Hudson Bay expedition (1686)
Encyclopedia
The Hudson Bay expedition of 1686 was one of the Anglo-French conflicts on Hudson Bay
. It was the first several expeditions sent from New France
against the trading outposts of the Hudson's Bay Company
in the southern reaches of Hudson Bay
. Led by the Chevalier de Troyes
, the expedition succeeded in capturing the outposts at Moose Factory
, Rupert House, Fort Albany
, and the company ship Craven.
Although France and England were then at peace, war broke out between them in 1689, and the conflict over the Hudson Bay outposts continued. One of Troyes' lieutenants, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
, made further expeditions against HBC holdings; these culminated in the French victory at the 1697 naval Battle of Hudson's Bay
. At the end of the war, the French controlled all but one of the company's outposts.
and financier Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye
met in Paris, and laid the foundations for the establishment of a fur trading
company they called the Compagnie du Nord. Its objective was to engage in fur trade in northern North America, where the English
Hudson's Bay Company
(HBC) had realized significant profits in that business. The Compagnie's first major expedition in 1682 successfully seized York Factory
. After the Compagnie's profits were virtually wiped out by taxes imposed by authorities in New France
, Radisson entered service with the HBC, and led several profitable shipping expeditions to Hudson Bay
, including recovering for the company York Factory and the furs taken there.
The Compagnie then convinced New France's governor, the Marquis de Denonville
, to organize a military expedition against HBC outposts on Hudson Bay. He recruited Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes
, a French soldier, and assembled a small force for an overland expedition. It consisted of 30 French regulars, 70 Canadian volunteers, and a few Indian guides. Among the Canadians were three brothers, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
, Jacques Le Moyne de Saint-Hélène, and Paul Le Moyne de Maricourt, who later became well known for their exploits.
By 1686, the Hudson's Bay Company had established several outposts in Hudson Bay and James Bay
, the southernmost finger of the larger bay. Moose Factory and Rupert House were established on rivers near where they emptied into James Bay. In addition to York Factory, located near the mouth of the Nelson River, there were outposts on the Albany and Severn Rivers where they emptied into Hudson Bay on its western side. All of these outposts were wooden fortresses with some cannons; Fort Albany was the most heavily defended.
in March 1686, and traveled more than 800 miles (1,287.5 km) over a period of 82 days, crossing territory previously untracked by white men. The route was up the Ottawa River
to Lake Temiskaming, then over portages and down the Abitibi River
and Moose River
. When they arrived at Moose Factory, it was occupied by 16 men; its governor, John Bridgar, had sailed for Rupert House the day before. In the predawn, brothers Pierre and Jacques Le Moyne led teams quietly into the fort, where they tied down its three cannons before launching an attack on the sleeping garrison. Pierre Le Moyne managed to gain entry to the redoubt housing the defenders, but the gate was shut behind him, and he had to single-handedly defend himself with sword and musket until the gate could again be forced open. After a two-hour battle, the garrison surrendered.
De Troyes left 40 of his men to guard the fort, and headed with the rest for Rupert House, 75 miles (120.7 km) northeast across James Bay. Once again they attacked a sleeping garrison, gaining access to the fort via a ladder that had been left propped against one of the fort's walls. They also acquired the HBC ship Craven, which had transported Governor Bridgar from Moose Factory. De Troyes brought the captives taken to Moose Factory, and sent d'Iberville and the Craven, carrying heavy guns loaded from Rupert House, to attack Fort Albany on the west side of the Bay.
Fort Albany was not visible from the water, and De Troyes spent some time searching for it. Its location was finally revealed to him when one of the fort's cannons was helpfully fired at sunset. The French unloaded the heavy guns and dragged them to the fort. According to one source, after firing into the fort without any return fire, they heard faint cries of "Vive le Roi!" from deep inside the fort; the men in the fort were cowering in the fort's cellar.. Morton describes a more determined resistance.
De Troyes shipped all of the HBC captives off to Charlton Island
, where a company supply ship could eventually pick them up. He then left d'Iberville and 40 men to hold the outposts, and returned overland to Montreal.
from the numerically superior English.
