"Michilimackinac being the chief Post to the northward where nothing is produced but Indian corn, the Traders cannot Winter there for want of Provisions but have always been obliged to quit that Place to winter with the Indians in their Villages at the distance sometimes of six hundred Leagues to the North West, by this means they cultivate a friendship with the savages and Excite a desire in them to have the commodities of Europe in order to cloathe themselves and their Families, which by the abundance at their own doors, they get at a cheap Rate, and it is a spur to their Industry without which they would not kill a quarter Part of the Beaver etc. but only hunt for sustenance and a few skins to make themselves cloathing.
         "The nations Inhabiting near the Bay des Puans, St. Joseph, and the Point of Chagouamigon whose Hunting grounds lie between there and the Mississipi on whose banks they usually Winter will be by the communication of the River Illinois carry their Furrs and Peltries to New Orleans or Truck [barter] them with such Traders as will be sent up from thence; and should that city pass into the Hands of the Spaniards their allies the French will nevertheless supplie them with suitable goods at a cheaper Rate than the English can do by reason of the high price of Labour among our Manufactures to wit, especially in Gunns, coarse cutlery etc. . . .
           "It is well known that the Indians have no magazines of Furrs they must therefore come to the Forts and Posts almost empty handed to get credit for their winter hunt. When they shall have Furrs instead of coming a great distance to pay their debts, 'tis to be feared they will rather carry them to some other Posts to Truck them for new goods"(Can. Arch., C.O. 42, II, Pt. II, 363-364; citation 12, p. 172 in Innis, Fur Trade in Canada).

         "It is well known that the Support of an Indian and his Family is his Fusee [fusil]; now if any Indian Family who perhaps Winters at the Distance of five or six hundred Miles from one of these Established Forts, should by any Misfortune either break his Fusee, or the least screw of his Lock be out of Order, or want Ammunition, where could that Indian Family be supported from, or how get their Sustenance? they must either perish with Hunger, or at least loose their Hunting that year, which will be so much Peltries diminished from the Publick Quantity: and unless that family is relieved by some persons in the Fort giving them Credit, the ensuing year they will not be able to return to their hunting Ground, and so be lost for ever. . . .
         "These Persons who have never had Commerce with the Indians, may think any Indian coming from so great Distance, tho' he should not have it in his Power to return to his own hunting Ground, yet may always get his living by hunting on his way: but those who have been acquainted with them, know the Indians are so tenacious of their Property, and Jealous of other Nations, that they will not suffer them in passing through their Lands, to hunt for their Support; therefore these Nations at the greatest Distance will never be able to come to the Post established. . . .
         "Without the Indians have Credit given them, 'tis impossible to carry on a Trade to Advantage. And when we are on the Spot to winter with them, we have always an Opportunity of knowing their Dispositions, pressing them to exert their Diligence, and are ready in the Spring to receive what is due" ("A memorial on the Indian trade to His Excellency Guy Carleton, dated Montreal, September 20, 1766, and signed by fifty-seven names [...]," Innis, pp. 173-4).