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British Columbia Historical Books Collection
Barker, Burt Brown, 1873-1969
McLoughlin, John, 1784-1857
"Contains much of British Columbian interest. The original letter-book was purchased by the editor from a previous owner. Copies of all but ninety letters are in the Archives of the H.B.C. but the remaining ninety are unique copies as far as is known. Appendices: A. Names [biographical dictionary of people mentioned] - B. Forts [mentioned. Historical notes.] - C. Vessels [involved. Historical notes] - Technique of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Columbia district.- Notes [on points in the various letters]"-- Strathern, G. M., & Edwards, M. H. (1970). Navigations, traffiques & discoveries, 1774-1848: A guide to publications relating to the area now British Columbia. Victoria, BC: University of Victoria, p. 189
iv, 376 pages : map (on lining-paper) ; 25 cm
application/pdf
Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin Edited fay BURT BROWN BARKER Letters of Doctor John McLoughlin 1829-183P These letters were written during 1829- 1832 at Fort Vancouver, and present a full picture of the varied and colorful life at the great fur-trading post. They have not heretofore been made public and contain material not found in the archives of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. There is no source more valuable — or more interesting — for the history of the entire Pacific Northwest during the years they cover. They are not only the record of the fur-trade, with descriptions of its methods and records of business done, but contain much material as dramatic as a novel and of compelling human interest. Dr. McLoughlin had troubles. There wrere the normal ones created by American sea-captains who traded in the Columbia River and along the Northwest Coast in sharp competition with the Hudson's Bay Company, and caused by the wreck of supply ships and the partial failure of trading expeditions. One of* the Company's sea-captains, for example, was a drunkard; Dr. McLoughlin dealt with him in a manner beyond (CONTINUED OX BACK FLAP) HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY FORTS MENTIONED IN THESE LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ARE SHOWN ON THIS END-PAPER MAP, WHICH ACCOMPANIED A PARLIAMENTARY REPORT IN 1857. IT COVERS THE AREA FROM PRESENT CALIFORNIA TO ALASKA; DRAWN ABOUT 1856-57 SHOWS OREGON AND WASHINGTON TERRITORIES, AND BRITISH COLUMBIA AS COLUMBIA, SINCE THE PROVINCE WAS NOT YET CREATED. REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION FROM HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY MAGAZINE, THE BEAVER, MAR. 1946 IP letters of dr. john McLoughlin WRITTEN AT FORT VANCOUVER 1829-1832 EDITED BY DR. BURT BROWN BARKER Past President of the Oregon Historical Society, Vice-President Emeritus of University of Oregon DY THE PACIFIC PUBLISHED BY BINFORDS & MORT FOR THE OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Portland, Oregon, U. S. A. 1948/ COPYRIGHT, BY BURT BROWN BARKER PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY METROPOLITAN PRESS, PORTLAND, OREGON, U. S. A. INTRODUCTION THE letters herein are from an original leather-bound. letter book kept in Fort Vancouver at the time the letters were written. What happened to it after that has not yet been determined. The writer first heard of it about February 1, 1940, and purchased it on February 20, 1940, from a party living in Lapeer, Michigan. In reply to a letter asking how he came by it, he wrote under date of June 14, 1944: "The information pertaining to the Hudson Bay book is rather vague. I acquired this book from a sheep rancher in the Northern Peninsular of Michigan about fifteen years ago; and he told me, at the time, that it had been given to him by a friend of his father; but how he acquired it and where, he did not know. "I have made several attempts, in the last year or so, to contact this man, but have been unable to do so. He no doubt has moved, or perhaps may be dead." No other information regarding the letter book has come to hand. That it is an original book and was kept in Fort Vancouver is evidenced by the fact that fifty-two of the letters are in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin and duplicates of all the letters except ninety have been located in the archives of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. So far as is known these ninety are to be found herein only. The normal procedure appears to have been for Dr. McLoughlin to dictate the letters to a clerk who wrote them in the letter book. They were later copied and sent to the addressee. They, in time, found their way into the archives of the Hudson's Bay Company. As a rule they . #* were copied as they appear in the book. This fact has been ascertained by comparing them with the copies found in the archives of the company in London. Mostly they were copied verbatim, but occasionally there were changes, and some of the letters in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin were changed materially. Whether such changes were ordered by Dr. McLoughlin when he later re-read them, or were the editorial work of the clerk copying them, is not known. As a rule, the letter located in the archives in London is an improvement on the letter as it appears in the letter book. As printed herein the letters are as they appear in the letter book, care being taken to follow the original faithfully in all matters of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc. The letters in the original handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin are so indicated by a note at the top of the letter. If part only is in his handwriting such is indicated in a footnote to the letter. By way of illustrating the changes which were made, letter No. 215 is printed as it appears in the letter book and also as it appears in the copy in the archives of the company in London. This represents the most extreme case of changing or editing of any of the originals. Judging from the different handwritings both in the letter book and the copies in the archives of the company, several different clerks both wrote the originals and the copies. The clerk writing the original did not always write the copy. It is evident that the clerk unemployed at the time took the dictation or wrote the copy as occasion demanded. If none were at liberty or on duty, apparently Dr. McLoughlin took the book and wrote his letter therein to be copied and sent later by a clerk. Occasionally a letter in the book not in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin is signed by him, but as a rule they are marked "signed," indicating he did not sign the original in the letter book. But all the letters found in the archives of the company are signed by him. «i A number of the letters in the letter book are marked "not sent" and have lines drawn across them. In some instances those so marked were found in the archives of the company, showing either that the person so marking the letter was in error, or that, on second thought, the writer changed his mind and ordered the letter sent and no notation was made to indicate the change of mind. There are some unfinished and unsigned letters. They all appear herein, as it is the purpose to print the letter book as it is, intact. On reading these letters one is impressed with the infinite details of the business which Dr. McLoughlin had to supervise. Apparently there was no one to whom these details could be assigned, or, if so, he was unwilling so to assign them. As a result we find him not only passing on matters pertaining to the policy of the company in his district (Columbia), but giving detailed orders as to the location and shifting of men, horses, trappers, freemen, boatmen; also, he supervised the building of saw and grist mills, and the manufacture and sale of their products. He indicated the uses to which the lands were to be put, even as to what to plant in a local vegetable garden. He ordered what a post was to produce and the use to which the produce was to be put, even to the exchange of produce between the forts. He had to see that all forts were properly supplied with men, food, horses, trapping materials and goods for exchange. He gave instructions as to the rate of exchange of goods for pelts, whether the goods were blankets, guns, ammunition, food, traps, beads, cloth, clothing, or other articles of exchange. This rate he would change as competition at any fort made it necessary. The letters are full of such details indicating that his life was one of great activity and that he was in constant touch with every department of his district, which was the largest under the control of the Hudson's Bay Company. The appendices are not intended to be exhaustive studies of the subject matter with which they deal. Rather they are meant to give sufficient information to make the letters intelligible so that the book will be self-contained. The letters are the all-important material and the appendices are merely suggestions-in-aid. The justification for their publication lies in the fact that they show the activities of Dr. McLoughlin in the conduct of the affairs of the Hudson's Bay Company in the region west of the Rocky Mountains before the presence of either missionaries or pioneers raised the question of permanent settlement of the land for domestic purposes. The reader is in a historically sound-proof observation room watching the great fur company carry on free of the clash and clutter of the conflict which followed. I wish to express to the Hudson's Bay Company, its Governor and Committee, and especially to Mr. J. Chad- wick Brooks, its former Secretary, my sincere appreciation for their kindness in allowing me the use of the material in the archives of the company in London; to Mr. E. E. Rich, the editor of the Hudson's Bay Record Society, my thanks for his suggestions regarding the letters; to Miss Alice M. Johnson, assistant editor, a further debt of gratitude for her kindness in reading part of the manuscripts, and for her invaluable suggestions regarding the same; to Mr. R. H. G. Levesen Gower, the archivist of the company, and Mr. T. A. Mayhew, his assistant, for their unfailing kindness in putting at my disposal the material in the archives; to Mrs. Lewis A. McArthur, widely known for many years as Miss Nellie Pipes, librarian of the Oregon Historical Society, for her infinite care in comparing the transcripts of the letters with the originals in the letter book and for her very helpful suggestions; to Miss Dorothy Johansen for supervising the transcription of the letters; to Mr. J. Neilson Barry for helping to identify the names of rivers and places not clear in the text; to Mr. Lancaster Pollard, Superintendent of the Oregon Historical Society for a guiding hand throughout the course of the preparation of the material and its publication. Burt Brown Barker \ m Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin Letter Number 1. No Copy in Hudson's Bay Company Archives. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. John McLoughlin. Fort Vancouver 11 th March 1829 Samuel Black Esqr. [C. T.] [Fort Nez Perces] Dear Sir Inclosed is the Invoice of Sundries forwarded by the present conveyance for your District as the Vessel is not arrived you are aware we have not the Tobacco you demand nor the Materials for Gun Locks You will have the Goodness to Deliver to Mr. [George] Barnston seventy of your Best Horses and Mares (if you have so many) and it would be desirable you could spare [Francis] Carpentier in Exchange for [Antoine] Plante to assist Mr. Barnston in bringing them Down Carpentier will be sent Back to you Immediately on Arrival and you will send down Plante with the Brigade—I need not observe how necessary it is for the Interest of the Concern that these Horses come down by the present opportunity and that you assist Mr. Barnston with any Little supplies he may require and your Stores afford. I am sorry to say the American Brig Owhyhee Capt [John] Dominis Entered the River on the 28th ult and is now anchored opposite Fort George. It is true he cannot make any thing by this measure yet he will Injure us. I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Mr. [Donald] Ross will leave some pieces with you to remain till the Brigade goes up LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 2. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 11th March 1829 John W. Dease Esqr [C. T.] [Fort Flathead] Dear Sir Inclosed is the Account of Supplies forwarded for your place Mr [Donald] Ross will leave the two cases Beads and Bag of Ball at Walla Walla and take the other Articles forward Your Mill Irons you will find as Complete as you required Mr Ross has also a little White Wheat which though Injured will in course of time give you seed I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 3. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 11th March 1829 Mr Francis Ermantinger [Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir Inclosed is the Account of Sundry supplies for your place the case of Guns and two Bags Ball are to be left at Walla Walla I am Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I Letter Number 4. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Memorandum for [Donald] Ross At Walla Walla he will leave Boat No. 2 and Give Mr. Barnston the following men [Antoine] Plante [James] Hool [James] Baker and Pierre Charles he will take < 40 CoPPer KettleS ne win taKe ( 1 B^ T R to Okanagan ( 1 Bag Ball ( 1 Keg Gunpowder ( 1 Case Guns ( 1 Bag Nails and plow share to Colville / junk ( 1 Bale ( Iron works for the Mill The Remainder of his Cargo he will Leave at Walla Walla to which place the Colville and Thompsons River Gentlemen may send for any of their pieces they may require he will inform Mr. [John W.] Dease it is necessary he send down to Walla Walla (after supplying the Quantity required for the Brigade) forty Bushels Pease and Corn to Remain there for the Snake Expedition in the Boats going up their are For 2 Bags Ball Walla Walla 1 pair Smiths tongs [Nez Perces] a Bale 1 Tea Kettle w LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Recapitulation and Distribution of Mr. Ross's Cargo Thompsons River To remain at Walla Walla To go on 1 case Guns 1 40 lb Copper Kettles 1 Bale 1 1 3 Bags Ball 2 1 1 Keg Gunpowder 1 Colville To remain at Walla Walla To go on 1 Case Guns 1 1 Canton Beads fine 1 1 " Comm 1 1 Basket Open Copper Kettles 1 Bale 1 0 1 Junk 30 lb I 1 Plough share 1 Walla Walla 2 Bags Ball 2 1 pair Smiths tongs 1 Tea Kettle 1 1 1 Bale 1 For the Depot 13 Bags Ball 13 3 " Shot 3 6 Kegs Gunpowder 6 Mr Ross will Bear in Mind if possible all that is Intended for Colville ought to go on J. McLoughlin H LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 5. No copy inH.B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 12th March 1829 Mr. Donald Ross [Clerk]1 [Ft. Vancouver] Inclosed is Lieut [AEmelius] Simpsons Report which is to be Included in the Columbia Documents to be Deposited at York You will see by the Date that it was received prior to our Receiving Mr [J. G.] McTavish's Intimation that these Documents were to be copied on a particular paper I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 6. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. [Mr. Archibald McDonald, C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Fort Vancouver 22 March 1829 My dear Sir Yours of the 11th Instant reached this [place] yesterday Evening which is very fortunate as the Documents accompanying will Enable us to Close our accounts. But as this is merely sent to Endeavour to open a communication with you by means of Indians [such] as we have between LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN this [Fort] and Walla Walla [Nez Perces]I will confine my observations to such objects as suit the conveyance— and to facileate our views it would be well to remunerate the bearers of of this Liberally—that hereafter they may be desirous of conveying our Letters with the utmost Despatch I am sorry to have to inform you of the Loss of the William & Ann [as she] Crossed the Bar of the Columbia of [on] the Evening of the 10th Instant in Company with an American hermaphrodite Brig.1 The Convoy of Boston. The latter after crossing the Bar shot ahead and kept her wind close to the north Breakers the William and Ann hoisted her studding sails—and in the act of putting about missed stays. The Anchor was droped but the Vessel drifted or swung on the Breakers—the American saw them Hoist out their Boats—and sent his [boat] with his mate to their assistance—who could not get on board Next morning seeing no vestige of the Vessel it was supposed as the tide was going out that she had drifted out but in the Evening of the 11th an Indian at Clatsop brought a Hat to the princess2 asking her if she knew it and to whom it Belonged informing her a vessel had been lost supposed by them to be the Cadboro on reaching [the place] next day two of the Boats were found in Clatsop Bay—and a little after on the South spit half of the Hull, she split from stern to stern with a few triffles of the Cargo, none of the Bodies as yet have been found—This Misfortune deranges our plans—her Consort the Ganymede parted from her in the Bay of Biscay and in [on] her Cargo will depend our ability to fullfill your request which is as moderate as we could Expect. Besides the Consort the Owhyhee belonging to the same [American] concern Enter'd the River on the 28th ult and are anchored opposite to Fort George in opposition to us they are mere coasters sell their Blankets for three skins and Guns for six though their Goods are inferior to ours LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN we have considered it advisable to Lower our Tariff to their standard and as they intend to pay a visit to De Fucas Straights It would be necessary you took such precautions as your means will admit to draw all the Skins you can from that quarter It will be necessary you Lower your Tariff to the present standard your Request of Grain Garden seeds Cattle &c will be attended to The Governor has written you and you will receive his Letter by the Cad- boro I am Sir Yours Truly John McLoughlin Mr. Arch McDonald Letter Number 7. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Memorandum for Mr Ross The derangement these Misfortunes have caused us prevents prevents the possibility of our sending you Lieut [AEmelius] Simpsons accounts they must remain for the Fall and I have explained this to the Governor I send you the Memorandums I wish to call your attention to I need not speak of sending us all the Documents you can to enable us to keep the accounts together. . Canning last year was brought forward from profit & Loss Dr £50—19—51 when it ought to have been as per agreement only £37—10— Add to Requisition for Shipment 1829 36 dozen Bottled Porter a Steel Mill for Fort Langley Mr. McDonald writes he has fined Delonnais2 half his years wages—it does not appear in the Accounts—At all : r LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN events it Should not be Charged—Speak to the Gov. about it if charged before you transfer it to your accounts. 1 iBushel Red Clover seed for Ft Vancr [Vancouver] to be added to shipment 1829 Lacharite3 has given notice of his intention to quit the Service next year 1 Bushel Buck Wheat to be added to Shipment 1829 Put the Gov. in mind nine Boats will be required from the Interior and that three new Boats if possible should be left at W Walla for Mr. Ogden. Letter Number 8. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 24th March 1829 John Warren Dease Esqr [C. T.] [Fort Flathead] Dear Sir I beg to observe that we require Nine Boats for the Summer and if possible three Ought to be left at Walla Walla for Mr. Ogden and his party it is necessary that twenty-four Bags Corn be sent to Okanagan for New Caledonia and a sufficient quantity to take Back the Brigade from Walla Walla to the Interior and Sixty Bags to remain at Walla Walla for the use of the post and of Mr Ogden and party it may be you have not that quantity and which I merely state to shew you our wants that you may know how to act We have no Bags and you must use Leather as a substitute You will recollect it will be necessary to lave [leave] at Walla Walla for Mr Ogden the following Articles 10 Good Lodges 30 Elk Skins m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 100 Chevreuil Do [Doe Skins] 60 Appechemons1 40 Saddes 400 fm Pack Cords The Thompson River Men will be sent down to assist in Bringing down your Boats and if you have Corn to spare above the quantity I have requested and also the flour above your wants it would be proper to forward it to Oka- nagan as it will be more within reach I am Sir Yours truly Letter Number 9. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 24th March 1829 William Connolley Esq [C. F.] [Ft. St. James] Dear Sir Annexed is a Copy of a letter to Mr. [John W.] Dease which as it shews our Wants will Enable you to see What is to be done Nine Boats positively ought to come down though perhaps fewer will suffice to take up the Outfit after taking your Wants out of the provisions from Col- vile you will transfer the Remainder to Thompsons River I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin William Connolley Esqr If LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 10. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 24th March 1829 Mr. Francis Ermantinger [Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir It will be Necessary you send your Men to assist in Bringing down the Boats from Colville and I need not say that the Summer Man at Okanagan should be directed to be particularly careful of the provisions left there If their should be more than Mr. [William] Connolly requires it will be transferred to you and It may perhaps save all the trouble of going about for provisions I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 11. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 28th March 1829 Mr Donald Manson [Clerk] [Ft. George] Dear Sir Yours of the 24th Instant reached this on the 27th in the Evening and gives a sad Account of the trade however it cannot be helped as Long as we have Means we must do the Best we can to oppose our opponents and I send you Every thing you ask Except the Guns Which we have not and of course this must be Kept a secret even to our own people and Evade the Demand by saying you omitted to 10 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN write for them or that I did not send them or that I object to sell our Guns for four Skins—as may best suit your purposes if the Americans are going away it would be well to say the Last by way of preparing them to return to higher prices on the other hand if our Vessel is in the River and the Americans give out they are to Remain or Return you may give out that I write about bringing the Guns down to two Skins—But this must be in a way not to pledge yourself. Indeed even if the Ganymede is not Arrived and that the Americans are not gone it would be as well to throw this Hint out—if we have none to sell ourselves we may oblige Our Competitors to Reduce their prices When the Ganymede Arrives you will hand Captain [Leonard J.] Haynes the Inclosed Dispatch note and let the Dispatches be forwarded with the Utmost Diligence I am Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 12. Capt. Lfeonard] J[ohn] Haynes Dear Sir I beg to observe in reply to your note of yesterday that we could not afford to give more than one thousand dollars for freight to Wahoo, and that for this Sum we would be entitled to Ship on board the Ganymede what ever quantity of Deals1 Rafters Logs & Cord wood we think proper and that you land the same at Wahoo I am Dear Sir Your Obedt humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 4th June 1829 11 w LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 13. Fort Vancouver 17th June 1829 Archibald McDonald Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir As long before this you must have heard of the Wreck of the William & Ann and of the melloncholy fate of the crew you are not at a loss to account for our long delay in sending you your supplies which are as ample as the state of our stores will admit and inclosed is the Invoice Bill of Lading and mens accounts which I hope will be found correct. Lieut [AEmelius] Simpson ascertained in his voyage to the Sandwich Islands that boards of 1 inch thick 1 foot broad sold in retail for one hundred dollars pr M feet if you have no other employment for your men they would pay their wages by sawing Boards, and I wish you could inform me how many Barrels of Salmon you think you could Salt and the means you would require for that Purpose. Lieut Simpson is able to give you every information relative to the sale of Salmon Deals Shingles & timber. You will please give him as many potatoes as he may require and if you could spare some for this place they would be acceptable [Pierre] Charles is sent to you, and you will send here Mr [Francois] Annance and [Amable] Arquoette [Joseph] Pin [Pierre] Thervien [Francis] Carpentier [Ana- wiscum] McDonald and [Louis] Boisvert—but you will bear in mind that twelve men is the complement of Fort Langley and if you prefer these men whom I have named you can Keep them and send others in their place I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 12 ym LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 14, Fort Vancouver 18th June 1829 [To Lt. AEmelius Simpson] Dear Sir You will proceed to Fort Langley and deliver your cargo to Achibald McDonald Esqr or person acting for the Hudsons Bay Company at that Place, on your way going and coming you will if possible touch at Cape Flattery to trade with the Natives as to touching at other places or how you are to act toward the Clalams1 you must be guided by circumstances and the information you collect on the way wishing you a safe and speedy passage I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 15. Fort Vancouver 11 Augst 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir Accompanying this you will receive your Outfit &c as p account which I hope will be found correct—and though not so ample as you demanded still I hope will be found sufficient for your trade—I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin In the Bag marked NP[?] orders you will find the flour and sugar charged your men. Mr [William] Connolly has your packing account and District Book You will take out of the Depot to Complete Your Outfit Nine Bags Ball One Bag Shot and five Kegs Gunpowder Mr Connolly will 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN settle in Regard to [Louis] Andre whether he is to go in or come down. Letter Number 16. Fort Vancouver 11 th July 1829 John W. Dease Esqr [C. T.] or the Gentleman in charge of Fort Colville District Sir with this you will receive your District Book and Outfit, the latter as complete as our means would admit. We have added Mr [Nicholas] Montours supplies to your account so as to enable you to withhold them should such a measure be necessary Thomas Petit and Richard Layland are on their way to Canada there are heavy accusations against them, you will please keep them in confinement and if you apprehend any chance of their making their escape you will put them in Irons I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 17. Fort Vancouver 11 th July 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [Ft. Nez Perces] Sir Please deliver to William Connolly Esqr four 14 U3S LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Bags Ball, two Bags Shot and one Keg powder (for Col- vile District) out of the Depot at your place— I am Sir Yours truly (Sign) John McLoughlin Letter Number 18. To the Gentleman in Charge of the Express for Columbia Department Sir Please give Mr Francis Ermatinger one or two men if he should apply for them I am Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 11 th July 1829 Letter Number 19. No copy in H. B. Co. A. To His Excellency the Gov of the Russian Fur Compys1 Establishment Columbia River Fort Vancouver 20th March 1829 Sir 1. This will be handed to you by Lieut [AEmelius] Simpson of his Britannic Majestys Navy and superintendent of the Honourable Hudsons Bay Companys Marine Department on this coast, who proceeds to the northward with the object of surveying Harbour of Nass where we have it in view to form an Establishment for the purpose of Trade with the Natives next year, and is directed to visit the Rus- 15 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN sian Fur Companys Principal Establishment of New arch- angle with the desire of opening through you, a communication with that highly respectable association which I hope may in due time become mutually advantageous to the interests of both concerns 2. The Chartered Company which I have the honour to represent—I doubt not is known to you by name and character, and in saying that its Settlements Sc operations extend in North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the mouth of McKenzie River at the Frozen ocean and from the Atlantic to the Pacific it will be giving you an idea of its Mercantile importance 3. Our attention to this side the Continent has been hitherto directed to the business of the interior Country, but we have it now in view to extend it to the Trade of the Coast, and to connect therewith the discovery and Settlement of the Interior Country up to our most Northern limits—This will place us so near each other as to afford frequent and facile opportunities of communication, and will I trust enable us to cultivate to Friendship, an acquaintance which we have long been desirous of forming, our wish being to establish with you an intercourse which may have for its end, the promotion of each others interests, while we are exceedingly anxious that our proximity should not give rise to any feelings of Rivalship or Competition in trade which could not fail of being highly injurious to the interests of both parties. 4. The service of the Coast we know to be one of great danger from the daring and formidable character of its numerous savage population, but a strict adherence to the terms of the convention of 28th Feby 1825 between our respective Governments with regard to the sale of arms, ammunition & Spiritous Liquors, together with our own means of defence and measures that may grow out of a good understanding between both concerns are I think likely to 16 is Tl LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN render our respective dealings with the Indians less hazardous than they have heretofore been, and consequently enable the Russian Fur Compy and Hudsons Bay Compy to conduct their business on a less expensive Scale than could with safety be done if such measures were disregarded. 5. Our Imports from and exports to England employ one Ship annually and occasionally two Ships, and our supplies are laid in on the most favourable terms directly from the Manufacturers, we learn that you have not any regular or direct communication with England, it may therefore be convenient or desirable for you to have a regular supply of British Manufactures through us which we should be willing to furnish annually to the extent of 50 or 100 Tons or even more if necessary at a Moderate advance on Prime Cost to cover charges and yield us a reasonable profit and in payment we should be willing to take Furs at a saving price, or your Bills on St. Petersburgh or London, in Specie as you may find convenient, and as may be agreed on. 6. We can likewise undertake to furnish you annually with from 4 to 5000 Bushels of Grain of different descriptions and 8"to 10,000 lbs Salted Pork & Beef, for a term of years, at moderate prices, if you require such supplies. 7. Lieut Simpson will show you the description of Goods imported by us, but if not adapted for your Services, and that you furnish us with specimans or accurate description of the articles you require and the prices you would be disposed to give with the mode of payment we shall let you know next year if we can meet your views. 8. Chief Factor McLoughlin the Principal resident Superintendent of the Honourable Hudsons Bay Company's affairs on the west side of the Continent will be happy to hear from you in reply to this communication as I am now on the eve of proceeding to Europe and I hereby pledge myself as principal representative of the Hudsons Bay Company that any business arrangements which you may enter 17 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN into with that Gentleman or with Lieut Simpson will be confirmed and fulfilled on our part. 9. In conclusion, I beg leave to assure you of our anxious desire that the same good understanding should subsist between the Russian Fur Compy and the Hudsons Bay Compy that so happily exists between our respective Governments: and that it would afford us much pleasure to have an opportunity of being useful and of shewing our best attentions to any Gentlemen connected with your Establishment who may favour us with a visit. And recommending Lieut Simpson to your Civilities & good offices, I have the honor to be Sir your most obdt Humble Servant (Signed) George Simpson2 Gov Rupert Land Letter Number 20. Fort Vancouver 4th July 1829 John Warren Dease1 Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I am Extremely sorry to learn by yours of the 15th ultimo that your health was so poorly but hope by this time your are perfectly recovered and with this you will receive a few medicines—Mr. [Samuel] Black has very handsomely volunteered to go up by land from this [place] to Walla Walla accompanied by one man which enables us to forward Mr [William] Kitson to assist you in carrying on your operations—The Brigade will be off in 6 or 8 days and it will be well to have everything ready by the time you expect them at Colville—to start on the trading Expedition to Kootanais Sc Flat Head Messrs [William] Connolly [Samuel] Black [John] Work [Francis] Ermatinger Sc [John] Harriott with sixty men paid a visit to the Clatsops to demand restitution of 13 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the property they secured from the wreck of the William & Ann but instead of getting this they were insulted, when they attacked the natives Killed four and destroyed their Village the rest saved themselves by flight and I have the satisfaction to say not one of our people got the slightest wound I am dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 21. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver [Aug. 5, 1829] To The Govt deputy Govr and Committee Honbl Hudson's Bay Company Honbl Sirs I suppose about this time your Honors will [have heard] of the wreck of the William & Ann and the melon- choly loss of all the crew We were told when Govr Simpson was here that Capt Swan and part of the crew (if not the whole) landed at Clatsop point and were murdered by the natives which from there well known savage disposition we were inclined to believe, at the same time our informant not being clear in his Statement caused us to apprehend his object (though we had this Report from Several still we could trace it up to the same person) was to endeavor to induce us to make war on the Clatsops with whom he was at variance for these Reasons we could not rely on his report and deffered taking such measures as so attrocious a deed deserved till we had more authentic information of its being perpetrated with the Determination of being guided in our proceedings by the information we might obtain and though we used every exaction in our power 19 §F- LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN consistant with the caution necessary to be observed to Guard against our being duped by Indians and made instruments of their vengeance. Still it was only on the 21st June when the only Indian Chief here whom we had found correct in the Intelligence he has hitherto brought us, informed us that the day previous he had seen the Chief of the Clatsop Village who told him he and his people had picked up from the wreck twenty one Bales [of] Goods but that all the crew had been drowned. We determined on demanding restitution of this property and Mr Connolly immediately started in a light Boat to overtake Capt Simpson and detain him with the Cadboro to assist in carrying our plans into Execution on the morrow. Messrs Black Harriot Work Ermatinger and Laframbois the Intrepreter started in four Boats manned by fifty-four men and accompanied by Mr Hall Chief Mate of the Ganymede who volunteered his Services with two Sailors to manage the Vancouver if Captain Simpson had sailed for Fort Langley but this precaution we found to have been unnecessary as Mr Connally overtook Captain Simpson, on being joined by the Remainder of the party Mr Connolly sent a message to the Clatsops demanding restitution of the property to which they replied they would restore all they yet had and pay by giving Slaves for what they had appropriated to themselves and requested us not to Land but it Coming on to Blow the Boats getting injured alongside of the vessels and the People being crQwded on Board Mr. Connolly sent the Clatsops word he must land his people but that since they promised to give up the property they need be under no apprehension from us his messenger returned with an old Brush and Scoop and said the Clatsops told him Take this to your Chief and tell him this is all he will get of his Property and on our People getting into the Boats to land the Indians fired at the vessels, some Balls went through the Bullworks, the Vessels returned their fire but still the 20 is LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Indians continued theirs till our people were nigh the Shore when one of them being killed by a Shot from us they all fled and took to the woods. Our People Burnt their Village and all their Property, in Ransacting the Village they Found Rum in Canoes and some in two Punchons which the natives had buried in their Lodges the 24th June the two Vessels returned to Chinook Point and as our Party were preparing to Embark in their Boats they discovered two Indians skulking about in the woods and approaching our Camp they were immediately pursued and though they both fired on our people none was hurt But one of our men overtook them Shot one and Killed the other with his knife. Mr. Connolly remained there that night and on the 26th started for this Place which he reached on the 28th after an absence of only seven days and a half Since then we have not been able to collect any further information or ascertain if any of the crew had been murdered five of the Bodies have been foUnd two at Clatsop Point by the natives who informed our people and the latter when they went to Burry them found that one of the' Bodies had lost the Head the the legs were broke another by the natives at Cape look out two at Cape disappointment one of the latter found on the 8th May at high water mark Buried in the Sand except the face but as this had been eat up by the Birds though the remainder of the Body was in perfect preservation I could not ascertain exactly if it was Captain Swan though it seems to me it was—others to whom he was equally well known think not his Jacket and Trousers were of second Blue Cloth their was no mark of violence on the Body and two watches were found on him which with his neck Handkerchief are being forwarded It remains for me to observe in this regard to this meloncholy event that I am of opinion the crew was murdered. The Ganymede entered the River on the 8th May and narrowly escaped the same fate as the William and Ann as Captain 21 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Haynes Mistook Chinook Bay for the Columbia and after crossing the Bar the Indians wished to induce them to go up the Bay where he would have been wrecked or more in their power. The late arrival of the Ganymede has been greatly detrimental to us and her cargo is much injured by Salt being placed over Bale Goods I forward your honors a Statement of the Condition we received it. I am sorry to find so heavy a loss was sustained by damage on the Return of Outfit 1826 Shipped per William & Ann in 1827 The Returns of Walla Walla then Shipped when received here by me were full of moths especially the Rats and though I got them repeatedly Beat still in case any might remain to prevent them getting to other Furs I put the Rats as they had the most moths in the only Rum punchons we had and the Beaver in cases of country well seasoned wood but the cases 66 to 69 Inclusive and 75 in which the Martins were packed are English Hat Cases and well glued in the Chinks to render them air tight When your honors State "the cases appear to have been made of Green unseasoned wood" you must have been misinformed to pack Furs in wood of that kind, would have been most unpardonable in me after a residence of twenty six years in the Indian Country and if the Martins were not in Rum punchons it arose from the cause I already mentioned. The Brigade from the Interior arrived the 5th June and started the 11th July and I am sorry to learn on their way up one of the Boats filled in the Dalles and lost seventeen pieces Mr Ogden with part of his People arrived on the 24th ultimo and the remainder of his party the 21st Inst His Returns are Better than last year and amount including with what his People traded here and in the Interior to four thousand Beaver and in my opinion remarkable well dressed and in the highest state of preservation which when it is considered some of these Beaver Furs have been carried on Horse Back through the Country since last Fall Winter 22 1 ia LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN & Summer certainly does him great credit. Mr Ogden hunted last year in a new Country South of that Space of the South Branch of the Snake Country River that lies between Owhyhee River and Riviere au Malheur on a River which he discovered and on which he traded fresh Salmon on the 29th May and in winter explored part of the North side of Great Salt Lake. Mr Ogden Reports the natives to be very numerous and though he has had several narrow escapes in his different Expeditions yet he never run greater Risks of being cut off with his whole party than this year when his camp in which there was only twelve men armed (the Tumblers of the Guns of the others being broke) was surrounded by about two hundred Indians fortunately for Mr Ogden one of the Trappers had Started ahead when he discovered the natives part on foot and the others on Horse Back advancing in a direction to surround the Camp when the Horsemen attempted to take him at the same time some shot arrows at him Seeing one of the Horsemen coming up he turned round and Shot him and reached the Camp in time to put it in a state of defense and the Indians seeing our people prepared gave up their design. I forwarded your honors the account current of Mr Ogdens Expedition and though we were not bound to allow them more than ten Shillings per made Beaver still we have deemed it advisable to avail ourselves of the Grate care they took of there Furs to allow them one Shilling more on each made Beaver. Your Honors are aware when Govr Simpson left this we had an opposition which has continued to this date and give out they intend to continue in the River till further orders from their employers they have begun no Establishment But have reduced the price of Guns from Eighteen Beaver to three of Blankets from five to one Beaver and every other article in the same Proportion Guns were kept by us at a high price from policy to prevent the 23 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN numerous population getting armed especially as they are no animal hunters and Guns are of little use to them in procuring food and as Guns and Blankets are the principal articles on demand I am afraid we will run short before the vessel from England arrives here in 1830 it is unnecessary to state to your honors the effect opposition has on the Indian Trade and how we are situated who have to pay at this place five times as much for furs as we had calculated, however it is useless to dwell on the subject as everything was done Both by your Honors and us to provide for such an occurance, but the unfortunate wreck of the William and Ann has destroyed all our precautions still of course you may depend our best endeavors will be exerted to compete with our opponants as much as our means will allow. As to your Honors plan of carrying on the trade of this place with three Vessels, I believe this number will not be sufficient I think it will be found we will require two Vesselx exclusive of the Craft here for the trade of the Coast especially if we have Business to any extent with the Russians and in this case one Vessel will not suffice to bring our supplies from England two Vessels may appear going on too great a Scale But since we now have opposition alongside of us unless we compete with them with energy we will be spending money to no purpose however we cannot speak desisively on the Subject till we ascertain what we can do with the Russians. Mr Charlton the British Consul at Wahoo having informed Lieut Simpson that 200,000 feet Deals might be disposed of at that place at a hundred Dollars pr 1000 feet I have consigned to him the quantity in the accompanying Invoice which I was induced to do, as we will have more than perhaps we can send next year and as Capt Haynes informed me he must touch somewhere for Supplies his going to Owyhee is not out of his Route I agreed to give him one thousand Dollars for freight as his Supplies will 24 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN cost him dearer than in California we must avail ourselves of every resource of the Country to compete with the Strong opposition of the Americans as we may depend they will turn everything to account which they possibly can. At this moment I am informed the Americans give three Blankets of three Points for two Skins, and so short are we of Goods that on the 14th ult in consequence of the increased Price we have been obliged to pay for the Furs at Fort Langley, that we had then only two hundred Blankets two and a half point and six Trading Guns at this place exclusive of what we have on two Trading Excursions there are only one thousand Blankets and ninety Indian Guns which latter are now selling by our opponents for two Skins and on the Coast only one Even allowing your honors send in the same quantity as was lost on the William Sc Ann still at the Rate we now pay for furs we will be short of Blankets and Guns for the Trade of 1830 But if your honors have received the requisition forwarded from this via Sandwich Islands for outfit of Nass for 1830 and have completed it this will enable us to keep our Ground and if it has not been forwarded we will find ourselves destitute of articles for the Indian Trade. But rather than suffer such a loss whether it would be better on the Receipt of this to send the whole requisition for Shipment 1830 which Gov. Simpson took from this and the requisition now forwarded or only a part of them is respectfully submitted for your honors Consideration But it may be remarked by you why was not a Requisition for a larger Outfit made out when Gov Simpson was here to this I have to observe that being anxious to be as economical as possible we did not wish to have an overstock of Goods and we then conceived that we could carry on the Trade with a less quantity of Goods than we now find necessary as we then considered this opposition merely Coasters who put in to collect a few straggling Skins and certainly 25 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN had no Idea they intended to set themselves down to contend with us for the Trade. If we had goods I think it so important to make our opponents pay for everything they get that I concieve wherever they are it would be advisable (on the coast) to give the Indians even two Blankets for a large Beaver rather than allow them procure any quantity as even at this Rate the price per which Beaver sells in England will leave us a profit If your honors consider it Judicious to send Shippment 1830 &c as submitted would not the Vessel be advantageously employed (till the Returns of Outfit 1830 were ready to be Shipped) in conveying a cargo of Deals to some place to the South of this If your honors send a Vessel on the Receipt of this as she will be here in the fall or beginning of winter I think it would be advantageous to have a person to command her who is acquainted with the Columbia as the Bar at all times considered dangerous and is in fall and winter more so. I owe it to humanity & to the Interest of the concern to state that Capt Haynes is so much addicted to Liquor that I conceive it would be hazarding the safety of the Vessel to give him charge of her I have several times perceived he had made free with liquor before Breakfast often have I seen him Intoxicated before dinner and seldom very seldom have I seen him perfectly sober after dinner. It is extremely unpleasant to be obliged to State these circumstances Especially as Capt Haynes has been extremely obliging and most anxious to meet my views But I conceive I would not be discharging my duty if I withheld this Information from you, and is the reason of my troubling you with it Mr Hall the mate is a sober steady man and had it not been for his presence of mind the Vessel would have been lost in Chinook Bay Note: This letter has written on each page "not sent." 26 ia LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 22. Fort Vancouver Augt 4th 1829 Richard Charlton Esqr Sir I have taken the liberty to draw on you in favour of Captain Leonard John Haynes for the sum of one thousand Dollars which I hope you will honor and place to account of the Hudson Bay Company, and have consigned to you Deals as per Invoice which though estimated as pr last account of Sales yet if it should have fallen in value you will please sell it accordingly Either by whole sale or Retail as you consider most advantageous Deduct your demand on us out of the proceeds of this consignment and that left with you by Capt [AEmelius] Simpson and remit the Balance in Bills of Exchange to the Governor deputy Gov and Committee Hudson Bay Company London—If Lumber sells we expect Sumer 1830 to send you 200,000 feet and request you would by the first vessel of ours consigned to this place which touches at Wahoo next Spring send us fifteen active Owhyhee young men on the same terms as those you procurred for Captain Simpson—and optional with us to send them back next fall if we did not require them There is a Balance of $ [?] 1.69 due Canada Bowline which I hope you will pay him and give him five Dollars from us as a Present I send you his and the account of those drowned in the William & ann by which you will see that they are in our debt May I request you to drop a few lines by present opportunity to the Gov deputy Gov and Committee Hudson Bay Company London merely to State what prospects there are for Deals and &c which may be satisfactory for them to know I am Sir your obed & humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin 27 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 23. Fort Vancouver 5th Augt 1829 Capt John Leonard Haynes Sir Inclosed is my Draft in your favour on Richard Charlton Esquire Wishing you a safe and Speedy Passage I am Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 24. Copy Draft Sir Please pay to Capt Leonard John Haynes or order the Sum of one Thousand Dollars and carry the same to a/c with the Hudsons Bay Company I am Sir Your very humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 25. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver Augt 5th 1829 Richard Charlton Esqr Dear Sir Inclosed is a copy of your account by which you will see the omission I allude to on mine of the 4th Inst I am yours truly Signed John McLoughlin 28 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 26. To Fort Vancouver 5 Augt 1829 The Governor deputy Governor & Committee Honbl Hudsons Bay Company1 Honbl Sirs [1] I suppose about this time your Honors will be informed of the wreck of the William & Ann and the melancholy loss of all the crew, we were told when Gov Simpson was here that Capt Swan and part of the Crew ( if not the whole) landed at Clatsop point and were murdered by the Natives which from their well known savage disposition we were inclined to believe at the same time our informant not being clear in his Statement caused us to apprehend his object (though we had this Report from several still we could trace it to the same person) was to endeavor to Induce us to make war on the Clatsops with whom he was at variance for these Reasons we could not rely on his Report, and deffered taking such measures as so atrocious a deed deserved till we had more authentic information of its being perpetrated with the determination of being guided in our proceedings by the information we might obtain and though we used every exertion in our power consist- ant with the caution necessary to be observed to guard against our being duped by Indians and made Instruments of their vengence still it was only on the 21st June when the only Indian Chief here whom we have found correct in the Intelligence he has hitherto brought us informed us that the day previous he had seen the Chief of the Clatsop Village who told him he and his people had picked up from the wreck twenty one Bales [of] Goods but that all the crew had been drowned. We determined on demanding restitution of this Property and Mr [William] Connolly immediately Started in a light Boat to overtake Capt 29 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN [AEmelius] Simpson and detain him with the Cadboro to assist in carrying our plans into Execution. On the morrow Messrs [Samuel] Black, [John] Harriott, [John] Work [Francis] Ermatinger and [Michael] Laframbois the Interpreter Started in four Boats manned by fiftyfour2 men and accompanied by Mr [Alfred] Hall First Mate of the Ganymede who volunteered his Services with two Sailors to manage the Vancouver if Capt Simpson had sailed for Fort Langley, but this precaution we found to have been unnecessary as Mr Connolly overtook Capt Simpson On being joined by the Remainder of the party Mr Connolly sent a message to the Clatsops demanding restitution of the property to which they replied they would restore all they yet had and pay by giving us Slaves for what they had appropriated to themselves and requested us not to land but it Coming on to Blow the Boats getting injured alongside of the Vessel and the People being Crowded on Board Mr Connolly sent the Clatsops word he must land with his people but that since they promised to give up the property they need be under no apprehension from us his Messenger returned with an old Brush and Scoop and said the Clatsops told him take this to your Chief and tell him this is all he will get of his Property, and on our People getting into the Boats to land the Indians fired at the Vessels some Balls went through the Bullworks, the Vessels returned their fire but still the Indians continued theirs till our People were nigh the Shore when one of the Indians being killed by a Shot from us they all fled and took to the woods, our People Burnt their Village and all their Property in ransacting the Village they found Rum in Canoes and some in two Punchons which the natives had buried in their Lodges the 24 June the two vessels returned to Chinook point and as our People were preparing to embark in their Boats they discovered two Indians skulking in the woods and approaching our Camp they were immediately 30 lai LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN pursued and though they both fired at our people none was hurt but one of our Men overtook them shot one and killed the other with his Knife Mr Connolly remained there that night and on the 25th started for this Place which he reached on the 28th after an absence of only seven and a half days, Since then we have not been able to collect any further information or ascertain if any of the crew had been murdered, five of the Bodies have been found two at Clatsop Point by the natives who informed our people and the latter when they went to Bury them found that one of the Bodies had lost the Head and the legs were broke another by the natives at Cape look out two at Cape disappointment one of the latter found on the 8th May at high water mark Burried in the Sand except the face but as this had been eat up by the Birds though the remainder of the Body was in perfect preservation I could not ascertain Exactly if it was Captain Swan though it seems to me it was others to whom he was equally well known think not, his Jacket and Trousers were of second Blue Cloth their was no mark of violence on the Body and two watches were found on him which with his neck Handkerchief are forwarded— [2] It remains for me to observe in regard to this melancholy event that I am of opinion the crew were not murdered— [3] The Ganymede entered the River on the 8th May and narrowly escaped the same fate as the William & Ann as Capt [Leonard] Haynes mistook Chinook Bay for the Columbia and after crossing the Bar the Indians wished to induce him to go up the Bay where he would have been wrecked or more in their power. The late arrival of the Ganymede has been greatly detrimental to us and her cargo is much injured by Salt being placed over Bale Goods I forward your honors a Statement of the Condition [in which] we received it. I am sorry to find so heavy a loss was sustained by damage on the Returns of Outfit 1826 31 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Shipped per William and Ann in 1827. The Returns of Walla Walla then Shipped when received here by me were full of moths especially the Rats and though I got them repeatedly Beat still in case any might remain to prevent them getting to other furs I put the Rats as they had the most moths in the only Rum Punchons we had and the Beaver in cases of country well seasoned wood, But the cases 66 to 69 Inclusive and 75 in which the martins were packed are English Hat Cases and well glued in the Chinks to render them air tight. When your Honors state "the cases appear to have been made of Green unseasoned wood" you must have been misinformed to pack Furs in wood of that kind would have been most unpardonable in me after a residence of twenty six years in the Indian Country and if the Martins were not in Rum Punchons it arose from the cause I already mentioned. [4] The Brigade from the Interior arrived the 5th June and Started the 11th July and I am sorry to learn on their way up one of the Boats filled in the Dalles and lost seventeen pieces [5] Mr Ogden with part of his People arrived on the 24th ult and the remainder of his party on the 1st Inst His returns are better than last year and amount including with what his People traded here and in the Interior to four thousand Beaver and in my opinion remarkably well dressed and in the highest state of preservation which when it is considered some of these Furs have been carried on Horse Back through the Country since last fall winter and summer certainly does him great credit. [6] Mr Ogden hunted last year in a new Country South of that Space of the South Branch of the Snake River that lies between Owhyhee River and Riviere au Malheur on a River which he discovered and on which he traded fresh Salmon on the 29th May, and in winter explored part of the north side of Great Salt Lake. Mr. Ogden Reports the 32 1 11 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN <> natives to be very numerous and though he has had several narrow escapes in his different Expeditions yet he never ran greater risks of being cut off with his whole party than this year when his camp in which there were only twelve men armed (the Tumblers of the Guns of the others being broke) was surrounded by about two hundred Indians fortunately for Mr Ogden one of [his] Trappers had started ahead when he discovered the natives part on foot and the others on Horse Back [advancing] in a direction to surround the Camp he immediately started to return to warn the Camp when the Horsemen attempted to take him at the same time some shot arrows at him Seeing one of the Horsemen coming up he turned round and Shot him and reached the Camp in time to put it in a state of defense and the Indians seeing our people prepared gave up their design. [7] I forward your honors the account current of Mr Ogdens Expedition and though we were not Bound to allow them more than ten Shillings per Made Beaver3 still we have deemed it advisable to avail ourselves of the great care they have taken of their furs to allow them one Shilling more on each made Beaver. [8] Your Honors are aware when Govr Simpson left this [place, March 25, 1829] we had an opposition which has continued to this date and give out they intend to continue in the River till further orders from their employers, they have begun no Establishment But have reduced the price of Guns from Eighteen Beavers to three of Blankets from five to one Beaver and every other article in the same Proportion. Guns were kept by us at a high price from policy to prevent the numerous population getting armed and as they are not animal Hunters Guns are of little or no use to them in procuring food and as Guns & Blankets are the principal articles in demand I am afraid we will run Short before the Vessel from England arrives LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN here in 1830. It is unnecessary to state to your honors the effect opposition has on the Indian Trade and how we are situated who have to pay at this place five times as much for Furs as we had calculated however it is useless to dwell on the subject everything was done to provide for such an occurence. But the loss of the William & Ann has destroyed all our measures of precaution—still of course you may depend our best endeavors will be exerted to compete with our opponents in trade as much as our means will allow. [9] Mr. Charlton the British Consul at Wahoo having informed Lieut Simpson that 200,000 feet of Deals might be disposed of at that place at a hundred Dollars PM [per M] feet I have consigned to him the quantity in the accompanying Invoice which I was induced to do as we will have more than we perhaps can send next year, and as Capt Haynes informed me he must touch somewhere for Supplies his going to Owyhee is not out of his Route. I agreed to give him one thousand Dollars for freight as his Supplies will cost him dearer there than in California. We must avail ourselves of all the resources of this Country if we have to compete for the trade of it with the Americans, as we may depend they will turn everything they possibly can to account. [10] At this moment I am informed the americans give three Blankets of three Points4 for two Skins and so short are we of Goods that on the 14th ult in consequence of the Increased Price we have been obliged to pay for the Furs at Fort Langley that we had then only two hundred Blankets of two and a half pts [points] and six trading Guns5 and at this place exclusive of what we have on two trading Excursions there are only one thousand Blankets and ninety Indian Guns which latter are now selling by our opponents for two Skins and on the Coast for only one [11] Even allowing your honors send us the same quan- 34 131 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN tity as was lost in the William and Ann and though we will apply to the Trade of 1830 what was intended for 1831 still at the Rate we now pay for furs we will be short of the Staple Articles Blankets and Guns. I therefore Consider it necessary that on the Receipt of this your honors Immediately send us the Requisition for Shipment 1830 which Gov Simpson took with him and the Requisition I now forward amounting to as the Requision calculated upon when Gov Simpson was here for the trade of Outfit 1829, 1830, 1831 and 1832 from the increased Rate we will be obliged to pay [for] furs at Fort Langley on the Coast and this place, we now find will require the addition of the Requision I now forward to suffice for the Trade of 1829 1830 & 1831. which I state that your honors may be aware of our situation and that you will receive a Requision for outfit 1832 By the way of York [Factory] next Summer (to replace the one we will have appropriated to proceeding outfits) to be Shipped from England fall 1830 so as to be here spring 1831 to afford us one years Stock constantly in advance the want of which since 1823 has been a great injury to the trade of this Department [13] But it may be remarked why was not a Requisition for a larger Outfit made when Gov Simpson was in the Columbia, to this I have to observe that being anxious to be as economical as possible we conceive we could carry on the trade with less Goods than we now find necessary as we then considered this opposition as merely coasters who put in to collect a few straggling Skins & certainly had no Idea they intended to set themselves down to contend with us for the Trade. I am afraid our demand for Goods will be considered great But I think it so important to make our opponents pay high for every thing they get that I conceive wherever they are on the coast it would be Advisable to give Indians even two Blankets for a large 35 SSffiffifiBMBJBiflW LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Beaver rather than to allow them to procure any quantity as even at this rate the price at which Beaver sells in England will leave us a profit [14] I forward Lieut [AEmelius] Simpson's opinion on the Vessels best adapted to the coasting trade and I am of opinion we ought to have two (Exclusive of the Cadboro and Vancouver) constantly employed in the Trade one of the craft either the Cadboro or Vancouver with ten men and an officer to be attached to Frasers River (Fort Langley) this Vessel reinforced by a few hands from that Establishment would be constantly going between that place and DeFuces Straights, with the crew I suppose you will put in the Vessel sent to replace the William and Ann and the people we have we can man her and one of the Small Crafts for the Coast if two Brigs are to be on the Coast you will have still to provide one with officers and men the compliment for a crew of a vessel for the Coast of the size recommended is twenty five men and officers to which his number might be made up with Sandwich Islanders by the Capt being instructed to procure them from Mr. [Richard] Charlton and we would require for the crew of the Small Vessel attached to Fort Langley six Seamen, these are the measures I have to submit to your Honors for carrying on the Coasting Trade, as I am certain the sooner we oppose our Competitors Strongly the cheaper we will find it in the end [15] If your honors send a Vessel on the Receipt of this as she will be here in the fall or beginning of winter and it may be expedient to have a person to command her who has been in the Columbia as the Bar at all times dangerous is in fall and winter more so. I am sorry to say Capt Haynes is so much addicted to Liquor I conceive it would be hazarding the Safety of the Vessel to give him charge of her. I have several times perceived he had made free with Liquor before Breakfast often have I seen him Intoxicated 36 ... LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN before Dinner very seldom have I seen him perfectly Sober after dinner It is most unpleasant to be obliged to state these circumstances Especially as Captain Haynes has been Extremely obliging and accomodating But I conceive I would not be discharging the duty I owe to Humanity and to the Concern if I withheld this information from you [16] Mr. Hall his mate is sober and attentive to his duty and had it not been for his presence of mind the Ganymede would have been lost in Chinook Bay [17] In Captain Haynes account Spirits is charged 18/- pr gall the price it is sold to Servants I do not Know if I am correct in charging this price but even if not I would still have done so to prevent too great a demand The Pork is some purchased by Lieut Simpson at the Sandwich Islands and only charged the actual price Our crop looks uncommonly fine is now cutting and part Housed I think we will have fifteen hundred Bushels Wheat five or six hundred Bushels pease four hundred of Barley three hundred of Indn corn and six or seven thousand Bushels of potatoes. We will salt above forty Barrels of Pork and have two hundred head of cattle young & old [18] Lieut Simpson now sails for the Russian Establishment of New Archangel with Gov Simpsons letter to the Governor of that Russian Establishment on the North west Coast if Lieut Simpson collects any information sufficiently interesting he will on his Return proceed with a cargo of Deals to Monterrey (where they sell from forty to sixty Dollars pr M feet and from whence a letter can be sent by way of Mexico [19] The Furs have been repeatedly Beaten and Tobacco put with the Small Furs in the casks and cases the latter had Tobacco in them coming here if they suffer any damage I would advise if there is space in the Vessel coming here that all our casks now sent be sent back with 37 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN a few Galls of Spirits in each as furs are never injured by insects when packed in casks whose Staves are well saturated with Spirits— [20] In the Returns there is a Fur Seal as we may have dealing with the Russians it is desirable we were informed of their value as that also of the Sea Otter in the London Market [21] I am sorry to Inform you that Mr Chief Trader J W Dease is so indisposed as to be unfit for duty [22] With this I forward Copies of the different Requisitions taken from this by Gov Simpson (as settled with him while here) in case any accident occurred by which he might have lost the Originals. I am Honbl Sirs Your obdt Humbl Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin EDITORIAL COMMENT. Letter No. 21 appears to be the unfinished first draft of letter No. 26. A comparison of the two indicates (1) That the two are practically identical through paragraph 8 of the final draft; (2) that the two letters are practically the same through paragraph 10 of the final draft but from that point on the two are different; (3) the main point of difference in the two drafts is to be found in paragraph 2 of the final draft. In it McLoughlin says, "I am of the opinion the crew were not murdered." In the first draft he said, "I am of the opinion the crew were murdered." There are two opinions as to this change in the two drafts. One is that after McLoughlin wrote the first draft in which he expressed the opinion that the crew "were murdered," he found new evidence causing him to change his opinion resulting in his discarding the unfinished first draft and preparing a new letter with his opinion that the "crew were not murdered." The other opinion is that the "not" was inadvertently left out in the first draft. This latter view seems easier to justify from the internal evidence: (a) In both drafts he recites the fact that he had been told that the crew had been murdered and was "inclined to believe it," but he could not rely on his informant and, fearing an Indian trick, he deferred taking measures "till we had more authentic information." Thereupon he proceeded to make LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN an examination but was not able to "ascertain if any of the crew had been murdered." They found several bodies, one especially is mentioned and "there was no marks of violence on the body and two watches were found on him." (b) It was after this investigation that the first draft was written and both drafts have the recital of the identical facts so that there are no new facts in the final draft. If new evidence had come to hand after writing the first draft and before writing the final one, it stands to reason such evidence would have been recited to show why he felt that the crew had not been murdered, (c) Subsequently, namely on Aug. 13 (which is eight days after the final draft mentioned above) he wrote again to the Company and said, "Since mine of the 5th inst I have no further information relating to the Crew of the William and Ann and it may be said, if there was no proof of the Clatsops having murdered them .... it may be as well to state though in my opinion none of the crew were murdered still several of the gentlemen here think they were" Thus it seems easier to think the "not" was omitted in the first draft than that McLoughlin changed his mind. Letter Number 27. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 13th Aug 1829 Most Private and Confidential Richard Charlton Esqr [Wahoo] Dear Sir I dare say you will soon perceive Capt [Leonard] Haynes unfortunate habits and that it is apt to cause more delay than is sometimes consistant with the Interest of those whose property he may have in charge Will you have the goodness to urge his departure from your place as quick as possible as it is important he should be in England by the beginning of March which he can if vigilant Capt Haynes is not regularly in the Employ but merely chartered I am Sir with regard Yours Truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 39 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 28. [Fort Vancouver 13th Aug. 1829] To The Gov deputy Gov and Committee Honbl Hudsons Bay Compy Honbl Sirs A few days ago I was informed by Casseno1 an Indian Chief that he had purchased a fine Gun from Capt [Leonard] Haynes and at the same time received the accompanying note (per the same Indian) from the Captain stating that Casseno had made him a present of a Beaver. On the 9th Instant Capt Haynes being here I considered it my duty to State to him that such information had been communicated to me, and perhaps he was not aware that no British subject could trade with Indians without a License and my object in speaking to him was merely to inform him I was in duty bound to inform you of What had occurred as no person in the service was allowed to trade or even receive presents from Indians, he replied they had cost him six Guineas But that he was willing to give them up. on the 11th he sent me in a parcel ten large & two Small Beaver, however it is so necessary to send him off satisfied that he may be disposed to take every care of the Furs on Board the Vessel I send him a draft on you for six Guineas—so anxious was I to send him off satisfied that in Consequence of his repeatedly expressing a desire to get Furs for a Tippet I sent him on the 31st ulto as he was raising Anchor two Beaver and twelve Martens and as I saw we could depend more on the Mate to look carefully after the Furs and he had assisted us in the affair of the Clatsops I sent him one Beaver and twelve Martins Since mine of the 5th inst I have no further information relating to the crew of the William and Ann, and it may be said if there was no proof of the Clatsops having 40 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN murdered them why send to demand property that was Insured—You will please observe that in insisting on its restitution we expected to elicit some light in regard to the fate of the Crew, and the Indians considered the property as ours and after receiving particular information of what had been collected by the different Indians if we had 'not made a demand of it we would have fallen so much in Indian Estimation that whenever an opportunity offered our safety would have been endangered and the conduct of the Indians in the Contemptuous reply they sent to Mr [William] Connolly and their firing on our people left them no alternative but to attack the Indians and act towards them in the manner they did and it may be as well to state though in my opinion none of the crew were murdered still several of the Gentlemen here think they were— I have just finished calculating the amount of the Requisition alluded to in the 11 th paragraph of my letter of the 5 th int1 the amount is high and on that account I I refrain from adding about three hundred pounds worth of second hand Surtout2 trousers & Waistcoats Gentle- mens cast off Clothes. The Americans dispose of such articles on the coast Indeed our requisition is high from the necessity of having a vanity to suit the fancy of the natives and I see no alternative we must Beat the opposition off or they will be a constant source of annoyance, you will please also observe all the Goods in the requisition are Saleable articles and if we have more than we require they will come in for a succeeding outfit or we may perhaps dispose of them to the Russians or Spaniards and after all I presume it is preferable to have a constant supply of Goods to purchase furs even at only a clearing price rather than allow them go to opposition and I must again take the liberty to press on your honors attention the necessity as stated in the 11th paragraph of my letter of the 5th inst 41 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of the Requisition and the Shipment for 1830 taken from this by Gov Simpson being here in November 1830 or earlier if possible I am Honble Sirs Your Obd1 humble Servant I (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 29- Columbia River 14th Aug1 1829 Richard Charlton Esqr British) Consul at Wahoo— ) Sir I beg leave to enclose for you the Bill of Lading and Invoice of the cargo of Boards Shipped per Ganymede and consigned to you by John McLoughlin Esqr Chief Factor Honbl Hudsons Bay Company's Service I am Sir your most obed1 humble Serv* (Signed) Geo: Barnston Letter Number 30. Fort Vancouver 14th Augt 1829 Capt [Leonard] Haynes Dear Sir: Inclosed is a draft on the Company for the amount you state the Skins cost you and I confidently trust you will deliver it for payment before the first March. The William & Ann on her last trip from this [place] started the 10th Sept and reached London the 8th Feby wishing you a safe and speedy passage and a happy meeting with your friends I am Dear Sir yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 42 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 31. Fort Vancouver 16th Augt 1829 Mr. John Work [Ft. Flathead] Dear Sir I am extremely sorry to learn from Mr [William] Kit- sons letter of the 19th July (which only reached this on the 10th inst) that Mr [John W.] Dease directed him to inform me his severe indisposition prevented him being able to perform any duty. You will therefore assume the charge of Colville district and Mr [George] Barnston who accompanies this will make the complement of Gentlemen required for the Charge of the Posts, old [Francois] Rivet also proceeds to your place whom I presume you will find useful with this according to your request the Goods &c in the inclosed a/c are forwarded and which I presume will completely make up for the loss you suffered at the Dalles. I enclose you a requisition of such supplies as will be required from your place for Ft Vancouver this fall and next Spring and for the Snake district outfit 1830 I am Dear Sir yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 32. Fort Vancouver 16th Augt 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir I have now before me yours of 27th July 2nd and 3rd Augt It is to be regretted you did not forward Mr Kitsons letter by [Francis] Payette however it is now too late to say anything on the Subject. In regard to your complaint of difficulties of your outfit you were here and you saw the 43 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN State of our Stores and you must allow you are as amply suppd [supplied] as the trade of your Post has hitherto required and as much as in justice to other places our means would admit—as to your trading on our Tarrif it is out of the question—that we can transport property to you to suffice at our rate for your trade indeed you ought not to think of adopting our Tarrif as it will spread from your place to Colville District as it will be ruined by it It is true your Indians will come here But this cannot be helped and better allow them to do so than to try and prevent them at the Expense of spoiling all the interior trade— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin N B I send you [Francois] L'Ecuyer to make up your complement and please send in the original of your agreement with your men (By the Book Keeper) to file them Regularly J McL Copy of Requisition forwarded to Mr J Work for outfit 1830 For Fort Vancouver 15 Lodges 15 Lodges 80 Apichimons 120 Apichimons 60 Par fleches1 60 Par neches 40 Pack Saddles 60 Pack Saddles 300 fm Pack cords 100 Red Deer Skins 90# Pack cords or even 120# Letter Number 33. Fort Vancouver [16 Aug. 1829] To John Rowand Esqr [C. F.] or the Gentlemen in Charge of the Hudsons Bay Company's Establishment Sascatchewan Dear Sir This will be handed to you by Louis LaBlanc who is sent across the mountains on account of his being subject to fall into fits I request you would have the goodness 44 \ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN not to send him on any winter voyages in case of accident as he has been known to fall twice on the same day I am Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin he has had advances to the amount of £ 10 .. 