276 THKOUGH THE MACKENZIE BASIN 



as by the United Companies since 1821 ; but the writer 

 must, however, 'be pardoned for making one or two out of 

 numerous published references thereto. Bancroft, the Amer- 

 ican historian, writes that, in his opinion, — 



Of all associations formed at any time or place for the purpose 

 of obtaining the skins of fur-bearing animals, the North-West Com- 

 pany of Montreal was the most daring, dashing, audacious and 

 ultimately successful. Its energy was only surpassed by the apathy 

 of its great chartered rival, which had been in existence one hun- 

 dred and thirteen years. Canada had been twenty years in British 

 possession when it was organized, without assistance, .privileges 

 or government favours, by a few Scottish Canadians for the better 

 prosecution of a business with which they were all more or less 

 familiar. 



Simon Dawson, chief surveyor of the Hind Expedition 

 of ISSY-S'S, who had visited Forts Garry, EUice, Swan 

 River, and many other Hudson's Bay Company's posts, has 

 put himself on record thus: 



It is impossible not to admire the order and system which are 

 everywhere observed in the management of the Company's posts 

 and trade. It is a vast system of economy, carried out with the 

 utmost sagacity and foresight in all its details, and a system, too, 

 which seems to work equally well under circumstances widely 

 different. In the back settlements of Canada, as on the stormy 

 shores of Labrador, among the warring tribes of the plains, or in 

 the frozen regions of the far north, it seems to be alike successful. 

 An organization so perfect can only be traced to the agency of 

 superior management, and I am of the opinion that the success 

 of the United Companies is as much due to the high talent of the 

 officers who have the direction of their affairs as to other circum- 

 stances to which it is more frequently attributed, and there can 

 be no doubt that the same judgment, care and economy brought 

 to bear on any pursuit would meet with a very marked measure of 

 success. 



In course of a speech delivered in Winnipeg, in October, 

 1881, the Marquis of Lome, then Governor-General of 

 Canada and now Duke of Argyll, said: 



Let me advert for one moment to some of the causes which 

 have enabled settlers in this vast North-West country to enjoy in 



