" Papers relating to the mutiny at Brandon House, 1811."

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" In pursuance of my orders to accompany Mr Heney & the Albany people out thro Lake Winnipeg to YF. I arrived at Brandon House the 13th of May where I found the people in a state of mutiny under the direction of a William Yorston, who had taken upon himself (by the advice of one Archibald Mason) the charge from Mr Heney who had been obliged to leave Brandon House and take up his residence at Pabina. Finding this to be the case on my arrival I found myself under the necefsity of interfering so far as to endeavour to persuade Mr Wm Yorston & the rest of the Men to return to a sense of their duty, but found they were as little inclined at first to pay any attention to what I had to say, as they had been to what Mr Heney told them - On consideration that the Companys affairs would suffer for the ensuing year in that quarter incase the men had fullfilled their determination of all going down to Albany I thought it a duty incumbent on me to try and persuade them to the contrary and as Will. Yorston was the principal Man whom the whole confided in I addrefs'd myself in the first place to him, &? wished to Know his determination before I asked any of the others. Some time after my arrival I call'd him to one side and told him I came there with an intention of accompanying them out to York Factory and wished to Know whether he was inclined to accompany me and the rest of the Men under his Charge according to the orders of the Honble Committee. he gave me no satisfactory answer but seemed displeased that I had not brought the Companys papers to him as he said he considered no man in this Country to be his Master, the Hudson's Bay Company only were his Masters and to them he would be answerable for his conduct. I told him I had no wish to afsume to myself the right of condemning his past conduct but only wished to Know what was his intentions with regard to the future, he then said that for his part he was determined to go to Albany and he believed every one to be of the same determination but he only spoke for himself. He said the men found themselves imposed on and ill treated by Mr Heney who had put extravagant prices on all the Goods, & went amongst them always with his Arms on, which they were not accustomed to. He never spoke to them. Called them Orkney Hogs, and let them have nothing that they wanted when ordered to go on the Company's duty, that the Men wished Arch. Mason to take charge which he refused, they then jointly with Arch Mason insisted on his (Yorstons) taking charge which he did and had acted to the best of his judgement for the Companys interest. I told him that I feared he had suffered himself to be imposed on or misled by Mr Mason who appeared to me to be a mere imposter and afsured him he was no confidential person from the Company as he supposed, and that it was surprizing to me how a man of his (Yorston's) sagacity should be so mistaken in his (Masons) Character. Yorston replied he had seen no harm with the Man and that he believed there was no Man in the Country Knew what he (Mason) was

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" sent out for - I saw it was in vain to pursuade him from his opinion of Mr Mason. I endeavoured in vain to represent to him the impropriety of his Conduct by trusting to the reports of Mason - I afsured him he would feel the effects of it at some future period tho he could not see it now. as he was going away I told him to reflect seriously on what he was about and give me his final determination tomorrow. The next Day Yorston seemed to avoid my Company whenever I threw myself in his way & when I got an opportunity of speaking to him he seem'd very reserved and would scarcely give me an answer to any question. I asked him what was the reason he appeared so very reserved. why did he not open his mind and exprefs himself freely as I did to him - He said that he found himself slighted, that he was looked upon a nobody with a parcel of stuff of that Kind, that I did not think worth while paying attention to - At last he exprefs'd his being disatisfied at not being presented with the Companys papers. - I told him if I had fifty papers, he should not be able to boast of having compell'd me to produce them as he had done with Mr Heney, & that if he did not chose to take my word he might do as he pleased but that he should stand to the consequence - he went away. I begged he would come in again & reason cooly before Mr Mason, James Inkster the Cooper & John McKay. - he said his temper would not allow him, however he came in. I then told him that withstanding which? had past if he would return to a sense of his duty, and go to York with me or remain Inland as might be required, I should interest myself in his favour and do all I could for him. If on the contrary I was obliged to go to York & join Mr Heney in his Accusations against him he might depend on being a ruined Man. - He told me that was a piece of vilanry, to join him or Mr Heney. he did not thank me for my Interest, or he wanted no mans Interest. He would justify himself before the Company. I replied it was immaterial to me how such a fellow or Scoundrel as he might misconstrue my words. That I would neither join Mr Heney nor him in any thing unlawfull & that he and the other Men who were present might be made sensible of my meaning. I repeated the sentence over again. Yorston soon went away - I took an opportunity to call the Cooper, James Inkster to one side & asked him what he thought of the transactions at Brandon House last winter he said it was a shamefull businefs, & that Mr Heney had been cruelly ill treated, & that he had taken no part in it. I then asked him if he would Remain Inland for the Summer as Master at Brandon House he promised he would provided I could get a few men to stay with him but if Yorston

