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.



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