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

extent, of Radisson, a penniless adj
venturer Of the new world.
Gave America Away
This charter was most comprehen-
sive document. BY it King Charles
gave his kinsman and associates two
thirds of North America-the greatest
gift that ever passed from the hand
of one man since the world began. It
gave to Rupert and his associates the
land outright, all the furs in the for
eSts, all the fish in the waters, the
right TO make war, coin money, and
administer justice, high and low. The
head of the adventures was practical
~ viceroy Of half the new world. In
consideration of this gift Charles was
TO have annually two elk and two
black beaver, q tribute which King
George Of England receives to this
day. How king and prince must have
chuckled when they quaffed their
beakerS over this annual tribute.
Charles had paid his debt TO his
cousin and a pirates loot had bought
tWo-thirds Of a continent.
The charter continued In full force
for three centuries, certain rights as
TO government and title to large areas
of land passing to Canada to appease
public sentiment In 1870. The capital-
cation of the company was modest.
about $4,000. There Is no written evil
dence Of Radisson being q stakeholder.
Rupert was made governor, q 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.
Accused Of Treachery
In the years that had elapsed since
RadisSon's departure from New France
the French had awakened to the fact
that an empire was at stake. Explor-
ers and Jesuits we're sent into the
HudSon's bay country. Bayly came In
contact with a Jesuit who brought |
letters to Radisson from his relatives |
in Three Rivers. Bayly accused Raids |
son Of treachery. Radisson thrashed |
the governor soundly and with Gros- !,
SELLERS fled south to New France. He I
sailed TO England and laid his com (
plant against the governor, but was /
coldly received. In disgust he quit the |
service of the company which he had /
done so much to create.
France was under secret treaty with (
to give Rupert free hand
In the Hldson'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
ands to be discovered which the Eng
ish claims did not cover, and Raids
ION, In his appeal 10 the king, found
/ friend He was financed, sent back
% the land Of his discovery and told
% accomplish what he could IN ex-
)loration for France, but TO act as
hough on his own responsibility and
,rotect his royal patron.
surns British Fort
Louis XIV did not realize the extent
0 which this resourceful man would
70. Radisson organized q small expe-
lition q few dependable men, went
nto the Hudson's bay country, cap
ured the resident governor and his
len, burned the British fort, took pos
ession of the land In the name OF
rance, seized a Hudson's bay ship, and
nth his prisoners. sailed for Quebec,
linking he had made bold stroke for
ling Louis.
But the French government was
laying fast and loose with poor
ADDISON, who knew nothing Of the
scret treaty. La Barre, the q vernon
New France. would lend no coun-
snance 20 Radisson's conquest Of
ritish territory. The English prisoners
ere released, and Radisson, practical
under arrest, ordered back TO
rance. At the French court he was
ublicly reprimanded, but secretly en-
1uraged. He was told that after the
'ouble blew over he could have q
lip and backing for further explors-
on. This he refused
les in Poverty
The English were double-dealing too.
lille they were insisting that France
lnish Radisson, they were secretly
TO seduce him away from
q French association. Possibly both
lvernments knew more about the
tuation than would be admitted
naIly the French decided 70 send
adisson back TO England with written
ithority TO turn back to the fur COM
my all French rights that had been
qutred through RadiSson's conquest.
ais Radisson did on the assurance
England that he would be taken
re Of. H. was received with honor
the Adventures" and employed
superintendent A few years later
was dropped from the rolls. There
q record In the archives Of the
mpany that tn his cid age he ap-
ed for a position as warehouse
eper, and this was denied him. The
an who explored half a continent :.
~ m Ssaeazrtfg and want.