1744-1748.
War again with France -- Company takes Measures to Defend its
Forts and Property -- "Keep your guns loaded" -- Prince
"Charlie" -- His Stock in the Company Confiscated -- Further
Instructions to the Chief Factors -- Another Expedition to
Search for a North-West Passage -- Parliament Offers Twenty
Thousand Pounds Reward -- Cavalier Treatment from Governor
Norton -- Expedition Returns -- Dobbs' Enmity -- Privy Council
Refuse to Grant his Petition -- Press-gang Outrages -- Voyage
of the _Seahorse_.
[Sidenote: War with France.]
In the year 1740 the state of affairs in Europe seemed to point to war
between England and France. England had declared war against Spain,
and although for a time Lewis XV. and his ministers sympathized with
the latter country, they endeavoured to avoid being drawn into a
conflict with her powerful neighbour and hereditary enemy across the
Channel. Yet such a conflict seemed inevitable, when by degrees
Spanish commerce became shattered under the blows of King George's
navy. Apprehensive that England would wrest from Spain her colonies,
France resolved to take sides with Spain. In 1744 war was declared,
and hostilities, which had been in abeyance for thirty-one years, at
once recommenced in the transatlantic possessions of both crowns.
It was therefore decided at a general court of the Adventurers, at
which no fewer than seventy were present, to take measures to avoid a
repetition of the disasters of fifty years previously. They felt that
their enemies were now many, who would be glad to see them driven from
the Bay, and that less assistance might be expected from the
Government than at any of the crises which had previously overtaken
them. We have seen to what this was due. It now behooved the Company
to gird up its loins, and if the foe came, to strike, and strike with
force.
It was the Hudson's Bay Company against France and Spain. The incident
of Louisburg alone saved the Company from destruction.
To illustrate the temper of the Company instructions were immediately
drawn up by the Committee, and despatched to the chief factors in the
Bay. The one addressed to Joseph Isbister and Council at Albany Fort
was dated the 10th of May, 1744.
"The English and French having declared war," it ran, "against each
other, and the war with Spain still continuing, we do hereby strictly
direct you to be always on your guard, and to keep a good watch, and
that you keep all your men as near home as possible.
[Sidenote: Bellicose instructions from the Company.]
"We do also direct that you fix your cannon in the most proper places
to defend yourselves and annoy an enemy, after which you are to fire
each cannon once with powder to see how they prove, and instruct your
men to the use of them without firing; and that you keep them
constantly loaded with powder and ball, ready for service. You are
also to keep your small arms loaded and in good order and at hand, to
be easily come at; and that those loaded arms be drawn or discharged
once a month, and be well cleaned; and you are to exercise your men
once a week till they are well disciplined and afterwards once a
month. And you are also to keep a sufficient number of your trading
guns loaded and at hand in case of an attack; and if there be any
Indians that you can confide in, and will be of service in your
defence, we recommend it to you to employ them in such manner as you
think proper.
"We have wrote to the factory at Moose River, that in case they have
any intelligence of the French coming down that river to attack them,
they are immediately to send you notice thereof, that you may make the
necessary preparations for your defence, and that there be a constant
correspondence and intelligence between each factory for the safety of
both.
"As we rely on the courage and conduct of Mr. Isbister, our chief, in
case of an attack from the enemy, which, if done at all on your
factory, we apprehend it will be by land in the winter, from Canada;
in which case the enemy not being able to bring down any cannon with
them, we doubt not of your frustrating their designs and repulsing
them.
"In case you are attacked at Henly House, and notwithstanding a
vigorous resistance you should have the misfortune to be overpowered,
then you are to nail up the cannon, blow up the House, and destroy
everything that can be of service to the enemy, and make the best
retreat you can to the factory." The letters to the other Governors
were in similar strain.
The Company directed Isbister to get "the best information you can
from the trading Indians, whether the French are making any
preparations to come down to the factory, or have lodged any
provisions, stores or ammunition at certain distances from their
supply. We also direct you, for your better security, at all times to
keep two Indians in the factory with civil and kind usage, and send
them out every morning for intelligence, to a proper distance, so that
they may return in the evening; and provided that they do not return
that it be an alarm to you, and that you thereupon prepare yourselves
for a vigorous defence. But," it was added, "you must not, upon any
consideration, let those Indians have the least knowledge of the use
you intend to make of their not returning."
[Sidenote: Letters of marque to the Company's ships.]
