" York Factory Correspondence 1803"
[cover]


" From Mr Thomas MF Chief at Moose Fort
Moose Fort July 5th 1802
Dear Sir
An opportunity offering I do myself the pleasure of enquiring of the Health and welfare of our Friends at Churchill.
The Schooners voyage to CR that had been talked of at Home and as we suppose determined on was I found on my arrival not mentioned in any of the Letters or orders received from the Honble Board either at this place or East Main, we therefore supposed that the Idea had been dropt and on mature consideration thought what pafs'd on the Subject in England was not sufficient grounds to proceed on. I enclose for your information ? ? ? Correspendence that now pafsed with EM on this Businefs.
The Ship prince of Wales arrived here the 23rd Aug. and Sailed the 13th of Sept. the returns from this place was only 7786 2/5 MB.
The Seasons here have been most uncommonly unproductive and our supplies from England were very scanty so that our Chief support has been our live Stock. the Natives has severely felt the effects of this scarcity & few or none have paid their debts.
Six Canoes of Inquois? and Canadians (31 persons) arrived with with? supplies for our opponents on Hayses Inland the 12 Ult. I believe their returns are but small for except the plunder of one of the A.R. Inland Settlements (which was carried to them by the Indians who murder'd the Master and destroyed the place) they have had? little succefs they too have been much in want & 'twas from this Cause we supposed one of their number was murdered by his Companion on a Journey between the Settlements.
I cannot at present ascertain what will be the amount a? our? little? Trade that of the Factory is small indeed and by the last advice from Inland the Trade of all the places lefs than last year.
We heard by the way of Canada that the prelimenaries of peace had been signed between England & France & that there had been an abundant Harvest in England &c but this will in all probability be no news to you are receive this.
The Gentlemen have joins in Compliments to yourself and Officers with
Dear Sir
Your Hble Servt.
Jn Thomas
PS. What is now to be done with the Cases of Firestone and other CR stores? landed here."


" For AF MR & EM
York Factory 14th Sept. 1802
Dear Sir
By Albany & Severn Indians I yesterday received your favour of the 5th July last.
I arrived here from CR the 9th Inst. in the Brig Ceres Capt. Ramsey we found the King George Capt. Turner in five fathom hole where contrary winds has detained both Vefsels since. This is convey'd by the Brig for SR now also waiting for a fair Wind. Mr Ballanden who I am appointed to succeed now goes home in the King George.
Had the Schooner been sent to CR the Service might have been considerably benefited timber? would have been useful there & Moose & Albany could have been supplied with Salt Geese Beef Pork Flour & Oatmeal though neither Beef or Pork has this year been sent from Europe.
The Trade from CR is 2000 lefs than last year. the Whale fishing succefsful the greatest Quantity of Oil ever procured in Churchill River is now sent Home. YF Trade is 9000 lefs than last year it is unpleasant to hear of the lefsened returns from the Bay.
The Gentlemen here join in every good wish with
Dear Sir
Yours &c
J McNab"


" For AF MF & EM
York Fort Sept. 21st 1802
Dear Sir
By the return of Albany Indians I have the pleasure of this (additional) addrefs.
The several vefsels from 5 fm Hole the Inst. I mentioned the consignments from here & CR in my Letter of the 14th.
At York an epidemical affection has continued several weeks Europeans only have felt it hitherto from this cause Mr Cook is still at the Factory, all the other Inland Gentlemen are gone. I hope you will receive this before winter is over. Shall expect to hear from you next summer My Mefsmates join in best wishes for your felicity & succefs
I am Dear Sir
Your very Hble Servt.
J McNab."


