" YF Correspondence for 1808"


" To Mr Thomas Chief at Severn
York Factory
Dear Sir
The series of fine weather since you left us has no doubt been experienced in your travels, it has enabled us to perform the various duties attending the Ships arrival much sooner than expected & I trust though late you will receive your Cargo safe & satisfactory.
Mefs Cook Sinclair & Tate got complete supplies and are now well advanced on their journey & I hope will arrive at their various stations before Winter sets in.
Capt. Hanwell went on board yesterday with the packets for England.
The Gentlemen Join in best wishes with Dear Sir
Yours &C
John McNab."


" From Mr Gladman Chief at Eastmain
Eastmain Factory 11th February 1807
Dear Sir
Yoirs of Aprill 11th last I received at Ship time & take this opportunity the only one that will occur this season of enquiring after the welfare of our friends at York & to acquaint you of occurrences on this Coast & it is with pleasure I inform you we are released from our troublesome annoyers (the Canadians) A Schooner arrived from Quebec in August last at Charlton Island & after collecting their servants from the different Posts they had established & dismantling the Settlements bade us a most welcome Adieu. Two parties of them went accrofs the country in canoes.
I trust the Natives wll now see the folly of depending on these projectors & returning to their former habits, then the Companys businefs will go on as usual.
The seasons for country produce have been the scarcest known here for many years. Geese, Partridges & Rabbits in particular which distrefses us much & the poor Natives more. - Foxes & Martins are also very scarce but having now no sharers in the produce hope that the Trade will be at least equal to last years. - Our returns were 5479. I have not heard from our out settlements since the Fall. - Am very glad to hear of the pleasing prospects of succefs in Trade arround York which I hope have been fully realized & shall be happy to hear that health & plenty with increasing prosperity in Trade continues to attend you in which my Mefsmates join with compliments to all the Gentlemen.
I remain Dear Sir
Your most Obedient Servant
George Gladman"


" From Mr Thomas Chief at Moose
Moose Fort 16th March 1807
Dear Sir
The letters from York & Severn of 12th April & 29th June 1806 reached here the 20th August following. I was glad to hear that our friends enjoyed health & plenty with a good prospect of Trade.
In continuation of my last of 13th Jan. 1806, I have the pleasure to inform you that the succefs attending our endeavours for the Trade exceeded our most sanguine expectations & increased on the preceeding years Trade 1819 7/12 being 8572 7/12 MB
Capt. Hanwell in the Prince of Wales arrived the 17th August & sailed the 13th Sept. Our opponents had no supplys or any communications down our river as usual. the first we heard of any arrivals with them from Canada was the 30th August, when we had advice from EM that a Schooner had arrived at Charlton Island the 15th Sept. this Vefsel made her appearance here & anchored in Ship-hole. In the evening Mefs Cammeron, McTavish & Folster paid us a visit informing us they had abandoned all the East-Main Coast, & that they would abandon these at Moose if we would abandon some of ours up the river. to this we could say nothing, only hinted we had plenty of Officers & Men, & that he (Mr Cammeron) might act as he thought proper. The next morning Mr Cammeron called in here on his way from hazy, to their Schooner lying in Ship hole, & said he had come to the resolution of evacuating all the sea coasts without exception, and in consequence took their measures accordingly - On the 20th of Sept. this Vefsel sailed from our lower Ship-hole, with Mefs McTavish, Folster & Garton pafsengers.
Mr Cammeron the Agent for the NW Company, set off the 24th with three canoes from Hazy for Canada by the way of AB river, the dutchman & Thomas Fraser were with him & Paulson & Clouston; runaways from this service.
Mutual salutations of Colours flying & guns firing pafs'd on this joyful occasion.
The whole produce of the fall goose hunt, besides what was used while it lasted was two hhd from Han Bay & two hhd & two barrels headed in at the Factory and the other usual produces of Winter have been equally defficient, this occasioned an unusual slaughter of our Cattle & has too much reduced our stock on which hitherto (in case of necefsity) was placed our chief dependance.
The weather hitherto has been remarkably mild and pleasant & in general all have enjoy'd good health & the Natives begin to drop in with good hunts of Beaver.
Opposition in Trade still goes on but the scene? of action is now principally at Abitibbi. Mr T. Taylor & seven hands sent off to Mr R. Good's afsistance are I suppose ere this busy in this occupation.
Shall be glad to hear your promising prospects of Trade were realized and that heath & succefs in Trade still attend you. Mr Robins & other Gentlemen here join most cordially in these sentiments with Dear Sir.
Your most Obed. Hble Servt.
John Thomas
P.S. The Canadian Schooner is said to be about 120 tons burthen was commanded by a Mr McIntire & is called the Desire
J.T."


