THE PUR-TRADE OF THE HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORIES. 309 



crease of their expenditure ; and thus the Hudson's Bay Company, which used 

 to gratify its shareholders with dividends of 50 and 25 per cent., was unable, 



from 1808 to 1814, to distribute a single shilling among them. At length wis- 

 dom prevailed over passion, and the enemies came to a resolution which, if 