14 . . 6—on the first of June he had £ 8 due him and his wages is £ 10 per annum Letter Number 34. To [Fort Vancouver 16 Aug. 1829] Gentlemen in Charge of Districts Gentlemen In the event of any Rifles being offered to you to trade you will please trade them on the Companys account I am Gentlemen Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin To The Gentlemen in charge of) Nez Perces & Colville ) Letter Number 35. Dear Sir Fort Vancouver 18th Augt 1829 I am extremely sorry to find the opposition have been so fortunate however it is useless to talk of the past we must look to the future. It is certainly galling to throw property away in the manner you State, but still as you observe unless we make some sacrifice we will lose the Chinook and you will find by my letter by Capt (AEme- lius] Simpson I have anticipated your wishes and desired you to regulate your trade by that of the opposition and 45 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the circumstances that may arise—as to Madam Calpo you may give her any present you think proper giving those who bring five or six large Beaver a present of a Blanket is Better trade as you know than trading at the Rate of two otters for a Skin as really an otter for a Blanket is as poor a trade as can be made however we must take them as we get them I do not think it worth while sending any salt Salmon to Owhyhee and you will keep what you have got to serve as provisions to the party below in the winter. I am sorry Pisk [Keppling] kept his Rifle as we have none to give the people going to the Willamette1 I was even obliged to let Mr Ogdens people have mine. Capt Simpson could not decide on how many men he would require to take with him but was to leave his surplus men with you of course if you have more men than you require you will send them to me as I intend keeping a party constantly in the Cowlitz2 another in the Walamette1 and with the party at the mill3 will leave us very few hands to go on with the work of this place Cost what it may we must keep going about to pick up skins if we can go about with safety I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Mr Don Manson Schooner Vancouver Mr. Ogden has just started for the Snake Country Letter Number 36. Fort Vancouver [Aug. 1829] Lieut [AEmelius] Simpson Dear Sir Inclosed is John Ralph a/c which is left open for you to close 46 %m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I am happy to learn that the Ganymede is so far on her way down and hope by the time this reaches you she will be ready to go to Sea Wishing you a safe and speedy passage I am Dear Sir yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 37. Dear Sir1 on your return from Sitka if you have any Pork Flour or Beef remaining you will please leave what you can spare with Mr [Don] Manson I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Capt [AEmelius] Simpson Fort Vancouver Augt 18th 1829 [Aug. 1829] Letter Number 38. [Mr. Donald Manson, Clerk]1 [Fort George] Dear Sir Michel [La Framboise] says in passing by the Owhy- hee he saw some Indians who told him Chenamus2 has traded a Gun with [John] Dominis (Similar to our 45/ half Stocked Guns for 9 Skins) I send you 2 Gals Butter Mr [AEmelius] Simpson is to leave some provisions with you and on his way back you will get more I am yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 47 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 39. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 22nd Augt 1829 To Mr Alfred Hall Chief Mate Ship Ganymede Sir Yours of the 19th inst reached me today and I am extremely sorry to note its contents, but previous to entering on the subject I must observe that I have no authority to interfere between Capt [Leonard J.] Haynes and you you write "if he is to continue in the Command I must abandon all charge and leave the Ship for I find it impossible to navigate her under his directions" Your abandoning the vessel under existing circumstances is what I conceive you cannot do consistent with that duty you owe to the owners of the Vessel and Cargo and I may add consistent with the Respect you owe to yourself. You know if you leave the vessel Business will go on worse and your leaving her would be injurious to the owners of the Vessel and cargo If Capt Haynes was deprived of his charge which as I already said I am not authorized to do, as there is no one here but yourself to take his situation might not some conceive that with the view of succeeding to the Command of that Vessel you had formed a party and Exaggerated Capt Haynes failing which though unfounded you certainly ought to avoid Exposing yourself even to the suspicion of I have entered into these particulars merely on your account as the manner I have seen you attend to your duty has been so much to your credit that for your own sake I hope you will not think of abandoning the vessel but persevere and act as you have hitherto done I am Sir Your Obd & H Svt (Signed) John McLoughlin1 48 *m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 40. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 22nd Augt 1829 To The Govr Deputy Govr and Committee Honbl Hudsons Bay Compy Honbl Sirs1 This morning I received the accompanying note from Mr Alfred Hall Chief Mate of the Ganymede and inclose you a copy of my reply and I have only to add that our own people who have seen Capt [Leonard J.] Haynes since he left this [place] have informed me they never saw him sober and I presume this is the derangement the Mate means though perhaps from Excessive drinking it may be that his mind is effected and it may be to this latter that Mr [Alfred] Hall alludes, however this may be I do not conceive I have any authority to interfere and the best I could do is to endeavor to persuade Mr Hall to continue in his Situation I find the Tumblers of our gun Locks not so good as usual I am Honbl Sirs Your Obedt Humb Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 41. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 23rd Augt 1829 Capt [AEmelius] Simpson Dear Sir1 I have just received yours of the 20th and had already received and answered Mr [Alfred] Halls letter2 of the 19th inst but his messengers I find did not start last night and it gives me an opportunity of sending you this I am 49 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN as you may judge quite distressed at Capt [Leonard J.] Haynes conduct but what can I do I have no regular authority to act and if I assumed it and the vessel was lost I might so Vitiate the Insurance as to cause all the loss to fall on the Concern for these reasons I cannot interfere between Capt Haynes and Mr Hall and the only cause that would justify my interference would be Capt Haynes committing some act of violence but if his mind is deranged I conceive the Mate fully Justified in taking command of the Vessel and that in such case he is authorized to do so, and the crew are in duty bound to second and obey him which if they do not they are liable for the consequences and if you consider it necessary you may give this as my opinion and if required as my decision on the Subject I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin3 Letter Number 42. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 23rd Augt 1829 Dear Sir I received a note from Mr [Alfred] Hall on the 22nd stating [that] from Capt [Leonard J.] Haynes derangement he could not proceed with him in Command of the Ganymede to sea The truth is that even in Mr Hall's statement and well knowing as I do the Captains unfortunate failings I cannot interfere as I have no regular authority and to assume it might be incurring a higher responsibility than I possibly can as I might Vitiate the Insurance but if the Capt is actually deranged the mate certainly of right can assume the Command the crew in duty are bound 50 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN to second and obey him I hope you will succeed in securing the Chelis1 skins I am dear Sir Yours truly, (Signed) John McLoughlin Mr [Donald] Manson—[Clerk] [Ft. George] Letter Number 43. Vancouver 29th Augt 1829 John Warren Dease Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Flathead] Dear Sir I am sorry to see by your Letter of the 15th Recd on the 28th inst that you are disappointed at not seeing Dr [Richard J.] Hamylin or Recd Medecines. Mr [Samuel] Black ommitted to forward your Letters and it only reached me on the 1 Oth in it you state if you do not see Dr Hamlyn by the 12th you will on that date start for this place receiving your letter at the time I did, naturally led me to expect to see you here and rendered it unnecessary to forward you any medicine as on the voyage is not a place where a man can take medicine with the necessary Regimen and attention required—I presume this will satisfactorily explain to you the Cause of your disappointment and that in the first place it has arrisen from not Receiving your letter in time and secondly from your deviating from the Plan you laid down for yourself which as I could not expect or foresee it was out of my power to provide for In regard to your request to be allowed to go out this fall you are at liberty to act as you please though I think it would be better for you to come down and pass the winter here and I cannot let pass the occasion without expressing my regret that your 51 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN state of health deprives the concern of the assistance of your valuable service I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 44. Fort Vancouver 29th Augt 1829 PS Ogden, Esqr [C.T.] Dear Sir I see by the letters from the Interior you will find it difficult to equip all your men in Horses however there is no alternative but to go to the Nez Percies Lands it is true it is a sacrafice of valuable time but it is the best we can do however I dare say you have decided on your measures before this reaches you as your letter according to your Calculation of the 22nd only reached this on the 28th in the evening Wishing you a good hunt and safe back from your winter quarters I am Dear Sir Yours truly— P S Bache's brother in law is paid for the Horse etc. Letter Number 45. Fort Vancouver 29th Augt 1829 Samuel Black Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir It is certainly distressing to find Horses so scarce as to be unable to purchase a sufficient number at Walla Walla for Mr Ogdens party and I see no alternative but that he goes to the Nez Perces Camp and purchase his wants. I need not say how necessary it is that you purchase as many Horses as you can as without a sufficient number of these 52 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN valuable animals we will not be able to keep up our trapping parties I am dear Sir yours truly Signed John McLoughlin [on next page in J. McLoughlin's handwriting] the following is a Postscript to my letter to Mr Black of 29th Augst N B some of your Indians have just arrived and traded Sixty Skins. But you cannot prevent this and you must Keep up your Tariff as you Know if you Lower it you will spoil the Whole of the Interior trade Letter Number 46. Fort Vancouver 29th August 1829 Mr John Work [Clerk] [Ft. Flathead] Dear Sir By the arrival of your letters of the 15 th inst I am relieved from a load of anxiety as in consequence of Mr [J. W.] Deases letter of the 19th July I had expected him here several days [ago] and attributed his non arrival to increased indisposition and am happy to learn my allarm was unfounded—You will find I had anticipated your wants and that the Complement of Gentlemen for SpoKan is Complete and as I cannot say whether Mr Dease will persist in his design of going out or coming down [here] you will please settle with him that the Boat going to the Mountain be back to Colville at latest by the 28th Octr and as it is uncertain how many men may come in you will apply to the Gentleman in Charge of the Express for three or four and if [Andre] Chalifoux1 can be dispensed with to bring down the Boats you may keep him if he comes here I will send him [back] as soon as possible. If the People who go to the Mountain are obliged to leave it before the Express arrives they will make a canoe for them- 53 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN selves and leave their Boat, indeed while they are waiting there it would be well they made a couple of Canoes as there is no Boats at the Mountain and perhaps more men may come than we anticipate. I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 47. Fort Vancouver 29th Augt 1829 To the Gentlemen coming with the ) H B Cay Express for Columbia Depart—) Dear Sir As Mr [John] Work is to take charge of Fort Colville if any one is come in to suceed Mr [J. W.] Dease it will be necessary he come down here and that according to your means you give Mr Work three or four men and Mr [Francis] Ermatinger will also apply to you for one or two men I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 48. Fort Vancouver 6th Sept 1829 P S Ogden Esqr [C. T.] Dear Sir Yours of the 31st ult reached me yesterday evening and I am extremely sorry to find that you have not received the Supplies from Colville as you expected but it seems Mr [John] Work did not understand that they were to be sent to you as Mr [J. W.] Dease tells me your people were daily expected to arrive at Colville in quest of your demands however it is now too late to do anything in this business.1 54 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN As to Horses as you suggest I think the best you can do is to go to Nez Perces Camp and trade all you can and if you cannot procure a sufficient number those men you will be obliged to leave will be sent down to this place It is certainly distressing to find after the pains that have been taken to complete your Party that all our trouble should be lost from the want of Horses however I hope you will be more successful than you apprehend and that you will be able to take all your party with you. I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 49. Fort Vancouver 7 Sept 1829 Mr John Work [Clerk] [Ft. Flathead] Dear Sir Mr [J. W.] Dease arrived here on 5th Instant and after what I have written you on the subject of Spokane District, I have only to add that I conceive it will be neces- sarry that you select the flat Head as your wintering post as that ought to be in my Opinion the wintering sation [station] of the person in charge of Spokan or Colville District. As to the freemen you will follow up Mr Deases ar- raingements with them and the communication of messrs Smith Jackson and Sibblett [Sublette]1 should be cut of [off] with St Louis and they talk of coming down here to make an arraingement with their Countrmen Domines or Thompson2—you are at Liberty to offer them the same terms as we give to Mr Pilcher3 but you must be aware this is only in the Event of their Intending to come down here—as you well know it is not [to] our Interest to Induce freemen to remain about the flat Heads—if possible you 55 B LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN will Endeavour to arrainge it that your freemen join next year some of our trapping parties. I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin N B Please let me Know by first opportunity how your Summer trade of the Kootonaies and flat Heads has turned out J. McL Letter Number 50. Fort Vancouver 7th Sept 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir You will see by the Inclosed Letter to Mr [P. S.] Ogden that if he is obliged to leave men they are to be sent down here—should he Unfortunately be obliged to resort to this measure. I hope no time will be lost in forwarding them to this place it is certainly distressing in the Extreme if we lose the valuable returns of those men from the want of Horses. I forward you [Francois] L'Ecuyer I am Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin N. B. I am informed Mr [William] Kittson has been allowed to purchase a Horse for his own private use at Walla Walla—you must be aware that no one is allowed to purchase Horses on their private account Especially at a time when from the want of Horses we cannot Equip our trappers of course when there is a deveation from the Resolves of Council it is my Duty to report it J. McL 56 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 51. Fort Vancouver 23rd Sept 1829 Samuel Black Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir An American (Bache) and two Society Island natives is passed here Bound for the Dalles some say his object is to buy horses others again say that he is to winter in his father in laws Lodge in both cases he will interfere with your trade. I therefore send Mr [James] Birnie with three men to oppose [him]—to do which effectually he must adopt the reduced prices of our opponents but you must still keep up your prices as you well know if your lowered yours the whole trade of Colville Dist1 would be ruined. Mr Birnie will communicate to you any information he may collect I am dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 52. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 5th Oct 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.[ [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir I received your different Letters of the 24th Ult and in Regard to your Complaint of being short of goods you are aware we could not send more by the Brigade and that when it started it was supposed the opposition would not push their way higher up the river than this place and that all the Goods we had would be required to meet them here 57 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN and though they have gone to the Dalles I hope you will still keep up your prices I am Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin PS You will please send down Mr Ogdens two men [Louis] Forcier and Rocque Brune1 to Mr [James] Birnie immediately— Letter Number 53. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 5th Oct 1829 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir I Received your two notes of the 29th and 30th Ult and in three Days I will forward you a supply of Goods and Provisions and I merely wrote at present to satisfy the Indian. Capt [AEmelius] Simpson is returned from Sitka all well I am Yours truly J McLoughlin P S Mr Black will send you two of Mr Ogdens men whom you will keep till further orders Letter Number 54. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 5th Oct 1829 Mr Donald Manson [C. T.] [Ft. George] Dear Sir I Received your two notes pr the Princess(1) and Pisk [Keppling] and have only to observe that [James] Baker 58 SffiBSH! LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN has applied to be allowed the same provisions as the Sailors. I am aware how disagreeable it is to feed people in the same Vessel or House on different Kinds of provisions But if we feed the Voyageurs2 who are now on Board the Vessel on Pork and Biscuit will not those working at this place next put in a Claim for the same Kind of Provisions—Indeed I foresaw the difficulty and for this Reason wished you could have had none but Voyageurs on Board and my answer to Baker was that he was put on Board merely as a Voyageur and we could only feed him as such which I state that you may Know what I said—I send you a few vegetables say two Barrels Potatoes In an unguarded moment I allowed a few traps to be sold But I am afraid we will lose by it as the Indians are killing so many Beaver I am afraid at the price we now pay we will run short of Goods If you Buy for us [up to] the Value of Thirty Blankets of Hiaquois3 it would be desirable [and] at the same time I would wish to know by first opportunity how you are in Goods—that is that you send us an Inventory of your Stock—to know what we have and the account of your Salmon trade—Baker has applied for Rum which I refused But told him he would get some from you on a Saturday night say i/£ pint or a pint as you think proper and [same] to be stopt if any impropriety is committed on inquiry I find your Canoe is too small to contain the Potatoes I Intended and I have neither Canoe or Boat to spare in future when you send let it be if possible a larger Craft I am Yours truly J McLoughlin N B Baker applied for Leave to take Madm Poirier But I refused him neither he or any other of our people can be Allowed to take her JML 59 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 55. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 6th Oct 1830 [1829]1 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir Yours of the 30th Ult reached me on the 3rd Instant in the Evening and I am quite astonished at the heavy demand you make for Goods as it exceeds by much any calculation I anticipated, however you will see by the supply (now) forwarded that I am anxious to send you an Additional supply at the same time you will be able to state more distinctly what you will Require in doing which you will take into consideration the articles and quantity of Goods in our store so as to make them go as far as possible If Equally advantageous for trade you ought to Build on the north side as to the trapping party you suggest I think the fall a Bad season for any thing of the Kind but next spring it will be done I have ordered down Payette to assist you and who would be very usefull in an Expedition of that kind—If the Americans give no Liquor to Indians neither must we— I am dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin N B I send [S. J.] KiKarrow and Peter2 to remain with you I cannot say whether you will remain at your present place till I see the Express I cannot send yours nor the mens things—I will do so by next trip 60 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 56. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver [6th Oct. 1829] 1 Mr John Work [Clerk] [Ft. Flathead] Dear Sir I find that Mr [P. S.] Ogden has sent [Francois] Payette to your quarter if he is a supernumerary with you (and not likely to be required by you) and that it is not contrary to his Engagement he must be sent to the Dalles to join Mr Birnie and assist him in the Business of that Establishment I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 57. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Van 7th Oct 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir It is necessary you would forward the Inclosed Letter to Mr [John] Work with as little Delay as possible I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin 61 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 58. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 7th Oct 1829 Mr Donald Manson [Clerk] [Ft. George] Dear Sir I send you pr Beaver the old mans Cloathing which I forgot to forward pr your men I have today sent an Out fit to Mr [James] Birnie at the Dalles Where the Americans have a party. Ouvre [John Baptiste] is just arrived from his Quarters his Returns amount to 143 Beaver large & Small and 44 Large & Small otters But at a Very high price I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 59. Fort Vancouver 16th Octr 1829 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir You will receive the Goods By the Inclosed list and which had the Boat been able to Carry I would have sent you last trip—as for Bache1 I don't think it good policy to have him in your Camp unless you cannot do otherwise you are protecting him with six men when he only furnishes one man. I am at a loss about your things as I cannot say whether you will remain sufficiently long at your present place to make it worth while to send them to you however I send you three pounds Soap for the present perhaps it will answer better than if I sent you your capotte. I am dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) J McLoughlin ~~62 LETTERS OF D£. JOHN McLOUGHLIN P S Pisk Keppling denies having received the articles charged to his a/c 1st Sept Please let me know by whom they were sent. I send you two men Johny and Canada and should you require it you will apply for more from the Express. This I hope will make you independent of Mr. Bache Letter Number 60. Fort Vancouver 16th Octr 1829 Mr Donald Manson [Clerk] [Ft. George] Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 13th with the Inventory of your Remains which is so far satisfactory as it shows what we have to depend on for the Season Our Guns we sell at six [skins] and I am afraid we will not have enough to meet the demand as to our Duffles1 we sell very little but what we sell is at the Rate of two Skins per fathom. I am reluctant to Supply Traps to the Indians as we are so short of Goods it may be enable- ing them to hunt when we will not have wherewith to pay for the furs they Kill, on the other hand refusing them Traps may send them to the opposition however I send you a few and you will act for the best Pisk [Keppling] is not sufficiently recovered to be sent to you, Capt [John] Dominis mentioned last night in conversation that he wishes he had a load of Deals when he left this [place]. It did not occur to me to ask him if he wanted to buy them if the thing, should occur in conversation ask him how much he will give p foot and in what he will pay whether in Goods or money. I am Dear Sir yours truly J McLoughlin N B Please send us the a/c of the number of salmon Salted 63~ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 61. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 9th Nov 1829 [Mr. Donald Manson, Clerk] [Ft. George] Dear Sir On the 1st Instant I received yours of 29th Oct and on the 4th Instant had a visit from Capt Dominis when I took the opportunity of mentioning to him what you had written to me on the subject of purchasing his Goods and that we never could think of purchasing his property on anything like the terms he proposed, prior to his Arrival I had been considering on a plan that might perhaps suit both our Views and it Occurred to me that timber might answer and Offerred him to take his Goods at prime Cost and pay him in Boards at ten Dollars p M ft to this he would not Accede at which we are well pleased as we can sell them for much more by sending them to Market ourselves besides we now see we could not give them the Quantity required to pay 12 M Dollars in a Year so that leaving Wood or Deals out of the Question on no consideration would we consent to part with more than one thousand Beavers and Otters and Capt Dominis would have to Guarantee us from any Opposition on the part of Capt Thompson or any other person Outfitted by his Owners of course well understood the Number of Beaver we would have to pay would depend on the Quantity of Goods he has suitable to the Columbia market1 trade as to the Goods for the Coast he might Either dispose of them in that Quarter or perhaps we might Buy them also Indeed we have no Authority to Buy up an Opposition and in fact it is Contrary to the Regulations of our Concern In deviating from the Rule it would be principally with the View of re- 64 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN straining the Wretched Natives in the pernicious Habit they have Lately Adopted As to restoring the trade to the former Tariff we can never Expect it But I merely state this for your Information in case Capt Dominis should Broach the subject to you that you might Know the Basis we would act On and that no Basis can be settled till we Know the Quantity of Goods he may have I do not Know how the trade is in your Quarter But here it is very Dull I am Yours truly JML Mr [Archibald] McDonald arrived on the 2nd From Fort Langley—all Well Letter Number 62. Fort Vancouver 8th Decr 1829 [To Mr. F. Ermatinger, Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledging the receipt of yours of the 12th Octr last and I am sorry to learn that your people were unable to penetrate to the Littlewhite1 Country but hope by the time this reaches you that you will have been more successful and accomplished this object I request you will make out two Copies of the Journal you were directed to keep by Mr A R McLeod when on the Clamlam [Clallam?] Expedition2 one copy you will seal and adress to Govr Simpson and hand to the Gentleman in charge of the Express the other copy you will forward to me by the first opportunity- It will be necessary that Mr [Peter W.] Dease proceeds to Alexandria to be there before the people leave that place to go out by the Express and wait the directions of Mr 65 rf> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN [William] Connolly in case he is required in new Caledonia for the Summer I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Mr. F Ermintinger Letter Number 63. Fort Vancouver 8th Decr 1829 Wm Connolly Esqr [C.F.] [Ft. St. James] Dear Sir As I was under the necessity of sending Mr [James] Birnie to the Dalles to oppose the Americans I was obliged to employ Mr [John] Harriott as Accountant but as Mr [James] Douglas1 is appointed by Council to that situation and can not have time to make them up after his arrival here, it is absolutely necessary that Mr. Harriott continues at them till Mr Douglas arrives, but that you may not be put to any inconvenience on that account I have written to Mr [Francis] Ermintinger to send Mr [P. W.] Dease to Alexandria as you will see by inclosed letter—Lieut: [AEmelius] Simpson is returned from his visit to the Russians but the Govr is not authorized to enter into any arraingements to purchase Goods from us but he writes that he will recommend to the CoY at St Petersburgh that they should enter into an arraingement to import their British Manufactors by us—The Americans are giving us a great deal of Trouble we have at present 27 Men and three Clerks on trading excursions. Our opponents have offered to sell us their property but to this of course we could not agree, at the time they made the offer they 66 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN had 4000 Blankets and plenty of every thing else required for the Trade except Guns and one of the vessels (the Convoy) is off to the Sandwich Islands for a supply I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 64. Fort Vancouver 8th Deer 1829 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir It is unfortunate I was not informed before that you would be in search of provisions as I could then have assisted you with more facility, You write "this place must be taken into Consideration whether or how we can lower the value of Goods, after seeing our Stores last Summer you must be aware how Short we are of Goods and even if we had them you Know how impossible it would be to transport them to your place and that lowering them at your place would effect the upper Posts. Keeping these points in view you can Judge best what articles Could be lowered with less injury and you must act accordingly however I am informed the Americans have not sent back their trader1 to the Dalles if so it would be unwise to reduce the prices—You did perfectly right to Keep [Thomas] Rocquebrun he or another is the same thing to us I am Dear Sir Yours truly Your Gunlock is forwarded (Signed) John McLoughlin 67 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 65. Fort Vancouver 8th Decr 1829 [Francis Heron, C. T.] [Ft. Colville] Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours from Fl Colville of the 18th Novr and regret you did not come to this place as I requested in mine of the 29th Aug1 It is not possible to send you any Goods as the District had its full outfit when the distribution was made nor are dry Goods much in demand in that quarter ten Blankets used to be the number sold in Colville District in a Year when there were no fremen at the flat Heads for whom Mr [John] Work recieved as ample a supply as our means would admit. The two Indian Boys have requested to be allowed to go up by the present opportunity and as you have promised their Parents they would be at Colville in sixty days, and it will not be in my power to send them then, I allow them to proceed at present it is necessary these Boys be employed in the Store as much as possible in the presence of Indians but Govr Simpson has stated this to you already it is therefore unnecessary for me to say more on the Subject—Your will bear in mind that Colville has a greater Establishment of Men this year than the number allowed for the place to enable you to errect the Mill and surround the Fort with Pickets—You write "I came to the Columbia with the expectations of being a fixture at this place" I beg to state that I am not aware of this and if circumstances should occur to make it necessary, I consider myself bound by the inclosed copy of an Extract of their Honors dispatch to call on your services, which I 68 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN merely State that in case of such an event I may Know whether you conceive you ought to follow my instructions I am Sir Yourobed1 Humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin Francis Heron Esqr. [J. McL. handwriting] Chief trader HBCo Letter Number 66. Fort Vancouver 8th Decr 1829 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir I received yours of the 30th Novr by the little Chief and your Furs by the Express Boats, Bache passed this [way] ten or twelve days ago and I understand is not yet passed on his Return which I must attribute to his employers disapproving the high prices he pays for Furs as they have plenty of every Kind of trading articles but Guns By this opportunity I send you all you requested as far as our means will admit and four Pork eaters in lieu of your former men But if you find your present number too great you will send any of your men you can best dispence with If you send any men down I suppose you will have a surplus of Provisions in that case you will please inform Mr [Samuel] Black of it and that you will assist him with any thing you may have to spare I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 69 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 67. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 10th Dec 1829 Mr [Michael] Laframboise [Interpreter] Dear Sir I send you with the Goods in the Inclosed list four men [Joseph] Cornoyer, Rocquebrune Thomas1 and Miste Ko Kanish which will Enable you to pay a Visit to the Cohoos [Coos] River if you think it proper if you do not go there these men must be sent Back Immediately with the furs you have and you already know they must be here by the 15th March with your Skins or the Account of them I am Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 68. Fort Vancouver 16th decr 1829 Archibald] McDonald Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir Ouvre is just starting and Informs me you told him to tell me that you wished your letters to be forwarded to Francois and that he would take them to you which is now done The Express reached this on the 4th inst and the accompanying communications from your friends will give you the news of the East side of the Continent. The plans settled last year are to be followed up and as Govr Simpson has Dispatched a Canoe to Canada from Bas de Riviere we have every reason to expect a vessel here in the beginning of March—The short warning and mode of conveyance will naturally account to you for the brevity of my Dispatch—But you may depend upon your suggestions and 70 mm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ,c> Plans settled on while here being followed up and if in our power you will have a Vessel at your disposal to trade in Puget Sound next Summer I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Ar McDonald Esqr Letter Number 69. Fort Vancouver 20th Decr 1829 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir I never meant you should abandon your place unless you were certain the Americans would give it up also. Your want of Green Blankets 3 pt [point] Plain Common Strouds and Traps cannot be of much Consequence now as the trade is rather dull at this season by the first opportunity I will attend to your wants—It is only this moment I have been informed an Indian had come from your place with the intention of returning today I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin N. B I am sorry to observe that Mr [John W.] Dease's health is not so good as when he left this. Indeed I never thought it prudent for him to undertake the voyage at the season he did but it was his own wish to do so— Letter Number 70. Fort Vancouver 10th Jany 1830 [Dr. Richard J. Hamlyn] [The Dalles] Dear Sir Yours of the 5th ins1 reached me on the 9th & I was 71 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN sorry to learn you had been so long on your Voyage in getting to the Dalles and that Mr [John Warren] Deases health is so precarious it is therefore necessary you should remain with him till he is sufficiently Recovered to proceed on his Journey or if there is no possibility of this till he can safely be brought down to this place, as at all events it is necessary I should see you before I can give my Consent to your going out this Spring— Your Canoe it seems had not been well secured by the men and it was found about an acre1 below the Mill I will be happy to hear from you or see you as soon as Convenient I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Doctor Hamlyn Letter Number 71. Fort Vancouver 18th Jany 1830 [Mr. James Birnie, Clerk] [The Dalles] My Dear Sir On the 14th inst Doctor [Richard J.] Hamlyn arrived with the Corpse of poor Mr [John Warren] Dease whose death I sincerely lament on the 15th his remains were Committed to the Grave Inclosed is a list of the articles sent you and you Know we have not the 3pt Blankets you demand—though I am unable it would be advantageous that you have them. It would be desirable if you had men that they could Come down to take up any article you think necessary to put you in a Situation to meet the opposition1 and to have wherewith to accompany them to the Mountain Snakes if they go there you will let me Know what will be required for the 72 *nm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN latter purpose and the number of Men necessary I think we ought in the present time sell as few Traps as possible to the Natives In expectation of hearing from you soon I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Mr James Birnie Letter Number 72. To Fort Vancouver 20th Feby 1830 Mr Alex Roderic McLeod [C. T.]1 [Ft. Vancouver] I have perused your Report and I feel it my duty to state to you that you have neither followed the letter or the Spirit of your instructions that in compliance with them you ought to have passed the winter in the Valley of the Buenaventura [Sacramento]2 and that this injudicious deviation has been the cause of all the disasters which has beffalen your Expedition and consequent loss the Concern must suffer it would be more congenial to my wishes and to my feelings to have to compliment and to congratulate you I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 73. Fort Vancouver 22nd Feby 1830 To Alexr Rodc McLeod [C. T.] [Ft. Vancouver]1 Dear Sir I beg to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 21st Inst1 and in Reply have to observe that your stating your 73 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN want of Ammunition as one of the causes of coming out of the Valley at the time you did ought not to have occurred as you were allowed when leaving this [place] to take the quantity you pleased and besides when you saw it running Short you ought to have endeavoured to have purchased some from the Russians or Spaniards or people with whom you fell in with rather than allow that prevent your full- filling your Instructions you say "To have wintered in the Valley would have subjected the Expedition to an open intercourse with the people of the Settlement and Settlers lately come out which I have reason to believe would have been productive of evil results" this could have been obviated by moving a sufficient distance up the Valley I am Dear Sir Your Obed1 Humbl Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin P S I am told there were seven gallons of Powder in your camp when you left it so that the quantity you would have had to purchase could not have been great— Letter Number 74. Fort Vancouver 23rd Feby 1830 To A R McLeod Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Vancouver] Dear Sir My object in Stating that you had seven Galls Powder in your camp when you left it in Jany last is that by your stating that in Sept you had only thirty two pounds of Powder disposable it would lead to suppose that at that time your party had only that quantity to depend upon whereas though you only had that quantity you do not state what your people had and which ought Certainly to be taken into consideration you say "I repeat it again I had only thirty two pound of Powder disposable in the 74 i> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN latter end of Sept but I did not consider the Expedition so distressed as to warrant putting in practice the Suggestion Stated in your last to endeavour and obtain some from the Spaniards Russians and others, in yours of the 21st Inst you State you had "but thirty two pounds powder in the fore part of Sept" but be it in the beginning or latter end of Sept it was Incumbent on you to take your precautions in time, you State "and must remark that I Could not more than yourself have Known that the quantity of ammunition Granted the Expedition was insufficient to answer the demand of the party which in any other part of the Country than the Valley would have been ample" you Knew there was no Buffalo in the country you were to go through and seeing what were your instructions you certainly ought to have provided accordingly as you were allowed to take the quantity of ammunition you pleased— I am Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 75. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24th Feby 1830 A R McLeod Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Vancouver] Dear Sir Inclosed is an Extract of my letter to the GovrS Council which I intend to forward this Spring I am dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Extract of G 75 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I am sorry to inform you that Mr Chief Trader [A. R.] McLeod arrived here on the 13th inst with the disastrous intelligence that this party had lost all their horses in Crossing from Bonnaventura River which we now Know to be the Pit River discovered by Mr Ogden in 1826/27 and after the Correspondence I have had with him on the Subject of the Expedition and which I forward you with this Report see Letter and Letter Book I have only to add that instead of Coming back as Mr McLeod did he ought in my opinion to have passed the Winter in the Valley and in the Spring crossed to the Sea and come here by the Coast hunting the little Rivers as he came and to have hunted that part of the Country while he was there and left the Sasity [Shasta] Valley to be hunted after he had cleared the more remote places. Allowing, he had lost three or four of his men which I do not think would have occurred, the Hunt of the remainder from that part of the Country would have amply repaid us, and to say that the want of ammunition was one of the Causes of his Return evinces in my opinion a want of management on his part as he was allowed to take the quantity he wished from this place and when he found he was getting short he ought at least to have made an attempt to get a Supply from the people he saw especially as this is the second time Mr McLeod fails in managing this Expedition Letter Number 76. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 23rd Feby 1830 Alexander Rodc McLeod Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Vancouver] Dear Sir Inclosed is a copy of a letter I handed Govr Simpson and I must observe that in the month of Octr and November it was repeatedly told me you would be back to this 76 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN place that fall instead of going on as I Expected I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 77. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24th March 1829 My Dear Sir It was settled last summer to send a trapping party South of this [place] but prior to their departure Mr [Jedediah] Smith with three of his followers reached this [place], the only survivors of nineteen the others had been murderer by the Umpqua Indians, and as Mr McLeod had visited these Indians two months previous to this outrage and had promised to pay them another visit on his return to his hunting grounds as he was the best acquainted with them of any of our peoples It became now more necessary that he should visit them to enquire into the cause of this horrible massacre, as the facility with which the natives had destroyed this party if allowed to pass unchecked all whites being the same Kind of people in the eyes of Indians would lower us in their estimation induce other Indians to follow their example and endanger our personal security all over the Country—On the 23rd Aug1 Mr [Thomas] McKay started with eight men to go on a head to his encampment in the Walahamette to Collect their Horses and on the 6th Sept Mr McLeod left this [place] accompanied by the remainder of the party with instruct- tions to proceed and hunt in the direction of the Bonaven- tura [Sacramento] & if possible to reach it, on his way he was to endeavour to cause the Indians to restore Mr Smiths property as is explained in my letter of the 6th Sept. on 10th Michel Laframbois arrived with Mr McLeods letter 77 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN to me of the 8th Sept to which in my reply of the 12th I urged him to use his best endeavour to cause the murderers of Mr Smiths party to restore his property and to punish them if possible, in his reply to me of the 18th he states "the dull prospects before us relative to Mr Smiths property. I am unable even to form an Idea what measure to adopt at this early period however I am not disposed to hostile measures. I must learn more than I Know before proceeding to extremities." from the tenor of this letter I inferred he intended to drop Smiths business and proceed to his hunting grounds especially as Lafrombois did not come back at the time appointed whom I conceived in consequence of the hostile state the Indians were in, Mr McLeod Considered it too dangerous to allow to return only with one man and therefore had taken him along with him, and was quite astonished at the arrival of Mr McLeod on the morning of the 14th Decr and to learn that he had not yet passed the umqua where he had left his party. I forward his Journal It is with extreme regret that I am obliged to find fault with the Conduct of my Colleagues but however painfull to my feelings I must discharge my duty to the concern, and must state it is evident to me that he intentionally loitered his time and that it is my opinion even before he left this [place] he had decided on coming back at the time he did and that had he pushed forward at the time he seperated from his party he would have been in the Clamette Country if not across the Bonnaventura mountains and in regard of the Expedition to the Clamlams its proceedings were not Reported Correctly to me it seems so much has not been done as could have been done and should have been done— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 78 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 78. Fort Vancouver 3rd March 1830 Alex Roderick McLeod Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Vancouver] Dear Sir You state in yours of yesterday "I declare to you most positively that I never harbored the Idea of coming back till my return to camp from the Sea" In reply I can only state as I have already that in Octr & Novr It was repeatedly told me you would be back in the fall, As to your progress from this place to the Umqua it was slower than any other Expedition I have Known since I am here though this may be owing to causes beyond your Controul, Still when you consider I was repeatedly informed that you would be back in the fall, can I infer otherwise than that you Started with the Intention of coming here at the time you did and that (since it actually occurred) you must have Communicated this your intention to some one. It is true as you state I was most anxious to see peace and quietness restored in the Umqua Country its then troubled State after the murder of Smiths party had entirely put a Stop to our trade with these Indians and as it required a Strong party to accomplish this object and we could form none Sufficiently Strong for this purpose after you left this [place]. It of necessity devolved on you and your party, but I neaver meant or expected you were to run along the Coast from place to place for a few articles my Idea was that you Should go to the main band of the murderers and make them return what they had and which I conceived you Could have done without any great loss of time in fact by incurring little more delay than if you went simply to trade I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 79 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 79. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 9th March 1830 Alexr Rodk McLeod Esqr [C. T.] [Fort Vancouver] Dear Sir I beg to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of yesterday and though I conceive your request perfectly just and natural still I am sorry to say It is not in my power to Comply with your Wishes— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Chief Factor HBCoy Letter Number 80. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 10th March 1830 Alexr Rodk McLeod [C. T.] [Ft. Vancouver] Dear Sir You will proceed and join the party you left and hunt between that and this place till the latter end of July when I except [expect] you will come with your party wishing you a safe Return I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 81. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 11th March 1830 [J. Castellow Grave, Capt. of Eagle] Dear Sir I beg to Return you my best thanks for your Kindness 80 L LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN in forwarding me my letter from Mr [Richard] Charlton and which I would have acknowledged before this but no opportunity offered to carry you a letter Inclosed is a letter from Cap1 [AEmelius] Simpson which I presume will clear up the subject to which you allude and I can assure you that both Cap1 Simpson and Mr [Donald] Manson repeatedly stated to me that you and Capt [John] Dominis [of the Owyhee] had offered every assistance you could to Collect the property In regard to giving information Capt Dominis sent a message to Mr Manson that a Vessel was in a dangerous situation but Mr Manson was not at home and did not Receive it. Capt Dominis also told one of our Sailors to tell Mr Man- son but he did not tell him from this it is certain you did all you could to convey us information as soon as possible I am Sir Your very humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin No copy of this sent out Letter Number 82. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver [March 1830] To George Simpson Esq Govr in Chief Hudsons Bay Companys Territory Dear Sir In compliance with their Honors desire as Expressed in the 20th paragraph of their Despatch of 25th Feby 1829 and yours of the 20th June last demanding a copy of the Instructions I gave to Mr Chief Trader A R McLeod when proceeding on the Clalam Expedition [to Hood Canal, Washington] and my particular Report of the same. I have to observe I gave no written Instructions to Mr Mc- 81 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Leod for the Guidance of his Conduct on that Expedition and left the management entirely to his own judgement. But verbally told him to use his best endeavors to get the Woman who was with our people when they were assasi- nated and whom the murderers detained in slavery and to punish the tribe of the murderers as severely as he possible could but to be cautious and prudent in his operations and by no means Expose his party to a Defeat [or] chance of a Repulse or even the loss if possible of a Single Individual and suggested that he could in my opinion effectually and safely accomplish the objects of the Expedition by Lieut [AEmelius] Simpson demolishing the Indian Villages with the Artillery of the Cadboro and while the Inhabitants were under the influence of the Terror caused by the Firing of the great Guns to land his people and accomplish the rest. 2 It has been said why go to War if you are so sparing of the lives of your people to this I have to observe, I considered it profitable to accomplish our object without loss on our part and though I and every one I conversed with on the Subject felt convinced of the necessity and Justice of our acting as hastily as possible toward the Clalams still others who are unacquainted with the Character and disposition of these Indians might think differently and if we had Risked too much and lost several of our people It would have tended to impress them more forcibly with the Idea that the measure was improper and you may be assured had I not conceived it absolutely necessary for our own safety to act without delay I would have waited for Instructions and untill we would have been better prepared As at the time we were so Short of men that we had not a single man to Spare from any of the Establishments and if Mr McLeod had lost three men which he Knew It would have been out of our power to form the Southern party and which I had been Anxious to form since 1827 82 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN so as to get the Willamette freemen1 out of that place in case a coaster should come in the River as that year to have them out of the way of an opposition 3 On Mr McLeods Return from the Clalam Expedition I gave the proceeding of the party in my letter to their Honors as I had them Verbally from the Gentleman and the only person I had then heard making any Remarks of disapprobation Relative to the business was Mr F Erma- tinger who said in my hearing as literally as I can recollect "The Indians are intimidated and Conceive we have done much but for my part I do not wish to go on such Expeditions again we have disgraced ourselves. I conceived he alluded to Mr McLeods caution and as I considered it necessary and proper in him to have so acted I defended Mr McLeods Conduct without entering into particulars 4 But it may be said when you heard Mr Ermintinger say what he did why did not you enquire to this I have to observe, that I have neither Known or heard of any Expedition of the Kind either before or since I came to this place with which some one did not find fault and conceive that either too much or too little had been done and it is but justice to all in charge of such Expeditions to state they are the most disagreeable Duty to which a person can be appointed to take Charge of and extremely difficult to manage Composed as they are of Canadians Iroquois a few Europeans Owhyees and native Indians whose language we do not speak nor they ours and even hardly understand us of hired servants who consider themselves bound to defend our persons and property when attacked but conceive it no part of their duty to go to war and merely go to oblige and of freemen who may be led but will not be commanded. Imsuch a Group when obedience cannot be enforced great management is required and to Conclude what I have to say on this Subject It seems to me as much has not been done as might have been done and should LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN have been done But when I see Mr Ermintinger Journal a copy of which I have written him to forward to you and have had Mr McLeods Explanation I will be able to give you a more Distinct and Decided opinion and as it appears their honors having received a communication Relative to the Expedition different from mine I beg the favour of a copy of the same 5 I forward you Lieut: Simpson acount of the killing of the Indian 6 As to Mr McLeods conduct in the Expedition to the umqua I forward you his Journal copy of my Instructions and my correspondence with him and his replies and it appears to me evident he did not proceed with the diligence he ought as is fully explained in my letter to you of the 24th March 1829 and I am now of opinion if he had pushed forward that Instead of passing the Winter in the Vicinity of Umqua he would have wintered in the Valley of the BonnaVentura [Sacramento] It may be remarked why give McLeod written Instructions this time when it had not been done in the Clalam Expedition. It was because there could not be a doubt of the propriety of acting hostily toward the Clalams but some might conceive it unnecessary to act so toward the murderers of Mr Smiths party and I therefore gave written Instructions to Mr McLeod that in case any thing happened to me he might have wherewith to show that he had acted in compliance with orders— 7 On the 1 Oth Ins1 Mr McLeod started to whom I handed the preceeding part of this Despatch, for perusal and on the 11th Ins1 I received a Copy of Mr [Francis] Erma- tingers Journal I had requested him to prepare two Copies one for this place and the other for you but he declines furnishing more than one under I believe this mistaken impression that it was Mr McLeod who told me he had desired Mr Ermatinger to keep a Journal as you will 84 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN see by his letter of the 24th Jany last, but Mr McLeod never mentioned this to me and it was only fall 1829 that I heard Mr Ermatinger had Kept a Journal, however I will send back to Mr Ermatinger the copy he sent to me and request him to take a Copy for this place as I want a copy to hand to Mr McLeod and to prevent any mistake I conceive the two copies ought to be furnished by Mr Ermatinger. 8 Mr Ermantinger will forward you his Journal and I must State that in my opinion I am sorry to say it does Mr Ermantinger no credit or Messers [James] Yale & [P. W.] Dease, if Mr Ermantingers statement is correct, as allowing Mr McLeod was uncommunicative to them, that he had more conversation with [Joseph] Gervais & [Jean] Dupaty than with them Still it must be recollected that these were freemen who would obtrude themselves upon him and to whom to a certain Degree it was absolutely necessary to pay attention to and he certainly might consider Gentlemen would not require it and instead of making allowances for the Difficulties of his Situation and the anxiety he must feel there seems to me a most anxious Desire through out the Journal to find fault and as if these Gentlemen made up their minds to act in a way to annoy Mr McLeod as much as possible I cannot from the late period at which I received this Journal Enter so fully into particulars as I might—I forward you the Interpreters examination on some points on which Mr Ermantinger alludes to him and you see the Interpreter accounts for the party remaining at the entrance of the Sound while he went for canoes Referring you to the accompanying documents for further information on this disagreeable Subject I am Dear Sir Your obedt humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin 85 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN NB I understood fall 1828 that Mr McLeod had allowed these Gentlemen go forward or sent them forward in the affair of the 1st July while he Kept back with the a main party It seems by the Interpreters account very different—J L McL— The only appology I have to offer for my differing now from the opinion I expressed in my letter of the 24th March 1830 to Gov: Simpson is that those remarks were made from reports in circulation, which I am sorry to say I believed to be correct (the preceding remark 'a' is one of them) and I now find these reports positively contradicted by the Interpreter and not maintained by Mr Ermantingers Journal signed John McLoughlin Letter Number 83. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 1st July 1830 Francis Heron Esq. [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your of 24th May which was handed me by Mr [William] Kittson and I have the pleasure to inform you the packs came in high order. You will receive with this the Account of your Outfit which is as nigh your demands as our Stores and circumstances will admit indeed is the largest Outfit Sent to Colvile Since I am here and I hope you will find it sufficient for the trade. It is not possible to Send a third gentleman for your District by the present opportunity however this is of no consequence as two are Sufficient for the Summer business 86 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN and a third will be supplied you either from this or York1 in time for making the fall arrangements. I find a mistake has been committed in regard to [Joseph] Lapierre as Gov: Simpson never meant that he was to be allowed regular rations of Pork and flour which we even do not allow the tradesmen at this place, and he could only mean that Lapierre should occasionally get a little flour and Pork at the discretion of the Gentleman under whom he was. You will therefore discontinue this regular allowance and only issue it to him when you think his conduct deserves such indulgence. I forward you a copy of a form of Bills and the Original letter of Governor Simpson Authorising the late Mr [J. W.] Dease or person in charge of the Flat Head Post to purchase furs from American trappers and to Draw Bills for the same which of course, (if necessary,) will be acted on. Mr. James McDougal goes up and I know it is perfectly unnecessary for me to recommend So worthy and Old a Veteran in Service to your Kindness and Attention. Messieurs [A. R.] McLeods and [John] Harriot's families also go up to whom and Mr McDougal you will please give five bags of flour say two Mr. McDougal, two Mrs McLeod and one Mrs Harriott to take with them across the mountain for the winter. In regard to your request to be allowed to accompany the Express this fall to the Mountain You are the best Judge whether your business will admit of your absenting yourself at that Season and You can act accordingly. When our people reach the mountain they ought to send word across that horses be sent for Mr McDougal and the families, (If they can be spared and a sufficient number still left to bring in the Express from York. Your people must be back to Colvile by the 20th October as the Kootanais people ought to leave Colvile 87 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN about the 22nd of the Same, and those for the Flat Heads about the first of November. And if the Express is not at the end of the portage when your people leave it, they ought to make a canoe to come down in and leave the boat for the Express. It is necessary to Build as many Boats as you conveniently can three at least will be required for next year and the Express ought to bring down gum to suffice to take the boat Back to Colvile [in the] spring 1831 Accompanying this is a Duplicate of the Honble Committees Letter which is forwarded for Mr [Samuel] Blacks and your perusal which I hope you will return by the first Opportunity It will convey you all the information we have from England and our friends going up will give you the particulars of the Wreck of the Isabella opposite Clatsop point Entrance of the Columbia you are aware Mr [Nicholas] Montours outfit for trade is not to be allowed him if we have no opposition at flat Heads you must do your Utmost to make Up the deficiencies on Mr [Peter Skene] Ogdens requisition you will please observe that all Horses traded from Indians are on account of the Company and that the men are not allowed to traffic or Exchange their Horses as the company assumes them when the men Leaves the place at the same price they sell them. The Tariff for Fort Colville ought to be Kept up to the present rate I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 84. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver Mar 12th 1830 Dr [Richard J.] Hamlyn [Ft. Vancouver] Sir I am not aware that you have given the usual notice Va« Hf] LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of your intention to return from the Service and as I have received no official notice of leave being granted you to go across this Spring I cannot Accede to your demand I am Sir Your Obedt Sc humble Serv1 (Signed) John McLoughlin1 Letter Number 85. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 13th Mar 1830 Mr James Bernie [Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir I received yours of 9th Inst Pr Mr [James] Douglas1 and in Regard to what you say about Bache I must observe we can have no dealings with him untill he has fairly and Clearly Settled with his late employers which I hope he will immediately do as the two men I intend to send a Trapping with him will be here in a few days I send you a Blank Engagement for him to sign as an ordinary Servant of the Concern which he will sign as soon as you please the Supplies he requested and your Bond for fifty pounds as security for him instead of a hundred as I at first demanded I am your Sec (Signed) John McLoughlin N B please observe what I state and be carefull that Bache has dissolved his Engagement with his Employers or rather his Connections as it does not seem to me to be an Engagement— You will bear in mind I am perfectly serious in wishing Bache to settle with Dominis2 and Thompsona prior to coming to us4— J McL 89 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 86. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 To George Simpson Esquire Governor in Chief Hudsons Bay Company's Territories Dear Sir as in my letter of the 5 th august last1 to the Governor and Committee I gave an account of our transactions at this place from the day of your departure2 up to that date, to which to avoid repetition I beg to refer you see letter Book No: [2b] and will limit myself in this to give you an account of our subsequent proceedings &c. 2 On the fourth of July I received a letter informing me that Mr Ch: Trader [John Warren] Dease was very ill and I immediately forwarded such medicines as Doctor [Richard J.] Hamlyn considered best adapted to the nature of his complaint.3 On the 10th August I received another letter from Mr [William] Kittson informing me that if Dr Hamlyn did not reach Colville before 12th August Mr Dease would on that day start for this place and as at the time I received this intelligence there was only two days to run to his departure from Colville, it was impossible to accomplish Mr Dease's wish and expected Mr Dease to come here. But on the 28th August I received Mr Dease's letter of the 15th of the same requesting to be allowed to proceed to the other side of the Mountains and stating his determination to go and which in mine of the 29th of the same [see No. 43] I acceded to But on the 5th September I was agreeably surprised by the arrival of Mr Dease at this place and he recovered his health so much that at his own particular request he was proceeding to pass the winter in the interior when he was suddenly taken ill the 27 Decr at our establishment of the Dalles. Mr Birnie sent to inform me and I immediately sent Doctor Hamlyn 90 <&Sl LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN But when the Dr arrived poor Mr Dease was beyond the power of medicine and I am grieved to inform you died suddenly on the evening of the 11 th JanY from the bursting of an abscess in the Stomach 3 In Mr Kittsons letter to me of the 19th July (written by Mr Dease's order) he informed me that he (Mr Dease) could not be depended on for any duty which I had conceived would be the case on receiving the first account of his indisposition; and as I am aware how necessary it is to the interests of the Concern that the person in charge of Colville District should be made acquainted with the business of the place and plans settled to be carried on I considered it necessary to appoint Mr [John] Work to the charge and sent Mr [George] Barnston to make the Compliment of gentlemen complete that the Department might not suffer if as in 1828 the Express was late coming in, and wrote the gentleman coming with Express to come here. But with this Mr [Francis] Heron did not comply and wrote me as per letter that he came to the Columbia with the expectation of being a fixture; as circumstances might occur (though I did not foresee any) in which changes must be made. I wrote him as per Letter Book No [65] You write I came to the Columbia with the expectation of being a fixture, I beg to state that I am not aware of this and if circumstances should occur to make it necessary I consider myself bound by the enclosed copy of an Extract of their Honours dispatch to call on your services which I merely state that in case of such an event I may know whether you conceive you ought to follow my instructions4 and forwarded him a copy of the 55-57 paragraph of their Honour's Dispatch of the 26th Feby 1826. I forwarded you his answer see letter 4 The Convoy Capt: Thompson passed the fort on the 4th April and proceeded to the foot of the Cascades on the 13 th of the same she repassed on her way down and re- 91 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN mained between the Cowlitze [River, Washington] and Falls of the Willamette from that time until September when he proceeded to Fort George [old Ft. Astoria] and in October sailed as it is said for Owhyhee to procure a supply of Indian Guns and re-entered the river on the 24th Feby. Captn [John] Dominis in the Owhyhee sailed from Cape Disappointment on the 14th April proceeded to De Fucas straits, thence to Rigomie, Point Nunez and Reentered the Columbia on the 1st of October and after leaving a small party at Fort George along side of Mr Manson brought his vessel to Casino's5 camp where he has remained ever since and sent a party to the Dalles which obliged us to keep a party of a Clerk and eight men to oppose them, in short ever since your departure we have never had less than twenty men one Clerk* [the interpreter]6 and a runner constantly on the go and since October we have had thirty two men two clerks the Interpreters and one Runner employed in that way and a few days after your departure the Tariff fell to one Beaver per Blanket. 5 Cap: Dominis having expressed to Mr Manson that he wished to sell out I took the opportunity when he was here to ask him on what terms he would sell—he replied at the rate of four dollars per Blanket and to be paid in Beaver at the rate of 4 i/£ Dollars per large Beaver this I told them could not be thought of. But that we would purchase the goods he had suitable to the Columbia trade at prime cost to be paid in boards at 10 dollars per thousand feet, he said he could not accept my offer as he must proceed directly from this to Canton [China]. Since then he has paid me another visit and talking on the subject he says he could not carry in his vessel payment for his goods. But would take payment in bills and guarantee us from opposition for two years from his employers but that I made him no proposal to which I replied the quantity of goods we expected was so great [and] he also had so much 92 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN (his invoice leaving Boston was 25 M dollars) and he had asked so high an advance that it was impossible for us to think of such a proposal. I am aware that I am not authorised to buy up an opposition and that buying up induces others to follow. But in the Columbia we are peculiarly situated and I conceive we ought not to incur expenses (if possible) to break down an opposition in the hope of securing a trade of which we may be deprived by treaty and situated as we are our stores nearly empty; dependant for a supply on the arrival of the vessel to which if an accident happened our trade on this side of the mountains would be ruined. I would for these reasons have purchased his goods for the Columbia trade and paid them in boards if he had agreed to my terms as it would have put a stop to the further disorganization of the Indians, would have enabled me to recall our trading parties and employ them to advantage in erecting our intended saw mill, and at other work about the place. 6 In consequence of being so much employed with opposition we have not got on so fast with our buildings as was expected and it seems we will have as much to do to oppose them this summer. From the high price paid for furs at this place the Outfit received per Ganymede would not admit of our sparing a sufficient outfit for the coasting trade and besides the Ganymede arrived so late, that by the time our vessel could get on the coast the trade would be over and as soon as Captn [AEmelius] Simpson returned with the trade of Fort Langley he was dispatched with your letter to the Governor of the Russian Establishment of New archangel [Sitka, Alaska] who received Captn Simpson with kindness and treated him with every politeness and attention and addressed me the accompanying letter by which you see he is not authorized to enter into any contract for purchasing British manufactures from us but will strongly recommend your proposal to his employers who 93 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN will forward their reply to the Hudson's Bay Company and submits that the most expeditious mode of making an arrangement of this kind would be by direct communication between the Governor and Committee of the Hudsons Bay Compy in London and the Directors of the Russian Fur Company in St Petersburgh. I forward Captn Simpsons letter to the Governor and Committee 7 Our Returns at this place as you must be aware cost much higher than usual tho' if deals sell as well as what Captn Simpson Sold the quantity we have sent to market say M feet will pay for the increased expenditure of goods. But the timber cannot appear to our credit till the proceeds are received in London and tho' our Returns are less than last year, which is certainly in part owing to the opposition, Still it must be observed that for the first time since the trade with these Indians was established we have not one single freeman attached to the place and last year we got five hundred skins from Mr [Jedediah] Smith and it is certain (from the reduced Tariff) that the Indians have exerted themselves more to procure furs. Our farm yielded about 1500 Bushels Wheat 396 " White Pease 191 " Grey Do- 200 " Barley 250 Indian Corn 20 Tierces Pork 8 It is impossible to say what we will do this year, as we must regulate our proceedings by those of the opposition. But you may depend that our first attention will be directed to the collecting of furs and then if we can spare a party we will set about building a saw mill in the Willamite [at Oregon City]. On the spot you and I fixed upon7 and 94 i LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN every exertion will be made on my part to accomplish the plans settled on and as soon as the vessel arrives from England we will enter on the coasting trade as extensively as our means will admit, for this purpose we have sheathed the Vancouver and it is intended that one of the schooners accompany Captn Simpson. 