11 Jan 1765 Jahr - HBC's Share of The Fur Trade Declines Due To Competition From Montreal "pedlars".

Beschreibung:

HBC referred to the Montreal traders as “pedlars” as they were not organized into a major company, but often formed partnerships that work together for one trading season or cycle. These traders, mainly of Scottish and English origin, re-group in Montreal, sometimes using the name North West Company after 1779. They established their main supply base at Grand Portage at the western edge of Lake Superior.

Their canoe expeditions follow the old French route from Montreal along Lake Superior to Lake Winnipeg and explore new territories farther west for fur trading. The preferred travel route is upriver from Montreal, by-passing the rapids at Lachine by cart (later by the canal).

The Montreal traders go directly to the native peoples living in these lands and follow trading protocols established by the earlier French traders. For example, they exchange gifts as part of the trading process.