Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-09

cram what is the object they mean to attain 2"
50 Liberty sire; replied the philosopher liner
ty-that ..cedom which is the birth-riyht OF
man." The King, after short pause, made this
memorable answer was born Prince 4
mbecomc IL King; and will not use the pow
er possess. TO lie rsn of my trade. WIS
born to connand-slnd the people are born tn
oDeN.
From The Bostca Daily AdrertiSer, oct. 26.1
LORD sELklRk * rmg NORTHWEST COMPANY
The Montreal papers are filled with tue con
troversy between the Earl of Scikirk and the
partners of the North-W est Company. 1t may
be interesting TO the reader IN this country 10
know something of so important aquarrCl the
scene of which is onour own borders. We.
therefore, undertake In give bricfaccount OF
the dispute, as we collect il from the papers, "
other information incur reach.
In the year 1888, II company WAS formed sole
|. for the purpose of carrying OH the fur trade
called the N2yth-tJest COmIuny, which com
parry ever since its establishment has carried
an extensive trade, annually sending their
agents through All immense tract of country,
Ia the western extremity of the continent. The
headquarters of the company were at TT Viii
liam OH Thunder Bay, near the Northwestern
extremity OF Lake Superior, and principal
settlement at Red River, near the Northwest
ern angle OF the United States territories,
and three thousand miles Westward from Mon
tteai, where most OF the partners of the compa-
ny reside.
The Hudson-Ba Company, which had CARR
ed on its trading operations from York Facto-
ry, on Hudsons Bay had frequently had COLI
SONS with this Company. This latter company
is Of much longer stauding, and holds existence
under charter from the King of Great Bri-
tam, granted abouttwo hundred years ago.
This company claims territorial jurisdiction,
and il monopoly of the trade over AN immense
tiactof country, in which the Northwest com
panies have their principal settlements.
The Earl Ot Selkirk, who was "A proprietor
OF this company, has recently obtained from
the company, grant OF more than 10000
s9uare mics of land, including the country in
which the Red River settlement is stuatctl.-
Over THIS country his Lordship appointed MIR.
Robert Sempie governor general. MIR. Sem
pie arrivcdat York Factory from England,
vernment until Winter. 4 party, however of
the Hudson-Bay people, took possession of the
itcd River settlement III the Autumn. During
the Ninter,it rs complained by one party. that
the iudson-BaS company were making con-
slant depredations upon the settlements and
property OF the other company, and by the 9TH
cr party, that the North - est company were
making preparations fora hostile invasionupon
their rivals
No event ola very important nature is rea-
ted until the 9th of June, when the following
bloody transaction took place. Ii is so various
iyreiated, that we quote an account of 1t from
each OF the opposing parties. The first is from
- friend OF the \ orthWest company:
Mr.. Semple, still believing the ball at his
foot threatened destruction TO all around AMI
erecting batteries atthe seat of government,
TO prevent the North VI cst company from pass
ing with their property. The remaining North
West proprietor lii that quarter, finding the diff
hcultes which he had to surmount, directed
discourse with his charge by another route. As
the passage by this route would be attended
with loss of time and much trouble, and would
cause much disappointment to the parties con-
cernod, who might be waiting at the usual de-
pot, and in want, the proprietor thought pru-
dent to dispatch two carloads of provisions in
the usual direction, butthrough the plains, with
an escort or guard of fifty men, who had posi-
.iye instructions to pass on quietly, and as far
pehind the settlement as possible, in hopes of
gaming the place appointed unmolested. The
advance OF the escort, consisting of twenty or
twenty-five men, passed on with their charge
without being perceived, and meeting man
from the settlement, they brought HIM with
them part OF the way to prevent discovery
1 he rear-guard, who We're riding carelesslv a.
long the edge of the morass, about four miles
distant from the settlement, were observed by
the encouragement from Ills room, which was
III an upper story. The governor in tone OF
surprise exclaimed there they are, and immedi-
atciy sailed forth at the head OF thirty of his
best warriors, completely armed with nuskets,
MED bay ontts, &C. The escort seeing this par
~ pressing forward and gaining ground, halted
and dispatched one of the party, Canadian
who spoke English, TO inquire into the object
OF the pursuit
g The Canadian with the best intentions adj
vanccd, and was surprised when Mr. Semplc
seized the bride of his horse, and laid hold of
himself as prisoner The Canadian desired
Mr. Semplc 10 desiSt, otherwise he would not
answer for the safety ofliis party Mr.. Semple
fceiGg indignant, called out to his men to blow
out his brains, His mencXciaiGled-G Good God
Sir-if we fire, we are all dead Fire Won cow
ards! cujoincd he-t.iis is no time for reflecti-
on. AT tlissevere reprimand, a shot was fired
at the Canadian, but missed hill-meantime an
indian seeing the struggle, left the escort wa |
WING ms hand, and calling out aloud Peace |
Peace! do notguarei, irIendsl Mlstakng per
llaps ms intentions, shot was fired at him
the bail passed through his blank et-he return
ed the fire with ei,cct--tiIen d Volley was porr-
Ell upon the escort, winch Killed Que and Woun- |
ded another OF the party. The escort no ion |
ger in doubt of the hostile views of governor |
Semple, prepared for action, took their dis |
lance, and formed themselves into an extensive |
line, describing a halfmoOn-and opened |
dreadful fire. which in an instant brought MIR. !
oeinple and most oi the party TO the ground A |
reinforcement from the settlement appeared |
III tIIcrear with piece OF ordinance, which |
bur tpriiniDg several lines. The escort resist |
ed this party also, ami droveit with prccpita- |
ton back into the settlement. Thus having !
cleared the field, the escort joined their friends,
who by this time had come 10 their assistance
and returned TO their destination accompanied |
by two % MIR. Sempic's party, whose lives were |
saved by the ntrepidIty of two Canadians who |
happened to- be present Such is "A short but |
true account of the battle fought four miles be- |
low the settlement OF Red River on the I9,h of |
june last, between two parties of equal num-
hers. MIR. Semple and twenty-One of his party !
were kiiicd-and there were several wounded
The escort had one killed and one wounded"
10 ne cOHtiHUed.)
From the National Infehigencer.1
Erfr0rf of Teffer frou D- & 7 1T;f.bcU