" To Mr Thomas SR Master at Severn
York Factory 21st Sept. 1802
Dear Sir
By the return of Albany Indians I have the pleasure of this (additional) addrefs
At York an epidemical affection has continued several weeks Europeans only have felt it hitherto from this cause Mr Cook is still at the Factory, all the other Inland Gentlemen are gone. I hope you will receive this before winter commences the conveyers are anxious to see their relations at Albany. I know you will forward them.
My Mefsmates join in best wishes for your Felicity & succefs with
Dear Sir
Your very Hble Servt.
J McNab"


" To Mr Auld CR Chief at Churchill
York Factory 17th Dec. 1802
Dear Sir
By these Ind. you wil receive some Articles in your List of last fall. by their return if you can spare these mentioned in the inclosed it will be an obligation.
Winter came early and continued mild till a few days ago it has been and is now very severe hitherto our hunters has been succefsful from them and Indians we have got a good supply of Venison fish and Partridges.
Mr Colen died the 16th Oct. after a lingering illnefs, was well qualified for his businefs and of an amiable disposition.
The few Ind. who have been in Complain of scarcity of martins and have brought but small part of their debt. A packet is just setting out for Cumberland House. shall be happy to hear you had favorable news from Inland.
My Mefsmates join in wishing you the felicitations of the Season
I am
Dear Sir
Yours &c
J McNab"


To Mr Tomison CH Chief Inland
York Factory 17th Dec. 1802
Dear Sir
You have I hope long before this heard of the change here I wished to have seen you at Cumberland last fall but could not for want of conductors.
A stranger here the state of Inland remains unknown and respect due to your information and advice concur as necefsary motives for Sending this packet.
By the return of these Indians I shall expect to receive the remains of Trading goods Inland as near as you can ascertain and your requests of supply next summer as in this I wish guided by your experienced and superior Knowledge. Shall expect you at the Rock in summer for the better regulation of Inland businefs.
Winter came early and continued mild till a few days past, it has been and is now very cold hitherto our hunters have been succefsful from them and Ind. we procured a considerably supply of Venison & partridges. Mr Colen died the 16th of Oct. after a lingering illnefs he was well qualified in his businefs & an amiable disposition.
I shall be happy to hear you are enjoying felicity & plenty and my mefsmates join in wishing you every happinefs.
I am
Dear Sir
Your Obt. Hble Servt.
J McNab."


" To Mr Sinclair OH Master at Oxford House
York Factor 17th Dec. 1802
Sir
These Ind. are sent with a Packet for Mr Tomison I hope you will get it forwarded to him expeditiously that by their return here I may receive an Answer.
Send by them the state of your remains at Oxford House and an Indent for what you think necefsary for another year.
I shall be glad to hear have pleasing prospect of Trade and are enjoying plenty being
Sir
Your Obed. Servt.
J McNab."


" From Mr Auld CR Chief at Churchill
Churchill Factory 28th Dec. 1802
Dear Sir
I embrace the opportunity of Ind. coming to this place to engage 2 young men to accompany & afsist one Englishman (John Forbes) to your Factory for a supply of some Trading Goods &c as specified per list. I hope they may find you in the enjoyments of health & plenty as is our case at present thank God in a great degree. - The Partridge Season has been very unproductive this I attribute to our want of experienced hunters rather than to the scarcity of Game altho' that is not near so plenty as I have seen here. But our succefs last fall among the Deer makes us regret lefs our failure with the partridges indeed about the time of the River setting last the Country here was swarming with Deer.
I had a Packet from Mr Topping about a fortnight ago he tells me that they have had pretty good luck in procuring provisions also that the opposition from the Canadians has become lefs violent than last year but considerably increased from the same person who was the subject of complaint before - I mean John Harpur who had Indians employed last summer among ours with invitations from him this is a confirmation of the same intelligence which the Indians told you & I here before the Ship Arrival. - Our expedition to the Deers Lake as yet has been fruitlefs the Canadians having secreted or frightened away the Natives who used to resort there - But some of the same tribe having pitched towards that country will enable Mr Spence perhaps to find out where the others are.
You are well acquainted with the great scarcity of casks at ths Factory indeed is was with much difficulty we could get sufficient for the Oil last summer. - After all our Brandy is distilled & sent Inland I cannot have Pipes for more than 6 Tons of Oil. We may expect the Esquimaux next Season in whixh case we shall be still more distrefsed for want of Casks. Also with regard to the Goose Season we shall not be able to salt two thirds of the quantity we did last year as all our spare Hogsheads were filled & sent to England with Oil. I presume you already anticipate the request which I am about to make for a supply from York in the Summer. If by the return of this you could afsure me of afsistance I should then be able to take advantage of the Goose Seson & would with pleasure endeavour to repay your kindnefs with a part of its produce.
I beg leave to offer you & the Gentlemen of your mefs the usual compliments of the Season & remain
Dear Sir
Your most obedient Servant
William Auld.
P.S. As no old news papers were sent out here last season shall be infinitely obliged to you to lend me your set which I shall return safe back."


