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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A des taux de rMuction difftrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. rrata o lelure, id J 32X 1 2 3 t 2 3 4 5 6 ■;i.',' clxxzvii (NOTE F.) SELKIRK SETTLEMENT. Letter Book op Captain Miles Macdonell (F'-jin Archives : Selkirk Correspondence.) To THE Et, Honble. the Earl op Selkibk. Yarmouth, 2'7th June, 1811. AIy Lord, — We have been singularly unfortunate in winds since setting out. "While at Shcornees waiting for convoy v^e lost two or three days of fair winds, and since then they have been gencially adv( rse. Two copies of the Proapt ctus and one of my Instructions I have the honour to tnclote herewith. The instructions are very clear find distinct, nothing occurs to sre at present to be added to them. The temporary Lard Grants ol 5 or 10 acres, directed to be given in the environs of the fort in case of danger to be apprehended from Indians, I suppose may be given in Lease at an easy rent to be paid in produce. A certificate of the Farm Lots may he giveu in the mean- time until the regular patent arrives. I have searched all Yarmouth for brags Pieces, but without any fcucccps. We are so very late that I suppose the Pelican Eipple, on the Eed Eiver, will be our wintering place for this year if we can roach it. I have the honour to be, &c., MILES MACDONELL. Yarmouth, 4th July, 1811. My Lord, — I wrote to Your Lordship from here on the 2'7th uKo., enclosing copies of ProspeotuB and Instructions. Since then I received Your Lordship's letter of 19th June (by Capt. Turner of ship King George, which arrived here on 30th) the contents of which shall be attended to when we arrive at Stornoway, but that appears to be as distant as ever. We remained fatt here with contrary winJs till the 2nd inst., altho* the weather was moderate the convoy could not move. On the 2nd we made 20 miles against a head wind in two tides, and jesterday were diiven back here by a strong gale from the northward. I am surprised that Capt. Eoderick should so far exceed his Instructions in pro- mieirg such high wa^es. I suppose he was anxious to procure a number in the general defection of his people. This reminds me of part of my Instructions when in Ireland, where the wages of overseers were left to discretion, and omitted since to learn from your Lordship what wages that description of people were to be allowed. The detention here is unfortunate & I fear will destroy our expectation of getting into the interior this winter, however, all that's possible shall bo effected. I enclose her< with names of some persons iu Ireland, &c., who may probably become fihaieholders in the scheme, & have subjoined some part of my own obser- vatrons on these persons, for your Lordships Information. Many others that I yet know nothing of in that Country will undoubtedly join in the Scheme, & once it has gained sufficient strength in Ireland & the Highlands of Scotland, no individual opposition can eflPect much ; unless the Government decide against it- — but this I think cannot take place. The settlement will be a great chock to the Amerioans clKxzviii extending themselves in that quarter, & as there is some prospect of a rupture with them, we may soon be able to cause them annoyance on their back frontier. Sir A has pledged himself so decidelly opposed to this project that he will try every means in his power to thwart it. Besides, £ am coaviuoed he was no friend to your Lordship even before this came on the carpet. The wind falls a little, I am in hopes wo may get away in the morning. I have the honor to be, with high respect, Your Lordships, &c., MILES MA.CDONELL. Stornoway, 25th July, ISU. My Loed, — Our fleet put in at Stromness by contrary winds on the 15th instant, where the Pti nee of Wales remained to take the men on board. The Eddystone, and Biwd. & An oe, &c., left Stromness the evening of the same da7 and arr ved here on the 17th instant. On going ashore I was honored with Your Lordships / letters of 21st, 22nd, 29th June, & 2nd July. Of Capt. Eoderick's people thea there, 32 in number, exclusive of James Young, 12 of them are engaged as writera & 20 as labourers. Ten of the labourers are at £25 yearly wages. They would | not by any means consent to have wages reduced ; and the ofl'er of land at the end of I one year's service they did not think sufficiently advantageous. The land they \ altogether make very light of. Upon the whole, I judged it more benefii3ia! to the | concern that thoy should be kept for the full period, as their labour for the two last years will be better than that of the first, & sending them home at the expira- tion of one year would be incurring a heavy expense without receiving much bene- fit from them to compensate it. It is an unfortunate circumstance that they were engaged diflferent from the othero, which will always be a source of grievance and discontent. Many of them said they would not have engaged had they not been promised such wages, & I suppose Capt. Roderick was anxious to send a number forward to make up in some shape for the defection of so many others whom he had engaged. I had them warned to assemble by themselves to talk with them; & first spoke to two separate to find out their disposition. On the return of these to the others there was a general clamour, saying that they were going to be imposed upon, &c. It was then necessary to addiess the whole body and assure them that no alteration would oo made in their agreements. Others wanted an augmentation to their pay, saying that if I had power to i*educe I could add. From the fewness of our numbers, besides the loss it might occasion to Capt. Boderick (who, I believe, has not been wanting in exertions) it would never do to let any of them return home. The Captain must be at some loss with Young; but the wages to him were enormous, & I am astonished he could think of making such a contract without orders — he says there was not time. There are only 14 of the Irish besides Mi. Bourke; few, instead of 70 that were promised. Mr. Everard's letter to rae, a copy of which I enclose, throws some light on the subject. — It appears from it that none of the Galway men reached Sligo, altho' he had advice from the house of Graham & Go. of their being on the route. He mentions to have enclosed their letters to him on this business but has omitted to do it. My letter to Mr. Everard I enclose open lor your Lordships per- -Clotl}] usal, to be afterwards forwarded. «hipi[ Mr. Bourke 1 find has already oonxmenced a correspondence with Your Lordship, ^of■ ih( His reply to the Highlanders shews at least some spunk and zeal for the cause be iB time engaged in. Be speaks Irish, French, Spanish, &c., &c., aad might be very useful: 'jttfier but he is unfortunately fond of a sup of the creature to which he is but too muct time, addicted. Ho appears however to have influence among the people of the D.striot hi Ahe pj clxxxix jture itier. will Jj. i I ill. instant, iy stone, arr ved ordships pie thea s writertf ay would he end of and they jial to the ■ the two Q exptra- luoh bene- they were evance and y not beea a number lom he had m; & first heae to the posed upon, that no lentation to fewness o£ o, 1 boUevo, lem return to him were raot without ^d of 1« that throws some mou reached I- being on the iinesi but has jordshipa por- rour Lordship. ,he cause he ifl e very useful bat too muct the D.strict h' is from, Killaia; all of Mr. Everard's list are from that part except two or throe that are from Sligo. Mr, Charles McLean is here with 20 men ; 14 of them are from Lewis & '> of these are writer^j, the whole is expected to bo embarked today. The Prince hsis nrrived from Stromness with 59 men, so that I expect the total will be about l£5. There is a boat buildci* among the men from Orkney, but it has defied me to get boys here to put apprentices to him. There has never any people been taken before from this Island, & it is much owing to the exertions & influence of Mr. Eobortson & Mr. Donald Mackenzie, a merchant hero, that so many are now got. An ample supply of the Inverness Journal containing The Highlander, hcs been sent bore, & great pains taken to disseminate them about the country ; they sent to people who were not in the habit of receiving News papers, & I am told to many who could not read them. They were equally abundant in the Orkneys & I suppose through- out all the Highlands & Isle.^. If that piece originated in Jjondon I should expect to find in it more candour, knowledge of the country, & regard to truth, than it contains ; but (?ome part is not unlike the language that was held oat thoro to dis- courage & dissiiu'lo people from embarking in the enterprise. The Ciioico ot a suitable successor from among my people is as yet not easily made, they are all so very ignorant of what is to bo done. There is no saying what effect experience may have ; bat at present there is not a person among them that has any idea of what they are going to do beyond the individual business they were severally engaged for in London. As to taking general management ^ direction of affairs, it is out of the question. I hope I shall be spared till things are got fairly agoing, & once in proper train it will not be so difficult a tack for another to keep them so. Your Lordship's letter of 9Lh current is come to hand—I do not think it now possible to get into the interior this winter. Seal Island will consequently afford us the only chuuce of useful exertion for this season unless we have a vci'y extraordi- nary passage. If timber and other materials can be had contiguous to tho place somolhing will of course be done to forward that ol ject, & the soundings of tho river Nelson may bo taken. lean only communicate from Y. F. what rosouiccs may bo calculated on for tho support of people to be sent out next year. I think we may provide shelter & support for a few families. Some of tho clerks or writers have already received advances to tho amount of their first year's wages. No orders have been given by the Co. for the destination of these yourg men, or in what manner they wero to be ireatodon board of tho ships — there are 15 of them — I have taken upon myself to put two in the Prince of Wales lor the Southern Factories, & the rest go in tho Edward & Anne for Y. P. So many could not bo messed in her cabin, and a place has been divided off between Decks, whore they aro to lodge & mess by themselves, to have a cook and the necessary attendance. Tea, Sugar, Bread, &o., was pai chased here for the purpose. The two clerks put on board the Prince of Wales, to avoid distinction, are to lodge & mess in tho steerage. This arrangement will save a considerablo sum of money to tho Co. as otherwise tho Captain would charge 10 guineas for every person messing in the •Cabin. It is very unpleasant for me, a stranger to the Coys, affairs to take those things upon myself— but no person appeared to have directions or instructions; 1 was looked to to decide, & have acted to the best of my judgement for the interests of the concern. It has drawn upon me the displeasure of the writers who all expected to bo Cabin passengers. They were while on shore with a few exceptions, as irregular ^in their conduct & troublesome as the common hired men. The labourers as well as writers have had very large advances made to them for .Clothes, &(i.y exclusive of board, lodging, &c., so that should any accident befall the .«hips from sea hazard or the enemy by which the Coy. might be deprived of tho services of ihese people, the loss would bo very great. Be^ide8 personal advances, which in time may be counterbalanced by their wages, should everything go on prosperously •Afier this, tho aggregate expenses for board, lodging, and accommodation for so long a time, is un|iarallelled & an irremediable lose. Sending off one ship early to receive the passengers on board as they arrived, would avoid all this needless expense. If .1 s..} ' i:A czo the Coy's affairs in this particula'- be not bettf^r conducted in future, the Country trade huvvevor Kucceesful cannot (in my opinion) support it. The cause of evil \h so ijear homo that it can easily bo remodied in future. Matters th's year are most dis- astrouB. All the men thai we bhall have are now embatked, but it has been a Herculean labour ! I had to apply to the Capt. of the Convoy for a party of Marines, & it was neceseary to go through the Ceremony of having pome impressed & put on board the man of war. One man had enlisted with a recruiting party, but he is taken from them and shipped. Five have entirely absconded ; two of them of Capt. Roderick's list, Mr. Cambiidge & another, & three of Mr. McLean's party. The Collector of this place Mr. Eeid, an old, weak & dissipated man (although I asked him to dinner & made him drunk) has thrown every impediment in our way, & has armed himself against us with all the formalities of the Customs to which ho has exacted a rigid compliance from all the ships, & to which we were fortunately able to conform. Mr. Keid has been holding out to the people that we had no power to compol them to embark, and that wo could only seek redrots by law for the nonperformance of Con- tracts made li advances given them. Mr. James Robertson, the Comptroller, is a fine steady & honest follow, a candid upright & genuine Hijijhland Gentleman. He has been indefatigable to forward our affairs & has rendered important services in every manner in his power. Without his assisiatce we stiould not have succeeded so well as wo have done. He will of course ;;ive an Account of the enormous outlays here, as nothing has been done without him. *' m < It was found necessary to purchase a quantity of Biscuit for the Winter, & to give ^^ co half allowance of bread «& meat to all the other passengers. The Cattle cannot be taken out this Year without delaying three days longer to prepare a place for them ; and that delay would not now be prudent, & besides, the To th quantity of water they would require cannot be stowed. I do not recollect to have heard anything from your Lordship about the destination of them. I have got from 1 Mr. Robertson two iron swivels chosen from among those belonging to Lord Seaforih jit this place. They are light and manageable — next year wo may receive a coui'lo^ ^ ^ of sound brass pieces. pql; ^^ 4 een the wo zno wo Bo frie M?. to r the •coil ahe 1 toW pot « Canvas for Boat Sails and Cordage has been purchased here amounting toijo dE.6.6.9. Mr. Hillier will require some part of it which shall bo noted when dcli-Qf Tcered. Mr. Evei aid's letter 1 enclose, instead of the Copy first intended to be t-eiit wilh other paj)ei s relative to transactions ai Sligo. sooae I have drawn on Your Lordship for £18,2 in favour of Capt. Roderick McDonald,^||g which sum is to be charged to my a"'. Letters from Canada for me may yet probabljjn* ^ be sent to the care of Messrs. Morlacd & Co., and I wish Your Lordthip will bcfof g^ pleaded to take charge of them. oooas A mean fellow of the name McKenzic, called a Captain, who was last year aifrithoi agent hero for the C% has to-day while Capt. Gull was on f-hore clearing out of th(jf|.