of fitness displays the Union Jack in the upper left quarter and nine blue stars in the form of the Great Dipper and North Star on a field of white in the remaining three quarters. One star for each province, in the form of the familiar constellation of the Northland, sealed with the symbol of Empire!

The antipodean dominion of New Zealand has the Southern Cross on a field of red, with the Union Jack, for her official flag. This design was adopted from several hundred submitted by citizens.

Canada too should have a flag of her own--an emblem to emphasize her essential nationhood--of a design that will connote her stewardship of this North Portal of the Empire.

Carrying Water

A motorist, mired down on a country road, asked a passing lad with a team to pull him out.

Paying the boy's price of two dollars the car owner remarked, "Well, son, do you make much money at this sort of thing?" "You are the fifth I have pulled out to-day," replied the boy.

"I should work nights, too, at that rate," said the motorist.

"I do," said the boy, "at night I haul water for the mud-hole."

In business many young men are like the boy and the mud-hole. They have a single eye to making the job _last_. Fixed in a situation with certain routine things to do they lose ambition and are chiefly concerned with stretching their duties to fill a day. No origination. No progress. No increasing of efficiency to fit themselves for greater responsibilities.

They are "carrying water" in this blind way oftentimes until it's too late to stride out into bigger things.

Don't "carry water." Mend the road, and find a way to speed up traffic. The pay will be higher and the work more satisfying.

Arena Lust

The day of the Gladiator is not past. Near New York this month the pugilistic champion of the United States, for the consideration of merely a million dollars, will stand up for something less than an hour to pummel and be pummeled by the pugilistic champion of Europe.

Nearly seventy thousand fervid partisans will look on, eating peanuts--primordially yelling for blood.

Among them, it is said, will be hundreds who figure prominently in Bradstreet's, the Blue Book and the Society Column.

Gentlewomen will be there--in the fifty dollar seat section. Roustabouts and longshoremen, barristers, doctors and preachers, business men and government officials--and small boys roosting in neighboring trees--all with "thumbs down" when one bruiser weakens.

Who is there to stop wars and rumors of wars while the spirit of the gladiatorial combat is thus rampant in human society, breaking through the carefully laid veneer of civilization?

H.B.C. Enters Consignment Fur Business

_Company Takes Over Warehouses of Defunct Nesbitt Firm; Will Strengthen London Market_

By PRO PELLE

One of the most interesting events in the fur trade last month was the announcement by the Hudson's Bay Company of its intention to accept consignments of skins for sale at its London auctions. The news came as a surprise to many, as it has long been known that the famous old Company took particular pride in offering no skins for sale at its auctions save those collected by its own posts and graded with that excellency which has earned for the Company the reputation of setting an accepted standard for all skins.

To those who are familiar with the past history of H.B.C., the news did not come altogether as a surprise. The Company has demonstrated on many occasions in the past that it does not hesitate to reverse its decisions and alter its policies when the changes wrought by time and economic progress in the domain of the Company make such changes a business necessity.

Many in the fur trade wondered why the Company did not enter the consignment business sooner but the sequence of events has since demonstrated that by keeping out of that end of the business until after the speculators had had their fling, the Company was able to enter on the "ground floor," so to speak, and with everything in its favor.

The establishment of great fur auction companies in St. Louis, New York and Montreal tended to deprive London of its old-time prestige, and, naturally, anything that detracted from the influence of the London fur market also affected the Hudson's Bay Company.

With the passing of the famous old firm of Nesbitt, the London fur market lost one of the best-known consignment houses in the world. This house was particularly happy in its connection with the American trade and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the best American firms. When the Nesbitt firm was forced to liquidate in order to save as much as possible for its clients, it was felt that the London market had lost one of its landmarks and was, to a certain extent, weakened in its uphill fight to regain its leadership in the fur trade.

By taking over the warehouses and offices of the Nesbitt Company and announcing its willingness to accept consignments of fur skins, the Hudson's Bay Company carries on where Nesbitt Ltd. left off. H.B.C. will now be in a position to hold its auctions on its own premises.

The London market will be made all the stronger by the entrance of the Company as a consignment house, as it will naturally follow that the class of goods consigned will have to be up to a fine standard and will only be accepted from reputable and first-class firms.

By taking the lead in the London market, by setting the standard for all the trade, both in goods and in business principles, by inducing the best firms to send their best goods to the London market, by eliminating speculative bidding and by having great financial strength and sound business methods back of it, the Hudson's Bay Company has once more proved its ability to come through all kinds of trials and tribulations with flying colors.

Impressions of the Store Managers' Conference

By F. F. HARKER

Being comparatively a newcomer with the Hudson's Bay Company, judging by the long records of service of other managers present, I felt deeply moved by the cordial spirit of comradeship shown me by my co-partners.

I was greatly impressed by the frank way we were received by the Canadian Advisory Committee.

The conference was a remarkable one in many ways. It created a precedent, insofar that it was the first time in the history of the Company that managers of the many H.B.C. stores were gathered together for consultation, advice and mutual benefit.

I feel that this conference will prove the forerunner of an era of singular prosperity to the Company and of increased efficiency throughout the Company's stores.

Humorous Extracts from Some Official Letters

Written in all seriousness and not in the least intended to be humorous

By C. C. SINCLAIR

In an official letter from an outpost manager the activities of the opposition were reported upon as follows:

"_The opposition ain't raisin' no 'ell._"

By which it was assumed that the outpost manager was holding his own.