" To Mr Auld CR Chief at Churchill
York Factory 18th Jan. 1802
Dear Sir
I was favor'd with yours of the 28th Ult. The 9th Inst. John Forbes Sprained his ancle on the Journey which has detained the packeters here Several days. Such articles in your List of requests as can be shared are sent it is pleasing to hear of your abundance at Churchill.
Am glad Mr Topping is succefsful and that the power of your Canadian Antagonists at Nelson River is lefsened - when you was here last Sept. Harpers conduct was considered it was then our joint opinion a limitation to his exertions in procuring ? Indians could not justifiably be prescribed if he sends invitations among the Nward Ind. he acts imprudently. Mr Cook will direct him to desist. I hope your station at Deers Lake will be succefsful
I shall be happy in sending you Casks for Oil and shall have a Stock ready to afsure their Conveyance to you it will be necefsary to send 5 or 7 men and we spare a Boat for their carriage to CR I shall sincerely thank you for a participation of your Hunt. Our fall supply of Venison is now reduced to a small quantity. Fish expended. we are getting more partridges than for years past and hope as the Severity of the season lefsens our succefs in hunting them will be greater.
I am
Dear Sir
Yours &c
J McNab."


" From Mr Auld CR Chief at Churchill
Churchill Factory 30th Jan. 1803
Dear Sir
Your packet arrived here on the 13th Inst after a very disagreeable Journey. One of the Natives has been so ill ever since that it was impofsible to dispatch them hence sooner I have sent by them such Articles as you required & we could spare - Our packet arrived here 28th inst. It gives me much pleasure to hear that your succefs in procuring provisions has been so very considerable may it continue till you are tired of it.
I thank you for the promise of Casks & a Boat to fetch them in from YF but I really fear that it will be impracticable for me to spare a sufficient number of hands from this Factory alone & you do not think it will be in your power to supply part of the Crew necefsary for the voyage I shall be obliged to defer profiting of your kind offer untill a more favourable opportunity.
I must difsent from being a party acquiesing in that a limitation to Harper exertions in procuring South? Indians could not justifiably be prescribed. - Had I joined in the above opinion I must have gone to York for some purpose truly - If Harper did send invitations to our Indians whether Sn or Nn in my mind he has acted unjustifiably - if in order to facilitate their approach to him he has removed nearer them I think he makes a bad use of the discretionary powers which may be confided in him - That he will be prevented from seducing the Nn Indians. I am thankfull for as I ought but I have in general found as many charms in a Southern Indians Beaver Skins as in those from the Northern Lads. - The servant of the Honble Hudsons Bay Company who is content to rest his claims of credit on such snug ascertions? & in such scarlefs? enterprises must be easily satisfied & his merit with as little difficulty appretiated but as I know your sentiments are entirely averse from using any improper means to seduce the natives from ther respective places of trading I content myself with saying I shall endeavour to do my utmost to discountenance any thing of the sort here or the places dependant. In Justice to Mr Cook also I implicitly rely on his doing whatever is becoming the Service & of course himself - He in the most unqualified manner disapproved of invitations being pafsed? under the head of Exertions I greatly wish that both Factories may have a good Trade which will like Charity cover a multitude of Sins.
In the hopes of which I remain
Dear Sir
Your most Obt. Servt.
William Auld."


