SIR G. SIMPSON--HIS ADMINISTRATION.
Sir George Simpson commenced his career as a clerk in a respectable
counting-house in London, where his talents soon advanced him to the
first seat at the desk. He was in this situation when first introduced
to the notice of a member of the Committee of the Hudson's Bay
Company, who were at that time engaged in the ruinous competition with
the North-West Company already referred to. While the contest was
at its height, the Company sent out Mr. Simpson as Governor of the
Northern department;--an appointment for which, by his abilities
natural and acquired, he was well qualified. Mr. Simpson combined with
the prepossessing manners of a gentleman all the craft and subtlety of
an intriguing courtier; while his cold and callous heart was incapable
of sympathising with the woes and pains of his fellow-men. On his
first arrival, he carefully concealed from those whom he was about
to supersede, the powers with which he was invested; he studied
the characters of individuals, scrutinized in secret their mode of
managing affairs, and when he had made himself fully acquainted with
every particular he desired to know, he produced his commission;--a
circumstance that proved as unexpected as it was unsatisfactory to
those whose interests it affected.
Making every allowance for Sir George's abilities, he is evidently
one of those men whom the blind goddess "delighteth to honour." Soon
after assuming the supreme command, the North-West wintering partners
undertook the mission to England, already mentioned, which led to
the coalition; and thus Sir George found himself, by a concurrence of
circumstances quite independent of his merits, placed at the head of
both parties; from being Governor of Rupert's Land his jurisdiction
now included the whole of the Indian territory from Hudson's Bay to
the shores of the Pacific Ocean; and the Southern department, at that
time a separate command, was soon after added to his government. Here,
then, was a field worthy of his talents; and that he did every manner
of justice to it, no one can deny. Yet he owes much of his success
to the valuable assistance rendered him by Mr. McTavish; at his
suggestion, the whole business was re-organized, a thousand abuses
in the management of affairs were reformed, and a strict system
of economy was introduced where formerly boundless extravagance
prevailed. To effect these salutary measures, however, much tact
was required: and here Sir George's abilities shone conspicuous.
The long-continued strife between the two companies had engendered
feelings of envy and animosity, which could not subside in a day; and
the steps that had been taken to bring about the coalition, created
much ill-will even among the North-West partners themselves. Nor were
the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company without their dissensions
also. To harmonize these elements of discord, to reconcile the
different parties thus brought so suddenly and unexpectedly together
into one fold, was a task of the utmost difficulty to accomplish; but
Sir George was equal to it. He soon discovered that the North-West
partners possessed both the will and the ability to thwart and defeat
such of his plans as were not satisfactory to themselves; that
they were by far the most numerous in the Council--at that time
an independent body--and the best acquainted with the trade of the
Northern department, the most important in the territory; and finding,
after some experience, that while those gentlemen continued united,
their power was beyond his control, and that to resist them openly
would only bring ruin on himself, without any benefit to the concern,
he prudently gave way to their influence; and instead of forcing
himself against the stream, allowed himself apparently to be carried
along with it.
For a time, he seemed to promote all the views of his late
adversaries; he yielded a ready and gracious acquiescence in their
wishes; he lavished his bows, and smiles, and honied words on them
all; and played his part so well, that the North-Westers thought they
had actually gained him over to their own side; while the gentlemen of
the Hudson's Bay Company branded him as a traitor, who had abandoned
his own party and gone over to the enemy.
The Committee received several hints of the Governor's "strange
management," but they only smiled at the insinuations, as they
perfectly understood the policy. His well-digested schemes had, in due
time, all the success he anticipated.
Having thus completely gained the confidence of the North-West
partners, his policy began gradually to unfold itself. One
obstreperous North-Wester was sent to the Columbia; another to the
Montreal department, where "their able services could not be dispensed
with;" and thus in the course of a few years he got rid of all those
refractory spirits who dared to tell him their minds.
