favour of trade, was that of laying open
the commerce of Hudson's-bay, in the most northern parts of America,
where a small monopoly maintained a few forts and settlements, and
prosecuted a very advantageous fur trade with the Indians of that
continent. It was suggested, that the company had long ago enriched
themselves by their exclusive privilege; that they employed no more
than four annual ships; that, contrary to an express injunction in their
charter, they discouraged all attempts to discover a north-west passage
to the East Indies; that they dealt cruelly and perfidiously with
the poor Indians, who never traded with them except when compelled by
necessity, so that the best part of the fur trade had devolved to the
enemies of Great Britain; and that their exclusive patent restricted to
very narrow limits a branch of commerce which might be cultivated to
a prodigious extent; as well as to the infinite advantage of Great
Britain. Petitions, that the trade of Hudson's-bay might be laid open,
were presented to the house by the merchants of London, Great Yarmouth,
and Wolverhampton; and a committee was appointed to deliberate upon this
subject. On the other hand, the company exerted themselves in petitions
and private applications for their own preservation. The committee
examined many papers and records; and the report was taken into
consideration by the whole house. Many evidences were interrogated,
and elaborate speeches made, on both sides of the question. At length a
majority seemed satisfied that the traffic on the coast of Hudson's-bay
could not be preserved without forts and settlements, which must be
maintained either by an exclusive company, or at the public expense;
and, as this was not judged a proper juncture to encumber the nation
with any charge of that kind the design of dissolving the company was
laid aside till a more favourable opportunity.

PLAN FOR MAINTAINING THE NAVY.

The government had, during the war, found great difficulty in pressing
men for the service of the navy--a practice, which, however sanctioned
by necessity, is nevertheless a flagrant encroachment on the liberty
of the subject, and a violent outrage against the constitution of Great
Britain. The ministry, therefore, had employed some of their agents
to form a scheme for retaining in time of peace, by means of a certain
allowance, a number of seamen, who should be registered for the purpose,
and be ready to man a squadron upon