^ f Ouptom House, gone on board the Edw" & Ann with a Recruiting paity, and wiilbg^e his own hand given money as Inlisting money to some of our men ; the men he watmu) w liot allowed to take away and himself and party were sent from the ship. ThCQe qq Collector of the Customs, Mr. Robertson and a clerk, came late this afternoon to viMinfem »11 the ships and muster the people. After visiting the Prince of Wales & the Eddys«e|dy lone and Calling over the rolls of the men, I accompanied them to the Edward *^^'nggae Ann which contained the greatest number of the people — the Glasgow men, Irist^ice ^ and a tew from Orkney, amounting altogether to about 76. McKerzio with a part^l^' jj of soldiers were in a separate boat and came alongside claiming i^ome of the men Hn^t tc deserters from His Majesty's ^ervico. I stopped him from coming up the ship's side-Ji* (^q the Collector and his cierk, a Mr. M>;lvor, said there must be no violence ; he wsjfion Bot however allowed to come on board. After the muster was gone through, tl)j0 jj, IJIaupe of the Emigration Act regulating the provisions for passengers was readta||ie ,, then most officiously, a public declaration was made to know if every man was fuHji^ed hutisfied, &if he was going entirely with his own free will and consent, us otherwihij Ed that they might go on ehore. Several said they were not willing — many wont ovtli^e CXCl the Country I of evil is f o are most dis- a Herculean lO'*, & it was on board the is taken from r)t. Roderick's •Hector of this a to dinner & armed himself caotod a rigid conform. Mr. )mp'3l them to mance of Con- illow, a candid [O f«i|cly to catch at every diecontent among the men as applying to thempolvos, — His the Edward aWMgage shall be sent back by tho return of the ship, I am sorry for tho inconven- ipgow men, Irisldlce which the want of it may occasion him in the mean time, although it is entirely rzio with a part^lnfo' his own bad management. Mrs. Reid, wife of the Collector at Stornoway, is [no of the men imltt to Sir A. McK & he called Capt. McKenzie, is married to a daughter of tho ship's aid e-Jii Collector : these with all their adherents are in a united opposition to Mr. Rob- p he ws)] io'.enco ; no »ir»i0n, & perhaps influenced in some degree from London to act as they did. I did one through, thci know of this connection when at Stornoway, but it muy serve to account in mgers was read (C9ie respect for the indecent conduct of that party. If an idea could have been ry man was luHbipied that such a low trick was to be played, it might easily have been prevented — sent, as otherwiki Edwd. & Ann after receiving the passengers on board should have shifted from —many went ovtliM'e she was (being the innermost ship) to outside the Convoy & the Convoy's I CXCll biat could pick up the stragglers. There is now no romody but to bo guarded at all points in future. The greater part of the runaways might have been recovorel bad , wo i-omainod ill harbour only uutil 12 o'clock that day ; but Ca!)t. Ilanwell's harrju " and impatience drove us out so early in the morning altho' the wind was contrary, °l It was with great exertion that Mr. Kobertaon overtook the hindmost ship, to em- bark t^o young men who had been engaged for the Company's service, u consider"*? able distance out. . Not one of the young men who came from Glasgow engaged as writers, broughL. ^^ a llairesa or Blanket — they say they were told by Capt. Koderick that overythinf^S" should bo furnishei to them at Stornoway — such articles were not to be had there The stores from Ireland came into play, great part of which have been consumed oir i ^® the passage for the use of the writern &c. an account of which expenditure I ^ncloseL /^^ I forward a general return of the number of men, effective and non effective a«j-_ cording to the Lists which have reached me; by this your Lordship will neo oui_^ , strength at one view, & deficiency from non appearance & desertion; our tola _.. numbers on board all the ships amount only to 90 labourers & 15 writers includin' « . , Mr. Bourko; making a grand total of 105, exclusive of us who embarked at Grave:i 4. , ' en 1. — The Irish band wore not more troublesome than the others — the people fronjaoi.i Glasgow wore at first the most turbulent & dissatisfied. — The Orkney men being ai^gfTrn customed to it think nothing of a voyage to Hudson's Bay, butas they formorli- . , when going out fared the same as the ship's Company, they were displeased on ac_ count of the provisions & served to increase the discontent of the others. P On the iJth Soptembor in Hudson's straits, the shifting of fcome part of tbj j -», goods & passengers 'ook place in the different ships, much against the inclination ( Captain Hanwell, who saw in that movement the loss of his Command, as afterwarc^^ V each hhip was to make the best of its way to its destined port. The desertion ^ *i. Stornoway from the Edwd. & Ann took place after the General distribution had bee^* made & each ship bad received the number of men allotted to her. It was my into^ 4. ' tion to replace in part this desertion by taking a few from the two other ships, thi*!. . each might boar its share of the loss — but the Commodore would not part with any ^. « the men the Go's Agent had put on board his ship, being 22 men all from Orknet- *• (S: behiaee '-'• \ took two more from the Eddystone without my knowledge, after^*^ had left h This pro needing surprised me, not expecting that he had any Contrj^j^ * or directly ^ to the dcstimtibn of the people. bilitie I took with me 8 men from the Eddystone to the Edwd & Ann — with th the number on board was 53, labourers & Artificers collectivcl augmentation Tl Thirty of these I'expfct; to have for the settlement ; & from the remainder Mr. H|j^ q lier's paity may bo formed, not conceiving it to be the intention of the Co. that VithoJ the clerks and writers wore for one part of the Country, I permitted three to Vjjuj unteer into the Prince of Wales for the south Factories, and two others to go in t, Eddystone to Churchill, & desired the Captains to mess them in their Cabins. iformr The passage has been of uncommon length, & for a summer one very boisttjjug ons. — On the morning of the 6th Sept. we discovered land (Button's Inland) & w^^jj^ from that day to the 15th in getting thro' the straits. After eatering the straits' «* daily saw a number of lumps of ice called by the seamen Islands, of these some 'wjjj^f^ small, & others appeared the size of two or three Acres in circumference, and abijj,gg 150 feet high. As we kept at a distance from land in obedience to the Signals of tiu- '^^ Commodore, saw nothing of the natives, which was a great disappointment. Tjijipj^j Country on both sides of the strait appeared to be high naked rocks, & with the y |^^^ ceptiou of a little snow or ice which I imagine they are never clear of, are not (a|.«gj| like the west coast of iSutherlandshire & part of Eosshire. At the upper pa»*t 1 Jf f m the straits we met a quantity of flat ice, which gave us no interruption but tha^j^ ^ laying to for one night with a fair wind. On the Ocean we had an unoomnmif ^^ share of boisterous, stormy and cold weather — but after entering Hudson's Bay ^^g^ j^^ perienced a course of fine, mild weather and nooderate fair winds. Arrived hero.^^ ^^ ^ the i4th September after a passage of 61 days from Stornoway, the longest and lat j ^^ ever known to H. Bay. i^j ^jj CZCIU guardod ^^^" Of all tho occurroncps which have opposed themselves this Year against our recovorel aad^j^jjjjj,^gjjji^gp j^jjQ jjj^g j^,,j.j^^l jjQjQ Qf ^jjQ ypgygjg jg ^]^q worse in its condoij^ucnco^. Linweirs ^'^'''^yNotwiibBtanding the late eailing from England, tho ships might arrive earlier wore was contrary.^j^jjjj ^^^ ^^ make the best of its way after tho Convoy left thorn ; & should there bo it ship, to em-j^ jjgggggj^y g£jgj.^j^,,jg^Q JQJP £Qj.gjjjj^jjjgQf Qm.yQ^Q^ g gQj^ppjjl j.QPjj^2vou8 might bo ice, a consider -jjjj^jjjj jjj Hudson's Strait, j ^^^ convinced the Edwd. & Ann & Eddyntono" could , jhave made the voyage in a shorter time were they not fettei*ed by the Commodore's writers, broaght^j^glg — Capt Hanwell is a timid, over cautious seaman, above taking advice, self that ovcrylhinj^ji^gjgjjj ^ stubborn. The day after tho shifting took place the other two vetisels ;o be had tnoro^j^gj.^ ^^^ ahead of hie, & shortly afterwards lost sight of him by huperior manoeuvring, an consumed ot£ j^^pQ j^q ^gy mako good his voyage. — Our two ships kept together till wo were one ditare I onclosejjupjjj,gj miles to tho westward of Mansfield Island. — Tho Commodore kept us for 15 non effeclivo a^j^s together cruising in Lat. 57 M. & about the Long, of Cape Farewell; during ihip will b)ugQ Qf jjQpj.uJ(;jj(.Q Qf, gjjQj.Q ^ j^ qyrjjjtity Qf our medicines has been expended, t the Signals of y^ of (}je vvriters Mr. Stevens I believe is to be sent back on account of a bad mppointment. ^)Ji|)laint. Thj effects left by the deserters from us at Stornoway were sold Icks, & with the w louder m^^ong ibe paseengers, and made the amount of £27 sterg & were nar of, ar© ^^^ liUrgcd to the different purchasers None of the young men made any progress Ithe upper pa^'^ liarning the Gaelic or Irieh languages on the voyage. I had some drills ot the Rruption but that,g|^je y^\i\y arms — the weather was generally so boisterous and but few days we had Hiad an unoomn,|^t-^ perfeon could stand steady on deck. There never was a more awkward squad — H Hudson's Bay)t ^ man or even officer of the party knew how to put a gun to his eye or had ever m. Arrived herc.^ n gl^ot. He longest and lat I am not fully satisfied with the Eevd. Mr. Bourke and would wish to know H lat character ho bore in his own Country— Your Lordship might get every infor- I CXCIV niation concerning him from the R. C. Bishop of Killala, from whoso diosoHe he u • thro' Mr. Everard at Maynooth, He tells mo that he came away without th fcra leave of the Bishop who was at the time at Dublin. A report mast bo made ol hintho at Quebec as now belori(ifing to that Diosese. Ho is however, very zealous fo-- tliTlii increa.-ie of our Colony, he assures mo he can get thousands to come out from Maycgou has written very encouraging letters to his own relations there, and wrote letter nioj for almost every one of his flock to their friends in the same encouraging strain. H wshes to become a fihareholdcr in the concern. Ho is related to Mr. Everard at Slig(lan(j I found every facility & readiness both from Mr. Auld, & Mr. Cook the Governor (exp: this place, to meet Your Lordship's views to forward the Colony, consistent with the:fa]8( duty to the affairs of tho Company. They, as well as a great number of tho Copern officers & other servants in the Country, feel interested in its success, & looon j towards it as a future asylum for themselves & their numerous offspring. — I uiattei informed that many of Lho Company's servants & other.'i from the N. W. Co wli have served their time, & have lamilios with Indian women will be induced to joitory as soon as they see a settlement begun on a permanent footing.— Many of these athe c worth money and can afford to pay well for land — Your Lordship will please to seiby il me Instructions respecting buch people. he is Tho Ediiys'.orio has now avriv.-'d here with all her passengers & Cargo withoaocoi being able to get to Churchill. This affords an additional supply of men not wantoleur by the Company. I am therefore allowed to Augment my number to 35 labourciamn & artificert*. 1 have taken all Oapt. Eoderick's men, the Lewis men, with a portiont n of Irish ; the rest of my list will be filled up by a selection frjm Orkney — there a^entu besides a uumber of Orkney men here going home, who have served out their timcseatioi I expect to bo able to prevail on some of these to remain for one or two years moiext t — as exporienced men their service will hd important to asbist in asoendioeeidc Waters next spring. _^ Mr. Auld had previous to my arrival sent orders to the different Posts in tivery Eed Rivoi' ('ouutry to procure & save as much provisions as po.s.sible for the use n sue the ensuing year — and says that oven had this not been done, there could be >f us ( apprehension of any want of Buffalo meat, from the vast abundance of tho Country>fflce; This being the case I think an accommodation may be provided there for 43 to ifr. If passengers to bo sent out next year for the settlement, among whom may be 8 oruany families. — Boats for this number will be ready here for taking thom up. — Each b L will require two expert men accustomed to rapids & poling, some such might aany procured in the Orkneys who have been formerly in the Cos. service, by makit 41^J early application, and they ought to be engaged under a penalty to be fit for 'mo, service which thoy undertake. The Factory can furnish some men of this descreodin tion as soon as their people come down with the Furs, which is always before ^hoar arrival of 1 he ships. Tents of Imitation sheeting will be required to protect hall e people from the rain, flies, &c., in ascending tho waters, they will serve parties 'he or different successive years, & may afterwards bo of use for straw beds, bags, &Ghips the settlement. Even the C**'. men have tents, & families cannot possibly dispe; loss with thom, — tho simplest and most convenient is tho Military tent with a ridge practic & to contain six soldiers with their arms & knapsacks. — Leather of old tents caais set furnished here for ooveriBg the goods in tho boats, instead of oil cloths which wo'he tro be expensive. once The Boats used here carry 30 pieces of 90 lb each, & are navigated by 5 mc9larde( our boats are entirely disapproved of altho' far lighter & easier constructed th inot be others. I will not give up the utility of flat bottoms for river navigation whati may be their opinion, & shall prove them to be of use next spring by going uf them. The people here have never seen anything that is used in other pari; America. — My axes & some other tools are objects of great wonder, & conden without mercy. I am sorry to find Holtzapffel's axes very badly tempered- edge of the first one tried broke in cutting a poft poplar stick. The Blacksmith may, however, soften them. In England they do not understand the temperit P. edged tools to stand in cold countries. > the cxcv diosoHO ho ii^ An extrnordinai-y inundation orourred this cprinj^ on tho South or Pombina 7ay without th branch of tho Kod Eiver, which ovorflowod its banks tho extent of 4 iniloaon cachnido L bo made ot hintho rivor into the Country while tho Northern branch wus not more iswoUon than uaual. zealous fo-" thTbis flood was occasioned by the molting of snows which fell l;i>t winter towards tho 9 out from Maycgource of that uncommonlv' groat, tjuch a circumstance has not been before in tho nd wrote letter memory of the oldest Jndian, & perhaps may (sic) happen again. aging strain. H 1 have written to tho agents at iStoriioway, Glasgow of the mouth of the Nelson or two years moiext spring, as far u]> as tJoal Island. The water o'" ii is very high at present & ibist in asoendioesides there is no time fir doing it. At this late season the men c.uinot bo employed tosorvc iho Co. in any respect — "erent Posts in livery possible exertion & dispatch is i-cquired to get them & ourselves under covor siblo for the usen such siia ;:ion8 whore fresh meat can be procai ci throughout tho winter, as nono there could be )f us can be accommodated at the Factory. I am to cross immediately, with all my Co of tho Country >fflcc!S & people to tho North side of tho Nelson where Deer are said to abound.— there for 43 to i£r. Ilillier with a party ot officers & men is to be my neighbour. I expect to bring lom may bo 8 oraany a Oaber P6igh to tho ground this winter with Your Lordship's riflj. lom up. Each b Last winter was the severest ever known in those parts — game disappeared & mo such might uany of the improvident natives perished thro' cold ^' want. Tho Thermometer was service by tnakit 4J^J degrees below 0. — It is woll that it is pa ■»•"■, «& to bo hoped this may be a mild 9 to be fit for tne. We have had the Thermometer already at 8 & 9 degrees below 0, two sue- on of this descreeding nights. & we have now snow on the ground. — It is therefore time for thoso always before B'ho are without bouses to begin building. 1 hope that nono of our Asniniboia people rod to protect hall ever be bo late again as to be under the necossit/y of wintering at this plaoo. 