9 ' As for the number of men required for this department from York, it must depend on how far we are to follow the plans settled upon when you was here. If we are to enter on the timber trade and salting of salmon we will require men in proportion to the extent the business is to be carried on. At present we have at Fort Vancouver 62 men Naval Depart. 25 I Fort Langley 15 " " Colville 28 " Thomsons River 17 " Nez Perce 6 " Mr Ogdens Party 30 " Mr McLeods 27 " 210 " of these I do not know how many will go out. Colville and Thompsons River have more men than was allotted in the scheme. and as to the first it is to enable them to erect a new stockade round the buildings as last year a quarrel arrose between the Kettle Fall Indians and those of the lakes in which several people were killed and from the want of a fort our people were much exposed. The increased number to Thompsons River is to enable Mr Ermatinger to give a fair trial to the Lille-what Country.8 10 Mr James McDougal passed the summer and winter 95 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN at this place and as he is unable to cross the mountains in the spring he will do so in the fall. 11 I forward you Mr Ch: Trader Archid Mcdonnells letter to me relative to Fort Langley, he has found the white pine of the other side and if Timber and Salmon is an object Frasers River will supply any quantity but it will require an increased establishment in proportion to the business to be done 12 I am sorry to inform you that Mr Chief Trader Alex: Rod: McLeod arrived here on the 13th Instant with the disastrous intelligence that his party had lost all their horses in crossing from Bonaventura River which we now know to be Pit River discovered by Mr Ogden in 1826/27 and after the correspondence I have had with him on the subject of the Expedition and which I forward you with his Report see Letters [83] and Letter Book. I have only to add that instead of coming back as Mr McLeod did, he ought in my opinion to have passed the winter in the valley and in the spring crossed to the sea and come here by the coast hunting the little Rivers as he came, and to have hunted that part of the Country while he was there, and to have left the Sasily [Shasta] valley to be hunted after he had cleared the more remote places. Allowing he had lost 3 or 4 of his men which I do not think would have occurred the hunt of the remainder from that part of the Country would have amply repaid us, and to say the want of ammunition was one of the causes of his return evinced in my opinion a want of management on his part as he was allowed to take the quantity he wished from this place and when he found he was getting out he ought at least to have made an attempt to get a supply from the people he saw especially as this is the second time Mr McLeod fails in managing his Expedition. 13 You direct that Mr [James] Douglas may be sent out with the accounts, this year for the second time the new 96 i <> ~ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Caledonia men had to come round by the Columbia and Mr Douglas could not be in time to make up the accounts and as last summer Mr [John] Harriott was obliged to remain here and when I had to send Mr [James] Birnie to the Dalles to oppose the Americans I employed Mr Harriott in the office and conceive as he had made out the accounts and is acquainted with all our proceedings and it would answer better for this year if he went out and Mr Douglas remained here who seeing the business from the beginning will be able to make out the accounts and take them out spring 1831. Indeed I conceive it would be well to have 2 Gentlemen to act at this place as accountants and Storekeepers one to go out alternately with the accounts and as he in this case would commence at the beginning of the Outfit he would be able to give at York all the information required. 14 Doctor Hamlyn applied to go out and handed me a letter guaranteeing him £300 a year as surgeon to the Colony at Red River to which Govr Simpson had signed [assigned him] and stating he conceived this as leave to go out as you see pr letter no 1. In my reply see letter Book folio [I] stated as I had received no official information that leave had been granted him to go accross and as he had given no previous information of his intention to go accross I could not acceede to his request, you see his answer No 2 which is such that I considered it due to myself to drop correspondence with him and requested Mr Harriott to tell him he still would go out provided he wrote me that he was determined to do so and took the responsibility on himself; he sent me No 3, But he maintaining a claim to a passage to which if I agreed it would be—admitting his right to go out this year to which he is not I conceive entitled. I through Mr Harriott again refused my consent and requested the latter gentleman to state what I had previously said viz that he would get a passage if he insisted on it and 97 m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN took the responsibility upon himself he sent me No 4 which not being to the point I wrote the small note No 5 and he answered No 6 and I allow him to take a passage in the boat. It rests with you to decide whether he was entitled to a passage or not as to the letter he shewed me I can consider it in no other light than merely as a sanction of Gov: Simpson to Dr Hamlyns going to Red River if his services were not required here and at present they are much required. It rests with the concern to decide whether his conduct deserves their countenance or not. It may be said why give him a passage if you conceive him not entitled to it and that his services are required to this [place]. I beg to observe I conceive it of no use to keep a gentleman who says he will not work. In his letter No 2 he complains of the unmerited harsh and degrading treatment that he received at Fort Vancouver. I deny this to be correct When Dr Hamlyn acted contrary to order, I found fault, and I presume I have an undoubted right and that it is my duty to find fault when I see the company's Property wasted and their business neglected by those they employ under me. I admit he was ignorant of the nature of the Indian Trade and that allowances ought to be made. But surely when he found himself at a loss he ought to have asked for information I deny I ever demanded the performance of any degrading duty by him and I assert I only asked of him to perform the same duty as had been performed by every gentleman in the same situation at this place, he said he was treated with harshness if so I consider it was not unmerited, I maintain as a private individual from my conduct common civility is due to me and as the representative of his Employers—I am entitled to it. Referring you to Mr Harriott and the accompanying Documents for any 98 i {> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN further information relative to the affairs of this place I am Sir Your obedient humble Serc (Signed) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 20th Mar: 1830 N B I hope Mr Harriott will be allowed to come back to this place, as the information he would be able to give on many points would assist our proceedings greatly. Letter Number 87. [Fort Vancouver 20 March, 1830] Mr Francis Ermatinger [Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 31st January and am sorry to again observe that your people have been again unfortunate in not reaching the Li-le-what Country, however I hope before this reaches you that they have returned from that place. I am sorry to say our stores will not admit our fulfilling your requisition but you will receive as much as we can spare. I beg to call your attention to mine of 8th December and again to request two copies of your journal of the Clallam Expedition, that is one more copy in addition to the one you sent me. I am Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 88. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 Samuel Black Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 27 99 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN December 5, 6 and 21st February and of course I am perfectly aware how much the reduced price of goods must give you trouble and affect your trade but even in the present case if you lowered your Tariff we have not the means (besides the great Injury it would [be] to the Interior) of giving you a sufficient supply to meet the demand and you must be aware that lowering your Tariff besides the absurdity of doing this at your place with our limited means is exactly similar to a man setting fire to his house when a fire is raging in his vicinity to prevent its being burnt by the fire from his neighbours. Your demand for Sundries Sec, will be attended to as far as our means afford Captn Thompson of the Convoy entered the Columbia on the 24th Ultimo and is on his way up to oppose us— I am Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 89. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 Frances Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colville] Dear Sir In yours of the 15th Jany you request to be permitted to accompany the Express to York Factory—I am sorry the State of our affairs in this quarter will not admit of your request being Complied with. Inclosed is an Extract from my Despatch to the Govr Sc Council and when Mr [John] Work had settled his accounts &c he will Transfer to you the Charge of Colvile District1 at the same time communi- 100 L 1* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN cate to you all the necessary information relative to the Business of the Place. I am Sir Your obedt humble Servant (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 90. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 Mr John Work [Clerk] [Ft. Flathead] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the Receipt of your last and Congratulate you on your fine prospects of making good Returns and hope you have been able to equip [Nicholas] Montour to accompany the Flat Head camp. After you have taken the Inventory of the District you will please give over the charge of Colville District to Mr [Frances] Heron and please give him all the information regarding the plans settled upon and regarding what is to be done about the place, farm &c and of the quantity of flour and corn required from Colville for Thompsons River, New Caledonia and river communication, and as soon as this is settled you will please come down here with the surplus men a list of whom Mr [John] Harriott will furnish you and bring the horses from the different places as per the Memom I have given him I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 101 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 91. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 Mr Francis Ermatinger [Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir Inclosed is a copy of the extract of my remarks on your Journal1 I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 92. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 Mr Francis Ermatinger [Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir Inclosed is a copy of the Interpreters replies to my queries I am Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 93. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. No copy of this letter in H. B. Co. A. In handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 George Simpson Esqr Governor in Chief Honble Hudson Bay Company's Territories Dear Sir Another particular regarding the Clalam Expedition which I omitted to inform you is that as soon as I had given 102 L !Bi LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Out I Intended to send to punish the Clalams Messer [Donald] Manson1 and [P. W.] Dease very handsomely requested of me to be placed on that Expedition But Mr Manson could not go as I was Obliged to send him Back to Fort Langley I am Sir Your Obt humble Serv11 John McLoughlin Letter Number 94. No copy inH.B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1830 Mr Francis Ermantinger [Clerk] [Thompson River] Dear Sir If you think you cannot give me a Copy of your Journal exclusive of the One you sent me it is necessary you go to York Factory I am Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin NOTE: In other handwriting: "Not del. JEH" [John Edward Harriott]. Letter Number 95. Fort Vancouver 1st April 1830 [Mr James Birnie, Clerk] [The Dalles] Dear Sir I dare say if Bache leaves the Dalles there will be no occasion for your remaining there You know how much your men are required at this place and that if we have no opposition above we must push in the Willamitte Cowlizt and Fort George which I 103 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN state tho' I know you must be aware of it) that you may be able to form a more correct opinion on what you ought to do and to show you that if possible I will expect you down with your people as soon as your business will allow I am yours truly John McLoughlin I am told Basche has a good deal of property if he comes under arrangements to us he must not trade his property with the natives as that would be interfering with the trade1, but we would take it off his hands at a fair valuation and allow him trade it at the Old Tariff, allow him 14 of the skins he trades at freemens prices2, to pay him for the trouble of trading them. Letter Number 96. Fort Vancouver 28th May 1830 Dear Sir I arrived here the night before last—all well, no accounts from the Interior. As I already said to you below I don't see of what use you can be there after the property is removed to Fort George1 and Capn [William] Ryan and crew can do but little, still they are better employed in collecting the materials they can from the wreck (to prevent the Indians getting them) than they can be here till the Eagle is arrived, and we have got her cargo as we are not able with the Goods we have to make a suitable outfit for Fort Langley; which is distressing as that place is certainly destitute of Goods for the trade. I am &c John Macloughlin Ch. factor To Cap: [AEmelius] Simpson ) ) 104 t- LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 97. Mr Mcloughlins compliments to Captain [John Cos- tellow] Graves1 and hopes this will find him safe arrived, and requests Cap: Graves will embark on board the Eagle the 12 and 18 feet plank left at Fort George and as much of the Cargo of the Isabella as he conveniently can of course this is if this note should find Cap: Graves at Fort George Fort Vancouver Friday 28th May [1830] Letter Number 98. Fort Vancouver 28th May 1830 Dear Sir As it is necessary in such a country as this to save our imported provisions as much as we can I have written to Mr [Donald] Manson (to endeavour) to supply you with fresh salmon as much as possible which you will please issue to your crew instead of Beef or Pork. Perhaps it would be more convenient for you to have a small assortment to trade salmon from the Indians about you if so Mr Manson will supply you with the necessary articles I am Dear Sir &c To John Mcloughlin Captain [William] Ryan Ch. factor Letter Number 99. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Mr. McLoughlins Compliments to Capt Graves1 and requests he would have the Goodness to Bring his Log Book and the Officer on watch when the Eagle and Isabella parted Company Vancouver 22n June 1830 105 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 100. Fort Vancouver 7th June 1830 My dear Sir, I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 11th May Sc 2nd Instant and at present have only to observe that your Outfit will be as ample as our means of transportation and our Stores will admit—but I am sorry to inform you that one of our Vessels from England (the Isabella) was wrecked on the same place the William and Ann was last year.— A great part of the Cargo saved but the Vessel is lost— I hope you will not make any reduction in your Tariffs and I will certainly write to the Gentlemen in the Interior to follow the Standard settled on last Year.— The furs have fallen in Price I am Dear Sir Yours truly To Sam1 Black Esqr— John McLoughlin Joe Gray is the Bearer of this and takes up to you the Horses left at the Dalles by Louis Forcier— J. McL- Letter Number 101. [Mr. Francis Heron, C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Mr. Heron Will please furnish Thompsons River with Seven Bags of Flour and Twenty four Elk Skins, say twelve of the latter as soon as possible and twelve by the Express Boat (Signd) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 29th June 1830 NOTE: In the book this letter has ink lines drawn across it indi- 106 jn LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN eating it was not sent. But it was found in the archives of the H. B. Go. in London and had the following sentence after the final word "Boat:" "Bourdignon is going out this fall." This seems to be corrected by letter 105. The letter was rewritten as letters 104 and 105. Letter Number 102. Fort Vancouver 29th June 1830 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir You will please deliver over the charge of Walla Walla post to Mr [George] Barnston and I need not say how necessary it is you give him every information you possess relative to its management—mode of dealing with the Natives Sec and you will proceed to Thompsons River and assume charge of that District— Inclos'd is a copy of the Outfit. Baling Account and Memorandums relating to the place which with the Journal left there will give you all the information so experienced a Trader as you Require—and it is with pleasure I embrace the present opportunity to Express my approbation of the manner you have conducted the Trade of Walla Walla— We were last year and this assailed by opposition which by reducing the price of Goods to 1/51 of what they previously were has greatly injured the Trade of this Quarter— But by your firmly Keeping up the prices at Walla Walla (as settled on) in spite of all the means employed by the Natives to make you lower them you prevented the Trade of the Interior being Spoilt— And I feel confident the same Zeal and good management will be Exerted in carrying on the Business of your present Charge I am Dear Sir yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 107 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 103. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. sent Thompsons River trip Book Packing account Invoice and Sundry Memorandums of the Business of the place an order on Mr [Francis] Heron for flour and Leather Mr Erfmatinger's] Horses must be Kept for him he has six Horses of these has given one to [Pierre] Martineau and two mares in Charge to Clairmont—You will send Laurent1 down in the fall and get a man from the Express in his place you will please Bear in mind that you must furnish a Boats crew as far as Colville NOTE: The above is an unsigned memorandum in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin, has no date, and is not addressed to anyone unless to Mr. Heron whose name is written in and then crossed out. Letter Number 104. Mr Heron Will please furnish Thompsons River with Seven Bags flour and twenty four Elk Skins dress'd Say twelve of the latter as soon as possible and twelve by the Express Boat— (Signed) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 29th June 1830 Letter Number 105. Fort Vancouver 30th June 1830 Dear Sir I forgot to mention in mine of yesterday that Antoine Bourdignon is to go out this fall I Remain &ct To John Machloughlin Francis Heron Esqre Chief Factor HB Coy 108 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 106. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1830 William Connolley Esqr [C. F.] [Ft. St. James] Dear Sir with this I forward you two Books belonging to Thompsons River which have been handed me since your departure I was informed here this summer (But in the hurry and Bustle I forgot to mention it) that Mr [William] Kittson had offered two Horses to get an Indian Killed [La Souris?] will you have the Goodness to state to Mr Kittson that the Company will not allow such proceedings and that it must not be done— It is only when Indians have murdered any of the Companys Servants or any person belonging to the Establishment that we can have a Right to Kill the Murderer or get him Killed I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin NOTE: Written across face: "This letter came Back and of course not Received by Mr Connolley. JML" Letter Number 107. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 7th July 1830 To Captain AEmilius Simpson Dear Sir you will proceed to Fort Langley and from thence to Nass. Examine the Harbours and Rivers that fall in it as high Up as you conveniently can and Endeavour to find a 1 109 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN good situation to Build a trading Establishment on its Banks or on the Shores of the Harbour you will Bear in mind you ought to be here by the first September or thereabouts and on your Return you will dispatch Capt [William] Ryan to Fort Langley for such articles as Mr [Archibald] McDonald will deliver him Inclosed is a Copy of Capt [John] Graves Instructions a priced Account of your Outfit and if paid in furs at the Annexed prices you can dispose of your Goods at 150 pr Cent advance on Invoice Valuation wishing you a safe Voyage I am Dear Sir Yours truly J. McLoughlin Large Beaver 20/ Minks ]/2 Small D- 10/ Musquash 6£ Fishers 4/ Land otters Large 10/ Cross foxes 11/ Small 5/ Red D- 5/ Sea Otters Large 6£ to 8£ Silver D— 30/ Small 2£ Martins 5/ Large Blk Bear 10/ Small Do 5/ Large Brown Do 10/ Letter Number 108. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 7th July 1830 To Captain J Costellow Graves Brig Eagle Dear Sir You will proceed with the Vessel under your Command to Fort Langley and the North West Coast in Company with Capt Simpson deliver your Cargo at Fort Lang- 110 I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ley and follow the Instructions you will receive from Capt Simpson wishing you a safe Voyage I am Dear [Sir] Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 109. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 7th July 1830 Archibald McDonald Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir I had the pleasure to Receive yours of the 21st June by Mr [James] Yale who with his party reached this [place] in safety on the 29th in the evening having made the Voyage in Eight days I am not surprised at the Great disappointment you Experienced and Anxiety you suffer at not hearing from me and not receiving your replies long before this as I am aware your want of Goods must have Injured your trade and as you surmise the late arrival of one Vessel and [the] Wreck of the other has been the cause of your disappointment For the particulars of the last unfortunate occurrence I beg to refer you to the Gentlemen going to your place suffice [it] to say [that] from the 4th May untill the 9th June we were Busy saving the property from the Wreck and transporting it to this place, On the 8th June the Brigade arrived on the 9th the Eagle and from that date we have been constantly Employed in Receiving the cargo making up the Interior Outfit till the 1st Instant when the Brigade started for the Interior By the late Arrival of the supplies and Loss of the Isabella prevents our following up the plan of Keeping a Schooner in the Sound the Eagle Vancouver and Cadboro will pay you a visit your outfit is on Board of the first and as full as our supplies will admit and on the Whole larger than 111 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN you requested But as the advance is no higher at your place than this it is well you should have an ample supply We have no Striped Blankets but the deficiency is made up in White—I approve of your plan of Salting as much Salmon as possible and send you an Extra quantity of Salt and two men to assist but I am sorry I have no cooper however your man Faniant could, I think sufficiently cooper the Salt, Barrels to come here, and our cooper would finish them On the return of Vessels from the North, one of the Schooners will call at your place, when you will please to send Either Mr Yale or Mr Annance and any men you can spare as we require to make every exertion to Establish Nass this season at the same time you will ship all Salt Salmon you can afford to Enable you to send as much as possible should the Schooner go too soon you can detain her to be here about the 15th September— If you have Shingles to spare you can send them pr Eagle I am Yours truly John McLoughlin N B Plomondon has applied for a passage for his family but I refused him and I hope you will not ship any woman from Fort Langley for this place1 Letter Number 110. Certificate of the Vancouver This is to certify that the Hudsons Bay Company are sole owners of the ship or vessel called the Vancouver, which is of the burthen of sixty tons schooner rigged whereof William Ryan is master and that the said ship was built at Fort Vancouver Columbia River north west Coast of America in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven John McLoughlin Chief Factor H. B. Company 112 L ^> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 111. Fort Vancouver 13th July 1830 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir The Bearer of this [Jean] Toupin is sent to you for Mr [John] Works Horses to whom you will please deliver them and all the Appichimons Cords &— you have to spare and change the Horses the bearer takes with him and give him others in their place fit to undergo a journey to the Snake Country and if you have any Horses to spare you will send them by this opportunity to Walla Wala as in case it is found necessary to re equip Mr [A. R.] McLeods Party we require all the Horses we can get for this purpose [Francois] Payette writes to Mr [William] Kittson in case Mr Kittson is not at Colville you will please open the letter and observe that Payette requests all his affects in his Cassette1 —his Appichimons Se— which are in charge of [Francois] Rivete and his Spy Glass (which Mr Kittson has) to be sent to him by the Bearer— You are aware how advantageous it is to your District to get all the Freemen from the Flat Heads and Kootanys if any are with you and ready you will please forward them to Walla Wala if [Edward] Ber- land wishes to go you will forward him he will be supplied with Horses at Walla Wala and he will be credited with the Horses we may recover from his Associates We ought in particular to endeavour to persuade Jacques to join the Snakes and in case he is afraid of being too late to join the Party you will recollect the Party will remain to hunt a short time at River Malade2 or thereabouts you will collect all the Mares you can so Yours (Sign) John McLoughlin 113 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 112. Fort Vancouver 13 July 1830 Mr George Barnston [Clerk] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir You will please furnish [Jean] Toupin with two Horses and Provisions to take him and his companion to Colville—you will please observe that all Horses purchase in trade are to be on account of the Company, if Gentlemen apply to you for particular Horses and you can purchase them on such terms as are not injurious to the trade you will do so give them the Horse and charge it to the District these Gent: are in, you will purchase all the Horses you can as we will require a great number if we have to equip Mr McLeods Party YxScSe (Sg) John McLoughlin Letter Number 113. Fort Vancouver 13th July 1830 Sam* Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Kamloops] Dear Sir I forward you two Books which were only handed me after the departure of the Brigade, You will please deliver to the bearer Mr [Francis] Ermatinger two Horses (Saddle) you will please observe it is a rule at Thompson River that the Men who have Families furnish Horses to transport Provisions for them I am Dear Sir (Sgd) Yr John McLoughlin 114 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 114. Fort Vancouver 13 July 1830 Francis Heron Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir It is necessary you write me on return of your people from the Flat Head trade so as to enable me to form an idea who would be most suitable and necessary to make up your complement of Gentlemen for the Out Post.— It occurs to me if there is no opposition of American Trappers at the Flat Heads that Mr [Nicholas] Montour would answer for the Kootany Post— I forward with this a Packet for Mr [Samuel] Black and wish you would forward it immediately. Indians I suppose will answer the purpose to carry it and at the same time I wish they bring Mr [Francis] Ermatinger two saddle Horses from Oakinagan to Colvile where they are to remain till further orders— You will please to observe all the Horses you can are to be purchased (traded) on the Companys account Yours John McLoughlin B N None of the Servants can be allowed to sell their Horses to others if they do not want them the Company will take them at the same price they sold them. JMcL.1 N. B. In case Mr Black is not at Okanogan you will please tell your messenger to tell the people there that they are sent for Mr Ermatingers Horses— J. McL.2 Letter Number 115. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 13 July 1830 Mr George Barnston [Clerk] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir In case of Accident it is Necessary to inform you in- 115 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN consequence of the Melancholy affair of the Dalles two Women Silvaille and Grenier Women are now Widows and in case of their Wishing to Accompany [Jean] Toupin to Colville this you will prevent Goods will be forwarded for them by Mr Work the latter is now detained here waiting the arrival of the Boat from the Interior Yours truly J. McL. Letter Number 116. No copy in H.B.Co.A. Fort Vancouver 21 July 1830 To Richard Charlton Esqr British Consul Wahoo Dear Sir I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your two favours pr Isabella Se Eagle and I am sorry to say that the first was wrecked on a Sandy point opposite Clatsop point the Vessel lost but Crew and greater part of the Cargo saved— If you have not yet sold the Deals will you please to do so even if they bring only fifty Dollars and remit the proceeds (after deducting your account against the Company) to the Governor and Committee Hudson Bay Company The Eagle will touch Wahoo on her way home and if you have sold the Deals now on hand she will give you a fresh supply say about twenty or thirty thousand feet— We intend to supply your market with any quantity of our Deals you can sell provided they pay and will regularly enter on this business when we learn how those we have consigned to you have sold I am Dear Sir Yr Obd1 Hble Servt (Sgd) John McLoughlin NOTE: "Not Sent" is written across the face of this letter. 116 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 117. Fort Vancouver 23rd July 1830 To The Governor Deputy Governor Se Committee Honble Hudson Bay Coy— Honble Sirs Capt [John] Dominis of the American Brig Owhyee of Boston who has been here since Summer 1829 having offered to take a letter for me to Sandwhich Islands affords me the opportunity of communicating to you the unfortun- nate circumstance of the loss of the Isabella on a sandy spit on the South end of Sandy Island opposite Clatsop Point Capt [William] Ryan entered the Columbia River on the 2nd May but mistook Chinook Point for Cape Disappointment and came on through the Breakers south of the Channel, the Vessel struck carried away her Rudder the wind and tide drifting her on Breakers and she still striking Capt Ryan cast anchor threw as much as possible of the Cargo overboard to lighten her but afraid she would go to pieces in the night and that he had no other means of saving the lives of the Crew he abandoned the Vessel and proceeded to this place in his Boat which he reached on the night of the fourth of May I immediately sent a Party of our people down but on their arrival there in the morning of the 6 th they found the Vessel had parted from her Anchor and on shore at the place already mentioned and though I arrived there on the morning of the 7th with all the remaining people we could spare from this place including Capt [AEmelius] Simpson with the Cadboro and Crew we were unable to get Vessel off but we succeeded in saving the greater part of her Cargo 2n Mr [Donald] Manson with a Party of our people passed the winter at Fort George and saw the Vessel coming in on the evening of the 2nd May and seeing she was not in 117 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the Channel immediately started with his people to give his assistance— It being dark when Mr Manson reached Clatsop point and blowing rather strong at the time he could not venture to go to the Vessel in a Canoe but lighted a fire on the point and crossed over to the sandy Island and lighted another there Capt Ryan saw the fires but did not go to them as he was afraid they were made by Indians who would murder him and his people 3 On the morning of the 3rd Mr Manson seeing no one stirring in the Vessel prevailed on an Indian to go on board which he accomplished with danger and difficulty and on his return informed him the Crew had abandoned her of which Mr Manson immediately sent me intelligence but previous to the arrival of his messenger I had seen Capt Ryan and on the night between the 3rd Se 4th it came on to blow the Isabella chain broke and she drifted on the spit where she was wrecked and when I arrived she had already found a dock on the sands Mr Barnston Se [Thomas] Sinclair who had arrived the day before told me they found six feet water in her hold 4 When Capt Ryan arrived here he could not distinctly ascertain where he had left his vessel as he mentioned he had followed the directions for entering the Columbia and said their were breakers to the North of him and that as the Vessel swung at the tide there was a sandy point or Island, on the north breakers; it was only when I received Mr Mansons Note that I actually learnt where she was and if Cap1 Ryan had remained on board with his Crew it is certain the Vessel would have been saved as on the turn of the tide they had only to slip her Cable and she would have drifted into smooth water but in justice to Capt Ryan I must observe that he abandoned the Vessel in consequence of her striking so hard he was afraid she would go to pieces (which had she not been very strong she certainly would) and that if the Indians had time to collect they would kill 118 \a* rf> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN him and his Crew as they went ashore in their Boats—a danger a stranger might reasonably dread after having the reports of the fate of the Crew of the William Se Ann 5 On the 10th June the Eagle reached this [place] and I am sorry to say a great part of her Cargo is damaged 6th The Vancouver1 is equiped and manned with the Crew of the Isabella and she with the Cadboro and Eagle are gone to examine Nass as first impressions are of great consequence in dealing with Indians and as the Natives of that place have a very bad Character I consider it advisable we should have an imposing appearance on our first visit— 7th Mr Ogden arrived here on the 6th Ins1 and I am sorry to say lost nine Men drown'd at the Dalls of the Columbia out of ten Men in the Boat only one escaped and this misfortune occurred in a place where our Boats have passed and repassed every year since the Columbia trade is established and was not considered to be a place of danger the Brigade going in this year happen'd to meet Mr Ogden at the place half an hour after the accident and went up in perfect safety In fact it is an accident proceeding from the people getting alarmed and losing their presence of mind, a Whirlpool caught the Boat and instead of the Men springing on their paddles to pull her out—they dropped them and she went down by the stern by this accident Mr Ogden lost his papers and five hundred skins 8th leaving Walla Wala last Fall Mr Ogden proceeded to Ogdens River and from thence went on up the Country to Rio Callarado [Colorado] descended it to nigh where it empties into the Gulph of Callifornia turned then North fk on South Branche of the Bonaventura following Mr McLeods route till he came to the Country he hunted wintered 1826/7 and then bent his Course to Walla Wala—On the Rio Callarado he fell in with an American Party of Trappers fitted out from Taas on Rio del Norte with the intention of coming to hunt the Willamette and accompanied 119 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I our people till they came to Canoe River on the Bonaven- tura where seeing marks of Trappers before them (It was the track of Mr McLeods Party) they returned to whence they came 9th we have now explored all the Country between the Columbia and Rio Callarado and that part explored this year is the poorest of the whole and consequently Mr Ogdens returns are less than they have been any year previous indeed he only found a few Beaver on the South Branche of the Bonaventura— 10th The Uncertainty of the present conveyance I hope will be considered by your Honors as a sufficient apology for the brevity of this communication Indeed I would not have addressed you at present but that the non Arrival of the Vessel which you state in your last as to sail a few weeks after the departure of the Eagle and Isabella leads me to suppose you have not sent her and in this case it is highly important you should know how we are situated as we require a Vessel of the size of the Isabella to carry on the Coasting trade But I beg to submit one Vessel with our two Schooner ought to suffice for our Coasting trade till we have more information. I am Honbl Sirs Your Obt Humble Servant J McLoughlin 17. saved from the Wreck of the Isabella2 Goods Sec at Invoice price £8219—11—11 D damaged at a valuation 92—2—2 Besides ship stores Se Rigging we have not yet closed the account of the Expenses we incurred to save the property J McLoughlin NOTE: "Not Sent" is written across the face of this letter. 120 L HI LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 118. Fort Vancouver 1st August 1830 Mr George Barnston [clerk] [Ft. Nez Perces] Dear Sir I received yours of the 22nd July on the 27th of the same— I certainly was not aware that Mr [Samuel] Black had made any alteration or reduction whatever in his Indian Tariffs—though he has as you observed only increased the Gratuities In the present situation the only plan you can adopt is to make no further reduction and indeed if possible you ought to bring the trade back to the former standard which if you do will be of more real service even if you only collected one fourth of the usual returns than if you trippled them and I trust you will endeavor to accomplish this most desirable object- as you are aware that if the Tariff is lower at your place than farther in the Interior the consequence will be that the returns will come to you and cost dearer to the Company than if traded in the Interior— To cary this plan into execution you must not appear anxious about Furs and tell the Indians who complain of the price that you are sorry you cannot afford them a higher price for their Furs and that you have no objection to see them carry their Furs to this place if they can get more for them— I know how difficult it is to follow such a plan situated as you are still I feel so perfectly confident you will do your best to accomplish it and act for the best that I will say no more on the subject and trust to your good management for a successful result— You will please to continue to trade Horses as the Indians bring them to you— I think [Francis] Charpentier was most properly made to pay and I am afraid we have no men here that would suit your purpose so well as Joe Grey or else I would send him. 121 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN however if you find any of those coming in who would answer your purpose enclosed is an order on the person in charge of the Express to furnish you a Man in lieu of Joe who you will send down As you are weak in Men if the Indians should be inclined to be troublesome I send you two Men Richard Cook Pierre Martineau if you do not want them Mr Ogden will bring them back— We are not able to send you any Beads and I am sorry the Doctor has no Ground stop Phial to contain the acids you require, you will receive a Screw Plate— Yours of the 23 ultimo duly reached this but neither [Pierre] Desaire or [Jean] Fleury have made their appearance and I understand the Indians left them with your interpreter at the Dalls I am Dear Sir Yrs Truly Sg John McLoughlin Letter Number 119. Fort Vancouver 3rd August 1830 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir If you can not use your Bolting Cloth will you please send it to us by the Express Boat this Fall also a sufficient Quantity of Gum to take the Boats say two up in the Spring— Will you have the Goodness to inform me by first Opportunity what was the Quantity of your Crop Fall 1829 and the Weight of Pork Killed at Colville Since Novr 1829 as also how much of this last you have supplied other places and you will please observe It is ex- 122 i LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN pected Colville is to supply the Pork and Flour Required for the Interior of the Columbia I am Dear Sir Yours Truly (Signed) John M. Loughlin N.B. two of Mr. Ermatingers Horses are gone forward to your place which you will please Keep them for him and not allow them be used If Mr Ermantingers Boy is at Colville will you request the Gentleman Coming with the Express to bring him here—1 Sd J.M.L Letter Number 120. Fort Vancouver 3rd August 1830 To The Gentleman in charge of the Hudson Bay C° Establishments on the Columbia Gentlemen You will please assist Mr [Alexander] McLeod with the Means of proceeding on his Voyage to the Rocky Mountains I am Gentlemen Yours Truly Signed John M. Loughlin Note: Written across the face of this letter: "Not Sent." Letter Number 121. Fort Vancouver 3rd August 1830 To Samuel Black Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Kamloops]1 Dear Sir Yours of the 25th July reached this [place] on the 123 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 2nd Instant and I am Extremely sorry to hear of Mr [William] Connolly losing two Men by desertion— by last Accounts they were at the Dalls Sometime ago I forwarded you the Account of the Horses you requested pr last— and which you will receive before this— please have the Goodness to send down by the Express Mr [Francis] Ermatingers little Boy— I am Dear Sir— Yours lruly Signed John M. Loughlin Letter Number 122. [Fort Vancouver 3rd Aug] Mr George Barnston [clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla]1 Dear Sir Mr Ogden has following pieces for Walla Wala 3 Bags Bals, 2 Kegs Gun Powder, 1 Keg Grease, 3 Bags Flour total 9ps and the Express Boat will take you in the Spring 1 Keg Sugar 1 Keg Powder, 1 Keg Rum say 3ps which you will please include in your Inventory Spring 1831- I am Yrs (Sg) John McLoughlin Letter Number 123. Fort Vancouver 12th Aug: 1830 Mr McLoughlins compliments to Capt [John] Minors and congratulates him on his safe arrival in the Columbia and requests he would have the goodness to come up as far as Casinos village or [Belle Vue] point1 with his vessel from that place Captain Minors should sound the river to Fort Vancouver to see if there is a sufficient depth of water before bringing his vessel farther. If Captain Minors 124 Li LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN has room and is not yet past the place, he will ship as many barrels of Salmon as he can from Pisks fishing place Mr McLoughlin sends the man best acquainted with the river, at present about the establishment, to assist Captain Minors with his knowledge of the ship channel— Letter Number 124. Fort Vancouver 18th Aug: 1830 Dear Sir I merely send this to let you know that the horses we have here will not be able to thrash our grain so that if you find you can dispense with any it will be well to send them back by Mr [James] Douglas and if you have an opportunity please send [word] to Michel [Laframboise] to bring his horses here when he comes to the fort as it will save us the trouble of sending for them as we cannot possibly do without them. My Compliments to Mr Douglas and Mr [Thomas] McKay I am yours truly Signed John McLoughlin To R. A McLeod Esqre Letter Number 125. Fort Nes Percy [Perces] 21st August, 1830 Mr John Work [Clerk] Sir You having requested my opinion relative to the route you should take in quest of Beaver as I am not authorised to give you instructions I shall merely state the track I had intended following had I returned— From this by the usual route to the Snake River (S.B.)x ascending this stream to Campment Fusil where you will cross it and proceed to Reeds River2 here or in the vicinity you will separate from Alex: Carson and five Men who are to remain and hunt in 125 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN that quarter. The Men that are to accompany him, it is generally understood in similar cases are Volunteers so in case of being unfortunate they can attach no blame to you. The different Forking Party's that have separated from me have invariably succeeded well in returns but the reverse in regards to Horses [and] Traps the latter however must be a secondary consideration in the Snake Country, after separating from the above Party yours will be sufficiently strong to oppose the Blackfeet. Leaving Reeds River proceed across the Camass Plains to Sickly3 River, on this stream its branches and the Swamps you will find Beaver to employ you for some time as you will not return by this route in the Spring and should the season be not too far advanced you might proceed by the sources of the North Branche of Sickly River to the waters of the Salmon River but should there be an appearance of an early winter I would advise you to loose sight of Salmon River and loose no time in crossing over the Plains of the Trois Butes (Three Knobs) to the South Branche for should you unfortunately be too late in crossing in the Fall altho the distance is only 40 miles from the depth of snow in the Spring it would be late in May ere you could cross it when you would have to contend with the floods and consequently loose your Spring Hunt., on reaching the South Branche in the Fall in selecting a place to winter in for the Safety of your Party and Horses it would be to your Interest to place yourself in such a situation that the Snake Camp be in your advance which will be a security to you against the Black Feet still your day and night watch must be most strictly attended to from the day you reach Reeds River until your return here— As soon as the navigation is free from ice ascend the South Branche as far as you find Beaver to employ you or so long as the rising of the waters do not prevent you from Trapping, on leaving the South Branche Louis Kanata will be able to guide you across the 126 L r LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Country to Bears River, on this stream excepting the Lower part and a small Fork that discharge [itself into] in Great Salt Lake or in a salt marsh particularly at its Sources you will find a few Beavers from thence you will proceed to Unknown River,4 Indians report— another river to the Southward of Unknown River, this stream I did not see but am not of opinion it can be very long otherwise in my journey last year [I] would have discovered it, if your time permits you might easily discover if there be one or not— leaving U. [nknown] River proceed across to Sandwich Island River5 it is formed by two principal streams the first you will find was trapp'd two years since and the other four years and it seems was never seen by me this will conclude your hunt for from thence to F£ Nez Perce you will scarcely collect 50 Beavers On leaving the Buffalo Country so thoughtless are the Canadians you cannot too often remind them of the necessity of securing a stock of Provisions for nearly two Months also the necessity while the Buffaloes are fat to make Appichimons Parfleches6 Se Lodges7 so as to make themselves independent of any supplys at this place —The Men in general are careful of their Beaver. Still you will require to give both them and the leaders a hint occasionally by reminding the former a Shilling less will be paid for each skin and the latter their usual presents will be curtailed— Louis Kanota and Francois Payette from their knowledge of the Country will be enabled to give you any information you may require as from [for] any other you can place little or no reliance to suit their own interest or views will assert any thing— The rules and regulations in regard to Camp are as follows— No Man exempted from going on discovery or to any place required for the general Interest— No Man exempted from night watch excepting the day Guard. No one is allowed to start before the Leader is ready and gives the calls the same in regard to Encamping, when 2/3 of the Trappers have their 127 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN traps in the water it is understood you remain in Camp, you will find it to your interest to select good plains for your Camp when in the Black foot Country, on Sickly River you may expect to see them. In April May, June & July you will do well to keep your Horses tied at night, the nights are then short and you ought to have from four to five Men on each Watch, when grassing in the Morning your Horses should be kept as near the Camp as you possibly can to guard against surprise for when they find they cannot succeed at night they will make an attempt in the day, permit me again to remark you cannot be too careful all depends on them, by keeping them so closely confined you must in consequence regulate your travelling accordingly— The Engaged Men are not entitled to any Rations from their starting from this [place] to their Return and are obliged to supply you with food when in their power— The usual time for the Party to reach this [place] is from the 10th to 15th July and you will require to warn Alex. Carson to be here from the 5th to the 10th it is preferrable he should be detain'd a few days waiting for you than you for him— You will find Chas. Plante, Augustin Finlay, Le [Louis] Kanota leading Men, by carefully watching their motions you can easily manage the remainders Having nothing further to remark I beg leave to offer you my best wishes for a safe and prosperous journey I remain Dear Sir yrs Trly-P. S. Ogden Letter Number 126. Fort Nes Perce 21l August 1830 Francis Heron Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir With considerable trouble for want of Horse 128 I BflHH LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Agres1 I have succeeded in starting Mr [John] Work with the Snake Brigade. I am not aware that Chief Factor McLoughlin has requested three New Boats for [the] Snake District ensuing year independent of Columbia River and as this is the season for securing wood I consider it my duty to inform you that three will be required those we ascended the Columbia with I have had destroyed as no longer any depend- ance can be placed on them Klaykick Finlay who is the bearer of this to remain at Colville being too lame and sickly to accompany the Snake Brigade and I have to request you will supply him with food and any medical assistance as he is really an object worthy of charity, you will please deliver him two good Pack Horses in lieu of two deld [delivered] at Ff Vancouver— Charles Groselin2 made a demand on me for a good Saddle Horse in lieu of one delivered [to] Colville situated as we are in regard to that Man altho he could produce no order to that effect I have reluctantly complied with his demand, his a/c has also been omitted to be forwarded by you Enclosed is a list of sup- plys required for Snake Outfit 1831 to which I beg leave to call your particular attention I remain Yrs Truly— P. S. Ogden Requisition 6 Leather Lodges— 40 Appichimons, 40 Pack Saddles— 20 Par Fleches, 100 Prime Chivr3 Skins 60 Elk Skins, 200 fath. Pack Cords- 3 New Boats P. S. Ogden Letter Number 127. Fort Vancouver 8th Septr 1830 Captain [John] Minors Dear Sir The Bearer of this says there is a female slave of his deceased wife on board the Dryad. If so is the case I 129 wJl LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN request she be immediately sent on shore, and I hope no women on any pretence will be allowed to reside on board the Dryad. I am Sec - John McLoughlin P.S. I am informed there are three women residing on Board the Dryad.1 Letter Number 128. Fort Vancouver 25th Septr 1830 Mr George Barnston [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] My Dear Sir Long before this I should have done myself the pleasure to have written you but that I waited for the arrival of the Vessels for Nass to give you a share of the news— You will have heard I suppose by Indian report of the arrival of another Vessel from England the Dryad Capt Minors which certainly gives us an immense supply of Goods I was aware that [Pierre] Martineau and [Richard] Cook intended to cross the Mountains next Spring and on that account I sent them to you— The Interpreter's intention of leaving Walla Wala I did not hear before— and it will certainly depend on circumstances if he is allowed as he has not given due notice as to his promise from Mr [Samuel] Black I know nothing of them and as you have written him of course he will inform you of them and certainly if Mr Black did promise these Extra— it is contrary to the regulations of Council— but still the Man ought to get them— I am happy to find you have twenty five bushels [of] Indian Corn it shows Corn can be raised at Walla Wala and this small quantity you have will assist 130 km LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN you much in Provisions how are you off for Salmon— if you are afraid of not having enough for the Winter I inclose an order for ten Bags [of] Indian Corn from Colville this I do at present in case of accidents as I intend as soon as the Vessels arrive from Nass to write you again by those whom I will send for the Horses— you will therefore delay sending this order to Colville as also my letters to Mr Heron (except you have a private opportunity) for a few days as if it is there to meet the Express it is sufficient I am Dear Sir Yrs Truly Sd John McLoughlin Letter Number 129. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 25 Sept 1830 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir Yours of the 4th Inst reached this [place] only yesterday evening and by which I am happy to find you have had so abundant a harvest as to make the Interior entirely independent of this place for Provisions and which was the object in view in establishing a Farm at Colville— the reason why I enquired into the Returns of your Crop 1829 and the quantity of Pork expended last year at Colville was that we trusted that place would have supplied the quantity necessary for the Interior for Outfit 1830 and considered the amount you could give as fully sufficient and did not require any corroborating assertion from any one else of its correctness— It is then [that] the prime Cost of a few Bags of Provisions is a mere trifle but when you consider if you have it not at Colville we must transport it from this place— the freight enhances its value much, besides we have not always (as you know) the means of trans- 131 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN porting it— and this year in consequence of there not being Corn or Pease at Colville to supply the New Caledonian Brigade going in, the Brigade will be obliged on their way in to eat the winter allowance of Flour for the Gent: [lemen] you will please take into consideration that we will require altogether twelve good Boats for the Interior, three of these for the Snakes and it will be necessary that with those already on hand our quantity be made up to that number Inclosed is an order for two men from the Express coming in and of ten Bags of Corn for Walla Wala— the Intermittent Fever is making a dreadful havoc among the Natives and at this place half of our people are laid up with it which prevents my detaining the Indian from Walla Wala sufficient time to answer you more fully our Vessels are not yet retd from Nass— and the Dryad Cap1 Minors is arrived from England with Outfit 1832 I am Dear Sir Yours Truly John McLoughlin N B. I will write you again as soon as our Vessel arrives from Nass— I will Endeavour to send you salt to Walla Walla when I send for the Horses1 J McL Letter Number 130. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 25th Sept 1830 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Sir Please forward to Walla Wala ten Bags Indian Corn and charge that place— I am Yrs Truly Sd John McLoughlin N B. It would be necessary the Boats coming down in the 132 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Fall brought to Walla Wala as many Potatoes as they can— John McLoughlin Letter Number 131. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 25th Sept 1830 To the Gent: in charge of the Coy Express Please give two Men to Francis Heron Esquire on order for Colville District wishing you a safe passage I am Sir Yr Truly /sd/ John McLoughlin Letter Number 132. Fort Vancouver 25th Sept 1830 Mr Geo. Barnston [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I send you your Map you know it is the only copy we have I forgot to mention this when I wrote you indeed we have so many sick I am quite hampered we have now forty laid up with the Intermittent1 Fever [Louis] La- bontes family are all on the sick list I am Yr Truly sd/ John McLoughlin N B. I will send for the Horses as soon as the Ship arrives sd/ John McLoughlin Letter Number 133. Fort Vancouver 6th Octr 1830 Captain John Minors Sir As you refused yesterday in the presence of Captain Graves and of Mr James Douglas to give up the com- 133 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN mand of the H B Cos Brig Dryad and to assume the command of another vessel you will please consider yourself on the receipt of this as suspended from all charge and authority over any of the Hudsons Bay Company's Property and Servants and prepare yourself to take a passage in the Eagle to England to answer to the Governor and Committee for your disobedience of orders. As soon as you are ready I will send a Gentleman to take with you an Inventory of the Property Stores $cc belonging to the H B CoY at present on Board the Dryad I am Sir &c John McLoughlin Chief Factor HB Coy N. B. You will please bear in mind, we tomorrow morning dispatch the Cargo to be shipped on board the Eagle and in consequence we must set about taking the Inventory with the least delay possible NOTE: This letter indicates the break, which had been in the making for some time, between Dr. McLoughlin and Captain Minors. Letter Number 134. Fort Vancouver 11 th Oct 1830 To The Governor Deputy Governor and Committee Honble Hudson Bay Company Honble Sirs I am extremely sorry to have to inform you of the loss of the Isabella on the South End of a Sandy Island opposite Clatsop Point the Isabella entered Columbia River on the 2n May but Cap1 [William] Ryan mistook Chinook Point for Cape Disappointment and came in through the South Breakers South of the Channel the Vessel struck and carried away her Rudder the wind and 134 V. LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN tide drifting her on very heavy breakers Though she was Still sticking Captain Ryan was obliged to Cast anchor and to lighten her by throwing as much of her Cargo (as he could) overboard but getting afraid she would go to pieces in the night and conceiving he had no other means of saving the Lives of the Crew abandon'd her and proceeded in the Boats to this place which he reached on the night of the 4th May Immediately I sent a party of our people down but on their arriving there on the morning of the 6th May they found the Vessel had parted from her Anchor and drifted on shore at the place I already mentioned and though I arrived there on the morning of the 7th with all the remaining people we could spare from this place Including Cap1 Simpson with the Cadboro and Crew We were unable to get the Vessel off but succeeded in saving the greater part of her Cargo 2 Mr [Donald] Manson with part of our people pass'd the Winter at Fort George and saw the Isabella coming in on the Evening of the 2nd May [and] perceiving she was not in the Channel Immediately started with his people to give assistance but it being dark when Mr Manson reached Clatsop Point and the wind blowing strong at the time he could not venture to go to the Vessel in a Canoe but lighted a fire on the point and crossed over to the Sandy Island and lighted another there Cap1 Ryan saw the fires but did not go to them as he was afraid they were made by Indians who would murder him and his Crew— 3 On the morning of the 3rd Mr Manson seeing no one in the Vessel prevailed on an Indian to go on board which he accomplished with danger and difficulty and on his return informed Mr Manson the Crew had abandoned her of which he immediately sent me intelligence but previous to the arrival of his Messenger I had seen Cap1 Ryan and on the night between the 3rd and 4th It came on to blow hard— the Isabella's Chain broke and she drifted on the 135 HTW- LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN spit where she was wrecked and when I arrived she had already form'd a Dock on the sand and Messrs Barnston Se [Thomas] Sinclair inform'd me that on their arrival on the morning of the 6th they found six feet water in her hold- 4 When Cap' Ryan arrived here we could not ascertain where he had left his Vessel as he maintained he had followed the directions for entering the Columbia In which he was (as I already stated) mistaken and it was only when I received Mr Mansons letter that we learnt the exact place the Vessel lay and if Cap1 Ryan had remained on board with his Crew it is certain the Vessel would have been saved as on the turn of the Tide they had only to slip her Cable and she would have drifted into smooth water but in justice to Cap' Ryan I must observe he abandoned the Vessel in consequence of her striking so hard he was afraid she would fall to pieces (which she would if she had not been uncommonly strong) and if the Indians had time to collect they would murder him and his Crew as they went on shore in their Boats a danger a Stranger in such a case might naturally apprehend 5 It is unnecessary to say how much this misfortune has again deranged our plans besides the very great trouble and derangement it caus'd us here as from the Evening of the fourth of May untill the ninth of June we had to postpone every other object to the saving of the Cargo of the Isabella drying and transporting it to this place I forward the account No 1 of what we saved of the Cargo Stores and Rigging we have no account of the cost of the vessel or of her stores and rigging and we estimated the latter as to its relative state but this is more than (situated as we are) It is of intrinsic value to the Company— 6 No 1 is our Account against the Underwriters and is as nigh the actual charges as we could make it and by no means remunerates the anxiety we suffered and the danger 136 L ft* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN to which we were exposed however of course it rests with your Honors to decide as it is made out under the impression that the Underwriters have no claims on the Concern for the Assistance we afforded to entitle them to have it Gratuitously— 7th I forward no 2 Cap1 Ryans protest and No 3 the survey. 8th On the 10th June the Eagle arrived N° 4 is the account of her damaged Goods— On the 11th same the Brigade from the Interior and on the 29th started with their Outfit for their wintering Places. On the 6th July Mr Ogden arrived and I am sorry to inform you lost Nine Men drowned (out of ten in the Boat) in the Dales of the Columbia on the 3rd of the same this misfortune occurred at a place where our Boats passed and repassed every year since the Columbia Trade is established and was never considered to be a place of danger, the Brigade this year happen'd to meet Mr Ogden half an hour after the accident and went up in perfect safty— in fact the accident proceeded from the People getting alarmed and losing their presence of mind— a Whirlpool caught the Boat and instead of the Men springing on their paddles to pull her out they dropp'd them and she went down by the stern by this unfortunate occurence Mr Ogden lost five hundred [Beaver] Skins his Journal and all his Papers N° 5 is Mr Ogdens Report of his transactions and occurrences last winter by this document your Honors will see that on leaving Walla Wala last Fall Mr Ogden proceeded to Unknown or Ogdens River [Humbolt] then South to the Rio Collarado which he descended till nigh the Gulph of Cal- lefornia turn'd North cross'd over to the South Branch of the Bonaventura [Sacramento] descended it to the Bay of St Francisco then ascended the North Branche of the Bonaventura till he came to the head of it where he hunted winter 1826/27 and from thence to Walla Wala— 137 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 9 Your Honors will perceive that Mr Ogden has become acquainted with or visited and explored the Country between the Columbia and Rio Collorado and the Country between the Columbia and Calefornia except a small strip between Mr McLeods track and the Sea and between Clamit [Klamath] or McLeods River and Sl Francisco 10 The Country visited last winter by Mr Ogden is the poorest in Furs that he had hitherto explored as your Honors will see by the diminution on his Returns but as it was a new Country we could not know how it was stock'd in Beaver till we had explored it— 11 Having completed Mr Ogdens Party with some of Mr McLeods Men on the 4th August they started on their return to their winter grounds Mr Ogden went with them to Walla Wala to complete their arrangements and transferred the charge to Mr Work— 12 On the 28th July Mr McLeod arrived on his way here he visited Sasta [Shasta] Valley but found very few Beavers on the 8th August (as the Dryad was later in arriving here than I expected from your Honors dispatch of the 28th Feby 1829— I was afraid if she did not come we might loose these Men services) after equiping his People he started with Mr [Thomas] McKay and eleven Men to explore and Hunt the head waters of the Willamette River (which has never been visited by Whites) and is to return when the Rainy season sets in 13 On 16th August the Dryad reached this [place] on his voyage here Capt Minors touched at Bona Vista, Falkland Islands and Wahoo I forward the account of damaged Goods on board the Dryade (say No 4) 14 The supply of Goods received this year enables us to meet all demands for the Trade though if an Opposition had remain'd we would have been short of guns Se Green Blankets but as we are by ourselves we can regulate according to our means but we can never bring (along the Coast) I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the Indians to the old prices of five Beaver Skins for one Blanket and I do not know if ever we will be able to increase the present price of one large Beaver for a Blanket 15 I forward a Copy of our Requisition for Shipment from England 1831 (the original was sent to York last March) and Intended (as it shows) for the supply of the Trade for Outfit 1833 I am of opinion now that our Opponents have left us that this with the Requisition forwarded per Ganymede and what we have received per Isabella Eagle and Dryade will be more perhaps than we require for the Trade of Outfit 1830, 1831, 1832, Se 1833, but at the same time we are unacquainted with the actual demand of the Coasting trade and as we have requested nothing but what is saleable It is better to have a little more than to run short— 16 On the 8th July the Cadboro Eagle and Vancouver (the latter manned with the Crew of the Isabella) proceeded to Fort Langley the NW Coast and to visit Nass as the Natives of the place are reported to be very numerous and very Hostile to Whites It was important to visit them with a strong force at the same time it was necessary (as the Country was known to be Rocky and Mountainous and the People to form the Establishment not being here) to examine the Place and ascertain the site to build on 17 On Capt Simpson reaching Fort Langley finding he was loosing time from the bad sailing of the Vancouver and as their was an American Coaster in the Straights Capt Simpson acceeded to Mr Chief Trader Arch-McDonalds request and left the Vancouver in De Fuccas Straights I forward Capt Simpson Report and the Furs traded at Nass are separate the quantity traded in the short space of time Capt Simpson was there promises fair and the quality of Beaver and Martins is very fine 18 The Intermittent fever (for the first time since the Trade of this Department was established) has appeared 139 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN at this place and carried off three fourths of the Indian population in our vicinity at present there are fifty-two of our People on the sick list. In which number is Mr Ogden but thanks be to God for his great Mercies all of our People are on the convalescent list, this sickness obliges us to postpone our sending to Establish Nass till our People recover or till the Express arrives and you may depend as soon as we can we will fullfil our Instruction on this point— 19 If the Brig and one of the Schooners suffice to take the Outfit people and Provisions to Nass and their own supplys for the Coasting Trade the other will be sent to the South to Lima touching on her way at Calefornia and perhaps at Acapulco with Salmon or Boards to ascertain the demand Se price of these articles, but if the Schooner and the Brig do not suffice to take the Nass Outfit & &C and their own supplies for the Coasting trade the three Vessels will be employed for that purpose— 20 In consequence of what I state in the preceeding paragraph as it is necessary Capt Simpson should go on the Coast Se the largest Vessel is required for the purpose and he ought to have her as he must have to carry on the greater part of the Trade and having heard that Capt Minors had said he considered himself fixed to the Dryad, To prevent difficulties hereafter I asked Capt Minors if he had any objections to change Vessels if business required it 8c rendered it necessary he immediately replied he would not change that he would not give up his Vessel that he felt (himself) perfectly competent to take the Vessel wherever I wish'd to send her. I replied no reflection was intended by this change to be made on his abilities as a Navigator that in the first place all the Vessels and Crews in the Com- panys service attached to this Department were under Capt Simpson and read him the 11th Paragraph of your Honors Dispatch of the 28th Octr 1829 and that it was necessary he 140 u 0 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN should take the immediate command of whatever Vessel was considered best adapted to the business he had to perform that our convenience ought to give way to the circumstances of the business— he replied he would not give up the command I then asked him was I to consider he would refuse to give up the command if I ordered him to give it up he answered he would refuse to give it up and that as long as he had an Arm to raise no Man here shall deprive me of his [vessel] I said we were on business and our transactions must be in a business like manner after a pause of some minutes he asked me if I had any further commands I replied none— but on his going out of the Door (as this had been all in private) It occurred to me it was necessary to have two persons present and requested him to step in for a few minutes and stated my object and stating that as I had to account for my conduct such measures were necessary on my part and call'd in Mr James Douglass and Capt Grave (who happen'd to be the only two gentlemen at hand) and in their presence desired Cap1 Minors to give up the command of the Dryad, and that he would get the command of another Vessel he replied he would not give up the Command of the Dryad that I was not authorized to deprive him of his Command but that he would take his Vessel to any place I required— I made no Reply and in a few minutes he asked me if I had any further commands I answered none and he withdrew and on the morrow sent him the following Note Fort Vancouver 5th Oct 18301 To Cap1 John Minors Sir As you refused yesterday in the presence of Cap1 Graves and of Mr James Douglass to give up the command of the Hudson Bay Coy Brig Dryad and to assume the com- 141 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN mand of another Vessel you will please consider yourself on the receipt of this as suspended from all charge Se authority over any of the Hudsons Bay Companys Property and Servants and prepare yourself to take a passage in the Eagle to proceed to England to answer to the Governor Se Committee for your disobedience of orders— As soon as you are ready I will send a Gentleman to take with you an Inventory of the Property Stores Sec Sec belonging to the HBCoy at present on board the Dryade I am Dear Sir Yr Obedt Hble Ser* (Sd) John McLoughlin N.B. You will please bear in mind that we tomorrow morning dispatch the Cargos to be shipp'd on board the Eagle and In consequence we must set about taking the Inventory with the least possible delay— Sd J McLoughlin I sent Dr [John] Kennedy with this Note and desired him to request an answer on his return he informed me Cap1 Minors said he would give me an answer in course of the day, I waited two hours our business pressing as your Honors will see by the date of this, I took Mr James Douglass and Mr James Birnie with me On coming on board the Dryade I found Cap1 Graves there and requested him to remain a few moments and addressed myself to Cap4 Minors told him I had sent him a Note to which he had sent no answer and that I now came to know if he was ready to proceed to take an Inventory of the Vessels Stores &c&c he said he was not ready and that he would not give up the Command and that I was not authorised to deprive him of it— I told him I was authorised and to send him to England if he conducted himself improperly which I now did for the reasons stated in my Note a conversation took 142 i ft LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN place similar to that of yesterday seeing all my endeavours to do the business in a genteel manner were in vain and no other alternative remained I call'd Mr [Alexander] Duncan the first Mate but he did not come as he was sick I then call'd Mr [Robert] Young the second Mate and told him he was no longer to consider Cap1 Minors as iiis Commander. Cap1 Minors took up the word and said Mr Duncan Mr Young and the Crew will obey my orders I then call'd the Crew to the quarter Deck and as they did not come till I had call'd them four or five times (there were only four or five able to do duty) and perceiving by their conduct they were disinclined to obey my orders I made Mr James Douglass read their Agreements to them. The Carpenter Myers made objection to his agreement and said it had not been read to him in England and his signature was pointed out to him at the bottom and I told him it was his business of course never to put his signature to an Engagement without knowing its obligations that in the present instance we found his name sign'd to his Engagement and we must conceive him as bound by it and accordingly act on it. The Engagements of the others were read to them I then asked them if they considered themselves bound to obey my orders they said they would follow their Agreements. I asked what did they understand by their Agreement one of them [James] Blackey said I suppose I must obey you the others said the same— I then sent Mr Young to the sick Men in the Forecastle who gave the same answer— I then asked Mr Young how he understood his Agreement he replied he would obey my orders, then addressing Cap1 Minors I asked him if his intentions were to obey my orders he said since affairs had taken such a turn he would go to England, I ordered Mr Young (as Mr Duncan is sick to take an exact Inventory of the Vessel Stores &c&c In the course of this discussion Cap1 Minors repeatedly said in the presence of his Crew that he would 143 3BO0 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN not give up the command of his Vessel as long as he could raise an Arm If I attempted to take his Vessel from him blood would be spilt and from his expression that Mr Duncan Mr Young and the Crew would only obey his orders and when he found they followed their Agreement his saying "Since affairs had taken such a turn he would go to England" I am convinced in my own mind that Cap1 Minors did Tamper with his Crew with a view of getting them to support him in Opposition to us and contrary to what I conceive was his and their duty. I am well aware that it never was expected by your Honors that he would be removed from the Command of the Dryade, But situated as we are we have no alternative and even if the present case had not required to change him— his habits are such that I am certain they would have obliged us to deprive him of his Command. I repeatedly have seen him in a state of inebriety and on Sunday after dining with me he re- turn'd in the Evening completely intoxicated and apologised for being so by saying our Blacksmith had paid him a visit and he had taken an extra glass with him It is as painful to my feelings to be obliged to relate as much as I am aware it is distressing to yours to hear circumstances reflecting on any Individual but I conceive it my duty to give you as correct information as I possibly can, a Man may indulge moderately and sometimes freely and be qualified to carry on business in many parts of the World but to carry on business among Indians he must be strictly sober 21 With the three Vessels we now have the Dryade Cadboro and Vancouver and the Post of Nass we hope to be able to manage the Coasting trade and to ascertain if Timber and Salmon will sell to the South but if there is a demand for Timber of course our Shipping will have to be increased in proportion. By Mr Chief Trader Archibald McDonalds Report which I now forward you will see a large quantity of Salmon can be procured at Fort Langley— 144 t LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 22 The Boston Brig Owhyee Cap1 Dominis which arrived here in February 1829 sail'd from this in July last since here departure we have had no Opposition but we have been obliged to keep our Parties running on Indians as much as ever to prevent their having any number of Skins in the event of any Coaster coming here— 23 Our Crop (except thirty six Bushels of Barley sown on the 11th July after the water was fallen and which is now almost ready to cut) is all threshed It yielded 927 Bushels of Wheat 120 Early Pease (say Bush) 192 Gray Do 297 White Do 600 Indian Corn 150 Oats 86 Barley \ and we have remaining of former years 1100 Bushels of Wheat 300 " Barley 80 Cwt. Vancouver Flour In short we have Wheat and flour for two years and more than a years stock of Pease and Corn hereafter we will not endeavour to do more than keep up the quantity of Wheat but to increase our Pease and Corn till we have a two years stock 24 We have a full Cargo of Deals for the Eagle but she was so long on her trip to Nass by contrary winds and we have so few Men at present fit for duty that to give her a Cargo would detain her so much longer than the date you fixed for her departure and it does not seem by your Instructions you wish she should stop at any place on her way home I decided on giving her none espicially as those sent 145 nnnrtfffinOufTfTgTray LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN per Ganymede are not yet sold. Mr Charlton writes me he keeps them up because he could only get thirty Dollars p M feet but this price would pay us. I will accordingly write him by first opportunity to sell them 25 The Furs of the different places are shipp'd separate but you will observe that those of the Southern Expedition (Mr McLeods) belong to Outfit 1828— I forward the Account Current of that Expedition and also of Mr Ogdens 26 One of the Mates will be appointed to the Command of one of the Schooners— 27 It affords me great pleasure to report to your Honors that Capt Graves has most zealously afforded us every assistance in his power— 28 Referring your Honors for further information on the business to the accompanying Documents I have the Honor to be Honble Sirs Yr most Obdt Hble Sert Sd John McLoughlin Letter Number 135. Fort Vancouver 12 th Octr 1830 William Smith Esq Secty to the Honble Hudson Bay Company Dear Sir Inclosed is a list of some articles belonging to the Naval Department of this place which I hope you will have the goodness to get repaired and sent back to the Country I am Dear Sir Yr Obdt Hub^ Sert sd John McLoughlin 146 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 1.36. No copy in H. B. Co. A. List of Documents forwarded to England by the Eagle [Oct. 1830] Statement of men Employed in rescuing the Isabella Cargo ) )Nol Account of property saved from Isabella ) Captain Ryans protest— 2 The Survey 3 Damaged Goods pr Eagle & Dryad 4 Mr Ogdens Report 5 Chart of Entrance of Columbia) 6 Do Do Nass ) Captain Simpsons Report 7 Mr Archibald McDonalds report 8 Account Current Snake Expedition 9 Southern Do 10 Statement Retiring Servants 11 Remarks on Importation 12 Supplies to Brig Eagle 13 Copy of Mr Charltons Charges ag the Company 14 Inventory of Brig Dryads Stores 15 Captain Graves account 16 Minors Do 17 Invoice of Furs shipped 18 Bill of Lading 19 9 Printed Certificates for Bonded Goods & Quarantine 20 Additional Requisition for N[aval] Department 21 " Medicines 22 Copy of Requisition for Shipment 1831 Outfit 1833 23 Letter from his Majestys Consul General 24 Isabellas Log 25 2 Letters— Gov Deput Gov Se Committee HB Co 147 mo »J LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Private Letters Nicholas Garry Esqr [Deputy Governor H. B. Co.] 4 William Smith [Either Secy, of H. B. Co. or member of the Committee] 9 James Webster 1 John Haldane [C. F. who retired to England in 1827] 2 Geddes M K Simpson [Uncle of Sir Geo. Simpson] L E Ermantinger [Father of Francis Se Edward] Mr Alex Simpson [cousin of Sir George Simpson, father of AEmelius] I John Perry " John Follett I John Duncan [may have been relative of Alex. Duncan] " G F Smith " James Tod " Edward Bond " Alex Douglas [clerk of the N. W. Co.; retired in 1824] " Charles Wright Messers William Young Se Son " Maude Se Co Miss Cecilia Douglas1 " Marg Greenshield Priscilla Eales [may have been relative of Wm. Eales] Mrs James Allan Mrs Isabella Anderson [possibly a relative of James Anderson, Shipbuilder at Ft Vancouver who died there Dec. 25, 1830] Alex Kennedy Esqr [C. F. of the H. B. Co. retired June 1, 1829] Mr Douglas1 Captain [Edward] Sabine2 a parcel Captain [Henry] Hanwell [Jr., employed by H. B. Co., 1816-34] 148 L ^WIn LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Dr Hooker3 George Brown Mrs J Ryan [may have been a relative of Capt. William Ryan] Andrew Colville [member of the Committee, later Governor] Mr McDonald Letter Number 137. Ft. Vancouver 14th Octr 1830 Mr Francis Heron [C. T.] [Ft. Colville] Dear Sir The Vessels are returned from visiting Nass where they found a suitable place to build and for the short time they were there made a good trade say in three days two hundred Beavers Wht 296 lbs forty Martins and thirty Land Otters the Beavers and Martins are of a superior quality— Yesterday Capt [John] Graves took his departure for England with a rather a more than usual Cargo but the Expenses this year in consequence of our augmented Shipping will be much augmented and it is to be regretted that two of the Vessels did not arrive in March as they would have enabled us this season to have established the Coasting Trade and ascertained the price of Salmon and Timber to the South But the loss of the Isabella the late arrival of the Eagle and still later arrival of the Dryad has thrown us back for one season an Important consideration for People of our time of Life and the Intermittent fever laid up so many of our Men that I could not Ship a Cargo of Deals for Market without detaining the Eagle longer than we could feel justified in doing— We have been so occupied since I wrote you that though I then expected to be able to write you in a few 149 »* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN days I have been unable to accomplish my wish nor am I able to send you the Salt as I expected.