" Copys of Letters between York Fort and the Other Factorys."
[cover]


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr H. Martin
York Fort August 31st 1772
Good Sir
After a rough Voyage we got safe to York Fort the 20th Inst. where I had the pleasure to see & hear by your Letters You were all well at Albany we Parted with Capt. Christopher the 9th inst who I hope arrived safe at Albany long before the date of this Letter. we parted with Capt. Richards the 14th inst & on the 18th he arrived safe at Prince of Wale's Fort where the Trade is 20,000 made Beaver the trade at York Fort is 21677 1/2 & from Severn 3731 made Beaver we must hope & do all we can to prevent the Pedlars from intercepting & carrying away so Much of the Comp'ys Trade. I hear they are very numerous with great Quantities of Trading Goods Inland. I am sorry to hear of the scarceWinter & the melancholy accident of the Indians & the other accidents down the Bay. when things are very bad or at their worst we may expect they will mend, therefore we must hope for better times. York Fort has had its share of misfortune which You have been informed of, but at present all well.
Captain Fowler sailed the 5th of Sept. but have not heard when Capt. Richards sailed. I will slip no opportunity of sending to our friends down the Bay & beg you will give our Comp'ts to the Gentlemen at Moose River & Eastmain - I remain wishing you better Succefs in all your Affairs & that Health Pease & plenty may always attend You is the hearty Desire of Good Sir
Your most Humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs
September the 2d a Strong Gale of Wind at NNE Prevents the Ship & Severn Sloop from Sailing, tho' been ready these 2 days"


' From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Moses Norton
York Fort September 1st 1772
Dear Sir
It gave us great Pleasure to hear by your Letter of the 20th Ult.of the safe arrival of Capt. Richards in the Prince Rupert & that all was well with you at that time. We are very glad to hear you trade is considerably inlarged & sincerely wish it may continue to increase till it may be equal with the Lofs the other Factories sustain by the Pedlars. We should also rejoice had Mr Hearne's Journey been more succefsful but are sorry to hear that the Northern Indians were so cruell to the Esquimaux. -
I suppose Capt. Richards will sail for England before this Letter reaches You. I gave Capt. Fowler his sailing orders on the 30th ult & he went on board the next day & now only waits for a fair Wind. we are sorry to hear the fishery was unsuccefsful & sincerely wish the Sloop may arrive safe at London. It is well you have no occasion to send a Vefsel here as there is no Deer about & but few Indians to hunt, therefore I expect but little Deer's flesh this Season, but whatever else you may want that is Portable, let me know of & You may Depend on my Supplying you. We have no Bricklayer if You could supply us with a Person capable to do that Work & send him by the Winter Packet. I should esteem it a favour. I have sent you a quire of Cartridge & all the Post Paper I have except what is come over this Year which is not Yet taken out of the Cask. - I remain Dear Sir for wishing You Plentif'l Winter attended with Health & Happinefs Your
Sincere well wisher &
Obedient Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs.
Our Compliments to all the Gentlemen of Your Factory"


" From Mr Moses Norton to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Prince Wales's Fort Sept. 8th 1772
Dear Sir
Yours of the 21st ult. I received which gave us great Pleasure to hear of Your safe arrival at York Fort, nothing Material has happened since my last to You, only that we had so much bad Weather most all the time the Ship was here that all our working Craft was stove most all to Pieces, one quite lost which was some hindrance to the dispatching the Ship & Sloop, they both sailed for England all well on the 5th inst tho' with a foul Wind was in sight most all the next day. The Cargo sent home this Year including the trades of the Vefsels is near 22000 made Beaver in sundries also oil & Whale bone. I wish you all the happinefs You can wish for
And am Dear Sir Your most obedt.
Humble Servant
Moses Norton
Our respectful Compliments to all the Gentlemen of your Mefs."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Moses Norton at Churchill
York Fort the 24th Dec. 1772
Dear Sir
Fort Nelson River being froze over as low as Flamborough House, I immediately dispatched the Bearers to enquire how all our friends do at Churchill & to acquaint you we are all well here except one Tho. Maddison who is much afflicted with Pains in his Limbs which renders him not able to do any work. I receiv'd your last Letter the 8th which gave us great Pleasure to hear the Ship & Sloop sail'd safe for England with so large a trade. I heartily wish your trade may still continue to increase. there is nothing material has happened here since my last, & as to trade I have had none except Deer skins & a few ordinary Beaver &c. there was but few Days last fall we kill'd 1000 Geese. Partridges are not scarce tho' not plenty enough to be got with the Netts. we serve 2 days a week we had plenty of fish in the beginning of winter but none to be got now, but as for Rabbits they never was so scarce. I got but one from our People that lay abroad & but 24 from the Indians & you may now travel the environs of York Fort for Days & not see one Rabbit track. I mentioned a Bricklayer in my last if you can spare such a Person & also a Man that is able to afsist our Taylor as he has much more work than he can Pofsibly get done before the trade comes in. if you want any thing that can be got at this Place send for it & you may depend on my Supplying you. I have nothing more to add but my Sincere wishes for your health & happinefs & that the Companies affairs may continue to Prosper under your Prudent management Is the hearty Desire of Dear Sir
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs.
I have sent a Piece of Beef & a young Sturgeon which craves your Acceptance. Our Compliments of the Season & best wishes attend Mr Norton & the Gentlemen of his Mefs. I shall send to Severn on the return of this Pacquet"


