" York Fort Hudsons Bay 22nd Sept. 1794"

" Honble Sirs
1. On the arrival of the Prince of Wales Captain Henry Hanwell the 4 Instant we rec'd your Honours Packet containing Letters & other Papers as pr List Inclosed - We have Shipped on board the same Ship 49,742 11/60 Made Beaver of which 21,144 11/15 were brought from Cumberland and its dependant Settlements - 4,023 14/15 from Swan River, 3662 from Nelson River, 348 from Gordon House, 6,978 9/20 from Severn and the Remainder from this place.

2. It gives us pleasure receiving your honors approbation of our proceedings last Season by fining the two Men - We lament the necefsity we were under this Season - being obliged to pursue the same steps against Wm Flett Sen. who was fined 20 £ by Council the particular circumstances attending his transgrefsion is fully inserted in a Minute of Council which goes? a Number in this packet.

4. Mr Cook's Contract expiring and being desirious to visit his Native Country he returns to England (he requested permifsion last Season for that purpose) In order More effectually to supply the Churchill people a House was erected last Spring at the Nestoowyans, and Instructions have been given to Mr Will. Sinclair who has the Charge, to afford the Co. Servants from that Settlement every afsistance - We understand they were quite out of the Way of Mr Cook last Winter - who was at much trouble & expence sending Natives in search of them.

5. The Canadian proprietors are still busy in their Attempts to decoy you honors Servt. from this Employ - But their designs this Season has been frustrated by Steps pursued by the Council which we hope will meet your honors approbation this will be fully explained to your honors by Mr Colen who returns to England. We also refer your honors to that Gentlemen for information on the situation of your honors concerns in this quarter.

6. We thank your Honours for the Alteration made in the Standard yet we are sorry to remark the Rings Needles &c are not included.

7. The merit & abilities of every Officer will be faithfully transmitted annually to your honors without partiality.

8. It gives us pleasure when we have it in our power to render afsistance to our fellow Servants at distant Settlements - and shall not fail to embrace Opportunities when they offer.

9. We thank your Honors for the premium allowed men going Extra Journies - A List of those who made extra Trips Inland this Season is inserted at the end of the Servants List.

10. It is with much concern we mention that the Natives have been and are very hostile towards your honors Servants Inland - They Attacked Manchester House last fall - were only seven resided - plundered the House of every article of Trading Goods which they Carried away. The Men escaped only with the Cloths on their backs. The easy conquest & valuable booty obtained at Manchester induced a vast Number of the same tribe to attack the South branch the 24th of June last - when they killed Mag. Annel, Hugh Brough & Wm Fea Plundered & sett fire to the House and carried off in triumph the Scalps of the unfortunate Sufferers - Mr Vanderial excaped their fury by concealing himself in an Old Vault - & afterwards directed his way to Cumberland - It is much to be feared Buckingham House ere' this has shared the same fate - Besides the lofs of the above Men Thomas Spence labourer young Man who came out last year died the 14th July last. he rec'ed a fall on board Ship and broke two of his Ribs - which rendered him almost unfit for duty from the Day he landed.
We cannot account for the Canadians leaving this Employ - otherwise than what we remarked last Season on this head Two Letters are inclosed from them to Mr Colen in the Packet for you honors perusal.

11. We have been always obliged to drefs the Rundlets sent out for Inland use - the same as when new made - the Complaint we made was against the badnefs of the Materials - not the workmanship - We thank your honors hearing their quality is better.

12. Notwithstanding the Steps pursued last fall to insure the Succefs of the Athapascow Expedition - we are sorry to remark it was again set aside at Cumberland House this spring - As these transactions happened many hundred Miles distance from us & with much Secresy We cannot from our own knowledge inform your honours the real cause & it is from Letter & hearsay we form our Judgement. It however appears surprizing for when Mr Colen accompanied the Men & Boats up Hill River - with trading Goods - many Volunteers Offered their Service for the Athapascow Expedition & said they were ready to have gone from Cumberland Ho. with Mefs Rofs & Thompson but Mr Tomison refusing to pafs his word for the Advance of Wages promised by the Honble Committee - it of course stop't the Expedition in question & to the considerable lofs of your honors - Indeed we find this businefs involved in mistery as are many other transactions Inland.

13. We are happy in informing your honors that from the plan adopted at the factory the last year we kept the scurvy at a Distance and by the Quantity of vegetables procured this We hope no affliction of that kind will visit us next. We are particularly careful not to Expend the Efsence of Malt in making of Beer. we find it too valuable and that which has been Expended this year - was by the Men at the Wooding Tent - a place where the Scurvy made its first appearance.

14. Mr Isham has been supplied with Men and Canoes he built a New House Near Red River as directed from which he collected most of his furs this Season - the one at Swan River is now found of no Service. He has instructions to build a House in Opposition to some Canadian Traders who are Settled on this side & to the Southward of Swan River.

15. The Natives are fully sensible of the superior quality of Goods carried Inland by your honors Servants to those of the Canadians but the latter having such a Number of Men in their Employ. enables them to bring in large supplies those men are dispersed in all quarters & intercept all Natives from Visiting your honors Servants - their Numbers keeps the Natives in awe - among whom they distribute liberal presents which gains their Confidence & intitles them to much influence.

16. We shall always observe not to make an improper use of the Confidence placed in us & shall take care not to permit a too lavish expenditure.

17 & 18 We have already remarked on the overthrow of the athapascow Expedition this Season - the repeated disappointments so much disheartened Mr Rofs determined him to return to England this year had not Mr Thompson prevailed on him to pursue some other Tack to get into the Athapascow country - for they declare it will be impofsible to carry it on from Cumberland as the Honble Company's Affairs at present Stand as every obstacle is thrown in the way to prevent its Succefs - In order to supprefs Similar Obstructions Mr Rofs took Men & one Canoe Cargo of Goods with him from Cumberland House & built a house to the Northward near to a Station occupied by a Mr Thompson a Canadian Proprietor whose succefs of late years in collecting of Furs has been great. Mr David Thompson has been fitted out with Men & three Canoe Cargoes from this place to supply Mr Rofs by proceeding up Nelson River Track - Mr J. Tate also has been fitted out with Men in two Canoes up the same track to oppose a Mr McKay a Canadian Trader who cut off many Indians from Visiting this place last Season - And a House has been also built at the Nestoowyans (near to a Canadian Station under the direction of Mr Thompson before named) as this House appears best adapted for the affording supplies to Churchill people - Mr Will. Sinclair has orders to do his utmost for them.

19. Mr Colen will in England readily explain the inconsistences noticed in this Paragraph of your honors General Letter.

20. The sending home such a Number of uselefs Men last year had a very Good effect it prevented our experiencing former distrefses.

21. We are obliged to act with great caution - even towards our home Gaurds were we to pursue those steps recommended by your honors - we are apprehensive - that very few Indians would be left - to be called by that Name - The Natives are become a different kind of People since the Canadians Visited the lower Country - to what they were a few years ago. It requires some judgement as well as prudence to manage them. The caprice of Indians must be humoured and a Master who has any Charge is obliged to submit to many degrading Insults.

22. Mr Colen distilled upwards of 2000 Gallons of High Spirits since the Ships departure last year - and we are happy in informing your Homors that the benefits arising therefrom last Season has been Sufficiently evinced.

23. We are fully convinced that Hill River is navigable for Boats as Men this Season in a Boat of Nine & a Battaeux of two tons burden loaded with Trading Goods were got up with ease and in safty to the Rock in Hill River. Mr Colen attended the Expedition this Season & built a House for the Reception of Goods - 24 Men in 8 Canoes went from thence loaded with Trading Goods to Cumberland House & returned with seven thousand Beaver in furs. This must convince your honours of the utility of making second trips. - There has been brought down of the Old Store this Season 4557 traded so long ago as 1789 & 90.

24. We very much felt the lofs of Canoes left at Lake Winnepeg last year & so few being brought down this was a severe check upon our opperations this Season - And had it not been for a Number of Indians engaged at the Factory to bring down furs one half those traded by Mr Cook would have been left Inland.

25. Subordination can never be kept Inland when encouragement is held out to Labouring Men to behave insolent to their Superiors at subordinate Settlements - Our Sentiments on this head are well known to your honours.

26. About 2000 MB of old Stock still remain at Cumberland House which we expect will be brought down next Season.

27. The information we rec'ed concerning the Canadian Traders under selling us - are from Officers who reside Inland - who are in Opposition to them. at the same time we are sensible those enterprizing Trader will take every advantage of the Natives where there are no Opponents.

28. & 29. These orders shall be attended to.

30. It is impofsible for the Council at York to counteract the proceedings of a superior many hundred Miles distant - from us - This must be remedied in England - it cannot be done here.

31. The Want of hands have been for years past severely felt at this place - and Mr Tomison declares this only Occasioned the lofs of two Settlements Inland this Season - We impatiently waited the Ships Arrival - in Expectation of sending Men to Cumberland this fall - her late coming is a severe stroke to our Inland concerns - especially as we find nine of the Men where? detained at Churchill who engaged for this place only - This will entirely frustrate our plans for the Next year and Consequently very much injure your honour Concerns - The probability also of its preventing many useful hands from engaging in the Orknies in your honours Service makes it an object? of the greatest importance.

32. This shall be observed.

33. We thank your honors for this indulgence.

34. Goods to the amountof £ 10 was delivered to the late Mr Jacob's Daughter last Season and the same shall be Observed next.

35. & 36. & 37. We thank your honours for supplying our wants.

38. the Hydrometers came safe no Instructions for making Cordials are rec'ed.

39. We shall use our utmost endeavours to procure Isinglafs & communicate the directions for curing it to the Masters Inland - whose Sturgeon are in planty.

Lastly - We have hitherto used our utmost endeavours to encourage Virtue, Diligence & sobriety & ever discountenanced the Contrary - We have always in view our Employers Interest to make all happy around us is our delight & To Gain your esteem is the highest ambition of -
Honble Sirs
Your dutiful Servt.
(signed)
Tho. Thomas Jun.
Jos. Colen
John Wright
Geo. Sutherland
Will. Cook
Henry Hanwell
Geo. Taylor
PS. A List of Mathematical Instruments belonging to the Honble Committee shall be sent next season - with the Names of the Servants who have them in use - Mr Thomas Thomas Sen. is Inland.
In our Letters to your honours in 1791 we strongly inforced the necefsity of having the Ship Consigned to York Direct - We are sorry in informing your honors that the late arrival of the Prince of Wales this season at this place (owing to her touching at Churchill first) has been attended with a heavy lofs & prevented our carrying on Inland businefs to that extent we wished to have done the Canadians have Stations nearly among our home guards as well as in the Centre of Bungee Natives - Men & Canoes were dispatched the Day after Capt. Hanwells arrival to oppose these enterprizing Traders - but the latenefs of the Season & badnefs of the Weather Obliged the Men to relinquish the undertaking - It is impofsible for us to ascertain the lofs you honors will sustain - in our Opinion it cannot be estimated at lefs than the Value of three thousand Beaver at a moderate Computation.
We feel most sincerely for our fellow Servants at the upper Settlements - who requested in the most prefsing manner for a Number of Men to be Sent in the fall to protect your honors property but the distance & latenefs of the Season prevented the pilots waiting the Ships Arrival.
Since writing the above one of the Canoes dispatched to the upper Settlements the 30 Ulto proving leaky and requiring more repair than could be given at so late a Season - returned as unable to proceed further towards Cumberland Mr Oman thought it expedient to leave part of their Cargoes at Gordon House & send to factory with the leaky Canoe. 5 of the Men the most unexperienced on Inland duty.
No opportunity offering this fall for Mr Geo. Sutherland to proceed Inland and no probability of his going there before late next Summer - It has been thought adviseable that he should not proceed Inland untill Mr Tomison returns to this factory - To prevent annimosities arising Mr Colen has by the advice of Council availed himself of this circumstance to pay a Visit to England who will be able to give your honours a true State of Affairs in this Quarter - leaving Mr Geo. Sutherland in charge until his return.
Besides Mefs Colen & Cook before Mentioned returning to England - We have permitted the following to take their pafsage on board the prince of Wales this Season Mr Tho. Thomas Jun. Surgeon whose Contract is Expired. Mr James Sutherland Sloop Master for the Benifit of his health - Tho. Smith Cooper agreeable to your honors permifsion
Mr Tho. Weigand Writer, Wm Flett Steersman, John Moad Labourer. Whose Contracts are expired & request leave to return
John Inkster Sailor unfit for the Country, John Jennings the same - an Obstinate head strong Young Man.
J.C.
G.S.
H.H.
G.T.
T.T.Jun.
J.W.
W.C."




"York Fort Hudson Bay
Sept. 16 1795"


"Honble Sirs
1. On the arrival of the Ship King George Captain John Richards the 27th ulto we rec'ed your honors packet containing General Letter. Invoice & other Papers - agreeably to a list enclosed with them - The furs consigned to your honours on board the King George amount to 42,768 14/30 MB whereof 16,416 17/30 were traded at Cumberland & its dependant Settlements - 1,997 3/10 at Swan River 1381 7/60 by Mr Rofs to the Northward 7572 3/5 by Mr Ballenden at Severn - 1163 By Mr Tate at + Lake - 2924 by Mr Sinclair up Nelson River - and the remainder at this place.

2. We thank your honours for the nomination of the Council - Mr Tomison not coming to the Factory for these last two Years obliges us to pursue very Spirited Measures this Season which we have reason to Suppose will induce him to visit Europe by the return of the next Ship. we felt the necefsity of this mode of proceeding and consider it as an acquisition towards promoting of proper subordination among the Men which while Mr Tomison remains in this Country can never be effected.

3. & 4. Your honours approval of our conduct will always act a a Spur to our future proceedings - With unanimity we have it in our power to do much for our Employers - and when the cause is removed - which occasioned so much unhappinefs on this establishment we expect to feel its beneficial effects - We are happy in relating the Conduct of Natives has given us no Cause of Complaint since our last - All the furs which remained so many Years at Cumberland are brought down and are on board the King George Consigned to your Honours.

5. The Steps pursued last Season in Exploring a New track towards the Athapascow Country we hope will meet your honours approbabtion - Mefs Rofs and Thompson were dispatched from this Factory with Men in four large Canoes Loaded with Trading Goods last July - and we hope to give a good account of their Succefs next Season - Should the track up Seal River be found nearer - and a Better Road - the whole of that Trade will be surrendered up to Churchill.

