In 1687 a petition was prepared by the Hudson's Bay Company, and a copy of it is found in one of the letter-books of the Company. This deals to some extent with the contention of the French king, which had been lodged with the British Government, claiming priority of ownership of the regions about Hudson Bay. The arguments advanced are chiefly those to which we have already referred. The claim for compensation made upon the British Government by the Company is a revelation of how seriously the French rivalry had interfered with the progress of the fur trade. After still more serious conflict had taken place in the Bay, and the Company had come to be apprehensive for its very existence, another petition was laid before His Majesty William III., in 1694. This petition, which also contained the main facts of the claim of 1687, is so important that we give some of the details of it. It is proper to state, however, that a part of the demand is made up of what has since been known as "consequential damages," and that in consequence the matter lingered on for at least two decades. The damages claimed were:-- 1682. Captain Gillam and cargo on _Prince Rupert_. £ _s._ _d._ (Captain and a number of men, cargo, and ship all lost in hostilities.) Governor Bridgar and men seized and carried to Quebec Moderate damages 25,000 0 0 September, 1684. French with two ships built a small house and interrupted Indian trade Damages 10,000 0 0 1685. French took _Perpetuana_ and cargo to Quebec. Damages 5,000 0 0 For ship, master, and men Damages 1,255 16 3 1686. French destroyed three of Company's ships at bottom of Bay, and also three ships' stores, etc., and took 50,000 beaver skins, and turned out to sea a number of His Majesty's subjects 50,000 0 0 1682-6. Five years' losses about Forts (10,000 beaver skins yearly) 20,000 0 0 1688. Company's ships _Churchill_ and _Young_ seized by French 10,000 0 0 1692. Company sent out expedition to retake Forts, which cost them 20,000 0 0 1686-93. French possessed bottom of the Bay for seven years. Loss, 10,000_l._ a year 70,000 0 0 Damages 20,000 0 0 ---------------- Total damages claimed £211,255 16 3 ================ CHAPTER VII. RYSWICK AND UTRECHT.