" From Mr Hodgson Chief at Albany
Albany Factory 21 July 1807
Dear Sir
Yours of the 23d Jan. 1807 & 30th August 1806 was receiv'd at my return from Martins fall & yours of 27th Feb. I receiv'd there with much pleasure to hear from our friends at the Nd & that they were doing well & increasing in trade. A pleasure highly satisfactory, but sorry to hear of the death of such an attentive & vigilant officer as the late Mr J. Sutherland.
From the numerous opposition of the summer before last to the Nd of Red Lake & their robberies, made me wish if pofsible to push a little beyond them. - Mr Thomas who was station'd there the year before & Mr Will. Corrigal last year at Red Lake experienced much bad treatment from them. The post at red Lake made only 300 Beaver. the Canadians robbed their house of furs & trading goods & overpowered them in such numbers as to confine them to their house. it was therefore abandon'd last winter & Mr Thomas settled the Poplar river where he made 1700 Beaver, but these furs were hunted by the Lake sanderson Indians who wished him to go there as being a Beaver Country. - If Mr Thomas had continued at his old station, little would have been made by Mr Swain at the Poplar river unlefs he had taken Indians with him to hunt as Mr Thomas did, & as the latter left 5 Men & a considerable quantity of goods in the Vicinity thereof. he will occupy near the same spot this summer, by the desire of the Natives who hunted for him last Winter.
If the Chief at York Factory wishes to settle a permanent post there we will retire to our old station next year or some other place where our united strength may have a more powerful effect for the benefit of our Employers.
I have much pleasure in acquainting you the Canadians all left the Bay last Oct. some in a Schooner sent for the purpose & the rest by the way of Abitibbi so that the south'd Settlements in the Bay have been without any opposition this winter but it is rather unpleasant to hear they have been exploring Nelsons river which forbodes some intentions of settling on the sea Coast in that vicinity.
The Albany Trade last year sent home was 21817 MBeaver. this year I apprehend it will be nearly the same we received about 24 Men last Ship time which with those on the Establishment before has enabled us to settle the following Posts this year Viz. Wepinaban, Asp River, Lake-le-bonny (to the South'd of Winnepeg) Red River, & a post up the Pabana River. These are independant of OH, MFall & Henly, the latter trade is near 2000 this year & Martins fall above 4000, the increase of the latter from the St Anns Indians & of the former from the Peak, Lake Superior, & Weepiscuacow?.
The last winter turned out rather unpropitious at the Factory, game of all kinds being very scarce & above 70 Men to serve out daily during the winter. - Moose being very short of provisions some of their Men was maintained here who afsisted in rebuilding the Factory. A favourable Goose hunt for two years running & a Partridge winter the winter before enabled me to maintain this number without using much of the European Provisions.
It is very pofsible Mr John McKay who is at Red River this year will settle the Elbow if time will permit, as such was hinted at Martins fall. But I have thought of relinquishing Brandon House altogether in a year or two & making a Permanent station up the Pabana river; If so, York can occupy the Elbow tho' I apprehend it will be with difficulty, on account of the length of land carriage from Swan River to thence.
The Inland Officers were going off to their several stations at my departure from Martins fall & I brought down the last of the Inland Trade with me so that our businefs is compleated this year much sooner than usual. this is occasion'd by Mr Vincent who commanded at Red River last winter coming out in proper time. - I inclose letters from Moose & East-Main & the Officers here Join in every good wish to yourself & Officers at York.
Your very humble Servant
John Hodgson"


" To Mefs Hodgson, Thomas, & Gladman Chiefs at Albany, Moose & East-Main
Gentlemen
By Mr Thomas Chief at Severn's arrival on a visit here the 14th Inst. I was favour'd with three letters from the Bay dated as under; 1st Eastmain Factory 11th Feb.- 2d Moose Fort 16th March - 3d Albany Fort 10th July - 1807.
It is very pleasing to hear the Canadians have left your borders on the Bay we hope from their experience with you they will be discouraged from troubling us. Captain Taylor of the Mainwaring Schooner I hope gave you York news of last Sept. We received next to none of our European Cargo till the 25th of that Month. the Prince of Wales Capt. Hanwell arrived here from CR the 19th Idem. so late A supply will I fear hurt several of our Inland stations, the canoes for Swan River (which we again settled last June) and Saskachewan, went away the 14th with the few remaining articles we could collect from our almost empty warehouses, dread of winter preventing their longer stay as the fall was fine we trust they reached their destinations by water.
On the 22d a number of other Canoes set off with these for Poplar River from that spot several Indians came last June to conduct us to where Mr Thomas wintered last year & Mr Kennedy with a party of Men accompanied them. accordingly a slight Geographic glance point out the superior case of its supplies from York & as the Chief at Albany justly observes our general attention should be regulated by these circumstances.
On the 29th all was ready & Capt. H. took our packet on board. contrary winds detained the Ship in 5 fathom hole till the 4th Oct. when a fine breeze soon wafted her out of sight with upwards of 48,000 MBeaver on board.
Till after Christmas, Winter as last uncommon mild weather since at times severe. A late Ship time prevented our fall hunt. other indegenous provisions hitherto as usual.
No news from Inland at the Factory we have collected more than at this time last year & the Indians we have seen brought good news from their companions.
Mr Thomas joins in best wishes to yourselves & Officers
I am Gentlemen
your very humble Servt.
John McNab
York Factory 25th January 1808"