6. The liberal encouragement offered to Men by the Canadian Traders in this Country and some other cause with which we are not acquainted have induced a Great Number of Men to return home this Season. the following takes their pafsage on board the King George for Europe Viz. Magnus Twatt, Edward Wishart, Wm Sabbiston, James Morrowick, James Spence Jun. & Wm Budge Steersman and Canoe Builders - James Johnson, John Thompson, Andrew Flett, George Harvey, Thomas Linklater? Bowsmen, Hugh Beakie, Alex. Johnson, Canoemen are unfit for Duty - ill health Obliges John Allen & John Petre Taylors to return home - and George Smith a young Man engaged this Season - and James Spence who came out last year & if Subject to fits are permitted to return home - Hugh Leask Jun. from Severn is sent home for bad behaviour as is James Sinclair Bowsman - We should have sent home Peter Sabbiston for ill treating Mr Isham - and John Ward for abusing Mr Tomison but the two latter sooner than pay Visit to their own Country robbed the Factory of a Canoe and sett off Inland alone two Days after the Ships arrival we judge they intend to enter into the Canadian Employ.

7. Humane treatment, or attention to Cloathing Children in this Country is never lost upon Natives - they boast of their favours and magnify them surprizingly - in Expectation of being more liberally supplied by the Trader they Visit - The Natives are an Artful race of People & are never at a lofs for invention where there own Interest is concerned.

8. We shall pay attention to the Orders contained in this Paragraph.

9. & 10. We shall particularly attend to the Standard when we Settle our Account Books - Circumstances alone direct us in our dealings with Natives.

11. When we fix on any Station for trade it is done with view to draw the Natives from our oponents the Canadians - We wish it not to interfere with the Trade of Neighbouring Settlements - Last Winter Mr Will. Sinclair at the Nestowyans afforded liberal Supplies to Mr George Charles which enable him to draw many Indians from the Canadian Traders - We shall embrace every opportunity to afford Churchill afsistance - We lament hearing unfavourable constructions - on our exertions to afsist that Settlement - and are sensible when Mr Stayner is more experienced in businefs he will see & act differently to what he does at present - We sincerely wish he may - In order to stop all kinds of animosities arising between the two Settlements Mr Sinclair has orders to relinquish his Station at the Nestoowyans - notwithstanding it is not above 15 Days Journey from this place - when let them make the Best Speed they can from Churchill takes nearly one Month before they reach this spot occupied by the Chief of York home Guards for upwards of ten years past - The Situation being pointed out by Mr Thompson in his Charts will convince your Honours - that it is quite out of Churchill Track - indeed Mr Sinclair saw no Indians last Winter that were in habits of Visiting that Settlement - yet he procured a Valuable trade with little expence - which would have been traded by the Canadians had he not Settled there & we are fearfull your honors will suffer another Season.

12. The destruction of Manchester and the South Branch house has been a severe lofs to your honours Trade this Season - The Natives having been succefsful in their plundering excursions make them daring & insolent but we hope Mr Sutherland will reconcile the differences that subsists between the Natives & Europeans - Mr Thompson a Canadian Trader and many Years Stationed on Nelson and Churchill River - was killed last Winter by Natives near our own Settlements.

13. We are fully Convinced of the Advantages arising from our Distillery - this with the superiority of Goods will we hope enable us to share (trade in proportion to the hands employed) with our powerful adversaries.

14. We shall with pleasure communicate your honors approbation to those Servants who are entitled to it.

15. We shall particularly attend to the Contents of this Paragraph.

16. All the lace on remains of the Sample sent home last year - is delivered to Capt. Richards as directed.

17. The instructions contained in this Paragraph shall be attended to - Whenever we are obliged to deviate therefrom 'tis your honors interest directs our proceedings.

18. We are sorry to remark that the time piece - which Mr Colen particularly attended to during the Pafsage does not go well - On our arrival it gave the Longtitude of York 89:30 which is a lofs of 14 Minutes - therefore it cannot be depended upon as regulating time Keeper.

To encourage Virtue, diligence and Sobriety - has been an object of our attention - and to gain your esteem is the highest Ambition of
Honoured Sirs
Your very dutiful Servt.
(Signed)
Jos. Colen
Robt. Longmore
John Richards
Geo. Taylor
Tho. Thomas
Will. Cook
P.S. With pleasure we inform your Honours that Mr Geo. Sutherland accompanied by Mefs Isham, Bird, Wright, Fidler & Prudent and 24 Englishmen & many Natives set off Inland the 5 Instant as did Mr Wm Sinclair the
Having a large Stock of untradeable Knives in the Warehouses, as well as beads which answer well for the Equemaux Trade. We have delived? Capt. Richards a 100 Dozen of the former - and 60 lb of the latter - Should this meet your honors approbation we will collect all untradeable articles together and deliver them occasionally to the Captains bound to this place - there? giving a Receipt for the same - We mean such articles that answer for the Esquemaux Trade - Capt. Richard Receipt for Articles delivered this Season make a number in this Packet."





" York Fort Hudsons Bay
Sept. 6th 1796"


" Honble Sirs,
1. On the Arrival of the King George Capt. John Richards the 20th Instant, we rec'ed the Packet containing Invoice, Bill of Lading and other Papers as pr List.

2. We are sorry to observe, Gentlemen who were appointed of the Council last year, omitted in the General Letter of this Season, Mefs Taylor and Cook feel themselves hurt at the omifsion of their Names, and request to know the cause; it will enable them to regulate their Conduct in future. Mefs Tomison, Ballenden and Tate returns to England pr? the King George Capt. Richards. We refer you to those Gentlemen for any information your honours wish to be acquainted of the State of affairs in this Quarter - neither do we find Mr James Sutherlands name mentioned n any of our Letters or Papers yet we learn he is engaged for Inland and as one of the Council.

3. It gives us pleasure to acquaint your honour The Trade of York this Season is considerably increased but are sorry the Returns from Inland much lefs than the proceeding Year occasioned by the small afsortment of Trading Goods sent to the upper Settlements last Summer - Mr Tomison will explain this to your honours. - We flatter ourselves with hopes that the large afsortment of Trading Goods conveyed Inland this Season will considerably increase the next Returns - The furs consigned to your honours on Board the King George amount to 44,149 MB of which 10,426 were traded by Mr Tomison - 1406 by Mr Bird - 1146 by Mr Sutherland - 2110 by Mr Isham - 2005 by Mr Rofs - 1731 by Mr Sinclair - 956 by Mr Tate & 10,771 1/4 by Mr Ballenden at Severn & the Remainder at this place.

4. It gives us pleasure to repeat that the Natives continue peaceably inclined towards the Honble Co's Servants.

5. There are no Furs of any kind left at any of the Honble Co's Settlements Inland. your honours will please to observe that of the the Furs left at Cumberland House upwards of 1000 were brought down in the year 1793 & sent to England with other Consignments. upwards of 5000 in the Year 1794 & the Remainder last Season.

6. & 7. We are happy to hear so favourable Acct. of the Increased Trade of our Neighbours and the Prospect of their future Succefs gives us pleasure even if it should be procured at the Expence of York. - It gives us some satisfaction that a Meeting has taken place between Mr Stayner & the Gentlemen at this Factory - an Explanation & a Reconciliation of course followed - We make no doubt but your honours will hear the same from Churchill - & it will give us Content if they Explain this fully to your honours. Our feelings are much hurt in finding we have lofs the Confidence of our Employers: altho' the Disgrace is so pointedly at York We have the pleasing consolation of looking back without accusing ourselves of any Misconduct of Speculation or embezzling the Honble Co's property - It is well known the Trade of this Settlement is increased treble to what it was ten years ago, when the Honble Company's Concerns at York were first placed under the Magament of its present Conductors - We sincerely wish that our Colleagues at other Settlements had been equally succefsful how far this has been the Case the Returns that have been & is annually sent home, will testify.

8. Many of the Men who intended for home last Season are entered into Contract on your honours terms - those who would not agree to them returns pr King George with others unfit for the Service. (See P.S.)

9. Our Account Books were made up prior to the Ships arrival last year when Mr Colen was afflicted with a violent Inflamation in his Eyes - He was obliged to trust to the Information he rec'ed of the State of Affairs & the Books were sent home without his examination from which cause the apparent large expenditures of this Season originated - We are informed the remain of Provisions were balanced from the Stewards Books last year - not from Stock in the Warehouse this Mr Jarvis will explain. The Indents this season were made out so soon as Mr Colen ascertained the Stock in the Ware House - which on the arrival of the Ship we find it absolutely necefsary to enlarge - in many articles not only of Trading Goods but most particularly Provisions.

10. Every attention shall be paid to the Contents of this Paragraph.

11. There is not a Doubt but what we could distil spirits from Molafses at York were the Necefsary utensils sent us & a person to undertake the Mangement as Mr Colen will not.

12. A Letter from Mr Donald Mackay is entered in the Country Corresponence No. 40 to which we refer your honours - but we are of opinion very few of the Co's Servants will be prevailed on to accompany the above Gentlemen in his expeditions should he visit this Settlement.

13. Compulsion is never used at York to signed the General Letters.

14. On opening the Packages after the Ships departure last year we found Several Articles which we thought were mifsing when the Packet left York, they being Enclosed in Cases different from those specified in the Invoice yet the Defficiences are many but more of private property is lost than that of the Companys. Mr Colen is a Considerable sufferer.

15. The great Number of Flannel Waistcoats, Shirts & Drawers sent out on trial. we are of opinion will never answer for Trade, being rated too high on the Standard - Very probably the Company's Servants would become purchasers for a few if the price were reasonable - but it would have been more pleasing to us & benificial to your Honours had our Indents been complied with in Articles immediately wanted for trade, for it is impofsible that it can increase when the Means of procuring furs are withheld? from us.

16. This Shall be attended to in future.

17. Mr Thompson's Papers were enclosed in a flat Box, and placed under Mr Sutherlands care, and which was not looked into after he sett off Inland - We are ignorant of its contents but are certain the Box was taken on board Ship by the Captain - The package Box would not contain all the Inland Journals last Season which circumstance Mr Colen particularly mentioned in his letter - The List of the packet will convince your Honours that the YF Correspondence Book was enclosed in the Box - The Inland Journals & other papers left at York last year are not sent.
Thucoth Mr Jacob's Daughter had Goods to the Value of ten pounds out of the Warehouse last Summer and when she returns to the Factory she shall have the same quantity delivered her - All Orphan Children of Natives are Cloathed by the Companys Cheifs annually. We are most sensibly hurt in hearing that the Offspring of Englishmen (and Servants to the Company as Mefs Cocking & Jefferson long were) are in future to be deprived of the Indulgence every common Indian enjoys when left unprovided for - poor Encouragement this for the Exertions of Officers in this Country.
To encourage Virtue, Diligence, & Sobriety is and always has been an Object & we ever discountenance the Contrary - and to gain your esteem is the highest ambition of
Your very dutiful Servt.
Jos. Colen
J. Richards.
W. Tomison.
J. Ballenden.
Tho. Thomas.
W. Cook.
Geo. Taylor.
J. Wright.
Jas. Sutherland.
P.S. Besides Mefs Tomison - Ballenden - and Tate the Men whose names are under mentioned takes their pafsage to England - on board the King George
James Clouston Cooper unfit for the Service
Henry Leask Sailor from York Factory
James Rofs Sailor from York Factory
Adam Linklater from York Factory
John Brown Sawyer from York Factory
Robt. Randall Sawyer from York Factory
Mag. Irvin from York Factory

John Gunn from Inland
Thomas Halcro from Inland
James Hourie from Inland
James Hutchinson from Inland
Peter Hutchinson from Inland
Will. Mowat from Inland
George Short from Inland
Will. Sinclair from Inland

John Fidler from Severn
Will. Lutit from Severn
Charles Kitson from Severn
Besides Magnus Thompson engaged this year unfit for the Country - Since our last we have lost the following Men.
Mitcheal Hunt - Armourer died the 22d of Sept. at YF.
Thomas Brown Steersman died the 27 Nov. Inland.
James Spence Steersman died the same Day Inland.
Robt. Whitley Bowsman died 9 Dec. Inland
John Robinson Sailor Drowned 22 August - fell from the Ship into the River.
We beg leave to remark for your Honours Information that prior to the Ship's Arrival in 1791 we were on Short allowance of Flour very fortunately plentiful Supplies were sent that Season from England since which great part of our Flour & Grain have been enclosed in Inland Rundlets this necefsitated us to expend their Contents annually before we opened any large Casks, & will account in a great Measure for our having Casks of an early Date in the Warehouse on Remains. another cause we have been very much unhinged. living at two Factories so far distant from each other - We had not Room to keep our Stock seperate before our buildings were compleated - Mr Colen lived two years at New York before the Officers, whose removal did not take place from the Old Factory 'till the year before Mr C visited England. A few years back, as an Experiment we emptied several Rundlets of flour into large Casks which on being opened some time after were found damaged. this Stopped us from pursuing the same plan in future - and if your honours will refer back to the General Letter of 1793 you will find we were particularly ordered to expend all the American Flour before any other - recommending that in the Casks marked MR & AR (as being of a better quality) for keeping -* The above is an impartial Statement - We are extremely sorry we experienced your honors displeasure for having suffered the new flour to be served out before Old was expended - this shall be particularly attended to in future.
* To these we may add our having a very inactive Steward who has had the Charge of Provisions for the last six years. he was engaged & appointed to his Station in England by your Honours & notwithstanding our frequent Complaints of his inattention have been sent home no notice whatever has been taken - and We were fearful of incurring your Honours displeasure had we displaced him from his birth - The very many mistakes that have crept into the Provision Book (you will observe that of this year - which was balanced before the Ships arrival) Stopped Mr Colen from signing the Stewards Accounts for several Years past - this is easily discovered by refering to them."





" York Fort Hudsons Bay Sept. 13 1797"


" Honble Sirs
1. On the 24th Ult the King George anchored in our River, soon afterwards Capt. Richards and Mr Tomison landed and delivered your honors Packet.

2. Attention shall be paid to the Contents of this paragraph.
Our Consignments to your Honours amount to 47,205 !/10 MB. whereof 27,000 2/15 MB. were procured at the different Inland Settlements 6,004 13/20 MB at Severn and the Remainder at this place. being a much greater Number of Furs than have ever been traded and sent home in one Season from York.

3. This paragraph Mr Colen will answer in his private Letter as well as the former part of the next - Mr Jarvis set off for Churchill early last Dec. to avoid adding to those distrefses we have felt for want of Provsions.

