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THE DOMAIN OF AN EMPEROR
GOVERNOR SIMPSON had
a remarkable faculty of adapting himself to his surroundings, and
soon caught the spirit of the fur traders. He was far from being a
mere money-maker—a business automaton. He was fond of the social
life which had been developed in the precincts of the Hudson's Bay
Company's posts. New Year's Day, St. Andrew's Day, and probably
other notable days were observed, and the Indians, only too prone to
indulge their idle habits, were glad to fall in with such cheerful
interruptions to the monotony of life.
On these holidays and
especially for the week between Christmas and the New Year, there
was at times too great a tendency to indulgence. But Governor
Simpson was in thorough harmony with the fur traders' customs. No
doubt he found it necessary to maintain an attitude of strict
opposition to the use of strong drink in dealing with the Indians,
but with the occasional relaxation of rules at set times he was iii
perfect sympathy.
This dual character
in the governor also showed itself in business matters. He was a
keen business man. Before his time, in the conflict of the
companies, business had languished and both companies suffered heavy
loss. New establishments had been built out of pure rivalry, and
many of them were far from paying for themselves. With remorseless
exactness and thoroughness Governor Simpson dealt with these, closed
them, reduced their expenditure, or reorganized their methods. But
with all this there was in the governor an unusual love of pomp and
show. This was a very valuable element in impressing the Indian
imagination, and could have been justified on business grounds, but
it was with the governor rather a piece of thorough enjoyment—a
survival of his boyish nature, when, with the aid of decorated
canoes and flags and music, he disported himself in the pageants of
the traders.
In the seventh year
of his governorship he made a notable voyage through his fur-trading
domain from York Factory to Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River. It
is fortunate for us that there was with the governor a gentleman,
Archibald Macdonald, who had the "pen of a ready writer," and who
has left us a most readable description of the journey in a small
work entitled, "Peace River; a Canoe Voyage from the Hudson Bay to
the Pacific."
The departure of the
expedition on its transcontinental trip was a great event at York
Factory. Two light canoes were very thoroughly fitted up for the
journey—tents for camping, utensils for the camp-fire, arms to meet
any danger, provisions in plenty, wine for the gentlemen and spirits
for the voyageurs. Each canoe carried nine picked men, and from
Governor Simpson's reputation as a swift traveller it was quite
understood that their lot would not be an easy one.
On July 28th, 1828,
fourteen chief officers—factors and traders—and an equal number of
clerks were gathered together at the Factory to inaugurate the great
voyage. The event had gathered the whole Indian community about the
posts, and probably no greater spectacle had taken place at York
Factory since Miles Macdonell and his Scottish settlers, nearly
twenty years before, had started for their new home on the Red
River. Hayes River resounded with the cheers of the assembled
traders and their dependents, while a salute of seven guns made the
fir trees of the northern station re-echo with the din. The
voyageurs then gave in unison one of the famous boat-songs for which
they are noted, and with pomp and circumstance began their journey.
The long progress of
hundreds of miles from the Factory to the outlet of Lake Winnipeg
was made with lightheartedness and marvellous speed. Near the foot
of Lake Winnipeg is situated Norway house, which at the time was the
virtual capital of the fur traders. The approach to this point was
made an event of great importance. The fort, though simply a depot
of the fur trade, had a number of Indian settlements within reach,
and all the denizens of the region were on tip-toe to see the
pageant which they knew was approaching. Indian warriors and
trappers were there in large numbers; the lordly redman was
accompanied on all his journeys by his whole family, so that bevies
of old and young women peered upon the scene from the background,
while groups of Indian children with their accustomed shyness stood
awestruck at the spectacle. The "Kitche Okema" —the greatest mortal
they had ever seen—was coming.
The party from York
Factory had begun already to show marks of their voyage, and so they
landed some miles away from the fort, performed their toilets and
arranged their attire as best they could. Fully ready they resumed
the journey, and with flashing paddles sped through the rocky gorge
by which Norway House is reached, quickly turned the point, came in
sight of the fort built on a slope rising from the lake, and saw
floating front the tall flagstaff of Norway pine on the top of
Signal Hill the Union Jack with the letters H. B. C.,—the flag which
had a magical effect on every trader and Indian as he beheld it
flying aloft.
The governor's
gaudily painted canoe was easily discernible by its high prow, on
which sat the French-Canadian guide, who for the time being, as
pilot, had chief authority. The governor looked on with interest,
while from his immediate neighbourhood in his canoe pealed forth the
music of the bagpipes, as well suited for effect on the rocky ledges
surrounding Norway House as for the fastnesses of the governor's
native land. From the second canoe rang out the cheery bugle of the
senior chief factor, who was really in command of the expedition.