" To Mr Thomas SR Master at Severn
York Factory 15th Feb. 1803
Dear Sir
By these Indians I forward Letters for the Bay and the enclosed to you.
Till the middle of Dec. Winter was mild and we had good supplies of Venison Fish & Partridges. Since it has been Severe and Game of all kinds scarce. Several Indians have been in and paid part of their debts. Mr Colen writer died [blank] and Don'd Laughton Lab'r the [blank]
I sent a packet for Cumberland House ? December and expect to hear from thence? before the rivers open. you would hear of the Athapusca expedition.
I enclose their Honors gen. Letter to York for your per usual and hope to have the pleasure of your company here next Summer. Mr Sutherland joins in best compliments to yourself & Mr Taylor.
I am
Dear Sir
Yours &c
J M N"


"Public Letter to AF MF
York Factory 15th Feb. 1803
Dear Sir
By this Packet for SR I forward Letter to the S ern Settlements which I hope you will receive before Summer
In yours of the 12 July last you mentioned my sons disobedience to their Honors directions and your Orders it is a duty we owe our Honble employers to discountenance such irregularities the more so as they nearly affect us and are examplas to others his reasons you can ? ? admit thought Sympathicable cannot be justified he should be punished by inflecting? such a fine as make him sensible of his inconsideration of his reasons proceeded from the cause you mention disposition they Sprung from will acknowledge your equity.
Till the middle of Dec. Winter was mild and we had good supplies of Venison Fish & Partridges. Since it has been severe and Game of all kinds Scarce. several Ind. have been in and paid part of their Debts. Mr Colen writer [blank] & Don'd Laughton Lab. the [blank]
Letters from Churchill a few days ago tell us of their welfares and have had such quantities of Venison &c as enable them to pafs the winter without using any Salt food.
Last summer 5 Canoes went from Cumberland House fore the Athapusca and we are wishing for their succefs they are under the direction of Mr P Fidler. I expect a packet from Inland before rivers open
Shall be happy to hear of your welfare and succefs my Mefsmates join in best wishes
I am
Dear Sir
&c
John McNab"


" From Mr Thomas SR Master at Severn
SR March 3rd 1803
Dear Sir
I received yours of the 15th Ult. and was sorry to hear of the Death of Mr Colen and Donald Laughton. thank God we enjoy Health at Severn tho' Provisions have been exceedingly scare the whole winter not a single Deer since the Brigs Arrival and as a Number of Indians have come to the House in a starv'd Condition, I have felt considerable uneasinefs.
Thank you for the Gen. Letter which I now return.
Mr Auld has earnestly a Supply of empty Casks from Severn, the Beaver Brig being under repairs makes it rather uncertain whether she can be fitted out in time to sail to Churchill. if it can be done I shall with Pleasure afsist him with as many as can be spar'd from this Place next summer. I have thought it necefsary to apprize you of this as she may pofsibly be not quite so early at YF as usual. I hope for the Pleasure of seeing you on her Arrival in the meantime accept my best wishes for your Health and Succefs.
I remain
Dear Sir
Your obedt. Hble Servt.
Thomas Thomas
P.S. My mefsmates join me in Company to yourself & Gentlemen at York."