4. All Engagements with Men are made by the Council Not by the Cheif who only proposed the the Companys terms and it is by Consent of the whole that any are permitted to return home. Robt. Garson went Inland in 1788 since which time he has not been at this Factory consequently Mr C. cannot have seen him. He did not enter into contract until last Summer, but having been promised wages by Mr Tomison we considered ourselves bound to fulfil an Engagement made by the Superior Officer Inland. Mr Colen confefses himself entirely unacquainted with the merits of this Man & cannot be answerable for this transaction - Mr Tomison informs us that he explained this Businefs to your honours in England - Will. Hawkland was also Inland when his Contract Expired. Instructions were given that he should execute another at the Wages specified in the List of Servants sent home 1795 he refused those Terms & accompanied the other Servants from Inland in order to return to England. Mr Tomison & the other Gentlemen residing at Cumberland House (where this Man has been long Stationed as a Fisherman & Netmaker) represented his Services to be of that consequence that the very Existence of the people at that Settlement depended on his exertions. It was under this Consideration that he was advanced to 14 £ pr Annum - Capt. Richard was present when this matter was in Agitation before the Council & can fully explain this businefs.

5. We shall attend to the contents of this paragraph.

6. James Smith late Steward died the 21st of April last His inactivity from the Day of his landing rendered him very unfit for the Station he filled.

7. Mr Longmore is at present Inland he has made suitable Returns this Year for the Goods he had in Charge, and Mr James Sutherland supplies his Room at this place as Ship landing Officer and Store Keeper, for which he is everyway qualified - Mr Sutherland is at times very lame occasioned by Rheumatic Complaints, and is not able to under the Fatigues of an Inland Journey indeed it is the opinion of the Gentlemen of the Faculty that it would entirely ruin his constitution to go there - We therefore hope as he is a valuable Officer here your Honours will be pleased to permit his Continuance.

8. Of late Years we have had a great deal of Inland Businefs transacted during Shiptime which very much retards his Dispatch from this Country and this Year in particular we are so circumstanced necefsity having Compelled us to detain a number of Men to convey particular Goods Inland (of which they could not have a supply before the arrival of the Ship) and thus prevent the Trade from suffering next Season - We are always happy to expedite the Dispatch of the Ship as much as pofsible, as it enable us to forward our fall Businefs and we afsure your Honours that she has never been detained longer than was really necefsary for finishing our Papers & Situated as we are We find fourteen days far too short to Compleat them.
The lofs of all the Craft (usually employed in unloading the Ship) by the Breaking up of the River Ice is another Circumstance this Season that prevents our making that Dispatch we wish having only the Brig & Ships long boat to perform this Businefs - We humbly hope your Honours well afsist us next Season by Sending some kind of Craft.

9. Whatever Packages Shall come out directed for Mr Tomison shall be reserved, or forwarded to him by the first conveyance. We have ever Considered the Inland pursuits to be of Consequence & have always selected the best Articles for that Trade - To send untradeable Goods Inland would be a folly we have hitherto carefully avoided as will appear by thr large quantity of untradeable Goods now in the Warehouse - Mr Tomison accompanied by 25 Men in Six Canoes sett off Inland the 2nd Instant - as did Mr Cook & four Men the 5th.

10. We sincerely thank your Honours for the Supplies sent us this Season but at the same time lament that our Indent of last Year was not complied with in many Articles - Mr Tomison wishes it to be noticed in this Letter that, of 100 Shirts Cotton he had liberty to order extra from Mr Bowsfield not one is received - We have every Reason to fear that the Stock of Trading Goods will be insufficient for the next Years Consumption, especially those very necefsary Articles Cloth & Gun Powder - Our Distrefs for the latter has been great - and our sufferings for want of provisions exceeded any former Season - Having but little for ourselves we could not supply Trading Indians as formerly - We are apprehensive York Trade will severely suffer in future.
We sincerely entreat your honours to fulfil our Indents of this Season otherwise the flattering Prospects we had will entirely be done away.

11. We have heard no tidings of Mr Donald McKay since our last.

12. We thank your honours for the alteration of the Standard in the Different Articles Mentioned in this paragraph and are sorry for having committed an Error in the sale of a few of the Flannel Shirts which we disposed of to the Men last Winter at 5/- each - We were led into this mistake by the Quantity of Flannel contained in each - according to which the price was affixed.
We must again remark as we did last year that of the Flannel Slops the Shirts only will answer for this Country the other Articles we expect will remain uselefs in Warehouse.

13. It gives us pleasure to hear that your Honours have ordered that we be supplied with better shoes. those of last year were of so bad a quality & the Work so indifferent that none of them would last three Days Wearing especially in wett Weather.

14. We sincerely hope the Northern Stations relinquished by us in favour of Churchill may prove equally productive to your Honours as when carried on from this place and with Submifsion we beg leave to remark that in the extensive Country of the Athapascow Stations from each Settlement may be occupied without the least Detriment to, or Interpreter? of either Side and the Canadians thereby prevented from monopolizing the Trade in that Quarter - It is the superior Quality of the Furs which they collect from the Indians there that has enabled them to carry on their Businefs so succefsfully for many years past.

15. Mr David Thompson left your honours Service the 21st of May last and entered into the Canadian Employ - He has sent neither Journals, Papers or Charts this Season & whatever he has transmitted to us formerly has been always enclosed in your Honours Packet - The paragraph relating to Mr Fidler we have had transcribed and forwarded to him - We make no doubt but he will find his Journal of remarks next Season.

16. Thr Time piece & Manuscript Book which was delived to Mr Colen in England are agreeable to you honours orders sent home.

17. Only four Pipes of Brandy were on Remains when the Ship arrived and we are Apprehensive that the Qauntity sent out this year will be insufficient to answer the Inland Indents of next year.

18. Several of the untradeable Guns have been fitted up by our Armourer this Season whch have been purchased by the Indians and we have yet a large stock of the same discription in our Warehouse We do not expect it will be in our power to fit any the ensuing year - the lofs of our Smith who was unfortunately drowned will oblige us to Employ the Armourer at the Forge as well as in his own Businefs - Peter Goudie has before done both these duties two years - and has very readily agreed to undertake them the ensuing year. but humbly hopes your Honours will allow him some Gratuity to which - join our Recommendation in his favour as a worthy Steady Servant deserving Encouragement.

19. We shall pay attention to the Contents of this Paragraph.

20. It is the height of Mr Colen's Ambition to merit your Honours approbation. He wishes to receive Instructions respecting his Correspondence will the Canadian Proprietors - He has rec'ed three letters from them this Season, one only has been answered - These Letters make a Number in this Packet.

21 & 22. The Contents of these paragraphs shall be attended to.

To encourage Virtue, Diligence & Sobriety among the has been always our Wish & to gain your Esteem is the highest Ambition of
Honble Sirs
Jos. Colen
John Richards
Tho. Thomas
Geo. Taylor
Jas.Sutherland
P.S. The Coat Beaver is worn by the Natives during the Winter & is the Cheif of their Cloathing till the following spring when they barter it for Cloath & other European Articles. It would be impofsible for the Englishmen here to Cleanse it. Indians may be employed to take off the Greese and make the Pelt sightly but it would be attended with with a greater Expence than its original cost - Were we to insist on the Natives cleaning their Beaver before they trade it - we much fear very little would be brought us as the Canadians would be glad to purchase it in the most dirty state.
We are extremely concerned on hearing that the Martin skins from this place become mouldy and at the same time are at a Lofs in accounting for the cause of it - as the greatest care is always taken to dry well the Casks before any Furs be put in them.
We are sorry to inform your honours of the Deaths of the following Men who were unfortunately drowned besides that of James Smith before mentioned.
James Irvin Nov. 11th. James Sinclair Bricklayer & Will Leigh Smith the 9th of August last.
Many Men have refused to return Inland this Season on Acct. of our not having Supplies in the Warehouse for them as usual - viz. Sugar Cotton shirts - Duck Trowsers &c &c.
We have followed your Honours Instructions of last year in lefsening the Consumption of of Spiritous Liquors for which end we affixed to Brandy the same price that was paid for it in England 10/- pr Gallon. Having but a small Stock of Rum on Remains last ship time & but little Sugar sent us we were induced to raise the price of the former to 15/- pr Gallon & the latter to 1/6 pr lb. These prices being much higher than their fellow Servants pay at other Places is another cause of their discontent we sincerely hope your honours will fix the prices upon all slops &c sold to the Men which if made a Standard at all the Settlements we are of opinion would be a means of preventing at times much Disatisfaction.
We are sorry to remark that no Duck Trowsers are sent us this year, but a Number of long Flannel Waistcoats & Drawers in lieu of them. the former the Inland Servants cannot well do without. the latter are of no use at all - Your honours well perceive that of Articles sent out last season very few are disposed of except flannel Shirts the other Articles are too Slight the Men will not purchase them.
We are sorry to inform your honours that a Number of Men who Contracts Expire this Season and who will not agree to the Terms proposed with others who are disabled & unfit for the Service, return to England. A List of their Names & Qualifications makes a Number of this Packet - Many others have made Application for leave to go home - which has not been granted. they have therefore desired to be recalled next year as pr List of Servants - This we can attribute to no other cause than our not having Necefsaries & to the distrefses they have experienced this Season by the scanty supplies of Provisions
In Consequence of the Lofs of all our Craft application was made to Captain Richards to leave his longboat with which he Obligingly Complied. For particulars We refer your Honours to the Minutes of Council which make a Number in the Packet.
We are Apprenhensive the few Men now at York are inadequate to Conduct the Businefs next Summer as the Men engaged this Season are too Young for hard duty - We humbly hope a large supply of Men next Season will be granted us - And we can answer? for sending home returns."





" General Letter 1798"

"York Fort Hudsons Bay
Sept. 21st 1798"

" Honble Sirs
On the Arrival of the King George Capt. John Richards the 6th Instant we rec'ed your honors Packet Containing General Letter and Sundry Papers as pr List Enclosed. The Consignments on board the said Ship amounts to 41,613 23/60 MB. 16,275 1/9 whereof procured up the Saskachewan 1874 8/11? at Swan River 1015 at Jack River 1157 at Gordon House 4512 1/2 at Nelson River 5304 brought pr Brig from Severn and the remainder at this place.

2. Mefs Colen, Sutherland and Rofs returns to England pr the said Ship Mr Bird was prevailed on to return Inland from Gordon House otherwise he would been at York and very probably gone home this Season.

3. The Council is composed of those Masters mentioned in your honors appointment except Mr Don. McKay who arrived at York a few Days after the Ship Sailed last Season but sett off for Churchill in the February following.

4. It is with concern we have the reduced price of furs and lament that our exertions have not been Crowned with that succefs we expected - as the returns from the Saskachewan falls short of last Year nearly 2000 MB our undertaking in other Quarters have been productive and hope by the mode adopted to carry on businefs together with the new Establishment errected this Summer will prove beneficial to your honors.

5. & 6. Attention will be paid to these paragraphs We have refered to the 10th Paragraph of General Letter 1796 but cannot find any refference to the subject in question however due attention shall be paid in future & to the Contents to the following paragraph 6th.

7. In our Account Book of last Year the Men were particularly discribed and the Parish from whence they came entered therein the same form is observed in the Book sent home this - and will be followed in furture.

8. The Contents of this Paragraph shall be particularly attended to in future.

9. The Trade procured at each Settlement last Season is particularly specified in the Account Book now at York also the Names of each particular Trader indented therein. It must have been a great Omifsion if the Book sent home should not have it inserted also. We shall pay particular attention and examine them Carefully in future.

10. The Severn Indians who came here last Year were trusted Debt by Mr Thomas out of York Trading Room he and he only had the management of them. he treated them & made them such presents as he though proper on their leaving the Plantation in order to induce them to return to SR and no one belonging to York interfered. The Scarcity of Provisions have been severely felt this Season and this Scarcity was augmented by the failure of Country Game and having so many Men from Inland to provide for during the Summer who could not return to there respective Stations for want of Trading Goods. Since the departure of the Ship last Season - very many Articles of untradeable Goods have been disposed of for want of other Commodities others have again been Converted into use. A list of what remains is enclosed - Mr Colen who returns will explain to your honors - such parts of this paragraph that is not answered. We beg leave with Submifsion to remark that instances occur daily in England & other Civilized Parts that the Tradesmen who is the most Obliging & attentive to his Customers draws many Strangers to his Shop inceases his profits and adds to his returns - While others who have the same opportunity the lefs obliging falls into disrepute and his Capital Wasts daily This might be applied to Traders in this Country.

11. We do afsure your honors that the Craft which were demolished by the Ice last Year were in the same birth they were usually laid for many Years past. Mr James Sutherland was particularly Carfeull in securing them the preceeding fall Wm Smith was acting Craft Master but it was was out of the power of Man to Secured them on the breaking up of the Ice.

12. Mr Longmore was under the necefsity to remain Inland to take care of the Company's property - having no one to leave there as Mr Tho. Swains time expired this Season came down in his Room. Swan River Trade rec'ed a Considerable increase this Year Mr James Sutherland returns his grateful thanks to your honors for appointing him Shiping & Landing Officer at York.

13. With Submifsion we beg leave to remark the having two consignments to this place will cause much confusion in our Accounts and we are fearful perpetual mistakes will arise in Consequence.

14. Part of the Untradeable flannel Slops are sent home the remainder will be sent next Year.

15. To put a Stop to Jealousies between the Gentlmen from Churchill & this place Mr M. Rofs and all the Men were recalled from the Athapascow Country last Year and the Goods on remains were delivered up to Mr Geo. Charles. a Receipt for the same enclosed in the Packet & the Men employed on that Expedition were added to the Saskachewan last fall.

16. Natives who visit York purchase large Quantities of Brandy. The Inland Settlements have been plentifully supplied with high Spirits and the quantity which Mr Tomison left on Remains at Edmonton House on May last shews that his Trade did not suffer for want of this Article - Our Armourer being Obliged to do the Smiths duty Since August 1797 he could not refit many Guns for Trade those that are not fit for Sale are inserted in list of Untradeable Articles.

17. It gives us pleasure to Communicate any pleasing intellegence to our fellow Servants Your Honors approbation of Mr Rofses Conduct is rec'ed with gratitude.

18. The Contents of this Paragraph shall be duly attended to.

19. Mr Cockings Children shall have Goods to the Amount of 6 £ delivered them. Mr Jacobs Daughter to the amount of £ 10 and the Articles supplied them entered in Account Book of next Year.