As the canoes came
near the shore the effect was heightened by the soft and lively
notes of the French-Canadian voyageurs, who were always great
favourites of the governor. The song they sang in French was one
that never becomes wearisome—that of "A La Claire Fontaine." The
leader carolled the solo:---
"A la claire fontaine
M'en aliant promener,
J'ai trourc l'eau si belle
Que je m'y suis baigne."
And then all joined
in chorus
"Il y a longtemps que
je t'aime
Jamais je ne t'oublierai."
The reception over,
the governor at once proceeded to the duties of his office and
examined the details of the work of the fort.
A large
correspondence had met him at Norway House. To despatch this and
examine the prospects of trade at the place was a work into which
the governor entered with the greatest gusto. All officers and
employes appeared before him; the buildings, books, trade, and
outlook were all inspected or considered, and this man of lordly
tastes was found to be possessed of an iron will and keen business
acumen. His rapidity in despatching business was so great that it
was said he could do the work of three ordinary men.
The long journey of a
thousand or more miles from Norway House to Fort Chipewyan, into the
detail of which we cannot enter, was accomplished by rapid transit,
interruptions only being made to examine minutely the affairs of
Cumberland, Carlton, Edmonton, and a score of minor points along the
route.
Fort Chipewyan had
always maintained its preeminence as an important depot of the fur
trade. The governor had spent his one year as a clerk within its
precincts. He now returned to it with his new rank as a potentate
having power to make or unmake men. Its picturesque position as well
as historic memories appealed directly to him. Here he met the
officer in charge, William McGillivray, whose name was a great one
among the Nor'-Westers, the original chief of that naive, after whom
Fort William was called, having died three years before this voyage
took place. MacGillivray, at the invitation of the governor, taking
his family with him, joined the party in crossing the Rocky
Mountains.
The same waving of
flags, firing of guns, shouting of Indians and employes, and the
sound of singing and bagpipes which had attended the arrival and
departure of the distinguished travellers at Norway House were
repeated at Fort Chipewyan. A little more than a month had passed
from the time of their leaving York Factory when the travellers
entered Peace River in order to cross the Rocky Mountains. As Forts
Vermilion, Dunvegan, and St. John were passed, the most important
fact pressed on the members of the expedition was the lack of
provisions. This was a year of unusual dearth in the whole region as
far as Fort McLeod, which lay west of the summit of the mountains.
At the various
stopping-places the governor, besides examining into the financial
prospects and management of each fort, was called upon to settle
disputes. This His Excellency did with the same distinguished
success with which he accomplished all his other duties. Presiding
with the air of a chief justice, he gave caution and advice in the
most impressive manner, and with due solemnity he lectured the
Indians for their orgies and for the scenes of violence which often
followed them.
In passing from Fort
McLeod to Fort St. James the journey was made across the crest of
the Rocky Mountains, the voyageurs carrying the baggage on their
shoulders, while horses were provided for the gentlemen of the
party. Fort St. James being the emporium of the fur trade for New
Caledonia, was a place of note, and the entry to it was made as
splendid as circumstances would permit. The journal says:—"Unfurling
the British ensign it was given to the guide, who marched first.
After him came the band, consisting of buglers and bagpipers. Next
carne the governor, mounted, and behind him Dr. Hamlyn, the
physician, and Macdonald, the scribe, also on horses. Twenty men,
loaded like beasts of burden, formed the line; after them a loaded
horse; and finally McGillivray with his wife and family brought tip
the rear."
Thus arranged, the
imposing body was put in motion. Passing over a gentle elevation,
they came into full view of the fort, when the bugle sounded, a gun
was fired, and the bagpipes struck up the famous march of the clans,
"Si coma leum codagh na sha " (If you will it, war). Trader James
Douglas, who was in charge of the fort, replied, with small ordnance
and guns, after which he advanced and received the distinguished
visitors in front of the fort.
Descending from the
crest of the Rocky Mountains, by September 24th the party carne to
Fort Alexandria—named after Sir .Alexander Mackenzie —four days down
the Fraser River, and then reached Kamloops, the ,junction of the
North and South Thompson Rivers. At every place of importance the
governor took occasion to assemble the natives and employes and gave
them good advice, "exhorting them to honesty, frugality,
temperance," finishing his prelections with a gift of tobacco or
some commodity appreciated by them.
After a rapid descent
of the Fraser River the party reached Fort Langley near its mouth,
in two days less than three months from the time of their starting
from York Factory. From this point Governor Simpson made his way to
Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia River, then the chief post on the
Pacific coast, and in the following year returned over the
mountains, satisfied that he had gained much knowledge and that lie
had impressed himself on trader, engage, and Indian chief alike. |