" From Mr Tomison CH Chief Inland
Cumberland House 10th Feb. 1803
Dear Sir
Your much esteemed favour of the 17th of Dec. I received on the fourth of Feb. which gave me to hear you enjoyed perfect health which at present we all here enjoy that blefsing and is the only thing that we can boast of. I did expect to have seen you at Cumberland House last fall as I was informed by an Ind. that one of the Settlements from Churchill was but four days Journey from this.
When your Indians arrived they were in a very poor condition, having eat but little for six days and nothing at all for the last three. every Indian in this Quarter are starving to death four has already though mere want. no trade nor is their any Prospect of any in the Spring. should the Indians survive their present misery.
The winter came on very early and continued very severe. little or no snow has fell since the first quarter of October our fishery has been the poorest ever known at this place as to meat I have seen none since the latter end of August.
The fall Canoes did not arrive nor did the men untill the 12th of Nov. at which time I did not expect them having for a month before given up all hopes; they were taken with the Ice in the Cedar Lake on a small Island where nothing existed but a few trees, here they remained for three weeks fortunatly they had a three skin net which they set and procured them a kind of a meal once in three days with the afsistance of eight Gallons of Oatmeal and Sixty pounds of Flour was their subsistance from the 12th of Oct. to 12th of Nov. in all ten in Number.
On the 19th of Nov. I got four of them fitted out with sleds and snowshoes and dispatched them for the upper settlements with the packet where I hope with Caution they arrived safe.
On the 8th of Dec. sent four men with dogs to bring the most damagable part of the goods from the Cedar lake, on the 24th they returned, brought two bales of Cloth one bale of 2 1/2 point Blankets, sixty Cotton shirts twenty five Flannel and thirty seven Yards & one half of raven duck the other articles must lay their untill brought by water as we have no provisions. three point Blankets was much wanted by the fall Canoes but Cloth was sent which we did not want.
What time I may arrive at the rock is uncertain as in all probability I may wait the arrival of the Northward Canoes which may be late in June.
Sorry to hear the decease of Mr Colen as he was a very agreeable young man and well qualified for the businefs he was employed in.
According to your request have inclosed a list of Trading Goods remaining last summer as near as it is pofsible and the Articles not wanted wrote Against?
Sincerely wishing you may enjoy felicity and the Compliments of the approaching season with every other Blefsing the Country may afford
I am Dear Sir
Your very Humble
Servant
William Tomison
P.S. The Indian from York has only received a 3 1/2 foot Gun at this place as part payment - My respectful Compliments to the Gentlemen of your Mefs."


" From Mr Sinclair OH Master at Oxford House
Oxford House 8 March 1803
Sir
By the two Indians that Arrived here 6th of January with your packet I have the pleasure to return you an Answer from Cumberland House. It was with Difficulty that I did prevail on Indians to go such a long distance having no provisions to Serve them out of any sort except some flour they were 36 days away on their Journey. A state of remains of Ox'd House is Sent also a List of such articles as I judge will probably make some alteration in the afsortment of Goods wanted but this can not Be known before their arrival. I am sorry Sir to inform you my prospect of Trade is the poorest I ever had since my arrival. Last fall the few natives Belonging to this Quarter is been Starving had it not been for the supply's of fish that they received from this house at Various times part of them would been famish'd long before this with Misery. As my Stock of fish is nearly exhausted and no provisions to be procured from natives I am Doubtful I shall be at the necefsity of sending to the Rock house for a supply. wishing you a plentiful Spring and a Good Trade.
I remain
Sir
Your Ob'd Hble Servant
William Sinclair"


" To Mr Whitford GH
York Factory June 7th 1803
Sir
By this boat a Considerable quantity of Inland Cargo is sent - you will see it placed in safety and inform if it Corresponds with the Bill of Lading sent - the CR Batt'u you will detain with the Mercury.
I am
Your Obedt. Serv't
J McNab"