" From Mr Sinclair Master at Oxford House
Oxford House Feb. 29 1808
Dear Sir
I with pleasure have to inform you that we arrived safe at Oxford House the 7th Oct. - The 9th dispatched two Canoes one to the Winnipeggoeshish, the other to the Poplar River. - The favourable weather we had after their departure I hope enabled each of them to reach their wintering ground before the winter set in.
The alteration which was made last year in the standard of furs, I am doubtful will do much harm, the Natives is much difsatisfyed about it. I have done my best to explain to them the reason & why this alteration took place informing them they were of no value in Europe.
The Canadians I am informed is giving two Beaver for each Cat, if so they will hurt the Trade much in this middle Country - You know Sir an Indian is sure to go where he gets most.
I have had no account of the Canadians. how many canoes, or where they are settled in this low country but I expect to hear soon.
I cannot flatter you Sir with a large Trade from this quarter: what furs I have is of a good quality - Say 600 MBeaver.
Had the Standard been as usual there would have been as many MB as last year, but I am most certain it will fall short nearly one half.
We have had a remarkable mild winter hitherto & hardly any snow before the 10th of January. inclosed is a list of the articles wanted.
Wishing you a plentiful spring & a good Trade I remain
Dear Sir
Your Obed.
Humble Servt.
William Sinclair
P.S. A splinter lock? or two is much wanted if they are to spare"


" To Mr Sinclair Master at Oxford House
York Factory March 16th 1808
Dear Sir
Your Indians brought your letter of the 29th Ult which gave me much pleasure to hear you arrived so soon at OH. - I hope with you that Mr Kennedys supply reached him in good time & I trust he will show the propriety of a permanent station being placed in that Quarter. - From what I mentioned to the Chief at Albany last year he means to withdraw from thence. Mr Thomas he says collected 1500 Beaver there last season.
Our Indians are trapping in all directions & I hear are trying to pay their debts Venison & Partridges scarcer than last year.
The change of the Standard of Martins in favour of the Indians will I trust soon make them forget the alteration they complain of & be a motive for their trapping more than formerly & I shall hope your Trade will not be so much diminished as you dread. - It is satisfactory to hear no Canadians are near you. If businefs at OH will admit I wish you to come early in May if pofsible the general service was much promoted by that action of yours last year. A Storehouse is built at the head of Steel River where the Inland canoes receive their Inland Cargoes faster.
The Gentlemen Join in best wishes for your health & happinefs with Dear Sir
Your very Humble Servant
John McNab."


" From Mr Auld Chief at Churchill
Churchill Factory 8th March 1808
To Mr Peter Fidler
Dear Sir
I acquaint you of the Honble Committee having recognised your establishment at this Factory & further convey to you their approbation of the expedition you so readily undertook to perform & of which I did myself the honour to inform them, in my letter, dated at YF 1806. In their general letter of last year they hope our expedition guided by you will be crowned with succefs and of this also I am very sanguine.
As I readily granted every facility in enabling you to return to YF previous to the arrival of the Companys Ship. I doubt not but Mr McNab will also now do the same, for the fulfillment of the intention of the Honble Committee by granting you the means by which you may most quickly & comfortably return here.
In the mean while I am
Dear Sir
Your most Obedient Servant
William Auld"


" From Mr Auld Chief at Churchill
Churchill Factory 9th March 1808
Dear Sir
Being in want of a few articles of Trade I send this Packet for the purpose of procuring them from you.
News from this quarter is as usual, uninteresting, especially at this season of the year so have little else to say than that the fall was unusually mild (a most fortunate circumstance for our people going Inland) the Winter thus far very severe. Partridges in considerable plenty, No Deer, not a morsel of fresh Venison from July until the 20th Ult. when I receiv'd a small Deer. Fish only about 150 lbs but having only 5 tradesmen, 2 sailors, & 1 ancient labourer to provide for we have had but little reason to regret.
Very distrefsing accounts from our homegaurds have reached us, those who have come in about Xmas litterally starving & they are afraid their friends are little better, of course they have but few furs.
A few N. Indians in the fall brought about 300 lb of dried Venison they had summered far to the Northw'd there they were met by a considerable number of Esquimaux who laid them under contributions; Guns & ammunition of course changed owners & I was glad they were all permitted to come to me for a fresh stock.
We have considerable trouble in keeping the peace between these ancient foes at the Factory & it will require all my Religious & Political abilities to influence the sufferers so far as to forgive such an insult when they meet here. About the same time arrived a few N Indian men who had seen your people at the Atha-pus-caow & Slave Lake. this Trade was 9/10 B Skins with which they were heavily loaded. they complain grieviously (while we rejoice) at the parsimony of the Canadians now no longer opposed there & I have received letters from several of the chief Mal-contents which I answered as well or rather as cheaply as I could.
You will no doubt already anticipate my having received from Mr Cook the furs traded by my Indians at his subordinate Posts last year as far as he could discover. This very honourable conduct is entitled to great praise. while from some very singular information I shall have it in my power pofsibly to make a liberal return in kind. As this information is of infinite consequence to our Honble Employers & as far as our reputation is concerned in the rise or fall of our respective trades; I detail it to you.
I am informed by unquestionable authority that John Harper's visit to our N Indians last year (and of which I publicly acquainted you after you had charged our people Inland with Harpers 2 or 3 Indians whom you named) was true in fact, but his motive I mistook for so far was he from intending them for YF he absolutely intended me a favour & that really & truly he meant them as a solemn sacrifice to be offered at my shrine; as he had determined to go home at last Ship time for the exprefs purpose of engaging? himself for Churchill as an Officer to which rank he had as good a right as some others, so far had he proceeded in this scheme that he sent off all his Indians his Wife & Children & other Relations to our River & it was in exact? obedience to his orders that the very Indians whom you accused our people about Nelson house having seduced & encouraged had repaired thither to wait his Officers ship's arrival next fall from Europe (via CR) I am further told that on your shewing him my accusation he instantly altered his mind, signed a new Contract with you & is gone up Nelson River with every good resolution to hurt my Trade as much as he can for he has exprefsly said he has no hopes of seeing his own Indians this season. no doubt his threats will be fulfilled far as lies in his power.

