Note 96 — Chapter XXX · 1812-1815.

The precise spot was well chosen by Selkirk, had his object been only the confusion and discomfiture of the North-Westers. It was the great depot of the latter for the preparation of pemmican. Were the region to become colonized it would slowly but surely cut off the buffalo, from which pemmican was made, and eventually force the North-Westers to import from Canada, at ruinous expense, the chief part of the provisions requisite for their trading expeditions.