NORTHERN OCEAN 295 



been absent eighteen months and twenty-[303]three days 1772. 

 on this last expedition; but from my first setting out with-^*^"*' 

 Captain Chawchinaha, it was two years seven months and 

 twenty-four days. 



Though my discoveries are not likely to prove of any 

 material advantage to the Nation at large, or indeed to the 

 Hudson's Bay Company, yet I have the pleasure to think 

 that I have fully complied with the orders of my Masters, 

 and that it has put a final end to all disputes concerning 

 a North West Passage through Hudson's Bay. It will also 

 wipe off, in some measure, the ill-grounded and unjust asper- 

 sions of Dobbs, Ellis, Robson, and the American Traveller; 

 who have all taken much pains to condemn the conduct of 

 the Hudson's Bay Company, as being averse from discoveries, 

 and from enlarging their trade. ^ 



[^ Of the life at Fort Prince of Wales under Moses Norton in 177 1, during 

 the year of Hearne's absence on the Coppermine River, we have the following 

 interesting account by Andrew Graham, one of the factors of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company : — 



" Prince of Wales Fort. On a peninsula at the entrance of the Churchill 

 River. Most northern settlement of the Company. A stone fort, mounting 

 forty-two cannon [an error, as there are embrasures for only forty cannon 

 in the parapet of the fort], from six to twenty-four pounders. Opposite, on the 

 south side of the river, Cape Merry Battery, mounting six twenty-four pounders, 

 with lodge-house and powder magazine. The river 1006 yards wide. A ship 

 can anchor six miles above the fort. Tides carry salt water twelve miles up 

 the river. No springs near ; drink snow water nine months of the year. In 

 summer keep three draught horses to haul water and draw stones to finish 

 building the forts. 



"Staff: — A chief factor and officers, with sixty servants and tradesmen. 

 The council, with discretionary power, consists of chief factor, second factor, 

 surgeon, sloop and brig masters, and captain of Company's ship when in port. 

 These answer and sign the general letter, sent yearly to directors. The others 

 are accountant, trader, steward, armourer, ship-wright, carpenter, cooper, 

 blacksmith, mason, tailor, and labourers. These must not trade with natives, 

 under penalties for so doing. Council mess together, also servants. Called 

 by bell to duty, work from six to six in summer, eight to four in winter. Two 

 watch in winter, three in summer. In emergencies, tradesmen must work at 

 anything. Killing of partridges the most pleasant duty. 



" Company signs contract with servants for three or five years, with the 

 remarkable clause : ' Company may recall them home at any time without 



