Humphrey Marten at York Factory to William Tomison
Aug. 31 1785
"Sir,
"The Ship arriving in good time and Charles Isham happily recovering from his disorder. I proposed his returning Inland but as this could not be done by himself I was forced to engage Wm. Flett Sen. for two Years but not before he had asked pardon for past bad behaviour, and promised a dutiful obedience to his superior Officers and the utmost attention to, and care of the Company's Effects delivered to his Custody
" You know Sir, I often solicited you to leave with me a written account of those things you wished to be indented for from England, as well as what articles you would have sent up to you this fall; this you know you did not do; I own my surprize was very great, when Charles Isham informed Mr. Bellendon and myself you had left orders and instructions with him in regard to some Articles of which we were totally ignorant; surely Sir this has a strange appearance and doth not shew much respect to either myself or Afsistant: But what shall I say Sir to your Cruel and False, Base and ungenerous Charges in your Journal of the 17th Oct. Can you prove the least inattention in me to Inland Trade, Surely Sir your always having had the picking the best of the Goods to carry Inland, my breaking through the positive orders of my Masters to get the Men to return Inland might have silenced you from making so heavy a charge against me; tho' gratitude for a continued friendship from your first arrival in this Country and many acts of great benevolence to you on sundry occasions might have lost any weight with you. Suppose the charge to be true, why not make it to my face? [the first question mark I've seen] surely it would have been much more generous, and had I remained incorigible 'twas your duty to have complained directly to my Masters and not have suffered a Man in whom they had put such confidence to betray his trust: such a wretch ought to be dismifsed with the greater infamy. Now Sir to conclude I insist that you either support the charge you have made against me by proof positive, or to ask my pardon, the former I know you cannot do, the latter I will force you to do, or proclaim you a dark cowardly Afsafsin to your Employers, and to every one I see that knows you. I have sent sundry Trading Goods as per list - And am the
Greatly Injured."
1M255 B.239/b/44

William Tomison at Cumberland House to Humphrey Marten
May 30 1786
" By the arrival of James Saunderson and Wm Flett Sen. on the 3rd Jan. 1786 I received your letter which gave me great pleasure to hear of the safe Arrival of their honors ship but in the other respects much to the Contrary, by the false Information you have alledged against me. In the first place sir, you say you have often solicited me to leave with you a written list of what every? necefsary to be indented for -
Sir you know some years ago I left with you a list of nine articles of sundry sorts of Beads taken out of the Bead ?? which I never heard of to this day. at other times I have often told you about having a house erected in the Bungee? Country for the greater dispatch of Business. this I also have never heard of whither you ever Informed The Honourable Board thereof I am not to determine, but I am Apt to believe you only thought me a foolish Boy and not fit to propose any such thing. As to Charles Ishams charge I mind it not, as he is a person well known not to speak truth at all times, and therefore ought not to be credited. Sir as to what you have seen in my Journal entry? 17th Oct. you cannot take hold of, as you name is not mentioned; without guilty consciences accuse themselves. Sir I do not know what right you have to inspect my Journal, or the Account Book as you are not accountable for any Goods I receive when once its put without the Warehouse door. Sir I have one thing to say if you get another Man to stay as long under you as I have been with as few words then I will give you every farthing I have earnt in the Honble Hudsons Bay Companys Service - Sir as to the great act of Benevolence you mention in your letter what I possefs shall be at your Service the first Opportunity, which is a Watch I received from you on my return from Albany with your Children, & is the only thing I ever made use of, as to the Old Cloaths you gave me on my first entering the Inland Service, was with you in the Forts at the inglorious Surrender of the Honble Hudsons Bay Comp. & Effects to a parcel of Rebels - Sir I am ready and willing to answer every bad Actions I have commited but to ask pardon from mortal man I never will. Should I be cut into Five hundred pieces and that only belongs to God and the King and not to arbitrary power Sir you say you will proclaim me a dark cowardly afsasin to my Employers and to every one that knows me, Sir take care to lay a good foundation for your own character before you Blast? mine? as the prefs is fire? for every poor man. Sir you will please to remember That I enquired of you How I should behave in regard to the Canadians who were encroaching on the Companys Liberty to which you gave me no Answer but afterwards you calld? me and seemed to be very angry and told me I had asked you a very deep Question and gave me for Answer that I was to tell them to go off the Ground which would be of little force without a Written Order for so doing. I have sent you several Packages of Furrs as per? enclosed? Numbers, also ? ? of Trading Goods, and Conclude wishing succefs to the Companys affairs and that you may have a better opinion of other Men than you have Me And am the Greatly Injured
WILLIAM TOMISON
P.S. The Indians are paid 4 Beaver for each Bundle they carry down and have nothing to receive from you on that head but by way of Friendship."
1M255 B.239/b/45

I don't know what was in Tomisons' Journal on Oct. 17 and I don't know what Henry Hallett did at Cumberland House to irritate Joseph Colen.

Joseph Colen to Henry Hallett
Sept. 4 1795
" Your Imprudences while you remained at Cumberland House were represented to the Honble Committee and occaisioned me trouble last Season. I stood forward as your Friend out of respect for your Uncle P Turner, as I judged the Accusation against you was dictated by Malice - Altho' I would go some length to serve you, yet, believe me I will not do it at the Expense of my Reputation. The Complaints against you are become general and its my opinion your Career if not stopt in time might occaision very serious Consequences your afsociating with the Men and betraying the Trust reposed in you shews the Depravity of your Heart, and I much fear, unlefs you alter your Conduct entirely there will be no hopes of your Advancement in this Service. If in future I shall find you deserving of protection you will find in me a friend."
1M256 B.239/b/56

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