from 1731 la vérendrye pushed french trade west from lake superior to beyond lake winnipeg, thereby diverting part of the western trade to montreal. morton found no reduction in the hbc trade before 1750 but claimed that the french were taking a larger share of a growing trade. about this time arthur dobbs began agitating to have the hbc move inland and find the northwest passage. by around 1740 the western posts were in contact with "french indians" who traded with the french near lake winnipeg. in 1743 the hbc built its first inland post at henley house west of james bay. this was not a proper fur trading post but rather a kind of general store that made it easier for the western indians to reach james bay.