1 servo parties )he oro^s accidents of this year could not have been foresoan — tho late sailing of tho mr bod-s bags, &o.hip8 can be guarded against in future; wintering here, altho' attended with expense )t Doesibly dispe; loss of time, will give our people the advantage of acquiring some experience & t with a ridge practice in useful labour. — I was aware of considerable difficulties in prosecuting of old tents cadis scheme, which a desire to forward Your Lordship's views led mo to undertake. — cloths which w^he troubles attendant on it have already exceeded my expectation : I fool a ooafi- enoe however that we shall we able to surmount every difficulty, & altho' much visated by 5 mcatwrded in the progress hitherto, tho object is very attainable, & Your Lordship need ionstructed th inOt be under any apprehension for us. — With high respect, I have the honor to be avigation whati ig by going u[ in other pari; mder, & condec idly tempered- ^he Blacksmith Ind tho temporit My Lord Your Lordships moat obt. & most humble servant MILES MACDONELL. P. S. The boats that take us up next summer, & those for the people who follow flie same season, may all be sent down tho following year in time to bring up t ! I CXCVl settlers when they arrive, provided that I have men with me acquainted with rapids, — The sooner that a vessel can be built on Lake Winipic the better; as then uj the boats need not proceed up further than the entrance of it. The lake is reported en to be very ^hoal, particularly near the shore whore boats are accustomed to go, but op oven ehuuld this bo found to be the case, flat-bottomei vessels of the Petty Yanger ca kind as used in America, with leeboarris, might be made to answer the navigation— and such croft could perhaps get up to the forks of ibe Red Eiver. I have been remiss in not replying to your Lordship's enquiries respectinf Mtijor McDonald, ar<\ can only oflFer for apology the confusion at Stornoway ; I kne\\ a Major McDonald, lact winter in London originally from South Uist, but am not cei tain if his name is Alexander. He had sei'ved two or three years in Canada in thi 60lh Regt. & went from there to the We&t Indies. He has sold out of the Army o gone on half-pay — has a general acquaintance with living characters — is in infiri health & has been long from the Highlands, This Factory is very ill constructed & not at all adapted for a cold Countr either for use or cDnvenience, but as I imagine the main object of the Co. to be th procuring of Furs, nny other arrangements here are to them immaterial. Tii greatest unanimity appears to subsist between the Chiefs Auld & Cook. M. McD. nc To ttrc pent tlial ash( Mem. of Articles to be sent out next year for R. R. S. The Muskets and Ca ice 1 bines left in Store, with bullet moulds complete. iJ Brass Field Pieces. — Gonoi; best Patterson's construotion— 3 Pounders (3 feet long & weighing 1 cwt. 2 qrs. 19 lbs. ycai ^Carriages for do. with rode, sponges &c. complete. A Quorn for grinding grain (it approved of a British Union Flag.) 1 Quart Apple Seeds. Encyclopedia Britannica — bound in calf complete for M, McD. It sent next year or year following as convenient. Hamilton Moore's Complete Navigator for M. McTi. A Quadrant, Soxtant, &c. Arrowsraith's Mtip of North America. — M. McD. The above letter & enclosures was put into the general Letter Box Factory for ship Eddystono. •The dimensions of the Wheels & bulky part of the Carriage need only be sent. may tban at Yo: nisei AN( To W To the Bight Honhle. the Earl of Selkirk. YF. Hudson's Bay, Gth Oct, 1811. j^^j My Lord,— The people going homo have disappointed my expectations ; ttonly formed a com l)i nation together against remaining longer in the country, or ttefflcei have an idea of getting very high wages at homo for coming out again, but 1 hope iw imen of theee will bo taken into our service. I have only been able to engage one man Wdoi two years at £ '.5 per ann., who has been three years inland from Churchill. Wis Mr. Hillier was sent off the 30th ulto, with a party to north side the Ne!^ tlon I sent away my people yesterday to the same place, and follow thorn myself tod; ' Mr. Tomit'on returns with the ships — he has said nothing to me of his intentiornHeJo I have it only from others — We can very well dispense with him — Had he remaiilttbilii he could be of no service to our party, neither here nor at the Red River. — Tb'» plB^i old iLan hurt his back by a fall on the pissago and feels discouraged. OCmeec Mr. Edwards has not been sufficiently careful of tho Instruments your LorJfc|ft hi sent to his charge. The two Barometers are injured — they should have boon; %in back to be repaired, but that he has taken them with him, and I have only learnedCliek. accident since his departure. Y I have taken tho liberty of putting eome letters for Canada under cover to Tfefjp Lordbhip to bo forwarded. I«i|l4 s « czcvu icqaainted with better; as then labo is reponed :omed to go, but e Fttty Yanger the navigation— lirieB respecting )rnoway ; I knev t, but am not cer in Canada in thi of the Army o ,er;i— is in i"^" I- a cold Countr ; the Co. to be tl. rnraatorial. Th ook. _ M. McD. Markets and Ca Pieces. — Genoi: wt. 2 qrs. 19 Ibd. lag.) IcD. It may 1 The weather has been mild and pleasant for some days pas^ —it snowed last night about 6 or 7 inches, which they say will not go off — this is the month of Nov- ember in Canada — I shall be very anzioas for the month of April to commence oar operations, and hope to make then a more agreeable report than the present times can admit of. I have the honor to be, &c., &c., MILBS MACDONELL. My letter of the let Instant communicated fully everything that occurred worth mentioning. To the Bight Honble. the Earl of Selkirk. YF. Hudson's Bay, 5th Oct, 1811. My Lord, — I have this moment been driven back from Point of Marsh by a fltrong North wind, bat hope to get round tomorrow should the wind fall. There are some other drawbacks on the outfits of this year — none of the boats that came out packed up has been landed, there is now no chance of getting them ashore — the Captains are just embarking with the Packet, and there is a good deal of ke floating about. The Boats must of course be taken back to England. I think it best to send them out again — they will be s-erviceable for the people coming next year. I shall build some on nearly the same model for my division, so that the Car- penters here will have to put them together. It is a pity they should be lost. Your Lordships ever sincere MILES MACDONELL. . letter Box I do not think all our Grind stones are landed — there never was more confusion tban in the landing of stores here, Goods & stores for all the Factories landing pro- at Yo lalficuously together, and those to be shipped meeting them on our narrow wharf. — A Newfoundland Dog would be a good acquisition to me. — M. MoD. :nt, To William Cook, Esqr., Governor of YF., t&c . Nblson Encampment, 2nd Nov. 1811. Dear Sir, — We have had a small supply of fresh meat from Mr. Geddes since I (th Oct, 1811. ^mj ^jjg pleasure of writing you last. A party was sent there a fow days ago and I expectations ; tlonly brought three Barrels of salted meat — Mr. Geddes informed Mr. Jno. Sloan, the e country, or tloMcer with the party, that he had orders not to give us any more fresh meat but to ain but 1 hope E' W«erve it all for the Factory. This must surely be a mistake of Mr. Geddes', as I engage one man ««Klorstood both from Mr. Auld and you, that the motive of sending us to this place, Churchill. ^•s to be in a convenient situation to receive supplies of fresh meat for the proserva- side the Nel^ tion of the health of our people. Ihom myself tod; There is fcarcely provisions now on hand for one month's consumption, at the L ^1 jj^f, intention lUleJof 2 lb. of mt'at per. day to a man-& at the expiration of that time there is not a pro- l— Had he reman td River.— Tb-^r ;ed. lents your LorJ- [ould have been ; ivo only learned indor cover to ^J fility of a communication being practicable between this and the Factory, it being uncertain at what time we can cross the river on ice. Our situation bore will eequently be most helpless. We have made every possible exertien to get Gamo, hitherto all to no purpose, except about 3 brace of Wood Partridges which have n killed. We now occupy both sides of the river, and have a party at Sam's k — no Doer have yet been seen. You will please to send my stove pipe by these two men — 10 lengths of sheet along with two Elbows will be suflfitiont — If the smith has not made Elbows, ■4 sheets iron be sent — wo shall endeavour to make them here allho' without a :26-N CZCVlll M I ' jBlacksmiths shop or Tools. — Could you spare half a dozen Tin plates, we are much in need of them. ^^ Mr. Auld might have been crossed every day since Saturday last, & may yet so*^< long as this mild weather continues. I beg my respects to him, and am with true 7" regard My Dear Sir, Very Sincerely Yours, MILES MAODONELL. ID en/ Co the &I to I Sent by two men from south side Party to YF, who returned the 5th InstantOrl and brought an order for Mr, Goddos to give us all the meat he might have whenevei^'ac called for. defi Bapi — — sent Bng. Nelson Bncampmbnt, 30th November, 1811. p^J.^ My Dear Sir, — A. mild day offers to send a boat across the Nelson with th(^0' Express from Churchill, which arrived here on the 28th instant. Ofk I beg of you to embrace every opportunity of sending us skins for Togas, Trousera &c., with twine, coarse needles, &c. The skins you sent by the last Indians have noi''*® ^ yet reached me, the weather being such that we could not put out a boat to crod^^< them. I shall now get them by the return of this boat. 'iipt Mr. Auld was to have furnished us with some whip saw Files, from Charohilli-t pi but I see none arrived. Of course, we cannot possibly saw boards, for want of them^^*®' Mr. A. promised us a quantity of Essence of Malt, Chrystalized Salts of Lemon^o ^ &c,, to ba used as a preventive for the Scurvy, bat says nothing to me in his lettoi'^o© about such. The Scurvy has not yet made its appearance among m, but as oaf®"^ people are now living entirely on salt provisions, and our stock of oatmeal not war fi'" ranting a liberal issue, we are not certain how long that dreadful evil may kooj^^*'*'^ case n ex JOpf urj>o ursui uaib( \ away from us. I am, my dear Sir, Your most obedt. and humble sorvt,, MILES MAODOJSELL. Wm. H. Cook, Esq., Govr. YF. I hope the people with you are recovered from the complaints thoy had whe^^^ you wrote me by Mr. Auld. [i boat, as they may not huve so many effective men as we. ^^ The boats which have been sent from England are not well constructed — tl^^ plan of them was good, but the idea has not been well taken up by the tradesmi •?>] who had never before eeen anything of the kind. The work is very slightly *'*^ imperfectly executed, & there was not time for alteration. The best of them are ^^ < feet long & came out in bulk, but unfortunately were not landed, owing, as I ha '*^' been inlormed, to a difference between Capt Taylor, of the schoorer. East Maine *'ti Mr, Davidson, mate of the Edw'' & Ann. Davidson wanted the boats to be tak ^^^ ashore in the schooner ; Taylor would not receive orders from him, the boats we consequently left in the ship & brought back to England. They would be \ jry C( ^•'^ venient for us next spring to go up. They shall not however be lost as I expf**'y them out again & will serve to transport part of another division of our pecj"**'] Ihose you saw at YF aie too short, too deep, & very slightly put together. P*** All the boats I ever saw used for shoal river navigation were flat bottomed &soi®JP thing of the model of those now at YF ; no others can answer a good purpose, *"® shall cause my boat builder (Thomas Angus) with such assistance as he can hs"**||' from your people, to build next spring two or three boats such as are used on ^f^" St, Lawr'^nce & Mohawk Rivers, they will be easier built, lighter, carry more "^^ managed by as few hands as your boats. When proved to be fit for your rivers he*'**" I am persuaded they will be generally adopted. For these boats I expect to have^.'*'^ the wood, materials ready in course of the winter. ^^^^* Your boats that I saw at YF are in my opinion certainly not the fittest for sl2,^ river navigation & altho' they have hitherto served the purpose must yet be mana r-*^® with much labour & disadvantage. — They are of the construction of whale boats, ®^*^' heavy, & better calculated for sea service than that of shoal rivers. The keols e be a constant impediment, always touching stones in shoal water. From the f they take in the bow & stern a man cannot stand in them to use a betting Pole most essential & indispensable tool in rapids & strong currents. You very justly remark that we have a vast deal of lumber to carry up. A g: deal is required to form a uettlement so distant from resources as that country: is, I should bo at a loss to know what articles among the stores to leave behind. ( Packages have not been well made up, & will certainly require a reinspectiongMti which there will be sufficient '.me in the spring. The private luggage of bothWply officers & men must bo limited. Erom what you state of the abundance of the i poMi try, I am happy to learn that it will not be necessary to bring with ua much nWtioi provisions than what the journey up may require, this will enable us to take a grei*ff«r proportion if not the whole of the other public stores. »dmit That the arrival of strangers among them is not liked by the Orkneymeci^Oirf n the H. B. C is, service, is a thing which might be expected, they have enjoyid ii:^ i cci ^^^^^^=^- ~ exclusive advantages of tho Trade for a long time unmixed with any others; whiho -ei vour opinion might induce them to suppose that no people ought to be employed but themselves. — with rccaid to thi I ^'^ surprised however, that they should act so much against their own true interests robablo that \y, these from Orkney, particularly such of them as have aire idy boan in this C ^he way if witl^^O''^ habits of insubordination, idlono?s, & ina'.tivity will bo very difficult " r nut the matte ^icate. One or two old bands is enough to poi so a any party— they toll th( rthan one exper ijjat they ought to have this thing & that other w'll not require I ^S^keep ihemselves in the back ground. Wra. h '• of boats lor n difficulty, laying down J'ac^or?/ Xat^ (as he explained it) & disobedience; in ot I hone bo verS^*^°°® °^ which I removed him from my pirty on the South side the Nelson. er of rival of ienced men in nc^kirircf water •** ^o^ to reengage their services, when it is understood they cannot do so well by go- • vet tanuot holi *og home. I am much deceived unless many of those will come out again should they I's country iu suffi ^ taken. In my opinion, experience is their strongest recommendation, & should ^^ the assistance o they altogether quit the Country, the Co. can got abandaoco of men from other parts ^o ehort a time a<>f t*^® U'lit®^ ^'"^^°'^» ^ ^^P®^"'®°^® ^'^'^ "^^ ^^^l^'^'*'^^' ^'t^ regard to settling a \^ xtra nhmild wf Colony, pooplo from other parts would I think with j'ou serve the purpose better thaa " ^, >.._.. ^„i ^.„..i..„i „u „f*u — „„ V ..i_„.j.. I- ■''-- Country, to era- poisoa any party — they toll the others thing, — make the whole discontented Finlay has already occasioned a little conse- Any men may t^i"^'^*^'' misconduct will occasion stronger steps to ba taken with him. the inlat What you so much dreaded, the scurvy has at lat-t made its appearance among ga(llB> bat in the most favourable manner; only one man has taken it as yet, & he is Mending. I am in hopes, as it has kept off so long, that no more will be afflicted with W 'onstructed !!**• However hat may be, . could not think of sending any such to YP. as you ^ Vi^ the trade8mi*PP''®bended. Our people a: afar more comfortably lodged than they could beat the t^ verv slio'htlT ^^*'^tO'"y ! & ^^e sick have the benefit & attendance of a surgeon. None of the Essence h ^t of UjeoTare **^ M!alt, Cranberries, &c., which you intended to send by the return of your sledges \T^ "tiff 08 I ha ^'®'^ ^' ^' ^^^ ^'^^^ \iQVQ with us. I have written to Mr. Cook for some of these o g, ^^.^^ articles, in case of the disorder making farther progress — but am in hopes they will ^^^'If'ats to be tak**®^ ^^ needed. 'vi^ tl e boats we I am not sanguine as to any personal gratification arising to me from the ad- Id be \ orv c( '''•'^^®'°'^®'^t °^ t^® ^^"^ Colony, on the contrary have prepared my mind to encounter ^ ^^"l t as I exD('*'*y difficulties and obstructions that may off»3r, and having now so far em- "". . f. ,„.. ^jgQT barked, shall not cease to prosecute the undertaking until it arrives at a slste of ivision 1 1 permanency to ensure its Buccess beyond the probability of a failure. Wit i the and perseverance of this state of per- for this object, J Will much facilitate its advancement. I am very sensible of the unremitted atten- as are us ^^^tiojtt you have all along shown to promote our prosperity. Mr. Cook has likewise iter, cat J j^^-embraced every opportunity to administer relief to our wants, and add to for your 11 , our comforts — matters must succeed when all hands pull together. 1 look on cur 1 expect eitiation here as the best we could have in this part of the country, for the health fiif t fnr rI*''^ exercise of our people, & far preferable, in every respect, to being at Y. Factory, ot the fittest loi^H^^lj^^^^^pj^j^j^^gj^^g^jj.^jj^^.j^^^^g^j^jjjj^ employed; & it is likely there will be must yet DO foind enough of useful labour to keep their blood all wint3r in good circulation. 