— In regard to the additional Gentlemen you require to complete your compliment of Gent: I presume there is a Gentleman coming in to replace Mr [William] Kittson if so he can remain with you at once which will fill up your number for the season If he is past I send a Note for him to return from Walla Wala— But you will have in mind your people ought to be off for their Winter grounds about the first of November and if the Express is not in when you are ready to send I see no alternative but to engage Mr [Nicholas] Montour for the Winter for which I presume fifty Pounds will be sufficient as it is at the time of year when he can do nothing— You will please (if necessary exchange the Horses of the Bearers) and send down all the Horses by them which you can spare to this place— and also Mr Ermatingers two Horses which you will please give orders that they be not ridden I am Dear Sir Yours Truly Sd John McLoughlin N B. We have forty three on the sick list Poor Gros Pierre Karaganyate is dead and also Challiboun's wife— You will please give the Bearer Mr Ermatingers saddles Sec— Letter Number 138. Fort Vancouver 14th Octr 1830 Mr Geo. Barnston [clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I send Mr [Francois N.] Annance with this to your place for the Horses and to whom you will please to give all you have I wrote to the Gentlemen in charge of the Express to supply him with men— Mr Annance has also a letter for Mr [Francis] Heron to whom I wish it to be 150 <> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN forwarded with all diligence possible and as Mr Annance is to remain at Walla Wala till the people return from Colville you can send Joe Gray as one of the Bearers the fever is still prevailing we have forty three sick that is people of the Fort exclusive of children. I am Dear Sir Yrs Truly sd John McLoughlin Letter Number 139. Fort Vancouver 14th Octr 1830 To The Gent: in charge of H B Express for Columbia Dept Sir As it is probably a Gentleman is come in to succeed Mr [William] Kittson (if he is not remain'd at Colville and that Mr [Francis] Heron has not engaged Mr [Nicholas] Montour) It will be necessary he return from Walla Wala to Colville and Mr [George] Barnston will furnish him with the means It will also be necessary you furnish the requisite number of Men to Mr [Francois] Annance to enable him to bring down the Horses from Walla Wala— In hopes of having the pleasure of seeing you soon and wishing you a safe passage I am Dear Sir Yrs Truly Sd/ John McLoughlin NOTE: "No Recd," is written across the face of this letter. Letter Number 140. Fort Vancouver 14th Octr 1830 Mr. F. N. Annance [clerk] [Ft. Vancouver] Dear Sir You will please proceed with all possible dispatch to Walla Wala and hand the accompanying letters to Mr 151 Ann, -J LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN [George] Barnston and as you must wait for Horses from Colville your Man Joe Gray might go on and you also to Colville Mr Barnston will furnish you the means after you have the Horses from Colville on an answer to my letter you will take those Mr Barnston will give you and return to this place— I need not recommend to so experienced a hand how necessary it is that all possible care be taken of the Horses and that they be not overdriven I wrote to the Gent in charge of the Express to supply you with People Wishing you a pleasant Journey I remain Yrs Truly sd/ John McLoughlin NB. There are two Horses belonging to Mr Ermatinger which must not be ridden sd/ JMcLoughlin Letter Number 141. Fort Vancouver 19th Octr 1830 Dear Sir Michel Laframboise leaves this [place] with three men to go on a trading excursion to the Umpqua [River] where it is intended to keep him during the winter. I conceive as many of your people ought to go and join him for the winter as you can spare, as besides its being a good place for them to winter, their presence will give the party a more respectable appearance, and enable him to extend his excursions farther south, than he can with his present number however as you know our object, and you may perhaps have acquired information on your present journey that may perhaps prevent us fom sending along the coast next spring, you will decide on sending your people to Michels or not as you may conceive most proper. I am sorry to inform you the Intermittent fever is prevail- 152 V. WBWM LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ing here to a great degree, we have had at one time 53 of our people on the sick list at present it is diminishing The vessels are returned from exploring Nass where they found a place to build on and in three days traded two hundred Beaver skins. The Eagle is off for England. Wishing you a safe return I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin To Rod. McLeod Esqre C.T- Letter Number 142. Fort Vancouver 15th Nov: 1830 Mr Donald Manson [Clerk] [Ft. George] Dear Sir I avail myself of Mad: Lucier's paying a visit to Fort George to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 15th Ult. which I would have answered before now, if an opportunity had offered, and we had so many men on the sick list (at one time there were seventy exclusive of women and children in the Hospital) I could not spare any to send with a letter to you. But praise be to God for his great mercies only one of our men Big Pierre [Karaganyate] died, though I am sorry to say nine of the women, two children, and several of the Indians about the place, are gone to that bourne whence no traveller returns— I am extremely sorry to learn that Captain Minors said publickly on board the Eagle that Thomas Keppling (Pesk) had fired a gun at him and that this had been reported to you. But that you did not conceive it worth your while to make any inquiry about the matter, as you 153 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN well knew that if Captain had said this he had asserted what was false. Among us who are here who know Captain Minors' assertion to be false, this line of conduct might do, though a falsehood affecting the character of the Companys Servants ought always to be exposed as a matter of duty due by a Superior to an Inferior as well as from an inferior to a superior. Besides we all owe a homage to truth But as he will undoubtedly repeat the same story in England, since he dares assert it in our hearing; you owed it to yourself to me and to the Company to have got this falsehood contradicted as publicly as it was asserted; as when people at home hear that Captain Minors has publickly asserted that he was shot at, and that it was not contradicted when you had an opportunity to do so, they must naturally conclude his assertion is true, and infer that Pisk must have done this at your or my instigation, since we took no notice of such criminal conduct. I know you must have refrained to contradict Captain Minors from a conviction in your own mind that those to whom he said this were perfectly aware that he told them a gross falsehood and out of mere pity did not expose him to the contempt his conduct deserved. But I may be misinformed, and Captain Minors may perhaps not have used the expressions alluded to. However I am certain I have said enough to convince you how necessary it is you would let me know, if so or not, and to inform me of the particulars. I am Dear Sir Yours Truly John McLoughlin Ch:F- To Mr Donald Manson 154 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 143. Fort Vancouver [Nov. 17th, 1830] Richard Charlton Esqr Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your several favours of the 6th and 8th April 6th May and 8th July with the several accounts refered to and beg to return you my for the copy of the Coast Outfit and the information NOTE: Written across he fact of the letter: "NULL." See 147. Letter Number 144. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 17th Nov—1830 John McLoughlin Esqr Dear Sir I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 15th Instant which I received on my way up to this place, and must certainly acknowledge being told by Mr [Thomas] Sinclair in the presence of both the first and second officers of the Eagle, that Captain [John] Minors said he had been fired at by Thos Kippling, but I being then rather busy with the Indians, and at the same time convinced that those to whom he had said so were perfectly aware he told a falsehood I refrained from exposing him to the contempt he deserved, however on receipt of your letter and reflecting on it, I immediately saw the error I had commited, and much regret I did not get his statement publickly contradicted as it is a Gross falsehood I am Dear Sir Your Very Obdt Servant Dond Manson NOTE: This letter is written in the handwriting of Donald Manson on a free sheet of paper which was glued to a page of the letter- book. 155 ■3E0 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 145. No copy in H.B.Co.A. Fort Vancouver 17th Nov—1830 John McLoughlin Esqr Dear Sir I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 15th Instant which I received on my way up to this place, and must certainly acknowledge being told by Mr [Thomas] Sinclair in the presence of both the first and second officers of the Eagle, that Captain [John] Minors said he had been fired at by Thos Kippling, but I being then rather busy with the Indians, and at the same time convinced that those to whom he had said so were perfectly aware he told a falsehood I refrained from exposing him to the contempt he deserved, however on receipt of your letter and reflecting on it, I immediately saw the error I had commited, and much regret I did not get his statement publickly contradicted as it is a Gross falsehood I am Dear Sir Your Very Obdt Servant Dond Manson NOTE: At this point in the letter-book there appears a copy of original letter 145 showing that a clerk, fearing that original might be lost, took pains to copy it. Letter Number 146. Fort Vancouver 18 Nov 1830 Richard Charlton Esqr Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your several favours of the 6th and 8th April 6th May and 8th July with the several accounts referred to and I beg to re- 156 Li LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN turn you thanks for the Copy of the Coast Outfit and the information you had the Kindness to communicate in yours of the 6th April As to offer to purchase Leaf Tobacco and Rice for us, I have to observe that when you have funds of the H. B. C°y in your hands and you meet with good Leaf Tobacco at even five Dollars Cwt we would take forty or fifty Cwt at that price— of Rice we would take a hundred Cwt at five Dollars Cwt and you could Ship them by the first vessel which touches at Wahoo belonging to the H. B C°y and is bound for this place The fall in the price of deals is greater than we expected but as we intend to follow up the business and supply the Owhyhee Market with as many Deals as they will purchase provided the business pays, I send the Schooner Vancouver with a small quantity as per accompanying Invoice to ascertain if there is any appearance of a Demand sufficient to make us enter extensively on the business, and you will dispose of those I now send and those you may have on hand as you consider will best meet the view I have just stated I hope you will afford Cap1 [William] Ryan such articles as he may require and detain him as short a time as you possibly can I enclose you a copy of Cap1 [William] Ryans Instructions and if he discharges any of his Crew I request you will pay them the Balance of their accounts which Cap1 Ryan will present you deducting the Exchange as we are only bound to pay them in England— I forward you a list of a few articles we will require from you by the return of Vancouver. I do myself the pleasure to forward you two Barrels of Salt Salmon four and a half Bushels of Wheat and the same quantity of Barley— We cannot send any Oak Logs or planks as we decided on sending to you too late to get any but if oak Logs will 157 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN still keep up their price I hope next trip to send you any quantity you may require I am Dear Sir Your Obed1 humble Serv* (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 147. Fort Vancouver 18th Novr 1830 Cap1 [William] Ryan Dear Sir you will proceed with all Dispatch to Wahoo, deliver your Cargo and accompanying Letters to Richard Charlton Esqr and in his absence to his agent who is requested to detain you as short a time as possible and to supply you with the necessary articles you require Some of your men may perhaps request to be discharged you are at perfect liberty to comply with their wishes signified to you in writing (if you find men to replace them) except in the case of such as you see p a/c as receive monthly money in England during the full term of their Engagements You see P Baptista a/c that there is a Balance due him on the 15 th Novr of £29. 9s . . ld say twenty nine pounds nine Shilling and one penny which you will pay out of the money you will receive with this at the rate of 5/ p Dollar the rest of your men who receive money from you or who are paid off will incur the loss of Exchange I am Dear Sir Your Obedt humble Serv* (Signed) J. McLoughlin N. B if you Engage any men you ought to make it a clause if possible that it be optional with us to transfer them to the Land service 158 Til LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Sundries Requested to be forwarded by Mr Charlton Per Return of Vancouver 4 Coils Manila Rope 3 Nests China Trunks 8 Bundles Tappa Cloth 50 Cwt Rice if not dearer than 5 Dollars P Cwt (15 Barrels Beef " '16 I Barrel M (15 " Pork " " " 18 " P Barrel 900 Bushel Salt if not exceeding 3/— P Bushel ## goo " I " " * 5/-" N.B. We are in no immediate want of Beef or Pork though we would take this quantity merely to Keep up Stock on hand if it be procured at a reasonable price, and of the two we prefer to have 30 Barrels or Tierces of Pork and no Beef But if that quantity of Pork is not to be had at this price it can be made up with Beef— *# If1 the 900 Bushels can be procured at 3/— the other 300 will not be required if not the 300 will be sufficient 1/2 lbs Gum Camphor 1/2 " Sulphat Quinine 12 " Best Peruvian Bark 1 " Acetate Lead 1 ■ Crude Opium 20 " Epsom Salts 4 " Rhubarb Powder * If2 you could procure 60 Barrels of Beef and Pork at a Cheap rate we would take it— Letter Number 148. Fort Vancouver 24* Nov 1830 Capt Aemilius Simpson [of the brig Dryad] Dear Sir You will proceed with your Cargo (an Invoice of 159 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN which is inclosed) to Monterrey [California] and as you have been there already and know the Companys intentions in regard to Deals and Salmon, it is unnecessary for me to say more than that you will dispose of them to the best advantage, and if you get information that Deals or Salmon would sell better by going farther South you can do so if your time admits, as you must Keep in mind you ought to be here about the latter end of FebY or beginning of March— If you cannot dispose of all your Deals and Salmon, and meet any agents of Messers Thos Watford and M[artin] Green of Valparaiso or John Yates Esqr of Lima you will hand them the accompanying Letters and transfer to them the remains of your Cargo, and request them to dispose of it and remit the proceeds to the Govr Se Committee and if you find no agents of these two Houses you will leave your remains with any House you please and with the same Instructions. If you meet with any respectable House willing to Contract for Deals and Salmon we would engage to Supply in 1831 Sixty thousand feet of Deals at sixty or even as low as forty Dollars pm— feet and for any quantity of Salmon we have to spare at ten or fifteen Dollars p Barrel of a hundred and fifty pounds wt But you will please bear in mind the quantity of Salt that we have is very small but we have written to Mr Charlton for nine hundred Bushels which if we get we will be able to Salt any quantity of Salmon we can procure We are informed a considerable quantity of Beaver is Collected at Monterrey and it's vicinity you can pay it 17/6 in Goods at 100 p cent advance in Prime Cost, or in Bills on England at 10/— p lb but you ought not to draw for a less sum than twenty five pounds Sea Otters you will pay in Goods at the above advance from twenty five to 160 I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I thirty Dollars and in Bills on England or in Cash from eighteen to twenty four Dollars You will endeavour to ascertain if there are any Settlers on the Bonnaventura [Sacramento] and if there would ; be any objections to our sending a party of Trappers to that part of the country or to the Bay at Sc Francisco, this information you could only get from private sources and it is very uncertain even if we had leave that we would send, however as Beaver are numerous about that place it is well to ascertain the point and you will also endeavor to learn if we would be allowed to take Cattle Horses and Mules out of California by Land You will Demand (if you think it safe) the Debt due to the late N W Cony by the Government of California If you become acquainted with any of the Missions you may tell them we will undertake to import any articles they may wish from England— Inclosed is a list of a few supplies which we would require and you may take payment for your cargo in Cash or Bills on England or Wahoo or payment in Beef Salt Hides and Tallow at the prices stated— and you will endeavour to ascertain what price Deals and Salmon would bring at S Bias Lima &c &c Sundries to be procured1 40 or even 80 Barrels Beef 10 or 12 Dollars p Barrel 30 " Pork 900 Bushels Salt (if Salmon is in Demand) Hides Tallow as many Cwt Shells Donyours Ear [?] as the price may justify Monterrey Fat Medicines J4# G Camphor J4 " Salphate Quinine 161 fUVlflf¥TfliiniiHii' m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 12 " best peruvian Bark 40 " Epsom Salt 2 " Rhubarb As perhaps purchasers of your Cargo would find it difficult to pay in Specie you might take payment in Bills on England or Wahoo Hides Beunos Ayres a) b) 7^ - ioy2 p H and Rios c) I suppose these are Dried Hides Salted 5]/2 p lb I am Sir yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin CF. HBC°r Letter Number 149. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24th Novr 1830 To The Govr Deputy Govr Se Committee HBay Company Honble Sirs In the 18th paragraph of my last per Eagle I informed your Honors that all our people who had been on the Sick List were in a Convajescent State, I am sorry to be obliged now to inform you that the fever broke out with increased Violence and that at one time we had seventy five on the sick List however it is now reduced to forty eight and we have had no new case of Fever these last twelve days. In this state of our people, so many of the Sailors in Hospital and not having a sufficient number of Landmen in Health to Spare to complete the number required for Nass I conceive it more advisable to defer Establishing that place till Spring 1831 rather than run the risk of Ruining the business by sending a sickly Crew at this Boisterous season of the year, and not to allow our Vessels Remain Idle, on 162 c> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the 18th Ins1 the Vancouver Cap1 [William] Ryan was dispatched to Wahoo with a cargo of thirteen M feet Deals and the Dryad Cap1 [Aemilius] Simpson sails for Monterrey with a cargo of 35 M feet and sixty Barrels of 200# each Salmon to ascertain their Value in California, But we cannot send either of these Vessels to Lima or Valparaiso as they are both required here in the beginning of March to go to Nass, as to the Cadboro she is unfit to go to Sea till she gets a thorough Repair In my last I stated by mistake that it did not seem your Honors wished the Eagle should touch at any place on her way home, on her return from the North, referred to your Honors despatch to see if I was correct as till then I had in mind that you intended she should take a cargo of deals to Wahoo on her return home, but in reading in the 8th par: you say "between the time of her arrival and departure for England which should not be later than the first week in Octr" I concluded I had at first mistaken your Honors Intentions and that it was your desire she should go from this to England without touching at any port It is true I could not load the Eagle without detaining her longer than you Intended. But this is no excuse for my asserting what was not [correct] and the only apology I have and the only way I can account how the passage in your 12th paragraph in which you state "and she may be fitted up in her homeward Voyage with Timber for the Sandwich Islands if you should find it desirable" Escaped my observation, at the time I was writing is that at that time Mr Ogden was ill of the fever and also Dr [John] Kennedy— I had to attend the sick who were about fifty in number we had to pack the Furs, to attend to the Indian Trade and to the Indians who frightened by the Mortality amongst them came in numbers to camp alongside of us— giving as a reason that if they died they Knew we would Bury them most reluctantly on our part we were obliged to 163 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN drive them away and I must add to this the other urgent work of the place so that in fact I was as well as my assistants Messers J[ames] Douglas [Francis] Ermatinger and [James] Birnie Kept Constantly Employed from day light to Eleven at night I say I was employed but in truth I might say harrassed in mind and body as much as I possibly could be: and in fact so much had your 12th paragraph escaped my notice by being called of when I was reading it and on resuming the perusal passed over it and afterwards having only the 8 th paragraph in my mind I remained impressed with a Doubt whether you meant the Eagle should touch at Wahoo or not, (and accordingly expressed it) till the 20th Octr when on reperusing your dispatch I found my mistake— and that the impression I had till I reffered to your dispatch on the return of the Eagle from the North was correct, and in fact it was my being unable to account to myself how it could happen that I had during the whole Summer been impressed with the Idea that I was authorized to send the Vessell to Wahoo with a Cargo of Deals on her way to England What made me refer on the day I state to your Honors Instructions when I saw by Your 12th paragraph That my first impression was correct. I must confess such an oversight must appear careless and Inattentive on my part but I hope it will be viewed by your Honors in its true light that is as proceeding from having too much at that time to attend to— NOTE: This is as the letter appears in the book. It is evidently the first attempt to write the letter which follows. Letter Number 150. Fort Vancouver 24th Novr 1830 The Governor Deputy Governor and Committee Honorable Hudsons Bay C°y HonW sirs 1 In the 18th par: of my last pr Eagle I in- 164 i <> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN formed your Honors that all our people who had been on the sick list were in a convalescent state. I am sorry to be obliged now to inform you that the fever broke out with increased violence and that at one time we had seventy five on the sick list, however it is now reduced to forty 5 and we have had no new case of fever these last twelve days. In this state of our people, so many of the sailors in Hospital and not having a sufficient number of Land men in health to spare to complete the number required for Nass 1 conceive it more advisable to defer Establishing that place till spring 1831 rather than run the risk of ruining the business by sending a sickly crew at this Boisterous season of the year, and not to allow our Vessels remain Idle. On the 18th Ins1 the Vancouver Cap1 [William] Ryan was dispatched to Wahoo with a cargo of thirteen M feet Deals and the Dryad Cap1 [Aemelius] Simpson sails for Monterey with a cargo of 35 M feet and sixty Barrels Salmon (of 200 # each) to ascertain their Value in California but we cannot send either of these Vessels to Lima or Valparaiso as they are both required here in the beginning of March to go to Nass as to the Cadboro she is unfit to go to sea till she gets a thorough repair— 2 In my last I stated by mistake that it did not seem your Honors wished the Eagle should touch at any place on her way home, On the return of the Eagle from the north I refered to your Honors Despatch to see if I was correct (as till then I had in mind that you intended she should take a cargo of Deals to Wahoo on her Return home) But on reading in your 8th par: the sentence "between the time of her arrival and Departure for England which should not be later than the first week in Octr" I concluded I had at first mistaken your Honors Intentions and that it was your desire she should go from this [place] to England without touching at any Port It is true I could not load the Eagle without detaining her longer than your 165 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Intended, but this is no excuse for my asserting what was not [correct] and the only apolegy I have and the only way I can account how the passage in your 12th par: in which you state "and she may be filled up in her homeward Voyage with Lumber for the Sandwich Islands if you should find it desirable" escaped my observation at the time I was writing is that Mr Ogden was ill of the fever and also Dr [John] Kennedy, I had to attend the sick who were about fifty in number we had to Pack the furs to attend to the Indian Trade and to the Indians who frightened at the mortality amongst them came in numbers to camp alongside of us giving us as a reason that if they died they Knew we would bury them. Most reluctantly on our part we were obliged to drive them away, and I must add to this the other urgent work of the place so that in fact I was as well as my assistants Messers James Douglas [Francis] Ermatinger and [James] Birnie were Kept constantly employed from day light to eleven at night I say I was employed but in truth I might say harassed in mind and body as much as I probably could be, and in fact so much had your 12th par: escaped my notice by being called of when I was reading the Dispatch, and on resuming the perusal passing over it and afterwards having only the 8th paragraph in my mind, I remained impressed with a doubt whether you meant the Eagle should touch at any place or not (and accordingly expressed it) till the 20th Octr when on reperusing your dispatch I found my mistake—and that the impression I had till I referred to your dispatch on the return of the Eagle from the north was correct and in fact it was my being unable to account to myself how it could happen that I have during the whole summer been impressed with the Idea that I was authorized to send the Vessel to Wahoo with a Cargo of Deals on her way to England that made me refer on the day I state to your Honors Instructions, when I saw by your 12th par. That my first 166 l LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN impression was correct. I must confess such an oversight must appear careless and Inattentive on my part but I hope it will be viewed by your Honors in its true light that is as proceeding from having too much at that time to attend to 6 I avail myself of this opportunity to make up for an omission in my last and beg to assure you I am extremely sensible of the approbation you are pleased to express (in the 22nd par: of yours of 28th Octr) of my Conduct in managing the Business Intrusted to my Charge and that I will as I have hitherto done endeavour to promote the Interests of the Concern as much as I possibly can 3 Mr [John] Harriott arrived here on the morning of the 2nd Inst, and I am sorry to State had the Misfortune to lose seven men Drownded in a Rapid below Okanogan Dalles the place has been always considered sufficiently safe to run with loaded Boats in this instance there were four Boats in Company the three first past safe and were allowing themselves merely to drift with the current till the fourth came up as by getting in a whirlpool she had fallen a little astern, but the next rapid is so nigh the one the Boat wrecked on that the three first were in it Before they saw the wrecked Boat which was drifting along with two men on the Bottom of it, the first Boats immediately put ashore and the men dispersed themselves along the Beach to see if they could give assistance but to no purpose as they saw none of the Crew except the two on the Bottom of the Boat who were saved and the Steersman who had Jumped out of her and swam ashore 4 I am to day Informed that a Stream chain was landed at Bonavista from the Dryads Stores and at the Falkland Islands a Bolt of Canvas #7 and some Junk was sent to the Adrona Besides fifteen Buckets of Molasses a Cask of Vina- gar and several other things sent aboard the Brig Arab which sailed in Company with the Dryad across the At- 167 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN lantic, the only articles entered in the Log as gone from the Dryad are the Canvas and ten Galls. Mollasses and these were only entered two days ago as is evident by the Ink and by Mr Duncans own Confession and Capt Minors has not accounted for a single Item of the above when settling the account of his Disbursements with us, it appears by the Log and Mr Duncans Statement (when the question was put to him) that Louis Varnet only supplied four oxen— and you see by the accounts forwarded by the Eagle that more are charged I am too well aware of the Injury the company must suffer by reflections on the Characters of their officers, to listen to any reports on light grounds as it destroys diciplin and lowers them in the opinion of their Inferiors, but when such Rumours as these are in circulation if the Superior who hears them does not Inquire into them, those who spread these report may suppose that he is Guilty of such practices and fearfull of being exposed himself, he wishes to cover the peculation of others, and in this case, from Captain Minors conduct to myself, nothing but a sense of duty and the annoyance I feel at the company being defrauded makes me mention it 5 The last accounts from the Interior are by Mr [John] Harriott and the Business is going on in the usual way our saw mill in consequence of the Sickness has been Stopt for two months and a half but is now going- fit11 See 6th paragraph on the 2nd page of this Letter I am Hond Sirs Your obt Se Humble Servants Signed John McLoughlin— Inclosed1 in the above is a certificate from Alex Duncan Viz This is to certify that on the 8* Feby 1830 a Stream Chain was landed at Bonavista from the Honble HBC°y Brig Dryad and on 14th April 1830 one Bolt of Canvas #7 was sent on shore at Berckly Sound, and that 168 I p LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN only four oxen were Received on Board the Dryad at the Falkland Island (Signed) Alex Duncan Sworn before me on ) Board the Brig Dryad ) Columbia River 25th Novr ) 1830 (Signed) J McLoughlin N B Subsequent to closing my dispatch it occurred to me such a document as this might be of use and I accordingly forward it J McL- Letter Number 151. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24th Novr 1830 Cap1 Aemilius Simpson Sir You will demand the debt due by the Govr of California to the late NWst [North West] Company amounting to Eight hundred and fifty three Dollars and five Reals1 being the Balance of an account for Sundries sold (as per Voucher in your possession) to Don Pablo Ve- cente de Sola2 — by the late Duncan McGillivray Esq1" a partner of the North West Company, which Debt was trans- fered to the HBC°y at the Junction of the HB & NWst Companies in 1821 I am Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Partner of the late NWst Coy and Chief Factor-HB C°y 169 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 152. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24th Novr 1830 [Messrs Arnold Se Woollett of Lima] Sir The inclosed Letter will be handed you with this by Lieu1 Simpson Royal Navy Superintendent of the H B C°y's Marine Department North west Coast of America who now proceeds in the H B C°y Brig Dryad with a cargo of Deals and Salt Salmon to see if there is any Demand for these articles at Monterrey or further South and if so I hope we will be able to Establish an Intercourse beneficial to all parties— I am Sir Your Obdt and Hum Servant (Sgd) J McLoughlin Inclosed in the above is the following Letter from Mess Arnold Se Woollett to J Yates Lima Sir This is intended to be handed to you by an officer in the employ of the Hudsons Bay Company who on the production of this Letter will exhibit to you his Credentials in which case we have to request you will advance him such sums as may be required for the actual disbursements of his Vessel and render him any service he may stand in need of to further the object of his employ we recommend this Interest to your particular attention and remain Sir Very truly yours (Signed) J N Arnold Se Woollett One Similar is addressed to Thos Walford and Martin Green1 170 i .1^ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 153. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24thNovr1830 Lieut Simpson R. N. Superintendant HBC°y Marine Dep1 N Wst Coast of America You are hereby authorised to draw on the HH Bay1 C°y of London to the amount of seven hundred pounds Sterling I am Yours truly John McLoughlin C F HB C°y Letter Number 154. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 24th Novr 1830 To the Commander of any of The Honble HB C°y Vessels Bound to Columbia River Sir You will please receive on Board your Vessel Mr David Douglass1 with his Servant and Baggage— Yours truly (Signed J McLoughlin Letter Number 155. Fort Vancouver 30th Novr 1830 Mr. Geo Barnston, [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours 171 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of the 6th 9th and 14* Inst. To the Contents of which I beg to reply in the order of their dates— as to the Horse when the band was brought in the one presented by the Walla Walla Chief was not pointed out so that I did not examine him particularly, however after the manner he pranced in the Fort after having on these very bad Roads carried Mr [Francois] Annance for twenty six days. It is certain he must be a very fine Beast and well worth a Rifle though I am sorry to say we have none however I will do my utmost to get one and if I cannot succeed would a fine Gun answer in place of a Rifle If the Gentleman coming down can bring the Remainder of the Agres he will do so. I am perfectly aware how difficult you must have found it to Carry on your business as you had to Sell a Blanket for five Skins when your Indians must have Known we were selling a Blanket for one Skin, and the only increase we have been able to make in the prices of last year is taking two Otters for one Skin in consequence of our being in dread of Coasters coming here however to day an Indian came with one Beaver (and your Indian Yes being in the Shop at the time) I desired Mr [James] Birnie to ask him five Beaver for a Blanket which will have some effect in your quarter and you must as you have done Keep up your prices as you are perfectly aware we never could transport property to pay for the Furs in the Interior at the price we sell here I spoke to Mr [Francois] Annance in regard to the Dalles Chief— whom you mention in yours of the 14th he says he met the Indn who told him he was sent to you by a Gentleman and that he allowed him to go on. It would have been well in Mr Annance to ask for his Letters and then he would have seen if sent or not, as he would have supposed if the Indians story was correct, that no Gentle- 172 \. LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN man would have sent him with a verbal message. Mr Annance says he only received seventy six Horses from you and that Joe Gray only brought down five besides Mr Erma- tinger's two Joe Gray says the same and that you Kept one of the six he brought on account of his being too poor to undertake the Journey by referring to your account you will see if this is correct, he only brought here seventy five Including Mr E's [Ermatinger] two, and of these three have died since arrival. But he left two at the Dalles for two he got there on his way up and which were left at your place and which if so you will give us credit— The demand of the Cayouses1 for two calves we will endeavour to comply with Indeed it was our Intention to have sent Calves to Walla Walla at the same time that we sent some to Colvile but we were afraid they would be stole by the Snakes but how to send Calves to Walla Walla is the question however we will endeavour to do so, pray would it do as well to send them for the Establishment [J. S.] Larocque applies to go back to Walla Walla but as he has not given you reason to approve of his conduct he will remain here— [Francois] Charpentier says he did not get Credit for his Cloathing but on referring to the accounts here it appears he did— I need not recommend the Gentleman coming down to your attention and pray put him on his guard in regard to the Dalles but I suppose he is past your place before now. Indeed had I not conceived when Mr [John] Harriott arrived here that either Mr [Simon] McGillivray or Mr Campbell2 was on his heels and that it was of no use to send a Boute to meet him I would have sent one I am Dear Sir Yours truly Signed John McLoughlin 173 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 156. Fort Vancouver 30th Novr 1830 To Messers S [imon] McGillivray and Colin Campbell Gentlemen As I cannot of course Know which of you I will have the pleasure to see I address this to you jointly to request if possible you bring down the agres sent by Mr [Francis] Heron to Walla Walla I beg to recommend your being particularly cautious in the Dalles and unless you have Skilfull Boutes1 I would not advise you to run them. Indeed had I not supposed you would have been here soon after Mr [John] Harriott and that sending a Boute would be of no use and of far less now, as we expect every moment you will arrive and I only make the request about the agres in case this should meet you higher up than we expect I am Gentlemen Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 157. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 9th December 1830 Arch McDonald, Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 20th Se 21 Sept with the different documents and beg to return you my thanks for the full and correct information they Contain — I can form an idea of the state of anxiety you must have suffered during the abscondment of your man Maniso and think it is extremely fortunate for yourself and the concern that you acted in the cautious 174 i LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN prudent manner you did. If you had acted up to appearances on the spur of the moment you would have embroiled us with the natives in your vicinity and if the Man Cast up as he did, though most probably you would have caused his being murdered, you could never have justified yourself to your own mind (though certainly justified by appearances) from having acted precipitately. This is another instance in addition to the many we have, how little we can depend on the information we get from these Savages. We have this summer been severely afflicted by an intermittent Fever1 which carried off a great part of the Natives in our vicinity. To attempt to describe our situation during this dreadful visitation, is impossible and you can form some idea of our distress when I inform you we had at one time seventy six of our people in the sick list (in this number were Mr [P. S.] Ogden and Dr [John] Kennedy) and that we were obliged to drive the Indians away instead of affording them the assistance they implored of us by our having as many of our people on the sick list as we could possibly attend to. This unfortunate sickness weakened our Establishment so much that we had not the men to establish Nass till Mr [John] Harriott came from York and even then we had not a sufficient number of sailors in health to man the three vessels which are all signed to establish that place. That taking the sickly state of our people into consideration, the season of the year when the weather is boisterous and the nights long, and that we are very imperfectly acquainted with the coast I conceived it better to postpone sending to establish that place till spring. And the Dryad Capt [John] Minors which arrived here in August with outfit 1830 Se 31, and of which Capt [Aemel- ius] Simpson now has the command as Capt Minors has been sent a passenger in the Eagle to England, is gone to California with a cargo of Salmon and Deals and the Vancouver Capt [William] Ryan is sent to Wahoo. As soon as 175 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN they return they will wish the Cadboro which is undergoing a repair will be sent on the coast and to establish Nass—as to the Broughton our carpenters have been so long ill not one of them is sufficiently recovered to work. She is not yet repaired and therefore could not be sent to you. Your Salmon Barrels were bad and lost the Brine which injured the Salmon and though still fit for use I sent none but ours to market. The return of the vessels will inform us what apparent demand there is for this article and I have a cooper2 here for you whom I will send by the earliest navigation as he ought to be in time to prepare his casks before the fishing begins. You will please prepare pine for staves, but let them be stronger than those you last got made. Your shingles are also sent to market and when I send the cooper you will also receive the corn peas and grease you require. Your remarks on the orders were attended too and found to agree exactly with our Books. The mistake was made in the copying. As the plans drawn out when Governor [George] Simpson was here are to be followed we have a party of men building a saw mill and another party splitting staves to fill up the vessel on her homeward voyage. One consolation in regard to the Deals and Staves is that they cost nothing to the concern as the men employed in procurring them could only be employed in rendering our situation more comfortable. I am Dear Sir Your truly Signed John McLoughlin N B Mr Harriott arrived on the morning of the 2nd ult but Ouvre only returned from the Cowlitz yesterday and I was obliged to defer sending to you till his return. The Beaver might bring an answer as Ouvre will be in that vicinity. McL - 176 i LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 158. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 29th Decr 1830 Mr Thos McKay Dear Sir As I presume this will meet you on your way here It is only necessary for me to observe that if possible you and [Michael] Laframboise ought to be at the place about the 1st March and ought to have your Horses at Sandy Encampment [Xavier] Laderoute, Smith and [John] Favel have applied to go out of course their wish will be acceded too I am Yours truly Signed John McLoughlin We require further information before we can decide whether we will outfit a party to hunt in your present hunting Grounds JML Letter Number 159. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 31st Decr 1830 To A R McLeod Esqr [C. T.] Dear Sir I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of yesterday which was only handed me to day and in reply beg to observe that though it would give me great pleasure on your account to be able to give you a decided answer, and I believe you will yourself allow that at present it is impossible to say whether the business of the Department will admit of your Request being acceded to— But if it appears when the Express leaves this [place] that your 177 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Services can be dispenced with you may depend your request will be complied with— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughln Letter Number 160. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 4th Jany 1831 Mr. G. Barnston [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir Yours of the 12th Decr last reached me on the 22d of the same, by which I was happy to see your trade wore so favourable an aspect, particularly your horse trade which is greater than I ever knew before. But it is impossible for us to send at the time you propose for those you now have, as we have as many horses here as we are likely to require at this place. I have examined the engagement your interpreter1 made with Mr. [Samuel] Black, and I was not aware he had such extravagant terms, however they must be fulfilled. But as to the verbal promises which he says Mr. Black made him, we must have this Gentleman's answer to your letter to him on this subject before we can take any notice of them. I offered to engage him on the terms the Company allows to interpreters that is £25 % Per Annum, two Gall: Molasses and 100 or 150 lbs Flour if we could get that Quantity down to Walla Walla from Colvil he offered to 178 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN engage for two years but I would not give him these terms unless he engaged for three years— The supplies you request will be forwarded by the Express Boat I am sorry to learn your fort is in the decayed state you represent and as we cannot send you the men you demand to build it anew It will be necessary if possible to place the pickets in morticed Sleepers You will please keep at Walla Walla the Remainder of the horse agres sent to you by Mr Heron. Fort Vancouver 11th Jany I had written this far when I was agreeably surprised by the arrival of Mr S. Mc Gillivray who handed me yours of the 28th Decr last, and in reply I beg to observe that of course you will charge us with the horses you delivered to Mr [Francis] Annance, and give us credit for these you recover. Once you deliver your horses it is the business of those who get them to take care of them; however these are dear horses to us as 14 were lost by Mr Annance on his way here. You did well in assisting Mr McGillivray with two men to come down, as besides being weak he and his men were strangers to the Columbia. We have not a Tariff to spare but you can make one for your purpose from your Outfit. In settling [Francis] Charpentiers a/c he is to be credited with the £2 Mr [Samuel] Black alludes to. I send Per the Bearers four calves— for your place which I hope will be gratifying to your Indians to see on their Lands— Yours truly John McLoughlin 179 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 161. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 4th Janry 1831 Private and Confidential Mr. G— Barnstone [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir Sometime ago it had been mentioned to me privately, that there were reports in circulation derogatory to the character of your linguist, however as I well know how apt the men are to raise stories against any one above them and as I knew that inquiring into the subject must lower the linguists standing in their eyes— and prevent his doing the Companys business as well as he otherwise could I forebore taking any notice of them, however yesterday [J. S.] La- Rocque came to me and told me that the Linguist1 had embezzled some of the C°ys Property and that Martineau knew the particulars. To make a long story short I enquired of the latter, and he told me that the Interpreter1 bought a gun for beads and ammunition, belonging to the C°y— and with the gun, bought a horse which he traded with the Company. I informed the Linguist of this and as— you by being on the spot, are better able to ascertain the correctness of the assertion I referred the case to your decision, at the same time it seems to me that the men are envious of the Linguist— Yours Sec John McLoughlin Letter Number 162. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver Jany 27-1831 Mr- Geo: Barnstone [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] This will be handed to you by Mr Simon McGillivray 180 t LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN who as he is to succeed you in the charge of Walla Walla proposes to pass the remainder of this winter as your guest in order to get initiated into the routine of the business of the place, and to whom I am certain you will give every information in your power If Mr. [Samuel] Black sends to you for horses—you will give him twenty Yours Se C J. McLoughlin Letter Number 163. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Part in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 28th January 1831 To [Francis Heron, C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir Yours of the twenty third Oct reached me on the morning of the 2nd Nov and I dare say long before this you have received the melancholy account of the loss of one of Mr [John] Herriotts Boats in the Rapids above Okanagan by which unfortunate occurrance seven of the Crew were drowned. I am happy (and grateful for it to the Almighty) to have it in my power to inform you that the fever has disappeared at this place. I wish by the return of the messenger you would inform me if any of the men who gave notice last spring of their intention of returning from the service have renewed their engagements. Subjoined is a list of their names. Captain [AEmelius] Simpson sailed for California with a cargo of Deals and a few barrels of Salmon to see how these Articles will sell in that Country and Captain [William] Ryan is off with a cargo of Deals for Owhyhee I Expect they 181 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN are both on their way Back as it is intended as soon as the navigation permits to send off the two vessels to Nass. I am Dear Sir Yours truly J McLoughlin List of men who gave notice of their intention to retire Spring 1831 Portelanse [Narcisse] Lajois [John Baptiste] Proveau [Louis] Plouffe [Antoine] Lapierre [Joseph] Lacourse [Pierre] Felix [Antoine] Letter Number 164. Fort Vancouver 20th March 1831 To George Simpson Esqr Governor in Chief Ruperts Lands Dear Sir 1 I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of 13th July 1830 which was handed me by Mr. [John] Harriott on the morning of the 2nd Nov and beg to return you and the members of the council my thanks for the approbation you express of my conduct and beg to assure you that my endeavours will be exerted to promote the interest of the concern to the utmost of my abilities. 2 As in my Letter to their Honors of the 11th Oct and 24th Nov I did myself the Honor to give them an account of the occurrences and proceedings at this place up to the latter Date and to which I beg to refer you and will only observe here that the loss of the Isabella was 182 ibi LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN neither owing to stress of weather or to any difficulty in entering the Columbia but merely to Capt [William] Ryan's making a mistake and taking a wrong channel. 3 It is unnecessary for me to state to you the der- rangement this misfortune occasioned but I have to observe that in consequence of the chastisement the Clatsop [Indians] received in 1829 from Mr. [William] Connolly and party the Indians about Fort George behaved remarkably well, assisted us to save the cargo and though we dried it on the Island where the vessel was wrecked and which I was afraid at the time would have been attended with some serious quarrel (but we had no alternative but to run the risk or lose the property) I am happy to say we dried it without having the least difficulty with them. 4 When the Eagle left this [place] the fever had decreased and I then expected to have been able to send the Dryad with a part of the Nass Establishment and to send the remainder from Vancouver after the arrival of the Express but the Fever returned with increased violence and the crew of the vessels and people at this place were so weak that I do not think it prudent to follow up my intention even after the arrival of the Express from York, and sent the Dryad to Monterey with a cargo of Deals and Barrels of Salmon and the Vancouver to Wahoo with a cargo of Deals. On the 11th Inst. I had the pleasure to see Capt [AEmelius] Simpson arrive, having left the Dryad and Vancouver (the latter entered the River at the same time with the Dryad) opposite Fort George and you will see by the accompanying Documents that we can only expect our Deals will be paid in Hides and Tallow. Mr. Vermond wrote Capt Simpson that the only way in which business is done along the south american coast is by Bartering, money is so very scarce. Mr. [Richard] Charlton says the demand for Deals is recovering at Wahoo and I have no Doubt as the LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN high price induced the americans to ship Deals from amer- ica that as soon as it is generally Known that we send Deals to Wahoo they will drop the business— You see that Mr. Charlton offers to freight our vessel on her way home at £6.10 pr ton and I feel very much at a loss what to do. I Know the late Capt [James] Davison told me he was at liberty to take a cargo of Hides on his homeward bound voyage, but I am afraid Hides will injure our Furs and on that account will not accept his offer, but thank him for the attention he showed in making it. Will you please clear my doubts on the subject and let me Know whether we ought or not accept such an offer as besides the danger to our Furs is it proper to allow strangers have so much to do with our vessel as we must when we carry freight for them. Mr. Hartnell of Monterey has sent an offer to sell Goods Deals, etc. for us in upper California at a commission of ten percent on the sales which is to cover all his expenses in travelling to the different missions, saying his years experience in the business was worth something, but as I do not consider myself authorized to enter in this busienss in such a scale nor besides would I advise it (but the first opportunity I will return him a sealed list of Goods which he sent and was to have been opened if his plans were accepted) politely thank him for his offer and tell him that it is not the intention of this Honorable Company to enter on such a Business— 9th The American opposition left us in July still it was not thought proper to enhance the price of Goods till January when at this place on account of its effect in the Interior (we rais'd the price of '%M point Blanket to 2 made Beaver, but at Fort George (where Mr. [Donald] Manson passed the winter with five men) wTe continue to sell at one made Beaver per Blanket in case if we re- 184 o LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN turned to the old prices and a Coaster came the Indians then would encourage him to remain. 10th Mr. Ermatinger's1 woman ran away with an Indian last Spring and he sent Lolo the interpreter after her and desired him to punish the Indian by cutting the tip of his ear which he did and though in the civilized World such an act will appear harsh and on that account it would be preferable that he had resorted to some other mode of punishment. Still, if the Indian had not been punished it would have lowered the Whites in their Estimation as among themselves they never allow such an offence to pass unpunished. However, to prevent any further difficulty on this subject I kept Mr. Ermatinger here and appointed Mr. [John] Clark at Thompson River and Mr. [George] Barnston at Walla Walla and Mr. [John] Work succeeded Mr. [P. S.] Ogden in charge of the Snake party. 11th On the 8th Instant I received accounts from Mr. [John] Work up to the 12th Nov which I forward and by which you see he has had the misfortune to lose two of his Boats, on one of them Pierre L'Etang, by whose death we lose one of our best Men in this Department. 12th It is impossible to say where the present trader party will hunt 1831/32 and it can only be ascertained when they return. The Lands laying north of the Flatheads, which Mr. Work mentions I believe, are on the East side of the mountains and if South of 49 we cannot go there and if North of 49 I think we ought not to go. But it is certain the Snake Country is getting nearly exhausted and the new Country between this and San Francisco does not afford employment for a Party sufficiently strong to protect themselves. 13 th On the arrival of the Express finding our selves with a large party of Men I got the Wood for a Saw Mill squared at the Falls of the Willamette on the spot 185 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN you and I selected, and at our present Saw Mill (besides furnishing us the wood required for this Place) we have a Cargo of Deals ready for Exportation and with which we will act according to circumstances and will have another Cargo by the time the vessel is ready to return home — 14th The Returns of this place I am sorry to say are less than those of last year but you will please to observe that the Indians united themselves more than in 1829/30 in consequence of the reduction on the price of Goods. 15th Our crop though the extraordinary height of the water injured it very much was as follows2 1260 bushels wheat 5/per bu. £315-..-.. 183 barley 27-9-.. 583 peas 189-9-6 600 Indian corn 125 9000 bush potatoes 656-18-6 280 946-18-6 and which will be sufficient to supply all our wants and enable us to give the New Establishment a full supply of provisions for one year— 16th You will preceive the produce of this farm is only valued at its prime cost but in estimating it to the Concern we must take into consideration the freight it saves us and that it has been rais'd at no expense to the Concern except in a Few Iron Works, as if the people had not been doing that they would have been unemployed. 186 tea LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 17th You will see that this year the loss of lives has been very great in the Columbia and amounts in all to twenty six men. 18th As soon as the Vessels are ready they will be dispatched with the Party to establish Nass and prosecute the Coasting Trade and our attention will be employed to fulfill their Honors and your instructions to the utmost of our abilities — 19th Mr [A. R.] McLeod is going out and beg ging to refer you to Mr [James] Douglass and the Documents going out for the transactions at this place and to the gentlemen in the interior for the transactions in that quarter — I am — Dear Sir — yr obdt Serv — (Sd) John McLoughlin NOTE: What follows from this point is on a separate sheet of paper attached to the book after the signature of Dr. McLoughlin. It is in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. On the evening of the 18th instant we had the pleasure to receive Mr Chief Trader [Archibald] McDonalds despatch which we forward for your information — Mr Chief Trader McLeod [has] applied to be allowed to go to York his request has been acceded to Mr [Thomas] Sinclair you will recollect gave notice last year of his intention to retire from the service but consented to remain in Expectation that he will be allowed an increase of wages and if not granted he wishes to go out next Spring Mr [Thomas] McKay wishes to be allowed leave of absence for one year to pay a visit to the Canadian Border. Mr [Francois] Annance came here last fall with the intention of going to York Factory this spring. But in my representing to him that such a proceeding would be equivalent to a resignation of his situation in the service, 187 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN he consented to Remain and Requests to be allowed to pay a visit to York Mr. James Douglas goes out with the accounts whom I hope you will allow to return and I beg to refer you to him and to the accounts for any further information relative to the transactions of this place. Michel Laframboise's Engagement is Expired and he asked me Eighty Pounds per annum—3 I told him I could give him no increase on his present terms and that I could only recommend him to your consideration—at the same time gave him distinctly to understand that I did not think his terms would be acceded to—and with this explanation to remain for the year NOTE: Compare this obvious draft with the letter as it appears in H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 225-9. Note also it is dated four days earlier than this draft. Letter Number 165. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 16th March 1831 Mr George Barnston [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 27 th Feby and am happy to learn that the Walla Walla Stock had arrived safe I thought I had informed Mr [Simon] McGillivray that the young Chief was to have one of the cow Calves but it seems that I did not or that he did not understand me and by this present conveyance informed him of the necessity of making their expectations good. I am happy that the Interpreter (Charpentier) has cleared up everything to your satisfaction1 indeed the discovery we made of [Pierre] Martineau's dishonesty subsequent to his making the charge against Charpentier led 188 mm n LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN me to suspect his assertion, however you will admit it was necessary The comers and goers at your place have certainly been a heavy expence in the way of Provisions but a supply can be procured at Colvile or Okanagen I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 166. No copy in H. B. Co. A. 16* Mar 1831 Simon McGillivray [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] My Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 26th Feby and am happy to hear you arrived safe. It is much to be regretted that the W. W. [Walla Walla] Fort was not Kept in a state of Repair and the only thing we can now do is to collect the necessary wood in the summer and have everything ready to rebuild it this Fall, your remark with regard to the disposition of the Chiefs may be correct but is very different from what I understood however it is impossible to make up the number of men to ten for Walla Walla as five has been the complement these several years and it was only in consequence of the Indn being rather troublesome that seven were allowed this year, you will send us four of your men p. the Brigade and if we can we will return two by the same conveyance I was aware that Mr [George] Barnston had given the Young Chief to understand that he would get a cow calf and of course it must be made good. I thought I mentioned this to you and I think so still but it seems it escaped you I am sorry it is not in my power to send you a Plough but I believe there is one at Okanagan and as you 189 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN will have to send up to Colvile for Provisions you will be able to get it It is impossible for us to send you seed Potatoes but you can get some from Colvile by the Boat in June and this will be time to plant them at your place and corn Pumpkins and Potatoes is all I would advise you to cultivate at Walla Walla, and though certainly a plough would answer much better you can in the mean time cultivate as much as you can with the Hoe perhaps you might get a plough from Colvile and you may depend if we have an opportunity of sending you one by the Indians I will avail myself of it I am Dear Sir Your truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 167. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 16th Mar 1831 Samuel Black Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Kamloops] My Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 16th Oct and 9th Decr and am happy to see that affairs are going on so well in your quarter. In compliance with your request inclosed is a list of a few supplies forward you by the Express and I request that in due time you forward as many of your people as you can to Colvile to assist in bringing down the Boats I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin To the Same It will be necessary you proceed with your people in 190 >ZZT* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN time to assist in bringing down the Colvile Returns Boat &c to Okanagan I am&c (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 168. No copy inH.B.Co. A. Fort Vancouver 20th Mar 1831 Francis Heron Esqr [Clerk] [Ft. Colvile] My Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 5 th Feby and am happy to see you have fine prospects of Returns I am sorry you did not state the quantity of each kind of produce you have to supply as I could have spoken more decidely however you will please send all the Flour Corn and Pease you can spare to Okanagan If any of these men who gave notice are willing to remain they ought to be engaged as to [Pierre] Lacourse the main object that we require him for is it seems to me as a Boat builder and you can best judge if you can dispence with him or not. and you will please act accordingly you see by Mr [John] Works Letter that there is every probability that the americans will endeavour to open a Trade with the Flat Heads and you can best Judge if Mr [Nicholas] Montour ought to be sent with them or not— if you do not send him and your are satisfied with his conduct he ought to be Kept for the Cootanais and allowed £50 pr annum if Mr [William] Kittson remains you will either come down or remain Inland as suits your Business but if Mr Kittson goes out you should remain Inland and on that account I wrote to Mr [Samuel] Black to go to Colvile 191 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN with his people to take charge of the Brigade and with yours to bring it down to Okanagan as to the Cour de Len [Coeur d'Alene] Chief's son if Mr McLeod can he will take him out we will depend on more Boats coming down NOTE: This letter is unsigned. Letter Number 169. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Peter W [Warren] Dease Esqr [C. F.] [Ft. St. James] Dear Sir It is necessary that exclusive of the nine Boats which I think will be required for the Brigade (though perhaps less may do) that three new Boats be left at Walla Walla for the Snake party. You will please leave at Okanagan all the Flour and Grain you may require for your department as also a sufficient quantity to serve the River till the Fall and you will bring down the remainder to Walla Walla Messers [Simon] McGillivray, [Samuel] Black and [Francis] Heron will give you all their men that are employed on the communication Inclosed is an a/c of Prices forwarded for New Caledonia according to Mr [William] Connollys request in his letter of Sept Wishing you a safe passage I am Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 192 i mtamm O LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I Letter Number 170. No copy in H.B. Co. A. 20th Mar [1831] A R McLeod Esqr[C.T.] Dear Sir By the account from the Interior the following men are engaged Jos Clairmont ) Joachim Lafleur ) Thompson River Andre Picard ) Antfoine] Rocquebrune ) Narcisse Portelance Ant Plouffe J Be [Jean Baptiste] Lajois Louis Proveau Jos Lapierre Pfierre] Lacourse Antfoine] Felix f of course as all unwilling to renew their contracts must go out but every endeavour consistent with the Regulations ■: of the concern must be made to induce them to renew their Engagements Several Indian Boys are desirous to go out and you will take as many as you conveniently can will you have the goodness to inform the Gentle11 in the Interior that the Summer Establishments of Walla Walla five men Okanagan one man Colvile four men and that all the remaining men must be sent down to this 193 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN place as you Know what difficulty we are exposed to at this place from the want of hands to take up the outfits You I have three men Joe Gray Tappage and [S. J.] Heveea whom you will leave at Colvile and it will be necessary if possible that I should be informed (as soon as possible) of how many men go out Please tell Mr Heron to send a Stock of Gum for the Brigade— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Mr McLeod will please put Mr [James] Douglas in mind that Turgeon's Wages ought not to be allowed him as he has done nothing and he only ought to get his advances in Montreal and in the Country J McL Letter Number 171. Fort Vancouver 10th April [1831] Cap1 Amelius Simpson Dear Sir You will proceed with the Dryad and Vancouver to Nass and you will remain there till Mr [P. S.] Ogden can dispence with your assistance and you will then proceed to the coast and in the Fall you will decide whether you will remain there during the winter or send one of the Schooners to this place Keeping in mind that the Vessel that comes here will have to call at Ff Langley to bring the Salmon &c of that place and to take the supplies for Fort Simpson and the coasting Trade for outfit 1832 and on this account I think it will be necessary the Brig [Dryad] that comes back. You are aware of the Treaty between the British and Russian Governments relative to the Trade of 194 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of N W Coast and which we must strictly observe and even in those parts of the coast that are recognized as British Territories as little Liquor ought to be issued to Indians as well as arms and ammunition as you possibly can and if possible you ought to examine Stikene and assertain if as reported a large River falls into the Ocean at that place— The Vessel that comes here will leave every thing she can at Fl Simpson but Keep an assortment of Goods to trade in the Straits of De fucas— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 172. Fort Vancouver 10th May 1831 Simon McGillivray Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 22nd and 30th Ult and am happy to see that you had taken the precaution to forward the Horses for New Caledonia and Thompson's River however Mr [Francis] Heron writes me he can furnish twenty five, but we cannot say how many you will have to furnish till we see the Gentlemen from the Interior In the mean time you will please trade all the Horses you can as you may depend Mr [John] Work will want more this year than he did last— I Know nothing of the Horse the Petit Sitleux [?] speaks about [but] still the Horse may have been brought here and sent off to the Walluhammet— The Summer Complement of Walla is frve men Including the Interpreter however if there are more than fifty four able men coming down with the Brigade (that 195 mBrac Hljj urn LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN number being required to take up the Outfit) you may keep an additional man to enable you to Collect all the wood necessary to build up your Fort and when the people come from York you will get men for that purpose But you will Keep in mind that the man you Keep must be one whom intends to go a Trapping so as to transfer him to the Snake party on their return from this place I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) J McLoughlin Letter Number 173. Fort Vancouver [4th June 1831]1 Archibald McDonald Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] My Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 15th Feby last which reached this [place] in time to go out with the Express. With this you will receive your outfit which is as Complete as our means will admit, and I hope you will return to the old price of twenty skins for a gun (this is the price we sell them here) and which we will follow till forced to Reduce it by presence of an opposition. We have also raised the price of Blanket to 2 skins. At first the Cowlitz Indians refused to pay this price, but they have come into it. Those about the sound expect to get Blankets from the Coasters for one skin (and as we are informed there will be no opposition on the coast) Capt [Thomas] Sinclair has orders to trade Blankets only at three skins. Capt [AEmelius] Simpson could find no purchaser for the salmon sent to Monterey and for the Boards could only get from 45 to 60 Dollars per thousand feet payable 196 mmiW* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN in hides at two Dollars per Head. However, we will try this season to open a market to the southward. Mr. Charlton writes that at Wahoo your salmon would sell at ten dollars per barrel. You will therefore salt all the Salmon you can and on the return of the Dryad from the north she will call at your place for it and for whatever you may have to ship. The Shingles you sent us last fall sell at Wahoo for 18 or twenty dollars per thousand. It is necessary you send us your Return by the present opportunity as by the Dryad will be too late to ship them for England. You will find a difficiency in guns, blankets and baise when the vessel from England arrives we will complete your Demand in the two last articles but we will not be able to send you guns— I am Dear Sir Yours truly /Signed/ John McLoughlin Letter Number 174. Fort Vancouver 4th June 1831 Cap1 Thos [Thomas] Sinclair Master of the Schooner Cadboro Sir You will proceed with your Cargo to Fort Langley and deliver it to Archibald McDonald Esqr or order and either going or coming as you find most expedient you will stop at the Clalams and along that coast You will Trade with the Natives at the rate of three skins for 2y2 pl Blanket and twenty skins for a Gun However if you should see an American Coaster in that quarter you will sell at the rate of one made Beaver per Blanket but you will not lose more than eight or ten days for the 197 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN purpose of Trade unless you see that by delaying a day or two you can collect a few more skins If you can Trade thirty or forty fathoms of Shells of six over the fathom at a Blanket a fathom we would take them wishing you a prosperous Voyage I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 175. Fort Vancouver [28th] June 1831 [Mr.] Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 23rd ultimo with the several Documents accompanying it Your Furs were in Good order and found to agree with the packing account Your Outfit is as complete as our Stores would admit and greater than we calculated in our Scheme but it is necessary in case of opposition that you should be well supplied By the Inclosed list you see that you have nineteen men for your District (Including [Pierre] Degrais whom you may send across in the Fall or Keep if he agrees to such terms as you may consider him capable of earning. [Pierre] Lacourse is engaged on his former Terms as a Boat builder Sec or to be allowed to go a Trapping according to circumstances and you will endeavour to make some handy man work at the Boats with Lacourse to give this man an opportunity to learn and make us more indepen- 198 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN dent in the same way you will endeavour to provide some one to replace [Joseph] Lapierre If any American wishes to dispose of Furs you will act on the Instructions Gov Simpson gave the late Mr [P. W.] Dease but Keeping in mind that we can only give five Dollars to such as take their payment in Canada and that if they wish to take supplies from us we can only place them on the same footing as our own freemen say Trappers that is pay them eleven Shillings per every made Beaver and allow them their Hunting Implements and personal necessaries to the amount of ten or fifteen pounds [sterling] at the price servants pay for their supplies You will act with Mr [Nicholas] Montour as you consider most expedient and you may depend on having a Gentleman in due time to take charge of the Kottinais and Mr [Francois] Annance will serve to go there in the Summer We will require next year five or six new Boats and if possible a hundred Bags of Fine Flour thirty d° of course [coarse] and Pease Corn Hams and Pork as this year and eight Kegs of Grease In compliance to your request no ammunition has been sold to your men The Flat Head Chief has had a cloathing but it ought to be a Rule as much as possible to Discourage Indians from coming here as our prices are so much lower than yours their Report must give you trouble and when they do come they ought to make a present of Furs which serves to pay for what we give them— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Colvile Men1 1 Joseph Bourgeau 2 Ant Felix 199 xssfimx LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 3 James Goudie 4 Martin Kanonswasse 5 Gilbert Powers 6 Pierre LaCourse 7 J Be [Baptiste] Lajois 8 Jos [?] Pin 9 Ant Plouffe 10 Louis Proveau 11 Colvile [Quenville] 12 Jacques Servant 13 Charles Tecalvatiron 14 Canote Umphreville 15 Francis Charlebois Laurent Karonhitchego this man is to go to Colvile and to go to the mountains in the Fall to meet the Express and conduct them to this place— and Mr Black will furnish the men necessary to complete the crews of three Boats to take the Colvile outfit from Okanagan to that place— Letter Number 176. Fort Vancouver 27th June 1831 Samuel Black Esqr [C.T.] Dear Sir You will please get forty1 Pieces of the Colvile outfit transported on Horse Back' from Okanagan to the Big Rock and furnish men to complete the crews of three Boats to six men per Boat I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin 200 i r ,0 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 177. Fort Vancouver 27th June 1831 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colville] Dear Sir You will please send to Nez Perces [Walla Walla] by the first opportunity the Iron Mill and as I am informed you have Horses to Spare if [Simon] McGillivray makes a demand on you I hope you will assist him to the utmost of your Power and if M Black sends to you for Provisions please let him have 12 Bags Flour 12 " Pease 12 " Corn J Bap1 Perrault goes as a passenger in the Boat that is he is only obliged to Paddle and of which I request you will give notice to the Gentlemen on the other side when you send him across this fall1 I hope you will not omit to send [Joseph] Turgeon across the mountains this Fall Louis Belair goes up in the Brigade and you will please send him across also— Letter Number 178. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 27 June 1831 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I told Mr [Alexander] McLeod this spring that unless Mr [William] Kittson agreed to Engage for three Years— he must go to York Mr Kittson Remains and 201 mnflm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN neither Mr McLeod or you wrote me about it pray will you inform me by first opportunity for what time he has consented to Remain I am Dear Sir Yours truly Jno McLoughlin P S If Mr [Samuel] Black send a sufficient number of men with your outfit to Man a Boat with Laurent [Kar- onhitchego] you might send him a Load of Provisions and Laurent could go back to you in full time to go to the Mountain this fall — Indeed he would be with you Long before the time for starting1 Letter Number 179. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Memorandum for Mr Dease The following men are Vancouver Men Viz 1 Joe Gray *2 Tappage Regneir * 3 Thomas Smith * 4 William Raymond 5 Baptiste Dorion 6 J Bte Lefevre 7 O Bouchard 8 Henri say Thomas 9 Heveea 10 J Bte Fleury Those to whose name this * is prefixed are to go a trapping and ought to be sent Back from Walla Walla if Mr [P. W.] Dease meets Mr [John] Work and party But if he does not meet Mr Work he will if he can leave them at Walla 202 i fffii|!fl! LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Walla to wait Mr Work or the Boat returning with the remainder of the people from Okanagan 1 Joseph Bourgeau 2 Antoine Felix 3 James Goudie 4 Martin Kanonsawasse [?] 5 Gilbert Powers 6 Pierre LaCourse 7 J Bte Lajois 8 Joseph Pin 9 Antoine Plouffe 10 Louis Preveau 11 Colville Kinville [Quenville] 12 Jacques Servant 13 Charles Tecalvatiron 14 Canote Umphreville 15 F Charlebois 16 L Karonhitchego this man is to go to Colville and to the Mountain in the fall to meet the Express and Conduct it to this place Mr Black is to transport forty pieces of the Colville Outfit on Horseback from' Okanagan to the Big Rock and forward the men necessary to complete the Crews of three Boats to take the Colville Outfit from Okanagan to this place Letter Number 180. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 27th June 1831 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir As regarding Mr [Nicholas] Montours account we have accounts here that correspond with Every Amount 203 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN in the a/c sent him by Mr [Robert] Miles except the £ 93.9.10 About which Mr [James] Douglas is to make Enquiries at York this Summer I am Dear Sir Yours truly J ML Letter Number 181. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1831 Dear Sir I am Extremely sorry to hear of this Melancholy Accident by which two of your Brigade have lost their lives We have replaced the property list as much as our Stores would Admit and [Jean] Lefevre is Equiped to Winter in New Caledonia and Mr Black can have J Bte Fleury to complete his quota and the two men I now send [Joseph] Cournoyer and [Peter] Wagner will come Back with the Returning Boat Wishing you a pleasant Winter I am Dear Sir p^H Yours truly J McLoughlin P W Dease Letter Number 182. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1831 Dear Sir With this you will receive what we are able to send to replace your Losses we have no Beads and Indeed in giv- 204 R LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ing what you now get we are obliged to Borrow from Outfit 1832 I am Dear Sir Yours truly J McLoughlin Simon McGillivray [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Letter Number 183. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1831 Dear Sir Inclosed is the Account of the supplies we send to Replace your Losses and Indeed in giving what you now get we are obliged to Borrow from Outfit 1832 I am Dear Sir Yours truly NOTE: This letter is crossed out. Letter Number 184. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1831 Dear Sir Inclosed is the Account of the Supplies we send to replace your Loss and Bte Fleury can be detained at Thompsons River to replace the deceased [Joseph] Moreau and as Fleury has no Advances you can give him his supplies for the Winter out of your Outfit Charge them to Fort Vancouver and we will charge him from this place But please send us an account of the same by first opportunity with Best Wishes Believe me to Be Yours truly J McLoughlin 205 XBfg&BB LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN S Black Esqr [C. T.] [Thompson River] Private P S have you settled with [Francis] Ermantinger about his Gun If not you may depend that he will lay the case before the Governor and council1 J McL Letter Number 185. Fort Vancouver 3rd Aug1 1831 Simon McGillivray Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir As it is necessary in order to Equip Mr [John] Work that he should get a supply of one hundred Se thirty Horses you will please Trade all you can and forward the accompanying note to Mr [Francis] Heron who I am Certain will assist us with as many as he can Collect I am Dear Yours Truly (Signed) J McLoughlin NOTE: This is where Dr. McLoughlin is preparing John Work for his Snake River Expedition, after Peter Skene Ogden took over the expeditions to the North Pacific culminating in the establishment of Ft. Simpson. Letter Number 186. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 3rd Augt 1831 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir As we will require one hundred and thirty two 206 i *»> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Horses1 to Equip Mr [John] Work and it is impossible for Mr [Simon] McGillivray to procure that number we must apply to you for assistance Mr McG will let you know how many we will require and I hope you will be able to Supply them I am Dear Sir Yours truly J McL N B Mr Work will also require the following Additional supplies 20 Apichimons [Saddle blankets] 10 Saddles 5 Lodges 60 Chevreuil Skins [Doe skins] 25 Red Deer T>° 20 Parfleches [Saddle bags] 300 fm [fathoms] pack Cords J McL Letter Number 187. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 13th Aug 1831 Capt AEmilius Simpson Dear Sir Inclosed is a copy of Capt [Thomas] Sinclair's instructions which I hope he will be able to fulfil. It is necessary that one of the vessels should come here in the fall (and I consider it ought to be the Brig) [Dryad] in order to proceed to the south with a cargo of salmon and deals. In coming here she will have to stop at Fort Langley to ship Mr. [Archibald] McDonald's salmon and will deliver him the supplies we at present on board of the [schooner] Cadboro for Fort Langley. 207 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN But if you consider that only one of the schooners is sufficient for the trade of the Coast about Nass, the other schooner ought to come here in order to proceed to the south with a cargo of Deals and she ought on her way here to stop at Fort Langley for the salmon and in this case the Brig ought come here direct. If the vessel which goes to Fort Langley has any Goods to spare (when there) that suit Mr. [Archibald] McDonald, they can be left with him. I am sorry to inform you that the intermittent fever1 has broke out at this place. I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 188. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 14th Aug 1831 P S Ogden Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir We have shipped on Board the Cadboro the Remainder of your Outfit as you will see by the Accompanying account and I am only sorry that she could not contain more to have Enabled us to send you more Grain and Boards The Inclosed Copy of their Honors Letter received this season will give all the information we have Relative to the trade I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin You will Receive four Owhyees who will replace any you will have to send Back1 J McL 208 t LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN mto Letter Number 189. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 14th Aug 1831 Archibald McDonald Esqr [C. T. ] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to Acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 7th July last pr Cadboro which delivered her Cargo in Good Condition and now proceeds from this [place] to the Straights of De Fuca and thence to Nass— we have shipped on Board of her the Articles in the Inclosed account and they are to be taken to your place by the Vessel that is to go to your place in the fall for the Salmon— and I think this supply will Enable you to meet any Demand for the trade and Besides the Cadboro will leave with you any Articles that they can spare and which suit your trade I am aware that raising your Tariff must at first have an Effect on your trade But as it is the same as ours and as Captain [Thomas] Sinclair has Instructions to follow it in the Straight your Indians must Ultimately come in to it I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin . Letter Number 190. Fort Vancouver 13th August 1831 Capt [Thomas] Sinclair Dear Sir You will proceed with the Cadboro to the Straights of De Fuca, up as far as the Schatchets and trade with the natives in that quarter, say during the space 209 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of ten or twelve days and then proceed to Nass, where you will find instructions for your further proceedings I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 191. NocopyinH.B.Co.A. Fort Vancouver 14th Aug1 1831 Simon McGillivray Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir Included is an order on Fort Colvile for 10 Bags of Flour and as much Indian corn or Pease as they can get conveyed to you by the Boat coming down in the Fall I also inclose an account of the property sent by the present conveyance to replace what was lost of your outfit In regard to Mr [P. W.] Deases request for twenty Horses it is merely in reference to next year in the mean time every Exertion must be made to Equip Mr [John] Work who will require at least [blank space] Horses in addition what he has of last year I send you three men [Nicholas] Auger, [Joseph] Brunei and Joe Gray to replace [Pierre] Martineau [Richard] Cook and [John] Favel who are in Mr Works list you will please also send Paul Guilbeau with him and you will Keep Bap1 Dorion as he must not on any a/c be allowed to go with the Snake party I am yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin P S Thomas Tehonwasse goes in place of Brunei who is taken ill of the fever [along side the page] 210 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 0 Letter Number 192. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 15th Aug1 1831 Francis Heron Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir You will please forward by the Fall Boats ten Bags of Flour and as many Bags of Pease or corn as the Boat can take— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 193. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 26th August [1831] Capt [Thomas] Sinclair Dear Sir I am Extremely sorry to learn by yours of the 23rd Instant that your Crew are in so sickly a state and I send you pr Bearer such medicines as I consider suitable to their Complaint In consequence of the Delay this sickness must cause you will proceed (when your officers and crew are sufficiently Recovered) Direct to Nass Mr [Alexander] Duncan is just recovering from the fever and on that account I cannot send him Besides I Expect a few Doses of Medicine will bring Mr Scarborough1 Round to Enable him to perform his Duty But if in a few Days there is no appearance of this being the cause You will send Mr Scarborough and the Sick to Mr [James] Birnies and he will send (if he can) him here and I will send you 211 TTnftnr LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN an officer and men to replace Mr Scarborough and the Men you may find it necessary to leave I am Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 194. Fort Vancouver 9th Sept 1831 Francis Heron [C. T.] [Ft. Colville] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 26th ult which reached this [place] yesterday I am sorry to say that it is out of our power to assist you from this [place] with the three men you demand I approve of your sending [Francis] Rivet and Mr [Nicholas] Montour with the Indians as also of the Gratuity you promised the first but I hope you have kept in mind that the Honble Committee has directed that we are not to send any of our people South of 49 on the East side of the mountains I also approve of the distribution of the Gentlemen as you propose for the winter and you will please to observe these are measures that rest entirely with yourself as you are on the Spot you must be better able to decide properly than I who am remote I am sorry it is impossible to send you all the Medicines you demand or the Beads as [it] is not safe to trust the latter by this conveyance and Indeed we have none of the large Green Beads I am sorry to Inform you that the fever and ague [intermittent fever] is raging with as great violence as last year a few days ago we had 68 on the sick list but at present the number is less Indians report 212 i LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN that the mortality among the Indians of the Wallahamette has been very great You will receive with this the Iron you request I am Dear Sir yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin XN B Mr [Francis] Ermatinger goes by the present opportunity which will enable you to make your winter arrangements without waiting for the Express and by Mr Ermatingers remaining at Colvile He could come down here if any one comes in with the Express for your Place I send you two Owhyhees and a Canadian [along side the page] Carracas (s. J.) Spunyarn Se Brunei [along side the page] Letter Number 195. Fort Vancouver 20th Octr 1831 To The Govr Deputy Govr and Committee HB Coy Honble Sirs 1 I have the pleasure to inform your Honors that the Ganymede safely entered the Columbia River on and reached this place on but I am sorry to say that her cargo is much damaged as you will see by the accompanying account and I beg to suggest that the Iron Knees of the Vessels coming here be cased in Wood as the Dunnage in general gets loose and wherever the Bale Goods come in contact with the Iron the rust damages the Goods but in the present Instance the greatest injury the Goods received was from Leaks in the Deck some Bales were 213 eaosa LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN entirely rotten and all those left in London by the Dryad were damaged— 2 In compliance with your Instruction I have had the pleasure to deliver Mr Works commission to him and send you the covenant which he executed 3 On the 13th June the Brigade safely arrived from the Interior but I am sorry to say that on their way to their Winter Grounds at the foot of the Caskades one of the Boats upset in the first Rapids by which accident two men in the Boat were unfortunately Drounded and the cargo lost. 4 On the th April the Dryad Capt Simpson and Vancouver Capt Ryan sailed for the NWst Coast and had as passengers Mr Ogden and party for the New Establishment of Fort Simpson and by the arrival of the Vancouver Capt Ryan I received the Melancholly account of the death of Capt Simpson who died after an Illness of thirteen days of an Inflamation of the Liver By his death the concern loses the services of a man anxious to promote Its Interests to the utmost of his abilities and I suffer the loss of an acquaintance whose Gentlemanlike conduct and zealous discharge of his duty entitled him to my Respect and Esteem, and though his death at all times would be a loss still in the present situation of our affairs It is particularly so 5 The best that we can now do in my opinion is to at- tatch the Coasting Trade to Fort Simpson &c give Mr C J. Ogden charge of the two and Mr Manson can take charge of Fort Simpson during Mr Ogdens occasional absence on his trading excursions Mr Duncan whom you order to be sent home, Mr Ogden left in Charge of the Dryad But as he has been on the Coast with Cap1 Simpson and has acquired some Knowledge of the nature of the Business he will do to command the Vancouver and Capt Kipling can take charge of the Dryad, but if the Dryad enters the River (which I do not expect) before the Ganymede sails 214 IT LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Mr Duncan will go home and Mr Purchase will Remain Mr Sinclair will Keep Charge of the Cadboro 6 The Plan I suggested to the late Capt Simpson was to employ the two Schooners constantly on the Coast and the Brig in transporting the Supplies to Fort Simpson and Langley either of the Schooners is too Small for this purpose, and if time permitted also to Trade on the Coast in the Winter the Brig was to have gone to the Coast of Mexico or Peru with a load of Salmon and Deals but I do not now Know if we will be able this season to follow up this plan as the late Cap1 Simpson had been so successful this year for the Short time he had been on the Coast say two Months and saw so Strong an opposition on it (say four Vessels) that he had determined to remain there during the winter (and I had left the decision to himself) as it was impossible for me at this place to foresee how he might be situated and Mr Ogden also approves of this measure. It is consequently out of my power to Inform you Honors which Vessel will be sent to the South or if we will have it in our power to send any this year as we must devote our first attention to the Coasting trade But I still think the plan I suggested the late Capt Simpson as I Already Mentioned will be found to Answer best— When their is Opposition the Schooners can divide to Accompany it and serve for This purpose as well as a larger Vessell When there is no Opposition the two Schooners can Keep Company to Visit these places where the Natives are hostile— and seperate when they can do so with safety and Mr Ogden writes me that the Natives of Nass have so far comported themselves as well as any Indians that he ever saw Yet these very Indians have been represented to us as the most troublesome and hostile tribe to deal with on the Coast— But Mr Ogden and the late Captain Simpson (as I see by his Journal) complain of the Great Quantity of Liquor Ammunition and Arms sold them by the Americans 215 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN and we must do the same or abandon the trade— and I certainly wish for my part that means could be found to put a stop to the sale of Liquor to Indians and also of Arms and Ammunition to those on the NW Coast— as they do not absolutely require them to procure their food as Besides the Actual Injury Liquor does them I will say as far as my Experience goes that it is injurious to the Regular trader and Only Advantageous to An Opposition as being liberal in Liquor is the Easiest— Cheapest and Quickest means It has to Acquire influence over Indians 7 Mr Ogden writes the Port of Fort Simpson has no direct Water communication with the Interior— no Ground about it to make a Garden and thus very little Provisions can be procured from the Natives But the late Capt Simpson Discovered the Entrance of a Large River (Named Stikene by the Natives) at Point Rothsayf?] — The Natives of which told him their was an Establishment of our people on the Head Waters of it— We suppose it is BaBoise Fort— to which they Allude and Capt Simpson was also informed there was a large River in Burroghs Bay- 8 I am certain your Honors will be Anxious The Ganymede has been detained longer here than you could have Expected— In consequence I am sorry to say of our being again this year afflicted with the remittant Fever which broke out in July and Every man in this Establishment except seven has been ill at One time there were sixty three Patients on the sick list in this Number were Capt Kippling his two Mates and seven of the Crew— Indeed all the Crew that Came in her except one have been ill. Some of the Patients have had relapses, some had three attacks and some even four in this latter Number is the Carpenter of the Ganymede and she has been caulked and repaired by the people of the Establishment— Indeed her Cargo has been mostly put on Board by the people of this place as I 216 ^ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN am of opinion if those of her Crew who have been ill were to Work They would relapse and we have to thank God for his Great Mercies that none of our people has as yet died of the fever and all still ill are on the Recovery But the Mortality has been very great among the Indians— from Oak point to the Dalles 9 As Captain Ryan is a Married man and Captain Kipling is a Batchelor I considered it necessary to ask Captain Ryan if he intended to continue in the service at the Expiration of his present Agreement he replied he wished to go home in 1832 but if his services were required he would remain till 1833— In this case as we would lose his services when he would become best qualified to transact our Business and we would have again to Instruct a Novice It is more Advantageous to u$ to Allow him to go home now and Accordingly he exchanges with Capt Kipling And it is with pleasure I avail myself of this Opportunity to report to your Honors that Captain Ryan is attentive to his Duty careful of his Vessel and of the property entrusted to his Charge— and I beg to recommend him to Your Honors as a person better qualified to take Charge of a Vessel coming here than a Stranger— Captn Kipling from his Ignorance of the River took a long time to come up— And Indeed it may be the cause of the Ganymede's long delay here as had she got up quickly we would perhaps have been able to despatch her before the fever raged with the violence it afterwards did 10 I consign to Mr Charlton by the present conveyance a Cargo of Deals— Rafters and bale as P Accompany Account I also forward his last letter to me my Answer and our Account with him— and you will observe he has yet to account for the Cargo sent by the Vancouver 11 I Also forward a letter and Memorandum received from Capt Cole offering to sell us a Brig and furnish us some supplies and my Answer The only Articles he pro- 217 jssca LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN poses to supply of any importance to us (and that is on Account of the freight) are Rice Molasses Sugar and Tea— I say on Account of the freight as perhaps one Vessel may not be able to bring all we may want— But in my Opinion it is Unnecessary at present to Enter into any Contract of the Kind— 12 I offer the purchase of Capt Coles Brig for deals and I am Induced to do so by having the Means to pay her on hand— And that she would be a Stand By in case of Accident to the Dryade—or be Employed in Openning a Market for timber to the South— or on the coast if required as Taylor who commands her is perfectly acquainted with the Coast and would be useful to us for the present in that Branch of our Business 13 Our Crop of Wheat pease and Barley is rather greater than Usual But our Indian Corn and Potatoes are less owing to the Want of Rain in the Summer and in consequence of the Sickness less of our Grain is Threshed than usual at this season— 14 I Much regret that Dr Kennedy has given notice of his Intention to retire from the Service at the Expiration of his present contract— as he is very Attentive to his Duty and Anxious to make himself as useful as he possibly can I beg to Know [?] that if not Already provided It will be necessary to procure two Medical Men for this Department— One for this place and the other for Fort Simpson 15 You see by Mr Charltons letter that Messrs Jones and French offer to freight the Ganymede with Hides to England which I have authorised Capt Ryan to take— or any other freight he can get as I conseive there can be no danger of its injuring the furs as the Box in which they are is well caulked and pitched 16 Dennison and Robson the Carpenters go home the first the Naval Gentlemen found of so disagreeable a temper that in April he was put of Work with the In- 218 u LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN tention of Sending him home on the first Opportunity— but gave him his usual allowance of provisions but stopt his liquor on the Ganymedes arrival I put him to Work on her— Robson was on Board the Cadboro and at Fort Langley Capt Sinclair having ordered that none of the Crew should leave the Vessel— One of the Men Malcom persisting to go on shore in spite of the Mate Mr Mr Scarborough— Captain Sinclair determined to leave the man on shore But the Crew came forward with Robson as spokesman and said if Malcom was sent a shore They would all go— In consequence of this Captain Sinclair was obliged to take the men Back as he could not navigate the Vessel without the Crew— But on his arrival here— I exchanged his Crew for part of the Ganymede—and placed Robertson (as he had made himself conspicuous as a Leader) with the Landsmen of the fort and gave him only their provisions that is fish Venison or game when their is any and When there is none— one quart of Indian Corn or bread with two ounces Grease pr day— This has been the Regular Rations of the place since first Established and Indeed one quart of Corn and two ounces of Grease p day is the Regular Daily Rations of that Kind of provisions wherever it is used Throughout the Indian Country and we have exchanged as many of the old hands as we could so as hereafter we may be able to Keep up our Establishment by exchanging those it may be necessary to send home or who were to go home with those who come out by the annual ship I have the Honor to be Honbl Sirs Your Sec Signed John McLoughlin P S I beg to State to your Honors that on Cap' Simpsons return last Spring from the South he informed me he was 219 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN highly pleased with Mr Duncans Conduct and Mr Ogden writes me he expressed himself in the Same terms of approbation on his return from the Coast, I consider it my duty in Justice to Mr Duncan to report this to your honors as last year I had the unpleasant task to State what then occurred— JML Letter Number 196. Fort Vancouver 16th Octbr 1831 P. S. Ogden Esqr Dear Sir I have to acknowledge yours of the 2d Sept per Vancouver Capt Ryan and am extremely sorry to hear of the Death of Cap1 Simpson whose loss will be deeply re- greted by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance at the same time that his employers lose the services of a man anxious to promote their Interests to the utmost of his abilities— In the present situation of our affairs we will attatch the Coasting Trade to Fort Simpson you will assume the management of both and during your occasional absence on Trading Excusions Mr Manson will take charge of Fort Simpson— The Plan I suggested the late Capt Simpson was to employ the two Schooners on the Coast and the Brig to be employed in transporting the Supplies to Fort Simpson and if time permitted to go on the Coast trip in the Fall to come here with the Returns and if possible we would send her south with a Cargo of Deals Your Port and the two Schooners constantly employed on the Coast ought I think to suffice for the Coasting Trade and though of course we cannot expect to get all while the americans are on it yet I think we will get enough to make it a loosing 220 KTB LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN business to them and cause them to drop it— You say the Vancouver is too low for the Coast I can only say that Capt Dominis observed to one when he saw her "That is a nice Vessel for the Coast. ." I observed is she not too low No says Capt Dominis there is the Convoy, she is lower and answers very well. But the Vancouver would do better as she is smaller and can be easily worked with Sweeps in or out of Harbour in places where there is danger the two Schooners could go in Company or divide to accompany opposition as the Case might require Capt Sinclair managed his Trade in the Straits of De Fucas very well and if you make a trip or two with the Captains I am certain they will acquire a Sufficent Knowledge to be able to Trade with Indians At present the Vancouver Capt Kipling take all we can put on board (I am very sorry she cannot contain more) and that she was detained longer than you expected when the Vessels left this last year I understood they had a years Stock of Biscuit and Flour on board and therefore did not expect the demand you made and consequently I was not prepared for it You will please dispatch the Dryad to be here as soon as the navigation will admit her entering the River and I will send you such a Supply as will enable you to devote your whole attention to the Coasting Trade If the Dryad and Vancouver meet you will please put Capt Kipling in Command of the Dryad and Mr Duncan will take the charge of the Vancouver and when Mr Duncan has Introduced Mr Ealis to the different Tribes and made him acquainted with the Harbours he will on the i first opportunity return to the Dryad as first Mate in order to afford him an opportunity of going home next Summer (we were desired to send him this) and Mr Young will accompany Mr Eales as first mate of the Vancouver perhaps however by the two Vessels going together Capt Sin- 221 TTTWHVtftffrnuiuti n i mitff LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN clair may be able to introduce Mr Eales and in this case Mr Duncan can remain on board the Dryad and Mr Eales take Charge of the Vancouver with Mr Young as his 1st Mate and Duncan the Capt— as 2nd Mate and Carpenter Larky would serve as 2nd Mate to the Dryad and Brotcher as 2nd Mate to the Cadboro perhaps however Sinclair would prefer Lacky as 1st Mate— if so you may agree to it and transfir Scarborough to the Situation of 2nd Mate of the Dryad however I have made no mention of these appointments to any one except telling Capt Kipling if he met the Dryad he would get the Command of her and come back here so that of course you can make the arrangements circumstances may require but you must be aware that it would not answer to make Brothir an officer in the Vessel he is at present In your Excursions along the Coast you should Look out for a Good situation for a Depot Where the people might be fed with the produce of the place and be able to raise a few Potatoes if we are obliged to feed the Establishment of Fort Simpson with provisions from this place I am of opinion it will be found more Advantageous to Abandon the Establishment and Employ an additional Vessel The Dryade on her way here ought to visit the Straights of De Fuca and if no Vessell is there, to trade at the rate of three Skins p Blanket twenty a Gun— But of course if there is an Opposition he must be regulated by Circumstances and in case the Winter is scarce and that there be Ice in this River the Dryade need not be here before 1st February I am Dear Sir Yours Truly John McLoughlin 222 t ~r I* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 197. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 17th Oct 1831 Capt C [Charles] Kipling Master Schooner Vancouver Sir You will proceed with the Vessel under your Command to Fort Simpson and deliver your Cargo to Mr [P. S.] Ogden or the Officer in Charge of the Establishment and you will please follow such Instructions as you will receive from him If you meet with the Dryade on the way to this place You will Exchange Command with Mr [Alexander] Duncan— But if the Meeting should be in this River [Columbia] or off the Bar— You will give the command of the Vancouver to Mr [William] Eales give him Mr [Robert] Young as his first Mate and let him proceed direct to Fort Simpson And you will assume the Command of the Dryade And When you meet the Ganymede Mr Duncan will Exchange with Mr Purchase Wishing you a safe and Speedy passage I am Dear Sir Yours truly Jn° McLoughlin Letter Number 198. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 17th Oct 1831 Mr [Alexander] Duncan Sir You will please give up the Command of the 223 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Dryade to Capt [Kipling] and he will explain to you what you will do I am Sir Yours truly John McL Letter Number 199. Fort Vancouver 17th Oct 1831 William French1 Esqr Dear Sir I received per Ganymede a Box of Maccoboy Snuff which you did me the Honor to address me and your Letter to Capt [Charles] Kipling, offering to exchange Tobacco Cigars and Snuff for Columbia Salmon. The quantity of Snuff and Cigars expended here is too triffling to make it a Consideration and I have twenty Bottles of your Maccoboy for which I inclose you a draft on Mr Charlton the remainder I send back to your address by the present opportunity In regard to your proposal to give us Tobacco for Salmon as you have not Stated the price of your Tobacco or what you would give us for Salt Salmon It is impossible for me to give you a decisive answer on the Subject But at present we send Salmon to Mr [Richard] Charlton and Make a demand on him for Tobacco perhaps you may be able to make an arrangement with him about it and of which I shall be extremely happy- Will you do me the favour to accept the Barrel of our Salt Salmon which I send to your address by the present conveyance it will enable you to Judge of its quality and of the manner it is cured I am Sir Respectly Yours (Signed) John McLoughlin 224 \» jfj LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN I Copy of Draft2 Richard Charlton Esqr Sir Please to pay to— W French Draft for ten Dollars [pencilled in here] 1 or order the sum of ten Dollars and place the same to a/c of HBC°y (Signed) John McLoughlin | Letter Number 200. \ NocopyinH.B.Co.A. Fort Vancouver 27th Octr 1831 Richard Charlton Esqr Dear Sir In the cargo of the Ganymede exclusive of those consigned to you on a/c HB Company there are two i Barrels of Salmon which we beg you will do us the favour to accept and there is also one for Mr [William] French ? and one for Capt [G. W.] Cole1 which I hope you will get delivered to these Gentlemen As perhaps you may not be able to procure the quantity of Quinine I request will you have the Goodness to make up the defficiency by sending us thirty pounds of pounded Peruvian Bark for every pound that is deficient. The Jerked Beef we received per Vancouver was very fine and we would take ten Tierces of it I beg also to observe that as perhaps you may consider the Salmon Invoiced at High Prices that the present Barrels as you will see are about twice the size of those sent last year If you purchase the Griffin for us you will please observe that it is necessary the crews be Engaged for a year our Terms are first mate six pounds six shillings, second mate four pounds four shillings and able seamen two pounds ten shillings Sterling per month as we only require 225 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Sailors as we have a sufficient number of Owhyhees here to strengthen the crews to go on the Coast, you will please bind the Cap1 that he is to obey the Instructions he will receive, and that it is optional with us to remove him to any other Vessels we may think proper, and if you are directed by the Govr and Committee to send in any Owhyees It will not be necessary you do so as we have as many as we at present require NOTE: This letter is unsigned. Letter Number 201. Fort Vancouver [ 19th Oct. 1831] G W Cole Esqr Sir I beg to acknowledge your favor of the 5 th June last and the assortment of Goods Stated in the Invoice and of which I have taken to the amount of Eighty one Dollars fifty Cents and for which I inclose you a draft on Mr [Richard] Charlton and send you the remainder of your Goods by the present opportunity In regard to your offer to procure us Canton goods, I beg to observe that our Demand for Goods of that Kind is too small to make it a point of business, but as we require a certain quantity of Molasses and Rice annually, I have forwarded your letter to the directors of the Hudson's Bay Company who are the only Competent persons to make a Contract of the nature you propose As to the offer you make to sell us your vessel, the Griffin, I beg to observe that I cannot purchase her for Bills on England. But if it suits you to take payment in 226 i LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Deals and Timber, I have written to Mr Charlton to arrange the Business with you I am Sir Respectively yours /Signed/ John McLoughlin N B1 Will you do me the favour to accept a Barrel of Salmon which I do myself the pleasure of sending by the Ganymede Draft2 Richard Charlton Esqr Please to pay to G W Cole Esqr on order the sum of Eighty one Dollars fifty Cents and place the same to account of HHB Co. 22nd Oct John McLoughlin 1831 Letter Number 202. Fort Vancouver 19th Oct 1831 Richard Charlton Esqr Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 14th June per Ganymede and beg to return you my thanks for the trouble you took to Inform me that it is probable you will be able to procure freight for the Ganymede and which the Capt is according [ly] instructed to receive ' In regard to Capt [G. W.] Coles offer to sell us his Brig as we have as many vessels as we absolutely require, we cannot purchase his for Bills on London, but if it would suit Capt Cole to take payment in Deals we would take the Griffin1 at the price you would consider her worth and deliver him Deals at Wahoo at 25 percent below our present 227 i HM! M nnrarsflmi LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN invoice valuation and the Griffin should be sent here im-| mediately and we would send her back with a cargo of I Deals or if we found that inconvenient we would send two cargoes between this and next fall. If you settle with Capt Cole you will please Engage Capt. Taylor to command 2 . her or any other sober Steady person you can get who is well acquainted with the Coast you can engage him for eighteen months at 21 pounds sterling [pr] month and provide him with first mate, Second Mate and suitable Crew for the coast Inclosed is the account of the cargo which we at pres-1 ent consign to you in it you will find some four Inch Plank and a few Pine Logs which we send to try how they will suit your market. The Rafters are of the size you Specified and if there is any particular dimentions of Timber required you may depend if possible we will Supply it. I am sorry we cannot send you Oak Plank as it is too much i out of the way of our Saw Mill In regard to the outstanding Debts I beg to observe we do not wish to have any Credit Sales and I hope you will have the goodness to sell only for immediate payment. Inclosed is a memo of such articles as I wish you would have the goodness to purchase for us and forward by first opportunity The Ganymede has been detained so long at this place that I beg she may be dispatched from Wahoo as soon as possible In Case you receive directions of the ship from England next Summer to forward us salt you wiH please not, send any as we have an over Stock on hand Capt [Charles]Kipling handed me a letter from Mr [G. W.] French Stating that he had a quantity of Tobacco which he wished to exchange for Salmon and as we 228 u e> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN want tobacco I have referred him to you and as we would exchange Salmon for Rice Molasses and Tobacco and Capt Cole has offered to supply the first at 5 Cents and Molasses at 37i/2 cent per gall and Mr French proposes to exchange Tobacco. If there are any other gentlemen are willing to take Salmon at our Invoice price we will take by the first opportunity exclusive of what we now demand lOOcwt Rice lOOcwt Molasses (our molasses weight 13 lbs per Gall) 50 cwt Leaf and 50 cwt Negro head Tobacco The Molasses and Rice at Mr Coles offer and the negro head and Leaf Tobacco at the usual price. And we would send the Salmon by the fall Ship If this was found to answer we would increase our purchases as we drained off our present Stock at this place and on the way here but I would not undertake to furnish more than 100 Tierces of Columbia Salmon though we might supply some of the west coast but as it is poorer and less difficult to cure we could afford to sell it Cheaper and as we have not Cured any yet we cannot tell the price I have drawn on you in favor of Mr French for ten dollars and in favour of Mr. Cole for Eighty one Dollars fifty cents and inclosed is the amount of Balances due several Individuals who are to be landed at Wahoo which I request you will pay on a/c of the Hudsons Bay Company, and when you engage any Owhyhees for this place we would prefer if you could that you sent us as many as possible of them we now send— would it not be better to make a Shed with the Split Deals rather than sell them so low. I am Dear Sir Your Obedfc Hum Servant John McLoughlin 229 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Requested from Wahoo—2 100 cwt Rice 60 Molasses 20 tierces Pork 15 Kegs plug Tobacco 2 # Sulphate Quinine 1 " Opium 100 " Salt [Columbia/Glauber 20 tierces of Beef written in pencil] Balances due to Individuals leaving Fort Vancouver for Wahoo Henry Plomer Lora Elbuse 9.50 28 Harry Markus Johny Columbia 36 82 22 Frank Kanak 27.50 - America 50- Ollehok 62 317 Contents of Packet Box for Ganymede 22nd Octr 1831 N° 1 Contains as follows N° 1 Invoice of Furs &cc 2 Bill of Lading 3 advances to Servant returning to England per Ganymede Subsequent to the closing of a/c of outfit 1830- 4 Sundries Supd Ganymede 5 i Provisions 6 1 Ironworks 230 KO LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 7 a/c of Damaged Goods p— Ganymede 8 Copy of a/c Currant with Mr Charlton 9 Letter to Govr Se Com mittee 10 Copy of Letter to Mr Charlton 11 His Letter to J Mc Loughlin 12 Letter to Cap1 Cole 13 His Letter to J Mc Loughlin 14 Copy of Letter to Mr French 15 Bonds Se Certificates 16 Commission Ll Simpson 17 Deed Executed by J Work 18 additional Requisition 1834 N° 2 Contains 7 Private Letters vix 2 Nicholas Garry Esqr3 1 Benjamin Harrison4 4 William Smith-5 1 Key Ll Simpsons P. Trunk N°3 " 12 d° d° 1 Joseph Sabine Esqr6 1 Mr John Clowes7 1 MrsHarmes 1 Mrs Duncan8 1 John Percy 231 aocfim mnmirtnmrwmvr-nS LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 1 Phil Smith 1 Messers Young Se Son 2 MrR. Brotchie 1 Mrs Mitchison 1 Mrs Nichols 1 Lahdia [Lydia] Work N° 4 a Parcel Dr. Richardson- loose 1 Gold Watch #6797 Bansands / Mr Black 3 Silver d° 1 #5004 Edmunds/ I Rendal 1 #4415 By worth / J Work 1 #1909 Manley/D Robertson N° 5 a Parcel Richard Charlton Esqr conty — N° 1 1 Letter Mr Charlton— 2 Invoice of Deals &c 3 Bill of Lading 4 a/c articles Requested 5 Servants Balances 1 Letter Mr French 1 d° M^ Cole N°6 a Parcel David Douglas Esqr Wahoo Shipped on Board the Ganymede Mr Simpsons property viz 1 Red Cassette 3 China Trunks 1 Liquor Case 4 Deal Cases 1 writing Desk 1 Bundle 1 Hat 232 t in LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 1 Small Cassette. Conts a Watch Papers Se Keys of the other Trunks additional Requisition per Ganymede from England 1 cwt Glauber Salts 2# Sulphate Quinine 12 Plough Share Irons 100 Box of Tin for covering Roofs 2# Socotrine aloes Letter Number 203. Fort Vancouver 19th Oct 1831 Capt William Ryan Master of Barque Ganymede Sir You will proceed with the Vessel under your command to England on your way you will stop at Wahoo deliver the Timber &c Consigned to [Captain Charlton] take a receipt from the Same which you will deliver to Mr Secretary [William] Smith and leave a copy at Wahoo Enclosed in a letter addressed to me or the officer acting for the Hudsons Bay Compy at this place. Mr [Richard] Charlton writes me he has a cargo of Hides to send to England, you will take it or any freight Mr Charlton may put on board providing it is not of nature or in the way to injure the Furs As the Vessel has been detained so long a time I hope you will make as Short a Stay as possible at the Islands wishing you a safe and Speedy passage I am < Respectively yours /signed/ John McLoughlin 233 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 204. Fort Vancouver Nov 3 1831 P. S. Ogden Esqre [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir As you may perhaps find it necessary to purchase some articles from the Coasters I enclose you an introductory letter to Captain Charlton the Company's agent I am Yours, Sec John McLoughlin P. S. Capt. [G. W.] Cole has offered to sell the Griffin for ten thousand Dollars in bills on England. I have offered to purchase her for what Capt. Charlton thinks she is worth payable in Deals 25 PC below the Invoice price, the Ganymede takes deals &c to the amount of 8 thousand dollars. You may perhaps hear if Cole has sold us the Griffin and then you can judge how we may stand in his account and act accordingly, you will keep in mind we ought to have as little dealings with coasters as possible though you may meet with an opportunity to purchase articles to a very great advantage (such as Rice and Ship provisions but you ought not to draw for above 8 hundred dollars, until you hear further from me. We could give a cargo of deals or even more, but would it do to bring these coasters to this place And besides if we did we could not allow them to sell them at the Sandwich Islands—1 John McLoughlin Letter Number 205. Fl. Vancouver 3d Nov: 1831— Richard Charlton Esqre Sir I beg to introduce to your correspondence P. S. 234 p LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Ogden Esqre an officer in the service of the HB Company and request you will honor any draft he may draw upon you and charge the same to the HB Company. I am Sir Yours respectfully John McLoughlin Letter Number 206. Fort Vancouver 3d Nov: 1831 Capt [Charles] Kippling Dear Sir I am extremely sorry to hear that you have been so unwell, and as you are now recovered I hope the sea air will drive the fever completely out of your system But if this should unfortunately not be the case and that you conceive yourself too unwell to proceed on the voyage you will please dispatch the Schooner under the command of Mr [William] Eales and give him his instructions and Mr [James] Birnie will provide the means to forward you up to this place, but which must not be done until you are perfectly recovered— I am— &c John McLoughlin Letter Number 207. Fort Vancouver 14 Dec: 1831 Simon Mc Gillivray Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt 235 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of yours of the 30th Ulmo by Rheny— and am happy to find you have been so very successful in your Beaver trade. But I am affraid it will cause us some difficulty to procure the number of horses required for Outfit 1832. I am sorry we have no Green beads therefore you must be as economical of those you have as you possibly can. As to your demand for cattle if you send we will give you two heifers and a bull, and a few Goats if you will have them. On the 3d Inst the Cadboro Captn Sinclair arrived from Fort Simpson and we are sending her cargoe to her, in order to send her immediately back. As for this place I am sorry to say that we yesterday had another case of fever. I remain &c&c (signed) J. ML. Letter Number 208. Fort Vancouver 15th Decr 1831 PS Ogden Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir Yours of 15th Oct per Cadboro Capt [Thomas] Sinclair reached this [place] on [10th] Inst after touching on her way here (according to instructions) at Fl Langley I am Surprised that you are disappointed at our not sending more provisions and Plank by the Cadboro as we sent all the Provisions you and Capt [Aemelius] Simpson requested and as many Planks as Sufficed to fill her up as was understood between you and me and Cap1 Sinclair might have informed you I sent him more Plank than he could take 236 o LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN As the Ice was drifting in the River when the Cadboro arrived we had to allow her to remain at Fort George, and to save time we now send her cargo in Boats which accounts for our not sending you Planks or Boards though we have all you demanded ready to be Shipped. Cap1 Sinclair is Instructed to proceed to you direct and I hope you will now have sufficient to Keep the two Schooners Constantly employed on the Coast, and the Dryad, of whose arrival at Fort George we received Information yesterday will be sent to you as soon as we possibly can, and though we cannot say if she will remain with you the whole year. It is certain we will not require her to be here before the 1st June I forward you their Honors Correspondence with the Directors of the Russian american [Fur] Company by which you will see they have not Entered into the proposed arrangements however you will avail yourself of every opportunity to cultivate a friendly understanding with them and if convenient you can pay a visit to Sitka and if they apply to you for any article that you can Spare without injuring your Trade you will let them have it at cost and charges and if they complain of your giving arms ammunition and Liquor to the Natives, you will tell them you are obliged to do so in consequence of its being done by the Americans, and to prove to all that the Hudsons Bay Company is averse to the supplying these Indians with arms ammunitions and Liquor you will propose to the Americans colectively to discontinue the offering and selling arms ammunition and Liquor to these Indians and to which if they acceed, you will also conform In my last P Vancouver I informed you that the coasting Trade was placed under your management and I beg to recommend to you to examine Stekine River and to endeavour to ascertain if there is a situation Eligible to 237 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN erect an Establishment on its Banks about thirty miles from the ocean and also at Port Essington1 I am Dear Sir yours truly /Signed/ John McLoughlin I send you also a copy of Geo Simpsons Letter to me2 J ML Letter Number 209. Fort Vancouver 16th Decr 1831 Cap1 [Thomas] Sinclair Dear Sir I request you will proceed with all Despatch possible to Fort Simpson and be guided in your further proceedings by such directions as you will receive from Mr Chief Trader Ogden wishing you a safe and Speedy passage I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin P. S if you are in want of Provisions you will break in your cargo and give an a/c to Mr Ogden—1. Letter Number 210. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 21st Dec 1831 Dear Sir According to your request I send you [John] Ward and I suppose you will be able to spare a man in his place, when you will either leave him to be forwarded up by Mr [James] Birnie or if the Dryad is at hand you can send him on board as I wrote to Capt [Alexander] Duncan to 238 T* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN receive him.— Richard Ough has complained to me that the Grog they get is too weak but I believe this is caused by Capt [Charles] Kipling having issued to them Liquor on his way from England just as it came out of the Puncheon, when it is thirty three above— and you Know our rule is allow our Liquor to the Servants at the rate of one third water— and which I have mentioned to Ough.— I need not state how necessary it is that you should be as soon as possible at Fort Simpson, wishing you a safe and speedy passage I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin (To Capt [Thomas] Sinclair) Letter Number 211. Fort Vancouver 10 Jany 1832 P. S. Ogden Esq [C.T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir I am this moment informed that the Vancouver has been obliged to put back in consequence of a severe accident—the Cadboro has been not able to get out and Capt [Thomas] Sinclair has Instructions to receive all that he possibly can of the Vancouver's Cargo and to proceed to your place with all possible despatch— referring you to my former communications P Vancouver and Cadboro and trusting that the urgency of the case will appologise to you for the brevity of the present I am Dear Sir yours truly signed John McLoughlin 239 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 212. Fort Vancouver 10th Jany 1832 Mr James I^irnie [Clerk] Sir I have this moment received Capt [Charles] Kippling's letters in your enclosure and am extremely sorry to hear of the awful accident the Vancouver met with— Capt Kipling will transfer as much of his Cargo to Capt Sinclair [the Cadboro'] as he possibly can and I need not say how necessary it is that Capt [Thomas] Sinclair use all diligence possible to reach Fort Simpson, the articles most required by Mr Ogden are provisions, Rum and Ammunition— Capt Kfippling] will land the remainder of the Cargo at Fort George— and let them set about repairing the Vessel immediately if it can be done below If it cannot be done she must come up here I am Sir Yours truly Signed Jno McLoughlin Jno McLoughlin Letter Number 213. Fort Vancouver 11th Jany 1832 Simon McGillivray Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the pleasure of receiving yours of the 30th Dec last and to inform you that I have delivered four young heifers to your men which I hope they will succeed in taking [safely] to your place I have desired them to destroy the Boat at the Dalls.— As to your short Guns if unsaleable at your place we must try somewhere else as I think every endeavour ought 240 I o LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN to be made to keep up the value of Guns in the eyes of the natives and none ought to be given for Horses if by any other means we can get the number we require— Your Mem° has been completed as well as our means afford.— I am sorry now to inform you that the Vancouver which sailed from Fort George on the 10th Novr has been obliged to put back, having been struck by a sea which laid her on her Beam Ends and carried away her main Boom sail— this accident will cause Mr Ogden a great deal of anxiety and injure his trade very much I received the account of this accident yesterday evening, I remain Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Let tier Number 214. Fort Vancouver 18th Jany 1832 Simon McGillivray Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir Yesterday evening I received yours of the 10th instant conveying the melancholy intelligence of the murder of Sasty and beg to observe in reply to your request for advice and assistance, that it is out of our power at present to afford the latter and you will please also recollect that if the Tribe protect him or that he choses to fly to a distance, in either case it will be out of our power to get him. In the mean time I conceive it would be our best policy to give out to the natives (that we as must be evident to themselves) have done all in our power to gratify their desire to get Cattle and leave them to judge how we must feel to see, that depriving ourselves of the Cattle (in our desire to do them Good) has led to the murder of one of 241 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN our people and the disappointment of our good wishes towards them.— that all the Chiefs among the Traders are applying for Cattle to take to their Indians that Messrs [P. S.] Ogden, [Peter Warren] Dease and [Samuel] Black have applied for those now sent them but that in consequence of the repeated applications you and your predecessor had made for them and the great care you had represented they all took of them, We refused the others and sent them to Walla Walla— but you Know well what to say and I merely state this that we may not appear to contradict each other in case any speak to us on the subject— and as to your intention to send the cattle to Okanagan, I beg [leave] to suggest (leaving it however to your decision) if it would not be better to see how the others would act, than for us to act in a way that would appear to be punishing the innocent for the sake of the Guilty I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 19th JanY "32 Letter Number 215. P. Skein1 Ogden Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir As one of the vessels ought to pay a visit this summer to the straits of De Fuca— it would be well if she could come in the fall and in this case if you have potatoes, Mr [Archibald] Mc Donald will be able to assist you with Salt Salmon at all events if you require it you can get any quantity of Dry Salmon and it will be necessary you 242 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN let him Know your wants that he may accordingly provide I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 216. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 19th Jany 1832 Richard Charlton Esq Sir In mine to you of 19th Oct last I request you would not forward any Salt by the Vessel from England this summer, however I since find that we are not so abundantly supplied as we expected and you will therefore please send us a thousand Bushels if she has room for so much I am Sir Your Obt humble Servant (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 217. Fort Vancouver 19th JanY 1832 Archibald McDonald Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir Accompanying this is a copy of a note to Mr Ogden which I Know you will do your utmost to fulfill, If you have potatoes it would be as well to put as many as you can spare with the Salmon I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin 243 xic&ra LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 218. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 19th Jany 1832 Peter Skein1 Ogden Esq [C. T.] . [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir I hope before this reaches you that you will have received my despatches via Vancouver and Cadboro, which I am certain will satisfy you that every thing has been done on our part to forward your views And I dare say you will do me the justice to believe that I feel for the great anxiety you must suffer at the non arrival of your supplies. Yesterday morning I received another letter from Fort George but I have no account of the state of the Vancouver or of her cargo, though they were busy at the time in transporting the latter to the Cadboro and as in my previous communications I have fully informed you of our views It remains for me only to observe that if the Vancouver is irre- pairable you will consider the Dryad and Cadboro as entirely disposable for the coasting trade except that they will have to take the Outfit of Fort Langley (at present on board the Dryad) to that place and bring the returns here next year say to be here about the 15th of Sept. And the Brig [Dryad] ought to be the vessel to come here as best able to take you your supplies Sec and to enable you to attend more fully to the Coasting trade If the Vancouver is repairable the Langley Outfit will be shipped on board of her and she will proceed there direct and ship what returns they may have so that there will be no necessity for any vessel going there this season, except it is to get Salmon Sec for you I am Dear Sir Yours Truly (signed) John McLoughlin 244 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN P. S. Ogden Esq. We now forward you an ample Outfit for the Coasting trade and Fort Simpson, which we have united under the Head of Coasting trade but which you ought in your accounts to keep separate and beg to inform you that it will be necessary to be as economical of the Rum as we possibly can as unless the Requisition now sent reaches England before shipment 1832 leaves it, Outfit 1834 will have none, as we have only twelve puncheons remaining in store.— In consequence of the failure of our pea and Indian Corn Crops, we have not sent you any indeed we have not the quantity of pease we require for the Vessels, but they must use Rice or you can get som of the Barley hulled as we do here and it makes as you know excellent soup and the wheat when ground will serve you as a substitute for Indian Corn. I send you also some of our Salmon and would send you more if I thought you had potatoes, but if the Vancouver goes to Fort Langley of which I have not the least doubt, I am certain you will have provisions enough and you see that measures are taken to provide you with a supply for next year, and in case the Vancouver is fit for sea, you will also have her for the Coasting trade, only that the Brig [Dryad] will require to be here about the 15th Sept with yours and the Fort Langley Returns, and if then the Coasting trade could dispense with the Brig to go south with a cargo of Deals we would send her, but perhaps in this case it would be necessary for one of the Schooners to come here to take you some supplies however you will bear in mind that the Coasting trade must first be attended to and that the trip to the South is only to be undertaken if it can be done without injury to the Coasting trade.— I now send you six men and a Young Lad John Dunn who came out as Apprentice and has been employed in the Stores here and will be found I presume useful in the same capacity at Fort Simpson or on board 245 i p TnnHHwftnnMwwnnffiWfl y. LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN one of the Vessels in the trading Room, perhaps this may be the most useful situation to employ him in I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 219. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 20* Janr 1832 Archibald M< Donald Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir Since writing you yesterday it is found that the Vancouver will be able to take your outfit on her way to Nass and you will please forward to Mr Ogden all the potatoes—Salt Salmon that you can spare and if you could forward him a quantity of Dry Salmon it would be of great advantage to the place and as we intend to devote our utmost attention to the coasting trade you will please ship all the furs you have at present (as the Vessel coming from Fort Simpson will only call on you provided she can do so without detriment to the coasting trade)1 and please let Mr Ogden Know what quantity of Salt and Dry Salmon Se potatoes you think you can let him have next fall, as we do not intend to get any more Salt Salmon from you for exportation till we ascertain how it will sell I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin 246 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN PS Perhaps it might be safe and practicable for you to send your furs to meet the Vessel in Frasers River if she called on you in her way back, if so please inform Mr Ogden and if possible he will direct the Vessel to call in What we have Examined of your Salt Salmon appears Excellent Letter Number 220. Fort Vancouver 20th Jany 1832 Capt [Alexander] Duncan Dear Sir You will proceed with the Dryad to Cape Disappointment and if you are there informed that the Vancouver is repairable you will deliver her the Fort Langley Outfit and continue your voyage to Nass and be guided in your further proceedings by the Directions you may receive from Mr Ogden Senior Officer in that Department, wishing you a safe and speedy passage I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 221. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Capt [Charles] Kipling or Capt [Thomas] Sinclair will give a sailor to Capt [Alexander] Duncan and receive James Johnston in return (signed) John McLoughlin Fort Vancouver 22d Jany 1832 247 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 222. Fort Vancouver 22d Jany 1832. P. S. Ogden Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir It is impossible to send you the correct accounts of the men sent you, however it is of very little importance for your accounts, it is sufficient to say that [Nicholas] Auger has a little money and the others are about square I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 223. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Captain [Charles] Kippling Dear Sir If the Vancouver is ready to go to see you will proceed with the Fort Langley Outfit to that place and deliver it to Mr [Archibald] McDonald or the Officer in charge on passing thro' the straits going and coming you will visit the places usually resorted to and trade with the natives at the rate of three Beaver skins for a 2y2 Pt Blanket After having spent ten or fifeteen days or even twenty if you find it necessary you will proceed to Fort Simpson and place yourself under the direction of Mr Ogden, and obey such instructions as you may receive from him I am Dear Sir Yours truly Jno: McLoughlin 248 p LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN The furs are valued at 1 large Beaver 1 skin 2 Cub " 1 " 2 large Otters 1 " 4 small " 1 " 1 large Prime Bear 1 " However if Captn Sinclair is at Fort George he will give you the Tariff he traded at and you will abide by it. If you have means of keeping oil you will trade 50 or 60 Gallons at the entrance of the straits for the use of this place— If you do not hear of an opposition being in the straits, I consider on second thought, that you will do best to go direct to Fort Langley and Mr Yale will embark as trader on board of the Vancouver and you will proceed to such places as he will point out. By seeing Mr Yale deal with the Indians you will afterwards be able to manage with them yourself after having visited all the places you will have to take Mr Yale to Fort Langley and then proceed to Mr Ogden.1 Letter Number 224. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 27 JanY 1832 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] [Ft. George]1 My dear Sir On the 10th Inst: I received the intelligence of the return of the Vancouver and since that time have no farther information. I cannot account for this delay and keeping Michel [Laframboise] below all this time is extremely injurious as he must go south and be back before the brigade leaves this [place]. If the Vancouver is fit to go to sea to save time I enclose Captain [Charles] Kip- 249 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN lings instructions and he must be off as soon as he possibly can. You may communicate such verbal information as you may consider may be of use to him and point out that if by himself in the straits he must stick to the Tariff appointed so as not to induce the Indians to keep up their skins for Coasters. If the Vancouver is likely to be detained any time below I must be informed of it, as I will send down an additional supply of provisions for Fort Simpson and the Coasting Trade I am Dear Sir Yours truly Jno McLoughlin Letter Number 225. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 27 JanY 1832 Archibald McDonald Esqre [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir With this you will receive your Outfit as complete as we could make it from the documents we had but if you are deficient in any article you may write to Mr Ogden as perhaps he may have it in his power to assist you when the vessel touches at your place for your returns on her way back I enclose you a copy of my instructions to Captain [Charles] Kipling and I need only observe as the Captain is a novice it would be necessary Mr [James] Yale went with him round the straits so that if possible he may not spoil the trade of that place, and that by Captain Kippling seeing how Mr Yale deals with the natives he may be better able to manage with them himself I need not add that as soon as they have cleared the Straits they should proceed to join Mr Ogden who will have constant employment for 250 u iv^mmmassn^^mmmmm^mmmm^mmm^mmnsammmWrnm^^m ********** J^ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN them and in settling the account of this trade you will add it to your returns and the Coasting trade will charge you Demurrage at the rate of 6 pounds pr Diem I am Sir Yours truly Jno McLoughlin Letter Number 226. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Captain [Alexander] Duncan1 Dear Sir I beg to inform you that you will consider your salary to be at the rate of one hundred Pounds St ° pr an from 1 June 1831 this addition has been made in consequence of the approbation the late Captn Simpson expressed of your conduct and I hope by your attention to your duty you will continue to deserve the recommendation of those under whom you may be placed I am Not sent Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) Jno McLoughlin Letter Number 227. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 31 JanY 1832 P Skein1 Ogden Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] Dear Sir In consequence of the information contained in the enclosed document Mr Chief Factor [Duncan] Finlayson 251 llfW'mrWPHIWflHWWflMWWB^^ w& LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN proceeds to Fort George in order to inquire (if the Cadboro is there) into the particulars of this statement if found to bear an appearance of being correct Capt [Thomas] Sinclair will be suspended and sent to York this spring, Capt [Charles] Kipling will take the command of the Cadboro to Nass and then you will please to place him in the Dryad and Capt [Alexander] Duncan will take the command of the Cadboro, perhaps Mr Finlayson may make the exchange below at once, but we are afraid it may cause some confusion about the Cargoes, If the Cadboro is gone Capt [Charles] Kipling will take the command of the Dryad and on the first opportunity you will inquire into the charges and if there is any appearance of improper conduct you will suspend Capt Sinclair and send him here by the first opportY, as to the mates Scarborough2 and [William] Lackie, you may either suspend them and make them do duty before the mast or continue them in their present situation as you think proper, if what is stated is true their conduct is highly improper and you should even if you retained them tell them so, but that having been by their superior Officer allowed to do as they did screens them, Indeed they should also be dismissed if we had any to replace them.— I am Dear Sir Your most Obt Not sent signed John McLoughlin N. B. you will explain that no drinking can be allowed on board of the Vessels every sailor should be made to drink his Liquor in presense of an Officer and none be allowed on any account to take it away (signed) J. MCL Not sent { ,w 252 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 228. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort George 31 JanY 1832 Peter Skein1 Ogden Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Simpson] My Dear Sir The Dryad Captain [Alexander] Duncan arrived here on the 27th with orders from Ch: Factor McLoughlin to receive on board the remaining part of the Vancouvers Cargoe—. The same I have now shipped which you will see by the enclosed Bill of Lading. You must by all accounts be very much in want of supplies and I have no doubt but Captain Duncan will use all dispatch in getting out of the Columbia and reaching your place The Cadboro has now been a month at Cape Disappointment waiting an opportunity of getting out I remain My Dear Sir Yours &c (signed) James Birnie Letter Number 229. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 7th FebrY 1832 Simon McGillivray Esqr [C.T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir Yours of the 27th Ult was handed me yesterday by Hoole and Dor ion and I am sorry you could not have found means to send the Cattle to Okanagan In Regard to this 253 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Melancholy affair I can only say in addition to What I have said in Mine of the 18 Ult that we must be Extremely cautious in our proceedings as you will Know that any trouble at Walla Walla will interfere with the Whole Interior of the Department I am Dear Sir John MLoughlin If you have not given the Bull I think he ought to be sent with the others to Okanagan J. ML Letter Number 230. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 27th FebY 1832 Simon McGillivray Esquire [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I received yours of the 1 Inst on the 25th and I see no part of it on which it is necessary to make any observation except the concluding paragraph in which you state, "under existing circumstances it might probably be of benefit to the Company were I removed from this place and another to assume the charge before the Indians will have come out from inland which will be about the commencement of next month. I beg to remark that to remove you at present would make the natives consider that your conduct is disapproved and make them more troublesome to your successor and we must therefore defer removing you to a future date. However you ought I think to give out that you will not remain, to make them anxious to please your successor as they will be affraid if they offend him also, that they will get a bad character among the White 254 m& LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Chiefs and none will be willing to remain on their lands. As you well know that Indians however they may be are most anxious of consideration. You know also that altho' the killing of Sasty is murder yet with these Indians it is considered no greater offence than killing a horse; and perhaps not so bad as the shooting the Cow. God forbid that I should mean to justify Murder, but in dealing with Indians we ought to make allowance for their manner of thinking and if I was addressed on the subject by any of them I would say the Almighty has forbid the shedding of innocent blood, and commanded that he who shed man's blood by man shall his blood be shed, and in obedience to this command, if a Chief among us was to Kill a slave that Chief would be killed. But as you have not the means of putting this command in execution you will leave it to the Almighty who will punish the Murderer either in this world or the world to come. But you know well what to say and I only mention this to explain you my view of the case I am &c (signed) Jno McLn Letter Number 231. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Simpson 5th Sept 1831 John McLaughlin Esqr [C. F.] Dear Sir The melancholy duty of relating to you that Capt: [Aemelius] Simpson died on the 2 Ins1 at 7 in the evening devolves on me he had been confined to his bed thirteen days and during that period sufferd excruciating pain he retained his senses to the moment of his death at 3 P M he fainted and the Doctor Observed to me who were at the time both near him he was dead but he again revived and 255 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN observed I believe I fainted I am very low does the Doctor despair this was said in his usual tone Irion considering this a favorable opportunity to mention to him if he had any thing to say in case of accident I would most willingly communicate it to his friends he replied Gods' will be done I am resigned I have nothing to communicate he died without the least struggle or pain as if he had fallen asleep the cause of his illness and death is attributed to an inflamation of the Liver and he told me he had suffered from it for many years I forward you a statement written by the Doctor which on perusal will give you all the particulars—In Capt Simpsons Death we experience a severe loss and at a time we cannot readily fill the blank prior to this our affairs here were looking brighter than I had ever contempated but now again it is the reverse when you take of the past you will truly1 Letter Number 232. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 15th Mar 1832 Geo Simpson Esq Gov in Chief Ruperts Land Dear Sir 1. I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the 2d July P Mr Chief Factor [Duncan] Finlayson, and I beg to assure you that it is extremely gratifying to me to know that you approve of the measures adopted to carry on the business of this Department.— 2. To avoid repetition, I must take the liberty to refer you to my Despatches to their Honors of the 20th Oct for an account of the proceedings and Occurrencies at this place from the departure of the Express to that date, and I forward you Mr Ogden's Letters to me of the 1st Sept for a statement of the transactions on the Coast and though 256 * I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the trade suffered severely by the death of Capt [Aemelius] Simpson and the Dryad was only about three months on I the Coast, the Cadboro only a few days in the Straits of De Fuca and the Vancouver could not be employed in it, yet you will see by the accounts that they collected furs to ' the amount of £2760 and Fort Simpson for £1309 and this I holds out I conceive sufficient Inducement to prosecute the i Business.— [ 3. On the 10th Nov the Vancouver sailed from this [place] with a full cargo for Fort Simpson and at the same time I directed Mr Ogden to assume the charge of the \ Coasting Trade— But when about twenty miles from that place she encountered a gale which carried her out to Sea, hove her on her Beam Ends and so injured her that Captain [Charles] Kipling considered it necessary to return to this place and as soon as she is repaired she will proceed to join Mr Ogden and with the Dryad and Cadboro which sailed from this [place] on 6th Feby with a full supply for a year, for Fort Simpson and the Coasting trade will all be placed at the disposal of Mr Ogden for the season so that we may give the Coasting trade a fair trial— 4. I requested Mr Ogden to examine Stikine as I conceive from the number of skins collected there that it is a good place to establish a post but before it can be decided on we must ascertain if the river is navigable for our vessels and if there is an Eligible situation to erect an Establishment— But I am of opinion a trading Establishment would be placed to advantage between Ft Langley and Fort Simpson somewhere in the vicinity of Sabassas, Port Stephens and if you approve of the measure it will be necessary three Gentlemen and Engagees be sent us for this purpose— 5. As I mentioned in my letter to their Honors, the fever raged with greater violence than the year before, but in other respects the business of the place went on in the usual way and our crop yielded 257 up flMflftf fltiifliitei > \\\ixxn!& LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 2307 Bushels Wheat 1100 " Barley 32 " Oats 206 " Early Pease 74 " Grey " 96 " White " 200 " Indian Corn 560 Barrels Potatoes and we will continue to raise as much as we possibly can so as to have the means to supply provisions for the extension of trade— 6. I am sorry to say that an Indian attached to the Fort of Walla Walla (he belonged to the Snake party but being ill of the fever was left at Walla Walla) was shot by a Cay- ouse Indian in consequence of a difference the latter had with Mr Ch Trader [Simon] McGillivray as you will see by his letter to me of the 10th Jany and I am sorry to say it appears to me that tho Mr McGillivray did not do any thing to Justify the Indian acting in the atrocious manner he did, still Mr McGillivray was thrown off his guard and did not act with that caution so necessary to be observed in dealings with Indians of the disposition of those about Walla Walla— Mr McGillivrary applied for advice and assistance to punish the murderer. You see by my letters to Mr McGillivray my answers and I will only add that it appears to me injudicious in us to neglect our business to send a party to punish an Indian who may go out of our reach and if the Tribe are willing to defend him can put us to defiance— But even if we did Kill him, it might be the cause of deranging all our business along the Communication— 7 Mr McGillivray thinks that to take him away from that place would be advantageous to the Concern— to have taken him away as soon as we heard this atrocious act had 258 % IS LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN been committed, the Indians might have conceived that Mr McGillivray's conduct towards the murderer was disapproved— or that he was afraid in either case, lead them to assume and be more troublesome to his successor. But by the present opportunity Mr [Pierre] Pambrun proceeds to succeed Mr McGillivray and the latter Gentleman will go to take charge of Colvile— 8 On the second inst I had the pleasure to receive despatches from Mr A. McDonald and I am happy to see that the returns of that place are increasing. When here last fall Mr McDonald proposed to begin a farm at Fort Langley and to which I agreed and by the first opportunity will forward him plougs and Harrows for this purpose— 9 The Ganymede arrived so late, that it was impossible to send her with a Cargo of Deals to Wahoo or to the South of this—before the fever made its appearance, when her Crew became so sickly that it was impossible for her to leave this place before 8th Nov But if the Vessel arrives in time this year we will send her with a Cargo of Deals to Wahoo or the South according to the intelligence we may receive— 10 You will see by Mr Charlton's Letters that Timber is getting up to the old price of one hundred Dollars p M feet and that he has sold some of the timber sent him on credit— but I have written him to make none but Cash Sales and I think you will see by the accompanying Documents that the Timber trade is worth attending to— 11 I beg to observe to you as stated in the fourteenth paragraph of my Letters to their Honors that Dr [John Frederick] Kennedy has given in his Resignation and of which I am extremely sorry, as he is a young man desirous of making himself as useful as possible—and it will be necessary to provide two Medical men for this Department—one for this place and one for the coasting trade— 12 It may be requisite to give the Dryad a thorough repair in 1834 and as when this is done we will lose her 259 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN services for a season and to prevent this, It would be necessary we were allowed to Exchange the Dryad for the Vessel to be here in 1833—which I beg to submit for your con-" sideration—and Instructions- Referring you to Mr Harriott and the accompanying Documents for the transactions of this place I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin It is impossible for us to say where the Snake party will go when they return from their present trip but you may depend we will hunt the South side of the Columbia as much as we posibly can.—)1 13 Mr Allan's contract expires in June and as you Know the young Gentleman I hope you will let us Know in what terms you intend he should renew it.— 14 There are several Greenwich apprentices who dislike the sea service and who will be weak to perform the duty of labouring men, but who might be placed in the Inland Establishments and in course of time would become useful as Clerks. Would you approve of our taking such from the sea service and giving them a trial on shore.— 15 I cannot say what number of men we will require as that will depend on the number going out and the plans you may direct us to pursue, the violence with which the fever raged these last two years makes it necessary that it should be taken into consideration in our calculations.— 16 By Indian report we are informed that two of Mr [John] Work's party have been killed by the Blackfeet.— 17 From the information Mr Ogden has obtained in his intercourse with American Coasters, he thinks they collect from three to four thousand Beaver about Port Steph- 260 I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 233. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 12th March 1832 Simon McGillivray Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Walla Walla] My Dear Sir I am happy to see by your last which I received yesterday that it seems quiet again at your place, but as the late melancholy occurrence may lead to difference between you and the natives. Mr [Pierre] Pambrun is sent up to succeed you, to whom you will have the goodness to convey all the information you think necessary to facitiate his dealings with those Indians and to carry on the business of the place.— Enclosed you will find a copy of my report of the U ens, the same number about Stikine and a good many are collected about Chitham Straits.— 18 Mr Thomas McKay has addressed me a letter stating his desire to retire from the service and requesting to be allowed a passage to California as you will see by the accompanying letter it will be necessary a Clerk be provided to replace him.— 19 Referring you to Mr [John] Harriott and the accompanying Documents for the transactions of this place I am Sir Your Obt humble Servt (signed) John McLoughlin Geo Simpson Esq Gov in Chief Sec Sec Sec 261 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Murder of Sasty to the Govr and Council, and I will only say that in removing you from Walla Walla I am only influenced by a desire to avoid every possible cause of disagreement with the natives, as in every other respect as is evident by the returns you did your utmost to promote the Interest of the concern.— You will please proceed to Colvile and if Mr [Francis] Heron proceeds to Head quarters, you will assume the charge of that place if he remains you will come down, if it is considered hazardous for you to come at present, you can wait till the Brigade comes, I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 234. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 14th March 1832 Samuel Black Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Kamloops] Dear Sir I have now before me yours of Oct and 20th Nov 1831 and am happy to see you were coming on so well in your trade and according to your request, Mr [John Edward] Harriott takes up a few supplies for your District, but you will please bear in mind that hereafter you must arrange so as to make your Outfit answer for the year, as it is not possible that every year the Express should be able to take up supplies for the summer trade I am Dear Sir Your Obt humble Servt (signed) John McLoughlin 262 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 235. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 14th March 1832 P. W. Dease Esq [C. F.] [Ft. St. James] Dear Sir I have now before me yours of the 10th Oct and I am extremely sorry to hear of the failure of Salmon in your District and according to your request I have written to forward you twenty Horses loaded with provisions if it can be done without interefering with the summer arrangements the Interior must get their supply of provisions from Colvile as we have not the means to forward it from this place—As you may perhaps have more Clerks than you require we would take one if you can spare him I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 236. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 14* March 1832 Francis Heron Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I have before me yours of the 5th Dec. 1831 and am happy to see you have so fine a prospect of making returns, it is however to be regretted that [Francis] Rivet and [Nicholas] Montour did not seperate as you directed, but you must be aware that we are prohibited from sending 263 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN any of the Company's servants to the East side of the Mountains, and if Montour will not go you can give his situation and terms to old Rivet if he accepts them, but if Montour I goes with the Flat Heads, and you think Rivet's services to be required you can engage him for three years at an- advance of five pounds P annum, How would Montour do for the Kintonais if it is necessary to employ him, but if not necessary to employ him, we ought to Keep in mind that perhaps [Francis] Payette may be decided on going out next year and that he would do for this year at the Kintonais.— As I presume Mr [John] Work has forwarded you the usual Requisition for the Snake party it is necessary to be complied with as much as possible and that it be forwarded to Walla Walla by the Brigade.— From what Mr Chief Factor Dease says it is probable that he will require twenty Horses and they ought to be supplied from Colvile he also requires 60 Apechemons [Saddle blanket] 30 Par Fleches [Saddle bags] 20 Saddles 3 or 400 Strong Pack Cords I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin 264 fi LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 237. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 14 Mar 1832 Mr Francis Ermatinger [Clerk] [Ft. Colvile] Sir Enclosed is an Extract of a letter of the Govr and Council and I am sorry to say that I coincide in their opinion I am Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 238. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver March 1832 Archd McDonald Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir We had shipped your outfit for 1832 on board the Dryad with the intention of directing Captain [Alexander] Duncan to stop at Fort Langley on his way to Fort Simpson but previous to the Dryad's getting out of the River the Vancouver came in having been driven back when within twenty miles of Fort Simpson and struck by a sea which threw her on her Beam Ends carried away her Bull works and injured her so much that Captain [Charles] Kipling 265 II Y)Kfoii LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN considered it advisable to bear away for the Columbia and as she had the principal part of Mr Ogden's Outfit on board we were obliged to ship it in the Dryad and land yours I which at present is at Fort George, and as the Carpenter says the Vancouver will have to undergo a thorough repair,_ I do not think it will be possible to send you your outfit before the fall when we will get one of the Vessels from the Coast and I forward this by [John] Ouvre to be sent you by your Indian messenger.— The Salmon you sent us by the Cadboro is of an excellent quality and you will salt all you can as it will be required for the new Establishments on the Coast as also all the potatoes you can spare and if you think it would Keep it would be well that you traded about ten thousand dry Salmon.— I have two ploughs for you which as also the live Stock will be sent by first opportunity I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin P S You will please bear in mind that it is uncertain if we will be able to send you your Outfit in a Vessel as we were ignorant of the extent of the injury the Vancouver had sustained when the Dryad sailed, we put her and Cadboro entirely under the controul of Mr Ogden, and will perhaps be obliged to send you your supplies in the fall in boats.— Letter Number 239. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Fort Vancouver 3d April 1832 Mr Michel Laframboise Dear Sir I received yours of the 30th March and in regard 266 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of Turner you must not allow him to go with you as he has engaged as I always understood to work for a year for [Jean] Dupaty— and as the last has paid us, we can have nothing to do with him till his time is expired— you must possitively send for Thomas Chinook little Pierre and Louis as they must accompany you as we have not every year the means as you Know to make a party to go where you are going therefore we must send at present more and when the people are few they can hunt about the Willamette, at the Bottom of this is the names of the freemen on your list and whom you will advertise to go with you1 I am Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin 1 Alexis Aubichon 2 Michel Otoetanie 3 Louis Shacgostska 4 Thomas Chinook 5 Little Pierre 6 Charlo 7 Louis Andre 8 Louis Iuongway 9 Francois Charpentier 10 Alexander Carson 11 Pierre Despard [Joseph] 12 Charles Ieaudoins 13 Amable Quesnel I am told Louis Shanagarate wants to go with you, you can let him go if you chouse — you must send word to those that have to come here to be equipt that they must send their families on after you or with you while they come here so as not to lose time the season is advancing no time must be lost and leave me a list of all those you have ad- 267 mrfimrmrrmi{vvnrnmnass0 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN vertised in case of any one remaining that I may Know how to act, Mr Douglas sends you the Axes and Knives you demanded and the Duffles for Borygne but every person ought to take all they want before leaving this place.— Aubichon will go off in a few days and will overtake you and if any on your list refuse to go they will have to go with the Snake party to replace the men I will send you to make up your number and you must get their Horses and traps from them to equip the men I will have to send (signed) JMCL Letter Number 240. [April, 1832] Mr Michel Laframboise Dear Sir You will proceed with the party under your command to the Killimook country for the purpose of punishing the atrocious murder of Pierre Kakaraquiron and Thomas Canasawarette who were savagely murdered by the above tribe twenty days since, As it is impossible for me at a distance to point out the manner in which this can be effected with the least effusion of blood, I shall not shackle you with copious instructions, particularly as your experience in that part of the country, and your Knowledge of the Indian character, will point out to you the best mode of obtaining the object of your mission, permit me, however, to recommend that as 'tis likely some innocent beings may in such cases unavoidably become victims as well as the guilty the severity necessary, for our own safety Se security may always be tempered with humanity and mercy.— after accomplishing 268 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN this object you will proceed on your trapping Expedition and you will either come here this fall, next winter, or send us accounts of your proceedings before the express leaves this [place] in March, Wishing you a safe and happy accomplishment of the objects of your Expedition I am signed J. McL Letter Number 241. Fort Vancouver 14th April 1832 Michel Laframboise Dear Sir Inclosed is a list of your mens accounts as correct as we can make them till the Express comes from York I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 242. Fort Vancouver 14th April 1832 Mr Michel Laframboise Dear Sir The Willamette people go to assist you to punish the murderers of our people and if you require it Mr [Thomas] McKay will give you three Horses but I expect you will not take them unless you are obliged by absolute necessity as we are very short of Horses, I enclose you Turner's account I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin 269 3HHBWRBe8«SHSRS LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 243. Fort Vancouver 8th May 1832 Samuel Black Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Kamloops] Dear Sir You will please send all the men you can spare to assist Mr [Simon] McGillivray to bring down his Boats to Okanagan I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin N B our people are returned from their Expedition against the murderers of Pierre and Thomas and have Killed 6 of the tribe of the Murderer— none of our people were hurt sig*1 J. MCL Letter Number 244. Fort Vancouver 8th May 1832 Peter Dease Esq [C. F.] [Ft. St. James] Dear Sir It will be necessary that out of the provisions forwarded by Mr [Simon] McGillivray to Okanagan that you bring to Walla Walla for the trappers twenty five Bags fine Flour twenty five Bags coarse Flour and forty Bags Indian Corn, it will be also necessary that you bring down a sufficient quantity to remain at Walla Walla to serve the Brigade on their way back from that place to Okanagan, I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin 270 t i I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 245. Fort Vancouver 8th May 1832 Simon McGillivray [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 17th Ulto with the accompanying Documents, and I am sorry to see that Mr [Francis] Heron has made an agreement with [Pierre] Lacourse contrary to the Regulations of the Concern, however it must be Kept to the man and hereafter it will be decided how it will be settled, you will please forward all the provisions you can to Okanagan and Mr [Samuel] Black is requested to send his men to assist. I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin Letter Number 246. Fort Vancouver 8th May 1832 Mr P. C. Pambrun [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir You will please forward the accompanying Letters to Okanagan with all the Despatch possible I am Dear Sir Yours truly Signed John McLoughlin N. B. Michel [Laframboise] and his party are returned from their Expedition after having Killed 6 of the Murderers of the late Pierre and Thomas— our people took 271 KMMBggggg^ftttBH*^^ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN a good many women and children, but of course did them no harm, and let them go Letter Number 247. Fort Vancouver 9th May 1832 Mr Michel Laframboise Dear Sir I received yours of the 4th instant yesterday and I am happy to find that you have accomplished your object and that you have lost none of your party and I pray to God that we may not be exposed again to have recourse to violent measures at the same time I think it but right that you send word to these sauvages— that what we have done is merely to let them see what we can do, and that as we do not wish to hurt the innocent we expect that themselves will Kill the remainder of the Murderers of our people.— if they do not we will return and will not spare one of the tribe— I think that in twelve days I will send a party after you so that you may go to the Verveau1 and the men I send will go to you wherever you are and bring to this place what skins you have, I thought it was only three Horses you were to get and therefore desired [Jean] Dupaty to give you three.— It is unnecessary for me to say thing more (after what I have already said to yourself) in regard to your present Expedition, wishing you a safe and successful hunt I am Dear Sir Yours truly Signed John McLoughlin 272 L K> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 248. Fort Vancouver 15th May 1832 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] My Dear Sir I have not had the pleasure to hear from you for this some time, still I hope you are well— [John] Ouvre is off to the Chilhilis by way of the Cowlitz to visit some Indians who sent for him— Michel Laframboise and Party have been to War on the tribe that murdered Thomas and Pierre and as we only wish to Kill them who had assisted or joined the murderers of our men I desired him to Kill a few men only of the first party of that tribe that he fell in with and tell those he allowed to escape that we did this to let them see what we could do and that as we only wished to Kill those who had killed our people we allowed them to escape to tell their Countrymen this and that they themselves must Kill those who had been concerned in the Murder of our people— if they would not we would come back and Kill every one of the tribe that came in our way and would not stop till we had Killed every one of them,— we wished to be on good terms with them— we never allowed any of our men do them the least harm — and it is they who brought this punishment on themselves, we would not allow any of our people to be hurt by them with impunity I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) Jno McLoughlin 273 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 249. Fort Vancouver 18th May 1832 Mr Michel Laframboise Dear Sir As I mentioned to you in mine of the 4th inst I send [John] Gagnier and three men to bring the furs that you have traded at the Verveau and in your way there and in case you are passed they have orders to go as far as Mr McKays old Fort to endeavor to overtake you, Inclosed is an account of the Goods given Gagnier, you can take what you want and give him a receipt for the same. I have nothing further to say on your hunting Expedition, except to Keep a Journal of your proceedings, and to Keep up order and Discipline in your camp, as they are necessary to the success of the Expedition I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin P. S. I am informed that you have succeeded in getting Thomas Se Pierre's Horses if this is true you must have more Horses than you require and you will send the surplus back with Gagnier and in those you send back you will send those you got from [Jean] Dupaty.— Letter Number 250. Wednesday Evening Fort Vancouver 6th June 1832 Mr McLoughlin presents his compliments to Capt [John] Graves and requests he would do him the favor to come to the Fort and bring the instructions he received from the Governor and Committee 274 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 251. Fort Vancouver 16 June 1832 To the Governor, Dep^ Governor and Committee Hble Hudsons Bay Compy I have the pleasure to inform your Honours that the Eagle entered this River on the 18th and reached this place on the 31st Ultmo and delivered her cargoe in excellent condition By the Spring Express you have received intelligence of the accident which befell the Vancouver in the entrance of Portland Canal and I am sorry to say that we have not been able to erect a purchase sufficiently strong to hawl her on the land till yesterday when the water was almost level with the bank. Until this was effected it was impossible to set about repairing her and she is so much injured that Captn [Charles] Kipling thinks it is as much as our carpenters can do to have her ready for sea by this time next year At present the Eagle goes with a cargoe to Woahoo and if with the proceeds of it and that sent P1 Ganymede Mr [Duncan] Finlayson finds a vessel to suit our purpose he will purchase her and even should he find it preferable rather than sacrifice the property by selling it too cheap he will draw on your Honours for the amount Of course I am aware that we are not authorised to enter into transactions of this nature without your express direction; but when it is considered that vessels such as would suit, us are often sold at the Sandwich Islands for 5 or 7 Thousand Dollars, and that our Naval people who are idle on our hands will cost us this year £460 in wages alone, and that from the want of a vessel our Coasting Trade is not carried on with the energy it ought, your Honours will I trust approve of the responsibility we have assumed I am afraid your Honours are disappointed that we 275 DQfims LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN have not a vessel built or even on the stocks, in explanation I beg to observe, that in 1829 after it had been settled to build a vessel here, we were unexpectedly assailed by a strong opposition which employed our whole attention 'till summer 1830, when it left us and the fever immediately broke out of which our ship builder Mr Anderson, who came here fall, 1829 died. Winter 1830/31 our Carpenters were employed giving a thorough repair to the Cadboro and from summer 1831 till spring 1832 the fever raged with greater violence than during the preceding year so much so that Even if Mr Anderson had not died it was impossible for us to set about building a vessel since 1830 on account of the sickness, and the thorough repair of the Cadboro and previous to that date as I have already stated the opposition gave us full employment I am Hble Sirs Your Obt Humble Servant [signed] Jno: McLoughlin Letter Number 252. Ft Vancouver June 1832 Captn Charlton Dear Sir As this will be handed you by Duncan Finlayson Esqre an Officer in the Company's employ it is unnecessary for me to enter into any points of business as he will have the pleasure to communicate with you verbally I am happy to learn that our Cargo Pr Ganymede suited so well your market The present is of the same discription except that there is no oak which is scarce 276 <> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN in this quarter, however in future we expect to be able to supply you with some I am &c (Signed) Jno McLoughlin Letter Number 253. Memoranda for Mr [Duncan] Finlayson 1 Mr Finlayson will bear in mind that it cost £30 to trade about 200 Barrels of the Fort Langley Salmon and that if it is found advisable to salt salmon at that place for exportation it will be necessary to provide salt at Woahoo and send it by the vessel. 2 If he find a good Cook we want one 3 He will please bear in mind that if we do not see him in Octr we will send to him 4th Our present Establishment for the Coast requires seventy barrels of Salted Provisions of this we will be able to supply thirty this year and if we could procure the remainder on the usual terms we would prefer to get it than to kill our stock 5th If the Eagle goes to Fort Langley Mr Finlayson will please give a note to Captain Grave to hand to any of our vessels he meet them on the way directing the Captain of the Cadboro or Dryad to take the Langley Outfit on board and and proceed with it to that place and Captain Grave will receive what the Cadboro or Dryad may have on board for this place in the event of Captain Grave's meeting with both Cadboro and Dryad it would suit better that the Cadboro went with the Langley Outfit. 6th Mr Finlayson will have to ship a Cask of Molasses from 277 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Woahoo to Fort Langley to complete the Outfit of that place 7 A Holland or Dutch Bolting Cloth if any fall in your way Letter Number 254. Fort Vancouver 17 June 1832 Archibald McDonald Esqre [C. T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir With this you will receive your Outfit which is as complete as our means would admit, As the Eagle goes first to Wahoo I cannot send you the Cattle and ploughs as I had promised but you may depend on getting them by the first Vessel of ours that goes from this to your place direct, Inclosed is a copy of their Honor's Letter I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin Letter Number 255. Captain [John] Graves Sir You will proceed with the Brig under your command to Wahoo and deliver the Cargo on board to the order of Duncan Finlayson Esq and who will then direct your further proceedings and wishing you a safe and speedy passage I am Dear Sir Your Obt humble Servt (signed) John McLoughlin NOTE: The letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. also has no date. 278 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 256. Fort Vancouver 25th June 1832 Simon McGillivray Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir You will please get three Bushels Wheat ground into flour and given to the bearer Augustin Roussil— you will please observe that Roussil is not obliged to work in the Boats— and that he has never been employed since in the Country— but at his trade I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin P. S. to be explicit I beg to recommend Roussil to your Kind attention as he is [a] worthy honest deserving man signed J. MC.L Letter Number 257. Fort Vancouver 1st July 1832 M* P. C. Pambrun [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to inform you that Walla Walla returns Sec were safely conveyed to this place and with this you will receive the Outfit of Walla Walla for this year, I beg to request that you will continue to trade as many Horses as you can and to attend to any request which Mr [John] Work may make to you as much as you possibly can I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McL 279 sofiaa LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 258. Fort Vancouver 1st July 1832 Simon McGillivray, Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I have the pleasure to inform you that the Brigade arrived on the 19th June and delivered their cargo in good condition and to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 24th and 29th May.- It is to be regretted that the quantity of Farm produce at Colvile Spring 1832 is less than Spring 1831 and we ought to take our Measures so as to have one year stock of farm produce on hand— in Advance so as to be provided with provisions in case of Scarcity of Salmon.— I feel quite at a loss as to what to suggest in regard to Mr [Nicholas] Montour as he seems to me to be so very Indolent that I think if old [Francois] Rivet is recovered of his broken leg and that he was engaged— and sent with the Flat Heads, he would answer our purpose best; indeed I am of opinion that Montour is even too Indolent for the Kootonais but you are on the spot and can best decide and you will please act accordingly.— Your wish to pay a visit to the Flat head Post— and of course this must rest with yourself but pray how would it answer that either you or Mr [Francis] Ermatinger went to the Flat Head Post this summer and after the trade was over proceeded to the planes with them and returned with them in the fall and if then found necessary someone might accompany them in this manner during the Winter— which would do away with the necessity of Keeping up the establishment at the Flat Heads during the Winter, as people might go up from Colvile to meet them in the Spring.— I am surprised to find the Colvile men have the 280 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN number of Horses which you state as in 1827 I wrote the Gentlemen in the Columbia Department that those men who had horses were to be allowed to Keep them but that in future none must be sold them and that the Company was to supply them with Horses to do the Company's Horse Work.— you will please send me a detailed statement of the Horses each of your men have and how they came by them, and I beg to call your attention to the 84th Resolve of Council of 1824 and the Standing Rule N° 12.— We have received no detailed accounts of Sales to servants on account of Colvile Outfit 1831, if you have the means will you forward us a Copy,— I am sorry to see that contrary to the Regulation which allows only four men for the Summer Establishment of Colvile you have Kept seven will you please inform me why these additional men were Kept.— You will find your present Outfit as ample as our means would admit and I am sorry to say that since 1828 our Expenditure of Woolens at Colvile has increased in comparison to what it used to be please send down all the Muskets P the Express La- vigeur complained to me that you obliged him to come down to Fort Vancouver though by his Engagement with Mr [Francis] Heron he is Exempted from Voyaging— I explained to him that no one could be exempted from such duties— But that only in cases of absolute necessity alone- he would be called on to voyage— though at the same time perfectly liable to be called on whenever the Gentleman in charge thought it necessary I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed J McLoughlin 281 B0988C LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN P.S. Simon McGillivray Esq Dear Sir I spoke to [Pierre] Lacourse about his agreement and told him that he could not be exempt from voyaging or allowed the milk of a cow but that owing to his very good character, I was certain you would allow him every Indulgence consistent with the regulations of the Service and which I hope you will do as he has a most excellent character from all the Gentlemen with whom he has been signed J McLoughlin Laurent Karonhitchego must come down with the Express I beg to refer you to Mr [Francis] Ermatinger for the accounts and other papers Letter Number 259. Fort Vancouver 2d July 1832 Simon McGillivray Esq [C.T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I see by the Nez Percez District Account that Francois Charpentier is credited five pounds for extra Labour and Services— it is necessary you would explain the nature of this extra Labour and Services before the concern can be charged with this sum.— I see by the District Statement that Antoine Valle has been credited by you with twelve pounds for wages from November to June, you had your full number for Walla Walla and he ought not to have been allowed wages as we never allow any thing to freemen who return as super- numaries on the Establishments, as in this case giving them their provisions is more than payment for any serv- 282 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ices the company can require of them— I see him credited with £ 4 for transfers and other credits it is necessary this also should be explained before it can be admitted.— I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 260. Fort Vancouver 2d July 1832 John Work Esq [C. T.] Dear Sir If you have found no place to Employ your men this ensuing Winter— I think we will be obliged to send them to the Bonaventura [Sacramento] Valley— at the same time it is unnecessary to say any thing to the men (or to any one) on this subject as I merely state this for your information and that you may take such preparatory stepts as you consider necessary though we can come to no decision on the subject till I see you I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 261. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1832 Simon McGillivray Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Sir Please deliver to Joseph LaCharite sixty six pounds fine flour and charge Fort Vancouver J McLoughlin 283 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 262. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 2nd July 1832 To the Gentlemen in charge of the Hudson Bay Company Establishments on the Communication Gentlemen This will be handed you by Augustin Roussil1 and whom I beg to Recommend to your Kind attention as a faithful Honest Servant of the Company he is to get a passage for his family to Canada is Exempt from Working in the Crafts or on the portages and to get the Usual provisions for himself and family on the Way I am Gentlemen Your Obedient humble servant John McLoughlin Letter Number 263. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 3rd July 1832 Simon Mc Gillivray Esqr [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir In the Boats there are three Cassettes 1 case 1 Basket— I Keg Butter 2 Kegs Sugar of mine and one Cassette belonging to Mr [James] Douglas1 which I request may be forwarded across the Mountains this fall and that you send also two Bags of your best flour I am Dear Sir Yours truly 284 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 264. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Memorandum for Mr Ermantinger Keys No 1—2—3 are of Cassettes and he will see the corresponding Numbers in Ink on the End of the Cassettes No 4 and 5 are the Keys of the Basket and tin meet Box No 6 is the Key of the Case Letter Number 265. No copy in H. B. Co. A. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Memorandum for Mr [P. W.] Dease [C. T.] The following Men going up belong to Fort Vancouver Joseph Ducharme Paul Lamotte Heria Bellicque [Pierre] Michel Turgeon Bte Brulon Laurent Karonhitchego Ducharme can be exchanged for another man if necessary and six to be sent Back from Walla Walla except Laurent who must go up for the Express Mr [Pierre] Pambrun has one man more than his Number and if necessary Mr [P. W.] Dease can take Jaques1 or [Michael] Laframboise for any other Man and send that Man down here— if he makes no Exchange Laframboise ought to be sent down here 285 BCte LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 266. Fort Vancouver 5th July 1832 Archd Mc Donald Esq [C.T.] [Ft. Langley] Dear Sir I have had the pleasure this moment to receive yours of the 15 th ulto and in reply will observe that you did right to act in the manner you have though I am happy to say the cause you complain of has not had the same effect on us our Runners Derouine1 in that quarter never was so fortunate as this year.— The Eagle is off to Wahoe to drop Mr [Duncan] Finlayson who will remain there to look about him and if he finds a Vessel to suit our purpose on reasonable terms he will purchase her.— The Eagle is then immediately to proceed to Fort Langley and deliver you your Outfit which is at present on board of her.— I approve of your Salting as much Salmon as you can as although it did not sell it will serve as provisions for the new Establishments.— I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin N. B. as I have to send the people immediately back— you will I hope excuse my Brevity, Yours of the 13th May came to hand but had been opened on the way.— my compliments to Mr [James] Yale.— Letter Number 267. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 6th July 1832 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] Dear Sir The Broughton arrived at 2PM and Immediately 286 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN sails on her return to the Pillar Rock1 with a Cargo of Empty Barrels and the Remainder of your Outfit except the Vermilion as we have it not I request you will Keep the account of the Salmon trade so as to ascertain its costs and to Credit your Beaver trade It seems there is a strange Vessel in Pugets Sound and you ought to draw as much Beaver as you can from the Chi Ki liss2 — We must Salt all the Salmon we can and on the return of the Broughton she will be sent to you with a Load of Empty Barrels and so on till we have sent all we have I am Yours truly J McL Letter Number 268. Letter is in the handwriting of Dr. J. McL. Fort Vancouver 6th July 1832 Mr James Birnie [ Clerk] Dear Sir Please Bear in mind that I will not send any more Salt till you apply so that if there is any chance of your running short you must apply pray let me know by first opportunity what quantity of Salt you have I am Dear Sir Yours truly John McLoughlin Letter Number 269. Fort Vancouver 17th July 1832 Duncan Finlayson Esqre [C. F.] Dear Sir This will be handed you by Captain [William] 287 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Mc Neil who has offered to sell us the brig Lama for 6500 Dollars payable in Cash at Woahoo or in bills on London at 5/ Per Dollar [5 Shillings per dollar] I have informed him that if you had not bought a vessel before he got to Woahoo that it is probable, you would buy her provided she was found to be sound but that as she is small for our purpose I did not think you would give more than 5000 Dollars I am &c (signed) Jno: McLoughlin Letter Number 270. Fort Vancouver 17th July 1832 Duncan Finlayson Esqre [C. F.] Dear Sir As I have addressed you an open letter by Captain [William H.] Mc Neil I will now only say that if you purchase the "Lama" I think you ought to endeavour to get McNeil for the Coast as he is well acquainted with that business. I would agree to engage him for three years at even a thousand dollars Pr annum, it is true it is more than the Company pays, but the man's superior knowledge of the business in comparison to any of our Sea Officers, renders his services more valuable and knowledge is worth something, You will also please bear in mind that Mr Ogden writes that Mr [Alexander] Duncan intends to go home that Messrs [Robert] Young and [Robert] Scarborough ought to be sent home, and that we will have to replace them and we have only to look to the two mates of the Eagle for this purpose. From your knowledge of them you can best judge how they will answer. You know after men arrive at a certain time of life they do not easily accomodate themselves to new habits and manners of doing 288 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN business and perhaps the remark applies more particularly to seamen. Mr Ogden writes me that he thinks we could get Captain McNeil's Mate and that he is a sober steady man well acquainted with the coast, but illiterate and that he would answer well as a second Officer. But if he answered as first mate to McNeil why should he not answer in the same capacity to us. On the Coast even as Commander to one of the Schooners as no scientific Knowledge is required; but a Knowledge of the business port and harbours which the man possessess Ogden has passed the summer on board the Cadboro with Sinclair, he says nothing about the Stories reported to us about him. Captn Mc Neil's Carpenter would willingly engage in our service if you can engage a Carpenter or two they would be useful men. If you found 30 or 40 Barrels Pork more than stated in your Memom it would be well that you purchased them and if you do not please leave an order with Captain Charlton to purchase it and send it by first opportunity Indeed if we have funds at Woahoo I would advise to purchase a hundred barrels salted provisions as we will require a good deal to carry our plans into operation and it is an article of which we can hardly have too much, it is true we can kill some of our stock and I think its number is rather small to begin before two years hence. Mr Ogden writes me that including what he had in store when he left Fort Simpson he had a thousand skins and of course he did not know what [Alexander] Duncan and [Donald] Manson have made since he saw them. but that in May he received a note from Manson stating that Trade was brisk At this place nothing has occurred out of the usual routine since you left this but I am sorry to say the fever has broke out among the natives and we have four cases among our people 289 mm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN To return to the Lama I think she is small but if tolerably sound that it is better to purchase her, than be as we are paying wages to people whom we must leave idle from the want of proper means to employ and see what the Company pays for their servants ignorance of the Coast. Mr Ogden writes me there are three harbours in the vicinity of the place whence the Vancouver was driven back and to which Captain [Charles] Kipling might have gone as he had a fair wind to bear up to them— had he been acquainted with them. We have no accounts from Mr [John] Work. If we don't see you back by the time appointed we will send [for you]. Mr Ogden writes the Griffin would have to undergo a thorough repair, if so she would not answer our purpose I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) Jno: McLoughlin Letter Number 271. Vancouver 17th July 1832 To Captn Charlton Dear Sir I have purchased some spirits from Captn [William H.] Mc Neil but as he cannot tell me the quantity I cannot say to what it will amount but as Mr James Birnie is to receive it I have desired him to draw on you for the payment and request you will pay any bill he may draw upon you under 450 Dollars and charge the same to the Hudsons Bay Company I am Sec [signed] Jno: McLoughlin 290 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 272. Vancouver 17th July 1832 Duncan Finlayson Esqre [C. F.] Dear Sir As I have purchased some spirits from Capt [William H.] McNeil but do not Know the exact quantity, I have written to Mr [James] Birnie to receive it and authorized him to draw on Capt Charlton (in case you should not be at Wahoo) for the amount— the Expenditure of Liquor on the coast is much greater than we anticipated. I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 273. Fort Vancouver 18th July 1832 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] Dear Sir I have purchased two puncheons Rum from Capt [William H.] McNeil at 80 Cents P Gallon-as I do not Know how many Gallons they contain you will receive them and draw on Mr Charlton for the amount I am Dear Sir Yours truly (Signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 274. Fort Vancouver 13th Augt 1832 Mr James Birnie [Clerk] Dear Sir This will be handed you by two Sailors Hodson and 291 RAW0B0oceRBa)«intvwwift»fvinfTTmmfn,y?nif)£flBH£ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Bennington who have refused to assist to lend a hand to take in our Wheat and consequently go to remain with you till shipped for England their pay is stopped from this date, but you will supply them with a sufficient quantity of country food, at the same time you are aware that you are- authorized to call on them to give you all the assistance they can to procure this food and you can prevent their having any dealings with Indians I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 275. Fort Vancouver 17th August 1832 John Work Esq [C. T.] Dear Sir You will proceed with the party under your charge, either to the Snake Country or to Bonaventura [Sacramento] Valley as from the information you will acquire on the Route you may deem most advisable, wishing you a successful hunt I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin If a Vessel goes to Monterrey a note will be left for you with Mr Hartnel or Capt Cooper who proposes to purchase of the Company 2000 feet of Boards and to pay in Beef at 10 Dollars 1 Barrel, Hides and Tallow at the Current price, will supply 600 Head Horned Cattle or more if wanted at $6 Each 500 Mares-at $4 Each Unbroke 3 years at 8 Dollars—2 years $4—1 year $1 under a year not wanted and Horses on an average $12 Mules $12 If Mr Work does 292 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN not hear from me before leaving Walla Walla [Francis] Payette goes with Mr Work (signed) J McL If they would take ten or fifteen Shillings P head payable in Bills on England I would take a thousand Head (signed) J McLoughlin However you will hear from me again J McL If you meet Michel Laframboise you will assume the Direction of the two parties (signed) J. McL1 Letter Number 276. Fort Vancouver 17th Augt 1832 Simon Mc Gillivray Esq [C. T.] [Ft. Colvile] Dear Sir I have yours of the 15th July now before me and in reply to your query if Spokane Garry1 is to be employed and in what capacity I have only to observe that your compliment unless something has occurred out of the usual Routine is complete and besides I do not see in what capacity you can require his services or that he can be useful to you.— as to a person to take charge of the Kutanis post you may depend you will have one in due time, however as I will have to address you on the arrival of the Vessel from Nass I will then write more fully, will you send the Iron Corn Mill (if you dont require it) by the Express I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin 293 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN P. S. I have sent a man of the name of Allard by the present oppty [opportunity] who you will send aross in the fall.— Letter Number 277. Fort Vancouver 17th Augt 1832 Mr P. C. Pambrun [Clerk] [Walla Walla] Dear Sir This will be handed you by Mr [John] Work to whom I know you will afford every assistance in your power I send up Richard Cook whom you may Keep and send another man in his place.— If possible I wish you would send us a band of 30 Horses, wild Horses would answer our purpose, by your Interpreter with the assistance of a sufficient number of Indians, I am told the best road for them to come is by the South Side of the Columbia to the Willamette from whence they might be brought here by the usual route, I am Dear Sir Yours truly (signed) John McLoughlin Letter Number 278. Fort Vancouver 21st Augt 1832 Mr P. C. Pambrun [Clerk] [Ft. Walla Walla] Dear Sir I requested in my last thirty Horses but if you can send us more we will require them and pray recommend to the Drivers to be as careful of them as they possibly can, 294 Hn LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN In the article of Pease alone we have our four Barracks full and two thirds of the old Barn from this you will see we have plenty of work for them— the fever still continues, but thank God for his mercies it is not as yet so bad as last year I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin Letter Number 279. Fort Vancouver 21st Augt 1832 John Work Esq [C. T.] Dear Sir Yesterday evening [John] Gagnier arrived from the Umqua and reports that Michel [Laframboise] is hunting along the Coast following [Jedediah] Smiths tract, and it is certain he cannot be in the Valley this fall, In regard to the Cattle I mentioned in my last, we will drop the business till you hear further from me, and you will please also bear in mind that you can leave at Walla Walla any of your people you think necessary wishing you a safe and successful voyage I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin N. B. I conceive it certain that we will have to send to St Francisco or Monterrey—in that case we will leave a letter for you with Mr Hartnell or Capt Cooper or some other 295 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter Number 280. Fort Vancouver 1 Sept 1832 Mr P. C. Pambrun [Clerk] Walla Walla Dear Sir The Indian has brought the two Horses safe but as I do not see what use [Francis] Charpentier can have for a Horse at this place and that he cannot well afford to pay half the expenses of bringing the two Horses here, we will take the Horse on the Company's account and you will return him one in the place, but pray how did Charpentier become possessed of this Horse, as no servant has a right to purchase a Horse from Indians and it is expressly prohibited by a resolve of Council— I am sorry to inform you that the Intermittent Fever is raging with great violence at this place, but thanks be to god for his mercies none of our people as yet have died I am Dear Sir Yours truly signed John McLoughlin 296 APPENDICES APPENDIX A NAMES Allard, John Baptiste: Is listed as a blacksmith at Fort Vancouver in 1830 in the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. His employment contract expired in 1831. America, S. J.: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a native middleman from Wahoo. In 1830 he was attached to Fort Vancouver and had then been nine years in the service of the Company. Andre, Louis: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London in 1830 as a middleman from Quebec, thirty-eight years of age, stationed at Fort Vancouver, and having been then ten years with the Company. McLoughlin in a letter (239) in 1832 said that he was a freeman. Annance, Francois Noel: Annance entered the service of the North West Company in 1820 and after the coalition in 1821 became an interpreter and clerk of the Hudson's Bay Company. With James McMillan he explored the lower waters of the Fraser River in 1824. He was in charge of Okanagan in 1825-26; also in the party which established Fort Langley in 1827 and was there in 1828. In 1832 Governor Simpson says he was "About 40 Years of Age— 13 years in the Service. A half breed of the Abiniki Tribe near Quebec; well Educated and has been a Schoolmaster. Is firm with Indians, speaks several of their Languages; Is not worthy of belief even upon Oath and altogether a bad character altho a useful man . . ." He was stationed at Fort Simpson under Chief Factor John Stuart during 1833-34. He retired to Montreal in 1834. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 426. Arquoitte, Amable: A middleman stationed at Fort Langley in 1829-30. He was then twenty-eight years of age and had been in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company for six years. Aubichon, Alexis: A trapper and said by McLoughlin (letter 239) to be a freeman in 1832. He went on the southern expedition in 1830. 297 Bnfia LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Auger, Nicholas: Listed as a middleman in New Caledonia in 1830. He was sent to Fort Walla Walla by McLoughlin in August, 1831 (See letter 193) Bache: An American in the employ of Captain Dominis of the Owyhee and Captain Thompson of the Convoy. See letter 86. Baker, James: Was a middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1829-30. Baptista, John: Listed as a seaman in 1830 on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Barnston, George: Native of Edinburgh, born about 1800. Became apprentice clerk of North West Company in 1820 and a clerk in Hudson's Bay Company in the York Factory District in 1825; in 1826 transferred to Columbia District; in 1827 was a member of the party sent to establish Fort Langley on the Fraser River; 1830-31 was in charge of Fort Nez Perces (Walla Walla) and resigned the post at the end of the season; re-engaged the following year. Appointed Chief Trader in 1840 and Chief Factor in 1847. He retired June 1, 1863. Governor Simpson said of him; "A well educated man, very active and high spirited to a romantic degree, who will on no account do what he considers an improper thing." For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 427. Belair, Louis: Was listed as a middleman in the Columbia District in 1830. Bergland, Edward: A trapper in the Columbia District in 1830. Birnie, James: A native of Aberdeen, Scotland, was born about 1799, and entered the employ of North West Company as an apprentice clerk in 1818. He was stationed at Fort George, Columbia District in 1820-21, a "promising young man." After the coalition in 1821 he continued with the Hudson's Bay Company. He kept the Spokane House Journal in 1822-23; was in charge at Okanagan 1824-25, and established a post at The Dalles in 1829; from 1834-37 he was at Fort Simpson, New Caledonia. Birnie Island was named for him. In 1839 he was given charge of Fort George, Columbia River, where he remained until he retired to Cathlamet, Washington Territory in 1846. He died there in 1864. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 428. Black, Samuel: Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, about 1785, he came to Canada in 1802 as a clerk of the X. Y. Company and to the North West Company in 1804. He was unusually bitter against the Hudson's Bay Company and was responsible for the capture of Colin Robertson in 1818. Along with Peter Skene Ogden his ap- 298 <* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN pointment to a clerkship in the Hudson's Bay Company was delayed until 1823. In 1824 he was promoted to Chief Trader. In 1825 he was put in authority at Fort Nez Perces (Walla Walla) in the Columbia District where he remained until 1830 when he was transferred to Kamloops (Thompson River District). He was made Chief Factor in 1837 and remained in Kamloops until he was killed by an Indian on February 9, 1841. For further particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 429. Blackey, James: Listed as a seaman in the Naval department of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. He was on the Dryad when it was surrendered to Alexander Duncan on demand of Dr. McLoughlin. Boisvert, Louis: He was a middleman at Fort Langley in year 1829-30 who was forty-three years old and had been six years in the services of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. Bouchard, Oliver: Listed as a Boute, thirty-one years old who in 1831 had been fourteen years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Bouche or Boucher, Joseph (Wakan) : There were two men by the name of Bouche or Boucher at Fort Wedderburn in 1820-21, Paul (Lamallice) and Joseph (Wakan). Joseph was a Canadian half-breed engaged as an interpreter. He joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1816 and was stationed in Canada. He ended in Ft. Wedderburn 1820-21. His contract expired in 1824 but he continued on in that capacity according to the record in the Hudson's Bay Company archives. (H.B.C. Arch. B 223/g/7.) He was described as active and alert for voyaging after Indians, sometimes disobedient and insolent. During the winter of 1820-21 he incurred fines amounting to 700 livres for his conduct at the fort. For further particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications,v. I, 430. Bourdignon, Antoine: Age forty-seven, was a middleman in the Columbia District in 1828-29. Bourgeau, Joseph: From the parish of L'Assumption, age twenty-four, was a middleman at Fort Colville who in 1831 had been two years in the service of the Company. Brunei, Joseph: Listed as a boute in New Caledonia in 1830. He was then thirty-two years of age and had been three years in the services of the Hudson's Bay Company. McLoughlin sent him to Fort Walla Walla in August, 1831. (See letter 193). 299 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Calder, Peter: A native apprentice at Fort Vancouver in 1827- 28. Calpo, a Chinook, second in command. Concomly was chief. Sachla was the third man in the tribe. Madam Calpo: "Calpo the next man is nobody as his Lady rules the Roost; she is now eating bread and molasses by my Elbow and has just been taking a great deal of pains to make me acquainted with her pedigree the old Lady being very proud of her ancestry; she is the best News Monger in the Parish and through her I know more of the Scandal Secrets and politics both of the out and inside the Fort than from any other Source; she is much attached to the Whites and has repeatedly saved the Establishment from being cut off by giving timely notice of the treacherous plans of the Indians." Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 104. Campbell, Colin: Colin Campbell was born about 1787 in Glengarry, Canada, and entered the service of the North West Company as a clerk in 1804. At the coalition of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company in 1821 he joined the Hudson's Bay Company as a clerk and trader and was sent to the Athabasca District where he remained for some years. During 1822-24 he was in charge of Fort Vermillion on Peace River; also in 1826- 28 when he was made Chief Trader. From 1828-32 he was at Dun- vegan where he was when he made a visit to Fort Vancouver in 1830 with Simon McGillivray. He died Nov. 9, 1853. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 432. Charpentier, Francis: A middleman and interpreter at Fort Vancouver 1827-28 and in Fort Nez Perces (Walla Walla) in 1829-30. Age thirty-four and thirteen years in service of Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. Carson, Alexander: A trapper who went on the Southern Expedition in 1830, and said by McLoughlin in 1832 (letter 239) to be a freeman. He was an Astorian who later became a settler. Cawanaia, S. J.: Is listed as an Owhyhee middleman in 1830 on the records of the Hudson's Bay Company. Chalifoux, Andre: Was listed as a boat steersman in 1827-28. He appears to have drowned in the rapids below The Dalles on October 22, 1838. H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 293. Colin Robertson married Theresa Chalifoux, a half-breed woman to whom was born a son Colin, September 10, 1820. This woman was the cause of much annoyance to Governor Simpson, "and in 300 m^B LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN the summer of 1831 Robertson and Simpson came to an open issue. The subject was Mrs. Robertson and her position in the society which was growing up in the Red River settlement." Simpson in writing of the trouble said: "Robertson brought his bit of Brown with him to the settlement this spring in hopes that she would pick up a few English manners before visiting the civilized world; but it would not do— I told him distinctly that the thing was impossible, which mortified him exceedingly — he takes his departure I understand tomorrow mortified and chagrined beyond description. He is without exception the most trifling frivolous man I ever saw." H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, cxxii-iii. Francis Heron married Isabella Chalifoux in Red River on July 16, 1835. H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 442. Charlebois, Frances: A middleman from the parish of Pt. Claire stationed at Fort Vancouver in 1831 who, at that time, had been two years in the employ of the Company and listed as being twenty- two years old. Charlton, Richard: "At first the affairs of the company in the Sandwich Islands were placed in the care of Richard Charlton, the British Consul; but as Charlton became interested in the coastal trade on his own account, the Hudson's Bay Company deemed it best to appoint an agent of its own, in 1833. The salary attached to the post was £300 a year, which McLoughlin felt was a much greater expenditure than the extent of the company's trade in the Islands justified. It is perhaps significant that the appointee was George Pelly, a cousin of John Henry Pelly, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company." H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, xciii. Charles, Pierre: Was a native middleman in 1829-30, thirty-one years old and thirteen years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company and so listed on their records in London. Clairmont, Joseph: A native middleman at Thompson River in 1830, and three years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company at that time. Clarke, John: Was born in Montreal in 1781 and entered service of the North West Company in 1804. In 1810 he left the North West Company and joined the Pacific Fur Company and led the second expedition to Fort Astoria in 1811, and in 1812 established Spokane House on the Spokane River in opposition to James McMillan of the North West Company. When the North West 301 &glffigS^mfflaflMfll^?gEffi^gtfl^^3ggSBBBgBftgS LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Company took over the Pacific Fur Company in 1813 he refused to re-enter the employ of the North West Company, but joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1814 at a salary of £400. In 1815 he led a Hudson's Bay Company expedition into Athabasca and was arrested by the North West Company on October 7, 1816. He was especially active against the North West Company and was arrested a second time on April 15, 1817. At the coalition of the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company there was opposition to him becoming a partner but he was made a Chief Factor in 1821. He was at Thompson River in 1830-31. He was always a thorn in the flesh of the Hudson's Bay Company which Company retired him in 1835. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 433-4. Cole: Seems to have been a captain who acted as agent for an American company owning ships trading in the Northwest Pacific. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 311-12. Columbia: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830 in London as a native from Owyhee. Connolly, William: Born at Lachine in 1787, he entered the services of the North West Company about 1801 as a clerk. He became a wintering partner in 1818 and a Chief Trader in 1821. Transferred to New Caledonia in 1824 he became a Chief Factor in 1825 with headquarters at Stuart Lake. He was granted a furlough in 1831 and thereafter held no posts in the Columbia department. He married first, in 1803, a Cree woman named Susanne by whom he had six children. In 1823 he married Julia Woolrich in Montreal where he lived in "great style" till his death in 1849. In a probate contest the court held that the Indian marriage was valid. Governor Simpson said of him "an active useful man—whose word may be depended on in most things, and whom I consider incapable of doing anything that is mean or dishonorable." For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 209. Cook, Richard: A native middleman at Fort Walla Walla in 1830 who had then been three years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Cornoyer, Joseph: A middleman in 1828-29 at Fort Vancouver. Davidson, Captain James: Was master of the chartered brig Vigilant which sailed from England in November, 1823, with the Columbia outfit of 1824. Governor Simpson wrote of him in his journal of 1824-5: "Captn 302 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Davidson's talent as a navigator I know nothing about, but his talent as a Grog Drinker I understand is without parallel and I shall be agreeably surprised if he and his ship ever reach the Port of Destination." See Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 119. Dease, John Warren: Brother of Peter Warren Dease, the Arctic explorer, was born at Niagara, June 9, 1783. He had charge of the North West Company post on Rainy Lake, 1814-21; became Chief Trader in 1821 in charge of Fort Alexander; in 1822 was transferred to Columbia District in charge of Fort Nez Perces (Walla Walla) where he remained till 1825 when he went to Spokane House. In 1826 was given charge of Fort Colvile District which included the Flathead and Kootenay posts. During the greater part of the time between 1826 and 1829 he made his headquarters at the Flathead post. Because of his ill health, in the summer of 1829 he was relieved of his duties and John Work became head of Fort Colvile District. He died at The Dalles, Columbia River, on January 11, 1830. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 434. Dease, Peter Warren: Fourth son of Dr. John Dease of the Indian Department and was born at Michilimackinac on January 1, 1788. In 1801 he entered the service of the X. Y. Company till it amalgamated with the North West Company. When the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company amalgamated in 1821 he became a Chief Trader. Governor Simpson wrote of him on July 10, 1825: "This Gentleman is one of our best voyageurs, of a strong robust habit of body, possessing such firmness of mind joined to a great suavity of manners, and who from his great experience in the country—would be a most valuable acquisition—." He became a Chief Factor in 1828. He passed the winter of 1830-31 at Fort St. James and took control when Chief Factor William Connolly left in April, 1831. He remained there till 1835. He was a member of the Second Land Arctic Expedition of 1824. Again in 1837 he went on the exploring expedition to the northern shores of the American continent. As a result of his explorations Queen Victoria put him on the Pension Civil List at £100 per annum. Dease Lake and River were named for him. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 434-5. Degrais, Pierre Philippe: Listed as a servant at Fort Colvile in 1830. Delonte, Louis: A Boute at Fort Langley in 1830. _____ ii'i phiumhh ii iiiiiiiiiwi'SPiMnwHHim»Hnnn imwifwifi«inin>rnmr^rp phiTi >iii n LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Desaire, Pierre: Listed as a middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1830 on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Despard, Joseph: Is listed as a middleman, age twenty-four, from the Pairish of Trois Rivieres who in 1830 had been one year in the service of the company. McLoughlin in his letter (239) lists a Pierre Despard as a freeman. He was not found on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Dominis, Captain John of the Owhyhee: The brig Owhyhee and the brig Consort, commanded by Captain Thompson, were owned by Josiah Marshall and Dixey Wildes of Boston who had long been interested in the trade in the Northwest. The Owhyhee made a ten- day visit to the Columbia in 1827. McLoughlin thought it was for wood and spars. When she and the Consort both returned in 1829 with the announcement that they would remain indefinitely McLoughlin was shocked. He at once sent out scouting parties to intercept the Indians before they could get to the river. Also he sent James Birnie to locate a post at The Dajles to oppose them. But for all that, when they left in July, 1830, they took with them 2900 skins, most of beaver and otter. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, Lxxix-xxx. Dorion, Baptiste: Is listed as a native apprentice seventeen years of age in 1831 and one in the service of the company at Fort Vancouver. He was the son of Pierre Dorion and his wife, Marie L'Agui- voise Dorion, who were engaged in 1811 to accompany the overland expedition of the Pacific Fur Company to Astoria. Pierre and wife accompanied John Reed to the Snake River country in 1813. There a baby boy was born to the Dorions. This probably was Baptiste as that would make him seventeen years of age in 1830, if he were born about 1813. "Baptiste Dorion was a guide for J. K. Townsend in 1835 and in 1842 acted as interpreter for Dr. Elijah White when he visited 'the Cayuse and Nez Perce Indians. There are numerous mentions of Baptiste who seems to have been considered as a leader among the half-breeds." See "Astorians Who Became Permanent Settlers," Washingon Historical Quarterly, Vol. XXIV (July, 1933), 226. Douglas, James: Son of John Douglas, born in 1803. He entered services of North West Company as clerk in 1819. On coalition of the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company in 304 TH LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 1821 he was registered as a second class clerk and a "promising young man." In 1825 he was transferred to Fort St. James (Stuart Lake) in New Caledonia. In May, 1826, he took the catch to Fort Vancouver where he arrived June 15. He returned to Fort St. James, Sept. 23, 1826. In 1829 he was transferred to Fort Vancouver, where he arrived in 1830. Simpson said of him in 1832, "A stout powerful active man of good conduct and respectable abilities; tolerably well educated, expresses himself clearly on paper. —Well qualified for any service requiring bodily exertion, firmness of mind, and the exercise of sound judgment but furiously violent when arroused." In December, 1834, was made a Chief Trader. He took the place of Dr. McLoughlin when he was in Europe during the Outfit 1838-39. He was made Chief Factor in November, 1839 and resumed position" as accountant when McLoughlin returned to Vancouver. In 1839 he began to build Fort Taku. In 1840 he went to California and reported trade conditions to Dr. McLoughlin. In the summer of 1842 he examined the southern end of Vancouver Island and recommended it as a fort location. Fort Victoria was built in 1843. He directed its first operations and left Charles Ross in charge. In 1845 the Governor and Committee decided to put the Columbia District under a Board of Management consisting of Dr. McLoughlin, P. S. Ogden and John Work. Dr. McLoughlin resigned and retired to Oregon City in January, 1846, and then the board was composed of Ogden, Douglas and Work. On Jan. 13, 1849, the British Government ceded Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company and appointed Richard Blanshard as governor and Douglas was appointed the agent of the Hudson's Bay Company on the Island. He went to Victoria in June, 1849. Blanshard resigned in 1850 and Douglas was appointed his successor in 1851. He continued both as governor and agent of Company till 1859 when he retired from the Company and became governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. He retired in 1864. He was made Knight Commander of the Bath in 1863. He died in 1877. He married the half- breed daughter of William Connolly in 1828. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. VII, 309 ff. Duncan, Alexander: A native of Carron, Scotland, he served as a seaman on the William and Ann on her voyages between London and the Columbia River 1824-26. From February 26 to September 13, 1825, he acted as boatswain. He became a mate and 305 1 X2-_~ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN clerk on the Cadboro at £52/10/0 per annum. Accordingly he sailed for the Columbia in 1826 on the William and Ann but on its arrival Captain Simpson preferred Thomas Sinclair as first mate as he was more familiar with the routine business. He returned to London in 1828. In 1830 he sailed as first officer on the brig Dryad for the Columbia. He remained on the Pacific Coast and in 1832 was in command of the Dryad. He was master of the schooner Vancouver when she was driven ashore and wrecked on Point Rose, Queen Charlotte Island on March 3, 1834. He was exonerated of all blame and in 1835 was appointed master of the Cadboro. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 343. Dunn, John: Came out as an apprentice and in 1832 was still in the stores of Fort Vancouver. Dupaty, Jean Baptiste: Is listed in the archives of the Hudson's Bay Company as a trapper in 1830. Eales, William: Was appointed first officer of the brig Isabella in October, 1829; he kept the log during the voyage which ended with the loss of the vessel in the Columbia River in May, 1830. He was unwilling to accept command of the Cadboro and returned to England as first officer of the Ganymede in 1834 and remained such on her return voyage to the Columbia in 1834. He was master of her on her homeward voyage 1836-37. He retired in 1838. Ermatinger, Francis: Younger brother of Edward. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1798 and educated in England. Both brothers appointed clerks in the service of Hudson's Bay Company in 1818 and remained in Eastern Canada till 1825. They left York Factory on July 21, 1825, for Columbia District, where they were to serve as clerks. Francis was stationed as a clerk at Kamloops in 1828. He wintered at Fort Colvile in 1831-32, when Governor Simpson wrote of him, "A stout active boisterous fellow who is a tolerable clerk and trader and qualified to be useful where bustle and activity without any great exercise of judgment are necessary." In 1832 he was made head of a small party to trade the hunts of American trappers near the borders of the Snake Country and the headwaters of the Missouri. He returned to Fort Vancouver, January 7, 1838. During winter 1838-39 he had charge of trade at Fort Hall where he remained till 1842, when he became Chief Trader. He remained in the employ of the Columbia District until 1846 when he went to York Factory in charge of the Fur Store. He retired June 1, 1853, and died in 1858. He married Catharine, a daughter of Chief Factor William Sin- 306 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN clair and Mary (nee McKay) Sinclair, who was a granddaughter of the wife of Dr. John McLoughlin. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 212. Favel, John: Listed as a trapper who went on the Southern Expedition in 1830. Felix, Antoine: A boute at Fort Colvile in 1831. Finlay, Augustin: Listed as a trapper on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London, on the Snake Expedition of 1830 under John Work. Finlayson, Duncan: A native of Dingwall, Scotland, was born about 1796 and entered the Hudson's Bay Company service in 1815 as a clerk. He became a Chief Trader in 1828 and a Chief Factor in 1831 and was sent to the Columbia District where he remained for three years assisting Dr. McLoughlin. He was appointed executor of the will of Governor George Simpson and died in London on July 25, 1862. For fuller details see H.B.R.S Publications, v. I, 437. Fleury, Jean Baptiste: Is listed as a middleman twenty-five years of age who had been three years in the service of the company in 1831. Forder, Louis: A middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1829. French, William: Appears to have been an American with trading vessels on the coast. Letter 201 indicates that he operated from the Sandwich Islands as the Hawaiian Islands were then called. He seems to have owned at least two trading vessels, Europa and Diana. For particulars and reference see note to letter 201. Gagnier, John Baptiste: Is listed as a middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1830 on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Gervais, Joseph: Listed as a trapper in 1830. He was a member of the Astor overland party under the direction of William Price Hunt, which left the east coast in 1810 and, after unbelievable hardships, arrived in Astoria in January, 1812. He became one of the early settlers in the Willamette Valley and took part in the various meetings which were held prior to the organization of the Provisional Government. At a meeting held on February 18, 1841, he was reputed to have been chosen a constable along with others. A subsequent meeting known as the "second wolf meeting" was held at his house in March, 1843. He married the daughter of Chief Coboway (Clatsop); two sisters married Louis La Bonte 307 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN and Solomon H. Smith. He began to farm in the Willamette Valley about 1830 approximately ten miles south of Champoeg. He was one of the committee to welcome the Catholic priests in 1838. In 1837 he signed the petition asking Congress to exercise control over Oregon. He was at the May 2, 1843, Champoeg meeting. He died July 13, 1861. The town of Gervais, Oregon, was named for him. Goudie, James: A blacksmith from the Parish of Stromness, stationed at Fort Colvile in 1831 who had then been two years in the service of the Company. Grave, Lieut. John Costellow, R.N.: A native of the Isle of Man, was introduced to the Hudson's Bay Company, August 29, 1827, and appointed to command the brig Eagle at ten guineas per month. He made three voyages between London and the Columbia River from 1827 to 1833. In June 1834 he was transferred to the Hudson Bay route at a salary of fifteen guineas per month and an allowance of £40 for cabin stores and an annual gratuity of £50 if the vessel made the voyage safely to and from Hudson Bay in a year. He remained with the Company till May 8, 1839, but was on the Hudson Bay run. Grenier, Joseph: A trapper drowned at The Dalles, July 6, 1830, in the Ogden party. Groselin, Louis: Is listed as a middleman in New Caledonia in 1830 on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Guibauche, Martin: Is listed as a middleman thirty-one years old and located at Fort Colvile in 1831. Guilbeau, Paul: Was a middleman from the L'Assumption parish. He was thirty years of age in 1830. Hall, Alfred: Chief mate of the ship Ganymede; was given command after Captain Haynes was removed by Dr. McLoughlin. Hamlyn, Dr. Richard J.: He appears on the minutes of council of the Hudson's Bay Company as follows: 1825, July. Order allowing him £50 for medical attention to the retired servants of the Company in Red River colony during the last twelve months. 1826, June. Similar order. 1827, July. Assigned to York Factory as a surgeon. 1828, July. Re-employed as a clerk for three years from June, 1827, at £150 per annum. 1829, June. Assigned to Fort Vancouver as a clerk. 308 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN "Dr. Hamlyn, a medical officer, pestered him with petty complaints, and after an open quarrel McLoughlin permitted him to leave the district in 1830, although his services were badly needed." It was "no use," he remarked to Simpson, "to keep a Gentleman who says he will not work." H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, xcix; ibid., v. X, 250. Harriott, John Edward: Was the son of a sister of John Peter Pruden. He joined the Hudson's Bay Company as an apprentice in 1809 at the age of twelve years and sailed for York Factory. He remained in Eastern Canada till 1828, when he left for the Columbia District. He was made a clerk in the season of 1816-17 and a Chief Trader in 1829. He remained in Columbia District until the end of the Outfit 1831-32 when he went to the Piegan Post on Bow River. He never returned to the Columbia District. He was made a Chief Factor in 1846 and died in Montreal in 1866. For fuller particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 216. Haynes, Captain Leonard J.: Haynes was the captain of the Ganymede, a Hudson's Bay Company vessel plying between London and Fort Vancouver. He was a thorn in the flesh of Dr. McLoughlin because he was given to excessive drinking. On Aug. 5, 1829, in reporting on him McLoughlin said he "made free with liquor before Breakfast, often have seen him intoxicated before dinner, and seldom have I seen him perfectly sober after dinner." H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 79. Henri, Francis: Dr. McLoughlin speaks of Thomas Henri in 1831. No Thomas was listed in the records of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. There was a Francis on the books as a middle man, twenty-three years old, who had been only one year in the employ of the company at Fort Vancouver at that time (1831). This may account for the fact that Dr. McLoughlin was uncertain of his name, and may have meant Francis when he spoke of him as Thomas. Heron, Francis: Was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1794 and entered the services of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1812. He was steward at York Factory in 1813, master at Cumberland 1815-16, and district master at Edmonton in 1817-21 and in Cumberland House District 1821-22. In 1823 he was on Bow River Expedition. In 1823-24 he was master at St. Johns in MacKenzie River District; he became Chief Trader in 1828 after being clerk at Fort Garry in 1824-28. In 1829 he was transferred to the Columbia 309 _T__tt LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN District, and was at Fort Colville mostly till 1835. He married Isabella Chalifoux at Red River, July 16, 1835. He retired in 1838 and died in April, 1840. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 442. Heveea, S. J.: A middleman from Wahoo having been fourteen years in the service of the Company in 1830 and recorded as being thirty-two years old. Hoole, James: A middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1829-30. Hoole, Antoine: Is listed as a trapper in 1830 with the Snake expedition. Ieaudoin, Charles: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company as a middleman in 1830 and stationed at Fort Vancouver. In his letter (239) McLoughlin speaks of him as being a freeman in 1832. Joachim, Lafleur [Yamaska Province]: A middleman at Thompson River (Kamloops), age twenty-five and three years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. Johnstone, James: Is listed in the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a seaman in the Naval Department in 1830. Johny: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London in 1830 as a native from Owhyhee. Kakarrow, S. I.: A middleman from Wahoo at Fort Vancouver in 1827-28. Kakaraquiron, Pierre: Is listed as a trapper on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. Kanota, Louis: Is entered on the records of the Hudson's Bay Company as a trapper in the Snake expedition of 1830. Kanah, Frank: In 1830 was listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a native from Owhyhee. Kanonswase, Martin: A boute at Fort Colville, who had been eighteen years in the service of the Company in 1831. Karaganyate, Pierre: Listed in 1827-28 on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as an Iroquois Indian, middleman, age thirty-four. Karonhitchego, Laurent: Was an Iroquois boute stationed at Fort Vancouver in 1831 who had then been sixteen years in the service of the Company. Kennedy, Dr. John Frederick: Was born on Jan. 29, 1805, the eldest son of Chief Factor Alexander Kennedy. He was educated in Scotland and obtained his medical degree in Edinburgh. In Sep- 310 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN tember, 1829, he was engaged for three years at £60 per annum as a surgeon to serve either afloat or at the Columbia District. He left England for the Columbia District on the Isabella which was lost on crossing the bar of the Columbia in May, 1830. For the season 1830-31 he was stationed at Fort Vancouver as surgeon and clerk. In 1831-32 he was stationed at Fort Simpson. Ogden reported him as being careful and attentive and qualified to act as a trader, storekeeper, or accountant. His services were spent mostly at or in charge of Fort Simpson although he managed other posts in the Northwest. He was appointed Chief Trader in 1847. He was placed on the retired list as of June 1, 1856, and was retired to Victoria, B. C. He died intestate, April 3, 1859 and left several children by an Indian woman. H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 346. Keppling, Pisk: A native boatman at Fort Vancouver in 1830. He had had three years of service in the Company by 1827-28. Kipling, Captain Charles: Was master of the schooner Vancouver. See letter No. 199. Kittson, William: Was the adopted son of George Kittson of Sorel, Quebec. He served in the War of 1812 and entered service of North West Company as clerk in 1817. In 1819 he was a clerk at Walla Walla, at Spokane House 1820-21 and remained with the Hudson's Bay Company after the coalition in 1821. He was with Peter Skene Ogden in 1824-25 on the Snake expedition. From 1826-29 he was clerk in charge of the Kootenay post and in 1830-31 of the Flathead post and returned to Kootenay for 1831-34. Governor Simpson said he was "about 40 years of age [in 1832]—A sharp, dapper, short tempered self sufficient petulant little fellow of very limited Education; but exceedingly active and ambitious to signalize himself—speaks coutonais and has a smattering of several other languages—. Conducts the business of his post very well." In 1834 he was given charge of the farming, stock raising and fur trading operations at Fort Nisqually where he remained until October 1840 when he was obliged to go to Fort Vancouver on account of his health. He died December 25, 1841. Richard Grant married his widow as his second wife. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 443. Kukanish, Mistic: A native middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1829-30 with two years service in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. LaBlanc, Louis: An apprentice of the Columbia District. He 311 mnffmTmnRnftfvyTnTgmng-gg LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN was an Iroquoise Indian, "a good man to work with the axe and understands fishing." H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 274. LaBonte, Louis: An Astorian who in 1830 was a carpenter at Fort Vancouver. He was born in Montreal in 1788. He married a daughter of Chief Coboway of the Clatsop tribe. Her two sisters married Joseph Gervais and Solomon H. Smith. He became a farmer in the Willamette Valley against the rules of the Hudson's Bay Company. Dr. McLoughlin sent him to Canada to farm but he returned to Oregon and started a farm in about 1836 on the Yamhill River near the present town of Dayton, Oregon. Charles Wilkes saw him in 1841 and noted, "The best farm I saw on my route was that of La Bonte." He appeared on the tax list of 1844 as having: Horses $280; cattle, $200; and hogs $48. He died September 3, 1860. Lacharite, Henri and Joseph: Listed in 1827-28. No other information. Lackey, William: Is listed as a seaman in the Naval Department of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. Lacourse, Pierre: Listed as a boat builder at Fort Colville in 1830 with wages of £22 per annum; age thirty-nine years. Ladouroute, Xavier: A discharged servant of the Hudson's Bay Company, who settled in the "French Prairie." In 1834 he had 36 acres of land under cultivation, 350 bushels of wheat, 11 horses, 35 hogs and 2 houses. He married Miss Julia Gervais on January 22, 1838, at the home of Joseph Gervais. Reverend Jason Lee officiated. Laframboise, Michel (raspberries in French): Was born about 1791 and came from the province of Varennes, Quebec. He joined the As tor expedition as a voyageur and sailed on the Tonquin from New York in September, 1810, and arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in March, 1811. When the North West Company purchased Fort Astoria in 1813 Laframboise remained as an interpreter and also remained after the coalition of the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. He was the interpreter on several expeditions of the Hudson's Bay Company. Later he was the post master and occasionally led expeditions for the Company. He settled in the Willamette Valley about 1841. For fuller particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 444. Lajois, John Baptiste: A middleman at Fort Colvile in 1831, 312 [tR LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN being then twenty-two years old and three years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Lamotte, Paul: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a middleman from the Parish of St. Thomas, twenty-one years old, who had then (1830) been two years in the service of the Company. Lapierre, Joseph: Was listed as a carpenter at Fort Colvile in 1830. Larocque, J. S.: Listed as a middleman in 1830. LEcuyer, Francois: A middleman. Lefevre, Jean Baptiste: A native middleman thirty-five years old who had been fourteen years in the employ of the Company in 1831. Leolo, John Baptiste: Is listed as a native interpreter at Thompson River in 1830. L'Etang, Pierre: Boatman for Mr. David Douglas from Kettle Falls (Colvile) to Walla Walla in 1826. Was considered a very able boute in running the rapids. Harvey, Douglas of the Fir, 75-7. Was a trapper on the Snake River expedition of 1830. Lucier, Etienne: Born in Canada in 1793 and accompanied the overland expedition of the Pacific Fur Company to Astoria in 1810-12; he seems to have been with the North West Company in 1814. After his term of service with the Hudson's Bay Company expired he became the first farmer in the Willamette Valley. He seems to have tried farming in 1829 on the east side of the Willamette River at Portland, Oregon. He went to French Prairie and located his farm across the river from the present town of Newberg, Oregon on which farm he is reported to have had four buildings and a mill. On the 1844 tax roll he is listed as having clocks, $12; horses, $450; cattle, $1295; hogs, $100. He was present at both the first and second "wolf meetings." He died March 8, 1853. See Washington Historical Quarterly, XXIV (October, 1933), 286. Manson, Donald: A native of Thurso in Caithness, Scotland, he was born in 1798 and entered services of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1817 occupying various posts in Canada till he became a clerk in the Columbia District and accompanied Chief Factor James McMillan when he established Fort Langley in 1827. He was appointed clerk at Fort Vancouver in 1829 where he remained 313 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN till 1831, spending the winter 1829-30 in Fort George. In 1831 he went to Fort Simpson at the mouth of the Nass River where he remained until 1834. He had charge of Fort McLoughlin 1834-39; visited London, 1840; Thompson River, 1841-42; Fort Stikine, 1843; 1844 succeeded Chief Factor Ogden in charge of New Caledonia with headquarters at Stuart Lake, where he remained until 1857. He was made a Chief Trader in 1837 and retired as such in 1858. For fuller particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 458. Markus, Harry: Is listed in the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in the year 1830 as a native from Owhyhee. Martineau, Pierre: A native middleman at Fort Nez Perces in 1830 at which time he had been three years in the services of the Hudson's Bay Company. McLoughlin mistrusted him. See his letter No. 167. McDonald, Anawiscum: A native middleman at Fort Langley during 1829-30 who had been six years in the services of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. McDonald, Archibald: A native of Argyllshire, Scotland, born February 3, 1790. He entered the services of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1812 and arrived in Canada in 1813 and acted in the capacity of a clerk in eastern Canada till he went to Fort George in the Columbia department in 1821 as an accountant. He succeeded Chief Factor John McLeod as officer in charge at Kamloops (Thompson River) during 1826-27. He became Chief Trader in 1828; in charge of Fort Langley, 1828-33, and at Fort Colville in 1833-34 and also 1835-44. He became a Chief Factor in 1841. He retired in 1848 and died January 15, 1853. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 448, and Ibid., v. X, 253. McDougal, James: Of Montreal. A clerk nine years in the service of the Company in 1830. He was given a donation of £500 in June, 1831. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 288. McGillivray, Simon, Jr.: Son of Honorable William McGillivray. Born in 1790. He became a clerk with the North West Company in 1813. He was staioned in the Columbia District for a few years and then at Athabasca where he remained till 1820-21 when he became a Chief Trader with the Hudson's Bay Company on its coalition with the North West Company. He was assigned to Fort Walla Walla during 1831 and 1832. He was in Fort Colvile after leaving Walla Walla (1833). After that he was stationed in New Caledonia until he retired in 1834. He re-entered the em- 314 B LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN ploy of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1836 as clerk in the Esquimaux Bay District where he remained till 1838. He again became a Chief Trader in 1837. He died June 14, 1840. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 451. McKay, Thomas: Son of Alexander McKay and his wife, Marguerite Wadin, was born about 1796. Alexander McKay came to Astoria in 1811 with John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company. He was killed when the Tonquin was destroyed. John McLoughlin then married Marguerite Wadin. When the North West Company bought out the Pacific Fur Company in 1813 Thomas McKay became a clerk with them in March 1814. After the coalition in 1821 he was retained by the Hudson's Bay Company. He was with Peter Skene Ogden in 1826-27 in the Klamath country, Oregon; and 1827-28 in the Snake River country. Simpson wrote of him in 1832: "a half-breed—lame—very active—one of the best shots in the country and very cool and resolute among Indians—the more dangerous his job the better he likes it—possesses little judgment and a confirmed liar—not a particle of feeling or humanity in his composition." He retired to a farm in the Willamette Valley in 1833. Returned as clerk 1834-35 and went to the Snake country also in 1835-36, also 1836-37. Winter 1837-38 was at Fort Hall; also 1838- 39 and retired thereafter. He took part in the Cayuse War following the Whitman Massacre in 1847. He went with Peter Burnett to California and returned before November 18, 1849, and died after April 19, 1850. He took to wife first the eldest daughter of the Chinook Chief, Concomly, by whom he had three sons. On December 31, 1838, he was married at Fort Vancouver to Isabelle, daughter of Nicholas Montour, by whom he had three daughters and two sons*. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 347; see also J. Nielson Barry, op. cit., 290 (October, 1933). McKenzie, Alexander: A native of Inverness, Scotland. Born about 1794, and entered the service of the North West Company as an apprentice clerk in 1812 or 1813. He was stationed at Fort George in the Columbia District in 1820-21. On the coalition in 1821 he remained in the district with the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1823-24 he was "valuable at Ft. George [Astoria] where he acted as surgeon, trader & clerk." On December 2, 1827, he left Fort Vancouver to carry despatches to the newly established post at Fort Langley on the Fraser River where he arrived on December 24. He left on his return voyage January 3, 1828. He and his four companions were murdered by the Clallam Indians on Hood Canal, 315 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Washington, who took prisoner an Indian woman who was with them. A punitive expedition was led against the Indians by Chief Trader Alexander R. McLeod in the summer of 1828. He killed twenty-two of the Indians and burned their village and recaptured the Indian woman. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 447 for further details. McLeod, Alexander Roderick: Was born about 1782 and entered service of North West Company in 1802. He remained in the Athabasca and Peace River departments till the coalition of the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821 when he was made a Chief Trader in the Athabasca District. He was appointed to the Columbia District in 1825. In 1826 he led a trapping expedition to the Umpqua River and returned to Fort Vancouver in March, 1827. He was on the expedition which established Fort Langley on the Fraser River in 1827 and returned to Fort Vancouver, November 6, 1827, and in eleven days was on a second trip to the Umpqua. This was unsuccessful due to the severe winter and he returned again to Fort Vancouver in March, 1828. The following June (1828) he led a punitive expedition in cooperation with Lieutenant Aemelius Simpson against the Clallam Indians on Hood Canal. These Indians had murdered Alexander McKenzie and four servants of the Company in January, 1828. Twenty-two in- dians were killed and their village burned. The action was criticized and he was not made a chief factor as he wished. In September 1828 he was sent out to explore the Buenaventura (Sacramento) River and also to recover the goods of Jedediah Smith taken by the Indians near the Umpqua River when most of Smith's men were killed. On his return he was again criticized. In January 1829 he again set out for the Buenaventura. He traveled extensively on the Sacramento River and was caught in a heavy storm in December 1829, lost his horses, cached the furs and returned to Fort Vancouver in February 1830. Again he was criticized and in 1831 sent to McKenzie River district. He was finally appointed Chief Factor in 1836 and in 1837 given management of Athabasca District with headquarters at Dunvegan, where he remained till his death in 1840. For further details see HBRS Publications, v. Ill, 448. McLoughlin, Dr. John: Was of Scottish, Irish and French ancestry. His grandfather, John McLoughlin, was a native Scot and came to Canada and settled on a farm near Riviere-du-Loup about 120 miles below Quebec. He married Mary Short, an Irish woman. 316 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Their son, John the second, succeeded to the farm. This son, John, married Angelique, a daughter of Malcolm Fraser and Marie Allaire, his Fren_*Canadian wife. Out of this marriage came John McLoughlin of this sketch. He was born in the old farm house of his father and grandfather on October 19, 1784. He began the study of medicine about the fall of 1798 with Dr. James Fisher of Quebec, a prominent physician of his day. He studied with Dr. Fisher for four years and six months and was granted a license "to practice in Surgery and Pharmacy or as an Apothecary," in May, 1803, at the age of nineteen years. He joined the North West Company in the summer of 1803 until its coalition with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. In 1824 he became a Chief Factor in charge of the Columbia District of the Hudson's Bay Company with headquarters at Fort George (Astoria, Oregon) which same was moved in 1824-25 to Fort Vancouver (Vancouver, Washington). H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, xxix ff. He remained in this position till he resigned in 1845 and moved to a home he had built in Oregon City, where he died in 1857. His home is now a National Historic Site. McNeill, William Henry: Was born in Boston, Mass., in 1801. He became a master mariner in 1823; was employed for many years trading for Messrs. Sturgis and Co. of Boston on the northwest coast. After the Hudson's Bay Company's schooner, Vancouver, was damaged in 1832, Duncan Finlayson purchased the Lama from Captain McNeill, August 1832, for £1250, and engaged McNeil for the service of the company at £200 per year, "£70 less" than his previous employers had paid him. He proved to be a valuable person but it was October 1834 before the Governor and Committee accepted McLoughlin's actions as they wanted English captains only. Captain McNeill discovered the harbor of Victoria in 1837. McLoughlin disapproved of it later in 1837; James Douglas re-examined it and reported favorably on July 12, 1842, on the strength of which report Fort Victoria was established 1843. For full details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. VII, 315. McTavish, John George: He entered the employ of the North West Company as a clerk in 1798. He was present at Astoria in 1813 and participated in the transfer of that post to the North West Company from the Pacific Fur Company and seems to have remained in the Columbia District as a partner of the North West 317 * ____li__S LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Company till about 1817. In 1819 he was arrested by Governor William Williams of the Hudson's Bay Company at Grand Rapids and sent to England for trial, where he was discharged for want of prosecution. He returned with Governor George Simpson in 1820 and was in charge of the North West Company party which arrested Colin Robertson at Grand Rapids in 1820. After the coalition of the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821 he became a Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company. During the absence of Governor Simpson in 1824-25 he acted as deputy governor of the Northern Department. He had charge of York Factory till 1829 when he went on furlough. He was in command at Moose Factory 1830-35. He died July 20, 1847, at Lake of the Two Mountains District in the Montreal department where he had been in charge for several years. He was on very intimate terms with Governor Simpson. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications,, v. I, 456. Miles, Robert Seaborn: Was a native of Fairford, Oxfordshire, born in 1795. He entered the Hudson's Bay Company in 1818 as an accountant and writer and kept the journal of the proceedings at Fort Wedderburn 1818-19 at the instruction of Colin Robertson. He was the accountant at York Factory 1821-23 and re-appointed there in 1828 where he remained for ten years. This explains the reference to him in letter 182. His activities were always in eastern Canada. He was appointed Chief Trader in 1828 and Chief Factor in 1844. He died in 1870. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. 1,459. Minors, Captain John: Arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River and was congratulated by Dr. McLoughlin on May 12, 1830 (letter 124), in command of the Dryad. He is designated as a "drunkard who could not account for items missing from the ship's stores, and who attempted to defy McLoughlin's authority and organize a mutiny when ordered to surrender command of his ship to Lieutenant Simpson." H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, lxxxvii. Montour, Nicholas: A half-breed son whose father, Nicholas, was a partner in North West Company. The son was a clerk of the North West Company in 1804 and remained with that company till the coalition in 1821. In May 1813 he fought a duel at Spokane House with F. B. Pillet of the Pacific Fur Company (Astor's Company) with pocket pistols at six paces. Both hit—one in the coat 318 p LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN collar, the other in the trouser leg "and the tailor speedily healed their wounds." After the coalition of 1821 he served as a clerk in the Hudson's Bay Company at £100 per annum but was reported to be "indolent, a good trader, fond of liquor, will be discharged in 1823." He seems to have been discharged, for, in 1824, he joined the Alexander Ross Snake country expedition as a freeman. In 1825 he was a member of the Snake River expedition under Peter Skene Ogden, and, along with a number of others, deserted Mr. Ogden and, taking their horses, traps and furs, joined a party of Americans under Mr. Gardner causing the loss to Mr. Ogden of 700 beaver skins. He is listed as a freeman in 1827-28 and as a servant in the Columbia District during the outfits of 1828-29 and 1829-30. He was in charge of the Kootenay post during the winter of 1830- 31 but his status seems uncertain thereafter. During 1840-41 he was listed as a Columbia freeman. His daughter, Isabelle, by Sus- anne Umperville, married Thomas McKay at Fort Vancouver in 1838. Moreau, Joseph: Is listed as a boute at Thompson River in 1830 in the records of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Ogden, Peter Skene: Born in Quebec in 1794, son of an admiralty judge. He became a clerk of the North West Company in 1811 and was a very bitter opponent of the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1820 he became a partner of the North West Company. So bitter an opponent was he that he was not included in the list of North West Company men taken into the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. He went to London in 1822 and one year later became a chief clerk for Hudson's Bay Company and on his return was sent to the Columbia department and made a Chief Trader in 1824. Here, from 1824 to 1830, he conducted the expeditions into the Snake River country; 1830-34 he conducted the expedition up the north Pacific coast culminating in establishing Fort Simpson at Nass. In 1834 he became Chief Factor and in 1835 was sent to the New Caledonia District where he remained till 1844. On the retirement of Dr. McLoughlin he was one of the board of management of the Columbia District in 1846 along with James Douglas and John Work. He died at Oregon City, Oregon, Sept. 27, 1854, where he lies buried. For fuller particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 238. Otoetanie, Michel: A trapper who went on the southern expedition in 1830 and said by McLoughlin (letter 241) to be a freeman in 1832. 319 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Ough, Richard: A boatswain of the British Navy, a very tall man who married the daughter of Latourette Lind of Washougall. Ouvre, John Baptiste: A middleman from Montreal who was thirty-seven years old in 1829 and had been sixteen years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Pambrun, Pierre Chrysologue: Was born near Quebec, Dec. 17, 1792. He served as a Lieutenant in the war of 1812 and entered service of Hudson's Bay Company in 1815. He went with Colin Robertson to the Red River Settlement and subsequently was held as a witness in the trials which followed the death of Governor Robert Semple. He was assigned to the Columbia District in 1831. Governor Simpson wrote of him: "An active, steady, dapper, little fellow, is anxious to be useful but is wanting in judgment and deficient in education,—full of 'pluck' and has a good opinion of himself and is quite a 'petit maitre'." He was a clerk in charge of Fort Walla Walla in 1832 was promoted to Chief Trader in 1839 and retained charge of Fort Walla Walla until his death May 15, 1841, due to a fall from a horse. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 351, for full particulars. Payette, Francis: Came with the Astor party in 1811. He appears as "Payette" in minutes of Council of July, 1830, as an interpreter at "Coutenais" fork under Dr. McLoughlin. Was a postmaster in the Snake River expedition of 1829-30. He was then thirty-five years of age and had been twenty years in the service of the Company. He probably arrived on the Beaver of the Pacific Fur Company in 1812. When that company was purchased by the North West Company he worked with that company. He seems to have been stationed at Fort Boise. Thomas H. Farnham wrote of him in September 1839: "Mr. Payette, the person in charge of Ft. Boisais received us with every mark of kindness—and introduced us immediately to the chairs, table and edibles of his apartments. He is a French Canadian; has been in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company more than 20 years, and holds the rank of clerk; is a merry, fat old gentleman of fifty, who, although in the wilderness all the best years of his life, has retained the manner of benevolence in trifles, in his mode of address, of seating you and serving you at table, of directing your attention continually to some little matter of interest and making you speak the French language parfaitment whether you are able to do so or not." For further details see J. Nielson Barry, op. cit., 292 ff (October, 1933). 320 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Perrault, Jean Baptiste: Was listed as a boute at Fort Vancouver in 1830. Picard, Andr£: From Quebec listed as the postmaster at Thompson River (Kamloops), age forty-nine and thirty-one years in the service of the Company in 1831. Pitcher, Joshua: Represented the old Missouri Fur Company interests. He had entered the field as a competitor of Smith, Jackson and Sublette in 1827 and continued so very actively. See Dale, Ashley-Smith Expedition, 166. Pin, Joseph: A middleman stationed at Fort Langley during 1829- 30, age thirty-six. He had then been in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company for seventeen years as shown by their records. Plante, Antoine: A middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1829-30; he accompanied Peter Skene Ogden as a trapper on the 1829 Snake River expedition. Plante, Charles: Is listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a trapper on the Snake expedition of 1830 under John Work. Plomer, Harry: Is listed in 1831 in the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a middleman at Fort Vancouver whose term of employment expired that year after two years in the service of the Company. Plomondo, Simon: Listed as a middleman in the Columbia District in 1827-28. Plouffe, Antoine: From the Parish of Sevel, listed as a middleman at Fort Colvile in 1831 and as being twenty-seven years old and three years in the service of the Company. Poirier: There were two parties by the name Poirier, servants, at Fort Vancouver in 1827-28. One is Bazil, a baker, the other is Touiessout, a cooper. Both were from Montreal. Portelance, Narcisse: From the Parish of L'assumption. He was a middleman at Colvile in 1831; age twenty-seven and three years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Potvin, Jacques: Listed as a trapper in the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. Powers, Gilbert: A middleman from the Parish of Fond du Lac stationed at Fort Vancouver in 1831. Preveau, Louis: Of the Parish of Yamaska listed as a middleman at Fort Colvile in 1831 and twenty-five years old with three years in service of the Hudson's Bay Company. 321 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Queenville, Colvile: A native apprentice twenty-two years of age stationed at Fort Colvile in 1831 at which time he had been two years in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. Quesnel, Amable: Is listed as a middleman on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1830. In 1832 McLoughlin speaks of him in a letter (239) as being a freeman. Ralph, John: A seaman—so listed in Hudson's Bay Company books for 1828-9. Raymond, William: A native laborer at Fort Vancouver who had entered the services of the Company as a boy of ten and in 1831 was recorded as being nineteen years old. Regneir, Tappage: Listed as a middleman at Fort Vancouver in 1831. Rivet, Francois: An interpreter in the Columbia District in 1827, at which time he was sixty years old, and whose wages were £30 per annum. Rocquebrune, Thomas Tiegne: A middleman in 1827-28 at Fort Vancouver. There were two other men by the name Rocquebrune in Vancouver in 1830. One was Joseph and the other Antoine whose father Antoine also was a boatman. The son Antoine was twenty years of age in 1830 and had been two years in the service. Ross, Donald: A native of Stornoway in the Hebrides, born about 1797 who entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company as a writer in 1816. He was stationed at York Factory in 1816-17; at Cumberland House as clerk and accountant 1817-24; at York Factory 1824-26; confidential secretary to Governor Simpson in Montreal 1826-27; accompanied Simpson to Columbia District in 1828; remained that winter at Fort Vancouver; became Chief Trader in 1829 and returned to York Factory. Became head of Norway House in 1830 where he remained for twenty-one years; became Chief Factor in 1839 and died November 19, 1852, at lower Fort Garry. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 453. Roussil, Augustin: Is listed on the books of the company in 1830 as a blacksmith at Fort Vancouver. His contract expired in 1832. Rowand, John (Senior): Was born in Montreal about 1787, son of an assistant surgeon in the Montreal General Hospital. He entered the service of the North West Company about 1800; as a clerk in 1804-05. He served in various posts and became a partner of the North West Company shortly before the coalition in 1821. 322 1 L 1> LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN In 1821 he was made Chief Trader and in 1826 a Chief Factor in the Hudson's Bay Company. During 1821-22 he was given charge of the Rocky Mountain House in the Saskatchewan District. In 1823-24 he was head of the Saskatchewan District with headquarters at Edmonton House and retained the position till the end of Outfit 1840-41. In 1841 he went to Honolulu with Governor Simpson and then returned to Edmonton House till 1846-47. After a furlough he returned, 1848-49, and remained till 1854. In 1854 he went to see his son John at Fort Pitt where he died suddenly. His remains found final resting place in Montreal in 1856-57. He married an Indian girl who saved his life in his early days with the Company. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 240. Ryan, Captain William: Entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company in September 1829 and was appointed in command of the brig Isabella, which had been purchased to replace the William and Ann lost earlier in the year. The Isabella sailed from Blackwall on Oct. 30, 1829, and entered the Columbia River on May 2, 1830, but Captain Ryan mistook Chinook Point for Cape Disappointment and the vessel was wrecked. Governor Simpson wrote of him in 1832: "An Englishman about 38 years of age—does not appear to be a man of much talent in his profession—His private character I believe is tolerably good." In 1835 McLoughlin wrote of him: "A good sailor, a sober man, and careful of the vessel and property entrusted to his charge." He returned to England in command of the Ganymede in 1831-32 and received a gratuity (usual) of £50 for making a safe passage. Because of the loss of the Isabella he returned under contract for three years as chief officer of the Ganymede, and arrived with her at the Columbia River in May 1833. He was later appointed the master of the Cadboro. He returned to England in the Dryad during 1835-36 and retired. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 355. Scarborough, James Allan: Apparently from Stratford County, Essex, was appointed second mate and boatswain of the Isabella in September, 1829. This ship was lost in the Columbia River in May 1830. Scarborough was employed continuously on the Pacific coast until his retirement to Washington Territory in July, 1850. At various times he was first mate of the Lama and Beaver and master of the Cadboro and Mary Dare. October 30, 1843, he married Ann Elizabeth, a Chinook Indian, at Fort Vancouver. He died intestate, a widower, February 4, 1855, and was survived by two of his four sons who were left in the care of 323 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN James Birnie. For fuller particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 355. Scarborough, Robert: Listed as the first mate of the brig Dryad in 1830. Servant, Jacques: Is listed as a boute thirty-five years of age located at Fort Colvile. He had been fourteen years with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1831. Shaegoskatata, Louis: A trapper who went on the southern expedition in 1830, and said by McLoughlin (letter 239) to be a freeman in 1832. Silvaille, Antoine: A trapper in 1830. He probably discovered Silvies River in eastern Oregon. Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 283 n. Simpson, Captain Aemelius: Born son of a schoolmaster of Dingwall, Ross-shire. His mother was a daughter of a farmer of Inverness-shire, who died at or shortly after his birth. The father then married an aunt of Governor George Simpson. Aemelius entered the Royal Navy as a voluntary midshipman in 1806 at the age of thirteen. He rose to rank of Lieutenant and retired on half pay in 1816. Governor Simpson recommended him to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1826 and he was appointed hydrographer and surveyor at £150 per year. He accompanied Governor Simpson one trip, and on June 29, 1831, was appointed clerk to the Columbia District. His first commission was to fit out and command a vessel to be used in the coasting trade. He reached Fort Vancouver November 2, 1826, and as superintendent of shipping of the west coast was given command of the Cadboro when she arrived at Vancouver in 1827. During that summer he sounded the Fraser River and helped to establish Fort Langley. He continued to command the Cadboro till 1830 when he took control of the Dryad. He was continuously employed in trading excursions on the Pacific Coast and in 1829 was sent to try to make satisfactory trading and shipping arrangements with the Russian American Company in Sitka. He became a Chief Trader on November 3, 1830. In the summer of 1831 he established a post at the mouth of the Nass River where he died September 13, 1831. This post was later (1834) removed to Dundas Island and named Fort Simpson in his honor and his body was moved there. Tradition has it that he was responsible for introducing the first apple trees to the Pacific Coast. For fuller details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. Ill, 454. See unfinished letter (231) saying he died September 2,1831. 324 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Simpson, George: Probably born about 1786-87 an illegitimate son of George Simpson, himself the eldest son of Reverend Thomas Simpson of Avoch. He was brought up as a child by his aunt, Mary Simpson, till she married in 1807 and the boy was sent to London. Here he entered the sugar brokerage house of his uncle, Geddes MacKenzie Simpson, whose daughter he later married. The firm was then Graham and Simpson; later it was Graham, Simpson and Wedderburn. One member was Andrew Wedderburn who in 1814 changed his name to Andrew Colvile. He became a member of the Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1810. He took an interest in young George Simpson and placed him in the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1820 he was sent to Canada directly to the then Governor Williams at Norway House. Governor Williams sent him to Athabasca to take the place of Colin Robertson. He conducted a bitter fight throughout 1820 with the North West Company which became so bitter that in 1821 the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company entered into a coalition resulting finally in Simpson taking the place of Governor Williams. For further particulars see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 466. Sinclair, Thomas: A clerk in the Columbia District. He was from St. Ola, and in 1827-28 was a sloop master in the Columbia District at which time he was thirty-six years old and had had eleven years of service with the Hudson's Bay Company. He is listed as having wages of £75 per year. Smith, Thomas: Listed as a trapper in the Columbia District. Smith, William: Was engaged by Hudson's Bay Company as a clerk on a salary of £150 on Dec. 1, 1813. On Dec. 10, 1817, he became assistance secretary and on June 17, 1818 became secretary. He enjoyed a salary of £300 per annum, occupied the Company's premises at 3 Fenchurch St. and given an allowance of £50 for refreshment and entertainment. In 1823 his salary was raised to £500 with an additional £150 "in lieu of House, Coals, candles, Etc." He died January 13, 1843. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, 242. Spunyard: Is listed as an Owhyhee on the records of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Taylor, Peter: A native apprentice at Fort Vancouver in 1827-28. Tecaivatiron, Charles: An Iroquois boute thirty-seven years of age stationed at Fort Colvile in 1831 at which time he had been fifteen years in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. Tenonwatase, Thomas: A native boute, forty-one years of age in 325 Mfnrflnr LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 1830 who had then been two years in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Thervien, Pierre: A middleman stationed at Fort Langley during 1829-30. Toupin, Jean: An interpreter in the Columbia District in 1827- 28. He was listed as a trapper in 1830. About 1824 he married Marie L'Aguivoise Dorion, widow of Pierre Dorion. The two latter were the guides for the overland expedition of the Pacific Fur Company to Astoria. Turgeon, Joseph: Was listed as a tinsmith at Fort Vancouver in 1830; then twenty-four years of age and had been one year in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company. Umpreville, Canote: A native guide forty-three years of age stationed at Fort Colvile in 1831 who at that time had been eighteen years in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. Valle, Antoine: Is listed as a freeman in 1827-28 on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London. Vivet, Louis: Is listed as a tinsmith at Fort Vancouver in 1827-30. Wagner, Peter: Listed as a butcher at Fort Vancouver. He came from Montreal, thirty-two years of age and had been eleven years in service in 1831. Ward, John: In 1830 was listed as an apprentice in the naval department of the Hudson's Bay Company. Work, John: Son of Henry Work of County Donegall, Ireland, was born about 1792 and joined the Hudson's Bay Company as a writer in 1814; described at five feet seven inches tall with fair hair and complexion. He served at York Factory 1814-15 as steward; was promoted to district master in 1818-19 and wrote several journals. In Gary's list of Hudson's Bay Company men in 1821 he was described as "most excellent young man in every respect." After the coalition of 1821 he ranked as a clerk and remained in eastern Canada until July 18, 1823, when he left with Peter Skene Ogden for the Columbia District and wrote a journal of the trip; he wintered at Spokan House. In 1824 he accompanied C. F. McMillan to Fraser River. from November, 1825 to February, 1826 he managed Fort Flathead. He had charge of Fort Colvile 1826-29. In June, 1829, he was on the expedition to the Clatsops to get property of the wrecked William and Ann. Winter of 1828-29 he was again in charge of Fort Colvile, with headquarters at Fort Flathead. He was at Fort Vancouver on 13 July 1830 and in Aug. 1830 he 326 m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN took over the Snake River expedition. Was appointed Chief Factor November 3, 1830. In 1831 he was on an expedition to the Flathead and Blackfoot Indians; in September, 1832 he took a party to the Bonaventura (Sacramento) River via Pitt (Upper Sacramento) River and returned to Fort Vancouver on October, 1833. In December, 1834, he succeeded Ogden in management of the coasting trade which he managed till outfit of 1848-49 with headquarters at Fort Simpson. He was made Chief Factor in 1846. In 1849 he was one of the managers of the Columbia District and in 1853 was made a member of the Board of Management of the Western Department. He died at Victoria December 22, 1861, and was buried in Quadra Street cemetery. His wife Susette Legace was a Spokane half-breed. He left eight daughters and two sons by her and apparently two daughters by a native woman in the Red River District. For further details see H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 356. Yale, James Murray: Born about 1796. He entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company as a clerk at Fort Wedderburn 1815. On Apr. 2, 1817 was made a prisoner by North West Company at Fort Chipewayan but dismissed in September, 1817. He was in the Peace River and Athabasca District until 1820 when he went to Fort George, New Caledonia for 1821-24. Two men were murdered here in 1823 while he was absent from the post. He was exonerated as there was no evidence that he was at fault. In 1825-26 he was at Fort St. James on Stuart Lake. In 1827 he went to Fort Vancouver for medical advice where he remained till summer of 1828. He was stationed at Fort Langley from 1828 until 1859 and was in charge for twenty-five years (1834-59). He became Chief Trader in 1844 but never got above that rank. He died May 7, 1871. H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, 473. Young, Robert: In 1830 was listed on the books of the Hudson's Bay Company in London as a first mate. APPENDIX B FORTS Fort Colvile: Fort Colvile was established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1825 at Kettle Falls on the Columbia River. In 1810 the North West Company established Spokan House down the river from Spokane, Washington. In 1812 Fort Spokan was 327 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN established near Spokan House by the men of the Astor expedition. It passed into the hands of the North West Company in 1813 when it was abandoned and its contents moved to Spokan House. In 1821 Spokan House passed into possession of the Hudson's Bay Company and was moved in 1825 to Fort Colvile. The Dalles or Bache Fort: Dr. John McLoughlin in a letter to Samuel Black dated 23 Sept. 1829 (being no. 51 herein) says he is sending Mr. James Birnie to The Dalles to oppose an American by the name of Bache whose father-in-law had a lodge at that place. Mr. John Warren Dease died there on Jan. 11, 1830. The post was never very prominent, probably was just a temporary post to meet any American opposition in the vicinity. Flathead Fort: This fort was established in 1812 on the north side of Clark's Fork near Nixon, Montana by members of the Pacific Fur Company. It was abandoned in 1813. The Hudson's Bay Company established another Fort Flathead in 1828 in the Fort Colvile district and junior to it in rank, as Fort Colvile was headquarters of the district. Fort George: Located at the mouth of the Columbia River is the original Fort Astoria established by John Jacob Astor in 1811. It was sold to the North West Company in 1813 and the name was changed to Fort George. It became American property in 1818 but continued in possession of the North West Company until it passed to the Hudson's Bay Company at the coalition of the two companies in 1821. At the time of these letters it was in the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company. Fort Kamloops or Thompson River: In 1812 the men of the Astor expedition located an outpost on Thompson River near Kamloops, B. C, and later in the same year built a fort there, Shuswap or She-wapps. In 1813 the North West Company built a competing fort near by and called it Kamloops, or Thompson River. In the same year the North West Company purchased the Pacific Fur Company and became possessed of Fort Shuswap and abandoned it. At the coalition of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company in 1821 Fort Kamloops passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company and was so held at the time of these letters. Fort Kootenay: The first Kootenay post was probably established by the North West Company about 1808. The men of the Astor expedition may have established a Fort Kootenay in 1812 about 200 miles north of Spokan Fort and probably near the fort 328 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of the same name established by the North West Company. It seems to have been moved several times. A map of 1857 shows it on the north side of McGillivray or Flat Bow River. Fort Langley: This fort was established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1827 on the south side of the lower Fraser River near the present town of Vancouver, B. C. It was moved later. Fort Nez Perces or Walla Walla: Original fort was established in 1818 by the North West Company. It was located on the east bank of the Columbia River a short distance north of the mouth of the Walla Walla River. It came into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company at the coalition of it and the North West Company in 1821. It is the same as Fort Walla Walla. Fort Okanogan: Was originally established in 1811 by men of the Astor party (Pacific Fur Company) on the east side of the Okanogan River near its mouth. It passed into the hands of the North West Company in 1813 when said company bought out the Pacific Fur Company. This company erected a new fort nearby which later in 1821 passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company, at its coalition with the North West Company. At the time of these letters it was still in the possession of the Hudson's Bay Company. Fort St. James: This fort was established on Stuart Lake, B. C. by the North West Company in 1806. Daniel W. Harmon was in command from Nov. 7, 1810 to March, 1819. It was taken over by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821 in its coalition with the North West Company. Chief Factor William Connolly was in command from 1825 to 1831 and Peter Skene Ogden during 1834-44. Fort Simpson: Fort Simpson on the Nass River was established by Peter Skene Ogden and Capt. Aemelius Simpson in the summer of 1831 and called Fort Simpson. In 1834 it was removed to the site of the present Fort Simpson. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 110 note. Fort Vancouver: Fort George, as the original Fort Astoria was called, passed into the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821 in its coalition with the North West Company. Its location on the south side of the Columbia River near its mouth was unsatisfactory partly because it was in territory which the company, taking a cue from the British Government, conceded would ultimately be American territory. Hence in 1824-25 a new location was established on the north bank of the Columbia River where the present city of Vancouver, Washington is located and Fort George 329 5_K___$_SI5ffi_f LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN was soon thereafter abandoned. Fort Vancouver was the western headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company till the new headquarters were established at Victoria, B. C. Note: For a good summary of the posts, under the title "Early Oregon Country Forts" by J. Neilson Barry, see Oregon Historical Quarterly,TUMI (June, 1913), 101. APPENDIX C VESSELS Broughton: A thirty-ton sloop of wooden construction built at Fort Vancouver and launched on August 7, 1826. She was too small for service except on the Columbia River and as a tender to the annual supply ships. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, lxxi. Cadboro: A schooner of about seventy tons burden was built at Rye, England, in 1826, and purchased the same year for £800. She was on the London-Columbia run in 1828-29. See letter 6; also H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 42, note 1. Convoy: A hermaphrodite brig owned by Josiah Marshall and Dixey Wildes of Boston. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, lxxix. Dryad: A brig of about 200 tons built at Fishborn, Isle of Wight, in 1825, was chartered by the Hudson's Bay Company in the same year to carry the outfit to Fort Vancouver. The Company purchased her in 1829 from Messrs. Atfield & Shephard for trade service in the Columbia where she remained till 1835 when she left for London with the returns of the year. She was sold in 1836 for £1450. She was described as "a handsome moulded vessel, with bust head, sham galleries and flush deck. She was wood sheathed over patent felt and coppered." See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 25, note 1. ! Eagle: A brig built in Lynn, Norfolk, England, in 1824, was purchased for the Columbia trade in 1827. She operated on the London-Columbia run till 1835. In June, 1836 she sailed for York Factory and was stranded on rocks off Button Islands near the entrance to Hudson Strait. This so delayed her that she did not return to London till 1837 where it was determined not to repair her. She was sold for £1140 in Dec. 1837. She was of 193 tons register. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 55, note 2. irTE LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Ganymede: A chartered barque of about 213 tons, was built at Chepstow in 1827. She sailed from Plymouth, England for the Columbia on Sept. 16, 1828. The Hudson's Bay Company purchased her in 1830 from Richard Drew for £2700 and sent her to the Columbia. She also made another trip there in 1832-34. In 1834 she was sent to Moose Factory. After undergoing repairs she was sent again to the Columbia in 1834. In June, 1837 she was sold in London for £1700. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 72, note 2. Isabella: A brig of about 195 tons, was purchased for £2900 in 1829 to replace the William and Ann on the northwest coast trade. She sailed from Blackwall on Oct. 30, 1829 and was wrecked on entering the Columbia on May 2, 1830. The crew and most of the cargo were saved. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 83, note 2. Lama: A brig of Boston of 145 tons which Duncan Finlayson purchased from its American owner for £1250. He writes on Sept. 10, 1832 "The Lama was built six years since and for three years of these she has cruised on the North West Coast. She is coppered and copper fastened, perfectly sound in her plank and timber, sails well, and is considered so very cheap. I have since been offered seven thousand dollars for her." See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 336. He also wrote: "The said vessel had one deck and two masts and her length is 76 feet 6 inches and her breadth 19 ft. 9 inches — she is Brig rigged and has a square stern no galleries and billet head." Ibid, 100, note 2. Owhyhee: A brig owned by Josiah Marshall and Dixey Wildes of Boston. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, lxxix. Vancouver: A schooner of sixty tons burden was built at Fort Vancouver and finished for service in 1828. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, lxxi. Under command of Capt. Kipling she grounded at the entrance to Portland Canal in 1832 and was out of commission for a season. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, lxxxviii. She was wrecked in 1834. Ibid., cxv. William and Ann: A cedar brig of about 161 tons, was built in Bermuda in 1818 and purchased by the Hudson's Bay Company for £1500, including her stores, in 1824. She made two successful trips to the Columbia from London during 1824-28. On Sept. 16, 1828, she left Plymouth, England for the Columbia in command of Gaptain J. P. Swan for service in the coasting trade. An account of her loss will be found in letter 6 herein. See also H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 1, note 3. 