" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Eus. Bacc. Kitchen
York Fort September the 1st 1773
Sir
Yours of January the 5th 1773 I received on the 9th August last. It gave us great pleasure to hear you were in such great plenty: & that there is a prospect of your increasing the Trade. a circumstance that ought to employ our utmost Care & attention to prevent the Canadian Trader from carrying away so much of the Companies property.
Our Trade this Year is 22790 1/2 made Beaver & something more than 500 fall Trade & am in hopes it will increase next year.
The Winter Season was but indifferent for Provisions but we kill'd 4000 Geese in the Spring & am in hopes of a good fall of Geese & Venison.
Captain Fowler arrived the 22d ult & received his dispatches the 31st & is now detained by a fowl wind.
Our friends at Prince of Wales's Fort are all well, their Trade is 14,000.
I conclude with my best wishes for Succefs to attend you in all Your undertakings. And Am with esteem
Yr most obedient
Humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs.
PS Our respectful Compliments attend you, & the Gentlemen of your Mefs."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Humphrey Marten
York Fort Septem. 1st 1773
Sir
Your favours of Dec. 31st 1772 & 28th last May I received with pleasure; was glad to hear Capt. Christopher arrived safe with you & sailed safe for England.
The Pedlers are also very numerous up this way & carry away a very considerable part of the Company's Trade. The trade this Year at this place is 22790 1/2 made Beaver & I expect to have about 3 or 400 Beaver fall trade to send in the Ship. The Severn Trade is 3968 both Trades a small matter more than last Year.
We are sorry to hear of the Death of Mr Garbut. And rejoice to hear your Seasons of Provisions proved so Plentiful which was otherwise with us, except last Springs Goose Season when we killed 4000 Geese.
It gives us pleasure to hear our friends at Eastmain & Henly are all well, but sorry to hear your disorder is so troublesome to You.
We had a mild breaking up of our river. The Ship Arrived safe the 22d ult. & on the 31st I gave Capt. Fowler his Dispatches & now only waits for a fair Wind.
I remain Dear Sir
with great respect
Yr most obedient
Humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Andrew Graham
York Fort Sept. 1st 1773
Dear Sir
Yours' of the 1st of February & 2d of August last I received & received the Cargo & papers you sent which are sealed & delivered to Capt. Fowler for the Company.
Our Trade is 22790 1/2 & 573 !/2 fall trade & 180 was stopped from Peter Pangman one of the Pedlers which makes the total sent home 23544 made Beaver. we klled 4000 Geese in the Spring , but no fresh Victuals could be got 'till within these 4 Days. I received about 24 Deer by which I was enabled to Supply Capt. Fowler with a Sea Stock of fresh Victuals.
The Company have Ordered a Settlem't Inland. I have sent Isaac Batt, James Allen & James Batt, Isaac's Brother with Nonose, Black Tom, & another Indian Man & his Family to acquaint the Natives & get what large Canoes they can & bring down with them as there was not one of the Canoes you bespoke last Year brought down. - Mr Hearn is appointed to conduct it & Mr Cocking his Second. If any thing should occur to You to promote the undertaking Please to let me know that I may put in Practice. The wainscot Canoe built for Severn I keep here in Case we should be disappointed of the Birch-rind Canoes we must make use of it.
I have sent You the Laths & 500 = 6d nails with one Ton iron bound Casks & 3 Spades.
I remain Dr Sir
Yr Obed.
Humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs."


" From Mr Moses Norton to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Prince of Wales's Fort 26 Aug. 1773
Dear Sir
According to my last Letter to You, have sent the Brigg as soon as pofsible with Mr Hearn & Rob. Longmoor. as Mr Hearne is to be accompanied by one of the Companies Servants from here, such as he sh'd approve of, have sent by the said Brigg one Hogshead of neat? boild oil from the Fort & Mr Johnston has as much on board of the Brigg of the Esquimaux Trade (he says) as will make another Hhd of Oil for your use. I cannot tell justly what the present Cargo will amount to, as we are packing the Brigg's Trade. She arrived here the same Evening that our Pacquet set out for York Fort. She has had a middling Trade, but w'd have had much more if he had had a handier Vefsel, for he could not go into some of the harbours that was Shoal Water.
Sir I hope you will excuse my being so troublesome for necefsity obliged me to apply to you for afsistance in the following Article. As we have of late (at times) been so unfortunate by Gales of Wind & a great Sea coming on suddenly of having our Launch carried away & broke to pieces in such a manner as not to be fit for that Service again & as we have not any Proper Stuff nor know not where to get timber pieces sufficiently substantial to rebuild the said Launch. hav'g already selected the best wood that can be procured all about Churchill for about 30 miles up the River & Sokorakiskow? River, therefore if it is in your power to Supply us by this opportunity of the Brig with as many timber Pieces if you have any & can Spare them as will make the upper framing of our Launch which will take 420 feet in Length of timber Pieces 18 feet long each & 6 or 7 inches Square at the small end. If you can afsist us in this material request it will of infinite Service to this place.
On the 7th instant just as we had got the Launch finished that Morning a gale of Wind came on & a great Sea & carried it all away & broke up Principal Pieces in such a Manner that we was at a great Lofs to get it patched up for the reception of the Ships Cargo - May every happinefs always attend You in all your undertakings is the sincere wishes of Dear Sir
Yr affectionate friend &
Obedient Servant
Moses Norton
PS Captain Richards & the rest of my Officers joins with me in our respectful Complim'ts to all you Gentlemen at York Fort.
Please to dispatch the Brig back again as soon as convenient."