"_Dear Brother and Fellow Superior:_

"_I have spent a lonely and dissolute_ (meaning desolate) _winter,
owing to the loss of two good hunters and a beloved wife._"

* * * * *

"..._The canoes you sent up last fall arrived safely. Everything
was in order with the exception of one or two destitute items in
the displacement._"

* * * * *

"_I am very thankful for the increase of salary accorded to me by
the Commissioner. Now that I have my new eyes_ (meaning glasses)
_I am able to see better, and my new teeth help me to masticate my
food better, which aids the "deegestion" and keeps me in better
health so that I can do more work now. Now I think I am capable of
taking charge of a much larger Post than the one I am at._"

* * * * *

"_I could not make my cash agree with the books, but it agrees
now, because I made an entry 'To cast to cook the account,
$60.00.'_"

* * * * *

"_I am sorry that I caused you so much worry last fall when I
wrote you that I was at death's door and asking you to send my
successor, as I expected soon to enter the pearly gates._

"_I am sorry to say I recovered soon after and the black suit I
asked for to be buried in was not required. I had no mourning
envelopes on hand, so I blackened the edges of an official
envelope with ink, to advise you befittingly of my approaching
demise._"

* * * * *

"_Hereafter I am to receive my instructions from Fort ----. I am
sorry to leave you. We have differed sometimes about the orders
issued from time to time, but I have endeavoured to carry out the
instructions when I thought they were for the good of the post._"

* * * * *

"Some Reputation"

In looking over an old Hudson's Bay wharf with a view to repairs, the contractor remarked:

"Well! the piles are so badly eaten away, I'm hanged if I know what keeps the wharf up."

A bystander promptly replied:

"Nothing but the Company's reputation is keeping up that wharf, sir."

Suggestion Competition--Labrador District

In connection with awards made in the 250th Anniversary Suggestion Competition (Fur Trade department) it is to be noted that H.B.C. men in Hudson's Straits and Ungava (Labrador District) were without the opportunity of participating, owing to their extreme isolation in the far north.

First word of the competition was conveyed to these men by the Company's supply ship in August, 1920. With the landing of the supplies and preparation of the annual accounts, there was no opportunity for the men to write out their suggestions before the sailing of the supply ship on her homeward voyage. Since that time there has been no communication whatever with these posts.

It is regretted that owing to the short time between the receipt of the instructions regarding the competition and the date by which replies were to be in Winnipeg it was impossible for northern Labrador posts to participate.

FORT McMURRAY NEWS

_The H.B.C. motor tug_ "Nechemus," left McMurray for the north on May 12th, laden with horses and wagons together with the season's first shipment of freight for FitzGerald.

_The H.B.S.S. "Fort McMurray"_ sailed on May 13th on her second trip, bound for FitzGerald with a hundred and twenty tons of supplies for the northern posts. Passengers on the steamer included: J. G. M. Christie and wife, who are going to McPherson and back. Mr. Christie is a retired employee of the Company and is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances with H.B.C. men along the Mackenzie. Mrs. C. C. Sinclair, with Miss Sinclair, are going down to McPherson, and will join Mr. Sinclair, Manager of Athabasca-Mackenzie District.

Bishop Lucas, of the Anglican diocese of Mackenzie, was on his way to the land of the Midnight Sun. The bishop spent the winter in the old country, and is bound for his headquarters at Chipewyan.

H.B.C. Fur Trade Post on San Francisco Bay, 1824

_Company Did Not Own Million Acres of California Land, as Reported, but Had Two Fur Posts and Farms, Closed in 1832-49._

By C. H. FRENCH

_NOTE.--In a leading Western Canadian newspaper we read: "It is
not commonly known that at one time the Hudson's Bay Company owned
a million acres of land in California surrounding the present site
of the City of San Francisco. The importance of the great harbour
now known as the Golden Gate was not recognized and the area was
sold for one dollar an acre."_

When in 1824, shortly after the amalgamation of H.B.C. with the Northwest Company, the fur brigades under Sir George Simpson swept to the verge of the Pacific, north, west and southwest, the flag of H.B.C. was carried far down the California coast. One new fur trading establishment was planted by the Company at the Golden Gate San Francisco Bay; another was erected at Umpqua, not many miles to the northward.

Up to 1820 the only fur post on the Pacific coast between Sitka, Alaska, and southern California was Fort George. This post had been first opened by Astor of New York, but was taken over by H.B.C. at the time of the amalgamation with the Nor'westers. Meanwhile it had been re-christened "Fort George" by Captain Black of H.M.S. "Raccoon" in 1813.

From Fort William at the head of the Great Lakes came Dr. John McLaughlin, James Douglas and John Work, ordered by the Company to Fort George to take charge of the newly created Western Department of the H.B.C. fur trade. Dr. McLaughlin was in charge, James Douglas was accountant and John Work was what might be termed an explorer.

Dr. McLaughlin was a versatile man, but leaned towards the development of farming and stockraising, while John Work's only interest was in fur trading.

In 1824 they arrived at Fort George and at once mapped out plans for development of their department.

It was decided to abandon Fort George because the farming possibilities of the neighbourhood were not so promising as those of the country further up the river. A new site was selected just below the Willamette River, and the construction of Fort Vancouver (Washington) was commenced.