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" could be prevailed on to stay he would like it much better, he told me also that Yorston had the Men so much under his thumbs that he could lead them any way he pleased. he begged therefore I would try Yorston once more as he thought if he was not prevailed on stay he might lead all the Men to Albany & a sufficient number would not be got to remain with him, however he believed two or three would stay, he pointed them out & they promised to stay but they wished to have Yorston also - as they said he was best acquainted with the Indians there. Convinced as I was that not a man would have agreed to come down to York if Yorston had not remained Inland - I was determined to try him once more and the next day I went to him (Yorston) for the last time. He accosted me civily and offer'd me his hand I told him if he would give me his confidence along with it I would accept of it. He said he gave it with a good heart & told me he would go down to York, Albany, or remain Inland, and he believed the men were all willing to go any where I wanted them - I took him at his word & wished him to come along with me to york, he retracted again & said he would rather remain Inland. but that the Men would accompany me to York as many as was required to man? three? Batteaux but that four Men must go to Albany they being requested as Witnefses by Mr Mason to return to Albany ? they were not allowed to go Home, they would be able to bring the property of the others up to Red River. - I was glad to catch at any thing rather than suffer all to go to Albany, and on these? terms got three boat crews including two of my own men to come to York. - I flatter'd them a little & told them I was glad to see them so far come to a sense of their duty. I offerd even to Interest myself for them. one man spoke (Geo. Henderson) and thanked me but said they did not want my Interest as they would answer for themselves - I wished they might be able to give a good account of their conduct &c. - previously to this I had asked every man seperately whether they would consent to go down to York according to the Orders of the Honble Committee or were still determined on going to Albany contrary to their orders - they all said to a man they were willing to go to York provided I would promise them the same allowance they had formerly at Albany, & that they should return again to Red River. - As to their first request I afsured them they would not have it whither they went to York or Albany and as to the last it did not remain with me to decide as they must go where they were appointed by our Superiors below. They also declared to me that no inducement would make them serve under Mr Heney.

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" Having succeeded so far, I now endeavoured by every conciliatory measure to gain the confidence of the Men, in hopes of being able to secure Mr Heneys private property, which they had seized and also I wished to secure? the person of Archibald Mason, who I now understood had been promised a pafsage to Montreal by the N.W. Compy. As I could do no thing by force I thought it the best way to have recourse to Stratagem, and determined to try what effect a little grog would have on the Men - I applied to Yorston for some Spirits to give the men a treat as part of them had promised to accompany me to York. He told me there was none in the House but he could get some from the N.W. Fort by applying for it providing it was not used for the purpose of trade, he told me he had already borrowed the greatest part of a Keg from Mr Pritchard, Master at the NWt. Fort, on their conditions that the Men might have a Glafs of grogg when they were rafting & working in cold water in the Spring of the year. that Mr Pritchard wished him to take the remainder of the Keg that it might be fill'd up again, when returned. I knew this circumstance before Yorston told me & had told Mr Pritchard not to supply Yorston or any other person then at Brandon House with Brandy or any other article in the name of the Hudson's Bay Company. He told me he would not unlefs I myself requested it but hoped what had been borrowed before would be paid. I told him it should and requested him soon after by a note to send up the remainder of the Keg that Yorston had borrowed - I gave a treat to the Men but they had been so accustomed to treats of this Kind that made mine of little value for it only served to shew me that Archb'd Mason was a Complete drunkard, added to his other accomplishments. I wished to have an opportunity of trying him as it appeared to me the first night I came to Brandon House that he was a little ? with liquor by the incoherent way in which he spoke. He told me he had been sent out by the Company to discover the lands in the Country and the nature of the soil, & there was one great observation he had made which was that there was four great governors in the Country, & that was Mr Wilkie at Pabina (a NWt Clerk), Mr Thomas at Albany, Mr Will. Yorston at Brandon House & Mr Kennedy a Swan River - This story, and a quart pot of