" From Mr Moses Norton to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Prince of Wales's Fort 21 Aug. 1773
Dear Sir
With pleasure I Acquaint you of the Safe arrival of the Prince Rupert Captain Joseph Richards on the 20th Instant. Sincerly hoping the King George is as Safe arriv'd with you by this time. our Trade is something more then it Was When You heard from us Last and we have had good Luck in the Whale Fishery, having killed another Small Black Whale in the River on the 5th Inst which Produced about 4 Ton of Neat Oil & 4 Ton more of white Whale Oil besides What is for the use of Your Fort & ours.
I shall send the Brig as soon after she arrives as pofsible with the Oil you want, and we also think it will be the Quickest Dispatch for you to know Mr Hearn's Resolution in Regard to the New Expedition in Land if he should agree to go it will be much easy'r & better for Mr Hearne to go up from York Fort, then from here it being a better River and we have no Indians here fit to go up from this Fort with him & I am not certain of any uplands Indians coming down this Fall Dear Sir This being all that Occurs at present.
I Remain
Your Most Hble Servant
Moses Norton
PS Capt. Richards & Officers Join me in our Respectfull Compliments to Mr Jacobs Capt. Fowler & all the Gents at York Fort."

" NB This Letter was omitted to be Entered before the Last Letter where it ought to be placed"


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Moses Norton
York Fort 6th Sept. 1773
Dear Sir
Yours of 21st & 26th Ult. I received which gave us great Pleasure to hear of the safe Arrival of Capt. Richards. You Brigg arrived Safe & am much Obliged to you for the oil which we Stand in great want of. Captain Fowler Sail'd Yesterday with a fair wind but very much rain which Prevented Our Saluting him and the Severn Sloop this day it have been agreed in Council that Mr Hearne Could not be sent up inland this fall for want of Canoes & Indians that are acquainted with the road. I have Pickt out 20 pieces of Timber which are the best we Could find for the Repair of Your Launch and Told Mr Johnston he may take as many more as he pleases for you. So that if you have not a good Supply it is because they Could not Carry them in the Brigg or get them on Board. I sent Batt and Allen and Batts Brother with 3 good Indians inland to Provide for the Expedition Next Summer when I shall Send men & Goods Under the Command of Mr Hearne & Mr Cocking to Erect a house and Supply the Natives with goods. I hope Captain Richards Sail'd safe for England. I remain wishing you a good Season of Geese & Plentifull winter attended with health and happinefs is the Sincere wishes of Dear Sir your Affectionate
friend & Obedient
Servanr Ferdinand
Jacobs
PS Our Compliments to the Gentlemen of you Mefs I will Send to Enquire how you all do when Portnelson is frose over.
I have now sent you a very young Bull and Cow to renew your Breed."


" From Mr Moses Norton to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Prince Wales's Fort Sept. 7th 1773
Dear Sir
Your kind favours of 20th & 23d Ult. I Received which gave us great pleasure to hear of Captain Fowlers safe arrival at York Fort and that your Trade is better than it was Last Year. I hope the Brigg arrived with you in good time So as to have Mr Hearne there to execute his Expedition before the fall advances too Late. I wish him Succefs. I have Dispatched the bearers back as soon as I Could and the rest will soon follow. - Captain Richards got his Dispatches on the 2d Inst. but has been wind bound ever Since till this Day at Noon falling little wind he Towed out of the River with 3 Boats a head & in the Evening a Breeze sprung up in his favour & was out of Sight before Dark. I hope Capt. Fowler is also sailed before this time. We had Very fine Weather all Ship time.
I wish you a Plentifull Winter attended with a full Injoyment of Health and every other Blefsing you Can Desire is the Ernest prayers of Dear Sir
Your Most Obedient
and very Humble Servant
Moses Norton
PS Captain Richards and my Officers Joins me in our Respectfull Compliments to Mr Jacobs and Gent. of his Mefs."


