CHAPTER XIX 
THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY. HEARNE AND 
MACKENZIE, COOK AND PHIPPS 
We have seen how quickly a lucrative trade and 
remunerative returns followed on the heels of Arctic 
discoveries. It was so in the Spitsbergen seas, it was so 
in Greenland and Davis Strait, and now we shall see 
that it was so in Hudson's Bay. The Hudson's Bay 
Company, under the auspices of Prince Rupert, was 
founded in 1668, and an expedition was sent out, con- 
sisting of the ship Nonsuch, under the command of 
Captain Zachariah Gillam. That officer wintered with 
his crew in Rupert's river and established a station called 
Fort Charles. A charter was granted by which the sole 
right to trade in Hudson's Bay and Strait was given to 
the Company, with territorial rights and jurisdiction. 
Stations were formed and a trade in furs was established 
with the Indians, who received European goods in 
exchange. 
Discovery was not altogether neglected, although 
nothing was thought of but trade during the first 50 years. 
In 1720 a sloop was sent on a voyage of discovery under 
two officers named Knight and Barlow, but they were 
never heard of more. A Captain Scroggs was sent in 
search, but without result. Again in 1737 a sloop and 
shallop were despatched by the Company, also without 
result. 
In 1741 a Mr Arthur Dobbs became the chief projector 
of an expedition to discover a north-west passage by 
Hudson's Bay. The Admiralty gave assistance, and 
Captain Christopher Middleton received the command of 
an old bomb vessel called the Furnace, with a pink 
called the Discovery, under Captain William Moore, as 
a consort. Arriving late in the season of 1741, Captain 