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" mixed liquor, or grog which was standing near him, which he said he had ordered in to offer me a glafs, gave me a much worse opinion of him than I had from the ? I had heard of him - It may be necefsary to add here that Yorston himself was at the Old House for he had taken upon himself to remove old Brandon House about five Miles farther up the River, to a place more advantageous for getting wood, as well as several other conveniences attending it - when he took to himself the merit of forwarding such a piece of work in a short time, I told him that a thing done contrary to orders was seen to be wrong be it never so right. Seeing I could not succeed in gaining the confidence of the Men so far as to get Mason in my power, I did every thing to hasten our departure for the fforks of Red River, where I expected to meet Mr Heney. After receiving the Invoice of Furs, Journal and other papers from Will. Yorston I embarked at Brandon House the 23rd June with three boats loaded with 54 bundles of Furs & 49 bags of Pemmican and Mann'd with Sixteen Men viz. John Lyons, Tho. Favel, Jn Wishart, Tho. Mason, Umfraville Favel, John Isbister, Jerman Monjeneur, John Corrigall, And. Bakie, Lewis Jolly Ceur, (John Kirknefs & George Sinclair from Swan River) John Ballanden, Will. Scart. Jn Cumins & George Henderson, the four last determined for Albany. Also John McKay jun., Tho. Norn, & Arch. Mason pafsengers. After proceeding down the River five Days we arrived at the fforks where we encamped a little below the NWt Fort to wait the arrival of Mr Heney. I call'd on Mr Wills one of the NWt Proprietors who received me politely & told me he understood Mr Heney did not intend to start from Pabina for some time to come. We remained near the Forks of the River till about the 5th of June when Mr Heney arrived in a Canoe manned by five Canadians. he pafsed us after saluting me & telling us he intended to put

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" up on the point below, I told him I should soon follow him - He had hardly turned the point below us when we saw a Canoe loaded with Canadians Two of the N.W. Proprietors, (Mefs McDonald & Wills?) and two Clerks pushing? off to follow Mr Heney, they came in shore where we were encamped and asked if Mr Heney had landed here, I told them he had not but that he would Encamp a little below us, they pushed off and proceeded down the River after Mr Heney - I immediately after their departure I told the Men to Man a boat & we would follow them down the River, they hesitated & said they had no businefs with Mr Heney, and did not wish to interfere. I said I only asked them to give me a pafsage down but seeing them so backward I told George Sinclair to jump in a small Canoe and accompany me down to where Mr Heney was. We embarked immediately & found Mr Heney had only turned the point below us and debarked. He was sitting on the shore with an old gun by him alongside four Armed Men (the two proprietors above mentioned and their two Clerks) who had come to claim Mr Heneys Canoe Men, whom they alleged were under agreements with them, and that unlefs Mr Heney would consent to pay their debt he should not embark them. I called Mr Heney to one side & while we took a walk in the plain I suggested to him that Arch. Mason had bespoke a pafsage to Montreal from these two proprietors which I believed had been promised, & as I presumed he was a Servant of the Hble Cpy? it should be on their refusing him a pafsage to Montreal only that he should answer for the debts of the Canadians he had engaged - I also mentioned to him, I had two Men there under my Command, which I would put in his Canoe rather than he should find himself compell'd to become Accountable for the debts that were due by two of his Canoe Men - He said they were valuable Men & he had orders from the Governor of the Honble Committee? to engage such Men & their debts would be paid out of their wages as soon as it became due. We returned to McDonald & Wills, where Mr Heney told them he would not consider himself bound to fullfill any promise he would make for the payment of any Debt due by the Men he had engaged (or words to this purpose) if they gave the least protection or encouragement

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" to Arch. Mason. they argued the Matter & said it was not a parallel case and gave us every reason to believe they were more bent on having justice done themselves than they were ready to shew to others, they however promised not to give him a pafsage and as Bills were presented against three of Mr Heney's Men which they confefs'd were due Mr Heney found himself under the necefsity of giving a receipt for payment thereof & they requested me also to sign these receipts which I could not with propriety refuse so I saw him entirely deserted by the men who ought to have protected him and who was in hopes of seeing him left behind on the beach. -
After settling this businefs I related to Mr Heney what I have done at Brandon House which if he thought wrong I was ready to afsist him in correcting with all my might. I hoped he would not think me too officious in what I had done, as I afsured him however I might have erred my intentions were only to promote the Honble Companys Interest, & as he now had arrived I left it to him to write to Albany, and settle with the Pabina people as he pleased, only I mentioned to him the necefsity of getting four of them to supply the place of the four of the Brandon House delegates who insisted on going to Albany, which he immediately complied with and exprefs'd himself satisfied with my Conduct.
We now separated the Cargoes & dispatched two Batteauxs for Albany with the Men as pr list loaded with leather & provisions & we embarked for YF with 3 boats & Mr Heney in his Canoe with the Canadians.
This is a summary account drawn up entirely from memory - by Your Most Obedt.
& very Hble Servt.
Alex Kennedy

