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Pierre
Esprit Radisson
(c. 1636-1710):
Captured by the Iroquois
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Radisson was
born in France but moved to Trois Rivieres in 1651. The Iroquois
captured him when he was 15. He lived with them for two years
and learned how to live in the wilderness. When he returned home,
he became partners in the fur trade with his sister's husband, Médard
Chouart des Groseilliers.
In 1659 Radisson
and Des Groseilliers set off on a secret trip in search of new sources
of fur. They headed north of Lake Superior, which was land that
had not yet been explored by the white man. There they met Wendat
and Odawa
people who were ready to trade with them.
When they
returned home they had over 100 canoes loaded with furs. Radisson
and Des Groseilliers had not obtained a fur-trading license so they
were fined and the fur was taken away from them. They were angry
and decided to work for the English instead.
In 1665 Radisson
and Des Groseilliers went to London, England to visit King
Charles II.
Radisson and Des Groseilliers arrived at the meeting dressed up
as First Nation fur traders. They told exaggerated stories of life
in the wilderness and the fur trade. While the King did not believe
everything they told him, he was interested. Prince
Rupert convinced him to support an expedition.
The expedition
went well enough that the King agreed to grant Hudson's Bay
Company a charter.
Radisson and Des Groseilliers continue with the company until 1674,
when they switched back to the French side.
Radisson
spent the next seven years outwitting the English and taking their
furs. The French authorities had not learned their lesson, however:
in 1683, they again confiscated Radisson and Des Groseilliers '
ships and 25% of their furs. This was too much for Radisson.
He returned to the English, and worked for Hudson's Bay
Company until his death.
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What
do you think Radisson's most important accomplishment was?
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