The North-West nonconformists being in this manner disposed of, Sir
George deemed it no longer necessary to wear the mask. His old friends
of the Hudson's Bay, or "sky-blue" party, were gradually received into
favour; his power daily gained the ascendant, and at this moment Sir
George Simpson's rule is more absolute than that of any governor under
the British crown, as his influence with the Committee enables him to
carry into effect any measure he may recommend. That one possessed
of an authority so unbounded should often abuse his power is not to
be wondered at; and that the abuse of power thus tolerated should
degenerate into tyranny is but the natural consequence of human
weakness and depravity. The question is--Is it consistent with
prudence to allow an _individual_ to assume and retain such power?
Most of the Company's officers enter the service while yet very young;
none are so young, however, as not to be aware of the privileges to
which they are entitled as British subjects, and that they have a
right to enjoy those privileges while they tread on British soil.
The oft repeated acts of tyranny of which the autocrat of "all Prince
Rupert's Land and its dependencies" has lately been guilty, have
accordingly created a feeling of discontent which, if it could be
freely expressed, would be heard from the shores of the Pacific to
Labrador.
Unfortunately, the Company's servants are so situated, that they dare
not express their sentiments freely. The clerk knows that if he is
heard to utter a word of disapprobation, it is carried to the ears of
his sovereign lord, and his prospects of advancement are marred for
ever; he therefore submits to his grievances in silence. The chief
trader has probably a large family to support, has been thirty or
forty years in the service, and is daily looking forward to the other
step: he too is silent. The chief factor has a situation of importance
in which his vanity is gratified and his comfort secured; to
express his opinion freely might risk the sacrifice of some of these
advantages; so he also swallows the pill without daring to complain of
its bitterness, and is silent.
A very valuable piece of plate was, some years ago, presented to
Sir George by the commissioned gentlemen in the service, as a mark
of respect and esteem; and this circumstance may be adduced by Sir
George's friends, with every appearance of reason, as a proof of his
popularity; but the matter is easily explained. Some two or three
persons who share Sir George's favour, determine among themselves
to present him with some token of their gratitude. They address a
circular on the subject to all the Company's officers, well knowing
that none dare refuse in the face of the whole country to subscribe
their name. The same cogent reasons that suppress the utterance of
discontent compelled the Company's servants to subscribe to this
testimonial; and the subscription list accordingly exhibits, with few
exceptions, the names of every commissioned gentleman in the service;
while two-thirds of them would much rather have withheld their
signatures.
Sir George owes his ribbon to the successful issue of the Arctic
expedition conducted by Messrs. Dease and Simpson. His share of the
merit consisted in drawing out instructions for those gentlemen,
which occupied about half-an-hour of his time at the desk. It is
quite certain that the expedition owed none of its success to those
instructions. The chief of the party, Mr. Dease, was at least as well
qualified to give as to receive instructions; and Sir George is well
aware of the fact. He knows, too, that Mr. Dease was engaged in
the Arctic expedition under Sir J. Franklin, where he acquired that
experience which brought this important yet hazardous undertaking to
a successful issue; he knows also that in an enterprise of this kind
a thousand contingencies may arise, which must be left entirely to the
judgment of those engaged in it to provide against.
Sir George, nevertheless, obtained the chief honours; but the bauble
perishes with him; while the courage, the energy and the perseverance
of Mr. Dease and his colleague will ever be a subject of admiration to
those who peruse the narrative of their adventures.
Sir George's administration, it is granted, has been a successful
one; yet his own friends will admit that much of this success must
be ascribed to his good fortune rather than to his talents. The
North-West Company had previously reduced the business to a perfect
system, which he had only to follow. It is true he introduced great
economy into every department; but the North-West Company had done
so before him, and the wasteful extravagance which preceded his
appointment was entirely the result of the rivalry between the two
companies, and under any governor whatever would have ceased when the
coalition was effected.
Not a little, too, of Sir George's economy was of "the penny-wise and
pound-foolish" kind. Thus it has been already observed, that the lives
of the Company's servants, and the property of an entire district,
were placed in extreme jeopardy by his false economy; and a
contingency, which no prudent man would have calculated upon,
alone prevented a catastrophe which involved the destruction of the
Company's property to a large amount, as well as of the lives of its
servants. But independently of this, he has committed several errors
of a most serious kind. Of these the chief is the Ungava adventure,
an enterprise which was begun in opposition to the opinion of every
gentleman in the country whose experience enabled him to form a
correct judgment in the matter; and this undertaking was persisted in,
year after year, at an enormous loss to the Company. Finally, he has
not even the merit of correcting his own blunders. It was not till
after a mass of evidence of the strongest kind was laid before the
Committee, that they, in his absence, gave orders for the abandonment
of the hopeless project.