" From Mr Moses Norton to Mr ferdinand Jacobs
Prince Wales's Fort Sept. 15th 1773
Dear Sir
Your kind favour of the 6th Instant I received by our Brig which Arrived here safe in 47 hours from 5 Fathom hole. My Kind thanks for the 2 Calves & Timber pieces which will be of great Service to us at this place. We are sorry Mr Hearne Could not proceed in Land this fall but it may Answer as well next Spring. We wish Mr Hearne & Mr Cocking good Succefs when they go. I had a few? of the Musquerat River Indians down for Credit as usual but Not one of them had any knowledge of the way that Mr Hearne was to be Conducted. So if we had Depended on Mr Heane's Proceeding from here we should have been greatly disapointed as those Indians that came down is the? near? hand men?. Am Glad to hear Captain Fowler & the Severn Sloop saild safe in so good time. Captain Richards was wind bound Several Days after he got his Dispatches as will appear by my Last Letter to you dated the 7th Inst. I embrace this opportunity of Writing to You by the Young Man and his family that came to see his friends who is returning again to York Fort. I have only to add my Warmest Wishes for Your health and all those under your Command and may you be blefsed with a plentifull Winter and every other Happinefs You can wish for is the True wishes of Dear Sir
Your affectionate
& Most obedient
Humble Servant
Moses Norton
PS My Respectfull Compliments to Mr Jacobs & Gentlemen of his Mefs.
I received the Signal & shall be sure to Charge the Young Bull & Cow Calf in our accounts as Received from York Fort."


" From Mr Ferdinand Jacobs to Mr Moses Norton
York Fort December 21th 1773
Dear Sir
Your Letter of 7th & 15th of Last Sept. I rec'd they gave us much Satisfaction to hear you are all well as also of the Departure of Capt. Richards whom I hope is with the Companys other Ships Safe arrived at London, also glad to hear the Brigg got Safe Back. Isaac Batt made a broken Voiage? of it, he & the People with him returned back the 8th of Last Sept. Could Proceed no further then Chuck hee tee naw River for want of water. we are now packing up Trading Goods & Stores for the Expedition & making the necefsary Prerperations that there may be no Stopage noe Hinderance when they Proceed on Said Businefs. We had a middling Deer season Last fall & Kild 800 Geese & got Some Fish & now gets 2 Days Partridges a week for Our men. most of our home Indians Came to the Factory in a very Poor Starved Conditions with very few Furrs nor have we got any thing at the Guns & Traps that is Sett in the Neighbourhood of the Factory, tho they they are duly attended. I never See so few Foxes about, hardly a Track to be seen, by the return of those Indians from you I will send a Packet to Severn at which time I will send Your Last Letters for the Bay & also what you may now Send. we are all well at this place, but Lost Sam. Brooks who Dyed in an Apoplexy. we have now 70 Indian men women & Children to maintain whom I Employ in Killing Partridges & making Snow Shoes till the days are Longer, when I will send Some of them away to Trap Martins & kill Beaver. I have Sent you a Sturgeon which Craves your Acceptance. I conclude with mine & my officers best wishes for your Health & Prosperity with the Compliments of the approached Season & am Dear Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Ferdinand Jacobs
PS Key-key coshish being desirous to see his Daughter I have Permited him to go withe the Packet men but desire you will Send him back as he has promised to go with our men inland Please to send the Land Compafs and false magnet for the Expedition."


" From the Council at Prince of Wales to Mr Ferdinand Jacobs
Prince Wales's Fort January 2d 1774
Sir
Your General Letter to Mr Norton dated 21st Ult. We Rec'd on the 29th which gave us great Pleasure to hear that Mr Jacobs and all the Gentlemen at York Fort are well & should have been happy had it pleased God we could have sent the Same account from hence but am Sorry to say we cannot for on the 14th October last Mr Isaac Leask Departed this Life after a Short Illnefs & on the 29th Dec. our Worthy Friend Mr Norton Died. We need not add any thing further to inform you of the unhappy Situation we are in & if you will please to inform us in what manner we are to act for the Company's Interest shall esteem it as a favour & shall conduct ourselves according to your pleasure & Totally depend on your Superior Judgment. We are sorry to hear of the Death of Samuel Brooks & that Batt & his People are oblidged to Return, also of your not having Succefs with your Guns & Traps. but am Glad to hear that Country provifsions have been tolerable Plenty. We have had upwards of 100 Nor'd Indians this fall who brought us a middling supply of Venison but very few Furrs. Partridges are as yet very Scarce not being able to Serve our Men more that one Day Pr Week. We conclude with our Sincere Wishes for your Health & happinefs & those under your Command & Remain with Due Respect
Your most Obedient
Humble Servants
R. Wills
Mag. Johnston
William Jefferson
PS Am much obliged to you for the Sturgeon. have Sent you a Brace of Hares according to Mr Nortons Desire also the Compafs & Magnet you sent for. Our Respectfull Comp'ts waits on Mr Jacobs & the Gentlemen of his Mefs."

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