Letter from Donald Mckay to John Ballenden at York Factory
Oct. 3 1798
"Sir
Whereas Mr Jos Colen the late Chief at York Factory has deprived me of doing my duty to my employers in the station their Honors were pleased to appoint me by the said Mr Jos Colens malevolence and imperious behaviour which is stated in my Journal transmitted by Captain John Richards and Consigned to the Commitee of the Honorable Hudson's Bay Company and whereas you are now appointed to be thier Honors Chief at York Factory that in obedience to the Commands of my employers is in duty bound to observe such orders Commands or Instructions as you make think fit consistent with the rules described by Law, Justice or Good Order Particularly such orders, Commands etc. as shall be for the Interest of the Honorable Hudson's Bay Company during the time I may be in their Honors Service and requests with submifsion to your approbation.

"first that two Boats be built in the same manner shape and size as they are built at Albany for the Service of the ensuing Year, as I wish to Steer one myself next Spring not farther than to be back in time to return in the Companys Ship as I? request

"And I do hereby declare my readiness and will to serve my Employers to the utmost of my power, Skill & Knowledge to obey my Superiors in every Lawful Command and will give every information when required and that without reserve as far as I know to be real truth in every project or Plan that may be framed by the Chief & Council for the service of the ensuing Year and hopes that harmony and good understanding will now be established among us for the time to come and that former misunderstand will die in oblivion and the Companys businefs carried on with Vigour is the prayer of
Sir
Yours etc.
DMK"
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Churchill Factory William Auld
Mar. 9 1808
..." a few N? Indians in the fall brought about 300 lbs of dried Provisions they had summered far to the Northward there they were met by a considerable No. of Eskimaux who had them under consideration. Guns & ammunition of course changed owners & I am glad they were all permitted to come to me for a fresh stock
"We have considerable trouble in keeping the peace between these ancient foes at the Factory & it will require all my Religious & Political abilities to influence the Sufferers so far as to forgive such an insult when they meet here."...
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From a letter from John Ballenden to John McNab
March 2 1802
..." I cannot help remarking that this has been the Coldest Winter I have experienced since my residence at York. The Thermomiter for a long time stood betwixt 30 and 40 below the Cypher. The poor Indians that visit us from time to time Show'd the effects by being much froze both in face and hands"...
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From William Auld at Churchill
Mar. 15 1802
..." we have had the quicksilver solid many times and our Thermomiters (which I am certain of in point of exactnefs) were frequently below -40 and 10 Days before Christmas was 46 below the Cypher."...
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William Tomison at Gordon House to Joseph Colen at York
Aug. 6 1797
"I cannot pafs this opportunity without giving you my repeated wishes of enjoying a pleasant & happy winter.
Sir I am sorry to inform you that many Packages rests here that the Canoes brought from the Factory and left here by Mr Sutherland Fidler & Rofs as also all the Steel and Iron bars Hatchets etc. and a strick order for all to be brought up in the Fall by Mr. Oman this orders you know I never can comply with for I believe you never heard that Tomison ever took a piece of Goods from the Factory and left it by the way or got another man to carry it for him neither did he load his Canoe with necefsaries for himself and left the Companys Goods behind. All the Twine for Cumberland House I have taken which was in No. 5 & 6 also the most part of what you sent for Mr. Bird as to anything else we cannot take the Parcel J. C. which was left also I find their is two pieces of Goods left on account of carrying Thompsons things up which I think in the first place be a very great Imposition on you & much more so on the Hon'ble Company for in my opinion that Man that would have been a Carrier for so base a man as Thompson ought to have both his Ears cut off which I should not have Scrupled at had he been my Brother. I am sorry to say that matters has gone to a great length this Year which I must confefs will not be allowed another Year let the consequence be what it may. You will please not to have any Bundles? Packed for next year with one single article of any kind whatever not lefs than six nor more than twelve Knives Handkerchiefs Files and Bayonets Excepted which maybe more. So I conclude with wishing the Compliments of the Season to attend you and all under your Command & Remain
Dear Sir
Your mo Obed humble Sevt
Wm Tomison"
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The above got George Sutherland in a big huff and he wrote a long letter which I'm curious about and I'll transcribe one of these days. And this next murder is a motive for murder.

From a letter from London Home Office
May 1803
" We are sorry for the fate of Magnus Birza of Albany which you will no doubt have heard of. On perusing his Journal under the date of the 23 May 1800 at G? Lake we perceive that on receiving a Cut or Stab from a Indian who bore him a grudge, The men under Birza immediately hung him. This action met with our highest displeasure."...
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