A Map of Rupert’s Land, the monopoly given to the Hudson’s Bay Company by King Charles II in 1670, named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine, the Company’s Patron. (see The Nautical Mind)
Among the Blackfeet
The final phase of Matthew Cocking’s journey brought him into direct contact with the Archithinue—now known as the Blackfeet Confederacy. This encounter represented the central objective of his mission: to redirect the flow of furs toward Hudson Bay.
Competition in the Interior
By the time Cocking reached the plains, the presence of inland traders was unmistakable. He noted the activities of one such competitor:
“Mr. Currie… intercepted great part of York Fort trade this year.”¹
This interception was not incidental; it reflected a structural shift in the fur trade. Inland traders had adapted to the geography and established relationships that bypassed the Company’s coastal posts.
Transition to the Plains
As the expedition moved beyond the river systems, environmental conditions changed markedly. Fish, previously a staple, gave way to large game:
“plenty of Buffalo in sight on all sides.”²
At the same time, the expedition encountered new uncertainties, including intertribal tensions and the constant possibility of conflict.
Engagement with the Archithinue
Cocking spent time among the Blackfeet, observing their customs and attempting to persuade them to alter established trade patterns. His journal provides valuable ethnographic detail, though it also reflects the limitations of his perspective.
Frustration with the outcome is evident in his remarks:
“they are such notorious liars there is no believing them.”³
Such statements must be understood within their context, reflecting cultural misunderstandings rather than objective assessment.
Failure and Insight
Despite sustained efforts, Cocking was unable to persuade the Blackfeet to transport their furs to Hudson Bay. The logistical realities were prohibitive, and existing trade relationships proved more practical.
Nevertheless, the expedition yielded critical insights. It confirmed that the Company’s traditional model was no longer viable in isolation.
A Strategic Turning Point
As later commentary in the journal makes clear, the growing pressure from inland traders forced a reassessment:
the Company could no longer “rest content with a string of posts around the shores of Hudson Bay,” but must “strike boldly inland.”⁴
Within a short period, this realization led to the establishment of inland posts such as Cumberland House.
Significance
Cocking’s journey did not achieve its immediate objective. However, it played a decisive role in reshaping the Hudson’s Bay Company’s strategy.
For modern readers, the journal provides insight into a formative moment in Canadian history—when economic necessity, geographic reality, and cultural encounter combined to alter the course of expansion.
References – Part III
- Cocking, Journal entry, July 23, 1772, p. 99.
- Ibid., August 28, 1772, p. 104.
- Ibid., September 23, 1772, p. 103.
- Cocking, Introduction, p. 92.
Smith Family Roots Ancestor
Matthew Cocking (1743-1799)