3n of whale boats, & i b ors. The keols c With time regard, I am, ter". Fiomthef: Dear Sir, ise a betting Pole . ■^ '^ . Yours very sincerely, carry up. Ag: < MILES MAC DONELL. to leave behind, t P. S. — The ration established last year by tho Ilonble Committee at the sug- reinspectiongWtion of the Earl of Selkirk, which you state in your letter of 3rd November, in lufftzai/e 01 bothWJl^y to a letter I wrote Mr. Cook about that time couoorning provisions, could nob boTidance of the cPOiBibly be complied with by our parties here. I was till then ignorant of such w'th us much ixf**^'i being established, & did I know it, could not have conformed for want of the 1 na to take a £Ti(ii'ff*r6nt species, having only oatmeal & moat ; of the oatmeal our stock could only ' ® idmit of one pint to a mm per day with two lb. of fresh moat (venison). As wo the Orkney men '■*<** ^**^® *oc®'*8 *o *''^®^'*^^0''y °°o ^''' ®^°^^^'' ^^^^ ^^ increased allowance of oat- hey have enjoyed lance re ! II ■I ecu meal is what is given at present to our people. This appears to servo them amply for two meals a day, all that I allow them to take. P*' A regolar entry is made of the moat received, as well as of tho othor species o^^ provisions, every pound of which shall be accounted for. M. McD. Wm. Auld, Esq., C.R. Sent by the C.R. Express, 27 th December, 1811. Qlg :iOD Nklson Encampment, 5th January, 1812. Old Mr Mt Deae Sir,— Messrs. Tate & Spencer arrived here labt evening and handed mejj^ your obliging letter of the 2nd instant. We have collected hero all the drift wooi];""' jit for boat timbers that we could between this and Flamborough Head. There i* . not much of it. There is likewise some collected by the party I had on the soutL side the river, and which has since been recalled from there. We have a parcel Oj^ oars and poles here, and when dressed, will, 1 thiik, be sufficient for our purposed But there is not a tree on this side the river, as far as Mr. Geddes's place, fit to ba^ sawed for boat plank. ^1^.^ Mr. Tate informs me there is a quantity of good wood on the south side abovL-ji the house your people were building which he formerly saw and I now send rnci-A^ along with him to whom he will show the place. Three boats is tho number I liaw, made up in my mind that w i should require to build ; I am happy to find that yoDU- opinion perfectly coinsides with mine in this respect. It will be necessary to conclude where these boats can be most convenientl; built. The materials lying so scattered, nothing of the kind can be attempted here I shall have a hut built immediately at the place where tho wood is, and Lave i sawed into boards and planks. None of the boards brought here can be of an service. There is yet a quantity left at the New House which may come into use As you ssy that you have materials for one boat at the Factory, there will not be vast deal required for two more. Tho boats that I s' ^11 direct the construction c will be flat bottomed, & without keels ; they will bo easier built, lighter, can more, & managed by as few hands as your boats which I have seen at the Facton They should be about 30 feet long, tho timbers all shaped alike, with a strong stci & stern. The boards & plank for thoao should be sawed tho length of from 15 to ': feet. ^^M iHii^ ' Mr. Tate is in haste to bo away — in a very few days I shall communicate furthf by a provision party, as we are now entirely out. « I am, my dear Sir, Very sincerely yours, MILES MACDONELL. ] r. H G W. H. Cook, Esq., Gov. YF. CDS ther >8pa Nelson Encampment, 9th January, 1812 My Dear Sir, — I am surprised that Mr. Geddes should make a complairjt Jetc you of the uncivil conduct of our people towards him at to late a period, when! ' had an opportuity of imaediate application here. JS&^ fsfc- I sent a party only twice there for provisions, on the 12th & 22r.d Novemh The first party consisted ol ten men, they carried very little, each man took only ,t much as he thought proper & came off with it as fast as he could, without wai iT|^i, for another. Tho 2nd party consisted of J3 men, with them I sent an officer *)i regulate their burdens &c to prevent them from running away from each othei L |^ fear of accidents through cold &c. The conduct of this parly I know has '''•d^L. regular from the report of the officer, on which I can depcLd. At tho time my ^i* jw CCIU othor species M. McD. Fanuary. 181- them a p } party went, Mr. Hillier sent likewise aparty— it was one of his men who threw Qjaway his blanket. A general accusation cannot so well be taken notice of, bat if Mr. Geddes will atate the charges more particularly, we can yet find out tUe oflfenders, should he rot be able to point them out himself. He dined with us on Christmas Day & staid the night when on his way to the Factory, but he did not give the least surmise of a :30mpTaint against any of our people. You will always, I trust, find me ready to co-operate with you in supporting Older, & to enforce the respect due to an cfficer from inferiors. One of my oflScers, Mr. Michael McDonnell, who went on the 22nd December last with men of his party , for provifeions to the Factory, complains of being left all night in the common Guard ing and handed «i^Bpom among your men. Having arrived at the Factory late at night, frostbit, after all the dntt ^^^oSp^liBclerirg all day in the woods without victuals, being strayed from his people & b Head. Ihoro ihj^^ j,jg ^^y j^ ^^q snowdrift, he could not possibly go away for that night, & was [ had on the soutt^j^^ ^j^y (j^gggg^j ^^u ^ ^.jg^j ^j^^IjIq ^^ walk. I forbear making any comment; & have a parcel o^^ ^jj^ matter candidly as stated to me by Mr. McDonnell, after his arrival here. :nt for our purpose v j jj^^ ggj,(j eight men & three dogs for provisions, according to memorandum es's place, fit to b^^j^^ yf^ h&VQ already Five men in the Scurvy and nothing of either suitable pro- 7i»{ons or acids to relieve them; it is probable that the malady may go through us all le eouth side abov^jj^jggg pj.g^gjj^j^gg QJ.Q jjj Ijme administered. This consideration will serve to regu* id I now send Jt^eij^l^ ^jj^ quantity of antiscorbutics which may be required. It is perhaps easier to .8 the number 1 "8(3,,^^^^^ {^lg complaint, than to cure it after that it hps seated itself in the constitu- py to find that youi^g,^ moat convenientl] be attempted here wood is, and lavei lero can be of an; may come into u« , there will not be t the construction ( built, lighter, can en at the Factor; ith a strong stei th of from 15 to i ommunicate furthf I am, Dear Sir, Most truly yours, MILES MACDONELL. Memorandum of articles to send :— I iSled of Pease, 1 do Barley, 12 yds. Duffi'l, 1 Bundle of Leather, 1 Iron Pot (about 4 gulls.) with Bale. 1 Camp Kettle, Oatmeal, Antiscorbutics. 7. H. Cook, Esq., Govr. YF. )urs, [ACDONELL. January, 1812. P.S. — I am much obliged to you for the puppies you sent. Your good inten* 008 were in part frustrated, as only one of them reached me. The Indian left tho Ihor behind or allowed him to perish. The one that came promises to bo a good og, but his feeding has been very much neglected. Perhaps your stock may afford > spare another as a companion to him. "Whatever quantity of leather you furnished Mr. Hillier with, he has not been iko a complaint )!• to spare me any. The quantity I have had can easily be ascertained. M. McD» [e a period, when: ' f(bl4 «*." * " ' fQoi/oniv Nelson Encampment, 2l8t January, 1812. |d, without wai iT:l|lARSlB, sent an oflScci ijpjj^ articles agreeable to your obliging letter of 10th instant arrived, but from each oth{i.^|j,jley gg^t was of our seed grain for R R. S., it is a pity that it was 1 know has ''J'^ij^ed with. I am obliged to send it back by this party as it cannot be safe lAt the time my ^rA J^om the uneafSciency of our roofs should rain happen to fall in the spring. Il ^f^ 'T'r w ! r I r CCIV The E. R. S, stores are not for confeumption here, there being nothing among of thqj^ eatable kind except what in intended for seed. It ie therefore best not to molestti), them at present further than may be deemed necessary for their prenorvation. I forwarded your packet to Mr. Geddes by an Indian, & for the safety of ou:j^ people going to the Factory for pi-ovisions applied to him for Indians to oat \\^^ straight line of road from the new House to the Factory : This will, I expectji^ shorten the distance & avoid the exposure along the river by the track hithert<3||. followed. Our last party suflferod much from the cold and windy exposure,, severa^f^ were frost bitten. The wind was from the Northward & drifted the snow that thej^j^ could not see across the river. I have to apologize for undertaking this road befo^^j] you were consulted, but the idea only struck me from the sufferings of my last party the case was urgent & I had not an opportunity for communication. Whatevet^ji^ blame may bo aitachod to it belongs entirely to me. The Indians were backward tr^^ undertake it without your order until I pledged myself to defend them harmleaa. ^ ^ ThiS party, under the direction of Mr. McLeod, go for a supply of provision*^ ^c, according to the memo, at the bottom. I have now 15 men in the scurvj;g(|j & Mr. Hilliers has 8, — it is uncertain to what extent this cruel malady may affik us. Mes'^rs. McRae & Edwards visit you at this time, no opportunity offered b^ which I could notify to you the time of their visit. They are companions & cha3ot)|iQc sleep together here, so that you need not b9 put to the inconvenience of furnish ^q ing two bods for them. I have directed Mr. McRae to hand you accts. & efrfu gagements in his possession of people not on my list here. ^q» As to my men going for provisions, there is a standing order to the officer ii)^^, to ht any of them go to the Factory, except the number that may be requisite fm y bringing away any articles particularly required from there, & which may not aJt i at the Tent, & any such I do not wish, to receive liquor or provisions, nor be furnibiiikoi with any articles on their own accts., unless the officer particularly appliton for it. ^ Mr. Hillier k I propose to be with you on the evening of tha first Febrnaijay \ agreeable to your request, to assist in making such arrangements for boat-buildi: as may be necessary. I am, My Dear Sir, Memorandum of articles :■— 10 Gallons Molasses, 20 do Pe.ise, 20 Barley, 20 Moose Skins, 12 yards Duffel, 25 lbs. Muscovado Sugar, 8 Skein sewing Twine, Oatmeal, Bacon. W. H. Cook, Esq., Govr. YF. Most truly yours, ' MILES MACDONELL. he A nd our ccoa ^. H M, MoD. A ^er 1{ Nelson Encampment, 26th Jany., 1812. 'i© tv My Dear Sib, I^^]' I have given due consideration to the suggestion contained in yourlioffen of 23rd inst., of sending some of the Clerks nere immediately to Oas the ccv liing among of th^ynge^ on account of their health (in these sickly times) & the advantage of Baving best not to moles^lie transport of them by the boats next summer. reforvation. There are six gentlemen of my mess — three of them, Mos.srs. Bourko, Edwards the safety of ou;^ McRae, being in a manner staff officers (the two first being professional men the snow that tho]g|]|pur 4 that can accompany parties going for provisions, & with him I could not ig this road beforw(]|^veniently dispense. 58 of my last party I have communicated the matter to Mr. Hillier, & he is not inclined to part cation. Whatovet^lHi any of the young men who aro with hiai. The services of the whole will be were backward tmrterialin ascending the waters next summer. In the boats they will keep the tnca them harmless. 1 their duty, see tho goods taken care of, & give asMstanco to expedite the vojago. )ply of provisionsyi the officers of each party moss with the chief, they run no greater risk on tho len in the 8curvj,0^e of health than we do ourselves. malady may affiu ■ if you think the stock of Antiscorbutics at C.R. an object for two men to go lortunity offered bluto'e instead of one, it would be well to send them. We cannot now tike too many npanions & chu30t>recautions against the Scurvy. Mr. Hillier has 10 men ill with it, & I have !>. enionoe of furnish nm^ however, in hopes it may not make much further progress. Oar people now i you accts. & eirfftk freely the juice of the spruce tree, which abDund here, indeed there is scarcely itxt. other. This is sn approved specific, but it is not an easy matter to get tho der to the officer c^rkneymen to drink it particularly the oli hands, whose example has a bad ef'.Jt may be requisite f>n the others. With the supply of dried meat you have allotted us ("the use of ; which may not, alt meat beincr now desisted from) & other articles you have so liberally offered, ons, nor be furnitbike^yige occabional fresh supplies that the Indiins bring from time to time, I think a articularly appHtop will bo put to its violence. Messrs. Edwards & McRae arrived last evening. Your men proceeded on to- tho first Febrnaitay to Mr. Goddes's. This goes by a party Mr. Hillier send3 tomorrow for provisions, nts for boat-buildi: ^ ^^ ^.^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ r My dear Sir, Very sincerely yours, MILES MACDONELL. mra, MACDONELL. On reconsidering the matter I think lie Antiscorbutics. it may not be necessary to send to C. for At all events it maybe deferred until we meet on 1st February, nd may be decided on then according to existing circumstances. I feel very sensibly our attention in the precautions you have taken & the solicitude shewn for the ccommodation of Mr. H. & myself on the road. Yours, M.MoD. 7, H. Cook, Esq., Gov. YF. M. MoD. Nelson Encampment, Sunday evening, 9th Feb., 1812. LT DEAR Sir, Agreeable to your desire I now send three men to assist your people in what- rer labour may be required, viz , Peter Harper, James Dickson, & Alex. Simpson. 26th Jany. 1812.^® ^^^ ^^^^ "^'O ROod working men, Harper can saw, & Dickson is a Blacksmith and ^'' )0H likewise any common labour, Simpson is not a handicrafstman nor is he indus- ioM, but he is a large strong fellow & may be mcde serviceable, the three are honest itained in your Ifoffensive Orkney men & I think will not be in any way troublesome to manage: lediately to 0» these men accompany a party Mr. Hillier sends for provisions, they will together !l I ' ; ! ; : 1 CCVl take tho now road — bat as yoa will not detain thorn at tho Factory thoy may rtac the Tent as soon by tho new track as if they took the old — it being four tqWP ^ fihcrter. Wo arrived hero in *l\ hours after parting with you. From the Fry., to tho f, Kolpon is 15 miles by new track; & from there to this is 8 miles — making 23 miln|, inclusive, — by the old road it is between 27 & 28 miles. This is a great saving of d lance, besides tho safety & protection from storms. Your kettlo & pot I rotu- j* by these people with many thanks. All my ecurvy men are mending, except o: . man who has been in a desponding state from tho moment ho was first taken ill who I really expect to die, being now reduced to the lowest extremity. To l; liberal me of spruce may in my opinion be attributed stopping the progress of t! . th DOd complaint & tho favourable change in those afllicted. With true regard, I tim, &c, MILES MA.CDONELL, By tho men I send one of the Pit saws. 1 They are victualled to Tuesday night. J Mr. Spencer has arrived & banded me your map of the Nelson. I am ast. nisli how you could have executed so well in so short a time. There was no necessity f jjo great despatch. By tho next provision party which will go towards the later e: of the week, 1 shall be able to send you the accts. of meat reed from Mr. Goddes a likewise from Indians. Tours M. MoD. To Mr. Cook. Nelson Encajjpmknt, 14th February, 1812. I tkin, Mr Deab Sir, j^"' A Combination has been formed by a part cf the men against the authority my the oflScers set over them. Mr. Hillier & myself were taking evidence as Magistratlwrc ot their burning a Hut built for the accommodation ot Mr. Finlay, in tho xn^uid i audacious manner. Thirteen of them besides Finlay are implicated, who ivin< to a man have set us at defiance. There are some others of the old hands tis ms are private advisers & abettors. There are very little provisions, and was thwein abundance I do not think myself justifiable to issue the Cos: property to refractc Mj servants who run counter to all order. It is therefore most probable that th4. 