Lastly We shall use out utmost endeavours to encourage Virtue, Diligence, & Sobriety & discountenance the Contrary & to gain Your Esteem is the highest Ambition of
Your Honors
Dutiful Servants
Jos. Colen
John Ballenden
George Sutherland
George Taylor
James Sutherland
Malcolm Rofs
Mark Stephen Fielding
PS. The Slops shall be charged to Men at the price specified by your honors but we Conceive there is a mistake in the Price Charged for all the Point Blankets and presume it is meant pr pair.
It is with pleasure we inform your honors that the Boat built Inland last Year answered our most sanguine expectations and notwithstanding the few Men employed to Navigate these Craft they were more expeditious in performing their Journey to the upper Settlements by Seventeen Days than the Canoes were the preceeding Year.
In order to facilitate businefs a house has been errected at the Head of Trout River this Summer And Men are stationed at that Post to Work Canoes between that Settlement and Gordon Store and to Convey Goods from the latter for the supply of Boats brought from the Saskachewan.
A Settlement would also have been Established in the Bungee Country this fall at the Poplar river but the late arrival of the Ship prevented its being put in force. Every Preparation is made for Carrying it into execution next Summer - and Mr Howse will have the charge.
Since Writing this Letter the Queen Charlotte Captain Turnor from Churchill & Mr Don.McKay landed the 18th he wished to return home this Season but Captain Richards having no orders from your Honors could not Comply with his request. Mr McKay begs your honors will permit his return next Year.
J.C.
J.B.
G.S.
G.T.
J.S.
M.R.
M.S.F."





" General Letter 1799
York Factory Sept. 1799"

" Honourable Sirs
1. It is with pleasure we inform you of the Safe Arrival of Captin John Richards the 29 Ulto when we received your Honors Packet containing General Letters Papers as pr List inclosed, we have Shipped on Board the said Ship Made Beaver 17,695 wereof we procured up the Sascatchewan 729 - at Swan River 757 - Jack River 410 Gordon House 5001 from the North River 2253 19/30 from Oxford House [blank spot] pr Brig from Severn and the remainder from this place.

2. We return our thanks for the Nomination of Council, and shall Always be attentive to the Orders we may from Time to Time receive from your Honours.

3. We are extremely sorry to find that the returns last Year were not equal to your Honours wishes and more so this as we have it not in our power to mention any thing of their increase but likely to fall Annually - No distant Indians have visited York this Year, or is it expected they will whilst they can be supplied with every thing they want in their own Country, either by the Canadians or your Honours Servants from Albany & York.

4. We thank your Honours for the Brazile Tobacco sent out this Year, and for every other Article likewise, great care shall be taken in The Expenditure thereof. On your Honours Ships Arrival No Brazile Tobacco or Spencers Twist were remaining in the Factory.

5. It is with concern we hear of more opposition to your Honours Servants Inland, by a New Norwest Company entering amongst them. You may rely on every exertion being made to Oppose them, and with pleasure we shall follow the rule your Honours have prescribed. Sorry we are to relate that by a wound Mr Tomison received from an Indian. he is Obliged to return to England this Year. - We wish to refer your Honours to this Gentleman for true information on Inland Affairs as we think it cannot be obtained from a better source. If long experience and Studious Attention are Objects that tend to this desireable point.

6. This paragraph shall be paid due attention too.

7. We have been as careful as pofsible in adhering to your Honours wishes in not giving Men an Advance of Wages but the urgency of the Case this Year has Obligated us to veary a little from your Intentions; No Men coming out and such a Number going home has forced us into Terms with a few much against our inclinations, as their services could not be dispensed with at the Factory without Neglecting the Necefsary Duties of the place.

8. The Men this Year have taken every advantage of our situation judging it a proper time to Make extravagant proposals and to reject your Honours liberal Advances. - The Council under these circumstances were Obliged to deviate in some Instances from Established Rules which they hope your Honours will impute to an earnest desire of promoting the general Good.

9. No Silver Trinkets remain at the Factory for which we beg leave to refer your Honours to Account Book of last Year as Mr Ballenden has never seen any since he came to York. The price of Liquor shall be attended too.

10. We have done every thing to reduce the number of uselefs Indians staying about York, but bad habits take some time in eradicating. We are truly sensible of the Expence it must create, and shall not fail to discourage it at all times.

11. For some time past all the Old Lead has been converted into Balls, and we are extremely sorry to find our Indent curtailed of Shot, an Article among many others that has been a great inducement to Indians visiting this Factory - A Quantity of New Lead we shall be under the Necefsity of cutting for casting into Shot.

12. For some time past the Businefs from York to Gordon House has been intirely carried on by Boats and this Year no lefs then Eleven of these Crafts Cargoes containing upwards of Fifty Thousand Made Beaver of the best Afsortment That York could Afford have gone Inland and the Major part of those Goods is now at Trout River.

13. We thank your Honours for the Digesters. the utmost care shall be taken of them, some are already gone Inland where they must be of the greatest Utility. The Crystalized Lemon Juice we return your Honours thanks for.

14. Goods to the Amount of 6 £ were deliver'd to Mr Cocking's Daughters and 10 £ to Mr Jacobs last Year, and entered in the list of Mens Debts, the same shall be given them this Year, when they come again to York, and Certificates returned as directed - Mr Cockings request of 6 £ to each Child being more than rearlly necefsary for the Articles of cloathing only. it is Humbly wished that through your Honours Goodnifs a part of this Annuity could be laid out in Ginger Bread, Nuts &c as they have no other means of Obtaining those little Luxuries, with which the paternal fondnefs of a Father formally provided them.

15. We are sorry to Observe that the prevailing scarsity of Biscuits Sugar and other Articles of provisions and Trading Goods, very much Obstructs our Inland pursuit, and in allusion to the scarcity of Sugar & Biscuits, we beg leave to remark that several of your Honours Inland Servants were detained here until the Arrival of the Ship for their usual supply of these Necefsaries - A Quantity also of Trading Goods of this Year is sent Inland and very little remains for the Factory Trade, or Inland consumption of Next Year.

16. The Flour sent us last Year turned out very bad Often creating much discontent Among the Men - Having no Biscuits to give the Natives as usual a great expenditure of this invaluable Article is unavoidably attached to this Years account - We sincerely thank your Honours for what you have been pleased to send us this Season of which every frugal care shall be taken.

17. As much time and trouble is taken up by the Coopers in repairing the Rundlets usually sent out containing Flour. - We Humbly hope your Honours will in future permit them to be fill'd with Rice or Barley or any other Unpulverized Grain. as they can be much easier & sooner made ready to receive the High Spirits for Inland Service.

Lastly - We shall punctually Obey all your Honours Orders as far as lies in our power an encourage Virtue Diligence and Sobriety in all your Servants discountenance the Contrary in every respect which conduct we hope will be the Means Of gaining your esteem
Honourable Sirs
Your Dutiful Servants
William Tomison
John Ballanden
Tho. Thomas
Wm Cook
James Sutherland
Mark Stephen Fielding
PS. We are sorry to inform your Honours of the Deaths of William Loutit & James Sutherland 2d. the former the 4th and latter on the 18th April last. Mr James Sutherland 1st returns his most grateful thanks for the Addition to his Wages, and hopes by an Afsiduous attention to Businefs merit this Signal mark of your Honours approbation and favour.
The untradeable Article mentioned as remaining at this Factory are partly expended, and we hope in a little time to dispose of the whole. We have examined the Guns and are of Opinion that with repairs they can be made serviceable therefore hope your Honours will excuse our acting contrary to Orders in not sending them to England, as it is done with a view to prevent unecefsary Expences.
Mr George Sutherland's Son John returns by Your Honours Order and Mr Rofs's Son George agreably to Captin Richards Instructions as does also Mr Donald McKay to the great satisfaction of every person at York.
When John Favel again comes to the Factory he shall be paid the proportionate share of 15 £ . 10, and an Account of the same shall be transmitted to your Honours. - As two Good Seamen are very much wanted in our Marative? departments we humbly hope your Honours will be pleased to grant us this request pr Next Ship.
TW.
JB.
TT.
WC.
JS.
MSF"





" General Letter 1800"

" York Factory Sept. 1800
Honourable Sirs
We have the pleasure to acknowledge the safe arrival of your Honors Ship Prince of Wales Captain Henry Hanwell on the 8th Instant by whom we received the Packet containing General Letter, Invoice, Bill of Lading and other papers as pr List enclosed.

We have consigned to your Honors by the said Ship 37,861 23/120 Made Beaver of which 17,339 107/120 were procured up the Saskatchawan 1047 100/120 at Swan River 5,500 1/2 Nelson River 6040 per Brig from Severn and the remainder from this place.

We sincerely lament the decrease of Trade from York and its dependancies this Year. We hope it is not necefsary for us to say that our happinefs is always in proportion to the succefs of our undertakings and that the lofs of Trade is a perpetual source of disquietude to those who are so unfortunate as it experience it. - In adjusting our Inland Businefs we have always made it our Chief study so to dispose of your Honors Servants as to affect the grand Object of Opposition. in this if we have failed it has been the effect of what could not be foreseen. - The Canadians are undoubtedly at this time more powerful that at any former period and of course lefs disposed to continue a System of Friendship by which they were never gainers.
We cannot enter into a particular detail of the Athapascow Country for want of a local knowledge of that part, but we have always understood from the Inland Gentlemen that the quantity of Pimicon and Dried Buffalo Meat alluded to by your Honors is procured from the Barren Ground and from thence to Cumberland house for the purpose of supplying those Canadians who are destined to the Northward. the Athapascow being a Country by no means remarkable for any Kind of provision except Fish.

We think with your honors that the country to the Northward is sufficiently extensive to admit of Incursions on our part, by which in the event we might become partakers in the Trade so long monopolized by the Canadians and here we have every reason to believe that to this End Mr Tomison will avail himself of the first opportunity that offers.

5. We cannot exactly say how few your honors Servants from Churchill may have penetrated into the Athapiscow Country but we believe the undertaking has proved to them more difficult than was a first expected. Mr Auld received some very particular Afsistance from Mr Bird at Cumberland House last Summer as he pafsed on his Journey to the Northward for which we refer your Honors to Mr Bird's Journal. - to the latter part of this paragraph relative to the treatment of Natives due regard shall be observed.

6. & 7. The greatest attention will be paid to every part of these Paragraphs. - The Journal and Accompt Books shall be regulated by the plan sent to us and enquiry made into the Swan River Accompts of last year agreeably to your Honors command.

8. We thank your Honors for the permifsion granted to us to punish those Men, who, regardlefs of their duty so obstinately refused to Obey the Orders of Mefs Bird & Co. last year - their respective fines are duly executed and form a Number in the packet. George Goucher from some circumstances subsequent to the Letter to Mr Tomison has been represented by Mr Bird as an Object deserving of Lenity, it having appeared that his refusal proceeded from indisposition and a delicacy that prevented the nature of his disorder being known. - We have therefore under this consideration put nothing in force against him.

9. Mr Ballanden is grateful to your Honors for the very flattering approval of his exertions last Ship time and hopes he will be able to accomplish the like seasonable dispatch this season.

10. We are sorry that the wolves are so unprofitable an Article, the greatest care shall be taken in the collecting of them and the Standard lowered to your Honours Order.

11. The Mistake in Cub Beaver we will endeavour in future to prevent for though we are Oblidged to take them from the Natives in whatever state they may be brought to us, it is our wish to rate them on the Standard so as not to incur your Honors displeasure.

12. The Contents of this Paragraph shall be made Known to every Officer on this Establishment.

13. Certificates of the Abilities of Servants returning Home under various pretences shall make a Number in your Honors Packet.

14. The Taylors at the Factory shall be made acquainted with this Gratuity your Honors have been pleased to allow them.

15. Changing the Names of Inland Settlements shall be carefully avoided in future.

16. This order shall be invariably adhered to.

17. Duplicate Packet shall be sent to your Honors consistently with the Order of this Paragraph.

18. We beg leave most submifsively to Afsure your Honors that the greatest frugality has always been used in the disposal of Flour and that there never has been a Settlement however distant from the Factory to which this Article has either been denied or deemed superfluous. - The Nelson river and in fact all the lower stations absolutely require a plentyful supply and we are sensible that your Honours would but ill approve of our sending away Men from the Factory destitute of this necefsary means of subsistance - It is our wish to observe the most rigid Economy considering as it behoves us the very small returns in comparison to the heavy expences of the Factory.

19. We are thankful to your Honours for the precaution taken to preserve the Rundlets, hope we shall find them to answer the desired purpose.

20. We also thank your Honors for the regulations in the Blankets, Hats and Shoes and for the great quantity of Cloth and other Articles of Trading Goods.

22. The Tobacco which will undoubtedly prove a great Acquisition to the Inland Trade, shall be carefully disposed of & the greatest Economy used in the Expenditure.

21. The number of fresh Hands of this Year will enable us to pursue our Inland Businefs with vigour and good hopes of succefs - Only one Steersman being engaged by Mr Geddes we have been necefsitated to detain some of the Inland Men ordered Home. The result of this measure we expect will be profitable as Mr Tate is thereby enabled to oppose the Canadians in the Bungee Country. He embarked on the [blank] Inst with 6 Men & 2 Canoe Cargoes of Goods .

23. Mefs Cook Sutherland & Sinclair most gratefully acknowledge your honors liberality towards them and Mefs Bird Fidler & Howse who are Inland cannot be lefs gratified with the Notice taken of them.

24. We are sorry that your Honours have had occasion to complain of the extravagancy of our Indents. we shall be careful in future to prevent a second complaint on this Head.

25. Our Indent for Tobacco is proportioned to the extra Quantity received from your Honors this Year. In this as in every other Article of our Indent, we have been guided by the most prefsing Necefsity united with a sincere desire to prevent the Trade from suffering under our Management.

26. It is most humbly requested that your Honors will be pleased to take under your protection as an Apprentice the fatherlefs Child of Mr Malchom Rofs who was unfortunately lost at Churchill last Fall, as also John Inkster an Orphan, Grandson to the Late Mr Isbester who was many years a Factor to your Honours at Churchill and Albany - Mr Cook could wish to solicit the same kind indulgence for his Son Joseph - Geo. Rofs & John Inkster are about 14 Years of Age & Joseph Cook about 12.

