THAT the trade with the several Indian tribes of North America
has, for many years past, been almost exclusively carried on by
the merchants of Canada; who, having formed powerful and
extensive associations for that purpose, being aided by British
capital, and being encouraged by the favor and protection of the
British government, could not be opposed, with any prospect of
success by individuals of the United States.
That by means of the above trade, thus systematically pursued,
not only the inhabitants of the United States have been deprived
of commercial profits and advantages, to which they appear to
have just and natural pretensions, but a great and dangerous
influence has been established over the Indian tribes, difficult
to be counteracted, and capable of being exerted at critical
periods, to the great injury and annoyance of our frontier
settlements.
That in order to obtain at least a part of the above trade, and
more particularly that which is within the boundaries of the
United States, your petitioners, in the year 1808, obtained an
act of incorporation from the State of New York, whereby they are
enabled, with a competent capital, to carry on the said trade
with the Indians in such a manner as may be conformable to the
laws and regulations of the United States, in relation to such a
commerce.
That the capital mentioned in the said act, amounting to one
million of dollars, having been duly formed, your petitioners
entered with zeal and alacrity into those large and important
arrangements, which were necessary for, or conducive to the
object of their incorporation; and, among other things, purchased
a great part of the stock in trade, and trading establishments,
of the Michilimackinac Company of Canada.