5 men may visit you soon at the Factory, & I think it but reasonable you should hraM 1 this early intimation. There is no fear of us here, wo are yet strong enough to [the 8 tect ourselves, but threats have been held out to intimidate up. Our men goinger© 8 at)y time to the Factory ought not to have access to the place where their Boxes? whc ■wi'.hout an oflficer being along with them, several of them have pistols, &c., & Bothe J« pilfering has been committed from each other's Boxes. '•• ' I enclose an acct. of all tho articles received from Mr. Geddes, in which you noitoi perceive the receipt of tho last article was 2nd December, & since then I have not! I ai anything from him nor Las ary of my men boon there. I know nothing of the 2flrtoe < fat he states to have delivered to Mr. McDonnell. I will be obliged to you to fun nwc me with 2 Quires foolscap paper. men I am, yours, Ac, W pi"' MILES MAODONNELL. Wm. H. Cook, Etq,, Gov. YF. < ccvu pv thoy may rtat Nelson Encampment, 15th February, 1812. being four mWP Mr, Cook. Dkar Sir, — the Fry.. tf>^bo li J jj^^ gg^j ^ parly for provisions; three of thorn are of tho mutineers; j— making Z6 miltn^^, gtmck fff duty and under the denomination of prisoners, they must great eavinp t)t^r«g provisions for themselves from the Factory, which will be issued to them here, jttlo & pot 1 retur^j ^ eeparf.te account kept of it, and I may be debited as usual with all issues at ending, except o:jj^j^j.y ^^ j^^y Qj.jgj, 1 should wish to know, for my guidance, what ration is cu.s- was firnt taken H .nj^yjiy allowed to men struck oflFduty for misconduct, as these are ? extremity, lot. I cannot now undertake to carry on any boat building here. Tho defection of ; the progress oi ii0y|gen strong, eflfective men is a great falling off from my people, it will bo as murh the remainder can do to bring us provisions from the Factory and keep us in fire- ood here. I am, &c.. 1IA.CDONELL. Mem. of Articles : — 1 gall. Port Wine. 10 gall. Rum. 1 keg Molasses. Oatmeal MILES MAC DONE LL. 1 only got 5 spoons, please to send 7 more to complete tho dozen. on. I am ast. .lisli was no necessity f )ward8 the later e: Tom Mr. Goddes a; M. MoD. ■ Nelson Encampment, 25th February, 1812. Mr Dear Sir, — I am happy to learn by your obliging letter of 21st inst. that you arfr February 1812, ^"K ^^ch great progress in boat buildinsr, & the construction I suggested. * le model I left with you, had it escaped mutilation on tho road, was not com- )te. From the conversation we had together I thought you reluctant to decide inst the authority may deviation from the order left by Mr. Auld, without his previous concurrence, idence as Magistrathwrefore forbore pressing the matter or entering into further explanation ; nor did Finlay, in the nnoi^ any explanatory convernation with the boatbuilders on the subject. I am implicated, who ivinced Mr. Auld has more good sense than to feel hurt in not being consulted on the old hands t» iiatter at so great a distance as Churchill, & must rather be pleased at any ina- ons, and was thwtBient that we may strike out for the general good. operty to refract( My model is calculated for a boat of 30 feet long, on a scale of 2 inches to a probable that th?t. The bottom is one inch too wide— or 6 inches on the extension. The boat ible you should h8>uW be at least 2 feet wider at the gunnel, in the middle, than the bottom. Height trong enough to ytlia side nearly 3 feet in the middle, with a suitable rise in the bow & stern. Our men goingore should not be a seam in the middle of the bottom, but a plank reaching from here their lioxesJ whole length, to which the stem & stern are fixed. Could tho bottom be extended pistols, &c., & scthe length of 26 or 28 feet, it would make a vast diflFerence in the stowage of Ing- je. ■ You will find these boats much easier built than those you have been |ee, in which you customed to. Q then I have notl I ftm mortified at how little assistance I now can give «n procuring materials. No nothing of the 20not can be expected from Mr. Finlay & his refractory party. Mr. fl. sent y estor- Igedto you to furc M»n with Five Dogs to bring you the Plank you required from the New House. I UMn returned yesterday from Mr. Geddes's & require one day's respite before they kl proceed to the Factory. I am, &c., MILES MACDONELL. AODONNELL. Pi^^ coviii I i ill Wm. H. Cook, E^qr . Govr. YF. NiLsoN Encampment, 27th February, 1812. n»*i My Dear Sib,— JJJ I om brace an opportunity offering for Churchill to do myself the pleasure if i ■writing' you. it ] lu this wild, desolate, & (I may add) birren region ; ^jocluded at present tr all commanicution with the civilizod world, intelligence of a local can alonojrhi expected. Could wo join in the centinel's cry of" All is well," altho' not att' » lipnt great changes might yet be satisfactory in our isolated situation. We hs jis great variety as generally happens in this sublunary world, of which we hero f'o a true epitome, being composed of men of all countries, religion, & tongues. The Iritiirty & 17 of Mr. Hillior's were already seized with it) regulations were es^j^ lished Ibr the health of the people; to which Finlay refused tj conform. Oojn^ account he was struck off work for two 'hree days, & not intending to go fur!,— a lengths with him, he was ordered to res i work; but this he refused, saying i^q^jj, he would work no more. As ho persisud in this determination altho' ^i'3qQ6|ggjg4 ordered to work, after a week had passed I had him brought before Mr. Hillior,^ j-j Magistrate, where different misdemeanours were proved against him, for whic! f was sentenced to confinement as a refractory servant. Not thinking it any puim j, ment that he should sleep & sit idle in the same house with the other men, I b{,0||. hut built for him to which he was removed, a party he had formed among the pefojjj assembled to the number.of 13 men on the first evening of his confinement, & b^j ^ the Hut to the ground, triumphantly sriouting in the most audacious manners they had got it in flames. tonnt Mr. lliilier & I had all these men brought before us & were investigatin^f g^j matter as Magistrates when th^y refused to submit to our authority and walked a,j.p^ They are now with Finlay in a house by themselves, under no control or regakomi)] subsisted by the Provisions of the H. B. Co. which I oblige them to bring frompg g,. for themselves. None of the Highlanders were concerned in this affair; &yoii(on ^ be surprised to learn that even none of the Irish had a hand in it, they are alljg ||j from Glasgow & Orkney. jl There will be a necessity of sending some of these men home to be tried bjQj p laws ot their country; however detrimental to affairs in the meantime, it will (f^ng such irregularities in future, and tend to the establishment of order and suborj^^ii lion in this country. I shall not trouble you more at present on this subject, a^amfj] are soon expected here we shall deliberate on what is to ba done. le tra The scurvy made groat advances among us, but from a plentiful use of s[p0, ^ its progress was stopped and our people are now mostly recovered, with the ei fffm tion ot one who I am afraid we may yet lose, he being reduced to lowest extroifegtin O ir winter has boon unusually severe with little snow. All kinds of game do^om fc us entirely, and the supplies from the poor natives were scanty, although I amir«lmi vinced they brought all they could possibly spare. Under all these circumstvl alt wo have not suffered any privation of necessaries, and on the contrary werorttdoe coaitbrtable than otherwise. fried CCIZ I had contemplated a trip to visit you at Churchill, but from casualties that F bruarv 181^. might tako place horo, could r'', venture to be absent. I feel very anxious fjr tho ^ ^* * reium of eptirg, and hope to have home useful amusement shooting, Ac. Esldmeaux boots are an article I am informed you have at Churchill. I will bo obliged to you lelf the pleasure if you can jend me a couple of pairs suflBciently largo — they are not to bo procured It YF. led at present Ir I will be happy if you will do me the pleasure to tako up your quarters with mo local can ulonoifhen you come hero. 1 have a spare berth & as you travel with bedding you cannot altho' not atV» lipnt me to inconvenience, ituation. We ha ;Vith true regard, ' which we hero to t j a- , & tongues. I *'«'' «^y <*«" Sir, iho first night ot Most sincerely jours, 's party. Too ,iv MILES MACDONEI^L. rantable act, woj^ j^ ^ iiit, by obliging ir . ^.^j^ 3Ct will not howc tho projudiccB aire id with conseqneri ;ed by me in Octo NiLsoN Encampment, 18th April, 1812. My Dear Sir, — To have acknowledged the receipt of your fnvor, dated 18th ult., by the n the Sourvv (I'^eoplo going from YF. to conduct you from Churchill, would have been merely jgulations were es^jupjjjQgjj^aiy^ ^ rather unseasonable to a person on the eve of departure, t) conform. ^^'^ )n this consideration I trust the omission may be overlooked. As I expect you are itending to go fur'^jy u^jg ^jjjj^ arrived at YF., it will not, I presume, bo deemed improper in me to call ,6 refused, saying \^Q^f attention to the different matters respecting E. E. S., for which 1 may require ,tion altho' treqaeyjgijUanco ^q facilitate the journey to the interior and the necessary preparations to before Mr. Hillier^made prior to our departure. nst him, for wh'c! ij<]^q fourteen insurgents here will require to be disposed of till t-hip time; for I inking it any puim determined (with your concurrence) to send them all to London to answer for ie olhor men, I ^{^^^f conduct. Two young men, Mr. John McLeod from Lewes ard Mr. Michael med among the pefoDonnell, from Ireland, are both well acquainted with all the circumstances, and it confinement, & d^| jj© necessary that they be sent homo to give evidence against them. Idacious manner "> These young men may afterwards serve to get good men for us in their respective AQlltrieB. I would wish, were it practicable, that they should first roach the place .ei'O investigatir^f g0ttlgjjic]r,t^ oj. gg f^r ^p as they could go and return to overtake tho ships. I did irity and walked a-xpoot that some of the delinquents would after a while repent of having jomed in the control or regulaon^ination, would be inclined to return to their duly, & of course be pardoned on mak- em to bring fromog mitable submission for their offence, but instead of showing any such disposi- this affair; & yoilon, the deportment of all, particularly the younger part, has been more aggravat- |in it, they are alljg than otherwise. It would not be prudent to brirg those men to the Factory. 1 do not know of omo to be tried bjoy^j^lace of confinement there, & all intercourse between them and the servants leantlrao, it will ((Atjf duty should be prevented. They are completely out of your way on the North i order and suboride the Nelson, may easily be victualled there during the summer, and may be on this subject, ii^adily embarked from there ; weio they removed further down so as to be out of |ne. 16 teack the Indians take to the Factory, it would be better thaa where they now plentiful use of s[re, 'A net might be furnished them for catching some fresh fish for themselves, but ivered, with tho ei w«twild not be regular as prisoners to give them fire arms for killing game. The to lowest extronoftliiient observed towards them should, in every respect, be such as to detor others inda of game do^oni following their example. Your remark that they should not bo allowed to ty, although I amirohaBe anything from the Cos. warehouses is highly proper ; they have not 11 these oircum9t«i ob order from me for anything, nor shall they (except for provisions), but with- contrary wero rit dtte subordination, no undertakiug of the nature we are now ooncorned in can be fried on. 'il: i- tE I '■ ! i :i i! ' ^ ■ ccx It is very detrimental to us, particularly in the present time, to be deprived the services of so many men. Not only these bat several othera in my opini'^T should be sent homo as incapable, from age & bodily infirmities, of earning tbi wages. Four of this class wintered with me & Mr. Hillier has several, all of {,^ people who came out last year. Such men can be of no service, & it is better3(]» nave a few & all effective than to have a long list of invalids merely nominal rat s at high wages. A descriptive list of men so discharged should be sent to the Cod^^ mittee that orders may be given the Agents against reengaging any of them. gg^ Taking this into consideralion the number to be furnished for my expedition fn^g^^ last year,8 importation mast consequently fall short of the calculations first ma*i ^ From the facility & readineso I have experienced from you to forward the und^ ^ taking I am persuaded that every possible assistance will be rendered. Mr. Coolnti dilligence with the boats is such that they will occasion no delay. Should eva " other matter be in like forwardness we may take advantage of the first of t> | navigation to proceed. It will be requisite that a trader with an assortment of got; for the Indians accompany the settlors so as to give the settlement, in the ti: instance, the appearance of an ordinary trading post, to prevent the jealousy i Indians might conceive against a permanent establi^ihment boinv made in their coisgii try. This measure will be beneficial to the Co., as it will be giving them tJi^f advantage of a trading po^t without being at the expense of establishing and ma i :] taining one. It will likewise bo necessary that a quantity of slops be sent under tini| charge of the trader for the use of the settlers. lO^ I expect about Forty men & 8 or 10 families out this year for R. R. S. k ^§. vently pray they may bo able to get to the settlement before winter, of what oounitiafS they may bo of is uncertain, but I suppose they will be a mixture of Scots & IriatU* I would recommend as little intercourse between them & the men of TF.tJlei^ possible, particularly while your people continue in the discontented state of mihtf^ they appear to bo in at present. Houses for their reception until embarked fortienll Sotilement might be built above the Factory on the south sido the river, at the 1H<|| Shilling Creek or any more convenient situation in that quarter. If built below, i)|||4 people would be visited and disturbed by the crews of the Boats plying between tri^ Factory & the ships, «& various irregularities might be committed which itisbtlya to guard against, 30k Printed orders must be given to the Captain of the Ship the Insurgents are jrkc on board of, to guard against attempts they might make to escape at Stromnogai or any other port the ship may touch at before arriving at London, & even thi a^ untill they are delivered over to the custody of the Law. The expenses of sendiqnfifj home these fellows, as likewise the gent," who go as evidences against them, i M( H. B. Co. & Lord Selkirk will arrange together. Were it practicable, the evideno fail should not take passage in the same vessel with the Insurgents. From the infonhadc ation I have received of the place called The Rock, 120 or 130 Miles above YF, whiivid boats Carrying upwards of Six Tons might reach, it would be a vory C3nvenient! Ml > uation to establish a Post at, both for R. R. S. k H. B. Co. : it migdt be made »ald i principle Dopot for Stores. Your Inlanders might atop there instead of comingB(i,4€ the way down to the Factory, particularly in these turbulent ticnes. In case olotfltt vasion from Americans or other enemies, the Co's most valuable property would Wi safer there than at any place on the Sea Coast. ' yoni The giving my views so freely to one who possesses that minute local knowlo of the country which can only be obtained by long experience, may from a strai appear oflScious & intrusive, but let me assure you, that those suggestions spr from a desire of showing my readiness to join in whatever project may be jud salutary to promote general good. However slender such endeavour may now appt, J^ I firmly trust that my cooperation will yet bo found of essential benefit to the terests of the H,B. Co. With sincere esteem & regard, I am, My dear Sir, Most truly Yours, Wm. Auld, Esq. MILES MAODONBLL. CCXl to be deprived Nelson Excampment, 4th May, 1812. levA in my opin^T Dbar Sir, — es, of earning tb Yoar favour of the 30th ulto : in reply to my letter of the 18th, was handed mo i Beveral, all of tf^gterday afternoon, & Mr. McNab going off so soon attor I could not by him acknow- e, & it is bettorjdge the receipt. eroly nominal rat Whatever becomes of the Insurgents I do not expect their Employers will send 3e sent to the Cofaem to Canada for trial. You had when here ocular proof of their temper & dia- anyofthem. osition. Altho' you clearly & forcibly pointed out the heinousness of their crime, • my expedition frcjgtead of showing an inclination to subrnieslon or compunction or oflforing anything sulations first man attenuation, it only produced impertinent replies to you, k a stubborn adherence forward the und> the part they had acted. Having no personal feelings of resentment against them ndered. Mr. Cooot i^uch as are excited by a wish of forwarding the service I have engaged in, I lay. Should evenoittd cheerfully accede to any salutary moans that could be devised more expedient of the first of tjl|at of sending them home. I feel actuated in a similar manner toward the Irish i assortmentof go<)a||lant8 ; the crime can be fully brought homo to three of them, one of Mr. Hillier's, Llement, in the ii:^o of my party. One of these, from his numetcus relatives and connections in 7ent the jealousy ifUmd I should be inclined to retain for the interest of our Colony, & by his making g made in their cotgiiitable compensation for the injury, I imagine this might bo accomplished. The be giving them \3^ two are notorious bad ehuraciers, & will be a gain to get rid of. bablishing and ma *Your zealous attention to relievo our immediate wants last autumn by a liberal ops be sent under iipBjy of fresh meat, & pointing out this situation for us, to be contiguous for jOWVing additional supplies from the Indians, 1 urn fully sensible of. I am astonished i&v for R. R. S. &bw»ver, the servants of the Factory should make this the ostensible grounds of dis- nter, of vvhat oounrtisfection & complaint. They could have got no part uT Ihat meat to the Factory ture of Scots & Iriatil the month of January, & then but partially & with much labour, it being i the men of YF,»Ue6ted on the north side of the Nelson, at tho distance of about 60 miles from YF. .ented state of mihe dried moat thej'^ took from there ut that time, although far more portable, cost I til embarked forties a good deal of trouble. These people wore in tho meantime receiving weekly the river, at the IUjI^ Hour, with plumbs for making puddings, &g., substitutes that oar men here \ If built below, '«tti^ not have, besides Bacon and Oatmeal. From the uncertainty of what time the ,s plying between *ii^ might be passable to have access to the Factory, our stock of Oatmeal could tted which it is Uly admit of the ''*suo of 1 pint per man per day with 2 lbs of green meat, and our 30hi of that was soon consumed by so many moutis as wo had to feed, very little e Insurgents are >rk or Bacon on hand. A parcel of raw and inexperienced men arriving after a escape at Stromnog and boisterous sea voyrge, at the immediate approach of winter, represented by mdon, & even thl accounts with alarming severi^ 7 of cold, must in a country so destitute of resources expenses of sendqulte necessary aid s against them, i Men who can censure your laudable conduct in leaning to the side of humanity, cable, the evidenn Wrbour within their breasts a very small portion of that virtue, & would catch at From the infonhadow of an excuse for discontent. It would be an unmerited aspersion on the ilea above YF, whiividual charactorii who compose the Hon. Committee of the H. B.Co., which vory convenient' act of theirs justifies, were I to entertain a doubt that your conduct in this aftair ra,i*ht be made mid not meet their full approbation. Did all their Officers partake of your firm- instead of coming 88, decision & perseverance, I am persuaded their interest would be materially )s. In case ofoeitted. property would With true regard (& not wishing you to be in a situation to excite pay gratitude • yonr commiseration & sympathy), nute local knowle j ^^^ always, My dear Sir, may from a stra'i ^^^^ ^^.