XVI 



INTRODUCTION. 



We had the pleasure of meeting this 

 gentleman at York Factory, and witnessed 

 with peculiar delight the great benefit 

 which already marked his zealous and ju- 

 dicious conduct. Many of the traders, and 

 of the servants of the Company, had been 

 induced to marry the women with whom 

 they had cohabited ; a material step towards 

 the improvement of the females in that 

 country. 



Mr. West, under the sanction of the Di- 

 rectors, has also promoted a subscription 

 for the distribution of the Bible in every 

 part of the country where the Company's 

 Fur Trade has extended, and which has 

 met with very general support from the 

 resident chief factors, traders, and clerks. 

 The Directors of the Company are continu- 

 ing to reduce the distribution of spirits gra- 

 dually among the Indians, as well as towards 

 their own servants, with a view to the en- 



