(1640-1710)
As a young man, he lived as a Coureur Des Bois, trapping and trading furs; but in 1652, was taken prisoner by the Iroquois and adopted into one of their families. Though they treated him well, he missed the freedom of life in the woods, so escaped. He was captured near Trois Rivieres, but this time had to endure torture, which included running the gauntlet.
between the Chiefs, Men, and Elders. Indian languages are hard to understand but because I was an Indian child for a while I learned to speak Iroquois which I didn’t know would come in handy one day. I didn’t know that one-day I would leave the Indian Mother, and Father that had looked after me for years."
Now resigning himself to live with the Iroquois, who were allies of the Dutch; Radisson began working at Fort Orange, where he was engaged as an interpreter. Eventually, he manages to make his way back to Trois-Rivières, and on July 29, 1657, takes part in an expedition to help the Jesuit mission at Onondaga; and the following year, when the mission is threatened with destruction; he organizes the evacuation of all the residents.
From His Diary: April 16, 1657 "I was severely punished for killing that guard to escape the Iroquois. I did try again. After I had escaped from the Iroquois camp ground I became coureur de bois. I had begun trading with the Indians for all sorts of stuff but when I got back to France the Law Robbed me of most of my profits so I only had like 10,000 or 20,000 dollars left in all from my work. I got so mad that I went to England to get granted a Royal Charter for Trading and then I got really good profits."
About 1659, he is employed by his brother-in-law, Médard Chouart des Groseilliers, who is about to set off on a business trip to the Great Lakes region. Chouart is a merchant who has learned that the best quality furs can be obtained in Huronia, so is anxious to get his hands on as many as possible. The mission was a success and according to Radisson, "We finally reached Québec ; (August 24, 1660) we were greeted by several cannon salvos from the fort's battery and from some ships anchored in the harbour. These ships would have returned to France empty if we had not shown up." However, their furs were seized and themen were fined for having left the colony without first obtaining permission from the governor, Pierre Voyer d'Argenson. So much for free enterprise.
Though Des Groseilliers sought compensation, the French Governor refused, so instead the two men went to Boston, where they were able to obtain the necessary financing for further ventures into Hudson's Bay. In August of 1665, still angry with France, they changed allegiance and set sail for London; where they found willing backers; and the following year, returned to England with a shipload of furs. This was the birth of the Hudson's Bay Company, created on May 2, 1670, whose mandate included the fur trade, mineral exploration and finding a passage to the West.
After four years of shuttling back and forth between London and Hudson's Bay, Radisson meets Jesuit priest, Charles Albanel; who was a prisoner in England; and he encouraged the two brothers-in-law to return to the bosom of France. They reluctantly agreed and Des Groseilliers settled in Trois-Rivières while Radisson returned to France where he joined the Navy.
Still anxious to get back to the lucrative fur trade of Hudson Bay, he was finally able to convince Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye to front him some cash and the Compagnie du Nord or the Compagnie Française de la Baie d'Hudson is formed. In August of 1682, Radisson and Des Groseilliers led two Company
ships to the Monsoni (Hayes) River, at the southern tip of James Bay. There they take Fort Nelson from the English, seize a ship from Boston and return with an impressive cargo of furs. However, when they were not paid fairly for their contribution to the mission, the two men finally called it quits. Des Groseilliers faded into obscurity while Radisson returned to England, where he once again signed on with the Hudson Bay Company.
In May of 1684, he once again sailed for Hudson's Bay, and dropped anchor near Port Nelson. He persuaded his nephew, Médard Chouart, and the Assiniboines to change their support to England; emptied the storehouses, and took all the furs belonging to the French. He was now a wanted man. Louis XIV sent Pierre de Troyes to capture him recognizing "the damage that this Radisson has done to the colony and the further harm he is likely to cause if he stays among the English."
Radisson remained in England where he officially became a citizen in 1687. He was married three times and had at least nine children. He died in 1710, destitute and penniless; no longer trusted by the English or the French.
