Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

Brown says that George Simpson did not build the nation of Canada, but he laid the foundation for with the Hudson Bay Company, which Brown describes as an empire built on beaver furs.

Brown's story begins in 1665 when two trappers, Groseilliers and Radisson, came to plague-ridden London with a trade proposition for King Charles II. The traders came from New France (Canada) with beaver skins of the highest quality. They had been robbed of their furs by the governor of New France, who claimed they were trading without a license. The governor of New France, like the heads of many monopolistic trading companies, was concerned that their explorations would open new territories that would increase competition.

Groseilliers and Radisson wanted to use English ships to explore, and then bring profits back to England. They convinced the king that they would find...