" From Mr Moses Norton To Mr Ferdinand Jacobs at York Fort
Prince of Wales's Fort 8th Jan. 1773
Dear Sir
Your Favour of the 1st Sept. with the Post Paper &c I duly rec'd for which my thanks, also your Letter of the 24th ult. which has given us at this place great pleasure to hear you was all well at those times, which blefsing we Enjoy at present except John Holiday Harpooner who has been very ill with a Spitting of Blood occasion'd by a Strain but is rather better. & Geo. Sinclair Sailor in one of his Legs by a bruize he rec'd on board the Ship between the Chimb? of a Cask & the booming? of the Hatches which has render'd him unfit for Duty almost ever since the Sloop's departure. On the 22d November last 3 of our Wooders returning from the Fort to the Tent in the Cod of the Hay Marsh as they was going thro' Barney's Gully Tho. Slater Labourer dropt down in an Appoplexy his two Companions got him into the old Factory house where he expired in a very short time. - I am glad to hear you are not in want of Fresh provisions. As to our part we have no great reason to Complain in regard to Partridges Venison & fish, of all which we have had a tolerable Supply. but can get very few with the Netts. I Serve our Men at present but two Days Partridges pr week, as to Rabbits I have not seen one as yet brought to the Fort nor none to be got. We have had some Northern Indians in as usual in Nov. last with Venison & Deer Skins, but the fewest ffurs that I have seen for some time. Sev'l of the Natives have been very Sickly.
Good Sir, as I am always ready & willing to afsist you in any thing that's in my power. According to your request have sent with the Bearers John Lefslie Mason & Bricklayer & Ja. Sutherland Taylor to perform what you think proper for them do (both good Servants) but I must beg you will send them back again by my next packet if pofsible which will be in April next as I cannot conveniently do without them being four Men short of our Compliment & the Brigantine Charlotte when she goes to the Northward will have to go in & out several Harbours & some but Shoal, she will require to be well man'd, as she is a Vefsel of a larger Draught of Water than what the Sloop was, & besides the Bricklayer has yet got a great Deal of Work to do before Ship-time, as he has wrote condtionally we are not sure of a Man of his Talent in his room, as we are without a Smith at present I shall be glad if you can Spare me by the next packet a few 20 dz? clasp, 20 dz? boat, 30 dz? & 40 dz? nails, 2 or 3 Pitt Saw Files, also a little Garden Seeds of the following Sorts, Viz. (ours being Damaged at Ship time with other things) Turnips, Caulworts, Spinage, Crefses, Redish, Onion, Salleting & Parsley. these articles will be acceptable to us. Our Fall Season of Geese 2300 kill'd; most ever since the Ships Departure fom hence we have had remarkable mild weather, the river not fast acrofs 'till the 18th Nov. & the River's mouth is open from the Launch to Cape Merry now.
I have no more to add at present but to wish you General Felicity And am
with true respect
Dear Sir
Your very much obliged
Humble Servant
Moses Norton
PS. My Self & Officers presents our most respectful Compliments to Mr Jacobs & the Gentlemen of his Mefs. My kind thanks for the Beef & Sturgeon, have sent you a brace of Hares which craves your Acceptance. - I have embrac'd this opportunity of writing to our friends down the Bay, which you will please to forward when convenient."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Humphrey Martin at Albany
York Fort January the 22d 1773
Good Sir
I Did myself the pleasure to write to You last August when I gave you an Account of the most material occurrences at that time since which we have had fine mild weather 'till this Month which has been very Sharp weather we got but very little fresh Venison Last fall but kill'd 1000 Geese. Partridges are Pretty Plenty but no Rabbits to be Seen. we also got Plenty of Fish in the Fall but none to be got since November last; as to trade I have receiv'd no more than about 600 Deer Skins & a very few Ordinary Furrs nor have I receiv'd any News from People Inland, nor from any of the trading Natives, but I am in hopes to hear from some of the Trading Natives very Soon after the River breaks up. I have sent by this Packet the Churchill Letters which I hope Mr Graham will dispatch to you as soon as pofsible . we are all well, except one Man Sick & another Lame & sincerely wishing You Health & happinefs a large Trade attended with Pease & Plenty is the hearty Desire of
Good Sir
Your most obedt. Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs.
PS. The Gentlemen of my Mefs Joins with me in our best Compliments to all the Gentlemen at Albany & Moose Fort."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr And. Graham
York Fort January the 22d 1773
Sir
The York Fort Packet being return'd from Churchill I immediately Dispatch'd the Bearers with the Letters from thence to You & the Gentlemen down the Bay wherein you will have an Account of the Occurrences at that place. we are well here except James Wafs & Maddison. The Ship Sail'd the Evening of the same Day you Sail'd. the Venison Season was soon over & we killed 1000 Geese in the Fall. fish was Plenty in the Fall & the beginning of the Winter but none to be got at this time. Partridges are not Scarce. we get 2 Days pr Week, but as to Rabbits they never was known to be as few. I got but 2 from our own People & but 22 from Indians & You may travel for Days & not see the track of one. the weather was Moderate 'till January came in then we had it pretty Sharp but is now again pretty moderate. I have receiv'd no news from Inland & the Trade to this time consists of about 600 Deer Skins & a few other ordinary ffurrs. - Noth'g further of consequence have happened here therefore conclude with wishing Health and Succefs in the Companies Affairs.
And remain
Your obedient Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs
PS our best wishes to Mr Falconer & other friends. I have sent you a bit of Roasting Beef & small Sturgeon which craves your Acceptance also a hare from Mr Norton. -
NB Please to send me the weight of the following Kettles you receiv'd Pr Invoice that they may be enter'd in our books. Viz.
Kettles of 1 Gallon No. 6
Kettles of 2 Gallon No. 4
Kettles of 3 Gallon No. 4"


