204 Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [vol. ix 



I have here made out concerning this mine, and the way to it, upon the 

 report of the Indians and of Governor Norton, it follows, even to demon- 

 stration : 



"ist. That neither Wager River nor any other river or sea does 

 extend so far westward, from any part of Hudson's Bay in less than lati- 

 tude 65°, as to cross the Route that lies between Wager River and the 

 mine. And, 



"2dly, That if there be any passage at all, it must run up so high north- 

 ward, as to cross the parallel of 67° on the east side of the mine, and con- 

 sequently must be frozen up, and absolutely unnavigable the whole 

 Year."* 



A brief reference to the map of Canada will indicate to you how 

 nearly correct Captain Middleton was able to judge of the position of 

 the Coppermine country, and at the same time it is difficult to avoid the 

 conclusion that Richard Norton, his informant, had either visited the 

 country himself or had gained a very just idea of its position through 

 his intimate knowledge of the Indian language and character. 



In 1719 the directors of the Hudson's Bay Company ordered Mr. 

 Norton, upon application of his mother on his behalf, a gratuity of £15 

 on account of having "endured great hardships in travelling with the 

 Indians," *^ doubtless on this journey to or towards the Coppermine 

 country. With reference to this journey a Captain Carruthers, who was 

 in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company states in the Parliamentary 

 Report of 1749 that he "himself carried Mr. Norton, who was afterwards 

 Governor, and two Northern Indians, to Churchill, where he put them 

 in a canoe; and the purpose of this voyage was to make discoveries, 

 and encourage the Indians to come down to trade, and bring Copper 

 Ore."« 



In the same Parliamentary Report, Alexander Brown, a surgeon 

 who had been for six years in the Company's service, testified that the 

 Indians "brought down the ore at the request of Governor Norton," 

 and also "that he had heard the late Mr. Norton say that he had been 

 at this Mine, and that a considerable quantity of Copper might be brought 

 down."*^ 



During this same time Captain Knight, who had been in charge of 

 a number of the Company's posts on Hudson Bay, and who was himself 

 the founder of Churchill, had also seen some of this copper ore and had 



* A Vindication of the Conduct of Captain Christopher Middleton in a late voyage 

 on board His Majesty's Ship Furnace, by Capt. C. Middleton. London, 1743. P. 41. 



*' Report from the Committee Appointed to inquire into the state and condition of 

 the Countries adjoining to Hudson's Bay. London. Govt. 1749, p. 276. 



*2 Report from the Committee, 1749, p. 231, 



*' Report 1749, p. 226. 



