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Lord
Churchill (Duke of Marlborough)
(1650-1722):
Protector of Hudson's Bay Company
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Lord Churchill,
a famous and brilliant general of his time, was appointed the third
governor of Hudson's Bay Company in 1685. He played an important
role in protecting the company's very survival. For example,
he used his influence to have marines
protect the supply ships that traveled to Hudson Bay. He was also
able to ensure protection for the forts from ships of the Royal
Navy.
Lord Churchill
was able to help Hudson's Bay Company financially. HBC
lost a lot of money as a result of the fighting between the French
and English. Its forts were destroyed and it could not make a profit
when its forts were captured. Lord Churchill asked the King for
money to refund the company's losses.
One of Churchill's
biggest accomplishments was to seek protection for the company's
charter, which gave them the right to the land and the fur trade.
Other companies, such as the Company of Feltmakers, were angry that
HBC had a monopoly. They wanted it destroyed because it had
never received official approval. In 1690 he brought the matter
to the attention of the British parliament. Through an act of parliament,
Hudson's Bay Company charter received formal recognition
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What
do you think Lord Churchill's most important accomplishment
was?
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