To William Auld Esq.
Superintendant of
the Northern Settlements
in Hudson's Bay"


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" Thomas Mason of the parish of Kirkwall has been 10 years in the service wages £ 25 a Labourer at Brandon House. Says he met Mr H. 30th Oct. at the Pafsage near the forks by appointment with Horses & Carts to transport Mr H. & Property to B.H. - Mr H. required him to remain untill Mr Auld arrived to which he objected for want of cloathing & provisions. at this Mr H. ordered him of duty & told him he should no longer be admitted into the service. But Mason would not deliver up the horses but said as he had brought them so would he take them back again. Mr Heney armed himself with pistols but says he knows not what his intentions were. They altogether set off to B.H. and on Mr H. arrival the charge was given to him by Wm Yorston & nothing disagreeable happened untill the 24th Feb. as he thinks to the best of his recollection being Sunday. during that interval only little cases occurred such as not supplying them out of the warehouse with goods requisite for their comfort & necefsities tho' they would willingly have paid for them the new prices affixed - On the night mentioned at 11 OClock Mr H. came into their house Armed with pistols in quest of Arch. Mason with whom he had some quarrel. not finding him there he went to another of the Mens houses & there he was disarmed by the men - The Men then took the keys from him and A. Mason took Mr H. writing desk which he yet keeps. On Tuesday Morning following Mr H. got a free Canadian & set off for the Pabina house without Dogs or horses. The next Day 5 men followed each with 3 dogs & overtook him on the road pafsed him & got there before him. Says the purpose was to get 2 big? kegs (ea 10 Gal) of Salt with which they returned to B.H. He adds that A. Mason took the keys as he stated himself to be the Agent of the Co'y but on the morning of the 25th the charge was given up to Wm Yorston Mr Kennedy says that this man was more civil to him than the others & agreed to stop inland or proceed to YF as required which are in his favour."

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" John Wishart of the parish of Rowsa has been 9 years in the Service Wages £ 22 Steersman at Brandon House. Says nearly the same things as Mason. he adds that both Mr Heney & A. Mason were in liquor on the evening of the 24th Feb. he accompanied Mason to the Forks. And on their arrival at B.H. the men required of Mr H. to know the new regulations which he refused where they also refused to work for some days they however went to work - In Feb. Mr H. wanted him to accompany to Pabina Wishart asked for new or better Snow Shoes but rec'd none so could not go & Mr H. sent down a Skin to be cut into thong for mending Snowshoes but Mr Wishart would not take it to the women who usually repair such articles. He however was one of the 5 who followed after Mr H. & arrived at Pabina before him. says they went for goods but? got? none whatever of no kind except their own & some of Archibald Masons things with which they returned to B.H."

" John Isbister of the Parish of Stenhouse has been 6 years in the Service wages £ 18 Labourer at Brandon House. Says he accompanied Mr H. from Albany says he has seen Mr H. 3 times in the course of the year in Liquor. repeats nearly the same things that the other two men have said but says exprefsly that the 5 men went to Pabina to protect the men there that Mr H. might not avenge himself on them because their fellow servants had served him as they had done. Says that Mr H. had got an old Gun from a free Canadian close by B. House that on Mr H. arriving at Pabina the Men took the Gun from him - Mr Sinclair asked whether any Natives usually bringing Furs came to B.H. during Mr H. being there says very few came & none a Second time as they were all told by Mr H. that he was come only for Provisions

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" & wanted no Skins. Mr S. further asked whether he knows of Wm Yorston or others at the house gave directions to the natives to refuse bringing in furs to Mr H. says he never knew any such but adds that immediately the Fur Indians came in as usual with their trade - Says that it was owing to the preference shewn to the Natives bringing Provisions that the other Natives were displeased & had Mr H. continued there they never would have brought any trade at all but have given it the Canadians."

