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| June 4. |
2,171. Directors of Hudson's Bay Company to Lords of Trade and Plantations. As to what the French pretend of being premier company at Port Nelson in 1682, we offer to your consideration (1) that Sir Thomas Button wintered at Port Nelson; (2) that Luke Fox set up a cross there; (3) that Charles Bayley sent a ship there from the bottom of the Bay; (4) that Benjamin Gillam was building a fort there when the French came. Signed, John Hubbard, Will. Yonge, Rich. Cradock. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay I., p. 187.] |
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2,172. Lord Preston to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I have seen an answer delivered to you by the French Commissioners on behalf of the French Company of Canada, wherein it is stated that "the French Company was not able to obtain right in England nor in France from Lord Preston for the seizure made in 1683 of their port on Bourbon river, Lord Preston having told their agent that this affair did not concern the King, it being only merchants' interest." It is wholly new to me that the French ever demanded satisfaction against the Hudson's Bay Company from me, my orders having been constantly to complain to obtain satisfaction for it. No agent of the French Company, applied to me, to my knowledge, during my stay in France, so I could make no such declaration as is alleged by the French Company. It is strange that it should be said that after having been refused right in England they should apply to me, whom they knew to be complaining against them on behalf of English subjects. As to merchants' matters not being the King's concern, I can produce my memorials to show that I always insisted on the restitution of Port Nelson and for satisfaction for damage; the answers that I received, far from disavowing the right of the English to the place in question, seemed rather to own it. Signed, Preston. Holograph. 3 pp. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay I., pp. 199–201.] |
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2,173. A collection of documents relating to Hudson's Bay. |
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Deposition of Nehemiah Walker, as to the explorations and annexations of Governor Charles Bayley in 1670. Sworn 14 June 1687. ½ p. |
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Deposition of William Bond, as to the further annexations of Charles Bayley in 1673. 1 p. Sworn 20 May 1687. |
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Deposition of Philip Bayley, as to the arrival of Benjamin Gillam at Port Nelson in 1682 before the French. Sworn 9 June 1687. 1 p. |
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Deposition of John Calvert. To the same effect as the preceding. Sworn 10 June. 1½ pp. |
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Original letter of Count Frontenac to the English Commander at Hudson's Bay. Quebec, 8 October 1673. A letter of compliment, sent by the hand of M. Albanel. Signed, Frontenac. ½ p. |
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English translation of the preceding. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay I., pp. 203–221.] |
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2,174. Petition of the Hudson's Bay Company to the King. Table of damages claimed for outrages by the French. |
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1682. |
For injuries done in 1682 by M. de la Cheney |
£25,000 |
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1684. |
For injuries done by Governor de la Barre at Port Nelson |
£10,000 |
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1685. |
For capture of the Company's relief-ship by the French |
£5,000 |
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Due further to the owner of the ship |
£1,255 |
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1686. |
For destruction of forts, capture of ships and of goods |
£50,000 |
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Sundry injuries during the past five years |
£26,000 |
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£111,255 |
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We beg that satisfaction may be insisted on. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay I., p. 181.] |
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2,175. Geographical comments on the French memorials concerning Hudson's Bay, drawn from sundry maps. The French articles and the English reply in parallel columns. [Ibid., pp. 183–185.] |