His caprice, his favouritism, his disregard of merit in granting
promotion, it will be allowed, could not have a favourable effect on
the Company's interests. His want of feeling has been mentioned: a
single example of this will close these remarks. A gentleman of high
rank in the service, whose wife was dangerously ill, received orders
to proceed on a journey of nearly 5,000 miles. Aware that his duty
required a prompt obedience to these orders, he set off, taking her
along with him. On arriving at the end of the first stage, she became
worse; and medical assistance being procured, the physicians were of
opinion that in all probability death would be the consequence if he
continued his journey. A certificate to this effect was forwarded to
Sir George. The answer was, that Madame's health must not interfere
with the Company's service; and that he must continue his journey, or
abide the consequences.
In consequence of this delay, he only reached Montreal on the day when
the boats were to leave Lachine for the interior. He hurried to the
office, where he met Sir George, and was received by him with the cool
remark--
"You are late, Sir; but if you use expedition you may yet be in time
for the boats."
He earnestly begged for some delay, but in vain. No regard was paid to
his entreaties; and he was obliged to hurry his wife off to Lachine,
and put her on board a common canoe, where there is no accommodation
for a sick person, and where no assistance could be procured, even in
the last extremity.
VOCABULARY OF THE PRINCIPAL INDIAN DIALECTS IN USE AMONG THE TRIBES IN
THE HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY.
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| | SAUTEU, or | | BEAVER | |
| ENGLISH. | OGIBOIS. | CREE. | INDIAN. | CHIPPEWAYAN. |
|-----------|---------------|-------------|--------------|--------------|
| One | Pejik | Pay ak | It la day | Ittla h[=e] |
| Two | Neesh | Neesho | Onk shay day | Nank hay |
| Three | Nisway | Nisto | Ta day | Ta he |
| Four | Neowin | Neo | Dini day | Dunk he |
| Five | N[=a] nan | Nay n[=a] | Tlat zoon e | Sa soot |
| | | nan | de ay | la he |
| Six | Ni got as way | Nigotwassik | Int zud ha | L'goot ha hé |
| Seven | Nish was | Tay pa | Ta e wayt | Tluz ud |
| | way | goop | zay | dunk he |
| Eight | Shwas way | Ea naneo | Etzud een | L'goot dung |
| | | | tay | he |
| Nine | Sang | Kay gat me | Kala gay ne | Itla ud ha |
| | | t[=a] tat | ad ay | |
| Ten | Quaitch | Me ta tat | Kay nay day | Hona |
| Eleven | Aji pay jik | Payak ai | Tlad ay | Itla, ja |
| | | wak | may day | idel |
| Twelve | Aji neesh | Neesh way | Ong shay day | Nank hay, |
| | | ai wok | may day | ja idel |
| Twenty | Neej ta na | Neesh | Ong ka gay | Ta he, ja |
| | | tan ao | nay day | idel |
| Thirty | Nisway | Neo | Tao gay | |
| | mittana | meatanao | nay day | |
| Forty | Neo mittana | &c. | Deo gay | |
| | | | nay day | |
| Fifty | Nanan mittana | &c. | | |
| Sixty | Nigot asway | | | |
| | mittana | | | |
| Seventy | Nish was way | | | |
| | mittana | | | |