" From Mr Sinclair OH Master at Oxford House
Oxford House 5th June 1803
Sir
By the three Canoes 30 Bundles of Furs is sent the Trade of Ox'd and Jack Lake Houses which want But a few Skins of 1600 MB. Many of the Natives who used to Bring formerly from 80 to 90 MB in the Course of the winter has not Brought 20 this. and some of them not half of that. They have most of them large families which Obliged me to trust them Large Credit in the Fall to Cloath and support themselves with During the winter and to prevent them from Going to a Canadian Settlement for a supply. There not paying their Debts as usual is made High Expence. the Goods is Gone and Nothing in return. This is what the Decrease of Trade proceeds from.
I am sorry Sir to inform you that the Natives is Complaining Very much of the Iron Work the Hatchets in particular they are Good for nothing a lump of Burnt Iron rubed Over with Rosin to make them Look Smoothy. indeed it is Only Deceiving Natives to let them Trade any of them for as Soon as Ever the Rosin is Melted Away - they fall to pieces.
The Cloth in General is Very Bad a yard a few years Back was worth two at this present time. Natives Gives the preferance to Canadian Cloth & Iron Work and will go to them Sooner then come to any of they Honble Company's Settlements for any of those Articles they may want. If the Cloth & Iron work is not of a Better Quality I am Certain Our Honble? Employers will Be the Loosers greatly this I know from Experience.
Two Bungees arrived here from the Bungee Country they were six days on their Pafsage they Brought nearly 100 MB to Pay their Credit and to trade Cloathing &c for their families. They Said that they Would Never Come so far again as the Cloath was Only Like Baize (and to use their Own exprefsion was not worth to Carry) when at the same time they could Be supply in their Own Country with Articles of a Better Quality By the Canadian Traders wishing you a pleasant and Plentiful summer I remain Sir
Your Obt Humble Servant
Wm Snclair
The Invoice of Furs is sent
PS I made a shift not to Gordon House for any salt Meat"


" From Mr Whitford HR
Hill River June 10th 1803
Dear Sir
Last night James Halcro met us at Mr Colens Lop stick where we put up. I have order'd him to turn back as I had plenty of Trading Goods to fit him out for trout River. the whole of the Trade at Oxford House and its dependance is but small only 30 Bund. of Furs in the three Canoes I have divided the Churchill Boat Cargoe among the Canoes & stowed the Boat with furs. the Ind. will take them down safe then I shall expect to be at the Rock by sunday Morn'g?
Be pleased to make my Compliments to the Gentlemen around your table.
Dear Sir
I am Respectfully yours
James Peter Whitford
My Cough & lamenefs is still with me which makes me leave of very soon I wish you a pleasant pafsage."


" To Mr Tomison Chief Inland
York Factory 8th July 1803
Dear Sir
I arrived here yesterday morn'g. tomorrow early 7 men will start for the rock 4 to proceed Inland and supply the places of as many as may go home - I shall be happy if you can regulate the Athapusca businefs without proceeding again to Cumberland House and be glad to see you here as soon as affairs will admit with Compliments to the Gentlemen
I am
Dear Sir
Your very Humble Servt.
John McNab"


" To Mr Sutherland YF
Gordon House 23rd June 1803
Dear Sir
The Boats arrived this evening you will dispatch the Jupiter with the remain'g Cargo and the Articles now requested by men in List as under - I mean to start for Trout river tomorrow morn'g. all the furs came down are sent by the 7th of next month the last Canoes will be here from Inland by which time I shall expect the Jupiters return - what she brings will be sent with what may be left here - Small returns from Inland - the Boat here will easily bring it down.
I am
Yours
very Sincerely
J McNab."


" For Mr Auld CR Chief at Churchill
York Factory 16th June 1803
Dear Sir
In case of a Conveyance to CR before my return from Inland Mr Sutherland will forward this & Letters from SR. In my last of 18th Jan. I ment'd what I thought was the result of the Conference here last Sept. you think I now vary from the then? United opinion it is right that the sentiments of the Gent. then present - be fairly stated and I have no doubt it will be as agreeable to every one as Sastisfactory to you in pointing out my error.
Every S'd Ind. that traded at Nelson House last year I find are not only in Debt to Mr Cooks party but to this Factory which they have repeatedly visited and several that traded with Mr McGilliveray? in preference to Mr Spences party are equally triple Debtors to this establishment - Do you think in this case a rule can be Laid down to an Inland Master from here or CR which Indian to encourage; or that any of these Indians would attend to such a prescription.
If you can spare some Duck Shot pr? Severn Brig it will be an obligation . we made a little and expended the aurapigmentum? if you could send also some of the latter it would be advantageous.
Mr Sutherland will tell you the York news
I am
Dear Sir
Yours &c
JMN"

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