The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay Company

by George Bryce

From the “THE Hudson’s Bay Company! What a record this name represents of British pluck and daring, of patient industry and hardy endurance, of wild adventure among savage Indian tribes, and of exposure to danger by mountain, precipice, and seething torrent and wintry plain! For two full centuries the Hudson’s Bay Company, under its original Charter, undertook financial enterprises of the greatest magnitude, promoted exploration and discovery, governed a vast domain in the northern part of the American Continent, and preserved to the British Empire the wide territory handed over to Canada in 1870. For nearly a generation since that time the veteran Company has carried on successful trade in competition with many rivals, and has shown the vigour of youth. The present History includes not only the record of the remarkable exploits of this well-known Company, but also the accounts of the daring French soldiers and explorers who disputed the claim of the Company in the seventeenth century, and in the eighteenth century actually surpassed the English adventurers in penetrating the vast interior of Rupert’s Land. Special attention is given in this work to the picturesque history of what was the greatest rival of the Hudson’s Bay Company, viz, the North-West Fur Company of Montreal, as well as to the extraordinary spirit of the X Y Company and the Astor Fur Company of New York. A leading feature of this book is the adequate treatment for the first time of the history of the well-nigh eighty years just closing, from the union of all the fur traders of British North America under the name of the Hudson’s Bay Company. This period, beginning with the career of the Emperor-Governor, Sir George Simpson (1821), and covering the life, adventure, conflicts, trade, and development of the vast region stretching from Labrador to Vancouver Island, and north to the Mackenzie River and the Yukon, down to the present year, is the most important part of the Company’s history.”

502 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1968

About the author

George Bryce (April 22, 1844 – August 5, 1931) was a Presbyterian minister and a prolific author, writing on many topics including history of the Red River Colony in what is now Manitoba, Canada.

Bryce was born near Mount Pleasant, Canada West (now Ontario). He was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 1902 and served as the Royal Society's President in 1910

Reviews

[Sir Robbiethehoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magnificent book detailing the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company from its beginnings to the founding of Canada in its present form.

Very interesting history and easily digestible. Wonderful to see how the pioneering people’s spread throughout Canada and how the company grew. Seeing how the company reacted to the Selkirk colonists encroaching on their territory was interesting to read. The companies dealings with the Indians and Eskimo and the occasional attacks and explorations into the wilderness and Rockies was all rather fascinating.

What struck me was a portion of the book covered the 1860s and my parents were born early 1960s. It gave a totally new perspective to what I had read, the events only having happened a hundred years previous. Really quite something.

I found this book really enjoyable and engaging. There are a few dull chapters but they are mercifully short. The book takes an age to get through but it is worth it.

A stand out point was learning David Douglas, naturalist and botanist after whom the Douglas Fir is named was trampled by a bullock in Hawaii having been inspecting cattle snares.
But also I liked learning how the Hudson’s Bay Company had command over its own justice.

[Marcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed historical account of the company

If you want all the details of the history of this company then this is a good read. I loved it and in turn learned about the history of Canada.
I recommend it!