| Eighty | Shwas way | | | |
| | mittana | | | |
| Ninety | Sang mittana | | | |
| One | Ni goot wack | Me ta tin | Kay nay tay | Itla honan |
| hundred | | mittanao | | nanana. |
| How often | Anin. tas | Tan mat | Tan ay tien | Itla hon |
| | ink | ta to | | eeltay. |
| How many | Anin ain | Tan ay | Tan ay | Itla elday. |
| | tas ink | ta tik | tien | |
| How long | Anapé apin | Ta ispi | A shay | Itla hon |
| since | aijo | aspin | doo yay | il tao. |
| When | Anapé | Ta is pi | Dee ad | Itlao. |
| | | | doo yay | |
| To-day | Nongum | Anootch kee | Doo jay | Deerd sin |
| | kajigack | je gak | nee ay | o gay. |
| To-morrow | Wabunk | Wa bakay | Ghad ay zay | Campay. |
| Yesterday | Chen[=a]ngo | Ta goosh | Ghagh ganno | Hozud |
| | | ick | | singay. |
| This year | Nongum egee | Anootch | Doo la | Do uz sin e |
| | wang | egee | | gay. |
| | | kee wang | | |
| This | Wà á. | Awa pee | Teeay tee | Dirius |
| month | Ke[=e]sis | shum | za | a gay. |
| A man | Ininé | N[=a] bay o | Taz eu | Dinnay you. |
| A woman | Ikway | Isk way o | Iay quay | Tzay quay. |
| A girl | Ikway says | Isk way | Id az oo | Ed dinna |
| | | shish | | gay. |
| A boy | Quee we says | Na bay | Taz yuz é | Dinnay yoo |
| | | shish | | azay. |
| Inter- | Oten way ta | On tway ta | Nao day ay | Dinnay tee |
| preter | ma gay | ma gay o | | ghaltay. |
| Trader | Ata way | Ataway | Meeoo tay | Ma kad ray. |
| | ini niu | ininiu | | |
| Moose- | Moze | Mozwa | Tlay tchin | Tunnehee |
| Deer | | | tay | hee. |
| Rein-Deer | Attick | Attick | May tzee | Ed hun. |
| Beaver | Amick | Amisk | Tza | Tza. |
| Dog | Ani moosh | Attim | Tlee | Tlee. |
| Rabbit | Waboose | Waboose | Kagh | Kagh. |
| Bear | Maqua | Masqua | Zus | Zus. |
| Wolf | Ma ing an | Mahigan | Tshee o nay | Noo nee yay. |
| Fox | Wa goosh | Ma kay | E. yay thay | Nag hee |
| | | shish | | dthay. |
| I hunt | Ni ge oz | Ni m[=a] | Na o zed | Naz uz ay. |
| | ay | tchin | | |
| Thou | Ki ge oz | Ki ma tchin | Nodzed | Nan ul zay. |
| huntest | ay | | | |
| He hunts | Ge oz ay | Ma tchio | Nazin zed | Nal zay. |
| We hunt | Ni ge oz | Ni ma | Naze zedeo | Na il zay. |
| | ay min | tchinan | | |
| Ye hunt | Ki ge | Ki ma | Nazin zedeo | Nal zin |
| | oz aim | tchinawao | | al day. |
| They hunt | Ge oz ay | Matchiwog | Owadié tzed | Na hal zay. |
| | wok | | | |
| I kill | Ni ne ta | Ni mi na | Uz éay gha | Zil tir. |
| | gay | hon | | |
| Thou | Ki ne ta | Ki mi na | Uz éay ghan | Zil nil tir. |
| killest | gay | hon | | |
| He kills | Ne ta gay | Minaho | Ud zeay gha | Tla in il |
| | | | | tir. |
| We kill | Ni ne ta | Ni mina | Uz ugho-ghay | Tla in il |
| | gay min | honan | uzin | dir. |
| Ye kill | Ki ne ta | Kim in a | Uz ugho ghay | Zee ool dir. |
| | gaim | honawa | uzin | |
| They kill | Ne ta | Minahowog | Utza ghay | Tla in |
| | gay wok | | agho | il tay. |
| I laugh | Ni baap | Ni baap in | Utzay rad | Naz-lo. |
| | | | lotsh | |
| Thou | Ki baap | Ki baap in | Utlint lotsh | Na-id-lo. |
| laughest | | | | |
| He laughs | Baapé | Baapio | Utroz lotsh | Nad-lo. |
