And now as the time draws nigh for gathering together at a common port, the Stromness (Orkney), the Glasgow, the Sligo and the Lewis contingents to face the stormy sea and seek a new untried home, a fierce storm breaks out upon the land.  Evidence accumulates that the heat and opposition of the “Nor’-West” partners—­Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Inglis and Ellice—­shown at the general meeting of the Company, were to break out in numberless hidden and irritating efforts to stop and perhaps render impossible the whole Colonizing project.

Just as the active agents, Miles Macdonell, Capt.  McDonald and Colin Robertson, had set the heather on fire on behalf of Lord Selkirk’s project, so the aid of the press was used to throw doubt upon the enterprise.  Inverness is the Capital of the Highlanders, and so the “Inverness Journal,” containing an effusion signed by “Highlander,” was spread broadcast through the Highlands, the Islands, and the Orkneys, picturing the dangers of their journey, the hardships of the country, the deceitfulness of the agents, and the mercenary aims of the noble promoter.

Before Miles Macdonell had cleared the coast of England, he wrote to Lord Selkirk:  “Sir A. (Mackenzie) has pledged himself as so decidedly opposed to this project that he will try every means in his power to thwart it.  Besides, I am convinced he was no friend to your Lordship before this came upon the carpet.”

No doubt Miles Macdonell was correct, and the two Scottish antagonists were face to face in the conflict.  We shall see the means supplied by which the expedition will be harassed.  And now the enterprise is to be set on foot.

For nearly a century and a half the Hudson’s Bay Company ships have sailed yearly from the Thames, and taken the goods of the London merchants to the posts and forts of Hudson Bay, carrying back rich returns of furs.  Sometimes more than one a year has gone.  In 1811 there was the Commodore’s ship the “Prince of Wales,” with cabin accommodation and such comforts as ships of that period supplied.  A second ship, the “Eddystone,” chartered for special service, accompanied her.  These two were intended to carry out employees and men for the fur trade, as well as the goods.

It must not be forgotten that there was some want of confidence between the trading side of the Hudson’s Bay Company and that which Lord Selkirk represented, in the Colonizing enterprise.  Also at this time the laws in regard to the safety of vessels, the comfort of passengers, or precautions for health were very lax.  While the records of emigration experiences of British settlers to Canada and the United States are being recited by men and women yet living in Canada, the want of resource and the neglect of life and property by Governments and officials up until half a century ago are heart-sickening.  So the third ship of the fleet that was to carry the first human freight of Manitoba pioneers was the “Edward and Ann.”