166 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
enquired of me whether I had fixed the Governor. I told him I was 
considering the Subject. Much Altercation took place between us. He 
threatened Protests, writing to Mr. Ellice,t &c. On Reflection I con- 
sidered that for a Point of Etiquette I might involve the Hudson Bay 
Company in Disputes and Arbitrations and I thought it better (and the 
more I see of Life the more I am convinced that the straightforward 
manly way without Twists and Turns is the best), at once to speak to 
Mr. Williams and state the whole case. This I did, and never in my 
Life have my Feelings received such relief as when he told me he had 
always intended to request the Appointment to the Southern Depart- 
ment. Here was a Load off my Heart, and all was easy and smooth, 
and I had again Reason (which indeed has marked every Step of my 
Mission) to return thanks to a gracious Providence for my Relief from 
this Situation of peculiar Difficulty and Delicacy. For I would not 
for the World have hurt the Feelings of a gallant manly Character who 
had so bravely defended the Rights of the Company at every personal 
Inconvenience and Hazard of his Life. Thus his Parting with me in 
the most affectionate and feeling Manner gave to my Mind a perfect 
Happiness and I trust proper Pride, amply repaying me for all the 
Anxieties and Privations which have attended by Mission. And this 
Feeling of Happiness and Pride was increased by the Manner in which 
the other Gentlemen took leave of me. It was an Earnest to me that 
they approved my Conduct and it shall [legible] them that so long as 
T continue in the Direction their Interests will be uppermost in my 
Thoughts and will never be forgotten and their hearty warm Cheers on 
my embarking shall ever be engraven on my Heart, a proud Gratifica- 
tion for the Past and Stimulus to Exertion for the Future. Thus has 
terminated my Mission to Ruperts Land, the last Gun fired from the 
Fort putting an End to the President of Council. What I now write is 
not in Vanity, for I trust my Mission has produced no Feelings of this 
kind, but of Gratification and pleasing Feelings which will accompany 
me to the Grave, in Adversity will give comfort and support to my 
mind, in Prosperity will add to my Enjoyment and in either will give 
me the Conviction that no Feelings in this Life are permanent, that 
what we the most wish for is often our Bane and that which we most 
dread proves to be in the End our greatest Happiness. Never shall I 
forget my Feelings on quitting England. All the dreadful Thoughts 
which crowded upon my Mind, Fears for the Future, and Dread of 
bodily Sufferings ending in Disease and continual Suffering, with my 

1 Edward Ellice,a leading partner of the N. W. Company, afterwards Privy 
Councillor. To his exertions mainly was due the union of the two great companies. 
See the Great Company (London, 1900), vol. ii., p. 217. 
