The third year of the company's
existence, Radisson and Groseillers perceived a change. Not so many
Indians came down to the English forts to trade. Those who came brought
fewer pelts and demanded higher prices. Rivals had been at work. The
English learned that the French had come overland and were paying high
prices to draw the Indians from the bay. In the spring a council was
held.[8] Should they continue on the east side of the bay, or move
west, where there would be no rivalry? Groseillers boldly counselled
moving inland and driving off French competition. Bayly was for moving
west. He even hinted that Groseillers' advice sprang from disloyalty
to the English. The clash that was inevitable from divided command was
this time avoided by compromise. They would all sail west, and all
come back to Rupert's River. When they returned, they found that the
English ensign had been torn down and the French flag raised.[9] A
veteran Jesuit missionary of the Saguenay, Charles Albanel, two French
companions, and some Indian guides had ensconced themselves in the
empty houses.[10] The priest now presented Governor Bayly with letters
from Count Frontenac commending the French to the good offices of
Governor Bayly.[11]
France had not been idle.
When it was too late, the country awakened to the injustice done
Radisson and Groseillers. While Radisson was still in Boston, all
restrictions were taken from the beaver trade, except the tax of
one-fourth to the revenue.
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