At the Company's urgent request letters of marque were granted to the
_Prince Rupert_ against both France and Spain. The _Prince Rupert_ was
one hundred and eighty tons burthen, and the crews were full of
expectation that the voyage would yield them a prize of some sort or
another. But they were destined not merely to be disappointed, but to
be given a great fright into the bargain. When in the neighbourhood of
Davis' Straits, where a whale fishery was established, several large
vessels were sighted. They seemed to the Company's captain undoubtedly
French men-of-war. Filled with fear, he immediately turned round in
his tracks and bore away as fast as his sails could carry him, and
after beating about for a time managed to pass through the straits
unobserved. So convinced were the Company on the return of its ship in
the autumn that the French were lying in wait for its ships at the
straits, they sought the Admiralty with a request for a convoy to York
Fort, to return with its vessels the following autumn.
A convoy was granted, but it was hardly necessary. Louisburg had
fallen, and all the strength the French could muster was being
directed in an attempt to win back that fortress from the English. No
French ships could therefore be spared to cruise north of latitude
fifty in North America.
[Sidenote: Confiscation of Prince Charlie's stock.]
One consequence of the war with France was a revival of the hopes of
the Jacobites. In 1744 Charles Edward, the grandson of James II., was
placed by Lewis in command of "a formidable armament," and in the
following year the young Pretender placed his foot on a little island
of the Hebrides, where for three weeks he stood almost alone. But the
Highland blood was fired; the clans rallied to the standard of "Prince
Charlie," and when he began his march on Edinburgh, several thousand
Scottish zealots had rallied to his standard. "James the Eighth" was
proclaimed at the Town Cross of the capital, and when his troops and
the English regiments met at Preston Pans, in September, the latter
were defeated with heavy loss. But although this victory swelled his
numbers it did not bring the Lowlanders and English to fight for him.
"Hardly a man," we are told, "had risen in his support as he passed
through the districts where Jacobitism boasted of its strength. The
people flocked to see his march as if it had been a show. Catholics
and Tories abounded in Lancashire, but only a single squire took up
arms." The knell of Jacobitism was rung, and after a brief success the
English forces fell upon Prince Charles Edward at Culloden Moor, and
cut his little army to pieces. Fifty of his followers and adherents in
England ascended the scaffold; Lords Lovat, Balmerino and Kilmarnock
were beheaded, and over forty noblemen and gentlemen were attainted by
Act of Parliament. Scarcely a month had elapsed from Charles Edward's
escape to France after his romantic adventures, when a motion was
submitted to the Governor and Company of Adventurers in England
trading into Hudson's Bay, ordering the confiscation of the stock held
by the heir of the second Governor of the Company, King James II. The
exiled monarch had never relinquished his share, and under the name of
"John Stanion" the dividends had always reached him. But the Jacobite
rising affected his fellow-adventurers' complaisance, and by 1746
"John Stanion" had ceased to figure as an active partner of the
Company.[60]
Under date of 3rd of May, 1745, the Company wrote to Governor Isbister
and Council, at Albany Fort, to say that they had "augmented the
complement of men (as you desired) at your Factory and Moose Fort,
that in case of need you may assist each other, and thereby we hope
you will be enabled to baffle the designs of the enemy.
"We do direct," it pursued, "that not only a continual correspondence
be kept between you and Moose Fort, but that you correspond with the
Factory at Slude River, York Fort, and Prince of Wales' Fort as often
as you can, and if under any apprehensions of an attack, to give
immediate notice to Moose Fort. We still recommend your diligence in
getting intelligence and information of the designs of the French."
[Sidenote: Further instructions to Company's officials.]
It also urged Governor Pilgrim and Council, at Prince of Wales' Fort,
"to keep a good watch, and your men near home, except those that are
guarding the battery at Cape Merry, but not to hinder a proper number
to be employed in providing a sufficient quantity of the country
provisions to prevent the complaint of those persons that murmur for
want of victuals; and we recommend sobriety, that you may be capable
of making a vigorous defence if attacked.
"We again recommend your keeping the land, round the Fort and the
Battery at Cape Merry, free from everything that may possibly
conceal or shelter an enemy, that you may thereby prevent being
surprised.
"We again direct that you keep up a general correspondence with all
the Factories, and get what intelligence you can of the designs of the
French."
[Illustration: PLANS OF YORK AND PRINCE OF WALES' FORTS.]
