CHAPTER XLIV.

CANADA COVETS THE HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY.

Renewal of licence--Labouchere's letter--Canada claims to Pacific Ocean--Commissioner Chief-Justice Draper--Rests on Quebec Act, 1774--Quebec overlaps Indian territories--Company loses Vancouver Island--Cauchon's memorandum--Committee of 1857--Company on trial--A brilliant committee--Four hundred folios of evidence--To transfer Red River and Saskatchewan--Death of Sir George--Governor Dallas--A cunning scheme--Secret negotiations--The Watkin Company floated--Angry winterers--Dallas's soothing circular--The old order still--Ermatinger's letters--McDougall's resolutions--Cartier and McDougall as delegates--Company accepts the terms 448