the dividends at headquarters
proved that to the full. He was determined to show every one concerned
that thenceforth there was only one governing company, and that he was
its proper representative. Then, as always, London was the general
headquarters. But the Canadian headquarters were at Montreal; and
Simpson fixed what might be called the field headquarters at Norway
House, near the north end of Lake Winnipeg, a commanding strategic
point in the heart of the great fur territories. Here he was always
busy introducing discipline, enforcing a much-needed reduction in the
ration of rum given to the Indians, and reporting home. As voyageurs,
he thought the French Canadians much better than the men of any other
race. 'Canadians preferable to Orkneymen. Orkneymen less expensive
but slow. Less physical strength and spirits. Obstinate if brought
young into the service. Scotch and Irish, when numerous, quarrelsome,
independent, and mutinous.' He introduced fines as a punishment. But
'this will only do for Europeans. A blow is better for Canadians.' On
July 12, 1828, Simpson left York Factory {39} on Hudson Bay for a state
and business progress across the continent to Fort Vancouver on the
Columbia. One of his staff, Archibald Macdonald, wrote an account of
it, called _Peace River: a Canoe Voyage from the Hudson Bay to the
Pacific_. The best of birch-barks were used to ensure speed; though
the birch-bark had already been superseded as a cargo craft. There was
a doctor in the party, which included nine voyageurs to each of the two
canoes. Simpson's departure was the signal for a salute of seven guns,
which was duly repeated at every subsequent fort. The whole population
lined the waterside as the voyageurs struck up one of their old French
folk-songs to beguile the way. The arrival at Norway House was still
more imposing. The Union Jack, with the magic letters 'H. B. C.' on
its fly, was hoisted, to the admiration of all the whites and Indians
from that most important neighbourhood. Simpson's party had landed out
of sight to put on their best clothes; after which they shot through
the gorge at full speed, to the strains of the bagpipes from Simpson's
canoe and bugles from the other. At Fort St James, the central point
of 'New Caledonia,' the approach was made by land. 'Unfurling the
British Ensign, it was given {40} to the guide, who marched first.
After him came the band, consisting of buglers and bagpiper