" John Corrigal Parish of Evie has been 5 years in the Service Wages £ 18 Labourer at Brandon Ho. Says - on Mr Heneys Arrival they understood there were new regulations & new prices to the goods. the Men sent to know what usage they were to get thro' the year and what they were to pay for the goods they purchased. they were told such goods as they had bought before his Arrival should be at the old prices but henceforward at the new prices - that they then wrote to him to require him to sell the goods at the Old prices & he answered the same way that he would not so they all refused to work but after a day they did go to duty of their own Accord. Says on the 24th Feb. they men only took his pistols from him & nothing besides (tho' the others said they took his gun & sword and Keys of warehouse) Says he never heard that the 5 men who followed Mr H. to Pabina went to afsist or protect the Pabina Men as the former man said but thinks they went for Goods - On being further questioned says the Men took the Keys from Mr H. as he had said he could arm himself out of the warehouse if he wanted to do mischief to prevent this they gave the Keys to A. Mason. Says that there never was known so few goods being sent from Albany only 2 Batteaux in the place of 4 & 5 as before there

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" fore it could not be expected that the Trade could be considerable - Says he heard Tho. Favel the Interpreter say that Mr Heney gave instructions to the Indians not to kill furs but to get Provisions. Says after Mr H. went to Pabina more of the Indians came in with furs than had come while he was there - Says that Archibald Mason was only once at Canadian House in the Spring tho' J. Isbister exprefsly said Mason was several times there making his engagements with the Canadians for a pafsage to Canada from thence he was to go England."

" And. Baikie Parish of Evie 7 years in the Service Wages £ 18 Labourer at Brandon House Says - He was one of the 3 who met Mr H. at the Pafsage in the fall - Says after the Pistols were taken from Mr H. they a short while after also took his Gun & Cutlafs. Positively says they neither went to protect or afsist their fellow Servants at Pabina but only went for goods as he supposes. Distinctly says that if Mr Heney really had an evil disposition towards the Men of Brandon House or Pabina he had many opportunities of doing there a mischief as he could have got arms from numbers of the Free Canadians every where - Says he never heard or knew that Mr Heney told the Indians not to fetch furs but to bring provisions. neither did he ever hear that any one else had told the Indians such. Says he never thought? the Indians came in seldomer to Mr H than they did to Wm Yorston, never heard any preference being given to the Meat hunters over the fur hunters."

" Tho. Favel a native of Hudsons Bay. 18 years in the Service Wages £ 26 at Brandon House. Says he went & fetched the Keys to the Men as he was afraid of his life if Mr H. got other Arms. Says he had instructions from Mr Heney

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" to tell the Indians he wanted only Beaver MuskRats Otters Swanskins & did not care much for Bears & still lefs for Wolves & Leather. He also wanted Provisions from them but? the Indians who bring Furs bring but a very small proportion of the Provisions - Says the reason the preference was given to the Meat Indians was because the Fur Hunters only were bring'g Leather & Wolves. Being a Linguist or Interpreter to Brandon House says there is a new superstition entered among them which is the chief cause of their killing fewer furs this Season than formerly as well no doubt as some thing owing to? the Smallnefs of the Cargoes brot from Albany - & that he never recollects them killing such few furs."

" The above Thomas Favel on being spoke to concerning the heinousnefs of the offence he had committed vindicated himself by saying he was truly afraid of his life else he never would have fetched the Keys neither did he well know what he was about as he had been called out of his sleep. He exprefsed very deep sorrow for having acted so & as this was the only thing in which he at all joined the European Servants he with tears begged forgivenefs and most pathetically promised that as he had been born & brought up in the Service he would spend the remainder of life in the discharge of his duty & in support of the authority of such officers as were placed over him. From this & other things in his favour we have told him to hope for the Honble Committee's forgivenefs. - W.A."