This will very much surprise the Honble Committee & displease them, especially when it is known A voilent opposition is carried on at NH by the Canadians whereas there are none of these rivals near Harper.
In the course of the summer I shall let you know if any or all of his Indians have traded with our people. I shall perhaps hear whether any of my Factory Indians have been exposed to his practices, but at any rate you will learn this from the people of his house.
To comment on such conduct may seem superfluous and unnecefsary, to confefs a truth however, had no Canadians been near, I really would have cause to rejoice if he never see again the face of any of his Indians , or even his family. had your first accusations against him while Chief at this Factory & mine since been attended to as they now clearly appear they ought, he would not now have had it in his power thus to hurt you or us by his treacherous conduct especially as those who knew him best believe him to be an unprincipled wretch yet I cannot help regreting that necefsity with you which permits or requires so? despised a Character being appointed to a confidential Station which he has repeatedly shewn himself unworthy of.
You & the Gentlemen of your Factory will be pleased to accept my best wishes for your health & happinefs, & to crown all A good trade & plenty of provisions.
I am
Dear Sir
Your most Obed. Servt.
William Auld."


" To Mr Auld Chief at Churchill
York Factory 18th March 1808
Dear Sir
I received your letter dated the 9th Inst. the articles we can spare are sent to you. their Honours have curtailed our Indent of several consequential articles. Viz, 100 guns of 3 1/2 ft, 30 Do. of 2 1/2, Baize 236 yd &c. if by any means you can afsist us with Baize or Cloth, duffle or small Blankets & 3 1/2 ft guns the service at york would be benefited. A? Box Beads No. 454 has not been received.
Last winter & this till X mafs remarkably mild the contrast equally great as modern Italy now to these Winters, when the "Tyber froze in Rome & the ground was covered with snow for forty days" and Aristotle tells us that "Gaul is so cold a Climate that an Afs could not live in it" were it so now Napolean would stay nearer home during the winter months.
We have had no Venison during the winter but what our Ice house kept in the long fall. this & a few fresh Geese are nearly expended. of Fish & Rabbits considerable supplies. Partridges scarcer than last year, having but few Mefses to supply hitherto we have had plenty of fresh food.
Few Indians have been in, these from various quarters, bring news of general plenty. that emulation to pay their Debts was prevalent & Weeks ago several had attained means to perform that satisfactory transaction & I shall be happy to hear your expectations from Slave Lake are fulfilled.
Mr Cook will explain this businefs concerning Harper which from your description of "having received from Mr Cook the furs traded by my Indians" &c I cannot clearly comprehend.
From your detail of this mans conduct his errors seem to spring from an excefs of ardour? to augment his own particular trade or to add his own emolument by such acquisition & that he would sacrifice any comfort to keep a B. Skin from the Canadians (who I understand were settled at his door last year). I am made to believe from others every Inland servant has his character represented by his respective Master. this affixed to Harpers name in 1806 procured from their Honours such terms as were satisfactory to him in 1807. Of course he signed his Contract, he has faults no Doubt, but that hitherto he has been an Occonomical trader, a sober & very careful servant cannot be contradicted.
My Mefsmate Bunn Joins in best compliments to you & Gentlemen at CR with Dear Sir
Your very humble Servant
John McNab."


" From Mr Bunn
Hill River June 1st 1808
Dear Sir
According to my expectations when I wrote by Mestickathenue we arrived here yesterday about 10 OClock the remainder of the day was employ'd in unloading the boats covering the houses with the tents &c & putting the bunting in the windows.
I have emptied the sugar cask & sent it down, likewise A 10 Gall. Rundlet without a head found here. - If it meets your approbation I think a few 6 qt & 1 Gall. Rundlets would be necefsary to come by the next boats.
It is very fortunate the boats have not to go so high as the Rocks. the water is lefs than any of the men have ever seen it in this River so that it would be impofsible to get the Crafts there with their Cargoes.
Mr Cook came to us the night I wrote by the Indian & I suppose by this time is with you, therefore I shall expect to have the pleasure of seeing you on Monday or Tuesday next. wishing you a safe & pleasant Journey
I remain Dear Sir
Your Obed. Hble Servt.
Thomas Bunn."


" To Mr McNab Chief at York Factory
York Factory June 6 1808
My Dear Sir
We have dispatched the two boats agreeably to the time appointed & hope they will arrive safe.
The Cargoes, which in consideration of the uncommon shoalnefs of the River are somewhat lefs than usual. I trust will be approved & found correct. A list of pakages is inclosed. - You will observe that it has been necefsary to engage 3 Indians for the last boat to make up the compliment of 18 Men which is still one Man short of last trip; John Irvine will explain this matter to your satisfaction as also the cause of the mistake. I have served out the Men with Provisions &c by the Rule of the last Journey & if there should appear any thing superfluous I beg you will inform me that we may regulate affairs better another time.
Mr Tate arriving yesterday will enable us to put in execution your wishes respecting Mr Tho. McNab & no time shall be lost in making the necefsary preparations for the Journey.
Nothing has occur'd of any consequence since your departure - I have therefore only to wish you a good sight of our Inland friends and remain Dear Sir
Your Obedt. Hble Servt.
W.H. Cook"