Lastly To encourage Virtue, Dilligence and Sobriety and to discountenance the Contrary will ever be our invariable study and that the result of our endeavours may ultimately tend to the prosperity of your Honours Affairs at the same time that it secures to us a continuance of your Approbation & Esteem is the Ardent wish of
Honourable Sirs
Your most Dutyful Servants
[blank]
PS. Certificates of the Children of Mefs Jacobs, Cocking and James Spence being alive are inclosed in packet. The Oldest Son of James Spence a stout young Man of about 18 Years Old is engaged in your Honours service - Vide List of Inland Servants -
John Budge Bowsman of the North River Died 17th of June 1800.
Henry Linklater & James Budge belonging to the Severn Brig having shewn signs of a Mutinous disposition are sent Home pr Capt. Hanwell who has supplied us with two Sailors in their Room.
A Sample of this Years Rum is sent for your Honors inspection it appearing to us to be of a very bad quality - Of this Article we had no supply last Year. - We beg leave to acquaint your Honours that the Porter of this Year in badnefs of quality exceeds any we ever tasted.
An unfortunate accident that happened to our Long Boat as she was going to the Ship with Ten Pipes of furs on Board has given us much uneasynefs and occasion'd a detention of two days to your Honours Ship - We are happy to say that the Furs when examined were not in so bad a state as might be feared from such a disaster but the Boat we are apprehensive is rendered incapable of further service. The Severn Brig having undergone an examination by the Captain's Hanwell & Turner is reported by them to stand in need of Repairs that cannot be accomplished in this Country - We therefore hope your Honours will take this Matter into consideration.

PS We feel ourselves much alarmed for the safety of the Nelson River Trade of Next Year. The very late arrival of your Honours Ship and the prevalency of Northerly Winds precluding every attempt to get round the point of Marsh. it will now be impofsible for Mr Cook to reach the Country from whence the best part of the Trade is usually procured - The Factory being destitute of Shot and other Articles before the Ship came & none remaining Inland, will account for the impractability of sending off the Canoes at an early period."





" York Factory 21st Sept. 1801"

"Honble Sirs
We have the happinefs to acquaint you with the safe arrival of your Honours Ship King George Capt. Hanwell on the [blank] Inst. by whom we Received the Packet Box answering to your honour's Description and containing General Letter, Bill of Lading, Invoice and other papers as pr list inclosed.
We now consign to your Honours [blank] MBeav.
The Wolves of this Year are rated as usual at one Beaver each for the particulars of which we refer your Honours to a Letter from Mr Bird to Mr Tomison affix'd to Cumberland House Journal.

2. The York Factory packet is put into the abovementioned Box, and the Key with brafs Label kept here, agreably to the Order exprefsed in 2nd Paragraph of your honour's Gen.. Letter.

3. We thank your Honours for the Nomination of the Council.

4. The Trade of this Year is considerably encreased, a Circumstance that while it diffuses amongst us a general glow of satisfaction must be gratefully pleasing to your Honours. - The Economy Recommended to us will occupy a great share of our Attention and the Article of Provisions in particular meet with full consideration. - We feel with honest Sympathy for the unpleasant Situation of our Friends in England - Our Necefsities here cannot fail to be sometimes equally distrefsing, our resources being much more limited and always uncertain.
Mr Tomison at Cumberland House and other Gentlemen inland last Winter would have been happy indeed could they have commanded the moderate Ratio of one Quarter Loaf pr Month - But we beg pardon for obtruding so much on this subject and hope you will believe that we think ourselves more than repaid for these little slights of Fortune in having been so happy as to add a few Beaver to your honour's returns.

5. We thank your Honours for the supply of Cloth &c of this year and are sorry there should appear any Extravagance in our Indents - We frame them from a comparative View of our Yearly Expenditures wishing at the same time to make a small Reserve in case of any unforseen Accident happening to your Honour's Ships the propriety of which we are fully afsured will be readily admitted, and the Measure considered as the only pofsible Means by which we could insure a Trade in the Event of their Non Arrival.

6. The Standard of Slops shall be observed.

7. We have sent a small Sample of Musk. it is an Article we believe not difficult to procure if the Musk Rats could be reduced to a lower Standard. The Males only produce the Musk and we humbly propose to your Honours as encouragement to the Natives to rate them as 4 pr Beaver the unproductive Ones might remain as usual. - We beg leave to mention here in reference to Mr ? Letter that the same impediment Operates against the collecting of Feathers 4 lbs pr Beaver we think would hold out a reasonable inducement to the Natives.

8. A Transcript of this Paragraph shall be sent to Mr Tomison, who we doubt not will use every means in his power to obtain a desireable Accomodation with the Canadians.

9. We may probably feel the lofs of Brazil Tobacco, a portion of the Natives being particularly partial to it, but if the Spencers Twist differs but little in flavour and is made up to resemble the Brazil We are of Opinion with your Honours that it may answer the purpose nearly as well.

10. We candidly confefs to your Honours that a little Rum is always very acceptable, but since the purchasing of it is attended with some inconvenience we willingly dispense with an indulgence that under more favorable Circumstances would have been most gladly and Thankfully received.

11. The Men engaged by Mr Geddes to repair the Severn Brig will be sent accordingly - how far it may be practicable we cannot say but refer your Honors to Mr Thomas who is undoubtedly best qualified to give full explanation.

12. John Inkster and Joseph Cook are entered on the Factory Books agreably to your Honor's permifsion for which Mr Cook on the part of his Son begs leave to return his most grateful Thanks.

13. The Mitigation of Mens fines of last Year shall be justly attended to and caution us to be more moderate in future - Fines when seriously inflicted are well calculated to inforce Obedience in the Men, and this Obedience is as necefsary to secure from danger your Honour's inland Trade as it is competent to protect from suspicion the Reputation of the Gentlemen by whom such Trade is collected - The Nelson River Returns have suffered exceedingly this Year by the late Arrival of the Ship Prince of Wales last Season and much also by the unruly behaviour of the Men part of whom in two Canoes returned to the Factory before they had proceeded half way to the first Settlement.
The practice of remitting Mens Fines on conditions of their serving at other Settlements in the Bay has had a very bad effect & we cannot from motives of Duty & Justice conceal it from your Honors.

14. We are happy that your Honours approve of Mr Birds Conduct towards Mr Auld, it will serve us as a guide in future on all similar Occasions.

15. Particular Attention shall be paid to the Contents of this Paragraph.

16. The Certificates shall be returned and the greatest care provided against Mistakes in future.

17. No Servants Chests shall hereafter be made to exceed the dimensions prescribed by your honours and only one shall be allowed to each person.

18. We are extremely concerned to find that your Honours have had occasion to suspect the Gent. of this Factory of being concerned in any illicit Transactions in conjunction with the Captains - We judge your Honours may have been misled by artful Insinuations & a natural desire in Mankind (even at the expense of the Innocent) to clear themselves of every thing that is base or dishonorable. - Time we hope will disclose all Mistery & restore us again to your Honour's wonted Favour & Esteem.

20. Mr Tomison not being at the Factory the Certificates relative to the Children of the late James Spence cannot be sent - We are informed from the best Authority that they were living last Spring when your honours servants left that part of the inland country. The Certificates shall not fail to be forthcoming next year.

19. Mr Ballenden is much hurt at the severe determination of your Honours to detain him two years longer in your Service - It was under the most distrefsing Circumstances that he solicited permifsion to return last year. Influenced by no sudden or partial disgust to the country but deprefsed by unhappinefs of mind and bodily infirmity he sought a promising Relief & fondly hoped that by changing his situation he might find in the bosom of the tender partner of his Cares a solace for ever denied him here - He again humbly appeals to your Honour's Humanity and hopes he does not supplicate in vain by begging to return pr next Ship.
A Copy of Gen. Letter shall be sent to Mr Tomison this fall.

21. The Furs being already packed the regulation respecting them cannot be observed this year without detaining the Ship a considerable time longer than usual which we are fearful would not be approved by your Honours. In our future packages we will follow your Honours directions.

Lastly - To encourage Virtue, Diligence & Sobriety in your Honours Servants & to treat the contrary Conduct with merited Reprehension will ever be our invariable Study & that we may gain your Esteem through the happy medium of your Affairs prospering under our managment is all that can be wished by
by
Honble Sirs
Your most dutiful Servt.
[blank]
PS A Sample of Isinglafs procured by Mr Tomison at Cumberland House is sent by Capt. Hanwell for your Honours Inspection.
By an inveterate Scurvy we have had the misfortune to lose three of your honour's Servants Viz. Will. Bakie, John Brown & John Moore - John Slater Bricklayer was accidently drowned on his pafsage to Gordon House. - James Flett by a similar accident at Cumberland Ho. and Will. Isbester by a natural Visitation at the same place.
Mr Geo Taylor, Mr Wm Sinclair, Jn Irvin Sen. & Jas. Sanderson request your honour's permifsion for their Sons to return to England next year.
The Son of Mr D McKay & the late Mr Mal Rofs's son George are sent home to your honors Order.
Since writing the foregoing Captain Hanwell has delivered to us an Order from your Honours empowering him to receive the Key of the Packet Box which we have delivered accordingly."





" York Factory Sept. 1802
Honble Sirs
We had the happinefs to receive by Capt. Turner on the 27th Ulto the Packet Box Cont'g Gen'l Letter & other papers as pr List inclosed

2. We now Consign to your Honors 34,336 1/12 MBeaver of which 16,947 from Inland 5002 from SR and the Remainder from York - the rapid and indeed unparalelled decline of the Inland trade requires that we should give your Honors some information as to the cause, we learn from Mefs Tomison and Bird that this extraordinary failure has arisen from the natural consequence of a degree of Cold unknown in those parts and which raged with unremitting violence thro' the whole of last winter - So Severe was this season of distrefs as to expose some poor Indian families to all the miseries attendant upon Cold & hunger a Universal scarcity of Buffaloe and Animals of fur kind prevailed in every quarter and many of the Beav. that were killed by the Indians were singed to satisfy the prefsing demands of nature - The task of giving this information to your Honors is a very painfull one, the only Consolation we find is in the probability that we may never have occasion to perform it again and God grant we never may for a quick succefsion of such a wide extended Calamity would soon tear from the face of a fruitful Country all these blefsings with which divine providence has so bountifully endowed it.

3. We thank your Honors for Cont'ing the Council as before.

4. We are happy to hear of peace being Restored to Europe and we hope it may give a prosperous turn to your Honors affairs - No advantage will be taken by your Honors Servants of this happy change but the Strictest Oconomy will be perservered in as usual.

5. We are bound to be gratefull to your Honors for the liberal supplies of this year and will exert ourselves to the utmost to make the returns adequate.

6. What your Honors have been pleased to say concerning the Canadians runs paralel with our own Ideas and we always endeavour to keep on a friendly footing with them, the other part of this paragraph is somewhat of a delicate and intricate nature and involves a Subject Susceptible of much Spurious as well as solid? argument - We cannot speak fully unlefs Mr McNab was present, but we think we may venture to say that Indians ought not to be allowed thro motives of false delicacy to wander about with their furs in a Country so infested by Canadians as this is, and when some of these Canadians have the Audacity to take furs from Indians by force even at the doors of your Honors Settlements.

7. The Tobacco your Honors have sent us will answer extremely well and we are very thankfull for it.

8. The beds for the use of your Honors Servants during the pafsage home shall be made and given to them as ordered.

9. We always thought that the Acct. Books were signed by the respective Inland Masters the neglect your Honors complain of we are at a lofs to account for but we will endeavour to find where the error rests and Correct it - The mens names and bounties due to them shall be particularly mentioned and if any should die the date of their deaths shall be taken due notice of.
The Servants in future shall Contract only for 3 years and at a fixed Sum - But in cases of great urgency we hope your Honors will permit us to deviate from the General Rule.

10. The Indent Book in future shall Contain the Gen'l Charge and Remains in the large Column and the Shipwrights and Small Craft Stores shall be indented for separately -

11. Most of your Honors Inland traders are obliged to be rather lavish in the distribution of Spiritous Liquors among the Indians particularly those who have immediate opposition - We must keep pace with the Canadians in this article or give up the trade entirely - in any other Commodity we can be sparing without giving offence and even in Liquor we carefully avoid running into an extreme - We bear in mind your Honors advice in a former G'l Letter recommending to us not to suffer ourselves to be forstalled by the Canadians.
There is however a medium which is best and we shall always carefully endeavour to observe it.

12. Accounts shall be sent to your Honors of Articles taken by Inland masters and other officers for the use of their wives and Children - we wish to remark that the women are deserving of some encouragement and indulgence from your Honors they clean and put into a state of presevation all Beav. and Otter Skins brought by the Indians undried and in bad Condition - They prepare Line for Snow Shoes and knit them also without which your Honors servants could not give efficient opposition to the Canadian traders they make Leather shoes for the men who are obliged to travel about in search of Indians and furs and are useful in a variety of other instances in short they are Virtually your Honors Servants and as such we hope you will consider them.
The practice of making trifling presents to the Captains was of so long a standing and always done in so open a manner that we had not the least doubt of your Honors being acquainted with it. we are happy to have your honors sentiments to guide us now as they will effectually prevent a recurrence of these unfortunate mistakes.

13. This Order shall be faithfully observed.

14. We have obliged your Honors particular order respecting the packing of different kinds of furs separately as far as Circumstances would permit but the packages being brought to us very late and at so many different periods we were obliged to mix some of the latter.

15. We beg leave to inform your Honors that there is no birch Rind for covering Martin Skins to be got within 100 Miles of York Factory at Eastmain we understand it grows on the plantation - Bark can be brought from Inland for this purpose and will answer if it be not damaged on the pafsage.
The Indians shall be told to leave more hair on the deer skins which they will readily comply with - and the Inland traders who deal in Wolves shall be made aware of the defect that your Honors have pointed out to us.

16. The Error in last years package we are very sorry for - we will use every precaution to prevent such mistakes in future.

17. Mefs Fidler, Bird, Tate, and the rest of the Inland traders will be highly gratified with the flattering manner in which your Honors have been pleased to speak of their Services - Their care will be to preserve the favourable opinion by exerting themselves in your Honors interest.

18. The Boat timbers shall be indented for as directed.

19. The Sheet Lead at York factory when the Remains were taken last year we can afsure your Honors was no more than 9 roles but before the Ship came part of one of them was made into Shot for Inland use so that little more than 8 Roles remained to be seen at Ship time and some sheet lead was also given to Capt. Hanwell for the use of the Ship.
The false and invidious addition of 19 Roles is of a Colour with other representations of that kind which we have of late years undeservedly fell in your Confidence & esteem - As to Severn it has always been supplied with every article it wanted that this factory could spare - every insinuation to the Contrary is injurious to Mr Ballenden and Completely devoid of truth.

