Page 99 - Fortier Family History

Duncan Finlayson 1795-1862 HBC Governor of Assiniboia 1839-1844 Fort Gary, Red River Settlement Dictionary of Canadian Biography FINLAYSON, DUNCAN, HBC officer and governor of Assiniboia; b. c.1795, possibly in Dingwall, Scotland; d. 25 July 1862 in London, England. Duncan Finlayson and his elder brother, Nicol, sailed from Orkney in 1815 for three years’ service as writers (the apprentice rank below clerk) in the employ of the Hudson’s Bay Company. After working under James Curtis Bird at Red River, “the seminary for men of talent” according to Governor George Simpson, Duncan Finlayson succeeded Colin Robertson in 1820–21 as supervisor of the Peace River District. During the next four years, he won the attention of the governor and received consistent reports as a “highly respectable well educated good clerk & Trader, \[who\] looks to promotion through merit.” However, an accidental gunshot wound forced him to go to England for medical treatment in 1825 and perhaps influenced his appointment as clerk at Red River from 1826 to 1831. Under the wise direction of Chief Factor Donald McKenzie, Finlayson was promoted chief trader (1828), attended the councils of the Northern Department (1828 and 1830), and assisted with trade at Fort Garry (Winnipeg). Rapid promotion (he became chief factor in 1831) was proof of his high reputation with his colleagues and Simpson’s private assessment in 1832 was even greater tribute: “A highly upright honorable correct man of good Education and superior abilities to most of his colleagues. Has great influence with and is much liked by his Equals, inferiors and the Natives. . . . Firm cool and decisive, one of our best Legislators and most effective practical men . . . he may be ranked high among the most respectable and efficient men of his class.” After his promotion in 1831 Finlayson travelled west to the valuable Columbia River Department which he was to supervise upon the departure of Dr John McLoughlin. Unexpectedly, McLoughlin chose to remain on the Columbia. Finlayson went on leave in 1834–35 and left the district in the spring of 1837. His chief contribution there was in the coastal trade. He purchased the brig Lama from William Henry McNeill in 1832, sailed three times to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), supervised the Beaver’s first trip in 1836, and recommenced negotiations with the Russians to supply provisions at Sitka (Alaska) and thereby undercut American competition for furs. He also surveyed the agricultural potential of the Puget Sound area (Wash.) and founded Fort McLoughlin on Dowager Island (B.C.) in 1833. Evidence concerning Finlayson’s relationship with McLoughlin, who kept command of the Columbia Department until 1846, is scanty but one can surmise that the two chief factors maintained at least formal politeness. They did, however, differ on several occasions. Finlayson’s criticism in 1833 of the Stikine post project and, more important, his support for the Beaver in 1836 conflicted with McLoughlin’s plans to establish posts rather than conduct trade from ships. Both McLoughlin and Finlayson were to be in London, however, in 1838–39 during company negotiations with the Russians concerning provisions and trade on the Pacific coast. Duncan Finlayson – Retired HBC Chief Factor