, 1857-05-15


= Northwestern Companies were well known.
These two companies at length amalgama-
ted under the title Of the Hudson's Bay
Company, and at present possessed almost
! exclusive administration over the territory
extending from Hudson's Bay TO the
Pacific, and including VancOuver's Island.
Under their FIRST charter Of the year
1910, the company claimed 10 possess
rights over the important territory, com
priscd in what was called in question, but
was confirmed by the then law officers Of
the Crown, who, however, recommended on
appeal to the Judiciary Committee OF tho
Privy Council, which, however, was not at
tended to. The right of the company over
Rupert'S land then had never been disprov-
cd. But the trade Of this company extended
to the more important territory Of British
Oregon, held under royal license for 2l
years, expiring in 1859, and to Vanconv-
er's Island, which they held under q lease
granted for | | years, which also expires in
1859. The company had demanded with
justice, to learn whether these licenses
would be renewed, as it took time to re-
duce the operations Of such company.
Under these circumstances he had thought
it right, before taking any steps, to ask
the opinion of the House Of Commons upon
the question. OF course, over so extensive
tract of country, instances Of oppression
are TO be found; they were, in fact, iDeyita-
BILE; but on the whole, the Hudson's Bay
Company had been desirous Of promoting,
and they bad promoted, the welfare OF the
native tribes Of red men, still comprising q
population Of 800, 900; and they had res
trained, as far as possible everywhere, and
away from the boarders entirely, the des-
tructive sale Of ardent spirits among them.
As preliminary to the present motion, he
had communicated on the subject with the
Governor of Canada; and he has reason to
believe that the committee would have tho
advantage Of hearing evidence from that
colony.
Mr. Roebuck thought the Hudson's Bay
Company, as fur company, must neces-
sariy be opposed to colonization. The
trapper desired to continue the solitudes
for the sake Of the wild animals procuring
the fur; the settler always drove these ami
mails befor him. According to Gibbon,
dense forests and wild animals prevailed in
Gaul and Germany during the dominion Of
the Romans. These had vanished before
civilization and cultivation; and the same
result was open to North America The
latitude Of Quebec was that OF Italy; and
the clearing Of forests and drainage Of
morasses would make the British posses
sions in North America equally fertile with
the most favored parts Of Europe. He
trusted then that the country would be
colonized, and that It might form kind Of
counterpoise to the excessive growth Of
the United States. But the Hudson's
Bay Company cultivated wildernesses and
peltry; its object was TO keep up tho wilder
ness for the sake Of the furs. The object
of England should be 10 break up the viii
derness, and to GIL the country, not With
foxes and beavers and peltry animals, but
with men. He would like to see an oct
passed to deprive the company Of It's priyil-
ege.
Mr.. Addeslay contended that inquiry
was not needed. Colonization Of the
Hudson's Bay territories was inevitable;
and If Engkand did not CoL0nize IL the
United STATES toOBld. The interest Of the
Hudson's Bay Company was to prevent
colonization. As to their charter Whatev-
er might be said in its favor. It would be
upset by the natural right Of man. Twas
absurd to say, that, either by charter or
by legislation great continent should be
shut up, in order TO promote the growth Of
fnrs The growth Of lurs aud the growth
Of colonization were incompatible, and the
former must give way. A committee would
do one good Il would place on record
the fact, that the territory was totally un6t
for penal colony. M ~
Mr.. Ellice, Jr., asked what form Of
government was to be submitted for the
rule Of the Hudson's Bay Company.
should that company be released from the
care Of the native population. Their
government was peculiar aud adapted to
the peculiar habits and wants Of that popu-
lation. Granting that for company hail
nothing to do with colonization, and that
nothing but necessity could justify their
being placed in the situation OF governors,
still colonies had grown up under the care
Of the company; Red river, for INSTANCE,
possessing colony Of 1000 persons. Ge-
ographically, the territory Of the Hudsous
bay company was more nearly allied 70
the United States than to Canada. n
the charter Of the company was intrinsieal-
ly good for nothing, still it had lasted two
hundred years; it had been recognized BY
the government and by the British House
Of Commons as q convenience, aud the
: company, should their charter not be re-
newed, had fair claim on the co1sidera-
ton of the British Legislature NaReOarey's
Island 1as peculiarly adopted for coloni=ltiOH,
and he company had BHdsriGksn 10 eolOnizs
il on The part Of nc gOusrl~eHi. The select
committee would elicit valuable information
( on an important subject.
}, Mr.. Gladstone rejoice that this topic
had been introduced to the notice Of the
House Of Commons by his right honorable
friend, the Secretary Of the Colonies. SO
far from blaming the Hudsou's Bay Compa-
ny for having taken advantage Of the