Meanwhile, James II and Louis XIV had negotiated a 'Treaty of Peace, good Correspondence and Neutrality in America' to settle the Anglo-French conflict on the Bay. It provided that each side would keep whatever it 'now possessed'. France knew about the forts and England did not. In 1688 James II was overthrown, England and France went to war and the treaty became moot.
Anglo-French conflicts on Hudson Bay
Anglo-French conflicts on Hudson Bay: When the English built trading posts on Hudson Bay the French tried to drive them out. This lasted from 1672 until 1713 when British sovereignty over the Bay was recognized by the Treaty of Utrecht...
. It was the first several expeditions sent from New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
against the trading outposts of the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
in the southern reaches of Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
. Led by the Chevalier de Troyes
Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes
Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes , a captain in the French army arrived at Quebec in August 1685 with reinforcements for the colony...
, the expedition succeeded in capturing the outposts at Moose Factory
Moose Factory, Ontario
Moose Factory is a community in the Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada. It is on Moose Factory Island, near the mouth of the Moose River, which is at the southern end of James Bay. It was the first English-speaking settlement in Ontario and the second Hudson's Bay Company post to be set up in North...
, Rupert House, Fort Albany
Fort Albany, Ontario
Fort Albany First Nation is a community in within the Cochrane District of Northern Ontario, Canada. Situated on the southern shore of the Albany River, Fort Albany First Nation is only accessible by air or by winter road....
, and the company ship Craven.
Although France and England were then at peace, war broke out between them in 1689, and the conflict over the Hudson Bay outposts continued. One of Troyes' lieutenants, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] (16 July 1661 – 9 July 1702 (probable)was a soldier, ship captain, explorer, colonial administrator, knight of...
, made further expeditions against HBC holdings; these culminated in the French victory at the 1697 naval Battle of Hudson's Bay
Battle of Hudson's Bay
The Battle of Hudson's Bay, also known as the Battle of York Factory, was a naval battle fought during the War of the Grand Alliance . The battle took place on 5 September 1697, when a French warship commanded by Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville defeated an English squadron commanded by Captain...
. At the end of the war, the French controlled all but one of the company's outposts.
Background
In 1679, French explorer Pierre-Esprit RadissonPierre-Esprit Radisson
Pierre-Esprit Radisson was a French-Canadian fur trader and explorer. He is often linked to his brother-in-law Médard des Groseilliers who was about 20 years older. The decision of Radisson and Groseilliers to enter the English service led to the formation of the Hudson's Bay Company.Born near...
and financier Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye
Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye
Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye was a French businessman active in Canada. The richest financier and businessman in New France, he played an important part in the colony's economic life , owned several seigneuries and was a member of the Sovereign Council of New France...
met in Paris, and laid the foundations for the establishment of a fur trading
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
company they called the Compagnie du Nord. Its objective was to engage in fur trade in northern North America, where the English
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
(HBC) had realized significant profits in that business. The Compagnie's first major expedition in 1682 successfully seized York Factory
York Factory, Manitoba
York Factory was a settlement and factory located on the southwestern shore of Hudson Bay in northeastern Manitoba, Canada, at the mouth of the Hayes River, approximately south-southeast of Churchill. The settlement was headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company's Northern Department, from 1821 to...
. After the Compagnie's profits were virtually wiped out by taxes imposed by authorities in New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
, Radisson entered service with the HBC, and led several profitable shipping expeditions to Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
, including recovering for the company York Factory and the furs taken there.
The Compagnie then convinced New France's governor, the Marquis de Denonville
Jacques-René de Brisay de Denonville, Marquis de Denonville
Jacques-Rene de Brisay de Denonville, Marquis de Denonville was Governor General of New France from 1685 to 1689 and was a key figure in the Beaver Wars....
, to organize a military expedition against HBC outposts on Hudson Bay. He recruited Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes
Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes
Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes , a captain in the French army arrived at Quebec in August 1685 with reinforcements for the colony...
, a French soldier, and assembled a small force for an overland expedition. It consisted of 30 French regulars, 70 Canadian volunteers, and a few Indian guides. Among the Canadians were three brothers, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville pronounced as described in note] (16 July 1661 – 9 July 1702 (probable)was a soldier, ship captain, explorer, colonial administrator, knight of...
