Montreal became the Canadian headquarters of the company, but now the
annual meeting of the traders where he as Governor presided, was held at
Norway House. The offices in London were united, and thus the affairs of
the fur trade were provided for and outward peace at least was
guaranteed. We are, however, chiefly dealing with the affairs of
Assiniboia as Lord Selkirk called it, or with what was more commonly
called Red River Settlement. This belonged to Lord Selkirk's heirs. The
executors were, of course, Hudson's Bay Company grandees. They were Sir
James Montgomery, Mr. Halkett, Andrew Colville, and his brother the
Solicitor-general of Scotland. When the news came of the death of Lord
Selkirk, the mishaps and disturbances of the Colony had been so many,
that Hudson's Bay Company, Nor'-Westers, Settlers, and Freemen all said,
"That will end the Colony now!" To the surprise of everyone the first
message from the executors was one of courage, and the announcement was
made that their first aim would be to send six hundred new settlers to
the banks of Red River.
[Illustration: SEVEN OAKS MONUMENT On Kildonan Road near Winnipeg.]
The angry passions which had been roused led the English directors to
take the very wise step of sending out two representatives--one from
each of the old companies to rearrange all matters and settle all
disputes.
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