\ IRRATn 1 . [o.; 



that, in the desperate a which these corporations mi 



for the p • it trade, the Indians often became the 



dupes of whichever party appeared, at the moment, to post 

 the power of influencing them. The event referred to, took 



place near the close of a long Struggle in which the spirit of Op- 

 positi >:i had reached its acme, in which company was furiously 

 arrayed against company, charter against charter, and agent 

 against agent A period, at which, like the increasing em i . 

 of two powerful bodies moving towards each other, they v. 



ned to come into violent contact, and the destruction of one, 

 or both, seemed inevitable. The dispute respecting terri: 

 which imbittered the strife, appeared to be carried on, not so 

 much from political ambition or the intrinsic value of the soil, 

 as to decide which party should have the exclusive right of 

 gleaning from the lodges of the unfortunate natives, the only 

 commodity worth disputing for — their furs and peltries. A 

 question, in which the Indians, in reality, had no other interest, 

 but that which a serf may be supposed to feel on an exchange 

 of masters, in which he has neither the right to choose nor the 

 power to reject. Whichever party prevailed, they were sure 

 to loose or gain nothing, if they kept aloof from the contest, or 

 if they had any hopes from its effects upon their condition, i: 

 arose more from a prolongation, than a termination of the rival- 

 ry, as they were sure to fare better, both " in script and store," 

 so long as they possessed the option of rival markets. 



temple had accepted a governorship, which the late John 

 Johnston, E^<p had the forecast to refuse. He appeared to be a 

 man zealously devoted to the objects of the company (the llud- 

 'a Bay) whose interests were committed to him. But he 

 docs not appcaF clearly to have perceived the great differ 

 which circumstances had interposed b tween a magistracy in 

 an £ - tnd Scottish country, and the naked solitudes of Red 

 Uiver. He sallied forth himself, with a considerable retinu 

 read the riot act. to a disorderly and threatening assemhlj 

 all kind- lation, on the plains. Th 