, Jacques Le Moyne de Saint-Hélène, and Paul Le Moyne de Maricourt, who later became well known for their exploits.
By 1686, the Hudson's Bay Company had established several outposts in Hudson Bay and James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
, the southernmost finger of the larger bay. Moose Factory and Rupert House were established on rivers near where they emptied into James Bay. In addition to York Factory, located near the mouth of the Nelson River, there were outposts on the Albany and Severn Rivers where they emptied into Hudson Bay on its western side. All of these outposts were wooden fortresses with some cannons; Fort Albany was the most heavily defended.
Expedition
The expedition left MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in March 1686, and traveled more than 800 miles (1,287.5 km) over a period of 82 days, crossing territory previously untracked by white men. The route was up the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
to Lake Temiskaming, then over portages and down the Abitibi River
Abitibi River
The Abitibi River is a river in northeastern Ontario, Canada, which flows northwest from Lake Abitibi to join the Moose River which empties into James Bay. This river is long.The river was an important fur trading route for the Hudson's Bay Company...
and Moose River
Moose River
Moose River may refer to:Rivers:*Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River *Moose River Places:*Moose River, Maine...
. When they arrived at Moose Factory, it was occupied by 16 men; its governor, John Bridgar, had sailed for Rupert House the day before. In the predawn, brothers Pierre and Jacques Le Moyne led teams quietly into the fort, where they tied down its three cannons before launching an attack on the sleeping garrison. Pierre Le Moyne managed to gain entry to the redoubt housing the defenders, but the gate was shut behind him, and he had to single-handedly defend himself with sword and musket until the gate could again be forced open. After a two-hour battle, the garrison surrendered.
De Troyes left 40 of his men to guard the fort, and headed with the rest for Rupert House, 75 miles (120.7 km) northeast across James Bay. Once again they attacked a sleeping garrison, gaining access to the fort via a ladder that had been left propped against one of the fort's walls. They also acquired the HBC ship Craven, which had transported Governor Bridgar from Moose Factory. De Troyes brought the captives taken to Moose Factory, and sent d'Iberville and the Craven, carrying heavy guns loaded from Rupert House, to attack Fort Albany on the west side of the Bay.
Fort Albany was not visible from the water, and De Troyes spent some time searching for it. Its location was finally revealed to him when one of the fort's cannons was helpfully fired at sunset. The French unloaded the heavy guns and dragged them to the fort. According to one source, after firing into the fort without any return fire, they heard faint cries of "Vive le Roi!" from deep inside the fort; the men in the fort were cowering in the fort's cellar.. Morton describes a more determined resistance.
De Troyes shipped all of the HBC captives off to Charlton Island
Charlton Island
Charlton Island is an uninhabited island located in James Bay, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. Located at 52°00'N 79°30'W it has an area of .....
, where a company supply ship could eventually pick them up. He then left d'Iberville and 40 men to hold the outposts, and returned overland to Montreal.
Aftermath
D'Iberville, after wintering over in the north, made his way first to Quebec, and then France. There he was given command of the Soleil d'Afrique, with which he returned to Hudson Bay in 1687 to recover the furs that had been seized during the expedition. While he was at Fort Albany, two English warships arrived. Since England and France were at peace, the English settled on an island nearby, and took no offensive measures. D'Iberville, however, did, and captured the shipsBattle of Fort Albany
The 1688 Battle of Fort Albany was one of the Anglo-French conflicts on Hudson Bay. In the Hudson Bay expedition the French had, in time of peace, marched overland from Quebec and captured all three English posts on James Bay. The French had left a garrison at Fort Albany, Ontario and needed to...
from the numerically superior English.
Meanwhile, James II and Louis XIV had negotiated a 'Treaty of Peace, good Correspondence and Neutrality in America' to settle the Anglo-French conflict on the Bay. It provided that each side would keep whatever it 'now possessed'. France knew about the forts and England did not. In 1688 James II was overthrown, England and France went to war and the treaty became moot.