229 



CHAP. XII. 



TRINITY. PENTECOST. MARGARET. 



INGE we commenced jot- 

 ting down our reminis- 

 cences in the foregoing 

 pages, we have had fre- 

 quent occasion to make 

 mention of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, and we 

 think it is not improbable 

 that our readers might wish 

 to know something more of 

 that honourable body than 



is to be found in those allusions, and therefore furnish them 



with the following sketch.* 



* In the year 1669, a company was formed in London, under the direc- 

 tion of Prince Rupert, for the purpose of prosecuting the fur trade in the 

 regions surrounding Hudson's Bay. This company obtained a charter from 

 Charles II., granting to them and their successors, under the name of " The 

 Governor and Company of Adventurers trading into Hudson's Bay," the 

 sole right of trading in all the country watered by rivers flowing into 

 Hudson's Bay. This charter also authorised them to build and fit out 

 men-of-war, establish forts, prevent any other company from carrying on 

 trade with the natives in their territories, and required that they should do 

 all in their power to promote discovery. 



Q3 