" The Delegates Relation of their Mutiny at Brandon House"

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" March the? 29?th five men arrived here at this place from Brandon house Between 9 and 10 oclock at night and Delivered a letter unto all hands and one to the Master Concerning Mr Heneys Beheavour towards them Saying that on Sabbath night last that Mr Heney and Mr Mason was drinking in Mr Heneys room and about 11 oclock at night Mr Mason Came down Stairs All hands in Bed making a great noise which alarmed the whole of them and they Jumped out of Bed and in a little after Mr Heney Came down Stairs with his Gun and went in Below Stairs And Some of them went in unto him and told him to go up to his own room which accordingly he did and in a little after he Came down and Came in unto the Mens house with his pistols on him and asked if Mr Mason was here and they said no and then he went in the Coopers house and asked the same and they Said he was but asleep and as? he was turning? himself to go out they took his arms from him and the next day he went out to a freemans tent and that he left it without Their? Knowledge and they Came to warn us of his Coming?. the day following Mr Mason and one man Came to the house between 8 and 9 oclock of night telling us the same? and that they left Mr Heney behind them But nigh and Mr Mason told us to disarm him when he Came accordingly Mr Heney Came between 11 and 12 oclock at night and we asked Mr Stitt? if we would disarm him and he said we might and when Mr Heney Came to the Gats we men at this place went and Opened the gats unto him and when he came in he Said how do you does? lads and we told him to Give us his gun But he Said no and we told him that it was our orders and we wanted it in peace But he would not But he

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" Swore By god that he would not do any hurt and than we Seeing that we told him to Come in for he Said he would go Back again Straight and than he Came in unto Mr Stitts room and we went in after him and when he Came in Mr Stitt was puting on his Cloaths and he told Mr Heney to set down But he did not but he Spoke and Began to reason with us about the matter and at the Same time Mr Mason And the men that Came with him Came in unto Mr Stitts room and when Mr Heney Seed him he Said Mr Mason how dou you dou and Mr Mason Said well and what the Devel has Brought you here and Mr Heney Said I have Come to take the overhal? of the Companys warehouse and Mr Mason Said you Shall not Get it and Mr Heney Said I Shall and than Mr Mason Said I shall See you Damnd first than he gave Mr Heney very Abusive language and Mr Heney asked him where was his authority and he Said why? Am I used in this maner? and Mr Mason Said where is your authority and Mr Heney Said I have the Govornors letter and and Mr Ales? and that may be Sufficient to Show you and Mr Mason Said you have plenty to Say before the Company in England But little here and that he was a damned vagabond and that he would do for him And that he was Going now in his long Coat and Beats? But he would make him to goe? in his Indian Coat and BretchCloath as he had done Before at the Rocky mountains and Mr Heney Said you Cannot prove that and Mr Mason Said I Can and plenty more and gave him more Abusive lanuage and than Mr Heney Spoke to him Concerning the Company and Commite and Mr Mason Said that he and the Govornors and Superentenders and the whole was a parcal of Damnd Raskals together and that the Company was a parcal of Jack afses for agreeng Such damnd Raskels and Mr Heney Said you most Be a great man

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" indeed that Calls the whole that and the Company a parcal of Jackafses and you will Better mind what you say all this time. Mr Mason Paid no attention unto Mr Heney But Still Abusing him more and more than Mr Heney Said well Mr Mason that will do for gods Sake Give me peace and he asked for a bed to Sleep and Mr Mason Said there was a bed that he might Sleep there and than we left the room and than Mr Mason told the men that they would keep a watch on him all night which accordingly they did. - Nothing more Occored until they day Before Mr Masons departure the 9 of March in the evening Mr Heney came in unto the mens house and asked him for his Authority and Mr Mason Said what the devel is your Busnefs you damnd Scavengr and So on and than Mr Heney Struck Mr Mason once and the men that Came from Brandon house laid hold of Mr Heney and told him that he would not Strike Mr Mason and than Mr Heney and the men Spoke together for Some time and than Mr Heney went out of our room.
William Plowman"

" Mr Plowmans relation of the conduct of the Delegates at Pembina in Red River"

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" February 24th 1811
Friend their is a piece of bifsinefs going on here, ever Since Your men left us, concerning, casting, heney, but It is not Finished yet. but I think it will be don to day. And I think it proper to Inform you what he is coming To your house to do. it is to. try you to Sine your hands To stay here and it if that he gets you once to do that? He will flurish over you then for he Sent in a paper? To us consisting as followes. the time is now come that he Should know who was willing to Stay. and any one That was willing let them Sign their names understnd? those that does not Sign he will understand They are not willing to Stay. we took this paper And laughed at it awhile. and then we Sent it back Again to him without any one Sining their name? Which he was almost broken down the room About himself with madness saying he would bring us to england and doo for us all. Mr Mason was Taken here to see our bad beheaviour but thank god He is seen nothing that we care for. but he is seen plenty With heney. I wish to refer writting till evening till I Shall see how we are to finish this bifseness as? this is taken place in sudden I cannot have time to explane the Whole but I hope you will Send me a little Salt back with this Men to make some Soap because I am Short I am your Humble and most Obliged Servant
Rember me to all your Men
John Isibister Feb. 26th 1811."