^j^ yQ^^s, oj::f 1::"°^^ ^ ^ miles MAODONBLL. ur may now appi, |^ld, Esq. I benefit to tho les. irs MA.0DONBLL. tt!^ i li^ r Hi cczu NsLSON Enoamfment, 12th &[ay, 1812. My Dear Sir, — I yesterday received your obliging letter of 10th Inst., touching those poit J^ wo had verbally discussed while I was last at the Factory. I immediate ^ sent for the Glasgow Insurgents & their Orkney Associates — they sought tit ^^ to deliberate on the overture made. At 10 o'clock to day I sent an officer do^ ^ to know their mind, a number of them were out hunting (they having been late ^ supplied with Guns & Ammunition at the Factory) & had not come to any decisir }^ Two of them came up at 3 o'clock, reported for themselves & the rest that they woe j^ all herve the Coy. on conditions. I informed them that no conditions would be grant gg but that of their original engagements forthe time to come. With this they went of j^ two others brought me the enclosed writing which you will please return me whij^ opportunity serves. You see how our good intentions are spurn 'd at by those m mi creant^. These were informed that no such condition would be sanctioned, that tb tbi must take their chance & strive to conduct themselves in a manner to merit forgi ness, but they acknowledge no fault. an The compromifo between Anthony McDonnell & the two Orkney men, if :"^^ exactly according to Law Practice, is yet in my opinion strictly just, for who ism entitled to compensation for an injury than the sufferers ? And if an Act of Par ment deprive us of the means of legal redrets, we can congequently justify the \ priety of adopting eo equitable a measure. -^j I do not fsee my error respecting the venison at the Fishing Wire House. V{ we had from there before 4th Nov., & sometime after that period was brought dc by our people in Boats — some of your people would have come round the point Marsh after the time I came — indeod I am credibly informed it was with much re' lance that men were prevailed upon to pilot round the Points the boats with people some days before I came. The Indians might have been got to bring s( carcases of Deer down in their Canoes, but the Hhds. of Salt Meat could not certain^ be brought in their small bark vessels. What I mentioned about the issue of Eaisins was from reports current 1 which I am now satisfied were not correct. My acct. may be filled up by the vhy i of Molasses & Eum, Articles! had not to give to my people. Molasses I undersitiqn ■was brous^ht in Feby from Y.F., & issued. As to Bum I did not understand a we(«wi allowance of it was given. I gave drams occasionally to my people but my oriitjh preclude me from giving a fixed allowance. th* I am sorry to have said eo much on matters I do not conceive myself to biWii|i any moment. They are talked of now by the people for want of a better excuetptlH some palliation for their discontent and bad conduct. Men who will not cheerf_ submit to the circumstances of the times are not good subjects for us, altho' we liotn unfortunately too many such at present on hand. thaa 1 am always, j,^ My Dear Sir, Flan Your most obliged and very humble Servant, ezne MILES MACDONELL. dcelr oailt< lot ratio iimA Nblson Encampment, pi0r 15th May, ISUIalt. Mas The Insurgents and people here wore assembled to-day at 12 o\ \^f Your notification of the loth instant was read and afterwards delivered to the l^g^f^ Wm. Auld Esq. Sir, COZIlt ay, 1812. gents, who absolutely rejected the terms offered. One of them Wm. Brown would not wait to bear the paper read, & rel'^sed to come back when called, he went down nchiug those poll to the house passed three officers on the road that were sent for the arms, the others ry. I immediate JUlowed ghortly after him. Upon this we immediately armed ourselves & went — they sought tic down with some of the Gentlemen to prevent insult being offered to the three officers jnt an officer do^ ^]io had first gone. These we met returning without having got any of the arms, having been latt j^ suffered grosc abuse with throats of violence. We proceeded on to the Insurgents* me to any decisk lM|npe, by this time they had secreted the arms in the woods. They were then rest that they wot i«[|uii ed by your authority to deliver up their arms immediately. Your order for the ms would be grant (nUrender was read to them, & were further informed of the serious consequences of this they went of ralBsal, that they must be treated as people in open hostility who set all order at ,86 return me wh^Jgllance; they notwithstanding remained inflexible. We left them, & as we came 'd at by those msiiiay one of them, John Walker, went so far as to say, the country did not belong to sanctioned, that th tl^ fl. B. Co., but to the French. ner to merit forgi We are informed that they are in possession of five stand of arms with plenty of Mimnnition — all procured at the Factory, by what means we have not yet learned, * Orkney men, if 'W. Carswell's arms hud been secured before. We are. Sir Your M : Obod Serts. just, for who ism i''if an Act of Par ntly justify the ] Wire HouFte. ,d was brought 1 Wm. Auld, Esq., I Superintendent YF. | (Sgd,) MILES MAODONBLL. WILLIAM HILLIEE, Eoyal Navy. NsLsoN Encampment, 15th May, 1812. di round the point i was with much re the boats with in got to bring sc eat could not oertain^piDnAR Sie reports current 1 The ineurgents have rejected every accommodation offered them as you will seo filled up by the iilMf the document of this date signed by Mr. Hillier& me. The failure of the negotia- Molasses I understum of the 12th inst., I attribute entirely to Mr. Garswell who was with them the t understand a weigWftter part of that day, dined with them & assisted at their deliberations. The part coole but my or&Jkas acted among these true Scotsmen of his, is clearly evinced by the result, even ^ the words of the writing they sent to me appear to be of his diction altho' after- eive myself to biwaids copied by one of themselves. Such mean & base conduct is unworthy of a man of a better excui-iP***i^ularly one in the character of an officer & Gentleman^ will not oheert , The Glasgow clerks — Carswell, Fisher & Brown, have all along kept up a constant for us altho' we lintwcourse with these insurgents, of which I have ample proofs, and the countenance ^' thas given has been the means of keeping them hitherto so firmly linked together. On my acquainting Mr. Hillier with this he has sent the two first down to the Hut DMur Sam's Creek to remain close there till further orders. Brown stays with him at Flamboro' ; as he thinks ho can answer for his future behaviour. You do yourself unmerited injustice if you harbour a doubt of my being fully aiMared of your solicitude for the success of the undertaking under my charge. I have Servant, experienced every cooperation & advice from you that my most sanguine wishes could MACDONELL. d«ilie & that one Gentleman could expect from another. TheEe Glasgow rascals have OMUied us both much trouble & uneasiness, a more stubborn, litigious & cross-gra'^^d lot were never put under any person's care. I cannot think, that any liberality of rations or rum could have availed to stop their dissatisfaction. Army pr Naval diMipline is the only thing fit to manage such fierce spirits. I shall sign no more ^MPMENT, piwnsion orders for them, but refer them to the Factory should they apply. Their 15th May, ISl^taNk conduct has put them more completely in our power. The arms they have 3an«vail nothing against us here, we have three times the number they have — that ioili ^^^ however excuse the Factory people who supplied them. 0-day at 12 <^J #1 inclose you a letter from them — the contents of which I am ignorant, — they delivered to the imm|| gone too far to be yielded to now unless they are very submissive indeed. ^ 126-0 COZIV ;,! I jr ir I ■( Tom* caution with respect to the Indians, shall be strictly attended to. Excoi haste— I cannot write as I would wish — Believe me to be always, ( My dear Sir, Most truly Tours MILES MAGDONELL Wm. AuLD, Esq., YF* I9ELS0N Encampment, 21st May, 1812. Mt Dear Sib, Your favour of yesterday was handed me last night. To suggest any means! forwarding us inland required no apology to me, 1 am only sorry this baokwar ^ season will not admit of so early a departure as we could wish. It would not I ' right to lose any advantage within our reach for the transport of stores, particular when so many untoward circumstances conspire against us that require exertion M surmount. You have therefore my ready concurrence to dispose ot myself &peop ^< for the advancement of this desirable end. oin I herewith enclose a list of the effective men & the officers now with me tt -^o you may decide on what number of them shall be sent across the river. Some c W cers must of course be with the men wherever they go, & not one half of those w ^ me are required here. Prom this to Flamboro' Head the river is extremely rongl ^< there is no snow for hauling by land ; however, these are trifling impediments ti ^4 we can overcome. I imagine some where about the place where the small house '■ burnt will be most centrical for the party that goes across. The two men I e ' send will require assistance of men and sleds to bring the tents. There is an indifferent carpenter here, a very slow hand ; I will send him to! Factory if required, What is to be done with the Boats here ? They are yet fast ^^ the ice & cannot be touched. I enclose a return of the Delinquents & non effective men for your informati I am my dear Sir Most truly Yours, MILES MACDONELL. ITm. Auld, Esq. Mr ofl — Fwot Nelson Encampment, 22d May, 1812, with My dear Sib, ^7 yon 1 At this late period an hour should not be lost. I now send Mr. McLeod witbwhet men across the river to be ready for any orders yon may give ; they are the ift mc effective of my people — I may reinforce them with two more men, you know . ,! whole strength is not great. The majority of men here is made up of Felons, ]*«§» gents, 2 non effectives. I wish you could employ Michael McDonnell, he & anoniMt Gentleman here, retain such animosity against each other that it does muoh ham ehall be muoh disappointed if he does not make an active & good officer. ^^^y My carpentar, John M°Kay, has broke one of his ribs & is consequently unfiflontr any thing at present. locedi ■ 1 1 ocxv ended to. Bxcm [AODONBLL. To Sir. M'Leod I have given a memorandam of articles for R. B. S., that may be transported, the whole, or part, to the Bock in the first boats. We are baalked for want of sleds for this party — the going to Flatnboro' Haai is so very bad that the large wood sleds c&nnot be used. In haste I^am Dr. Sir, Yours most truly, MILES MAODOXBLL. Wm. Auld, Esqr, Snperind* YF. 2lBt May, lol^* ffgest any means 1 arry this baokwai a. It would not I f stores, particulai . require exertion leot myself &peop s now with me tl he '•iver. Someo )Qe half of those ^T IB extremely rong ing impediments t! e the small house 1 The two men 1 e 'will send him to; They are yet fast or your informati Nblson Encampment, 22d May, 1812. ||r DEAR Sir, I have no objection to your using the two newest boats. Mr. Hillier has sent Milher clerk or man across, I shall see him to day & endeavour to get one of his ^erks to be sent to join Mr. McLeod— probably MoKenzie. There is so much water ■on the ice I had to get Indians to conduct my inexperienced people across. Three 4ipw go ; the last I shall send. Those men sent are my prime ; a jaunt to the north will 4be good for them along with your people — I have only aevea left. ^ As we cannot all remove from here, I think it neoeasary to remain myself till 4]mi last, on account of the diversity of character among us, as well as those by whom «iv«i are surrounded. Adieu. — I am always. My de.ir Sir, Most truly yours, MILES MACDONBLL. 'Wm. Auld, Esq. Nelson Encampment, 24th May, 1812. MACDOISBLL. Mt Dear Sir, I have this moment received your favour of yesterday brought me by two men of Mr. McLeod's party — I do not perceive any thing it can forward my being at the Factory nor south side the Nelson-it is certain I can neither make effective men nor alter the season. noampment, ^be crossing is so very bad that I took the precaution of sending Indians as guides 22d May, 1812. with McLeod, & likewise with Mr. McKenzie, & three men that crossed yester- day to reinforce McLeod; a few lines I wrote you by the men yesterday will inform yon that I remain here till the Nelson opens. Had this arrangement been agitated M McLeod witti^J'Mrt* Mr. Hillier & I were last at the Factory it would have been more effectually thev are the A Vtfte conveniently executed than at present. I on vou knov« . s^he Wax or Bosin in Mr. McLeod's list was intended for the bung holes of the H "^ of Felons, lJt«§| containing the seed grain : The spirits of wine I entrust to your better judge- Irinnnell he & anoMilil W Hinea much haro ipy letter of the 18th April is explicit with regard to the Insurgents; and as Id officer. th^ hold out against all overtures made, I see no other ;3lan to follow. If you can , nently unfi'^**'*'^^® *°y better mode of dealing with them 1 shall bo well pleased and readily jonseq j ioc«^ to it. Instead of sending a party as usual for provisions, I am informed the nhQi$ band went off yesterday in a body to the Factory. 126-oJ CCZVl There is much water en the ice and the croesicg dargerous, I have given order to Mr. McLeod not to allow any of his party to venture over after this. I don' know how these two men will get hack to him. Good bye till you see me conii ^d the Point of Marsh when I shall have the pleasure of taking you by th hv. i. Yours most truly, (Sgd) MILES MACDONELL. Wm. Auld, Esq. 