Semple Robert 1766-1816 Born In Boston Mass Engaged In
mercantile pursuits, and travelled extensively. In 1802 visited Cape
Colony, and from 1805 to 1810 travelled through Spain, Portugal, the
West Indies, and Brazil. In 1813, while on a journey in the rear of the
allied armies from Hamburg to Gottenburg, arrested by Lord Cathcart as
an American spy. In 1815 appointed governor of the factories and
territories of the Hudson's Bay Company. In the course of his tour of
inspection, reached his headquarters at Douglas (now part of Winnipeg),
early in 1816. For some time there had been an active feud between the
Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, and in an attack at
Seven Oaks by a party of "Nor'-Wester's," under Cuthbert Grant, Semple
was killed. =Index=: (Mackenzie / Selkirk / Simpson era) Brings party of Highlanders to Red River,
1815, 164; succeeds Macdonell as governor of Red River settlement, 164.