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The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay Company

APPENDIX B.

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SUMMARY OF LIFE OF PIERRE ESPRIT RADISSON.

A. Earlier Life and Voyages (1636-1663).

I. Birth and Immigration.

Pierre Esprit Radisson, born in Paris (afterwards lived at St. Malo) 1636

(Though some claim that he was born in 1620, this is incorrect, for in his petition read in the House of Commons, London, March 11th, 1698, he states that he is sixty-two years of age.)

Arrived with his father's family in Canada, May 1651

(Settled at Three Rivers.)

II. Western Voyages.

First voyage to the Iroquois country 1652

(Captured by the Iroquois.)

Escaped and fled to Holland 1653

Returned to Canada 1654

Second voyage to Onondaga 1657

Third voyage, visited Sioux and Assiniboines through the Mississippi country 1658-60

Returned to Montreal with 500 Indians 1660

Fourth voyage, to region north of Lake Superior 1661

Held great council with the Indians 1662

Leaves the country of the Crees and returns to Montreal 1663

III. In English Service.

Quarrels with French Governor. Goes to Boston from Quebec 1664

Crosses to England 1665

Vessel engaged to go to Hudson Bay delayed 1666

Disturbed condition of England causes further delay 1667

Eaglet, on which Radisson embarked, did not reach Hudson Bay; Nonsuch, with Groseilliers on board, did 1668

Nonsuch returns to England 1669

Hudson's Bay Company chartered through assistance of Groseilliers and Radisson 1670

Radisson first visits Hudson Bay 1670

Radisson returns and winters in London 1671

Radisson, with Captain Gillam, goes to Hudson Bay 1672

Returns to London and winters there 1673

IV. Enters French Service.

Radisson and Groseilliers desert England for France, October 1674

Radisson goes on expedition to the Antilles

Crosses under French auspices to Canada 1681

Goes to Hudson Bay on French ship 1682

Winters in Hudson Bay, captures Gillam's ship, and returns to Canada 1683

Crosses to France, and undertakes new expedition to Hudson Bay 1684

V. Deserts France and returns to England.

Radisson joins English, and goes immediately to Hudson Bay, May 12th 1684

Seizes 20,000 furs from French and comes to London 1684

Sails again to Hudson Bay 1685

VI. Further History.

Made a denizen of England 1687

Sails for Hudson Bay 1688

Receives share of the great dividend 1690

Sir John Young applies for increase of Radisson's allowance 1692

Radisson files a bill in Chancery against Company 1694

" petitions Parliament for consideration 1698

" applies to Company for position 1700

" receives last allowance from Company (probably his death) 1710

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