" To Mr Auld Chief at Churchill
York Factory June 6th 1808
Dear Sir
In consequence of some further intelligence relative to the conduct of John Harper. I am directed by Mr McNab to forward a short statement of the facts that you by comparng them with the information you will pofsibly receive from your Inland Gentlemen may determine upon which side the scale preponderates & give the Award which Justice requires. - Mr McNab is anxious to afsure you that he is confident your Decision will be Just & equitable & will be happy if it has the Effect to moderate ardour of Harper, reduce the Indians to a sense of what is right & establish on a sound & permanent Basis that good understanding which ought &? we hope ever will subsist between the two Settlements.
John Harper, whose Behaviour for some time past has undoubtedly merited severe reprehension has again been betrayed by the powerful opperation of self Interest into a repetition of his former errors. He has traded with one if not more of your Indians to what amount cannot be determined & I am afraid that this has not been done with a view to distrefs the Canadians but as an Indemnification for those Indians he so unwittingly sent over to your side last summer under the imprefsion of their being an acceptable offering to you & the means of procuring for himself an honourable reception when he might arrive in the character of a Gentlemen at your Settlement.
That the intention of the above lines may be free from any Obscurity or doubt whatever may be reserved for the Ifsue, I am instructed to remark that the amount of Furs received by Harper when deducted from those rec'd by your people will shew the Balance pr Contra Cr.
This sir is the jet? of the businefs which occasion this short tho I fear Obtrusive Letter & it will be the source of much individual happinefs to me if I should never again have occasion to addrefs you on a similar Subject.
I Remain with respect & Esteem
Dear Sir
Your Obedt. Hble Servt.
W H Cook
P.S. A Book belonging to you & a Phial containing Eggs sent by Bearer the payment to Kittaway will of course be small as he goes to you in the capacity of Visitor by his own desire. - I intend to pay him 10 B which I suppose will be enough to answer all purposes."


" From Mr McNab Chief at York Factory
Hill River June 8th 1808
Dear Sir
Yesterday we arrived at Steel River-head house the Rivers are Shoaler then Mr Sinclair says he ever saw at this time & the water continues daily lefsening. - I have no doubt & trust every other duty will go on Satifactory to yourself & to me being
Dear Sir
Your very humble Servt.
John McNab"


" From Mr McNab Chief at York Factory
Steel River Head house June 12 1808
Dear Sir
Yesterday I received your letter of the 6th Inst. the Boats arrived sooner than expected. The York & Battaux are now sent down the other Battau will require ourhauling? before you send her here with this. - I think two trips of them will with ease convey the remaining Cargo here . water uncommonly Shoal in the river & falling of Daily protracts intentions of immediately sending Men for constructing the E. Beacon. - As it was proposed to send Indian to report the state of that river for Rafting the hewn timber to the Scite of intended Beacon. we must be guided by their report on the first return of the two Battaux from here.
Mr Tates Departments you will regulate according to circumstances & as soon as desire.
No news from Inland they are now daily expected.-
I remain
Dear Sir
Your very hble Servt. John McNab"


" To Mr McNab Chief at York factory
York Factory June 16th 1808
Dear Sir
The Boats having undergone the necefsary repairs now return with Cargoes as pr List.
Another trip of the same Craft will take every thing destined for the southern Settlements.
No report has yet been received touching the state of the Ship River nor can any be expected very soon Unlefs appearances are favourable to the Design. If the Shore is much encumbered with Ice or the River too Shoal to admit of the timber being floated down to the Scite of the Beacon the Indians will conclude that such Negative information being of no service will do at any time & probably not bring it at all. - But if on the contrary there appears no impediment to the immediate prosecution of the businefs we may expect to receive from them in a few days such afsurences as will enable the people you may appoint to erect the Beacon to proceed with delay.
Mefs Tate & McNab will set off with tomorrow tide they are well provided with every thing & I hope the undertaking will have a fortunate & happy result.
I remain
Dear Sir
Your Obedt. Humble Servt.
W. Hemming Cook.


" To the Master of the Hudson's Bay Company's House at Brandy-Lake
Sandy Narrow March 14th 1808
Sir
Being informed by Indians of your Residence at Brandy Lake and my being very scarce of Cloth as well as two or three other articles of Trade. obliges me to send this two men in hopes you will be able to supply me as it is impofsible for me to get a supply from any settlement belonging Albany River before the communication is open which will be far too late to benifit my Trade this Year.
As you can have no doubt but it is for the General Intrest of the Company I hope you will supply me if it is pofsible without hurting Your Trade.
Enclosed is a List of the Articles I want and if you supply with any part I think this Letter will be a suffcient Recipt and having nothing more particular to add
I remain
Sir
Your Most Obedt. Servant
Will. Thomas

Articles Requested
Cloth a Bale
Spirits a Keg
Gartering peices 2"