" From Mr Andrew Graham to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Severn House 1st February 1773
Good Sir
I received your Favour in due time with Your Genteel Presents I return You my Sincere thanks. I sent the Letters down the Bay November last & expect a return next Month. - We had a Pleasant Voyage here & fine mild weather 'till the commencement of this New Year when our Thermometer has varied from 30 to ? below the Cypher & yet no Snow or Gale of Wind. We had 600 Geese. Since Fish & Partridges Plenty but no Rabbits; Indeed the Natives as well as Us wonders what has become of them, as they were always numerous here. As for Furrs my Account Stands at Two Hundred made Beavers including eighty six Martins; - twenty Six of which has been caught by Ourselves. - The poor Natives between Albany & here are in a Starving Condition not only for want of Food but furrs to keep them Warm for after the Winter sets in Deer are not to be got. The plaguy Pedlars has robbed us of the few Natives that used to visit us from above.

The weight of the Kettles are
Kettles of one Gallon No. 6 weighs 15 1/2 lbs.
Kettles of 2 Gallons No. 4 weighs 17 1/2 lbs.
Kettles of 3 Gallons No. 4 weighs 24 lbs.

We are Pleas'd to hear You & those under your Command are well which Blefsing we enjoy here; a continuance thereof with General Succefs are the wishes of Good Sir
Your Oblig'd & obedient Servant
Andrew Graham
Mr Falconer & self Present our Compliments to You & Mefsmates


