1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
alcoholnounUS /ˈælkəhɑːl/
a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
Amerindians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
buffersnounUS /ˈbʌfərz/
plural of “buffer” — (chemistry) an ionic compound that resists changes in its pH
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
CanadanounUS /ˈkænədə/
a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
CanadiansnounUS /kəˈneɪdiənz/
plural of “canadian” — a native or inhabitant of Canada
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
CatholicadjectiveUS /ˈkæθlɪk/
of or relating to or supporting Catholicism
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
commercenounUS /ˈkɑːmərs/
transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
conquestnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkwest/
the act of conquering
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
power to direct or determine
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
take in liquids
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
furnounUS /fɜːr/
the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
JourneysnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrniz/
plural of “journey” — the act of traveling from one place to another
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
Mackenzie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
missionariesnounUS /ˈmɪʃəneriz/
plural of “missionary” — someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
monopolynounUS /məˈnɑːpəli/
(economics) a market in which there are many buyers but only one seller
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But after the British had completely assumed control, nothing was done to bar access to the interior.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
come into possession of
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
and nothing more
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
approval to do something
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
PreviouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
privilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
restrictionsnounUS /riˈstrɪkʃənz/
plural of “restriction” — a principle that limits the extent of something
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
scourgesnounUS /ˈskɜːrdʒɪz/
plural of “scourge” — a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
smallpoxnounUS /ˈsmɔːlpɑːks/
a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever and weakness and skin eruption with pustules that form scabs that slough off leaving scars
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
tradersnounUS /ˈtreɪdərz/
plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Alexander Mackenzie's Journeys It has been already mentioned that the conquest of Canada by the British led to a great increase in travel for the development of the fur trade.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
unhappilyadverbUS /ənˈhæpəli/
in an unpleasant way
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So long as the Catholic missionaries had been practically placed in charge of the Amerindians, and had served as buffers between them and unscrupulous traders, they--the Amerindians--had been saved from two scourges, smallpox and strong drink.[1] But now, unhappily, all restrictions about trade in alcohol were removed.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading In their eagerness to obtain ardent spirits and "high" wine, the Indians eagerly welcomed British traders and French Canadians in their midst.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Previously, under the French, permission was only granted to a few persons to penetrate into the interior to trade with the natives, commerce being regarded as a special privilege or monopoly to be sold or granted by the Crown.
