KING COMPANY. 39 



year 1821, nine years after the first establishment of 

 the colony, that these unfortunate settlers succeeded 

 in reaping to any extent the fruits of their labours. 

 The North- West Company was at that time amal- 

 gamated with the Hudson's Bay Company, when the 

 colonists were left in peace, and have steadily, though 

 slowly, progressed up to the present time. The only 

 misfortune which has since occurred to them was a 

 disastrous flood, which swept away horses, cattle, and 

 corn-stacks, as well as several of the inhabitants. (^) 



In 1862 we found them a very heterogeneous com- 

 munity of about eight thousand souls — Enghshmen, 

 Irishmen, Scotchmen, English Canadians, French 

 Canadians, Americans, English half-breeds, Canadian 

 half-breeds, and Indians. Nearly the whole population, 

 with the exception of a few storekeepers and free- 

 traders, live by the Company, and the Company is 

 king. The Company makes the laws, buys the pro- 

 duce of the chase and of the farm, supplying in return 

 the other necessaries and the luxuries of life. 



The farmers of Red River are wealthy in flocks, 

 and herds, and grain, more than sufficient for their own 

 wants, and live in comparative comfort. The soil is 

 so fertile, that wheat is raised year after year on the 

 same land, and yields fifty and sixty bushels to the 

 acre, without any manure being required. The pas- 

 turage is of the finest quality, and unlimited in extent. 

 The countless herds of buffalo which the land has 



Q) About tlie year 1835 the colony passed into the possession of 

 the Hudson's Bay Company, by purchase from Lord Selkirk's execu- 

 tors. This, however, made but little change in its condition, the 

 government having been exercised by the Company, for Lord Selkirk 

 and his executors, from the first foundation of the colony. 