" From Mr Moses Norton to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Prince of Wales's Fort 21st Mar. 1773
Dear Sir
With Pleasure I take this opportunity to enquire after the welfare of Mr Jacobs & all friends at York Fort, sincerely hoping You all enjoy a perfect state of Health which? happinefs we are blest with at Present a few slight Disorders excepted.
I send the Bearers for what you will please to spare me of the Articles I mention'd in my last packet viz. Nails of Sorts, Pitt Saw Files & a few Garden Seeds. I shall be glad if you can spare me a few Looking Glafses of any Sort as about a third of our Looking Glafses that came out last Year was so Damaged at Ship time that they are quite uselefs & unfit for Trade, also a few Balls of Cotton yarn will be acceptable; all which shall be properly charged in our Account,
Sir, I hope you will be able to send home by this packet our Bricklayer & Taylor as we shall want them much & namely the Bricklayer as we cannot conveniently do without them, but if you cannot conveniently spare the Taylor as yet, I will endeavour to be without him 'till the next packet; but I shall be glad if you can send him back by this opportunity.
Since my last to you Partridges & other fresh Provisions has greatly fell off; so that I can only serve our Men but a days Partridges pr week &? they come in but very Slow as yet considering the time of the Year. I hope you are in more Plenty of those kinds. I am Informed several of our Northern Indians has been very Sickley Some distance from the Factory & since the Fall five has Dyed with different Disorders. & having nothing more Material to add at this time. I conclude with my best wishes for your constant State of Health with a Plentiful Goose Season & a large Trade & every other happinefs you can wish for And Am
Dear Sir
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
Moses Norton
PS Our Compliments & best wishes attend Mr Jacobs & the Gentlemen of his Mefs. have sent you a couple of sucking Pigs & a Hare which craves Your acceptance. - Imaging? the Season of the Year will not Permit You to Send a Packet to Severn or down the Bay before you hear from us again, have Deferr'd writing 'till then, but if you should: Please to present our kind compliments to the Gentlemen at those places with an Account of our Welfare &c."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr M. Norton
York Fort April the 4th 1773
Dear Sir
Yours of January the 8th & 21st ult. came safe to hand, as also the kind tokens that you sent for which accept my kind thanks. I have send by the Bearers all the Garden seeds I could spare, 4 Balls of Cotton, 2? Pitt Saw files, 2000, 20d, 500-20d boat & 1000-30d Nails. also 36 Gilt Looking Glafses, the last 5 articles please to charge as received from York Fort. You must excuse my not sending you Men back 'till the Summer Packet goes then Depend upon it I shall send them the Bricklayers is the Man I stood most in want of; now if you will Please to consider there can be no Bricklayer's work done in the winter of any consequence I must keep him 'till he can do the Service he was sent for to do, otherwise he might as well not be sent but I know you will excuse my keeping them.
I am sorry to hear fresh Provisions grows scarce with you, it is the same here. I can get Partridges no faster than just from week to week, not one can I get more than just serves us. & that by a Number of Indians & 6 of our Men constantly hunting. I am sorry to hear of the Death of the Northern Indians. & also sorry for the Death of Slater: Nothing has hapened since my writing last, nor have I hear'd any thing from Inland. I herewith send you the Packet from Severn, where our friends were all well when our Packet men was there. I have only to add my good wishes for your health, a plentiful Season of Geese, with a great Trade & conclude Dear Sir
Your affectionate friend and
most obed. humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs
My self & Officers Join in our Complim'ts to Mr Norton & the Gentlemen of his Mefs. have sent a Piece of Beef & a moose nose which craves your Acceptance"


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Moses Norton
York Fort July the 18th 1773
Dear Sir
The troublesome time ofTrade being over. I have taken the first Opportunity to send back your Men & am much obliged to you for their Service. The Goose Season was middling; we killed 4300 Geese but had not any fresh Provisions come in all the Summer 'till within these few days some venison came in very seasonably.
We had a cold spring but a very fine Summer.
The furrs are not packed therefore cannot tell what our Trade is but am afraid it will be short of last year's Trade. And Mr Cocking who is returned safe tells me the Pedlers are all thro' the Country with plenty of Trading goods. We had one Peter Pangman a petty Pedler down here to Spy the Market. with Advice of Council I seized his ffurrs, gave him a good supply of Goods to carry him back again. & Notice to him and another Pedler to remove off the Companys Land. What effect it may have I cannot tell but Pangman said when he was going away no more Pedlers would come to York Fort.
I have heard nothing from the Bay or Severn. We are all well here except two Men ailing. hope the same happinefs attends Mr Norton & all our other friends & that the increase of your Trade may make up for the Lofs in ours. And wishing you & all your people health Peace & Plenty with safe Arrival of the Company's Ship & good news from your friends Is the hearty wish of Dear Sir
Your affectionate friend
& most obedient Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs.
PS A little Ermine cut a hole in the bottom of a Hogshead of Train Oil, by which it ran out & we had not luck as yet a whaling, therefore if you sent a Vefsel to this place, will be obliged to you to Spare us a Supply of Oil. Myself & Officers joins in our best wishes to Mr Norton & his Officers."

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