The course of events now bids us return to Dobbs and the renewed
endeavours to find a north-west passage through the Company's
territory.
A number of public-spirited persons came forward for the prosecution
of the design. Parliament was urged to act in the matter, and a bill
was carried, offering a reward of twenty thousand pounds for the
discovery of the north-west passage.
[Sidenote: Parliament and the North-West passage.]
"Whereas," ran the Act, "the discovering of a north-west passage
through Hudson's Straits, to the Western American Ocean, will be of
great Benefit and advantage to the trade of this Kingdom; and whereas
it will be a great encouragement to Adventurers to attempt the same,
if a public reward was given to such person or persons as shall make a
perfect discovery of the said passage: May it therefore please your
Majesty that it may be enacted; and be it enacted by the King's Most
Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament
assembled, and by the authority of the same, that if any ship or
vessel, ships or vessels belonging to any of his Majesty's subjects,
shall find out and sail through any passage by sea between Hudson's
Bay and the Western and Southern Ocean of America, the owner or owners
of such ship or ships, vessel or vessels as aforesaid, so first
finding out and sailing through the said passage, his or their
executors, administrators or assigns shall be entitled to receive and
shall receive as a reward for such discovery, the sum of twenty
thousand pounds."
Parliament took care, however, to declare that nothing in the Act
should "in any ways extend or be construed to take away or prejudice
any of the estates, rights or privileges of or belonging to the
Governor and Company of Adventurers trading into Hudson's Bay."
With such encouragement, it was not long before a North-West
Association was formed for the raising of £10,000, which sum it was
thought would answer the necessary expense of the proposed expedition.
The ships bought by the Committee were one of one hundred and eighty
tons, called the _Dobbs' Galley_, and another of one hundred and forty
tons, to which the name of the _California_ was given. Each of these
vessels was got ready, and a sufficient quantity of stores and
provisions put on board. A cargo of merchandise, suitable for presents
to the natives was put on board, after assurance to the Hudson's Bay
Company that these would not be used for purpose of barter. The
command of the _Dobbs' Galley_ was entrusted to Captain William Moor,
an old servant of the Company; that of the _California_ being given to
Francis Smith. By way of encouragement, premiums were settled on
officers and crew, in case of success. Thus the captain was to have
£500, each of the mates £200, and every other officer and seaman a
reward suitable to his station. Over and above all this, in case they
were so fortunate as to take any prizes, such were to belong entirely
to them.
[Sidenote: Expedition of the North-West Association.]
On the 10th of May the expedition started. In order that they might
get safely beyond the British Isles without danger from the French
privateersmen, the Admiralty appointed a convoy to meet them at the
Island of Pomona, in the Orkneys. Judge of their surprise to find this
convoy commanded by Captain Middleton himself, on board the _Shark_.
Some days later the explorer of 1742 and the explorers of 1746 bade
farewell to one another.
For some months the ships cruised about the Bay. At last, in
September, it was decided to set about preparations for wintering in
some part of Hays' River. This they found in a creek about five miles
above York Factory, on the south side of the stream. The locality was,
perhaps, hardly congenial in a social sense.
[Sidenote: Governor Norton.]
"The Governor," says one who accompanied the expedition as the agent
of the patrons,[61] "being now convinced of our intentions to winter
there, used his utmost endeavours that we might lay our ships below
the fort, in a place open to the sea, where they would have been in
all probability beat to pieces, either from the waves of the sea
setting in or the breaking of the ice; but as his arguments were of no
efficacy in persuading us, and finding himself disappointed in this,
as in his former scheme, being still resolved to distress us as much
as possible, he sent most of the Indians, whose chief employment is to
kill deer, geese, etc., into the country, on purpose that we might not
make use of them in that way, or be in any wise benefited by their
means."
[Illustration: CONTEMPORARY MAP SHOWING THE HAYS' RIVER.]
The charge that Governor Norton desired the destruction of the ships
is too absurd to refute at this late day; nevertheless there is
little doubt that the explorers believed it, and anything else their
inflamed imaginations and prejudices against the Company suggested.
Even when Norton designed to show them kindness, the design was
twisted into one of sinister shape. For instance, hearing that their
supply of liquor was short, when Christmas came around, he sent as a
present to the explorers, at the little log-house they had christened
Montague House, a couple of casks of brandy with which to make good
cheer. Soon afterwards scurvy broke out, and the disease was set down
immediately to the brandy. "Our people had been healthy enough
before," says Ellis.