" For Mr William Plowman Cooper at pabena River"

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" Brandon House 26th Feb. 1811
Dear Sirs
there have been Much confusion in this Place for Some time past, - Which is now at a final end, - that is concerning Henys Undertakings and Proceedings?, of which you will Punctualy be informed by the Bearers hearof, - has cast Some curious Capers of his own, with regard to Prices of Goods &c &c. finding himself on his last legs, in Sending of his Wedded Wife, and taking Master McKays? Eldest Daughter, which did not hapen, in order to get his hands on the Deceats? Money finding himself Short of Cash in gowing to England, - all plans being Confuted, Sabath night took Some Grog to? Quicken his Spirit, Rangled with me, who left his Presence Armed? himself among the Men as usual, then was Ceased hold of and taken of him without Injury, afterwds I? lard? he was to Die, and take life of others - he leaves the House, on Monday goes to the Freems? Tent and got a Gun and Amunition and other Suplys and takes Yallowlegs a Freeman with him for Pabina, in case of Danger, Sends? of Severals of our Men to warn you of his arrival, - therefore Cease hold of him and keep him, Safe unto our Intention to take him to London, - the whole Charge is given to Wm Yorston who deserves it, - for further particulars inquire of them? hereof, - as I am Closle at there Heels gowing forward, - there Apoint a Person of Trust to take Charge there also, If you may find Still Deficient by Sufficient Proof.
Your M. Obt. Sert.
Arch. Mason
William Yorston.

Mr best respects to Mr Wilkie & his &c as I go by Mr Pritchards. Always &c. &c.
A. M."

[ A few names, I think, that I can't read]

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" Oxford House - July 1811
Will. Yorston
Having received from Mr Sinclair the Chief of the Winipeg Factory a relation of the state of the men under you at Brandon House during the past year which has caused much surprize & concern Surprized that any of the Servants of the Hudson's Bay Company should take upon themselves to act without any authority from their superiors, or to resist the orders of those appointed by the Honble Committee themselves, as Mr Heney certainly was. -
While I am deeply concerned to find that the Men from Orkney hitherto so remarkable for propriety of conduct & faithfull obedience to whosoever was placed over them. - But it is reasonable and just to enquire into the Motives that could urge the Men in Red River particularly at Brandon House to forfeit their character. As our fellow Country Men they are entittled to be heard in their own defence which it is the Honble Committee's exprefs directions that this in all cases be granted. You as well as every Man in this Service are perfectly sensible that at no period of your servitude, or experience, have the Chiefs & Officers shewed the slightest inclination to opprefs or unjustly treat those who have been placed under their authority, Therefore it is that we have carefully enquired into the motives, or alledged causes, for? the dreadful & ruinous conduct pursued at Brandon House. -
From those of the? Brandon House Men who are here we learn that the Men under you had objections to serve under Mr Heney - We have diligently enquired into the nature of these and are happy on his account to find, they will by no means justify their misbehaviour. - It has been said that Archibald Mason has propagated reports of his being sent out in a capacity quite different from his real one, - that he reported the advanced prices of the Companys Goods was a mere? fabrication between Mr Vincent, Mr Heney & myself on the Voyage out from England last Summer - besides a variety of other ridiculous falsehoods which I have neither time nor inclination to repeat here - Then? ? an the Amount? of the alledged motives that have swayed the Men - at Brandon House to act in defiance of the Companys Authprity and in direct opposition to their own solemn engagements by which they bound themselves to obey all orders from their

