Humphrey Marten to William Tomison
July 1 1786
"Sir
"A few lines will suffice as an Answer to your polite favor of the 30th May. In the first place Sir I remember nothing about the Articles of Beads some years ago nor is it possible to suppose my non attention to my Duty because you never heard of it. As I declare in the Presence? of my maker I allways? sent to the Honble Board such samples as you desired? Second Respecting the house the Board will determine tho you cannot. Thirdly had I thought you a foolish Boy I never had pitched on you for an Inland Master. Fourthly as to Charles Isham that wants not elucidation the affair speaks plainly for itself. Fifthly I have the Honble Boards direct and positive? order? to inspect all public Inland papers and will obey them. Sixthly The Caution in wording the Charge of Octobr speaks plainly who it was aimed at for who was to send a packet up but me. To which as a Corroboration I will give? if you please the heinous neglect of Beads some Years Since. Seventhly as I allways respected you and did all in my Power to serve you and ever behind your back exprefsed the highest sence? I had of your merit I cannot see how any? words could arise nor would they now Sir had you acted generously and Charged me openly. Eighthly Many benevolenr actions are done by persons that never made a present in their lives. Ninethly my Honorble Employers are the best? Judges? if the Fort was Surrendered ingloriously or not? , be that as it may it is not much more inglorious then the two severe Drubbings you received from the Canadians and Umfreville. Tenthly your expressions about asking pardon are too Childish to deserve an answer as in that about Character when you know the Companys Servants Inland always said I was the best Master I ever had -
Eleventhly I always followed my Masters orders in whatever I said or wrote to you in regard to your Behaviour to the Canadians which was to have no course With Them. To conclude I have my Masters Interest as much at heart as you have (which is saying a great deal) or any man and to prove it I am willing to drop all alteration on this subject leaving it to much fitter judges than either of us to determine who is right or who is rong. I am ready and willing sir to treat you with the respect due to a Company Officer. I am ready Sir to receive every communication you have to give me for the Companys advantage ? and to do you all the Service in the power of
Humphrey Marten"
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The letters continue but I can't.

David Thompson to Joseph Colen at York Factory
Aug. 6 1794
"about a 1/2 M. above the kettle"
"James Hourie"..." had put on his usual load when a fettle broke and"..." he broke his two fore fingers"..." I have engaged the Old Mud to take the Man down - your well known humanity will equally pay or reward him as if he had even brought down furs - We all hope so - as it concerns us all for we who journey this way are all liable to the same & we ourselves may soon have the same cause"...
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Joseph Colen at York to Samuel Hearne at Churchill
Jan. 9 1787
..." A few Indians came in to Trade, have upwards of 800 Made Beaver of diff. kinds of Skins. amongst the Natives are four from Churchill viz. Mamau Tisheway alias Tom Moar - Takawappatum - Neappiton Cappon & his Father Mackachy"...
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Samuel Hearne at Churchill to Joseph Colen at York
Jan. 29 1787
..." Mackachy and all his family are the biggest Rascals in this Country. Their respective Debts at this place are as follows - John Moar 30 Beav. Mackachy 10 Beav. & his youngest son 22 Beaver."
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Joseph Colen to John Ballenden at Severn
July 20 1787
..." Uskunique, Crane & Mankinen have been in twice this Season - the last time they paid 90 Beav. owing you - they tell me YF is their place of Birth but was forced from it by bad treatment, many others have repeated the same story, who are to me strangers, that brot in many hundred Skins - these ftrangers introduced their friends - Old Leaders reported to be dead have seen York this fummer; & the great Musqua Rat River Chief - Ekmi-hon? paid me a visit and promises great things next Season - Ponrish (one of your Indians) last Winter went mad, he eat two of his Children thro' want & died soon after"...
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Joseph Colen at York to John Ballenden at Severn
Mar. 5 1787
..." I am sorry for your lofs of the young Bull, much more so, that I have it not in my Power to supply you with Another yet you have my free leave to take all the Cattle from this place for a few Years - As our most useful hands are employed the best part of the Summer procuring Hay when I could engage them on duties more beneficial & far more useful in forwarding businefs at the Factory"...
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