287 



the existence of native copper was ascertained early in the eighteenth 

 century. The settlements, however, were few and far between, the Eu- 

 ropean population being principally engaged in the fur trade, while a 

 few devoted missionaries passed their lives in a vain endeavor to convert 

 the Indians to Cbristianity. Cadets of good families appear to have 

 been among the early settlers, if we can judge from the names still re- 

 maining, and the uniform politeness of the French kahitans, which have 

 survived nearly all other characteristics of the old regime. Detroit was 

 planted in 1701, by M. de la Motte Cadillac, with one hundred men 

 and a Jesuit; at which period bufialo ranged wild through the woods. 

 In 1760 this country fell into the hands of the British. In 1766 we 

 find the Hudson Bay Company extending their operations to this teri- 

 tory ; and in 1783 the North Western Company was formed for the pur- 

 pose of collecting furs in Michigan. The following table exhibits the 

 product of their trade for one year previous to 1774 : 



Beaver skins, 106,000 



Bearskins, 2,100 



Fox skins, 1,500 



Kitt fox skins, 4,000 



Otter, 4,600 



Musksquash skins, 16,000 



Martin Skins, 32,000 



Mink skins, 1,800 



Lynx skins, 6,000 



Wolverine skins, 600 



Fisher skins, 1,650 



Raccoon skins, _ 100 



Wolf skins, 3,800 



Elk skins, 700 



Deer skins, 750 



Deer skins, dressed, 1,200 



Buffalo robes, 500 



and a quantity of castorum. 



Montreal was the principal depot of the company, whence the skins 

 were shipped to England. 



Beavers have become all but extinct; and tTie wolverine, from which 