| We laugh | Ni baap | Ni baap | Utlo wod | Tlo |
| | imin | in an | lotshay | a-ee-el-tee.|
| Ye laugh | Ki baapim | Ki baapin | Tlodzud | Tlo gha |
| | | a wao | udzee | ee-ol-tee. |
| They | Baap ewog | Baapiwog | Tlodzud | Tlo-gha- |
| laugh | | | udzee | ee-el-tee. |
| I trade | Ni da ta | Ni da d[=a] | Mata oz lay | Naz nee. |
| | way | wan | | |
| Thou | Ki da ta | Ki da d[=a] | Mata an | Na el nee. |
| tradest | way | wan | eelay | |
| He trades | Ataway | Atawayo | Kita od | Na el nee. |
| | | | eenla | |
| We trade | Ni da ta | Nin da t[=a]| Mata ad oz | Na-da-ell |
| | way min | wan an | id la | nee. |
| Ye trade | Ki da ta | Ki da t[=a] | Mata a la | Na ool nee. |
| | way min | wan o wa | ozayo | |
| They trade| A ta way | Ata way wok | Ma t[=a] a | Eghon a el |
| | wok | | leeay la | nee. |
| I fight | Ni me gaz | Ni no ti | Magad ay a | Din[=i] gun |
| | | ni gan | | as tir. |
| Thou | Ki me gaz | Ki no ti | Magad osee | Dini gun a |
| fightest | | ni gan | ya la | ee dthir |
| He fights | Mi gazo | No ti ni | -- | -- |
| | | gay o | | |
| We fight | Ni me | Nino ti ni | -- | -- |
| | gazomin | g[=a]n an | | |
| Ye fight | Ki me gazom | Ki no ti ni | -- | -- |
| | | gan a wao | | |
| They | Mi guz | Notini gay | -- | -- |
| fight | o wog | wok | | |
| I set | Ni bug-é | Ni bug-e | Zoo meet la | Tloo e |
| a net | ta wa | ta wan | uz loo | kanistan. |
| Thou | Ki bug-e | Ki bug-e | Too meet | Tloo é kan |
| settest | ta wa | ta wan | lan itlo | e than. |
| a net | | | | |
| He sets | Bug-e ta wa | Bug-e ta | Ta eet loon | Tloo e kan |
| a net | | wao | | ethan loay.|
| We set | Ni bug-e ta | Ni bug-e ta | Ta ghoo loo | Tloo e kan |
| a net | wa min | w[=a]nan | hoon | oodthan. |
| Ye set | Ni bug-é | Ki bug-e | Ta ghoo loo | Tloo e kan |
| a net | ta wam | ta-wan a | uz éo | eehtan. |
| | | wao | | |
| They set | Bug-e ta | Bug-e-ta-wa | Too milt at | -- |
| a net | w[=a] wog | wog | la oozoon | |
| I sail | Ni be mash | Ni be | -- | -- |
| | | mashin | | |
| Thou | Ki be mash | Ki be | -- | -- |
| sailest | | mashin | | |
| He sails | Bi mash é | Be mash eo | -- | -- |
| We sail | Ni bi | Ni bi | -- | -- |
| | mishimin | mashinan | | |
| Ye sail | Ki bi | Ki bi mashin| -- | -- |
| | mash im | a wao | | |
| They sail | Bi mash | Be mash | -- | -- |
| | i wog | i wog | | |
| I sleep | Ni ni b[=a] | Ni ni ban | Zus tee ay | Thee id ghee.|
| Thou | Ki ni ba | Ki ni ban | Zin tee ay | Theend ghee. |
| sleepest| | | | |
| He sleeps | Ni ba | Ni ba o | Na gho tee | Thad ghee. |
| | | | azay | |
| We sleep | Ni ni b[=a] | Ni ni b[=a]n| Zut ié tsho | Theed |
| | min | an | | gh[=a]z |
| Ye sleep | Ki ni bam | Ki ni ban | Tsuz ié | Thood ghaz |
| | | [=a] wao | tsho | |
| They | Ni ba wog | Ni ba wog | Tsugh ien | Hay ud |
| sleep | | | tiez | ghaz |
| I drink | Ni minik way | Ni minik wan| Uzto | Haysta |
| Thou | Ki minik way | Ki minik | Nadho | Nad-ha |
| drinkest | | wan | | |
| He drinks | Minik way | Minik way o | Ughiehedo | Ee ed ha |
| We drink | Ni minik | Ni minik | May ee ta | Heel tell |