" To Mr Will. Thomas Inland Master
Drunken Lake 22nd March 1808
Sir
Your people arrived here yesterday and deliver'd me a letter requesting a supply of goods which I am happy is in my power so far to supply you as pr list subjoined. As to the article of Cloth it is but in consideration of your prefsing occasion which I learn from your men that I should have been induced to part with it for tho' it is only half the quantity you request it is twice as much as I keep behind. - I gave your men the choice of either of the three Runlets of High Spirits I had (ten gall ea?) but as it was too large to be conveniently convey'd on a sledge particularly thro' such a track as they describe I have been obliged to draw it off into small Kegs (in their presence) and find a considerable defficiency which you know all Rundlets brought into the interior are liable to & you must readily allow. it would be hard for me to account for what is defficient any other way than by charging you with it One of the small Kegs wanting seven pints to fill it I have added that to the contents of the Rundlets.
I am realy sorry that a communication between us has not been opned sooner as I understand from your Men that you are much in want of several articles which I could spare that is provided you had no other resource of preventing our opponents from profiting by your want of these Articles & still upon these conditions you may benefits (provided the season is not too far advanced) by sending for a Role of Tobacco a keg of powder a bag of Shot a few Blankets &c as I have no prospect of disposing of them myself to immediate advantage.
Peumachefs & Sons the Eagle, Jackfish & Iskeneku are the only Indians who have winter'd here & they mostly attached to my neighbour a Mr Cameron, from your knowledge of them you may judge of our returns. However it gives me some consilation to think that I have in some degree benefited the Interest of my employer by keeping off a powerful opponnent who would? have otherwise been among the heart of your Indians & I afsure you it will give me an additional pleasure to have it in my power otherwise to contribute towards your succefs -
The Articles now sent
87 - 10 7/8 Gall. High Spirits
45 - 22 1/2 yd Blue cord'd Cloth
4 - 2 pieces Gartering
8 - 4 Rundlets 2 B. each
144 MB
Should you send here in the Spring my small kegs may be returned.
By the late arrival of the Prince at York Factory last fall my Canoe did not arrive here before the 22d October when I was apprized that the Honble Committee had reduced the Standard of Furs on the following aricles Viz. 2 prime Cats as 1 B., 2 Wolvereens as 1, 8 large Mustrats as 1 - 15 small Do. as 1, which I think it my duty to inform you of though now too late for you to profit by this season with hopes of hear from you or seeing you in the Spring
I Remain
Sir
Your Most Obedt. Servant
Alex Kennedy"


" From Mr Swain Inland Master
Lake Winnepeg June 11th 1808
Sir
As I am just upon the eve of parting with Mr Peter Fidler who I have just met, near the Discharge I embrace the opportunity of writing these few lines in request of my property that is at Trout River and York Factory, hopeing you will be so good as have it sent to Severn pr brig. I have to observe in my account Current which I had from Mr Ball last year that I have received no premium upon the few skins I have traded since having the charge of the house certainly - I am as much entitled to this privilege as others and hope you will be so kind as see this mistake rectified - the 4 years I was at the Northward I traded from 7 to 8 hundred MB, at the Jack Lak 1300, and this year Mr Fidler will tell you what I have traded.
I Remain
Sir
Your obedt. humble Servt.
Thomas Swain"


" From Mr Kennedy Inland Master
Oxford House June 13th 1808
Sir
I had the pleasure of receiving the Fall packet together with the goods & consigned to Drunken Lake by this safe arrival of Will. Leith at that place the 22nd Oct. last after I had given over all hopes of seeing him, though we have made a shift to pafs the winter without Starvation but not without a good deal of trouble in looking out for our provisions which I may say consisted entirely of Rabbits & a little wild rice which I was fortunate enough to procure from the Indians there being few or no fish in or near that Lake.
I was opposed by a Mr Duncan Cameron an old verteron? in that quarter and between us we had only seven wretched Ind. all indebted & mostly attached to him even the old man (Peuwachefs) & his three sons after being bribed with new Coats &c&c in the Fall took considerable debts from him which are still due for I have got the major part of their small hunts by keeping a man tenting with them most part of the winter as to the other three Indians they scarcely visited me after my neighbours arrivals.
Finding it not worth while to leave any person to summer about poplar River I have taken my Remains out to the Jack River as well as the old man & two of his Sons to pafs the Summer there about they wish to have a house at Black River next Winter where I make no doubt a few good skins might be procured provided more Indians could be drawn there from the Canadians who surround Lake Winnepeg.
Mr Thomas from Albany River winter'd unopposed at a place called the Sandy narrows (or Wasepuckohagan) about six days walk from where I was & I understand from his people who brought me a letter in the Spring that he has made excellent returns partly from those Indians who winter'd with him at Thunder Lake last Year. his Letter I send herewith as well as the Answer which I hope will meet your approbation.
My small Invoice of Furs there enclose which only amounts to 403 MB including about 100 B. Rabbit skins which were procured by myself and the men about the House but which I was obliged to pay them for by way of encouragement even more for the sake of the flesh than pelts. A small amount but I can afsure you that nothing has been lost for want of looking out my Neighbours carried out nearly 250 MB of sorts.
On my arrival here to day I found a note from Mr Sinclair desiring me in case of his absence fit out these Canoes & dispatch them to hill river accordingly I take the earliest opportunity of forwarding them and I remain here as there are very few people and all the Indians belonging to this place are lying about the plantation anxiously waiting his arrival. and I hope Sir you will give me leave to come down after the businefs is over to await the arrival of the Ship as I wish to avail myself of a pafsage to England as the Honble Committee has not been pleased to grant my request.
Wishing you agreeable returns from all quarters
I Remain
Sir
Your Most Obedt. Huble Servt.
Alexander Kennedy
P.S. I had almost forgot to tell you that John Inkster deserted from me about Xmafs last and has entered into the Canadian employ his beheaviour all along corresponded with this last act of ingratitude to his Employers."