20. We are sorry that any error should appear in the Acct. Book as we have always taken the greatest pains to avoid all pofsible mistakes.

21. Due notice shall be taken of this Paragraph.

22. The sons of the late James Spence shall be supplied with Goods to the Amount of £ 20 according to your Honors order and Certificates sent home of their being alive.

23. We are happy to receive Mr Whitford again have no doubt but he will be very usefull.
Mr Bird shall be made aquainted with your Honors good opinion of his Conduct.

24. The fresh hands of this year sent sent us by Mr Geddes are very few, we hope that a Number in proportion to those who leave the Country will be sent us next year.

25. A Copy of the Gen'l Letter shall be sent this fall to Mr Tomison.

Lastly We will encourage Virtue diligence & Sobriety in your Honors Servants and discountenance the Contrary in every respect and that your Honors affairs may prosper under our management is the greatest Ambition of
Honble Sirs
Your most faithfull Servants
J Ballenden
J McNab
Js Sutherland
Wm Cook
G Taylor
PS Mr George Taylor Master of the Severn Brig having a desire to visit England for one year only to Settle his Affairs there hopes your Honors will grant him this indulgence and as he wishes ro reafsume his Station humble proposes to your Honors for James Monkman his mate who is well aquainted to act a master during his absence.
We are sorry to inform your Honors of the deaths of the followingServants
Viz.
Jas. Flett 2d - drowned 2th Oct. 1801
Mag. Twatt - 23d Oct. 1801
George Kirknefs -- 18th March 1802."





"2d Sept. 1803
Honble Sirs
By your Ship King George Capt. Jn Turner we reced your Honors packet cont'g Invoice, Bill of Lading &c as pr List.

We now consign to your Honors [blank] Made Beaver of which [blank] are from Inland [blank] from SR & the remainder from York

We are much concern'd that the present returns must give you lefs satisfaction than last year & sorry to think that after every allowance you are pleas'd to make your Honors should entertain such an unfavorable opinion of our Solicitude & exertions for the increase thereof - an increase of trade to your Chief is doubly important by gaining your confidence is highest ambition & adding to his emoluments his ardent wish, as he is perhaps the only individual in your Honors Service whom you have not considered in this respect for upwards of 30 years - on the contrary the lefsening the standard of Furs has curtail'd his salary & we think tended very much to lefsen your Cargoes from here - Where no rivals in Trade reside your Honors ought to expect returns adequate to the supply of goods sent. Where Opponents are at the door the case is extremely different. Goods without men in this Situation (& those must be good men) are too often of little avail.

4. Your honors will see our Indent is very small it was so last year for stores of every kind the standard of Furs is enter'd in Acct. Book as desired, we wish to know whether the standard of Cotton Shirts & rect'd Spirits is to be observed as in the Factory Acct. Book or in that from Inland in the latter Cotton Shirts are 1 1/2 B. & Spirits 6 B. pr Gall. at the Factory 2 B. each Shirt & 8 B. pr Gall. Spirits.

5. We are sorry to receive so many reproofs for this which Your Honors are so much displeas'd at. the instances of irrigularity you particularize may have been caused by some unavoidable necefsity - Your Inland Servants uniformly send their proposals from their Stations or when they come down to Oxford house or the Rock very few ever see? the factory - the Reason of their coming to it is this if an Inland servant who sends his resolves to the Chief in 1803 has his time out at Ship time 1804 he has a right to come to the factory in 1804 where he must wait till Ship time to know from your honors if his request is granted, this we cannot prevent & this only is the reason their Service is lost Inland till your determination is known instead therefore of going back in July with their Companions, they must stay till Sept. or the Ships arrival, when it may be too late to get to their Inland stations, to prevent this lofs of servitude we are compell'd at times to promise a good man (before we can know it) that his request will be countenanced or the Consequence would be a Canoe or boat left behind & an expedition ruin'd, it is to these premature promises of ours your Honors have at time acceded, these are causes which must annually occur, till more are sent out than the number that requests to go home Untill therefore we have direct Orders from your Honors to wait for your determination in every case we think it a duty incumbent on us for your Interest still to remedy such wants of necefsity Last year Mr McNab wrote particularly to know how to act with those Servants at the Athapuscow, Your Honors have not pleased to direct us. - Men will not go there on the same terms as to your other settlements, we wish therefore to know if we are to continue our exertions as formerly.

6. This we are always concern'd for the engagement of men for 5 Years is a beneficial measure for your Service.

7. The disposal of every article is enter'd in Acct. Books under the heads of Mens Debts Expences & trade - we trust Your Honors will never entertain such an opinion as that the smallest article of your property would be distributed at random - Masters Inland attend to this order of accounting for Goods expended & remains.

8. This Order is obeyed & shall be so in future.

9. The Method you direct us to use for the Rundlets may answer for weak Liquors, even when the materials they are made of are common - the Liquor we put in those sent out is nearly the strength of Spirits of Wine, which requires the best wood & workmanship to contain it.

10. This Order shall be obeyed.

11. We shall attend to this regulation.

12. Every exertion is attended to for the prevention of such Calamities.

13. Mag. Birza's fate is lamentable it is our duty & most earnest endeavour to prevent such consequences which we trust will never happen here.

14. We do every thing in our power to prevent such interferences.

15. Your nomination of Council is observed.

16. This is a serious concern to every one of us. Capt. Richards engaging so many of the best men in Orkney at advanced Wages will we fear tend much to excite requests for higher Wages among your Servants here - if your Honors desire to oppose the Canadians in this now is the time we must do it with Spirit, if men from the Orkney get a continued predilection for the Canadian Employ all future effort of ours will be in vain - we believe as little intercourse is kept with them as duty & Interest will admit - a Copy of your honors par. shall be sent Inland.

17. When we Indent for this article your directions will be observed.

18. The acct. Books here are exact duplicates of those sent home. no Inland Acct. Books are detain'd at the factory from which we can give your Honors further information.

19. We are sorry to hear war is again commenced & pray for its being succefsful we promise the strictest econmy in every article under our care.

20. The Invoice is made out according to the form we have Received.

Lastly We shall endeavour to encourage virtue diligence & Sobriety among you Servants in hopes of its being a means of your Honors affairs prospering under us which is the ardent ambition of
Honble Sirs
[blank]
PS The order respecting the Children of the late James Spence shall be regularly attended to. the £ 20 of last year coming immediately after a former sum of £ 11 which had been continued for 3 years - Mr Tomison finding the sum more than adequate to their wants & fearing some mistake might have taken place only deliv'd to them the 11 £ as usual so that the value of £ 9 remains due to them from the last years quota which shall be paid with the £ 20 of this year as directed.
Certificates relative to the Orphan children shall be annually sent to your Honors."





" York Fort Sept. 1804
Honble Sirs
1. By the Ship King George Capt. Jn Turner we reced your Honors packet cont'g Invoice, Bill of Lading &c as pr List.

2. We now consign to your Honors 22,819 3/5 MB of which 12,920 4/15 from Inland 5245 from SR and the remainder from York.

3. Your honors will observe the utmost attention is paid to the State of Stock in your Warehouses by the Indent now sent - a few articles wrote for last year is not now received. the strictest economy shall be perservered in - the Bristol Shot of last year was a Size too small, this year we find no difference - it is a great disappointment to the Indians.

4. We have received a fine supply of men and shall endeavour to employ them in the most effectual manner for the benefit of your Service.

5. Each Inland trade is distinctly particularized in the YF Account Book and each Gentlemens name wrote in Red Ink against the exact quantity he procured. the particulars of the Inland trade goes from thence in their respective Books annually, the names of those entitled to trip money were inserted in the Account Book from here and those to whom bounties become due are distinguishable in the list of Servants in the same Book.
The General Consignment of Goods from hence to the nearest House would be the readiest and exactest method of keeping Accounts according to the form your Honors direct from OH now included in Sask? & As the 22,180 1/30 MB is accounted for - the articles adequate to 46,014 MB was then actually at the Factory and causes the littlenefs of the Indent now sent home - After including the remains of Merry House NRiver and Cumberland House establishments, no accumulation of Goods can happen as in these various heads, the whole are particularized - it is always our endeavour to dispose of them in the best manner and for the payment of Indian Debts we are anxious.

6. We shall endeavour to obey this Order.

7. We are sorry for our incorrectnefs in your Servants resolves. at Shiptime when this can only be made out, we have at times much businefs on hand and the irresolutions of men particularly when scarce are numerous at times and forgot - James Swain is one of the SR Compliment and your Honors will perceive is not in the YF list of Servants, the remaining order in this Par, is observed.

8. Repeated instances of Servants being sent back, who were sent home for incorrigiblenefs or other faults, has tended at times to prevent sending home some we otherwise would not a dread of offending your Secretary - We trust never to shrink from our duty and in this or any other case affecting your Interest, no private motive, will hinder us from exprefing our Sentiments to your Honors - We cannot help mentioning our concern to find that the balances of your Servants were unpaid when they heard from their Corresondents - some say their bills were return'd to their Agents - a General uneasinefs is felt on the occasion.

9. We are happy in your Honors approbation, every effort will be tried to merit its continuance.

10. Capt. Turner has received a Silk Handkerchief as a Sample of what are superabundant at York Factory and we have delivered to him all the Arrow barbs on Account here and 116 lb of uselefs Beads - for the Esquim'x trade - his receipt is sent in the packet Box.

11. We had no intimation of Capt. Richards arrival in the Bay till this now reced from your honors which we are sorry to hear, of Canadians come here, no violence shall Commence on our part. we hope they will be prevented from visiting us by the results of a Legal discufsion.
No person of the descriptions particularized by Your Honors returns by this Ship from York.

Lastly - We shall endeavour virtue diligence and Sobriety among your Servants and in every respect discountenance the contrary, trusting such Conduct will tend to the prosperity of your Concerns under our management and entitle us to your Esteem which is the highest Ambition of
Honble Sirs
Your faithful Hble Servants"
[blank]





" 6 Sept. 1805
Honble Sirs
By your Ship King George Capt. Jn Turner we reced your Honors packet cont'g Bill of Lading &c as pr List.

2. We now consign to your Honors 30,326 81/120 MBeaver 6188 of which from Severn the remainder from York as particularized in the Account Book.

3. By the afsortment of packages we understand your Honors desire to be that each should contain one species of furs only: this has now been attended to as far as pofsible. The last of Inland Trades are at times not brought to the Factory till your Ships arrival, this causes a mixture - we cannot delay packing till a total receipt - the amount was particularized in Cargo list last year as in the present now sent to your Honors - The trading of Furs inferior in Value is at all times an unpleasant transaction and that York should be pointed at on such an occasion ought to stimulate our endeavours to exemplify the Actions of our Neighbours at Severn - Your Honors will admit that the same species of animal will be influenced by sustenance or Climate & that at times causes unknown locally lefsen their number.

4. At York there is no document of Inland Accounts for us to inform your Honors how their dependence were carried on. - North River & Merry House were conducted at the Factory & the blanks relating thereto are filled up. we hope this years account Book will be satisfactory to you Honors - we have presumed to place an addition to your Directions Page 165 & 6

5. Your Honors will perceive by the Gen. Charge & Goods divided, that to carry on your Accounts by Decimal Fractions the Account book should be considerably broader than the present if extended to many decimal points, by the number of these your Honors direct we shall be guided and when Books are sent us we shall endeavour to fulfill this Order - Your desire respecting the Journals & is now obeyed.

6. Your Honors consideration in this is perfectly satisfactory to us all.

7. Mr McNab feels this observation of your honors as unpleasant as it must appear discommendable and should be happy in remedying the imputation, he begs your Honors consideration of this afsertion by the public Correspondence which duly requires carrying on.
We shall be sorry to see a Vefsel from Canada at York and hope it will not happen while any of us are here should we be disappointed your Honors directions shall be obeyed.

8. Your orders in this respect are too often necefsary and trust attention will be paid to them.

9. Your Honors will perceive by the York Journal the fulfillment of this duty which shall be carried on With the aid of Mr Taylor & men from Severn we have erected a Beacon as wished by your Capt. last year he is the best Judge of its utility.

10. This is an Indulgence your present Chief is insensible of, he cannot conscientiously claim the least title thereto & begs your Honors will this year bestow this benifit on the Gents to whom it is justly due.

11. Considered in the 5th.

12. Your Honors may trust in our sense of duty in this respect.

13. Every attention shall be paid to this desire.

14. your Chief has been always glad to send home as much as he could and continues in the same sentiments.
We are sensible of the prohibition of your Capts. and trust we never shall give reason for suspecting a breach of duty on this or any Occasion.

15. This Order is obeyed.

16. The duffle we understood to be a cheaper commodity than pointed Blankets & wished the varieties of Colours in the one to equal those of the other, the reasons why this could not be effected we were ignorant of.

17. We shall endeavour to observe this order we are sorry most of the Swans Skins now consigned are packed in the common manner - a few reced since the Ships arrival are carefully sent.

18. The variation in the Standard of Bears shall be observed & made known to those Gent. who are in situations best adapted for procuring these valuable Skins - we shall be happy in the event hoped for by your Honors.

19. The Anchor shall be taken care of here.

20. Attention to this we feel a peculiar duty and trust your Honors will be convinced thereof by the Indent now sent.

Lastly We shall endeavour to encourage Virtue Diligence & Sobriety among your Servants in hopes of its being a means of your Honors Affairs prospering under us which is the ardent Ambition of
Your Obed. Servants
[blank]
PS. We are sorry to hear of Combinations in Orkney tending to counteract endeavours for supplying the wants of your Service, by the effects of these our views must be limited & our exertions checked - if the same number of men had been received this year as came the last we might have promised well now we must do the best we can - Your honors may depend no exorbitant terms shall be complied with.
We shall be happy if the Methods your Honors adopt tends to remedy the evil complained of and are far from thinking it is meant to lefsen the Salaries of those concerned thereby - particularly that of your Chiefs they being the solitary instances in your Service of a fixture for many years past.
This is a case of much nicety to scrutinize when Canadians are at our Doors we trust it seldom or never occurs if such happens when Canadians are distant it is highly discommendable & we hope your traders from York have more sense of Duty then to act so inconsiderately.
While we are regulated by Standard the Lists must appear distinct & exact in our Act. Book.
The Children of the late Ja. Spence shall be supplied as usual.
When Canadians are near if we do not trade the various produce of a good Indians hunt at all Seasons the Canadians will do it gladly - such exceptions the Ind. would be affronted with and in the end we might lose his all. these are considerations of the highest consequence and we must be regulated too often by the desires of the Natives proscriptions of ours in such cases cannot with prudence be proposed.
Notes of Sale annually would be a partial guides & might with propriety induce at times to encourage more ardently the trade of particular Articles - by this at times we believe the Canadians are much influenced.
Wm. Snoulton from a complaint caused by a fall from a Horse now returns - we are sorry for a misunderstanding between Mr Howse & him last Winter as mentioned (page 35th Corr. Book) in a letter to your Chief we have examined 2 Men who winter'd with them & from their report we think there had been failings on both sides."





