Montreal Company
Founded at Montreal, 1784, in opposition to the
North West Company. Two Montreal merchants, John Gregory and Alexander
Norman McLeod, formed a partnership with Peter Pond and Peter Pangman,
western fur traders. Alexander Mackenzie joined the Company, and much of
its success was due to his energy and resourcefulness. His cousin,
Roderick Mackenzie, was also in its service. Keen rivalry resulted
between the two companies, finally culminating in a tragedy; in the
Athabaska department, Pond, who had deserted to the North West Company,
quarrelled with his rival, Ross, and in the scuffle Ross was fatally
shot. This serious news being brought down to the headquarters at Grand
Portage, a conference was held, resulting in the union of the Companies
in 1788. =Bib.=: Bryce, Hudson's Bay Company; Willson, The Great
Company. See also North West Company; X Y Company.