" From Mr Sinclair Master at Oxford House
Oxford House June 28th 1808
Dear Sir
Mr Swain arrived here yesterday at 9 AM his appointment in not finding a pilot has cast him the trouble to visit you his canoe mates in my opinion is men by no means I should like to go a Journey with that has not been seen by any Europeans before. Indeed I am under the necefsity to engage two Indian Boys or go myself to Conduct him down the trout and Jack River. Mr Swain has seen the Indian whom I detained for a pilot by the way of Island Lake I refere you to him for farther particulars - the Account of Oxford Quarter I have forwarded by this Conveyance I hope upon Examination you will find them Correct.
I Remain
Dear Sir
Your Obed. humble Servt.
Will. Sinclair"


" From Mr Sutherland Master Inland
Cumberland House May 30th 1808
By the arrival of the fall exprefs on the 24th of Oct. I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of Sept. 14th as also Medicine sent for which I am much obliged, and am happy to say that I had no use for them, as by following your advice in taking regular Exercise I am nearly as well as ever I was in my life and am Confident that it was not the disorder I suspected.
Our Trade at this place has turned out on the Whole better than expected last fall it is something more than last year & I flatter myself of a better Quality as their is a good many more Beaver Skins.
We at this place have pafsed a very good winter as we were fortunate to procure plenty of such provisions as the place affords.
We have had the Misfortune (I doubt) in loosing one of our men I sent him out the 25th of Oct. to live with three Indians and I have seen nothing of them since.
Our prospects for the ensuing summer is not very flattering as we will be short of ammunition and other articles. I shall Conclude hoping that my Conduct will meet your approbation.
Sir
Your Most Obed. Humble Servt.
James Sutherland"


" To Mr Kennedy Master at Inland
Steel River head House 24th June 1808
Mr Kennedy
I have Rec'd your Letter of the 13th Inst. your opponent (Mr Duncan Cameron) was formidable though your succefs has been little your actions are highly commendable.
Your afsistance to Mr Thomas of Albany points out the considerate officer and I doubt not the Service is efsentially benifited thereby if the furs go to Albany it is a source of Consolation for the lefs productive endeavours of York.

I observe your Sentiments concerning black River and shall be guided by Mr Sinclair and your joint opinion.

You acted judiciously in sending these Canoes the water is uncommonly shoal and I have been anxious to hear from above.

I trust you will vary your wish of coming down it is my opinon your Request will be complied with and even if it is not now I have no doubt but a continuation of such merited services will eventully be rewarded Satisfactorily to yourself. this I advice you to keep in view.
I am
Your Sincere friend
John McNab."


" From Mr McNab Chief at York Factory
Hill River head House June 24th 1808
Dear Sir
I rec'd yours of 16th Inst. two days ago the low water retards the businefs - 4 Canoes arrived yesterday from Oxford the 10th day of their Journey
The remaining Cargo will be too much for two Batteaux and I trust the Inland furs will be more than they and the Trial can carry down - in that case another trip must be made whither by one boat or two we must be guided by the returns from the Interior.
As you have received no Report from Ship River the present state of businefs admits of no suspence you will return the same boats & Crews as soon as pofsible.
I am glad to hear Mr Tates parties are gone by these boats return you will send Mr W. Garriock to be Ready here for inland requisition - I hope you will soon have good news from the NRiver and am
Dear Sir
Your very humble Servant
John McNab"


" To Mr McNab Chief at York Factory
York Factory 27th June 1808
Dear Sir
The Boats arrived on Saturday with 53 Bundles of OH Furs. We have been as expedition as pofsible in forwarding their Return, another small conveyance will be necefsary there being 16 pieces of the SR Goods yet Remaining in Launch House.
Mr Garrock accompanies the Boat & will deliver to you the list of Cargo which I hope will prove correct.
The Indians are starving in every direction about the Factory & are frequently Visiting us for supplies.I am glad to hear of better times in your Quarter & wish you a long continuance of.
I Remain
Dear Sir
Your Obedt. Humble Servt.
W. H. Cook."


" To Mr Sinclair Master at Oxford House
Steel River head House June 29th 1808
Dear Sir
Eleven Canoes are sent for OH the water is very low in the Rivers here and they have experienced it in coming down - for some days past it has been rising and still continues to increase.
I shall expect them down soon from above the Cargoes here large and the season advances fast when duties of another nature will be required.
I was sorry to hear of the lofs of two fine lads in Island Lake (Wm Morrick Jn Norquey) Ja. Halcro tells me he found their bodies and that they were decently interr'd - if any effects belonging to the Dec'd are at OH you will of course have them desposed of to the best advantage for the heirs of the Deceased.
I Remain
Dear Sir
Your very humble Servt.
John McNab."


" To Mr Sinclair Master at Oxford House
Hill River July 9th 1808
Dear Sir
The water continues low and again decreasing nothwithstanding I trust the Returning Canoes will take all the Remaining Cargo to OH.
Mr Bunn will expect empty bags and Rund. by the first conveyance from you to send up th Articles as ment'd by yourself when at the Factory - The businefs here being nearly concluded I mean to leave this in a few days.
I am
Dear Sir
Your very humble Servt.
John McNab"


" To Mr McNab Chief at York Factory
York Factory 11th July 1808 Dear Sir
By the return of the Trial you will receive the Remaining part of the Saskachewan goods & the additional articles requested by Mr Bird.
We rec'd the Furs by Boat & Canoes safe & have found them to correspond with respective Invoice. the repacking of the Beaver & Wolf skins is compleated the parchment Bundles are left for your adjustment.
Mefs Bird Fidler & Howse take their pafsage by this Conveyance & I hope will meet you on your Journey to the Factory at which place your arrival is anxiously wished by
Dear Sir
Your Obedt. Humble Servt.
Wm. H. Cook."


