Original - North Central Michigan College Library

JOURNEY TO CHEQUAMEGONUNDER the French government of Canadathe fur trade was subject to avariety of regulations, established andenforced by the royal authority; and in 1765,the period at which I began to prosecute itanew, some remains of the ancient system werestill preserved. No person could go into thecountries lying north-westward of Detroit unlessfurnished with a license; and the exclusivetrade of particular districts was capable ofbeing enjoyed in virtue of grants from militarycommanders.The exclusive trade of Lake Superior wasgiven to myself by the commandant of FortMichilimackinac; and to prosecute it I purchasedgoods, which I found at this post, attwelve months' credit. My stock was thefreight of four canoes, and I took it at the priceof ten thousand pounds weight of good andmerchantable beaver. It is in beaver thataccounts are kept at Michilimackinac; but indefect of this article, other furs and skins areaccepted in payments, being first reduced untotheir value in beaver. Beaver was at this timeat the price of two shillings and six pence perpound, Michilimackinac currency; otter skins,183