Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-01

Radisson. They we're also told Of an
| inland sea to the north, far away,
where the winters we're very cold and
the furs abundant and choice. BY this
sea the Indians meant Hudson's bay
which Hendrick Hudson had found
half a century earlier. RadiSson built
post near where the city of Duluth
now stands, the first habitation OF
the white race In all the northwest.
After accommodating a large store of
furs,' Radisson started back for Quebec
with great fleet Of canoes, accom-
panied by 500 young Huron warriors,
who desired to visit the French settle
ments. Radisson arrived in Quebec
after two years absence and was re-
ceived with honor. His coming was
made a holiday The bells IN the
churches chimed a welcome, the bat
teries roared salutes, and the governor
was at the wharf to receive him. Ships
that had waited In vain for two years
for furs sailed for France with fun
cargoes. The adventure had brought
him fame and fortune.
Discover Old Fort
In a few months the comforts Of
civilization palled on Radisson and
GroSsiellers, and they decided to go
land sea of Indian legend. In New
France Of that day fur trading was
a monopoly. Traders had to procure
licenses from those In authority. The
French governor was willing TO grant
them license, but they must agree
to give him half the furs of their tax
ing. This they Indignantly refused to
do, and some time after their expedi-
ton left Quebec without official sane
ton.
For hundreds Of miles they travelled
north, over the waterways leading into
Hudson'S bay, every foot of their route
being virgin territory. At last, after
many hard portages and many fights
with the savages, they came, according
to the RadiSson narrative, ito the sea-
side, where we found an old house,
all demolished and battered with bull
let's We were in the bay Of the |
north" Perhaps this fort had been |
built by Hendrick Hudson. After sea-
son of profitable trade and some ex-
ploration by Radisson, they started on |
the return journey for Quebec with |
an imposing fleet Of $50 canoes, |
manned by TOO Indians and bearing
cargo Of furs Of value Of 100000
Governor Takes Furs
All New France rang with the fame
Of this exploit. But the governor, keen
for loot, threw them into prison and
confiscated the larger part Of their
flrs, holding that they were without
rights because they had no license to
trade. They invoked the law, but the
Judges were creatures of the governor
and they lost. When released they
vent to Boston. There Radisson met
a British commissioner, to whom he
old his tale. The commissioner in
iuced Radisson and Grosseillers to
accompany him to England, with the
dea Of interesting the king.
In London Radisson met Prince Ru-
1ert of Bohemia, cousin Of King
Charles Of England. Rupert was q
flashing figure Of a man who filled
he public eye Of his time. AS a naval
Cromwell When Cromwell won. Ru-
vert led those ships Of the navy which
emained loyal to the Stuarts to the
spanish Main. There Rupert hoisted
he black flag OF piracy, taking toll
1 all ships except the French, because
f the refuge the French king had
iven Charles Of England. Rupert, !
fter accommodating a fortune, went TO
rance. He found his royal cousin al
1ost pennileSs, became his banker. 1t
Tas Rupert's cash that helped Charles ]
in back the throne Of England
interest Prince Rupert
Radisson experienced no difficulty In !
Interesting Rupert, the adventurer,
no took the explorer to court and
resented him TO the king. Charles
,aned two ships to Radisson, Rupert I
nd his friends financing the venture.
hese ships sailed for HItdson's bay z
\ June 8, 1868. Radisson on the Eaglet {
nd Grossiellers on the Nonsuch.
forms drove the ships apart and all Z
ut wrecked the Eaglet, which a few Z
onths later, dmped back into the
names. The Nonsuch weathered the '
orm, sailed on into the Hudson's bay, p
Jing to the south shore where was e
Iund "the old house battered with b
Illets," as described by Radisson. IN g
ie time the Nonsuch returned TO 81
ngland with q cargo Of furs. F
Radisson was In high favor. Every r
he had made 70 his a
nglish hackers was more than sub p
antiated. The voyage had given the al
1gIish claim on the country visited. 7
-ince Rupert YVES enthusiastic. He re- oil
lived 10 60 into the fur trading busi- ca
SIS on q scale In keeping with his b!
NIX, and proceeded 10 organize al
mpany, Radisson assisting him. The HI
ng. who was 20 be q stockhoIder, Is
anted q charter 30 the @GentIemen q
lyenturers Of England, Trading into pl
. Hud@0nss Bay Thus came into M
ang the great HudsCnis Bay COM IN
NY. the cm@aea@m, 10 q very isxge a