" From Mr Auld Chief at Churchill
Churchill Fctory 18 July 1808
Dear Sir
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two Public Letters of the dates 18th March & 7th June the former from yourself the latter from Mr Cook under your instructions.
I have sent you such articles as can be spared agreeably to your request & am extremely happy to say I have it not in my power to send you as much as you want owing to the additional number of Indians who have visited me this season but small as the supply is I hope you will have a similar cause to render it the more acceptable to you.
The season hitherto deserves not the appelation of Summer & miserable is the appearance of our naked leaflefs Garden. The Clinate here is much too cold for any warm blooded thing & only fit for a poor Afs. Oh that I were a rich Afs.
We have tasted Venison three or 4 times this Season & I mean & expect no more. I long to congratulate you on your prospects being fullfilled ere this by your Indians discharging their Debt with you as expected I confefs my hopes are surpafs'd considerably by the following statement.
No. 133 N. Indians 6070 of these 110 over paid 11 Balanced & 12 underpaid 18 S. Homegaurds 630/6700 of these 6 Do.-1-D & 11 do.
As yet we have seen no Eskimaux & am afraid we shall not receive much from them this season.
It is with extreme regret I have to inform you that our People in the Deer Lake have again experienced all the insults that our Ruffian opponents could invent a chosen band of miscreants selected from the scum of Canada guided & gooded by a most infamous blackguard of the name of Campbell hesitated at nothing to destroy & ruin our small party. Our nets were taken up & robbed of the fish & left on the top of the ice. a sled of Furs which one of our Men was hauling home from Ind. was cut from the traces & forcibly carried into the Canadian House & two or three of them at last came in to Mr. Spence's House & with dreadful threats of vengeance carried off his Pistols & Dirk pofsibly they might have used some significant remarkes of these not being in proper hands - I am however just in observing that any representations of ours to the Principal proprietors of their Company would be disregarded or vindicated by the same apology which your kindnefs has framed for Harper in Excefs of ardour to augment his own particular trade or to add to his own emolument by such acquisitions & that he Mr Campbell like Harper would sacrifice any comfort to keep a Beaver Skin from Churchill People.

Having not inaptly introduced Mr Harper among such worthy afsociates I have to inform you that every thing I afserted concerning him in my last is strictly true & if he can pofsibly sustain more let it be heaped upon him one of our S. Indians on pafsing Harpers house this spring on his way from the lower country to Nelson House was suspected to have concealed furs which was true H. immediately went off & seized the treasure not very large indeed he gave him a small measure of Ammunition with a good advice to go now & pay his CF Debt as well as he could no doubt he has had good succefs with some of my N. Indians also. I am informed that some of those Indians he sent are still about Nelson House his own Wife Children & her family of 3 men they were expected there daily with their Spring hunt which would pay for the Goods they had gotten in debt during the year. When our Boats arrive again I shall then have it in my power to acquaint you with the amount of the Debts & Furs so obtained - I this instant am informed that all Harpers Indians to a man took up their winter supply of Goods from the Canadians in the Fall. The addrefs & management of Mefs Topping & Raymond hindered them from paying a single skin of it.

In what language Sir shall I addrefs you or what new excitements are wanting to urge you to do your duty to our Common Masters in vindicating their injured rights you are injured Mr Cook is injured & I am also a sufferer tell him Sir that you are now no longer able to screen him from the united voices of the Honorable Company's confidential Servants afsure him that the Chief & Council of this Factory will drag him before the Tribunal of the Committee in our next General Letter. Tell him Sir that having now no positive succefsful depredations to shield him (such as he two or three years ago when he plundered my N Indians of 300 MB of which he shamelefsly boasted to his Canadian Rivals last year) any longer that the concluding Paragraph of your Annual general letter requires an inequivocal testimoial of its sincerity in dismifsing from the service so bad a Servant.
In the last letter sent by your Directions I am surprized on finding a clear acknowledgement of all Harpers reprehensible Behaviour but I positively object & protest against the words unwittingly sent being proper nothing could be more deliberately planned or more completely executed. I also am rather difsatisfied at being made umpire in a businefs where I am so near a party I am called on to determine on which side the scale preponderates surely this is cousin-german to triffling Sir who or what is in the opposite scale? [his question mark] Do you balance Infamy & Integrity. Do you weigh the merits of Harper against Mefs Topping & Raymond? [his] You wish to moderate his Ardour & reduce the Indians to a sense of what is right I afsert this Ardoue deserves a Rope & I think the Indians in the present case have not done wrong.

As Mr Fidler is recognized in the Honble Committee General Letter to be on our establishment I think proper thus to mention to you the circumstance which no doubt they have als signified to himself in their or the Secretary's Letters which I forwarded from here to YF last fall by the Ship If he shall be at YF & at liberty to fulfill the Committees hope he can have a good opportunity of coming round in the Boat I now send.
I am
Dear Sir
Your Most Obed. Servt.
Will. Auld."

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