CHAPTER VII. 



ABOUT INDIANS. 



The way in which the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany managed the Indians of Canada has ever 

 been admired by the people of the outside world. 

 Their fundamental rule and strict order to their 

 servants was never to break faith with an In- 

 dian. As time went on the Indians began to 

 realize fully that the company was in the coun- 

 try for their mutual benefit, not as aggressors, 

 land grabbers or people to take away their 

 vested rights. 



It soon became known that any promise 

 made to them by a Hudson's Bay officer was as 

 good as fulfilled. On the other hand, when 

 "No" was said it meant No every time and there 

 was never any vascillating policy. "Just and 

 Firm" was the motto in all the Company's deal- 

 ings with the natives and while they were at all 

 times prepared, as far as they could be, to meet 

 any trouble, yet they never provoked enmity. 

 To do so would have been antagonistic to their 

 interests even if justice and humanity were put 

 aside. 



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