'ti : X n to w sa Nelson Encampment, 29th May, 1812. My Lord, To give Your Lordship a proper account of this country, would require abiliti & more minute knowledge of it than I possess. A cursory view of York Facto: & some account of those belonging to it as far as come within my observation is i I can attempt. The Factory is built at the distance of 100 yards from the North Bank of Hayt Elver, in low miry ground without a ditch. The stagnate water by which it always surrounded except when Frozen, would be productive of much ill-health l; they a longer summer. The chief Building is two storeys high & covered with le ^ — the whole badly planned & as badly constructed, make but an indifferent appe; ance, inconvenient in every respect, & not at all calculated for a cold country. Eooi all laid out & connecting with each other by narrow cold passages. The best roo. have grates such as are used in England for burning coals, out of which the front b;'^ are taken to get wood into to burn on end. All iheir chimneys are deep nan -^ holes with straight jams, the wood is burnt in them on end, & except immediati 41^ in front the heat goes principally tip the chimney, there is neither a Canadiar ^^ Swedish stove used in all the country. There is a ground cellar under one par ^^ the building, but it keeps nothing from freezing, and for want of a drain it is ( ♦^ • stantly filled with water, until the frost sets in hard. The site of the old Fact ^ about half a mile below was in my opinion preferable, on a dry point, where Ha; ^i Eiver & a Creek coming into it washed two sides. The French had a Factory miles above before they gave up the country at the Treaty of (Jtrecht. ^^ The whole pile of buildings except the Launch house & canoe store, are .^^j rounded by a single pile of pickets forming an oblong square of 400 feet front tCuj, river & 300 feet depth. The pickets are about 18 feet above the ground & so slei^^' & open that they would give no security against an enemy. A store called g_ Launch house built close to the wharf on the river bank, is annually in dange^-^i being carried away at breaks up of the ice in spring. To guard against this cagujjjJ the stores mast be timely removed into the Factory. Last year the water at^QQ] breaking up of the river flowed into YF. and the people had boats ready mannfnujJ the front gate to save themselves and some of the property. There is no garden cultivated at "SF. I am convinced, however, short atjpjiJ season is, that abundance of green vegetables and potatoes might je raised. A^ den formerly cultivated at the old Factory produced well. The present chief I: taste that way. On landing last fall I saw cabbages at table for dinner, butinQi were brought from Churchill where a garden is cultivated with success. Tho fffor ] is here too short for raising grain bat good meadows might be made in every puipi have yet seen. The land is level, wet and gener&lly covered with moss ihrfchit which grass frequently penetrates. 1 imagine wherever grass grows wild it %{g>| grow by culture. The banks of rivers and ravines are from 15 to 200 feet high c^v immediately on the sea coast where the shore is very flat, and back from it a gn rise. This affords a facility for ditching. There are three cows and as many ^UK?t at YF. Hay is procured from islands in the vicinity, and could famish fodder ^liWJj*-, C.CXVll have given order iter this. I don j70U see tne akicg you con by tt lACDONELL. .MPMENT, J9tli May, 181-. ould require abilit; w of York Facto my obBcrvation is • :^orlh Bank of Haji vater by which it •congiderablo stock wore the people expt.rt in making it, instead of curing and stack- ing ou the spot whence it coatd be brought away easily in winter, (the Islands not being Hobject to overflow till spring) they only cut what is close to the water's edge •nd bring it away in boats to the Factory to dry. To the want of vegetables tt the people being very gross feeders may bo ascribed in a groat measure the scurvy at YF. and although they are not altogether strangers to this disorder at other Factories on the Bay coast, it is more prevalent at York than anywhere else. For the cure of this disoi'der many expensive articles are given which might well be spared. An Orkney man of last year's importation had by the Ist Feby. when I paw him at the Factory, drank out a Hhd. of English Porter with some gallons of Port Wine, & had besides used a quantity of crystalized salt of lemon, essence of malt & cranberries without getting well, while my men recovered. in a short time by simply drinking the spruce juicp. Spruce is the prevailing wood here & I believe of all these northern parts ; were it an object that would pay, tons of the essence might be sent home, it ii called the pine by the peop'e, who were quite ignorant of its beneficial qualities, spruce, poplar, & larch are all the species iji wood that grow to trees, and these are of a very moderate size, the last ia called Juniper, There cannot be much improvement made in the country while the Orkney m«n form the majority of labourers, they are lazy, spiritless, & ill disponed, — wedded to old habits, strongly prejudiced against any change however beneficial. It was „ -rf Witii the utmost reluctance they would be prevailed on to drink the spruce juice to F much ill-health b gj^^^ themselves of the scurvy ; they think nothing of the scurvy as they are then & covered with k j^j^ ^ their wages run on. The Ojs. provisions are of the best quality. I have not an indifferent appo: g^^ better issued from His Majesty's stores, and these people are as well fed as ser- i cold country. Kooi ^^j^^ u^qJ ^q Jq any country, yet these men who at home live in the utmost poverty, igoB. The best i^oo; -j^^JjIq ^q^q f^j. bQJng deprived of superfluous & costly articles of luxury formerly )f which the front b; Sjyjgbed on them. It is not uncommon for an Orkney man to consume 61b. or 816. neys are deep nan ^£ Ij^g^^^ jjj ^^ (j^ya^^j gQ^^g Ij^^^ ate as much at a meal This gluttonous appetite & except immedial n^^ gay is occasioned by the cold. I entirely discredit the assertion. A; I think it leither a Canadiai ii^^qi. to bo natural to themselves. The last winter was more intensely cold than jllar under one I^^' any former on record, yet the men I had with me showed no extraordinary symp- t of a drain it is ( fgj/g^Q of appetite. AU the labour I have seen these men do would scarcely pay for the e of the old Faci yiQ^^alg thoy consume, \7ith 25 men belonging to it the Factory was last winter y point, where B'^! distressed for firewood, & the people sent to tent in the woods. ib had a Factory >' The Factory men, particularly the old hands, have done their utmost to prejudice Utrecht. thl| new comers against the Oos. service & the Country altogether ; they have but too & canoe store, are ^,,,^1 gypf^eeclQd in their iniquitous purpose ! —These wretches are so malicious and of 400 feet front to ungrateful that they would exult in the ruin of those who furnished them the moans he ground & bo e'^'of sibsistonce for so many years, and in whose service many have ac(^uired fortunes. y. A store called gy ^q sapineness and indecision of the officers in not timely putting a stop to the g annually in dangtgynmjjiing of a few troublesome men by their removal, dissatisfaction has been d against this caBngHof^ecl to pervade the whole body of their people who are now in a state of open year the water a^general discontent. Mr. Auld does not appear to want either decision or firmness but boats ready niancen^^g supported by his officers he cannot alone stem the torrent. Many of the Cos. servants I have seen are unfit for service, & a mere imposition. 1 bowever, short aigpli^ men inland I am informed are superior and indeed they would require it, other- I'ight be raised. A^f{§|l they could never get up the rapids. Eighteen or twenty of the men shipped at he present chief b!gt(fr OOZVIU •who in 1782 offered to defend the Factories against the Prenx ' -efuee now to come to the Goose Hunt & feel indifferent on all occasions to obey the oru<;rs of the Cos. cfficcrs. There are no chiefs among them & they are in the otmost state of individual debasement & depravity that can be conceived. It is a melancholy reflection that during their long intercourse with the Whites they have not acquired one moral virtue, nor is the faintest idea of the true deity to be found among them. *(Prom here a piece has been torn to the extent of 18 lines). should benefit thereby. As they had sawed them themselves, it was thought they had a right to destroy them if they chose it, a!tho' by their engagement their whole time belonged to the H. £. Co. It is surprii^ing the Co. never encouraged men to bring out their families to this country. A few families might bo well accommodated at each of the different Fiict- ories. The women could find sufScient employment in making and mending cloaths, washing, cooking, &o., &c. Were this the case the men would bo more contented and feel more attached to the country than they do. The children growing up here would be fitter to serve in carrying on the trade than those men imported, and a great deal of the iniquitous and scandalous connection formed with Indian women would be at an end. Every married man at present who can lay by a small sum is anxious to go home to join his family. *(The same space as above amiesing owing to the piece torn out). Mt Lobd. Nelson Encampment, 31bt May, 1812. I joined my people here on the Tth Oct.. two days alter I had the honour of addressing a few lines to your Lordship from YR, and after making two unsuc- cessful attempts to get round the point of Marsh, succeeded the third time, but was lost for three hours in a snowstorm without a compass. I found the people in tents pitched on a narrow flat on the North side the River Nelson, fronting the upper & largest Seal Island, with a bank of about 130 feet high in the rear. The men had leather tents ; my ofl5cer and self used those of Jheeting ihat came out. This was the place pointed out for us by Mr. Auld. Altho' Mr. Hillier and I were desired to land from the ship the day after her arrival, to concert a plan for wintering— we were not consulted. The huts were commenced according to a plan Mr. H.& I had previously settled at the Factory. For some days all the men wrought promiscuously together & being awkward & inexperienced, the buildings made very slow progress. I then made a division of the men with Mr. H. I took those I expected for R. R S. amounting to 36 according to the enclosed return. A few others besides thef e wintered with me. On taking an account of provisions on hand, found our stock of oatmeal would tumish httle better than a pint to each man per dav till the 1st January, & it was uncertain that we could have access to the Factory till that period on account of the nver. A good quantity of fresh & salted venison was supplied us at the Fishing Wire house, about 30 miles above this, & was brought down in boats by our people, bait Fork and Bacon we had, but it was thought imprudent to give much of it to the people for fear of the scurvy. ^ ^j the 26th Oct. all the men & oflScers got into the Houses: these were in an jrreguiar line along & fronting the river, built of round logs, the front side high with a shade roof sloping to the rear, & covered over the timber with moss & clay near a foot thick. Boards for the floors* births were ready sawed to our hand, we had only to bring them in boats from south side opposite Flamboro' Head, where a house Jjad been begun by the Factory people for trading; CCZIZ some to cflBcers. lividnal ion that e moral ^ht they lir -whole esto this ent F«ct- gcloathfl, jontented g up here Qd a great icn would ,s anxious tmeal would ry, & it was jcount of the t the Fiehing y our people. lofit to the , were in an ide high with fc clay near a band, we had jvhere a house i We made fences of a couple mileB extent on each side the river with snares in them for killing deer, but the deer did not come about in the fall as usual. Wo had consequently no fcuccess that way ; I placed a party opposite to us on the south side — we had another down towards Sams Creek, on the north side, for the purpose of hunting, — all to no avail ; even partridges that the country used to swarm with, deserted this part so much that with all the czertioas made we did not kill above 2U0 of them. The natives brought us throughout the winter occasional supplies of fresh & dried meat & some fish, all they could possibly spare to take from their families, — so that we suffered no privation of food. The ice took on the river the 18th T)ecm. with a high flood and nnuetually rough. A few days afterwards the men were eet to work to make a road across by cutting down the rough ice & put up balifses, Gomme ils font en Canada. The 91h Jany. I sent the first provision party to the Factory—an oflScer 8 men & 3 Dogs. This duty was afterwards continued weekly thro' the winter. The provisions were dragged on Indian sleds. A man hauls in this way from 7Ctb to lOOlb wt & a dog as much. We made our own sleds, bought snow shoes from the Indians & likewise some sleds. An officer always accompanied the men & had instructions to keep his party together, to make regular stops and if any man lagged behind the whole were to wait for him ; by these precautions no injury from the frost happened our people altho* they went on these journeys when the thermometer was sometimes at 50° bo'.ow 0, They performed their duty as well as men accustomed to the climate could do. There being no Game caught I withdrew my party from south side the Biver on 27th Deo. Will. Finlay, the man I engaged at YF., was joined to this party on account of his experience, but he soon began to form a party ibr himself, against the officer Michael McDonnell ; this being reported to me I crossed in a boat 2nd Deer, with a crew of new hands & had him brought to the main body. This rascul was afterwards the instigator of much mischief. On the night of the Ist Jany. a most violent & unprovoked attack was made by some of the Irish on some of the Orkneymen of Mr. Hillier's party. Thoinformatioa & complaint given on oath before Mr. Hillier & myself as Magistrates which I have the honor to enclose (Document No. 1) contains a full statement of this affair ; too much liquor was the only incitement. Mr. H. always gave his men a Saturday nigbt3 allowance of rum, & Xmas and New Years day a pint to each man. My men got drams occasionally but none any allowance. At Xmas& Now Year 1 gave way to their importunity & conformed to my neighbors example. Three Orkneymen were 80 severely beat that for near a month afterwards the Surgeon could not declare them to be out of danger. Three Irishmen, two of my party & one of Mr. Hillier's were Kost culpable, one of these of my party, Anthony MaoDonnell, I got the sufferers to compromise with for a sum of money; not being able to speak English he was drawn into the fray by the two others, he will make a good settler, is strongly con- nected in Laggan (Coy. of Mayo) and will b© the means of bringing out many of his i relations. The two others are worthless blackguards — the lash may make thenk serviceable to Government in the Army or Navy but they will never do for us. I trust ifthey should get clear of this scrape that means will be taken to prevent [them from reaching their native country where their false reports might be detrimen- jtal to the Colonial Recruiting. All those concerned had to give securities for the 'eace, for a twelve month. The Scurvey attacked some of our people in Deer, and afterwards became very reneral, so much so that it was apprehended there would not be eflfective men to- »ring provisions for the sick from the Factory One man died, Robt Montgomirie. 