University of Virginia Library

2nd. of March 1805 Satturday

a fine Day the river brake up in places all engaged about
Something Mr. LaRocque a Clerk of the NW Company visit
us, he has latterley returned from the Establishments on the
Assinniboin River, with Merchindize to tarade with Indians.
Mr. L informs us the N.W. & XY[33] Companies have joined,
& the head of the N.W, Co. is Dead Mr. Mc. Tavish of Montreal,
visited by the Coal & Several Indians.

 
[33]

Regarding the North West Company, see p. 206, note 1, ante. The X Y
Company (also known as New Northwest Company) was formed in 1795, by Montreal
merchants who seceded from the North West Company, mainly on account of
the arbitrary acts of its chief, Simon McTavish; his death (July, 1804) led to the
union of the two companies, on the 5th of November following. See Bryce's Hist.
H. B. Co
. pp. 147–153. The agreement of Nov. 5 is given by Masson (Bourg.
N.-O
., ii, pp. 482–499). —Ed.