" York Factory Aug. 30 1806
Honble Sirs
1. by your Ship King George Capt. Turner we received your Honors packet cont'g G. Letter & other papers.

2. We now consign to your honors [blank] MB of which [blank] is from Severn

3. It is unpleasant to hear that the returns from York Factory continue to prove inferior in value to those from your other settlements - the report is discouraging - it shall not lefsen our exertions for encreasing your Trade. Mefs Fidler & Swain have relinquished the Athapuscow, we have now Officers & men to prosecute the intent at & beyond OH where we have hopes of procuring an additional number of those Beaver you particularize as of so fine a quality.

4. We have received a good supply of men, a 5 year instead of a 3 year term, would have been much more beneficial to your Honors service - they will be disposed of in the most advantageous manner & the most economical plans pursued. these additional attentions shewn by your Honors to the desires of the Natives we trust will be gratefully received.

5. Mr McNab mentioned his sentiments respecting this in the PS of last years Gen. Letter from YF.

6. This Order is obeyed.

7. This Regulation shall be observed.

8. We shall report this direction to the Inland Gent.

9. This shall be attended to.

10. We are sorry to find one striking instance of a non-compliance with our Indent - we have reced no Rum - this article was also curtail'd the preceeding year - Our last Indent particularized that " Your Servants wished to buy" this is an article if not necefsary on Inland Journeys, may at times be thought comfortable.

11. No Rundlets for Inland have been indented for or reced at York for several years past - they have been made here out of pipes &c the only Casks wanted at Churchill. we cannot attempt a Whale fishery without men & materials for that purpose.

12. The Leakage of Brandy we trust your Honors will observe is not more than that of preceeding years - we think it is considerably lefs.

13. The amount of goods delivered to the Children of the late James Spence has been regulated by your Honors directions & particularized in the Account Books sent home.

14. No answer has been returned to Mr Fidlers duplicate Letter. during last Winter he enter'd into an agreement with the Canadians, the particulars of which form a No. in your packet - a Mr Wm McKay & 8 men came down Nelson River last June while Mr McNab was Inland, they staid one night & after receiving several necefsary articles as pr Account Book set out expeditiously for the Grand Portage by the same rout he came - McKay told Mr Sutherland, the motives for his coming were to Sound Nelson river & explore its entrance. his addrefs to Mr McNab is now enclosed in your Honors packet & we think the Canadian Proprietory ought to pay well for the articles He received.

15. Your regulation of trips shall be observed & recorded

16. This is satisfactory to us.

17. This requisite your Chief was unaquainted with, the Columns were filled up exactly in the manner of those in Invoice of last year we hope the Additions in this will give satisfaction.

18. Some years as last Valuable Skins are got in the Vicinity of the factory by your Servants, in obtaining them they are uniformly employed on other duties, a diligent Servant in the one is seldom to be doubtful in the other - the return of articles given in such cases are included in the Column of Trade in Acct. Book - if your honors wish the Hunts of each man to be particularized against the name of the Hunter & him to trust to your directions for donations, on such occasions, we shall expect your Orders accordingly.

19. To procure the primest Skins is always a satisfactory employ & we are sorry to find so many repeated doubts of our endeavours for these attainments.

20. The regulation of Standard shall be observed.

21. This benevolent propsition of your Honors ought to excite grateful sensations in the hearts of your servants & doubly excite them in the promotion of your concerns - a Clergyman we fear would find many great obstacles in carrying on his designs. After a trial of Schoolmasters more promising hopes might be entertained for the influence of the Clergy - a Schoolmaster ought to be steady & if of advanced age his succefs might be greater. The sending of Children to the Factory will depend upon the compliance of the Parents.

Lastly, We shall endeavour &c
[blank]
PS. Mr Tomison is detained at Churchill if he comes here we trust your Honors will have no reason to doubt of his receiving every support & comfort in our power to bestow & that cordiality & unanimity will be observed.
The least or even the greatest attempt, with the aid of all your Servants at York Factory to execute the plan of propigating Beaver as a commercial concern here or we think in any part of the Country would shew in the Undertakers marks not only of folly but signs of insanity.
The Brazil Tobacco has been received & shall be accounted for.
A Letter from Mr Swain to Mr McNab (a dup. of which is in Corresp. book page 71) is now transmitted to convince your Honors, that no inattention has been shewn to Mr Swain & we should be sorry if any Servant on the Establishment, had reason to complain of any such neglect in us - your answer to his request was reced here in Aug. 1805 he was then on his way to Slave Lake - it was sent to him by packet in Sept. last. reached him in Feb. 1806 & his answer thereto is addrefs'd from OH. by the earlest mode of conveyance.
We have united in send'g supplies from Severn & York to Churchill by the Severn Brig, the wants there being so great caused Mr Auld to come here exprefsly to have them relieved.
Mr Auld having represented the propriety of having explored the rout to Athapuscow by the way of deer Lake & knowing the Capacity of Mr Fidler for such an intent formally requested his services from the strong he held that duty in view - on mentioning it to Mr Fidler he with his usual ardor & afsidiuty offer'd to execute the duty & seems hopeful of its utility, of course he is to be intrusted with this undertaking."

" Mr John Ballendine Sen.
York Fact.
Hudsons Bay House London May 31 1806
Sir
In reply to your Ltr. of 29 Aug last year I hand? you ? your Acct Curr. with the Honble Company by which there remains a Balance of £ 181.1.3 due to you which I hope you will find right & note it accordingly. You'll please to observe that the Gov. & Committee have made a standing Order some years back that no Account shall be sent of a longer period than 7 years which has prevented me from complying with your requested from 1785 which otherwise would have done. I thank you kindly for the favor confer'd & wishing you much health & happinefs I remain in haste
Sir
Your most Obt. Hbl Svrt.
Arth. Ball
PS You'll observe that by the Statute of limitation no debts of a longer period than 6 years can be claim'd in Law.

a True Copy
Tho. Bunn
The Contents of the above is generally known among your Honors Servants at York has caused various conjectures general doubts & universal anxiety among those to whom the allusion is applicable
Jn McNab."





" York Factory 28th Sept. 1807
Honble Sirs
By your Brig Mainwaring Capt. John Davison we received your Honors packet cont'g Gen'l Letter & other papers.

2. We now consign to your honors upwards of 37,000 MB (of which more than 6000 from Severn) on board your Ship Prince of Wales Capt. Hanwell Commander.

3. Your Chief confides accordingly.

4. This year the number of Beaver Skins is a little increas'd, at a House Tho. McNab built last Aug. he traded upwards of 100 MB in these Skins & others he could not bring down - Beaver are very scarce throughout the researches of York - Your Honors will receive more Martins now than we believe ever were consign'd at once from this or any one of your Factories - we imagine these to be Valuable furs - Bear also a large number & several of the finest quality - the product of York being 20 PrCent lower than that of any other Factory we wonder at. - in that case Mr McNab thinks your Honors must be great gainers by his absence from those he has formerly had the honor to superintend as he judges the expences of York now are not greater than has been at Albany & Churchill while under his direction - he will venture to say they are lefs - a number of swan skins is now sent & an additional number of quills - no goose quills from the borders of the Bay occupied by York ever reached Canada - from Inland they have an equal if not a greater chance of collecting them than your interior stations have.

5. We are at a lofs how to reconcile this with the preceeding paragraph - if we particularize the articles each servant inland buys the account Book must be enlarged - those goods sold at the Factory are to each individual specified - The number of MB traded by each trader we understand to be the rule for your Honors forming the premiums by (which we think it presumptive? to do) this the account book distinctly shows.

6. We are happy in telling your Honors none of these unpleasant occurences has been heard of at YF this season.

7. The South Branch is a quarter we can form very little hopes from - Mr Fidler whose experience in undoubted tells us Kitts are the chief expectations there from.

8. The quantity of F. Brandy your Honors have sent is too great for Factory use - many of your Servants will willingly buy that article.

9. This shall be attended to.

10. We trust this consideration will be gratefully thought of by your Servants.

11. We have had many complaints against the guns hatchets & steel traps as remarked in Indent now sent home - we find a deficiency in the Indent of Cal. Shirts, gunworms, Tarps? , several casks of Oatmeal, S Barley & malt are much damaged.

12. This confidence in your Officers we trust will be prudently considered - in that case your Honors will be benefited thereby.

13. We receive with sincere gratitude your Honors permifsion to offer our sentiments on this most interesting subject & feeling as we most sensibly do for the present helplefs condition of our children beg leave to lay before you the following remarks
In the first instance it is the anxious desire of every parent that the happinefs resulting from Education & Religion should be imparted without distinction to the Children of both sexes & that the female youth in particular should experience that delicacy & attention to their persons their peculiar situation requires - Native women as attendants on these young persons seems improper - their society would keep alive the Indian language & with it its native superstition which ought to be obliterated from the mind with all pofsible care. It is therefore suggested that a female from England of suitable abilities & good moral character accompanying the schoolmaster would obviate the necefsity of employing such attendants & the cleanlinefs of the Children & domestic Economy of the semenary under the superintendance of a respectable Matron, would, we have no doubt be equal to the wishes of your Honors & promise to the undertaking, that succefs, which could not be expected from a more limited regulation - The expences necefsarily incurred in forwarding this benevolent design, would, as far as your Honors thought proper be chearfully sustain'd by those whose children received the benefit of the institution - The residence of the Children & their instructors would be most convenient at a short distance from the Factory, where firewood & country provisions with little difficulty be procured on the spot - Many places of this kind are to be found in the Vicinity of York & such retired situations would not only estrange the Children from their Indian acquaintence, but present other advantages friendly to the progrefs of Education morality & good Order - upon the whole we are firmly of opinion that when your Honors have finally determined on the measure & afforded us the means of accomplishing it - no difficulties or obstructions will arise to frustrate the design & that none but the happiest effects can result from a plan formed on the basis of humanity & coming deeply home to the feelings of everyone concerned.

14. We shall be glad if no future quarrels arise between us & the Canadians - it shall be our study on all occasions not to excite them.

15. We are sorry your Honors have been necefsitated to continue the bounty to your Servants, particularly when their term of servitude is 3 years only - this limited space is highly injurious to your service.

16. This shall be observed.

17. This order shall be obeyed.

18. The number of men now receiv'd is lefs than expected by the aid of those the extension of our powers must at all times be regulated & your businefs pursued with energy & Effect - 15 is the smallest number we expected - last winter 3 additional stations were settled in Mefs Sinclair & Tate's departments, by the help of these, the returns of those quarters are doubled & the canadian attainments equally reduced.

19. We trust Mr Fidler recent discoveries will eventually be beneficial - a Letter from Mr Auld page [blank] of Correspondence book, highly approves of his services on this occasion.

20. John Turner continues from choice with the Indians & grows a good hunter.

21. & 22. Mr McNab, in his Inland Journal of 1806 inform'd your Honors of the particulars of William Budges horrid actions - Mr Bird related the report - Budge was taken prisoner to Canada - attnetion will be continued to the refusal of canadian servants.

23. We are astonished to hear of such an error - the original Invoice here is right, in the hurry of copying this mistake must have happen'd.

24. Attention shall be paid to these regulations your Honors desire - they should be effected by degrees - the inland Traders will be guided by prudent consideration - to trade the prime cat & wolvereens for lefs than a B. would injure your Honors Service - swan skins we think should be continued as they are - the Kitts we have advised to be carried on, in a similar standard as the Canadians, lest by rejecting these, we lose skins of a valuable quality - to encourage trapping Martins we propose giving a B. for 2 martins of either species - we wish to know how deers horns are to be rated.

25. We observe your directions in this paragraph.

26. The Irish meat shall have a fair trial & its quality be represented to your Honors.

Lastly We will encourage Virtue diligence & sobriety in all your Servants & discountenance the contrary in every aspect that your Honors affairs may prosper under our management is the highest ambition of
Honble Sirs
Your faithful hble Sert.
[blank]
PS. Three years ago the decay of the E. Beacon was represented to Capt. Turner & a proposition made whether he thought a Beacon on the point of the Marsh or the old one to the East'd renewed, would be the most efsential guide for mariners, he then advised a new one on the point of Marsh - that Service is perform'd - We shall endeavour to raise the other, though it will occur to your Honors as well as to us that this implies an unexpected diffidence in the train of your present navigators.
Mr Thomas your chief at Severn points out to us, that hitherto the Brig has afsisted in landing the York cargo & has in consequence been detain'd for that Service.
That now your Honors having directed Inland settlements from Severn, the detention of the Brig here, will ever make their ? supplies doubtful & prevent that service from being carried on, with such certainty & firmnefs as the nature of the service requires - In consequence of this, we have indented for a Vefsel in frame to be built here purposely for landing the York cargo, that in future every dependance on the Vefsel from Severn may be avoided - a vacancy from the lofs of a most worthy Officer, Mr Jas. Sutherland, in this case will much more require to be filled up - a person therefore, acquainted with maritime affairs will be required to superintend the shipping duty & charge of the Craft - Mr Cook your second at York officiates in Mr McNabs absence, highly to that gent. satisfaction, his meritorious actons have long been known & experienced in the Service & justly merit your Honors notice - neither oats? grows, nor is sea weed to be found in the Vicinity of York - we have detain'd Ja. McKinly from Churchill, he having offer'd his services here & been highly recommended."





" York Factory Sept. 1808
Honble Sirs
1. By your Ship King George Capt. John Turner we receiv'd your Honors packet cont'g the papers as pr List.

2. We now consign to your Honors [blank] MB from York Factory & its dependencies.

3. In the present consignment there is considerably more Beaver than that of last year, & we have hopes there will be still more next year - The Account book now sent home will shew a continued attention to frugality in the Saskachewan & throughout the various departments of York.

4. Particular directions are given to the Natives for procuring & preparing Swans Skins as your Honors direct, we now consign a fine afsortment of them, and a few more of their quills than last year.