| | way min | w[=a]nan | | |
| Ye drink | Ki mink waim | Ki minik | May lee | Hool tell |
| | | wan[=a]wao| ta la | |
| They | Minikway wog | Minikway wok| May atta | He el tell |
| drink | | | | |
| I want to | Ni we | Ni we | O ghoz to | Oz ta in |
| drink | miniquay | miniquan | | is tan |
| Drink | Minik quaine | Minik quay | Llhad ho | Ned ha |
| Eat | Wiss in | Mee tisso | In tzits | Zinhud hee |
| Sleep | Ni b[=a]n | Ni ba | Njuz ti ay | Dthin ghee |
| Go away | Eko k[=a]n | Awiss tay | E yow é | E you |
| | | | tshay | issay |
| Come here | Undass is | Ass-tum | Tee ad zay | E youk |
| | han | | | uz ay |
| Tell him | Win da ma o | Wi da ma o | Tee ay tin | Hal in nee |
| | | | day | |
| Trade | At[=a]waine | Ataway | Tee ay gho | Na il nee |
| | | | tsho | |
| Whence | Andé | Tanté way | Tee ay ghay | Ed luzeet |
| do you | wentchipai | to tay | dzin aghon | gho adzee |
| come? | an | | dee ay | an adee |
| Where | Andé aish | Tanté ay to | Tee ay ghay | Ed luzeet |
| are you | [=a]e an | tay an | de [=a]za | hee hee |
| going? | | | | ya |
| Be quick | Wee weep é | Kee-ee pee | Dzag ghay | Ee-gha |
| | tan | | | |
| I shoot | Ni bas giss | Ni bas giss | A jes tee o | A yous |
| | é gay | é gan | | kay |
| Thou | Ki bas giss | Ki bas giss | A tee tshe | Ahil kay |
| shootest| é gay | é gan | etsh | |
| He shoots | B[=a]s giss | Bas giss | Agha tee et | Ahil guth |
| | e gay | e gay-o | yetsh | |
| We shoot | Ni bas gisse | Ni bas gisse| Ateed yetsh | Ahel keeth |
| | gay min | g[=a]n an | | |
| Ye | Ki bas gisse | Ki bas giss | Atad yetsh | Er. ool |
| shoot | game | é gan [=a]| | keeth. |
| | | wao | | |
| They | B[=a]s gisse | Bas giss é | Aza du ghad | Tay ar el |
| shoot | gay wog | gay wog | yetsh | keeth. |
| A Gun | B[=a]s gisse | Bas giss é | Tié yaz o o | Tel git |
| | gan | gan | | hay. |
| Powder | Makatay | Kas. ki tay | Al aizay | Tel ge |
| | | o | | gonna. |
| Shot | She shep ass | Nisk ass in | Noo tay | Telt hay. |
| | nin | ee a | ad-o o | |
| Give me | Meesh ish in | Mee an | Tes yay | Daz ee. |
| I give | Ki mee nin | Ki mee | Nan uz lay | Na gha on |
| you | | ni tin | | in in nee. |
| Look | In [=a] bin | Et[=a] bi | Ag gan eetha | Ghon el lee. |
| Wait | Pee ton | Pay ho | Ad oog-a. | Gad day. |
| Tobacco | Na say ma | Na stay mao | Aday ka yazé | Sel tooe. |
| Pipe | Poagan | Os poagan | Tsee ay | Dthay. |
| Net | Assup | A he apee | Too me | Dtka bill. |
| Fish | Kee k[=o] | Kee no | Tloo | Tloo-ay. |
| | | shay o | | |
| Flesh | Wee-ass | Wee ass | Ad zun | Berr. |
| River | See pé | See pé | Za ghay | D[=a]z. |
| Lake | Sa ka i gan | Sa ka i gan | Meet hay | Nad koo al |
| | | | | ta. |
| Water | Nee pee | Nee pee | Too | Too. |
| Summer | Nee been | Nee been |Ad o lay | Seen nay. |
| Winter | Pay poon | Pay pun | Ealk hay ay | Gh[=a] e |
| | | | | yay. |
| Spring | See goan | Me as gamin | Do o | Tloo guth. |
| Autumn | Tag w[=a] gin | Tag w[=a] | Edoo | Ghao ud |
| | | gin | aidlosin | azay. |
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THE END.