Colin Robertson

Colin Robertson (July 27, 1783 – February 4, 1842) was an early Canadian fur trader and political figure. Born in Scotland, for much of his adult life he was engaged in the North American fur trade, working at different times for the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. He led the Hudson's Bay Company expedition to Lake Athabasca.

The fur trade competition between the two companies was fierce and largely unregulated. While working with the North West Company, Robertson fought a duel with a fellow Nor'Wester. Later, when working for the Hudson's Bay Company, he faced criminal charges for having seized the fort of the Nor'Westers in the Red River colony, but was acquitted by a court in Lower Canada. On a later expedition, he was twice captured by Samuel Black of the North West Company, who planned to charge him with attempted murder. Robertson escaped both times, fled to the United States, and returned to England. After the death of his financial patron, Lord Selkirk, Robertson had to flee to France to avoid imprisonment for debt; he eventually worked out a bankruptcy agreement where he paid his creditors two shillings on the pound, before returning to the fur trade.

While engaged in the fur trade, Robertson married Theresa Chalifoux, a Métis woman. Contrary to the contemporary attitudes to such marriages, he treated his wife with respect and tried to integrate her into the fur-trading social life. They had at least one son, also named Colin, whom Robertson ensured had a good education in England.

Following the merger of the two companies in 1821, Robertson worked for the Hudson's Bay Company throughout Rupert's Land and the Canadian north-western territory. In 1832, he had a paralyzing stroke, from which he never fully recovered. In 1840, he retired to Montreal. He was elected to the first Parliament of the Province of Canada in 1841, but died in early 1842 when he was thrown from his sleigh.

Early life

Robertson was born in Perth, Scotland in 1783, the son of William Robertson and Catherine Sharp. The family was engaged in the hand-weaving trade. Robertson was originally apprenticed in Scotland as a hand-weaver, but abandoned his apprenticeship when the trade collapsed from competition by the weaving mills. He emigrated to New York City, where he found work in a grocery store.

At some point before 1803, he had joined the North West Company, a leading fur-trading company based in Montreal. He gained considerable experience about the fur trade, travelling and working in Rupert's Land and the north-western territory. During his time with the North West Company, he fought a duel with a fellow Nor'Wester, John MacDonald of Garth. In 1809, Robertson left the North West Company and travelled to England, where he became a merchant at Liverpool.

The first general elections for the new Legislative Assembly were held in the spring of 1841. Robertson stood for election for the riding of Two Mountains, located in the rural area to the north-west of Montreal. He campaigned in support of the union, as did his opponent, Charles John Forbes. Robertson was elected.

The first session of the new Parliament was convened in Kingston, Upper Canada, in September 1841. The major issue was the response to the union. One of the leaders of the French-Canadian Group, John Neilson, brought a motion which condemned the way the union had been imposed on Lower Canada. Robertson voted against the motion and in favour of the union. Neilson's motion was defeated. Robertson was a consistent supporter of the Governor General, Lord Sydenham, for the rest of the session.

Legacy Mount Robson, on the border between British Columbia and Alberta, is likely named for him.

Works

E. E. Rich (ed.), Colin Robertson's Correspondence Book, September 1817-September 1822 (Toronto: Champlain Society Publications, 1939).