Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-21

of land passing to Canada to appease
public sentiment in 1870. The capital
iZation of the company was modest,
about $1,000. There is no written evil
dence of Radisson being a stakeholder.
Rupert was made governor, a man
named Bayly resident governor on the
bay, with Radisson as chief adviser.
Two ships, again borrowed from the
navy, sailing in the spring of 1873,
arrived at their destination in due time
and began trade.
Radisson Refused Work as Porter
In the years that had elapsed since
Radisson's departure for New France
the French had awakened to the fact
an empire was at stake. Explorers
and Jesuits were sent into the Hud-
tact with a Jesuit who brought letters
to Radisson from his relatives in Three
Rivers. Bayly accused Radisson of
treachery. Radisson thrashed the gov
ernor soundly and with Grossiellers
fled south to New France. He sailed
to England and laid his COMPLAINT
against the governor, but was coldly
received. In disgust be quit the serv-
ice of the company which he had done
SO much TO create.
France was under secret treaty with
England to give Rupert a free hand in
the Hudson's Bay. but the stories of
great wealth coming out of the north
excited the cupidity of King Louis XIV.
He realized that when the governor of
New France repudiated Radisson a
great domain had been forfeited. There
were probably new lands to be discov-
cred which the English claims did not
cover, and Radisson, in his appeal to
the king. found a friend. He was
financed. sent back to the land of his
discovery and told to accomplish what
he could in exploration for France. but
to act as though on his own RESPONSE
bility and protect his royal patron.
Louis XIV did not realize the ex-
tent to which this resourceful man
would go. Radisson organized a small
expedition. q few dependable men, went
into the Hudson's Bay country, cap
tured the resident governor and his
men. burned the British fort, took
possession of the land in the name of
Frances seized a Hudson's Bay ship,
and. with his prisoners, sailed for
Quebec. thinking he had made a bold
stroke for King Louis.
But the French government was
playing fast and loose with poor Raids
son. who knew nothing of the secret
treaty. Id barre, tHe SONtTuoT VI
New France, would lend no counter
ance to Radisson's conquest of British
territory. The English prisoners were
released, and Radisson. practically
under arrest, ordered back to France.
At the French court he was publicly
reprimanded. but secretly encouraged.
He was told that after the trouble
blew over he could have a ship and
backing for further exploration. This
he refused.
The English were double dealing
too. While they were insisting that
France punish Radisson, they were
secretly endeavoring to seduce him
away from his French association.
Possibly both governments knew more
about the situation thar would be adj
Finally the French decided to
Radisson back to England with
written authority to turn back to the
company all French rights that had
been acquired through Radisson's conf
quest. This Radisson did on the %assur-
ance of England that he would be taken
care of. He was received with honor
by the "Adventurers" and employed as
superintendent. A few years later he
was dropped from the rolls. There is
a record in the archives of the COM
pany that in his old age he applied for
a position as warehousekeeper, and
was denied him. The man who
half a continent died in obs
curity and want.
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