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" Chief Factor and from such Officers as he shall appoint to meet them. As faithful Servants they ought to have quietly and obediently submitted to Mr Heneys Commands during their Contract or at least for one year at the expiration of which they might have it in their power to state their grievances, if they had any, in a becoming manner to the Chief. - It is here proper to add that Mr Kennedy has told us of your anxiety to discharge your own duty faithfully to the Honble Company's interests - this is so far satisfactory as I consider it a pledge of your supporting with all your influence over your deluded? people the authority of Mr Alex Kennedy who is appointed by the Chief of the Winipeg Factory to take on himself the management of the Companys concerns at Brandon House & its subordinate posts for the ensuing year. You are therefore warned by me to conform yourself most strictly to all the Orders you receive from Mr Sinclair your Chief ffactor? or such Officer or Officers as he may appoint to direct in his Absence. You are further required to caution the Men against resisting for an instant longer the Orders of their superiors as you & they must be convinced that to? reject or even hesitate to accept for their Master such person or persons as the Chief appoints, must be productive of the most awful consequences after which yourselves will have to answer in this world, as well as the next.
In order to prevent any pofsibility of mistaking who is the proper Person or Persons that you ought to obey, He or they whom Mr Sinclair may appoint your Superiors, you will implicitly submit to their authority. - I however by my own authority except Archibald Mason who is a very wicked man and an Infamous Imposter who had no other office in our Service than as being a person who Knowing how to cultivate a little farm in Scotland, it was herefore intended he should afsist in a similar way on any lands about Red River that might hereafter be used for the purposes of Agriculture. - I am now therefore to afsure you and all under You that I will use my utmost endeavours with the Honble Committee to procure for you their pardon for the past if you will secure his person and Keep him safely so that he may be sent to England for Trial as guilty of fomenting Mutiny & conspiring to ruin the interests of the Company in their Territories.

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" Trusting you will use your utmost endeavours to discharge your duty as a faithfull Servant to the Hudsons Bay Company. I refer you in all cases to the Chief & Officers of the Factory to which you belong, as well as charging you to treat with becoming respect the Persons and afsist and regard the authority of all the other Chiefs & Officers of the Company at their other Factories to the utmost of your power.
I remain
Yours &c
William Auld (Super't)"

" Mr Aulds letter to William Yorston July 1811"

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" York Factory 1st Sept. 1810
Mr Jn. McKay
Sir
Mr Kennedy has undertaken to forward this to you as early as pofsible to accquaint you with the new arrangement which the Honble Committee have made in making over their Settlements in the Red River to this Northern District and your particular posts are henceforth to be considered as a dependency on the New Factory of the Winnipeg. which embraces Cumberland House Swan River Red River & all the Lake of that name. Mr Kennedy will forward to you a list of the new prices which the Company charge to us as they have wholly given up the old method of keeping their Accounts in Made Beaver. you will readily perceive that the Goods Stores & English provisions as well as all the Servants Wages must be paid for by the furs we receive from the Indians & if we cannot do this we must relinquish the trade. - The Goods you have this year sold to the men will be at the present prices and your Accounts are considered as closed on the 1st day of June.
Mr Kennedy will take the advantage of your having people at Brandon House & means to bring down his furs & Provisions from his upper post. he will accompany the Albany People thro' Lake Winipeg & to this Factory or to where Mr Sinclair may be. Should any of the Men under you whose times are out & mean posi-

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" tively to go home be considered as more beneficially employed in carrying a Cargo of Pemican in 2 Batteaux of the oldest & least useful to Albany. I shall have no objections provided they take no more than 10 hands. It will be proper to load them as full as they can pofsibly bear and the Steersman if no Officer accompanies them will be responsible for the Cargoes. All staged Skins must be rejected (Beaver excepted) - The price hitherto paid in the Red River has been too great for Provisions & ought to be reduced. The Men under you will have no cause for uneasinefs on account of their property which may be left at Albany as particular instructions will be given to the Chief there for every care being? taken of their things. - The utmost care must be taken of the Goods and Stores belonging to the Company and a correct state of the Remains made out next year, distinguishing between those in use & that which is quite new - All Officers are to be charged with the amount of the quantities of Articles that they purchase or use for their own Account except such allowances of Provisions as they have been accustomed to get as Inland Masters &c.
You will receive such other information from Mr Kennedy as may be of service to you in the careful disposal of the property of the Company and next summer either Mr Sinclair the Chief of the Sashkatchawan or myself will see what is further necefsary to be done. - In the mean while I remain
Sir Your most Obedt. Servant
William Auld (Superintendent)"

" Mr Jn McKay
Red River
pr? favour of Mr Kennedy"

" This Letter was merely provisional & only to be sent if Mr Kennedy heard that Mr Heney had not reached Brandon House."


B22-Z-1

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