3y the plentiful use of spruce the violence of the Scurvey was checked, & early m hhy. the men were recovering fast. The people here were entire strangers to the lirtues of the spruce, and did not even know that to be the chief wood of the Country. fit wns a difficult matter to get the Orkneymen to drink it particularly the old hands id from their example others declined. ccxz Willm. Finlay first Bot tho example of disobeying my order to drink the spruce, at the moht alarming time of tho disorder ; for this I put him oflf work for two or three dnyn and not intendiacc to go further lengths with him he was ordered to resume work, but this he refused saying he would work no more. As he persisted in this dotermination, altho' frequently ordered to work, after a week had passed, 1 summed up his conduct when detached with Michael MacDonnell with what took place here and had him brought before Mr. Hillier as a Magistrate when different misde* meanors were proved against him as Your Lordship will find in Document No. 2, for which he waa sentenced to confinement as a refractory servant. Not thinking it any punishment that he should eat, sleep & sit idle in the House with tho other men, I had a Hut built for him to which he was removed. A paitj he had formed among the people assembled to the number of 13 men on the first night of his confinement (12 February) & burnt the Hut to the Ground, triumphantly shouting in the most audacious manner when they had got it in flames. Their huzzaing brought me oat, I found them all at the Hut, & had their names taken down on the spot. Mr. Hillier sat with me next day when we had these Insurgents brought before ii commended, and probably at a redaced salary. We mast immediately have some kind of judicature in the colony. No Govern- ment is so fit for such an establishment, in the beginning, as a military one ; I imagine that once in possession of the Koyal Commi^^sion, martial law might bo OHtablished by a proclamation, but I shall require forms; in support of this some coercive power may be necessary ; a company of 50 men would be sufficient, in the first outset, they would be mounted in the country, to act as Infantry or Cavalry a» the service might ro(|uiro. A war with America, t suppose, would facilitate the obtaining this from Gove ament, as they would naturally wish to strengthen every part, & if ready raised troops wore objected to, the men could soon be recruited in thooe parts of Ireland & Scotland irom which the families are brought. More com> panics might in time be added if required. Should Military Law be established within the tract all traders must take out a License, which may answer a good purpose with the N. W. Co. The present state of the country requires strong power to bring it to order, and if we are to have Glasgow weavers, or others of similar principles among us, instead of being formidable to the Indians, or other external enemies, we may all be over- torned by one tumultuous onset of our own people. Seeing people well prepared often prevents mischievous consequences. I submit all this to Your Lordship's most serious consideration. Numerous letters passed between me & Messrs. Auld & Cook. Copies of a few of the most important I have the honor to enclose- Mine are chiefly m reply & in Justification of oni'selves and measures, and as moderate as I could possibly word them, to avoid giving the least shadow of umbrage that might occasion the withhold- ing any support required ; but without any intention of yielding in any material point. Business in this country cannot be carried on entirely by writing, althoagh they appear to be fond of long letters & forming systematic arguments^ Liess writing & more active operations would in my opinion be preferable, & more beneficial to their employers. People here make it a rule to describe the country to strangers in the most unfavourable manner, the most alarming accounts are given, & every circnmslauce greatly magnified. It was openly said last fall that many of us must fall victims to the severity of the cold in Winter, & to the scurvy. Wo have already defeated these assertions, & I expect will overcome all the difficulties that now oppose us. At the suggestion of Mr. Auld by letter of 20th inst., I sent two officers & the most effective of my people across the river on 22nd, to be ready there to take early advantage of the opening of Hayes Eivor for transporting a cargo to the Rock. When Mr. Hillier & I left the Factory on 10th instant, the plan Mr. Auld proposed was that we should all wait the breaking up of this river & aesemble together at the Factory before anything further could bo concluded on. The hauling was extremely bad when my people Crossed — they had to carry their provisions & for great part of the way on their backs, the ice was doubtful, with much water over it, tt they being strangers I took the precaution of sending Indian Guides along to conduct them safe over. I remain here with my staff & a few men waiting the breaking up of this Eiver. I have not said anything of the Nelson, as the chart that Mr. Hillier is about making will be fully explanatory. I cannot yet say what party 1 shall have for going inland — that can only be ascertained after getting to the Factory, from whence I shall com- municate further. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient servant, MILES MACDONELL. Kt. Hon'ble The Eabl of Selkirk, ^W f i COZZUI *'w William Finlay & tho Glaegow irsurgentw I imagine are trying what lengths we can go with them, & no doubt they have many abettors at the Factory. There is a neceEsily of making an example of them ior the future benefit of affairs hero, how- ever detrimental and expensive to us at present. I do not expect they will be sent to Canada for trial ; although Mr. Auld thinks that by the Act 43 Geo. III. c. 138, all natters respecting this country are cognizable in the courts of Canada only. If that is the caee adieu to legal redrcEs for H. B. 1 hope they will in the meantime be put on board a man of war, to perve until claimed for trial. Their pay then might be stopped until the Co. is reimbursed for advances made & expenses incurred through them. This I am informed is a thing frequently done in the Navy. It is painful to lose so many effective men at a time they can be so ill spared. I will not vet send them all homo if there is a possibility of avoiding it. The rascal Finlay has been the occasion of all this. I have no reason to change the opinion I first formed of many of the Glasgow writers in consequence of their irregular conduct at Stornoway. Two Highland lads, Andrew Stewart & Don'' McFherson, who went to the Southern Factories, are excep- tions. They are both yonng men of good character & conduct, had 1 known so much of them as I do now, they should have come to YF. They may if thought nec- essary be sent to Winipig from where they are, as readily as from here. Mr. Sloan is likewise a very good young man, but is unfortunately bent on going home, with what propriety I cannot see, after signing a contract in the usual way. The doca- ments & papers referred to here will accompany the original, to be sent from YF. M. MoD. Nelson Encampment, 19th Jun9, 1812. My Lord, By a lino received last night from Mr. Auld I am happy to inform your Lordship that the Insurgents have at length come into terms, acKnowledged their guilt, &, have thrown themeelves entirely on the mercy of tho Committee, so that none of them shall now be sent home for the affair of the 12th February, they crossed fron» here to the Factory on 24th May, & thought the ice too ungafe to return. Mr. Auld turned them out of the factory & refused them provisions untill they surrendered their arms, by this decisive conduct towards them, having no leader, the Glasgow writers Carswell, Fisher, & Brown being on thiB side the river, as likewise "Wm. Fin- lay who had remained behind ; finding themgelves destitute & unsupported, they im- mediately came to a proper sense of their situation, & submitted. This is so far well, they are however lost to us, as I cannot think of taking any of them to R.R.S. The mutineer Finlay, & the two Irish assailants are yet to be disposed of. I am detained here by the ice, — altho' the river has opened 4 miles below us it is yet choked up here, the ice has frequently moved but stopped again for want of a sufficiency of water in the river to carry it off. We are caught in a trap & cannot help ourselves. This season is the latest ever known, the Factory river only opened on the 5th instant, there was no inundation, & the schooner is safe. My party went on a trip to the Eock on the 10th, so that there is something going forward altho' we are pent up here. This goes by two Indians Mr. Auld is sending off express to Abany with letters for England to be put on board the Prince of Wales, Capt. Hanwell. I enclose a duplic- ate of my letter of 31st May, to give Your Lordship the earliest information respect- ing UB. The papers referred to in the duplicate would take too much timo to copy. I shall enclose them with the original from YF, with such other matters as may CCXXIV occur till our departure, I phall accompany Mr. Hillier tomorrow in ♦^^ho survey of the Nolson M tar up as it id opoii. I have the honor to be always My Lord Your Lordships Most Obedt.» And very humble servant, MILES MACDONBLL. The Hoi.ble., The Earl of Selkirk. Sent with the foregoing letter under cover to Capt- Hanwell, H.B. Co-i Ship Prince of Wales, East Maine, by two Inds, going Express. Addressed to Wm. Kerr, Esqr. Secy., G.P.O., Edinburgh. York Factory, 4th July, 1812. My Lord, Sunday afternoon 21st June the ice moved a little in front of our encampment, & cleared the mouth of the creek our boats were in, but remained still fast below. I expected wo might by goinjr up a mile above Seal Island, gain the South Channel which was open. With this intention everything was embarked & we left the place at 12 oclock next day ; much ice was drifting, we had four boats, two of them very largo & unmanageable. I got round with 3 men in a small boat and arrived at the Factory at 6 o'clock next morning 23rd June, the other boats put back, got entangled in the ice, & by the awkwardness of the people, they being chiefly non €ffectivej», one large boat got adrift & was abandoned by the crew. She contained the stores and luggage of myself cSi party, & was found by an Indian two days after- wards stranded on couth side the river near the Factory path, completely wrecked and the lading sti!' in her. She had floated there by means of a quantity of boards and oars that had be' n placed under the lading. I sent a party from here and had all the things saved, with little damage from having got wet. The i30 opened at the Seal Islands, and the rest of my people came here 25th June. Mr. Auld thought it best that 1 should wait till the people from inland should arrive, no particular party could be assigned me till then ; the men were in the mean time employed in transporting my siores along with the Cos goods to the mouth of Hill River. Mess" Bird, Sinclair, & House arrived the 2yth June, and on the 1st Instant the men were divided. 22 is my portion out of 49, all that are effeotivo of last year's importation. The people are so fluctuatirg that I cannot yet send a list of my party. A man of one nation is prejudiced against going with one of another. I ahall go on with any number, take possession of the tract & hoist the standard. It will never do after this to take the colonists from among the Cos servants, the Orkney men are so averse to labour that they prefer the Cos service to agrioal- ture, and all being engaged in the name of the C^ ihey object to serve in the colony thinking it a separate concarn. The common servants have entirely the rule here. Mr. Bird's men came down yesterday iu a body from the Rock, contrary to the express orders of their chief, who left them above to be transporting the goods over the carrying places. I shall get up by mixing my people & stores with those of the inlanders ; some part of my stores must unavoidably bo left. No assistance from here is promised next fall to those coming out. I cannot possibly aflford them any <& I droad the families wintering: her-^. in which event some must perish, & the report will spread far & wide. I shall endeavour to send Mr. MoRae down from Winipic to meet the n, & thore is a chance of my engaging some of Mr. Bird's free inlanders. I kaow the little exertion of people here, & the oonfnsion at ship time. there is not a place alotted for the reception of the colonists, they must of ooarae lay in tents. ♦ V ocxxv ly ofthe LL. Oi Ship to Wm. 812. apment, it belov. bannel he place em very rived at >ack, got efly noa ontained ys after - wrecked jf boards and had led at the id should the mean mouth of m the 1st feotivo of Bnd a list another, idard. servants, ) agrioal- lie colony rule here, jiry to the cods over h those ol: anoe from them any perish, & own from iird's free ship time, ooarae lay 41 V ♦ ' 1 To Mr. Bourke I have granted leave to go homo at his own desire, & enoloso his letter. He was only an encumbrance to me, irregular & eccentric in his conduct as clergyman. He has no sway over his flock, & religion is turned to ridicule among strangers. If he can do any good to the colony in Ireland it is well ; as a priest ho can be of no service here, particularly in the infancy of the settlement ; i\c I hope Your Lordship will not be in haste 1o send him out to us. We must, however, im- mediately have a priest, and he ought to be an exemplary steady character. Such a one will be of very great advantage. Mr. Bourke's people know nothing of his going home, ho remains here on pretence of waiting for those coming out to go up with them. I congratulate Your Lordship on the Eiver Nelson being found capable of admitting ships of any burden, there being suflScient water within a short dis- tance of Flamboro' Head, as Your Lordship will perceive by the chart & report of Mr. Hillicr which I enclose. Mr. H. went from here two or three days ago to take the soundingr across between the beacons on the point of Marsh and Sams Creek ; & the day before he set off, it was said at the public table, that a man c :uld wade across there at low water 1 I trust the navigation of it all the way up will be found more practicable than people hero give out, in short, there is nothLng hut discourage- ment to bo heard from them on every side. I send tramples of stones & sand found in abundance at our wintori'jg place. Mr. Bourke who may justly claim the merit of the discovery, supposes them to be of the most valuable kinds. Diamonds, rubies, &c., &c , and gold dust. Should they be found valuable on their analysis, immediate advantago ought to be taken of it. Your Lordship might obtain a grant ofthe Nelson with a mile on each side of it from the H. B. Co. 1 have enjoined the closest secresy on Mr. Bourke, & no peison here has the least idea of the matter. We may make further important discoverius in going up. No particular accompts for my party last winter can yet Lo settled. The con- sumption of provisions for all the men of la:-*, year's importation is to be kept together to be properly arranged hereafter. What shall be iupplied me here to take up, must of course be a distinct part. I shall never attempt to build a boat here again by Factory men, the act' made for those already built is enormous and the work bad. Your Lordship will see by it, how the people pass their time, two or- dinary carpenters ought to build one of these boats in eight days, having the m.iter- ialb furnished to their hand, as these had. I have drawn on Your Lordthip for £13 stg. in favour of Misses Flora & Ann MoDonell & likewise for £7 in favour of Jno. McDonell, Knoydart, on Mr. Anderson £din. as easier negotiated in the Highlands, both dated 20th Juno, I take the liberty of inclosing an order for a few books I wish to have sent out next year. We cannot depend on this Factory for the supply of any stores for R. R. S. as they have not many articles we require. I shall therefore have to make ar Indent for next year of such as may occur to me along the road. I leave here to-morrow with Messrs. McRae & Edwards in company with Mr. Bird. I have the honor, Vc, Your Lordships Most Obt. & very Hble. Servant, MILES MACDONELL. Rt. Honble. The Eabl of Selkirk. Four Irishmen are to be sent home. Higgins & Hart for the felonious attack on the Orknejmen, W"'. Gray, non-effective, & Hugh Redden, who lost his arm by the bursting of a Gun given him to firo off by Mr. Brown, one of the Glasgow Clerks, M. McD. List of books sent from YF. S"* July Dictionary, Spanish & French. Grammar Spanish. Don Quixote in Spanish. 1812. CCXZVl V,, Act for punishing mutiny & desertion & articles of war.... Ss. 6d, Light Horso drill 18a. Whitmore's General System of British Tactics 7s. 6d* The Soldier's friend, a new pocket vocabulary in six languages 6s, Nineteen Manreuvres — Dundas. Gixelic Books. Eonald McDonald Collection Gaelic Poems. Vocabulary Gaelic & English — by Bobt. McFarlane, Ed. McDougal & McLauchlan's Collection of Gaelic Poems & Songs — Fort William. Gaelic Proverbs — by Charles Mcintosh Esqr. Alexander & Don Stewart's Collection of the works of the Gaelic Bards— 2 Vols. An Azimuth Compass. W NOTE G. VISIT TO NIAGARA. JouBNAL OP Oapt, Enys, 28th Reqimknt. 11S1. 1787, July 18th. — From hence to Fort Slossor is about a mile & a half or two miles on a perfectly straight and good road, at which place we at length arrived, after being four hours on the road from Niagara, which is only fourteen miles. On our arrival we found dinner over but we soon got a mutton chop, which we had no sooner swallowed than wo all set out to sre the Falls taking Mr. Hamilton of the 53d Regiment for our guide, who having commanded FortSlosser for some time knew his way. After passing through some fields and a small piece of wood, we came to the river side at an old saw mill, about a quarter of a mile from the brink of the Palls. This view alone is worth going many miles to see. The current, which is very strong move than throe miles above the Falls, is here increased by many causes, for the river which grows naturally narrower as it approaches the brink of the cataract, is here divido