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  John Baptiste Cadotte John Baptiste Cadotte returned to Montreal from his northwestern expedition , and soon expended in dissipation the profits on the large return of furs he had made.He became,moreover,so deeply indebted to Alexander Henry, who continued to supply his wants, that at last his credit with this gentleman became impaired,and he was obliged once more to exert himself towards gaining a livelihood. His expedition to the sources of the Mississippi had rendered him known as a man of great fearlessness and hardihood , and his abilities as a clerk and Indian trader were such that it was no difficult matter for him,when so disposed,to find employment.The Northwest Fur Company secured his services at once, and he applied himself with so much vigor and energy towards advancing their interests, that he soon obtained the esteem and fullest confidence of all the principal partners of this rich and prosperous firm. At a dinner given by Mr. Alex. Henry, at Montreal, to the several partners of the Northwest Company,among whom was Sir Alexander McKenzie , Cadotte’s name being mentioned in the course of conversation, this gentleman, who was then the principal northern agent of the firm, took occasion to speak of him in the highest terms, praising the courage and fearlessness with which he had pierced amongst the more wild and unruly tribes of the northwestern Indians,and the great tact which he used in obtaining the love and confidence of the Ojibways. Mr. Henry, perceiving that Cadotte possessed the confidence of his employers, and that his services were held by them in great value, took occasion to make the proposition to Sir Alex. McKenzie, of selling him Mons. Cadotte’s indebtedness at a liberal discount. McKenzie informed him that he had discovered Cadotte to be a man extremely careless in his expenditures , and who made it a point to live up fully to his means,whatever 205 1. John Baptiste Cadotte was offered a position with the North West Company by John Gregory in ,the year he returned from trading in British Territory.The following year he entered into a formal contract with the company for the trade of Red Lake and its dependencies for a period of five years (Wallace ,–). Schenck bk p i-xxiv 1-318_Layout 1 5/13/11 10:54 AM Page 205 amount those means might be, and that it would be extremely difficult to collect from him such an amount of debt as Mr.Henry proposed to transfer against him,and also that he could not assume or buy it,without a consultation with the other partners of the company. Further urging on the part of Mr.Henry at last induced Mr.McKenzie to buy up Mons.Cadotte’s debt on his own private account. He paid but three hundred pounds, being less than half of its actual amount. This arrangement was kept secret from Mons. Cadotte, as the partner concerned knew him to be a man of impulsive feelings, and it was uncertain in what light he would consider such a discount being made on his credit, which reflected so strongly on his honor, on which he was known to pride himself. In order to give him an opportunity of retrieving his fortunes,and paying his debts,the Northwest Fur Company proposed to give him the entire Fond du Lac department on shares.They agreed to give him such an equipment as he wanted, and this important division of their trade was to be entirely under his management and control. Mons. Cadotte accepted this fair offer, as it gave him a broad field for the full development of his capacities, and an excellent opportunity to replenish his empty purse.The Fond du Lac department comprised all the country about the sources of the Mississippi,the St.Croix,and Chippeway rivers. The depot was located at Fond du Lac, about two miles within the entry of the St. Louis River, in what is now the State of Wisconsin. A stockaded post had been built the previous year at Sandy Lake,and smaller posts were located at Leech Lake,on the St.Croix and at Lac Coutereille. Mons. Cadotte procured his outfit of goods for all these posts, at the grand northern depot of the Northwest Company located at Grand Portage, near the mouth of Pigeon River, and within the limits of what is now known as Minnesota Territory...

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