5. We shall be happy in finding no cause for complaints among the natives, respecting the various articles of Iron work any defects found shall be particularized in the manner you direct - Your Honors will consider, there has been no armourer at York for years past, that one Smith has acted in both capacities & that the same person goes on Inland expeditions as a common labourer, - this granted, there is little leisure for making such trifles as Awls &c. - Your Honors will also observe, that one house Carpenter ought to have sufficient employ at York without making wheel Barrows.

6. We shall be happy in the realization of your hopes in the Athapuscow quarter - it is with much regret we part with Mr Fidler, who joins in sentiments with us that every selfish consideration ought to give way to the grand motive of public duty & to that point when you have so conspicuously shewn an earnestnefs for the prosecution, it be comes a general duty to afsist to the utmost the furtherance thereof - and it is a high satisfaction in having it in our power to give so efsential afsistance as Mr Fidler is qualified & strenuous to afford - we are again happy in telling your Honors that every station from York, has lived cordially with their neighbours At Saskachewan there ever has been & still continues to be a powerful opposition, from that River the Canadians carry annually upwards of 250 packs or bundles of furs each weigh'g 90 lb in which may be fairly reckoned 8600 Beaver skins Wolves, Bears &c in proportion - they general employ 12 Canoes manned with 60 men, these with residenters at the Houses may be estimated at 100 Men employed yearly in the Saskachewan - D. Thompson has not we believe been far to the Wward of the Athapuscow, he winter'd acrofs the Rocky Mountains last year - Such help as York can give Churchill, in boats or canoes shall be administer'd, at the same time we must inform your Honors, that the few men sent to York for years past (none this) lefsens our ability very. & if your Honors continue to allot so small a proportion as has been the case for years past, the best set of servants we have seen in Hudsons Bay, we dread will soon change seriously for the worse - already they see few or none sent to supply the places of any that may be fickle or unsteady in their resolutions such fail not to catch any opportunity of interesting themselves & the consequences of such examples needs no illustration - we therefore inform your Honors, that if York continues to experience the little countenance it appears to us you have shewn her for years past, great and rapid will be her decay.
We have with care collected the annual Imports & Exports to & from York from 1799 to 1807, inclusive, compared the quantity & quality of the latter as also the number of the men each year - from the result if York equalled other Factories in satisfactory products during the first 4 years well may we wonder how she latterly has fallen 20 PrCent lower as mentioned in 4th Par. of your general letter 1807 & now in 3rd of 1808 - Mr McNab desires your Honors permifsion to return to England next year.

7. This consideration of your Honors, will be gratefully felt & we trust will benefit the service at York.

8. We are sorry to hear that war still continues & its effects so severely experienced by your Honors - As Kit foxes sold well, Mr Bird will act discretionally, in encouraging the trade thereof - At the rate of 30 for a B many of these skins cannot be expected - The late arrival of your Ship last year; prevented our fall hunt of geese, diminishes our quantity of feathers & quills now & adds to the consumption of Beef & Pork - Our utmost endeavours will be continued in procuring well collected & large consignments from hence.

9. Our Account Book will convince your Honors the Expences of York are not increased, we think they have been diminishing for years past.

10. Last year we found when too late a deficit of 3 1/2 foot Guns &c as pr list which we fear will be much felt as our last years Indent for this article was small - In the Invoice now received several articles are curtail'd as pr list sent. The Rice is very acceptable - advice shall be given for its culinary preparation.

11. This direction shall be obeyed.

12. This order shall be attended to.

13. Our Indents being made out in the usual form previous to the receipt of your Honors packet, we now add the quantity required as usual - next year they shall be drawn out as directed.

14. We observe your determination respecting Bounties to your Servants in Orkney & the discretionary power placed in your Chief & Council, we trust this latter will highly promote your service & at the same time are sensible how incumbent the utmost delicacy & circumspection in so conscientious a trust is on our part.

15. We have received Mr G Geddes for the purpose your Honors so humanely desire - he is characterized by the Presbitery of Cairston & when the hurry of ship time is over he will commence his duty & we hope with succefs satisfaction & eventual interest to your Honors concerns in Hudsons Bay - we now send samples of the progrefs already made in this laudable work - the regulations for the school shall be observed.

16. Mr Fidler seeing with us the great confidence you have in him & the strong desire your Honors evince for a formidable station in the Athapuscow now goes to Churchill to undertake this consequential businefs & we most earnestly wish him succefs therein.

17. Every Smith ought from experience to know the effect of cold on Iron - we find very few that can remedy it as is too often required.

18. We observe in your PS the intimations your Honors reced concerning this intention.

19. This is annually attended to in the list of servants. Mr Geddes shall be informed accordingly.

Lastly We will by every means in our power maintain the due observance of Virtue, diligance & Sobriety & discountenance the contrary in every respect & that your honors affairs may prosper under our management is the ardent wish of
Honble Sirs
Your faithful Honble Servants
[blank]
PS. The swans skins now consigned are in general in the state your Honors desire - in future the feathers of all shall be left on - We have reced no instructions about deers horns in worth sending in futuren we wish to know how many pounds should be rated as a Beaver, those now sent are estimated at 20 lbs pr made Beaver.
Mr Bird will present the gun in your Honors name to the Indian chief & we hope for good effects therefrom -
Mr Pruden tells us that tribe brought many more beaver skins last year than formerly.
Mr Thomas your Chief at Severn under whose direction & care the Brig Beaver is, tells us he is to act in this businefs concerning her as himself & Mr Taylor judges best for the good of your service & will inform your Honors accordingly."





" York Factory Sept. 14 1809"

"Honble Sirs
By your Ship King George Capt Turner we reced your Honours Packet Cont'g the papers as pr List enclosed.

2. It gives us pleasure to find our Consignments was partially satisfactory to your Honours, We lament the cause of its not being more so - Last year your Honours told us Kit Foxes & Rabbits sold well, that encouraged our Endeavours to procure a greater number this, accordingly we lefsened the Standard of Both to realize that intention which has been attained with considerable Succefs - The Statement of ? is the method we pursue to prevent delusion, we shall never draw a comparison with any other of your Factories.

3. We are extremely sorry for the cause of such a Determination so destructive to all Exertions & discouraging to every Individual.

4. Packeters seldom travel but in Cases where Wants call for Supplies or News we think beneficial to the Service is expected.

5. We shall be happy in Mr Auld's succefs in reaching the Athapascow - he has had a fine Supply of Provisions from Cumber'd House by the foresight & Exertions of Mr Bird who will take pleasure in furthering this or any branch of your Service - Your Honours will allow these provisions adds to the expense of trading Goods in the york Establishment though not particularized in Accts.

6. Any Communication that may happen with the Americans shall be related to your honours.

7. We are sensible of the propriety of this attention.

8. We have the pleasure to afsure your Honours that the School Establishment is proceeding under the happiest presages of Succefs - the Amelioration already taken place is sufficient to justify the Hopes of the wellwishers of the Institution & to fix in us a firm belief that the Results tho distant will be eventually beneficial to your honours Concerns. The Samples of Progrefs now sent & to which we beg to refer, we trust will be pleasing to your honours & fully authorize our remarks.

9. The great denial of our Indent is a severe Check and threatens to paralize all our Actions, deject the Indians & we fear throw a great part of our Trade into the Hands of the Canadians & highly injure your Interest; had we been forwarded of this Intention of your Honours we might in Some Measure have been prepared - warned the inland Traders & also the Indians; as it is most of last years supply of goods are sent Inland the Factory Storehouses nearly empty & Indians waiting for and expecting their usual supplies, besides before the news of this Restriction reaches the interior Stations much of their stock will be expended in Debts &c as usual to Indians without unusual Caution.
Mr Cook will have unprecedented Difficulties to encounter, but he is qualified to do much & pledges himself to meet the Crisis with Zeal Fidelity & Care.
In the Mens Debts now sent home they have bought 160 Large Blankets, the Men wanted to buy many more - the supply now recd is 195 leaving only 35 for all the Indian trade. more distrefsing still not a yard of Cloth or Duffel in short the threatening evils to the Service are incalculable. When not a yard of Cloth is sent the one of the chief supports of our Trade We wonder to see such an unnecefsary quantity of Medicines, according to the expenditure of last year there is on hand a Suffciency for 10 years to come before a single Gall? pot comes on shore.
As you direct we have not complied with the Request of several Men - to them? of Merit we have in some cases been necefsitated to exceed your present Grants - in others have agreed them for lefs than your Honors allow.

10. We retain the highest sense of your Honours indulgence in this respect. in such Cases Attention is always paid to the good of your concerns - We observe your Remarks concerning the Visitations to the Factory of your Inland Officers at Shiptime - they are advised accordingly - It is rare any improper Conduct of the Men occurs at York.

11. We are sorry to hear the Small Furs as Martins &c continue to be of little Value our utmost Attention and Exertions shall be bestowed on the most advantageous manner of Trade in such Cases & to apply your Honors Trading Goods in the most conducive to your Interest.

12. Every Attention will be paid to this desire the Indents now transmitted are formed with the most considerate Views for carrying on your commercial Concern.

13. The various packages you particularize are detained here & will be secured in safety the? amount is now transmitted to your Honors. Hunting W Foxes shall be attended to & encouraged.

14. We hope your Honors will not defer Countenancing your Servants Bills till a second succeeding year as this Regulation seems to infer. Such a determination would disappoint the Correspondants of your Servants & cause murmuring & discontent among them here - We have not found the Bills mentioned by your Honours.

15. We have the greatest hopes that this Consideration of your Honours will encrease the Quantity of the most estimable Articles in your Trade the confidence you place in us by discretionally varying from the Rule formed for our guide we are sensible of & feel accordingly - The Article of Beav. is the only limitation discordant with the Sentiments of Mr Bird (the only Gent. among us qualified by experience to judge in this mode of Commerce) he thinks each Skin should be 11 Livres the same as the Canadians pay for all B. kill'd from 1st Oct. to 1st June from thence to the end of Sept. half price - As we cannot expect them for lefs he is authorized to equalize his Opponent till we are further advised by your honors.
The other Articles as Otters &c are generally traded in the usual manner & may be obtained easier than by grant of Bills - When this is transacted the Checks can be received here & transmitted to your honours accordingly - We have great reason to hope this intercourse will give much confidence & encouragement to these? free? Canadians & excite them to trade with us in the usual Channel? more freely than heretofore.

16. We cannot comprehend how it is pofsible for us to expend any article on trade without specifying the manner in Acct. - these your Honors tell us are satisfactory and we again repeat we ? not a comparison with other of your Factories. That your Honors have been informed Articles have disappeared on arrival, we doubt not, but that such informants would have been believed we did not expect - the prevalence of practices scandalous to ourselves we are ignorant of and fear not the severest scrutiny into our actions - The Stand'd of trade used with the natives your Honors surely are sensible ever has and ever ought to vary from that established by you - we exemplify the variation existing at YF by an Extract from Ind. debts book and this paper is a Compendium of the general mode of Trading there: at the interior Settlements the methods vary as circumstances vicinity of Canad., their penury, or their plenty, may cause necefsity. there are triffling articles as awls &c never traded, even before the Canadians prevailed among us these were gifts and cannot be prudentially withheld now there are other articles such as ribbons call'o &c seldom traded - seeing the Canadians use these among the Ind. it was judged a duty to be equally provided and your Honors in 4th Par. of Gen'l Letter 1806 directed us to give the ribbons as Presents ever since these have been distributed among your Traders accordingly, probably others unentitled to a share expected it and became envious on disappointment. every other article of value is at times traded or sold to your servants - We have now rec'd no current price as ment'd by your honors - When shawls &c were wrote for it was the intention to pay for them not to trade no price was fixed as expected by us - last year your Honors placed them among other articles of trade, rating them we thought below their value - now most of them are sold to your servants as Acct? now particularised - Where the fallacy of this lies we have no concern.

17. We observe your Honors intention of Regulating the price of Slops to this of course we will adhere - by your regulation of last year every article was entered among trade goods except such luxuries as Wine Sugar, Tea &c - to this we have now attended in Acct. Books sent home.

18. We have great reason to fear the power and perserverance of our opponents continues Undiminished ? Early last month Mr Tomison on his route from Cumb. met Canoes for the interior deeply laden the Canad. Conductor informed him Beaver had fallen in value, made no Comment thereon, and every sign of activity and Resolution was visible as usual.

19. We annually Send triffles to friends & Corresp. these we suppose generally goes to your Ware house and we wish them always examined if this is done every deviation from Rectitude will be dicovered.

20. Your servants chests are always examined before being shipped if the Capt. or officers are doubtful of our attention thay have opportunity for searching with more exactnefs both here and in Orkney, and may join with us in preventing those evils we are ignorant of and are so Ruinous to your Honors concerns.

21. As ment'd in 16 Par. a paper signed by your Chief and officers is sent as you direct Shewing the variation of Standard and mode of barter &? also defining the articles really traded at York Factory. We observe your determinations respecting the salaries of your chiefs - it appears to us a very uncertain sum, and it is hard for them to be the only sufferers in your service in diclining conditions, which they remain unnoticed when every other officer both on sea and land are occasionally countenanced by your Honors. We leave to your Honors reflection what can be expected from discouraging these entrusted with consequential concerns - duty compells us to remark to you honors, that the chief source of your intended remuneration rests on a basis which if established by an avaricious trader would speedily ruin your commercial interest throughout the Bay - this evil would be to encourage hunting Rabbits in proportion to emoluments attainable thereby Viz. 1/6 pr 100! as pointed out in your table of Promice?, in which several articles are not mentioned though at times valuable Viz. Mink. Fisher &c these two articles with Griz Bear, wolvereens & Coat Beaver your Inland Masters have discretionary orders to trade, also Kits foxes which we are told in 3d Par. have a sure sale - your traders in the vicinity of Canadians ought to attend to their selection of any particular species and trade also accordingly - all your officers confide in your allowance of Promia? &c. - It would give great satisfaction to your Servants here if the list of balances were sent as proposed by your Honors in 18th Par. of last years G Letter.

22. We now consign to your Honors MBeaver part of 37,000 procured at York and its dependencies.

Lastly We will encourage virtue diligence and sobriety in all your servants and discountenance the contrary in every respect, and that your honors affairs may prosper under our manag't is the highest ambition of
Honble Sirs
Your dutiful Servt.
Jn McNab
W H Cook
James Bird
Wm Sinclair
Jas. Tate
Tho. Bunn
J Calder."



B.239/b/79

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