PREFACE. 



XV 



for the relief of the Company from an increasing 

 burden, which is, to establish a settlement on the 

 Rainy Lake River, where the soil is excellent, to 

 which the people, above mentioned, may resort. 

 To enable them to make a beginning, in the culti- 

 vation of the land, and in the erection of mills, 

 &c. the Company propose to give them fifteen 

 or twenty thousand dollars, and to appoint one of 

 the Partners to superintend the affairs of the set- 

 tlement, for three years, or for a longer time, if it 

 shall be necessary. 



It appears highly probable, that a settlement 

 might thus be formed, which, in a few years, would 

 secure to those who should belong to it, the com- 

 forts of life, as the fruit of their own industry ; and 

 should they prosper, so far as to raise a supply 

 beyond their own necessities, it might, with mutu- 

 al advantage, be disposed of to the Company. 



The Partners and Clerks of the North West 

 Company, who are in the Indian country, as well 

 as some of these who reside in Canada, and else- 

 where, have subscribed several thousand dollars, 

 toward the establishment of a school, either at 

 the Rainy Lake, or at Fort William, for the in- 