But even when the scurvy had carried off several of the men at
Montague House, Governor Norton was alleged to have refused both to
succour or to suggest a remedy. "The Indians were charged not to come
near us, or to furnish us with anything (and this out of consideration
for them), because we had a contagious distemper amongst us." Norton's
sole view in all his actions is represented to have been to hinder and
distress the explorers, "which," remarks the writer quoted,
philosophically, "is the encouragement that all are to expect who go
in search of a north-west passage _from such neighbours_."
When spring came the expedition resumed its labours. It is said the
crews were full of alacrity and cheerfulness. One honest seaman,
"whose sole delight was a delicious dram," was so enthusiastic over
the discovery that "in the warm sincerity of his heart he could not
help saying, with a good, round oath, 'Now, I had rather find the
north-west passage than half an anchor of brandy!'"
[Sidenote: Return of the expedition to England.]
The summer was spent in coasting the whole north-west side of the Bay.
But, alas, the north-west passage so ardently and characteristically
desired by the "honest sea-man," was not found, and by the 14th of
October the expedition was back again in England, after an absence of
one year four months and seventeen days. The explorers and the patrons
might well have been discouraged from further attempts, albeit they
returned, we are told, "with clearer and fuller proofs, founded on
plain facts and accurate experiments, that such a passage existed."
Nevertheless, if the Company breathed easier on their return, it was a
temporary relief. A new trial was in store for the Honourable
Adventurers.
In 1748, war still continuing with France and Spain, the Company again
issued strict orders to Governor Spence at Albany Fort to be always on
his guard, and "to keep a good watch and your men near home, but not
to hinder a proper number to be employed in providing a sufficient
quantity of the country provisions, particularly geese, which we find
you constantly employ the Indians only to kill for you, and which we
are dissatisfied with; that being such a material article, you ought
always to blend some of your people with the natives in the goose
seasons, that they may understand how to kill them, and thereby lessen
your dependence on the native hunters."
To the Governor of Prince of Wales' Fort it directed that he should
"constantly keep his great guns loaded with powder and ball ready for
service during the time the rivers are open. You are also to keep your
small arms loaded and in good order, and at hand, to be easily come
at, which loaded arms and cannon are to be drawn once a month and well
cleaned, and to exercise your men as often as requisite, whom we
expect by this time are artists, not only in the use of small arms but
also of cannon, that the great expense we have been at in this
particular may answer the end proposed thereby in case of an attack.
You are also to keep a sufficient number of your trading guns loaded
and at hand, which charges are also to be drawn every month, and if
there be any Indians you can confide in, and will be of service to you
in your defence, we recommend it to you to employ them in such manner
as you think proper."
Certainly if a French commander of even Iberville's power had appeared
before the forts of the Company in 1748 he would have met with a far
different reception to that which was offered to that champion in
1697.
The Company suffered much from the press-gangs, from time to time, and
in eras of war the evil was almost intolerable. It was well-known that
the sailors in its employ were amongst the ablest and hardiest on the
high seas, which fact exposed them perpetually to the onslaughts of
the crimps and bullies.
In 1739 the Company's vessel, the _Seahorse_, was intercepted by the
man-of-war _Warwick_, and seventeen men of the _Seahorse_ crew
captured by the press-gang for services in the navy.
That the _Seahorse_ might not be totally without servants, a number of
incompetent landsmen were put aboard in their stead. Nevertheless, the
voyage was continued to the Bay, although not without great peril, not
arriving until 27th of September. The voyage of the disabled
_Seahorse_ was long a tradition in the Company's service.
[Sidenote: Dobb's petition rejected by a Parliamentary committee.]
By an Order-in-Council dated the 4th of February, 1748, a petition
from Arthur Dobbs and members of a committee appointed by the
subscribers for finding out a passage to the Western and Southern
Ocean of America, "was referred to the consideration of a committee of
Parliament." After hearing counsel for and against the Company, this
committee of two members decided that "considering how long the
Company have enjoyed and acted under this charter without interruption
or encroachment, we cannot think it advisable for his Majesty to make
any express or implied declaration against the validity of it till
there has been some judgment of a court of justice to warrant it."
Dobbs and his friends were enraged at this decision, and lost no time
in taking other steps.
FOOTNOTES:
[60] The name of John Stanion certainly appears in the list of
proprietors of Hudson's Bay stock, published in 1749, but it is
followed by the significant term _deceased_.
[61] Henry Ellis.