331 „___ TECHNIQUE OF THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY IN THE COLUMBIA DISTRICT Transportation: From the beginning o f the fur business in Canada transportation followed the water ways, the only way open to the interior of the country. With the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company at York Factory on Hudson Bay, the system developed and expanded as the trappers pushed farther and farther inland until, when Governor Simpson brought Dr. John McLoughlin to Fort George in 1824, to take charge of all the district west of the Rocky Mountains, there was a recognized and regularly traveled course. It covered rivers, lakes and land portages. The generally accepted course was from York Factory via the Hayes River and Hill River to Oxford House and lake, and on through Sea River to Norway House; across Lake Winnepeg to Grand Rapids, into Cedar Lake, up the Saskatchewan River to Cumberland House, Rat Portage, Beaver Lake, Heron Lake, Lake of the Woods and across Frog Portage to English River. Thence the route was up the English River to Lake La Crosse and Fort Superior. Here the route split, the north branch going to Athabasca, the southern way leading by Beaver River to Beaver Lake and Lake la Biche, by the la Biche portage to the Athabasca River. This river was followed to Athabasca Pass, across it to the Columbia River and down it to Fort George, the former Astoria. Before Fort Vancouver was established in 1824-25 and goods could be shipped directly from London via Cape Horn to the Columbia River, all goods handled in the trade west of the Rocky Mountains had to be forwarded by boats and canoes over the route above described from York Factory to Fort George and there redistributed and forwarded to the various forts in the Columbia District. All furs collected in these posts had to be brought by boats and canoes to Fort George and there reshipped to York Factory over the same route but in the reverse direction. This meant one round trip a year from York Factory to the Columbia and return. The west bound trip left York Factory as soon in the spring as the course could be traveled. The plan called for the "express" to reach the Columbia in June and leave for the return trip in late June or early July so as to reach York Factory 332 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN -—~ in time for the furs to be packed and loaded for transportation to England. Even when goods could be shipped directly from London to Fort Vancouver, the "express" continued to follow this course for purposes of communication between the east and the west. Mail from England was landed at York and sent via the express across the continent faster than by the slow boat around Cape Horn. Mail was returned in the same way. Persons going on leave often traveled by the express. Governor Simpson traveled in the same manner when he made a tour of inspection. It was always a gala day when he reached a fort. Witness his arival at Fort St. James Sept. 17, 1828, on his way to the Columbia District: "The day, as yet, being fine, the flag was put up; the piper in full Highland costume . . . when within about a thousand yards of the establishment, descending a gentle hill, a gun was fired, the bugle sounded, and, soon after, the piper commenced the celebrated march of the clans — 'Si coma leum cogadh na shea' (Peace; or war, if you will it otherwise). The guide, with the British ensign, led the van, followed by the band; then the Governor, on horseback, supported behind by Doctor Hamlyn and myself on our chargers, two deep; twenty men, with their burdens next formed the line; then one loaded horse, and lastly Mr. McGillivray [with his wife and light infantry] closed the rear. During a brisk discharge of small arms and wall pieces from the Fort, Mr. Douglas . . . met us a short distance in advance, and, in this order we made our entree into the capitol of Western Caledonia"1 There were several sizes of canoes used in the fur trade. The two most generally mentioned are the north or light canoe, and the Montreal or "Canoe du Maitre." The north canoe was the express canoe of the fur trade. It was about twenty-five feet in length and four or five feet in width. It carried a crew of eight or nine men with their supplies together with two or three passengers. It was made of sheets of birch bark a quarter of an inch in thickness sewed together with spruce roots split into threads. The seams were made watertight with pine-tree gum. The bow and stern of this canoe rose about twelve inches above the sides and were gaudily painted with mystical figures believed by the voyageurs to increase the speed. This canoe was so light two men 333 mm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN could carry it over a portage. The Hudson's Bay Company used this type almost exclusively for express purposes. The Montreal canoe was about twice the size of the north canoe. It was designed for rapid transport on open waters.2 Governor Simpson points out the fact that there was a difference in the water crafts used on the east and the west sides of the Rocky Mountains: "The craft used on the Columbia are of a different construction to those on the east side of the mountain; they are called Boats but more properly speaking Batteaux and wrought by Paddles instead of oars, intended to carry 50 pieces Trading Goods besides Provisions for the Crew of Eight Men." This meant a load of 4000 to 4500 pounds as a "piece" or "pack" was standard eighty pounds if composed of merchandise, but ninety pounds if composed of furs. Boats had about supplanted canoes as carriers of freight by 1820. The earlier boats were made so light that the life of one was only two or three years. Boat makers were brought to Canada and they built much stronger and more durable ones. Their wages were £30 per annum. Peter Skene Ogden, in 1830, ordered wood for new boats as the old ones were "destroyed as no longer any dependence can be placed on them." It seems that boats did not cross the mountains but were left at "Boat Encampment" on the western side to be picked up by those going west. David Douglas, the English botanist, left Fort Vancouver on March 20, 1827, and arrived at Boat Encampment, at the Athabasca Pass, on April 27. The account says that "the Sturdy boat was cached on the shore at Boat Encampment to await the coming of the west bound express in the autumn, when it would be used for going down the river."3 Gov. Simpson when making his western visit in 1841 ordered Dr. McLoughlin to have two boats with men and equipment to meet him at Boat Encampment. Voyageurs were the crew of a canoe, consisting of middlemen and "boutes" (from bout, the French word for end), who were the bowsmen and steersmen. The middlemen were the paddlers. They merely paddled while the boutes both paddled and steered.4 Generally they were Canadians and Iroquois Indians. The wages 334 IT I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN of those working on the Columbia River were fixed on July 1, 1824 as: Boutes £22, Milieu £17, per annum. If they crossed the mountains and went to York Factory the boutes received an extra £4 and the milieux £3, in addition to their keep. When on a voyage their food was principally pemmican. Ordinarily this was made of the lean meat of the buffalo cut thin and hung to dry for two days either in the sun or before a fire. The strips were then reduced to a pulp by pounding with a wooden flail on a sheet of rawhide. Bags made of buffalo hide were then half filled with the pulp on top of which was poured an equal weight of melted buffalo fat and stirred till thoroughly mixed. When this hardened the sack was sewed. The weight was about fifty pounds. It took the lean meat of one buffalo to make a bag of pemmican. It was used almost exclusively on voyages as it kept indefinitely when dry and could be eaten either cooked or uncooked and being sacked could be stored in the canoes or carried on the portages easily. When on route the voyageurs were at their paddles about eighteen out of the twenty-four hours. The general travel routine was to rise about two a.m.; with tents struck and canoes loaded they were away in a half hour, the paddles keeping time to some merry tune. About eight o'clock a place would be located for breakfast. Three quarters of an hour was allotted to this meal, including unpacking, cooking, washing, shaving (with a pool as a mirror) packing again and away. At two in the afternoon a stop was made for dinner. Only twenty or thirty minutes were allowed for this as there was no cooking. After sixteen to eighteen hours of such, the camp was pitched for the night and six hours allowed for sleep. The voyageurs had to be hardy. In smooth water they stroked their paddles with twice the rapidity of an oar, hour upon hour; in shallow water they waded and dragged the canoe; in rapids they scrambled over rocks and pulled the canoe with a tow-line. When a portage was reached they carried canoe and cargo. Each man carried two pieces of eighty to ninety pounds each in a leather sling across his forehead leaving his hands free to clear the way. All this incredible toil the voyageurs bore without a murmur and generally in great glee.5 Much has been said of the relative merits of Canadians and Iroquois as voyageurs. Colin Robertson wrote: "I have frequently heard the Canadians and Iroquois voyageurs disputed as regards their merits. Perhaps the former may be more hardy or undergo more fatigue, but in either a rapid or a traverse, give me the latter 335 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN for their calmness and presence of mind never forsakes them in the greatest danger."6 The Administrative Set Up: In the administrative set up of the Hudson's Bay Company of London, there were two trading areas west of the Rocky Mountains: New Caledonia to the north and the Columbia District to the south. From 1824 to 1845 the whole area was presided over by Dr. John McLoughlin with headquarters at Fort Vancouver. The posts in the interior of New Caledonia were under the charge of a resident Chief Factor serving under Dr. McLoughlin, who did not take much personal interest in them.7 The posts in the Columbia District were: Fort George, Fort Vancouver, Fort The Dalles, Fort Nez Perces or Walla Walla, Fort Okanogan, Fort Colvile, Fort Flathead, Fort Kootenai, Fort Nisqually, Fort Victoria, Fort Langley, Fort Rupert, Fort McLoughlin, Fort Simpson, Fort Umpqua. In New Caledonia the posts were: Fort Kamloops, Fort Alexander, Fort Chilcotin, Fort George, Fort St. James, Fort Fraser Lake, Fort McLeod Lake, Fort Babine, Fort Connolly. In addition to these, there were the Snake Country and the Southern expeditions which were operated from Fort Vancouver, and also the big farm on the Cowlitz River. During the period covered by these letters (March 11, 1829— September 1, 1832) the following posts are mentioned: Fort George, Fort Vancouver, The Dalles, Fort Walla Walla or Nez Perces, Fort Colvile, Fort Okanogan, Thompson River or Fort Kamloops, and Fort St. James. If one were to chart the channel of administrative authority it would show the final authority in the Hudson's Bay Company in London with power vested in the Governor and Committee—a form commensurate with the American corporate form of president and board of directors. The Governor and Committee in London appointed a Governor to represent them in North America. During the period of these letters he was George Simpson. The decisions and instructions of the Governor and Committee in London were transmitted in writing to Governor Simpson, with headquarters at Lachine near the present Montreal, Canada. He in turn would forward to Dr. McLoughlin such of the instructions as related to the Columbia District. Dr. McLoughlin would in turn 336 I* 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN forward to each post in the district such of the instructions as related to it. This might be termed the primary channel. But there was a secondary channel. The Governor and Committee in London authorized Governor Simpson to call together annually, a council of the Chief Factors of all the posts in North America. Occasionally Chief Traders were invited but they had no voting rights. They met usually at York Factory and were presided over by Governor Simpson. They instituted "Resolves of Council" and "Standing Rules and Regulations" which, when approved by the Governor and Committee in London, became binding on each post so far as applicable thereto. Thus the prime duty of Dr. McLoughlin was to see that all orders of the Governor and Committee in London and also all "Resolves of Council" and "Standing Rules and Regulations" were obeyed and carried out in the Columbia District. Plan of Operation: At the time of these letters the plan of operation was for the person in charge of each trading post, called a Fort, to submit to Dr. McLoughlin at Fort Vancouver, a list of the goods, materials and supplies which he would require to carry on the trade at his post for a year, exclusive of what the post could provide. Dr. McLoughlin would collect these and compile therefrom a requisition which he would send to London by the outgoing ship carrying the year's fur catch. Two copies were sent overland to York Factory so as to be sure that one would arrive safely. In completing his requisition for the year he always included necessary extra supplies which were to be held in reserve at Fort Vancouver. These were for emergencies. The letters illustrate the wisdom of such a course as they are full of requests for extra goods arising out of many different types of emergencies, such as loss in transit, excessive demand due to unforeseen increase in trade, depletion of stock due to having to pay more for furs because of increasing competition of other traders, etc. Dr. McLoughlin urged that he be allowed to have in reserve at Fort Vancouver, a full year of supplies because he knew the dangers of vessels from London being wrecked and the supplies for a year lost, rfhere were instances to justify his position, as in the case of the wreck of the William and Ann in 1829 with the loss of all her 337 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN cargo (letter 13; hereafter letters will be cited by number only), and of the Isabella in 1830, with the loss of part of her cargo (134). Governor Simpson in turn would collect the requisitions from all the districts of North America and forward them to London. The goods for the Columbia District would be shipped by vessel directly to Fort Vancouver. These vessels were supposed to reach their destination about March of each year (68, 137). Here the supplies requisitioned were in turn segregated and shipped to the respective posts. The extra supplies were held at Fort Vancouver. The system of accounting for goods was to call each shipment by the year it was to be used. Thus the shipment which arrived in 1832 was entered on the books of the company as "Outfit 1833." In a letter dated Oct. 11, 1830, McLoughlin writing to the Company in London says: "I forward a copy of our requisition for shipment from England 1831 (the original was sent to York last March) and I intended, as it shows, for the supply of the trade for outfit 1833." Thus the requisition sent from Fort Vancouver to York in March, 1830, and via vessel from Vancouver in October, 1830, would reach London in the spring of 1831. The order would be filled and the vessel sail from London in the fall pi 1831. Those goods would reach Fort Vancouver in the spring of 1832 and be forwarded to the various posts during that summer and by them distributed in the fall for the winter hunt. Thus they would be ready for use by the trappers during the winter of 1832-33, and for trade with the Indians for furs they had caught during that winter. In the spring of 1833 the first returns would be assembled at the various posts and forwarded to Fort Vancouver. They were forwarded in canoes and batteaux from each post. As they passed a fort they would be joined by those from that fort. In this way often there were as many as nine boats (169), so that by the time they reached Fort Vancouver they made a very impressive cavalcade. It was known as the "brigade." Here they would be thoroughly inspected, prepared for shipment and properly recorded in the books of account. Bills of lading would then be made out in triplicate, the furs loaded on the vessel and started in the fall for England where they would normally arrive in February or March of 1834. There they were again inspected, graded, entered on the books of the Company and in due time sold. As they were sold they were credited to "Outfit 1833." Thus it was at least two years before credit could be given on any outfit, and often the sale extended over a period of many months or even several years. m LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Again the furs would sometimes arrive too late at Fort Vancouver to catch the outgoing vessel and have to be held over a year. With delayed shipments and delayed sales often it was three, four, five and at times six years before all credits could be given on an outfit. It was planned that the ships from London should arrive in Fort Vancouver in March (68, 137). Here the supplies for each post were segregated, invoiced and prepared for shipment. When the brigade arrived at Fort Vancouver in the spring with the winter catch of furs from the various posts, it was able to reload with the new supplies for the coming winter and deliver them to the various posts on its return about July. At times Walla Walla was made a reserve supply fort. When this was done the brigade would leave there the supplies for the northern posts such as Colville or Thompson River, and they would be required to go to Fort Walla Walla for them (4) .It was also necessary to have extra supplies there to provision the boats passing up and down the Columbia (169). Each vessel leaving England for Fort Vancouver carried its bills of lading giving a full list of all articles for trade as well as articles for consumption or use at the various posts. In order to have more space for articles to be used in trade, Dr. McLoughlin urged each post to become as nearly self-sustaining as possible. He urged them to grow vegetables and grains, raise cattle, catch salmon, etc. (129). Likewise he urged them to make their own repairs. Accordingly, he had carpenters, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, coopers and ship's carpenters in districts where they were necessary. He even urged the sea captains to supply the crews with such provisions as salmon, provided by the posts, and avoid having to carry beef and pork for them from London (98, 119). In this way he built up many of the posts to the-point where they were not only self-supporting, but had surplus supplies to sell (134). It was necessary for him to know what supplies each post had in excess of its own demands as well as what articles it was short of. Knowing this he would requisition the excess in one post to supply the shortage in another. In this way horses, seed, wheat, salmon, flour, potatoes, etc. were exchanged (1, 2, 8, 66, 130). Likewise he knew the number of men at each post and would redistribute them according to necessity (1, 131); and if he could not keep them employed in the routine duties of the post, he would order then! to saw boards for the trade (13). He endeavored to keep all men at productive work. 339 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN He would shift horses from one post where unemployed to another to help thresh the grain (124). He was cautious in matters of policy. Simon McGillivray had trouble with the Indians at Fort Walla Walla, and wished to be transferred to another post. Dr. McLoughlin objected to an immediate transfer, explaining that the Indians might misconstrue it as approving their action and consequently continue troublesome (231). After the affair had subsided the transfer was made as a routine change. The Authority of Dr. McLoughlin: The Company established a schedule or grade of furs by which all traders were supposed to abide. This was necessary as there were so many kinds and grades of furs. Also the company endeavored to fix a trading price of all furs so there would be uniform trading throughout the posts (108, 35, 135). Dr. McLoughlin's authority was very broad. It was important that the prices paid for furs at the various posts be as nearly uniform as possible; otherwise the Indians would go where they got the best bargain (230). Dr. McLoughlin had the power to vary the price and did as circumstances demanded (64), but was constantly on guard to see that the equilibrium was restored as soon as the emergency was over (51). His letters were uniformly courteous and encouraging to his inferiors and explicit in details. Yet, if he made an issue of the conduct of a person operating under his authority, as he did in the case of Roderick McLeod's expedition to the Umpqua in 1827-28, he did not hesitate to speak his criticism very plainly. He was very willing to delegate his authority to those under him. Thus he gave John Work authority to deal with the well-known trading company of Smith, Jackson & Sublette (49). Often he allowed the head of a post to decide on the vacations and leaves of the men at the post. He referred the charges of unlawful trading by an interpreter with the Indians to the head of the post at Walla Walla (161) and accepted his findings of not guilty (165). There were many instances when he allowed the head of a post to fix the wages of his men (175). He did not hesitate to fight opposition to the limit when called on to do so. By way of illustration, the common asking price of a blanket was five or six large beaver skins (35, 134); but under 340 1 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN competition with the Americans on the Coast he dropped his price to a blanket for one beaver (87, 174); he went so far in writing to the Governor and Committee as to say that he would give two blankets for one beaver if necessary in order to drive the Americans out of the trade (21); he went even further and suggested to Donald Manson that he give out false impressions as to how low the Company would go in the price of their guns (11). Anything to drive the American traders away was considered fair. But the moment this opposition was over he would order the price of the blankets restored, if possible (173). There was a demurrage charge of six pounds per diem on a vessel unduly detained at a post (225). Doubtless this was to keep the vessels actively in the trade. His letters to the captains on coastal trips were full of directions and instructions (171, 174). He likewise did not hesitate to shift the captains and other personnel when required (197, 198, 200). In addition he could instruct them to take soundings and make observations of rivers and bays where he wanted to locate posts (107,108). Often the Governor and Committee in London would issue orders to the captains through Dr. McLoughlin. He was most strict regarding the presence of women living on any of the vessels and spoke out plainly in the matter (127). He could direct certain persons to go as supercargo, as where he gave orders for any Company vessel outbound from Honolulu for the Columbia River, to take aboard David Douglas, servant and baggage (154). He could also send men and their families as supercargo by the express (262). He went so far as to dismiss Captain John Minors (133) and to authorize Peter Skene Ogden to dismiss Captain Thomas Sinclair and the mates Robert Scarborough and William Lackey (227), although he said he had no authority to dismiss Captain Leonard Haynes who drank to excess, and accordingly wrote to London for that authority (40, 41, 42). If a captain ran short of supplies for his men, he would authorize him to break into the cargo for such, but the captain had to account for the supplies so used (209). He received annually from the Council at York Factory the assignments of personnel in his district. These he sent to the respective posts. But he changed them as emergencies arose, and 341 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN when such changes were made he forwarded letters of instruction (179). The coast trade was a matter of much concern to him. The competition here, as a rule, was more keen than in the interior because more competitors could come with vessels, than were able to equip and finance land parties. Accordingly, he used great care in managing his coastwise trade. When he sent Captain Charles Kipling on his first trip to the coast he had him stop at Fort Langley and pick up James Yale, an experienced trader, to accompany him and give him the benefit of his experience (225). In case of a shipwreck he rushed men from the fort to rescue the officers and crew and to salvage the cargo. This done he would survey the condition of the vessel and its cargo and take statements as to the cause of the wreck from both officers and men. All information was forwarded to London as the basis for a claim against the insurance company. When a vessel was to sail for London he had to see that all the furs were properly prepared, baled and marked; that they were loaded to prevent heating or molding; manifests and correct copies thereof had to be made and forwarded to London via York for use in case of loss of the vessel or cargo; also in order that the Company would know what furs to expect and be able to prepare their notices of sale. On the whole Dr. McLoughlin hewed closely to the line of his authority. He did not, however, hesitate to go beyond his instructions when occasion demanded. In the winter of 1831-32 the vessel Vancouver was. so badly damaged in a storm that it was estimated it would take a year to repair her. To be thus a year without her was thought by Dr. McLoughlin to justify him in the purchase of another vessel at Wahoo. Accordingly he loaded the vessel, Eagle, with a cargo and sent Duncan Finlayson with her to Wahoo with instructions to sell the cargo if possible, and with the proceeds purchase another vessel. Failing to sell, he was to purchase the vessel and draw on the Company in London for payment. He justified his action in a letter to the Governor and Committee: "Of course I am aware that we are not authorized to enter into transactions of this nature without your express directions; but when it is considered that vessels such as would suit us are often 342 L_ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN sold at the Sandwich Islands for 5 or 7 thousand dollars, and that our naval people who are idle on our hands will cost us this year £460 in wages alone, and that from the want of a vessel our coasting trade is not carried on with the energy it ought, your honors will I trust approve of the responsibility we have assumed." (251). While Finlayson was in Honolulu, Captain William McNeill offered to sell his vessel, the Lama, for $6500. Dr. McLoughlin sent McNeill to Honolulu to deal with Finlayson and wrote him to offer $5000 for the Lama. He again acknowledged that he exceeded his authority: "If you purchase the Lama you ought to endeavor to get McNeill for the coast as he is well acquainted with that business. I would agree to engage him for three years at even a thousand dollars per annum it is true it is more than the Company pays, but the mans superior knowledge of the business in comparison to any of our sea officers renders his services more valuable and knowledge is worth something." (270). McLoughlin's Relations With The Indians: When an Indian murdered a Hudson's Bay man, Dr. McLoughlin's policy was to be very severe with him and his village. The theory was that the lesson should be so severe that the Indians would not care to repeat the deed. Word reached Dr. McLoughlin that two trappers had been killed by the Indians. Under date of April, 1832, he instructed Michel Laframboise to punish the murderers. He gave Laframboise no specific instructions but did say, "'tis likely some innocent beings may in such cases unavoidably become victims as well as the guilty, the severity necessary for our own safety and security may always be tempered with humanity and mercy." Laframboise killed six of the murdering tribe. Dr. McLoughlin in commending him said "send word to these savages that—we expect that they themselves will kill the remainder of the murderers of our people; if they do not we will return and will not spare one of the tribe." (247). These letters do not record that any such severe measures were resorted to but it is evident that McLoughlin felt that murder should not g<st unpunished. He never justified murder by an Indian. When it was not in his power to punish such, he once wrote "leave it to the Almighty who 343 wm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN will punish the murderer either in this world or the world to come" (230). Otherwise he was very strict regarding taking the life of an Indian. He refused to allow William Kittson to offer anyone two horses who would kill a certain Indian (106). He was also very strict regarding giving liquor to them, endeavoring to keep drinking to a minimum (171, 54). Personnel At Forts: Gentlemen were generally the white men at the posts. As a rule they were Englishmen, Scotsmen or Canadians. There were instances where half-breeds rose to the commissioned rank. The commissioned personnel were Chief Factor, Chief Trader and Clerks. Chief Factors were senior in rank and authority. Generally they had charge of the business of a district and all forts in it. The Chief Traders were next in rank. They were assigned to control of a fort or post or trapping expedition. Chief Factors received 2/85 of 40% of the profits of the Company; Chief Traders received 1/85. There were two grades of Clerks, Apprenticed Clerks and Clerks. The Apprenticed Clerks kept the books of account and did the writing at the posts. This meant to write all letters, reports and journals — a considerable task. They were apprenticed for five years beginning on a salary of £20 per annum and increasing £5 and £10 annually till they reached a maximum of £50 per annum. At the end of five years they were eligible for promotion to the rank of Clerk. Clerks were often assigned to the small posts with one or more men under them. After an apprenticeship of about fourteen years they were eligible to become Chief Traders and receive the share profits of that rank. The salary of a Clerk ranged from £40 to £150 per annum. Beneath the rank of Clerk came the Engages. There was little chance of promotion from this rank to that of the commissioned personnel. There was a ranking among them, the highest of which was Postmaster. He was a trusted servant who might keep the accounts in a small post or even manage it temporarily. They were paid as high as £40 a year and were the first rank beneath the Gentlemen. Following the Postmasters came the Interpreters. As their name indicates they had enough knowledge of the Indian dialects to make communication between the Indians and the whites possible. Their salary limit was about £25 per annum. 344 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Then came the Mechanics of which there was a wide range such as carpenters, blacksmiths, coopers, tinsmiths, millwrights, ship's carpenters and gunsmiths. In the head post at Fort Vancouver there were special workshops for the various trades. Then came the Guides who were men who had intimate knowledge of the trading and trapping districts in which they operated. Next in line are the Voyageurs. They were the canoe and batteau crews. There were three classes: steersmen, bowmen, and middlemen. The steersmen and bowmen were the aristocrats of the Voyageurs while the middlemen were the lowest in rank. The lowest in the scale and rank were the Laborers and Apprenticed. Laborers. To them fell the manual labor not otherwise classified. Among the Laborers and Voyageurs were to be found Indians, French-Canadians, Orkneymen, Hawaiians and half-breeds. A class different from any of these were the Trappers. Some of them were servants of the Company while others were freemen who might trap for the Company in a regular trapping expedition, or might trap on their own and sell their pelts to the Company. These freemen were often old servants who had retired because of age; often they were independent Americans, Scots or Canadians. At Fort Vancouver only the Gentlemen lived in the fort. All others lived in the village outside. A map showing the fort and surrounding village is to be found in E. E. Rich, ed., McLoughlin's Fort Vancouver Letters, Third Series, 184446 (H.B.R.S. Publications, v. VII, London, 1944), opposite p. 48. Trade: Dr. McLoughlin carried on both a foreign and a domestic trade. The domestic trade was with the Indians and freemen who exchanged their furs at the various forts for blankets, guns, ammunition, beads, knives, foods and wearing apparel. The rate of this exchange was governed largely by circumstances. As the Americans came into the trade, Dr. McLoughlin was forced to give more articles in exchange for the same number of furs. The Company was very anxious to carry on trade with the Russians to the north. Governor Simpson in a letter (19) urged them to contract to buy fifty to 100 tons of British goods a year; he also thought they should buy 4,000 or 5,000 bushels of grain annually, and 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of salted pork and pay for the same in furs. Dr. McLoughlin wanted to carry on trade with Honolulu. He 345 *3 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN knew this was a port of call for all vessels trading in the Pacific and accordingly set up a trading post there (22). He sent a considerable quantity of deals for which he asked $100 a thousand (21). From there he imported rope, china trunks in nests, Tappa cloth, rice, pork, beef, salt, camphor, Peruvian bark, acetate lead, crude opium, epsom salts, and rhubarb powder (147). His hope was that he could use the proceeds from the sale of his lumber to pay for the goods he was forced to buy there. He also tried to get the Hawaiians to handle salt salmon, offering to purchase salt in their market if they would handle the salmon. In order to keep the vessels which were engaging in the coastwise trade in the north during the trading season, employed as much of the time as possible, when they returned to Fort Vancouver with furs from the north, he would load them with lumber and salmon and send them to California (196). Monterey was a port to which he shipped deals and salmon. He instructed Captain Aemelius Simpson in 1831 to continue farther south if he found he could open up any trade. He instructed him to leave his unsold goods with an agent of Valparaiso or Lima or any other agent willing to handle the goods (148). He would buy as much as 1,000 barrels of salt for a single ship ment from London to salt salmon. This he used both for home consumption and for foreign trade (216). He was ambitious in 1831 to contract to sell 60,000 ft. of deals at $60 or even $40 per thousand, and salmon at $10 to $15 per 150-pound barrel, if he could find responsible agents in California, so anxious was he to expand his trade to the south (148). Deals, cord wood, rafters (12), salmon in barrels (13), shingles (13), wheat (26), peas (26), pork (26), oak logs (145), tallow and hides (148) were among the articles of trade mentioned in his letters. The most common articles used in the trade with the Indians were guns (134), blankets, beads, tobacco (1), gun-locks, gun- balls (2), powder (17). Difficulties Of Management: It is obvious that superintending such an extensive business at so great a distance from London was bound to be surrounded with difficulties. The wreck of the William and Ann deprived him of a year's supplies for all his posts at a time when there were insufficient vessels for his normal demands 346 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN (13). Often when vessels did arrive, part of the cargo was so damaged as to throw out of balance his allotments to all his posts. And even when the supplies did arrive on time and in the amounts previously estimated, he would find them insufficient due to the fact that competing parties had arrived who were offering more goods for the same furs, causing him to deplete his stock in meeting the competition (21). A constant source of worry was the loss of men and furs by the overturning of boats in the rapids of the Columbia. And when the difficulties of trapping and trading were over and the furs were safe in Fort Vancouver, there came the care necessary to prevent loss by moths (21), or mold in transit. Peter Skene Ogden was so successful in dressing and packing furs for shipment that he was paid a bonus (21). Added to such worries Dr. McLoughlin had to keep peace between the ship's officers and their men (39) and even had to confine sailors and put them in irons (16). Indians also came in for their punishment as when he had to punish them for stealing cargo from a wrecked vessel (20). The rules of the Company forbidding the employees to trade with the Indians were very strict, and to enforce them caused Dr. McLoughlin much anxiety (28, 34). At times it became necessary to criticize the men under his command when he felt that they had not conducted themselves properly or in accordance with the avowed policy of the Company. A well known instance is where he criticized Alexander Roderick McLeod very severely for the manner in which he conducted the rescue party when sent to recover the goods the Indians had stolen from Jedediah Smith. He later found he had been wrong in so doing and did not hesitate to apologize (82). As a rule the wages were determined by the Council at York. The letters in this volume indicate that the captain of a ship received £100 per annum (226); a first mate received 6/6/0; a second mate 4/4/0, and able-bodied seamen 2/10/0 per month. An interpreter received £25 per annum (160). In case the seamen were paid outside of England they had to pay the local rate of exchange because their contracts called for them to be paid at the London rate (145). The policy of the Company was to enter into contract and bond with all employees (32). If a servant came from another company, Dr. McLoughlin was careful to see that he brought a proper release from his old employer (85). Likewise when a servant changed from one post to another, he took with him his statement of ac- 347 _£$_ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN count (258). The reports of each post were sent to Fort Vancouver. Here they were checked and any discrepancies were noted and an explanation demanded before the accounts were approved (259)» Normally the contract with the gentlemen was three or five years. That with the servants was mostly yearly, although some were longer. The men were allowed considerable freedom of choice as to the posts where they would work. This was also a test of leadership of the gentlemen at the head of the post. So far as possible all servants were served liquor which was one- third water and required to drink it in the presence of the officer (227). Book Of Account Journals And Letter Books: These were provided by the Company. The journals and letter books were foolscap size, but the books of account varied considerably. Each post was required to keep a journal. It was a running account of the doings of the post. They differed according to the diligence of the head of the post. Dr. McLoughlin seems to have been lax in that no journals of Fort Vancouver are in the archives of the Company in London. In letter books were written all communications between posts and between posts and the Governor and Committee in London. They were written in longhand as they had no letter press or process of duplication. Apparently the technique of letter writing was for the writer to communicate his ideas to a clerk who wrote them in the letter book and then transcribed them in letter form to go to the person addressed. The writer of the letter signed it. Each person in charge of a fort in the Columbia District made periodic reports to Dr. McLoughlin. He in turn made an annual report to the Governor and Committee in London. These reports were known as despatches. Generally one copy went forward by vessel (26) and two other copies went overland to York and thence to London by vessel. All these were written by the clerks in the fort. At times these were written in different handwriting indicating that more than one clerk was engaged to copy the original from the letter book. The clerks had to have the school education of the period and to be able to write legibly. As a result, the archives of the Company, 348 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN on the whole, are easily read. The same cannot always be said of the letters of the gentlemen of the forts when they wrote their letters personally. In the case of the letter book from which the letters in this volume were taken, there are many letters in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. Many of them are routine in nature and hence could not have been written by him for private reasons. The letter paper also was provided by the home office and was uniform in size. Each post had its books of account in which were entered all items received from any source and all items forwarded to any post. They were kept by the clerks (261, 267). At Fort Vancouver they were very extensive as they had to show all items arriving from London and from foreign trade and all items received from all the forts in the district. Likewise they had to show all the items forwarded to all the forts and also all articles sent out in foreign trade. In the course of a year these entries ran into the thousands. The technique of those leading the parties on trapping expeditions was to make rough pencil notes during the expedition. On returning to the fort out of which he was working, these notes were put in the form of a journal of the expedition by the clerks in the fort. These were in duplicate, one to remain at the fort and the other to go to London (87). They were supposed to be in detail so that the Governor and Committee in London could get a fair idea of where the expedition went, the route it traveled, the various experiences of its members, results of the catch or trade with Indians and others. These journals were studied with care. Often Dr. McLoughlin would receive a letter from the Secretary of the Governor and Committee commenting on an expedition. One well known example was when the Governor and Committee wrote to Dr. McLoughlin a very severe criticism of one expedition of Peter Skene Ogden into present Idaho as they had found from his journal of the trip and his maps that he had been trapping south of the 49th parallel east of the Rocky Mountains. That was American territory and all servants of the Company were forbidden to trap in American territory. On trips, the leader was authorized, when making purchases from Americans, to draw bills of exchange on the Company in London (83). 349 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN The custom was for letters between forts to be carried by servants of the Company. If there were none such available, Indians were often used (6). In conclusion, these letters indicate that the Governor and Committee in London maintained a very careful supervision of the details of the business even to detecting when their men were trapping in districts where they had been forbidden to go. It is evident that they spent much time and gave very careful study to the reports made to them. In this way they knew when their trappers were out of bounds. When they were, they were checked promptly. FOOTNOTES for Technique of the Hudson's Bay Co. in Col. Dist. 1. E. E. Rich, ed., Simpson's 1828 Journey to the Columbia (Hudson's Bay Record Society Publications, v. X, London, 1947), xxvii. 2. Frederick Merk, Fur Trade and Empire (Harvard Historical Studies, v. 31, Cambridge, 1931), 345-6. 3. A. G. Harvey, Douglas of the Fir (Cambridge, 1947), 111. 4. E. E. Rich, ed., Simpson's Athabasca Journal (H.B.R.S. Publications, v. I, London, 1938), 53n. 5. Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 349. 6. E. E. Rich and Harvey Fleming, eds., Colin Robertson's Correspondence Book (H.B.R.S. Publications, v. II, Toronto, 1939), 56. 7. E. E. Rich, ed., McLoughlin's Fort Vancouver Letters, First Series (H.B.R.S. Publications, c. IV, London, 1941), liv. 350 7t\ NOTES Letter No. 5 1. Donald Ross, a clerk who had gone to Vancouver with Governor Simpson in 1828 and spent the winter there. He returned to York Factory with Simpson in the spring of 1829 and seems to have been carrying papers for Dr. McLoughlin. Letter No. 6 l.A two-masted vessel, square rigged forward and schooner rigged aft. 2. Possibly Princess of Wales (Mr. McKenzie's woman) reputed to have trafficked in female slaves for illicit purposes. See Frederick Merk, Fur Trade and Empire (Cambridge, 1931), 101, 104; A. G. Harvey, Douglas of the Fir (Cambridge, 1947), 195. Letter No. 7 l.On the books of original entry in London the Company kept these accounts in pounds, shillings and pence. 2. Louis Delonte was a boute at Ft. Langley in 1830. He is probably the person referred to. No name Delonnais on the books of the H. B. Co. 3. In the H. B. Co. list of employees are Henry and John Lach- arite. No other information is given of them. Letter No. 8 1. "Apichimons are pieces [of] buffalo robes to serve instead of saddle cloths." Chief Factor John McLoughlin to John Work, letter dated Fort Vancouver, 19 June 1825 (H. B. Co. A. B. 223 b/1). Letter No. 12 1. A "deal" is "a board or plank of varying dimensions." In Canada the standard size is twelve feet by nine inches. In England the maximum width is nine inches and the maximum thickness is three inches. The word is not generally used in the United States, according to the Standard' Dictionary. In the United States lumber is cut to the dimensions of even figures such as 2x4, 4x8, etc., while in Canada the cut is to odd figures such as 3x5, 5x9, etc. Letter No. 14 1. A tribe of Indians on Hood Canal, Washington. 351 mm LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 19 1. The name most commonly used is Russian American Company. Officers in command of their ships seemed to insist on "instructions from Baron Wrangell." See E. E. Rich, ed., McLoughlin's Fort Vancouver Letters, First Series, 1825-38 (Hudson's Bay Record Society Publications, v. IV, London, 1941), 319. It seems that Captain Christiakoff of the Russian navy was the Governor of the Russian Company at this time. There is a letter in Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 314, which probably refers to this letter of Governor Simpson. Cf. Harvey, Douglas of the Fir, 197-9. 2. Governor Simpson was in Ft. Vancouver from Oct. 25, 1828, to March 25, 1829. See H.B.R.S. Publications, v. IV, 71n. Hence this letter appears in the letter book kept at Ft. Vancouver. It was written five days before his departure. Letter No. 20 1. On account of his illness, Dease had probably come from Ft. Flathead to Ft. Colvile, the headquarters of the district. Mc- * Loughlin so presumed as the context seems to indicate. Letter No. 26 1. The Governor and Committee is the designation given the principal officer and governing body by the original Charter of the Company in 1670. They are still so designated. In common parlance they would be called President and Board of Directors. 2. In both the first and final drafts appearing herein "fifty four" men are indicated. A copy of the final draft was found in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London and it read "forty-four." Here clearly was a change. 3. "Made" beaver is "a skin from an adult beaver of prime quality and perfect condition." See E. E. Rich, ed., Simpson's Athabasca Journal (H. B. R. S. Publications, v. I, London, 1938), 31 In. 4. "Point blankets" were blankets supplied by the H. B. Co. for the Indian trade or for the use of the Company's servants or voyageurs. The point is a short black stripe woven in the blanket indicating the size. Point blankets were first purchased by the H. B. Co. in December 1779; they were exported to Albany Fort, Hudson Bay, in 1780; they still figure largely in the Company's trade. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. I, 168n. "Originally the points were put on the blankets to help trade with the Indians. For example to the Indians 3 points would mean giving three beavers, and 3^2 points would be 3 large beavers and perhaps one small one." Letter of H. B. Co. dated 352 rB LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN "3i/2 Point-63" x 81" "4 Point-72" x 90" 29 Nov. 1947. The letter then says the Company now has only two point blankets as follows: ( For a picture illustrating -10 lbs." ( the "points" see National ( Geographic Magazine, May -12 lbs." ( 1948, Plate VIII, opposite ( to page 631. 5. Guns have figured in the list of trading goods for the Indians from the beginning of the trade with them. "The distinction in quality between 'Trade Goods' and those for use by the Company's servants or other Europeans, re-appears throughout the Company's history." E. E. Rich, Minutes of the Hudson's Bay Company, 1671-1674 (H. B. R. S. Publications, v. V, London, 1942), 25n. Gov. Simpson writes to the Company under date of 18 May 1821: "The Trading Guns (marked Wilson) are not to be compared with those of "Barnets" make which the N. W. Companies import; the Locks are badly finished, soft in the hammer, the Tumbler and shear not properly tempered, and the pan loses the powder Our Iron Work is the most important article of Trade in this country, the utmost care and attention should therefore be paid to have it of good quality." See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. I, 408. Letter No. 28 1. "Casseno [Kay-ass-Sin-no?] Chief of a tribe or band settled nearly opposite Belle vue Point." See Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 86. 2. Surtout, "a man's overcoat, especially one cut in the style of a frock coat." See New Standard Dictionary. Letter No. 32 1. Saddlebags. Letter No. 35 1. Note the two spellings of Willamette. 2. Cowlitz River where the H. B. Co. had a farm. 3. Probably the sawmill about five miles above Ft. Vancouver on the Columbia River. Letter No. 37 1. This letter appears as a postscript to letter No. 36 in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London. Letter No. 38 1. Donald Manson was assigned to the Columbia District at the council meeting in June 1829. Harvey Fleming, ed., Minutes of the Council Northern Department of Rupert Land, 1821-31 353 mm rffifmftffff LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN (H. B. R. S. Publications, v. Ill, London, 1940), 243. The context indicates that he went to Fort George where he spent the winter of 1829-30. See letter 117. In letter No. 35 McLoughlin addresses him care of the schooner Vancouver, which probably was stationed at the time off Ft. George. 2. Chief of the Chinooks. See H. H. Bancroft, History of the Northwest Coast (San Francisco, 1886), 11:602. Letter No. 39 1. In the book this letter is crossed off in lead pencil and along the side of the letter are the words "not Received." Letter No. 40 1. A slight pencil mark has been drawn across part of this letter, and on the margin written in pencil "not Received." Letter No. 41 1. Pencilled "not Received" on the margin of the letter. 2. Letter No. 39. 3. Letters 39, 40 and 41 each have a slight pencil mark drawn partly through them and on the border of each letter is written in pencil and in the same handwriting the words "not Received." It is conceivable that both Chief Mate Hall (letter 39) and Captain Simpson (letter 41) could have been at Ft. Vancouver and have read the letters and had them marked "not received." But that explanation could not apply to letter 40 for it was addressed to the Governor and Committee in London. Another and seemingly more reasonable explanation is that the writer meant to write "not sent" as was done in a number of other instances in this series. No copy of any one of these three letters was found in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London. Letter No. 42 1. Probably Chehalis, meaning "skins from the Chehalis Indians." Letter No. 46 1. Andre Chalifoux, a boat steersman in 1827-8. He appears to have drowned in the rapids below The Dalles on Oct. 22, 1838. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 293. For fuller details see Appendix A. Letter No. 48 1. The business was his 1829-30 Snake River expedition. Letter No. 49 1. The firm of Smith, Jackson & Sublette was composed of Jede- 354 I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN diah Strong Smith, David E. Jackson and William L. Sublette. They had been in the employ of William Henry Ashley (who entered the fur trade with Andrew Henry in 1821) till he sold them his business in 1826. For particulars see Harrison C Dale, The Ashley-Smith Explorations (Rev. ed., Glendale, Calif., 1941), 61, 164, 180. 2. Captain John Dominis of the brig Owhyhee and Captain Thompson of the brig Consort were Americans trading in the Columbia and along the coast for the vessel owners, Josiah Marshall and Dixey Wilder of Boston. See Appendix A for particulars. 3. Joshua Pilcher represented the old Missouri Fur Company interests. He had entered the field as a competitor of Smith, Jackson & Sublette in 1827 and continued so very actively. Thus McLoughlin was anxious to play no favorites in the competition. See Dale, supra, 166. See also Appendix A. Letter No. 52 1. There were two middlemen called Roquebrune in 1830; one was Joseph and the other was Antoine, whose father Antoine also was a boatsman. See Appendix A. Letter No. 54 1. See letter 6, footnote 2. 2. The common voyageur was the middleman on the north canoe and the inland boat. He was distinctly an inland water man and not in the sailor class. Hence he had the diet of his class even on a sea-going vessel. See Merk, Fur Trade and Empire, 13n. The crew of a canoe consists of the middlemen and boutes (boute, French for end). The boutes or end men are the bows- men and the steersmen. The middlemen (milieu, French for middle) are the paddlers. The boutes both paddle and steer the canoes. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. I, 53n. 3. Hiaqua. Strings of tusk-shells (dentalium indianorum) were used as money among Indian tribes in the Northwest. George Gibbs, A Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon (Washington, D. C, 1863), 5. Letter No. 55 1. The letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London is dated 1829. 2. In 1827-8 there were two Peters, both native apprentices at Ft. Vancouver—Peter Calder and Peter Taylor. See Appendix A. 355 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 56 1. The letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London is dated 6th Oct. 1829. Letter No. 59 1. T. C. Elliott, "The Dalles-Celilo Portage; Its History and Influences," Oregon Historical Quarterly, XVI (June, 1915), 146. Letter No. 60 1. Duffel: "A coarse woolen cloth having a thick nap or frieze named after the town of Duffel, Brabant." See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. I, 168n. Letter No. 61 1. "Market" is crossed out in the letter book, but is in the copy now in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London. Letter No. 62 1. Lilli whit or Harrison River, Bancroft, Northwest Coast, II: 497. 2. This was the expedition to revenge the killing of Alexander McKenzie and four H. B. Co. servants. Twenty-two Indians were killed and their village burned. Dr. McLoughlin criticized McLeod for his conduct of this expedition. It resulted in his not being made a C. F. at that time. Letter No. 63 1. This is the first mention of James Douglas"in the McLoughlin letters; he had been assigned to Ft. Vancouver in 1829. He was the accountant detained to assist Birnie at the new trading post at The Dalles, set up to compete with the Americans near there. Letter No. 64 1. Apparently either Captain Dominis of the Owhyhee or Captain Thompson of the Convoy, both traders from Boston. Letter No. 67 1. Possibly Thomas Tiegne, a middleman in 1828-9 at Ft. Vancouver. Letter No. 70 l.An acre being a little more than 200 feet square, it is possible he took this way of saying the canoe was found about 200 feet below the mill. 356 I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 71 1. Doubtless the Americans, Captain Dominis of the Owhyhee and Captain Thompson of the Consort both out of Boston. See Appendix A. Letter No. 72 1. McLeod returned to Ft. Vancouver from his Bonaventura trip on the 13th of February and probably was in the post when McLoughlin wrote him this letter, as McLoughlin was making a record of his disapproval. Later he sent a copy of the letter to London (See Letter 83). 2. For confirmation see H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 104. Letter No. 73 l.As further evidence that McLeod was in Ft. Vancouver when these letters were addressed to him, note that McLoughlin's letter No. 71 was dated Feb. 20 and this letter is dated Feb. 22, and in it he acknowledges receipt of a letter from McLeod dated Feb. 21. They must have been near together for such a quick reply. McLeod's letter has not been located. Letter No. 82 1. Free-lance trappers. Letter No. 83 1. The head post of the northern department of the Hudson's Bay Company located on Hudson Bay. Letter No. 84 1. Another instance where Dr. McLoughlin writes a letter to a person in the post with him. He does this to make a record for future reference. Letter No. 85 1. James Douglas was transferred from New Caledonia (Ft. St. James) in 1829 to Ft. Vancouver where he arrived in 1830. Apparently Mr. Birnie at The Dalles handed him a note to McLoughlin as he passed on March 9, 1830. 2. Captain Dominis of the Owhyhee. 3. Captain Thompson of the Convoy. 4. See letter 95 for contemplated arrangement. Letter No. 86 1. See letter 26. 2. March 25, 1829. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 71n. 3. See letter 20. 357 _■/ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 4. See letter 65. 5. "Casseno, chief of a tribe or band settled nearly opposite Belle vue Point," Merk, op. cit., 86. 6. "The interpreter" is written in the margin. 7. Simpson's second visit 1828-29. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, xcii. 8. Lilli whit or Harrison River. Bancroft, History of the Northwest Coast, 11:497. Letter No. 89 1. See following letter. Letter No. 93 1. Donald Manson, clerk at Ft. Langley, at this moment at Vancouver. Letter No. 95 1. See letter 85 for contemplated arrangement. 2. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. Ill, 89. Letter No. 96 l.This refers to the loss of the brig Isabella at the mouth of the Columbia on May 2, 1830. Letter No. 97 1. Evidently Dr. McLoughlin handed this note to Captain Simpson for him to hand to Captain Grave. Letter No. 99 1. This seems to have been handed to Captain Simpson for Caotain Grave along with the note to him dated 28 May 1830. Letter No. 102 1. In the letter in the files in London "to" before "1/5" is missing. Undoubtedly this was changed when the letter was copied. There is considerable difference in reducing the price "1/5" or "to 1/5." Letter No. 103 1. Probably Laurent Karonhitchego, listed as an Iroquois boute in 1830. Letter No. 109 1. This "NB" does not appear in the letter in the archives of the H. B. C. 358 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. Ill 1. "Cassettes were pine boxes 28 inches long 16 inches wide and 5 inches deep. They were strongly constructed and proof against accidents except fire." Edward Ermatinger, "York Factory Express Journal . . . . " (Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, 3rd ser. 1912, v. 6, sec. 2), 103n. 2. Bancroft, in Northwest Coast, 11:569 shows a map, Malade City on west branch of Bear River flowing into Salt Lake; see also W. A. Ferris, Life in the Rocky Mountains, Paul C. Phillips, ed. (Denver, 1940), 65, and map, opposite p. 13 of the preface. Letter No. 114 1. This N. B. is not in the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London. 2. This N. B. is in the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 117 l.A 60-ton schooner built by Dr. McLoughlin at Vancouver and put in service in 1828. H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, lxxi. 2. This note is in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. Letter No. 119 l.In the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. in London this is not an N. B. but the last paragraph of the letter. Letter No. 121 l.C. T. Black was ordered to Thompson River or Ft. Kamloops by Dr. McLoughlin on June 29, 1830. See letter 102. Letter No. 122 1. Dr. McLoughlin used Ft. Walla Walla and Ft. Nez Perces interchangeably as they were different names for the same post. Ft. Walla Walla will be used hereafter in these notes. Letter No. 123 1. Belle vue Point as viewed by Lt. Broughton was at the mouth of the Willamette River. Across the Columbia River and on the north side is Casinos village. Location established by J. Nielson Barry. Letter No. 125 1- South Branch; possibly Pourtneuf River. 2. Boise River. 3. Wood River or possibly Malade River. 4. Humboldt River. 5. Owhyhee River. 359 B25_ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 6. Saddle bags. F. W. Hodge, Handbook of American Indians (Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bui. 30), 11:203. 7. Lodges, evidently a tent made of skins. Letter No. 126 1. The voyageur's expression for "outfit." 2. Louis Groselin was a middleman in New Caledonia in 1830. No Charles has been identified. 3. Chevreuil is a deer skin out of which breeches were made. Letter No. 127 l.This P. S. is missing in the letter in the H. B. Co. A. Dr. McLoughlin seems to have changed his mind regarding this before despatching the letter. Letter No. 129 1. This N. B. is in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. Letter No. 132 1. Doubtless fever and ague. See Letter 194. Letter No. 134 1. This note does not appear in the files of the H. B. Co. in London. Letter No. 136 1. It is entirely possible that Miss Cecilia was a sister of David Douglas as he had two sisters who died unmarried. The letter to Douglas with no initial may have been to a brother as he had two brothers. See Harvey, Douglas of the Fir, 8. 2. Doubtless a letter from David Douglas, the English botanist, who arrived at Ft. Vancouver June 3, 1830, on his second visit as a representative of the Horticultural Society of London, to Captain Edward Sabine, Secretary of the Royal Society, who had taught him "the use of instruments necessary in fixing geographical positions and the method of computing the results." See Harvey, Douglas of the Fir, 166, citing a letter dated October 1830 from Douglas to Edward Sabine. 3. Doubtless Dr. William Jackson Hooker, professor of botany, Glasgow, who secured the position for Douglas and was his sponsor. See Harvey, op. cit., for a letter of Douglas to Dr. W. J. Hooper dated Oct. 11, 1830. The Eagle, which carried these letters, sailed October 13, 1830. Op. cit., 138. Letter No. 147 1. and 2. These passages are in red ink, the only use of red ink in the book. Passage 1 is repeated and then crossed out. 360 1 % LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 148 1. The rest of this letter is missing from the copy in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 150 1. This certificate does not appear in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 151 1. "Silver coin and money of account (about 6-1/4 d [pence]) still used in some Spanish speaking countries. Present Spanish monetary unit (about 2-1/2 d)." See the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Oxford, 1918). 2. See H. H. Bancroft, History of California (7 vols., San Francisco, 1886-90), II:208ff. Letter No. 152 1. Following this entry is a blank space in the book apparently intended to be used in copying the aforementioned letter. Letter No. 153 1. Obviously meant for H. B. Co. Letter No. 154 1. Douglas was a young botanist (Scotsman) sent to the Columbia District by the Horticultural Society of London (now the Royal Horticultural Society of London). He arrived at Ft. George on April 12, 1825, on his first trip, and on June 3, 1830, on his second. At the time of the writing of this letter he was on the Island of Hawaii where he was killed on July 12, 1834. He is buried at Honolulu. The Douglas Fir was named for him. Dr. McLoughlin showed him every courtesy possible. Letter No. 155 1. Name of an Indian tribe. 2. Probably Colin Campbell, at this time a C. T. with H. B. Co. He appears to be accompanying young McGillivray to his new post at Walla Walla. See following letter. Letter No. 156 1. Boutes, or the end men, are the bowsmen and the steersmen of a boat. They are the aristocrats of the boat crew\ Letter No. 157 1. Intermittent fever seems to be "chills & fever." See letter 194. 2. Tousaint Poivier was a cooper in Ft. Vancouver in 1830. Letter No. 160 1. Probably Francis Charpentier. 361 ^ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 161 1. Probably Francis Charpentier. See letter 165. Letter No. 164 1. Probably Francis, as Edward is not listed in 1830. 2. Note error in addition. 3. His wages in 1830 were £50 per annum. Letter No. 165 it See charges in letter 161. Letter No. 173 l.This letter is undated in the letter book, but the same letter in the files of the H. B. Co. in London is dated June 4, 1831. Letter No. 175 l.Th[is item is missing from the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 176 l.The letter in the H. B. Co. Archives says "thirty." Letter No. 177 l.This paragraph is not in the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 178 1. This postscript, except the last sentence, is in the body of the letter in the H. B. Co. Archives. Letter No. 184 1. This postscript does not appear in the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 186 1. Letter in archives of H. B. Co. in London says 130 horses. Letter No. 187 1. Apparently intermittent fever and "Fever and Ague" are the same. Letter 194. Letter No. 188 1. This postscript is in the body of the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. 362 7t* LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 193 l.This was probably James Allen Scarborough as he was second mate on the Isabella which was lost on the Columbia River in May, 1830. Robert Scarborough was first mate on the brig Dryad in 1830. Letter No. 194 l.This N. B. appears in the body of the letter in the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 199 1. "There were three American vessels on our arrival there, the Europa, Mr. French from Woahoo, the Rasselar, Thompson from Kamschatska, and Lagrange, Harris, our opponents on the N. W. coast. The Diana belonging to Mr. French came also in from China before we left the Port. All these vessels had goods for sale, but Mr. French was the only one who sold any quantity, having contracts with Baron Wrangle to supply them with goods for three years, one of which is still unexpired." Duncan Finlayson to McLoughlin 9-26-1836. H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 334. 2. This copy of a draft is not in the files of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 200 1. The owner of a brig Griffin which Dr. McLoughlin tried to get in exchange for deals. H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 234. See also letters 201 and 202. Letter No. 201 l.This is in the body of the letter now in the archives of the H. B. Co. 2. This draft is missing in the letter now in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 202 1. "We fell in with the American ship Louisa of Boston, Lambert employed in the fur trade; she had been on the coast for several months, and had for a consort the Griffon Brig, Taylor. This vessel I learnt had been sold on her going from the coast to the Sandwich Islands, by her proprietors, Americans, to a company in China who have a gentleman by the name of Cole acting for them as agent at the Sandwich Islands, or in his absence Mr. Charlton." Aemilius Simpson, schooner Cadboro, to Dr. McLoughlin, H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 312. 2. The items here requested are not in the letter now in the archives of the H. B. Co. 363 jBSggM-BSm^ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN 3. Deputy Governor of the H. B. Co., 1822-1835. 4. Deputy Governor of the H. B. Co., 1835-1839. 5. Secretary of the H. B. Co., 1818-1843. Went with the Company as a clerk in 1813. 6. Secretary, Horticultural Society of London. Doubtless a letter from David Douglas. 7. See H. B. R. S. Publications, v. IV, 38. 8. Probably the wife of Capt. Alexander Duncan. Letter No. 204 1. In the letter in the archives of the H. B. Co., what is here marked P. S. appears in the body of the letter. There are several such, showing that when the letter took its final form the writer decided that the P.S. was of sufficient importance to be incorporated in the letter proper. Letter No. 208 1. Port Essington is on the Skenna River; was named by Vancouver in 1793. 2. This line is in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. Letter No. 209 l.This P. S. appears in the body of the letter now in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 213 1. Appendix A. 2. Appendix B. Letter No. 214 1. See letter 232, paragraph 6. Letter No. 215 1. Note spelling: Probably a new clerk was on duty as the letter is in a new handwriting which appeared first in letter 211, dated Jan. 10, 1832, the first letter in 1832. Letter No. 218 1. Note spelling: This letter is written in the same handwriting as letter 215. Letter No. 219 l.The part in parentheses is an insert in the letter in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. 364 I LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 223 l.This additional paragraph is in the handwriting of Dr. McLoughlin. Letter No. 224 1. Mr. Birnie seems to be still at Ft. George apparently in connection with the repairs on the Vancouver, which was damaged at sea. Letter No. 226 1. Alexander Duncan is listed in 1830 as a first mate with wages of £59/8/2. See also Appendix A. Letter No. 227 l.Note spelling: This letter is in the same handwriting as letter 215. See note 1 for possible explanation. 2. There are two Scarboroughs, Robert and James Allen, both listed at times as mates. James was so listed in 1830. Letter No. 228 1. Note spelling: See explanation in note 1 letter 227. Letter No. 231 1. This unfinished letter is crossed out and is out of order in the letter book, between a letter dated 27 Feb. 1832, and one dated 15 Mar. 1832. It must have been written by someone in Ft. Vancouver. Captain Simpson died at Ft. Simpson. The date is generally given as Sept. 13, 1831. It looks as if someone in 1832 started to write a letter to Dr. McLoughlin telling of the death about a year after it happened and antedated it. Letter No. 232 1. The last part of Paragraph 12 in parentheses, beginning "Referring you to" and ending with the last words "we possibly can" of the postscript after the signature of John McLoughlin, apparently was the end of the letter as originally written, as lines are drawn through that part. Paragraphs 13-19 were added before the letter was put in its final form and sent. Letter No. 239 1. Probably for his Umpqua expedition. Letter No. 247 1. "The Verveau was probably at the mouth of Mill Creek, west of the modern Scottsburg." Maurice S. Sullivan, Travels of Jede- diah Smith (Santa Ana, 1934), notes 169 and 179. 365 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Letter No. 262 1. According to the 1830 list his contract as a blacksmith expired in 1832. Letter No. 263 1. Probably refers to James Douglas as David Douglas, the botanist, was in California at the time of this letter. Letter No. 265 1. Possibly Jacques Servant. See Appendix A. Letter No. 266 1. Trade carried on in the Indian camps instead of at the trading posts. "Entre en derouine" or "courier la derouine" means to be away from one's home; never to be at home. Quoted from cards in the files of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 267 1. A rock in the lower Columbia River. 2. Probably the Chehalis in Washington. Letter No. 275 1. All these postscripts appear in the body of the letter as found in the archives of the H. B. Co. Letter No. 276 1. See Wm. S. Lewis, "The Case of Spokane Garry," Spokane Historical Society Bulletin, I. 366 INDEX TO LETTERS Acapulco, 140 Adiona (ship), 167 Agriculture: beef, 17, 47, 105, 225, 230; butter, 47, 284 corn, 3, 8, 9, 123, 176, 191, 199, 211, 270- crop, 37, 94, 145, 186, 218, * 245, 258 flour, 9, 13, 47, 87, 101, 106, 108, 123, 191, 192, 199, 201, 210, 211,270, 279; grain, 17, 125; oats, 145, 258 peas, 3, 176, 191, 199, 201, 210, 211, 295- crop, 37, 94, 145, 186, 218, 245, 258 plows, 3, 4, 189-190, 233, 259, 266, 278; pork, 17, 37, 87, 94, 105, 123, 159, 199, 230, 289 potatoes, 59, 133, 190, 242, 243, 245, 246- crop, 37, 186, 218, 258 rice, 157, 159, 218, 226, 230, 245; seed, 2, 7, 8, 190 wheat, 157, 292 - crop, 37, 94, 145, 186, 218, 258 see also Horses, names of forts Alexandria, 65 Allan, James, 148, 260 Allard, , 294 America, , 230 Americans: competition with H.B. Co., 6, 11,23-24,25, 34, 35,36,41,45,57, 65, 92, 93, 94, 100, 115, 145, 172, 183, 191, 197, 215, 249, 250, 260, 276; sell liquor to Indians, 60, 215- 216 Anderson, James, 148, 276 Anderson, Mrs. Isabella, 148 Andre, Louis, 14, 267 Annance, Francois, 12, 112, 150, 151, 172-173, 179, 187-188, 199; letters to, 151-152 Arab (brig), 167 Arms and ammunition, 2, 3, 4, 13, 15, 67, 73-74, 124, 199, 240; agreement between H. B. Co. and Russian American Co., 16; sold to Indians, 215-216; 237; guns, 1, 2, 3, 25, 67, 240-241, 281- private trading prohibited, 45; shortage, 10, 24, 35; prices, see Prices Arnold & Woollett, letter from, 170; letter to, 170 Arquoette, Amable, 12 Aubichon, Alexis, 267, 268 Auger, Nicholas, 210, 248 Bache, , 52, 69; at The Dalles, 57, 62, 63, 89, 102, 103 Baker, James, 3, 58-59 Bansands, , 232 Baptista, P., 158 Barnston, George, 1, 43, 91, 114, 133, 151, 152, 189; at wreck of Isabella, 118, 136; letters from, to Charlton, 42; letters to, 114, 115, 121-122, 124, 130-131; 133, 150, 171-173, 178-179, 180, 180-181, 188-189; in charge at Ft. Walla Walla, 107, 185; removed from Ft. Walla Walla, 180-181 Bas de Riviere, 70 Bear River, 126 Beaver (steamer), 62, 176 Belair, Louis, 201 Belle Vue Point, 124 Belleque (Bellicque), Pierre, 285 Bennington, , 292 Berkeley Sound, 168 Berland, Edward, 113 Big Rock, 200 Birnie, James, 61, 71, 72, 90, 164, 166, 172, 211-212, 235, 238, 290, 291; competition at The Dalles, 60, 61, 62, 66, 72, 89, 90, 97; letter from, to Ogden, 253; letters to, 58, 60, 62- 63, 69, 71, 72, 89, 103, 240, 249-250, 273, 286-287, 291-292; Minors incident, 142; and Vancouver wreck, 240, 249 Black, Samuel, }8, 88, 115, 130, 178, 179, 181, 191-192, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205-206, 232, 242, 262, 271; letters to, 1, 13, 14-15, 43-44, 52-53, (Continued on next page) 367 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Black, Samuel—Continued 56, 57, 57-58, 61, 67, 99-101, 106, 107, 114, 123-124, 190-191, 200, 262, 270; at Ft. Walla Walla, 107; and wreck of William and Ann, 18-19, 20,30 Blackey, James, 143 Blankets, 34, 35, 67, 71, 72, 112, 138; prices, see Prices Blackfeet Indians, 126, 260 Boat No. 2, 3 Boisvert, Louis, 12 Bonaventura (Sacramento) expeditions, 147, 161; McLeod, 73-79, 84, 96, 138; Ogden, 119-120, 137-138; Work, 283 Bonavista, 167, 168 Bond, Edward, 148 Borygne, , 268 Bouchard, O., 202 Bourdignon, Antoine, 106, 107n, 108 Bourgeau, Joseph, 199, 203 Boutes, 174 Bowline, Canada, 27, 63 Brigades, 1, 8, 114, 192, 194, 195-196, 201, 204; arrival and departure at Ft. Vancouver, 22, 32, 57, 111, 137, 214, 280; men lost, 214; New Caledonia, 132 Brotcher, , 222 Brotchie, R., 232 Broughton (sloop), 287; arrival, 286; repair, 176; trade, 286 Brown, George, 149 Brulon, Baptiste, 285 Brune, Rocque, 58 Brunei, Joseph, 210, 213 Buenos Aires, 162 Buena Vista, 138 Buffalo, 75, 127 Burroghs Bay, 216 Byworth, ,232 Cadboro (schooner), 7, 36, 208, 219, 244, 266, 277; Brotcher, 2nd mate, 222; at Cape Disappointment, 253; Clallam expedition, 82; Duncan in charge, 252; at Ft. Langley, 111, 139, 197, 207; at Ft. Simpson, 236; at Ft. Vancouver, 236-237; and wreck of Isabella, 117, 135; Kipling in charge, 252; at Nass, 119, 139; Ogden on, 289; repair, 163, 165, 176, 276; Sinclair in charge, 215, 236; trade, 144, 209, 257; and wreck of Vancouver, 240; and wreck of William and Ann, 6, 20, 30; supposed wrecked, 6 California, 138, 140, 161; debt to N. W. Co., 161, 169; trade, 163, 165, 175, 181, 184 Calpo, Madam, 46 Camas Plains, 126 Campbell, Colin, 173; letter to, 174 Campment Fusil, 125 Canasawarette, Thomas, murder, 268, 271, 273, 274 Canning business, 7 Canoe River, 119 Canoes, 53-54, 118 Canton, China, 92 Canvas, 167, 168 Cape Disappointment, 247, 253 Carracas, S. J., 213 Carson, Alexander, 125, 128, 267 Cascade Mountains, 214 Cassino (Indian chief), 40, 92, 124 Cattle, 7, 168-169, 173, 179, 188, 236, 240, 241-242, 253-254, 278, 295 Cayuse Indians, 173, 258 Chalifoux, Andre, 53 Challiboun, Mrs., 150 Charite, Joseph, 283 Charlebois, Francis, 200, 203 Charles, Pierre, 3, 12 Charlo, , 267 Charlton, Richard, 81; consul at Oahu, 24, 34; and Griffin, 225, 227-228; H. B. Co. agent, 234; letters to, 27, 39, 42, 116, 155, 156-158; 225-226, 227- 233, 234-235, 243, 276-277, 290; trade with H. B. Co., 28, 36, 116, 146, 147, 157, 158, 159, 160, 183, 184, 217,218, 224-225, 226-227, 227-233, 234, 243, 259, 276-277, 290, 291 Charpentier (Carpentier), Francis, 1, 12, 121, 188, 267, 296; account, 173, 179, 282, 296 Chehalis (Chilhilis, Chi Ki Liss), 273, 287 Chenamus (Indian chief), 47 Chinook, Thomas, 267 Clairmont, , 108 Clallam expedition, 82, 103: Ermatinger, 65, 83, 84-85, 86, 99, 102, 103; letters on, 81-84, 102-103; McLeod, 81-84; number of men, 95 Clallam Indians, 13, 103, 197 Clark, John, 185 Clatsop Bay, 6 368 p LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Clatsop Indians, slaves, 30; at wreck of William and Ann, 6, 18-19, 20-21, 29, 30, 183 Clowes, John, 231 Coasting and interior trade, 71, 149, 215, 246, 250-251, 256-257; attached to Ft. Simpson, 220, 222; extent, 16; Ogden in charge of, 237; limitations, 212; failure to build vessel for, 275-276 vessels needed in, 8, 9, 24, 36, 144, 199, 220-222, 244-245 to replace Dryad, 259-260; to replace Isabella, 120; for interior, 132; for Snake district, 129, 132 Coeur d'Alene Indians, 192 Cole, G. W., 225, 232; offers to sell Griffin, 217-218, 226, 227-228; letters to, 226-227 Colorado River, 119-120, 137-138 Columbia department, 5, 15, 151, 281 Columbia River, 129, 147, 260, 294; ice in, 237; lives lost in, 187 Columbia River bar, 26, 36, 117-118 Columbia River posts, letter to, 123 Colville, Andrew, 149 Connolly, William, 10, 13, 14, 15, 66, 124, 192; letters to, 9, 66-67, 109; at wreck of William and Ann, 18-19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 41, 183 Convoy (brig), in Columbia River, 91-92, 100; description, 221; at Sandwich Islands, 67, 92; at wreck of William and Ann, 6 Cook, Richard, 122, 130, 210, 294 Cooper, Capt., 292, 295 Cornoyer (Cournoyer), Joseph, 70, 204 Cowlitz Indians, 196 Cowlitz River region, 46, 103, 176, 273 Dalles of Columbia, 43, 90, 92, 122, 124, 240: Americans at, 62, 67, 97— Bache, 57, 58, 89, 103, 104 Birnie at, 60, 61, 62, 66, 72, 89, 90, 97; letters to, 60, 71-72,72,103 Davison, James, 184 Deals, see Timber Dease, John Warren, 3, 9, 54, 55, 87, 199; death, 72, 91; illness, 18, 38, 43, 51, 53, 71, 72, 90; attended by Hamlyn, 51, 72, 90-91; letters to, 2, 8, 14, 18, 51-52; retires, 43 Dease, Peter W., 65, 66, 202, 204, 210, 242, 264, 285; Bonaventura expedition, 85; Clallam expedition, 103; letters to, 192, 202-203, 204, 263, 270, 285 Degrais, Pierre, 198 Desaire, Pierre, 122 Despard, Joseph, 267 Despard, Pierre, 267 Diseases, 211-212; see also Fever $$&'„ Dominis, John, 47, 55, 81, 89, 92; arrival, 1; departure, 145; opinion of Vancouver and Convoy, 221; trade, 63, 64, 92-93 Dorion, Baptiste, 202, 210, 253 Douglas, Alexander, 148 Douglas, Cecilia, 148 Douglas, David, 171, 232 Douglas, James, 125, 164, 166, 187, 204, 268, 284; accountant, 66, 96-97, 188; Minors incident, 133, 141, 142, 143; wages, 194 Dryad (brig), 138, 147, 159, 167, 214, 221, 238, 245, 265-266, 277; arrival, 124-125, 130, 132, 138, 149, 175; at Ft. George, 237, 253; Ft. Simpson, 214, 253; Minors quarrel with McLoughlin, 134, 140-144; Nass expedition, 194; repair, 259-260; trade, 144, 163, 165, 167-169, 170, 183, 197, 207, 222, 244, 257; women on, 129- 130 Ducharme, Joseph, 285 Duncan, , (may not be same person), 214-215, 220 Duncan, Alexander, 148, 168, 239, 247, 265, 288, 289; certificate, 168-169; fever, 211; letters to, 223-224; Minors incident, 143, 144; salary, 251 Duncan, Mrs. Alexander, 231 Duncan, John, 148 Dunn, John, 245-246 Dupaty, Jean, 85, 267, 274 Eagle (brig), 105, 116, 120, 145, 147, 149, 163, 164, 165, 277, 288; cargo damaged, 119, 137, 147; departure, 153, 183; at Ft. Langley, 111, 286; at Ft. Vancouver, 119, 137, 275; and Isabella, 105; letters to, 80, 110-111; Minors on, 134, 142, 156, 175; at Nass, 110-111, 119, 139, 145; at Oahu, 116, 278, 286 Eales, Priscilla, 148 Eales, William, 148; ship commands, 221-222, 223, 235 369 ____ LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Elbuse, Lora, 230 Ermatinger, Edward, 148 Ermatinger, Francis, 15, 66, 108, 114, 148, 164, 166, 213, 282; boy, 123, 124; Clallam expedition, 65, 83, 84-85, 86, 99, 102, 103; horses, 115, 123, 150, 152, 173; Lillooet country, 65, 95, 99; letters to, 2, 10, 65-66, 99, 102, 206, 265, 285; wife, 185; and wreck of William and Ann, 18-19, 20, 30 Ermatinger, L. E., 148 Falkland Islands, 138, 167, 169 Favel, John, 177, 210 Felix, Antoine, 182, 193, 199, 203 Fever, 132, 133, 139-140, 149, 150, 151, 152-153, 162, 163, 165, 166, 168, 175, 183, 208, 210, 212-213, 216-217, 218, 257, 259, 276, 289, 295, 296; disappearance, 181; see also Indians Finlay, Augustin, 128 Finlayson, Duncan, 256, 276, 278; instructions at Oahu, 277, 288-290; letters to, 277-278, 288-290, 291; to buy ship, 275-276, 286, 288-289; and Sinclair incident, 251-252 Flathead Indians, 185, 264; trade, 55, 56, 88, 115, 199 Fleury, Jean Baptiste, 122, 202, 204, 205 Floods and high water, 126, 186 Follett, John, 148 Forcier, Louis, 58, 106 Fort Babine, 216 Fort Colvile, 3, 4, 53, 86, 87-88, 90. 108, 114,129,151,179,190, 191, 199, 203,213,281; letters to, 18-19,68,86-88 106, 113, 115, 128-129, 131-132, 132 133, 149-150, 181-182, 191-192, 198 200, 201, 201-202, 203-204, 212-213 263-264, 265, 271, 279,280-282, 282- 283, 283, 293-294; McGillivray in charge, 259, 262; number of men at, 94, 193, 281; mill, 68; provisions from, 9, 10, 54, 122-123, 131-132, 189. 190, 191, 210, 264; harvest, 131-132 280; stockade, 68, 95; trade, 68, 88 Fort Colvile district, 14, 15, 44, 57, 133; Heron in charge, 100-101; letter to, 45; number of men at, 198;win ter post, 55; Work in charge, 43, 54 91, 100 Fort Flathead, 55, 87; letters to, 2, 8 43, 51-52, 61; Work in charge, 43 Fort George, 103, 183, 244, 249, 252; Cadboro at, 237; Convoy at, 92; Dryad at, 183, 237; letter from, 253; letters to, 10-11, 47, 58-59, 63, 64; Madam Lucier at, 153; Manson at, 117, 135; trade, 184-85; Vancouver at, 183, 241 Fort Kamloops, letters to, 114, 123-124, 190-191, 270 Fort Kootenai, 115, 293 Fort Langley, 20, 30, 34, 103, 110, 144, 215,219,244,248,257,277, 278; farm, 259; letters to, 5-7, 12, 70, 111-112, 250-251, 265-266, 278, 286; number of men at, 12, 95; plows for, 266; provisions for, 265- 266; trade, 196, 209, 249; vessels at, 111, 139, 194, 207, 208, 245, 247; vessels needed by, 36 Fort Nez Perces, 6; letter from, 125- 128; letters to, 1, 13, 14-15, 43, 45, 56, 61, 121-122; number of men at, 95; supplies needed at, 3, 43, 57, 67, 69, 201; trade, 44, 99, 106, 121; see also Ft. W7alla Walla Fort Okanogan, 189, 192, 200, 203, 242, 253, 270; horses from, 115; number of men at, 193; provisions, 8, 9, 10 Fort St. James, 263; letters to, 9, 66-67, 109, 192, 263, 270 Fort Simpson,206,216,222,223,246,265, 289; establishment, 214; letters to, 208, 234, 236-238, 239, 242-243, 244- 246, 248, 251-252, 253; Manson in charge, 220; Ogden in charge, 220; supplies for, 194, 195, 222,245; trade, 214-216, 220, 245, 257 Fort Vancouver, 6, 8, 44, 124, 129, 148, 183, 205, 283; farm, 37, 94, 186; hospital, 153, 162, 165; letters to Ross at, 5; letters to A. Simpson at, 47; letters to McLeod at, 73, 73-74, 79, 80; letter to Hamlyn at, 88-89; letter to Annance at, 151-152; number of men at, 95 Fort Walla Walla, 2, 3, 6, 8, 113, 132, 137, 138, 150, 151, 173, 188, 192, 202, 242, 254, 270, 293, 295; Barnston in charge, 107, 185; Black leaves charge, 107; farm, 130, 189-190; letters to, 124, 130-131,133,150-151,171-173,178- 179, 180, 180-181, 188-189, 195-196, 204-205, 206, 210, 240-241, 241-242, 253-254, 254-255, 261-262, 279, 294, 294-295, 296; McGillivray in (Continued on next page) 370 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Fort Walla Walla—Continued charge, 107, 185; number of men at, 189, 193, 195; proposal to rebuild, 189, 196; Sasty affair, 241-242, 253-254, 254-255,258- 259; stockade, 179; supplies, 124, 129-130, 132, 201; trade, 107, 178, 235, 279; see also Ft. Nez Perces Fraser River, 247 French, William, 231, 232; letter to, 224-225; trade, 224-225, 228-229 Fur trade, 146, 246-247: articles of trade- beads, 2, 204, 212, 236; clothing, 41; see also Arms and ammunition, Blankets, Hiaqua extent, 16 skins, 145, 149, 184- damaged, 22, 32; method of packing, 22, 32, 37, 38; prices, see Prices; bear, 110; beaver, 62, 139, 149, 160-161, 236, 260-261; chelis, 51; elk, 106, 108, 129; fox, 110; martin, 110, 139, 149; mink, 110; otter, 38, 110, 149, 172; seal, 38 trapping parties, description, 126- 128; trapping places, 160-161; traps, 59, 63, 71, 73, 126; see also Brigades Gagnier, John, 274, 295 Ganymede (barque), 42, 47, 93, 215, 216, 217, 219, 227, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 259, 275; cargo damaged, 22, 31, 213-214; enters Columbia River, 21, 22, 31, 213, 217, 224, 228, 233; Hall chief mate, 20, 30, 49; Haynes in command, 11, 50; letters to, 48, 233; officers, 223; repair, 216; trade, 11, 146, 218 Garry, Nicholas, 148, 231 Gervais, Joseph, 85 Goudie, James, 200, 203 Grave, John Costellow, 110, 146, 147, 149, 277, 278; Isabella, 105; letters to, 80, 105, 110, 274; Minors incident, 133, 141, 142 Gray, Joe, 106, 121-122, 151, 152, 173, 194, 202, 210 Great Britain, trade agreement with Russia, 194-195 Great Salt Lake, 23, 32, 127 Green, Martin, 160; letter to, 170 Greenshield, Marg, 148 Greenwich, 260 Grenier, Mrs., 116 Griffin (brig), captain, 288; purchase proposed, 225, 227-228, 234, 290; repair, 290 Groselin, Charles, 129 Guilbeau, Paul, 210 Gulf of California, 137 Guns, see Arms and ammunition Haldane, John, 148 Hall, Alfred, chief mate of Ganymede, 20, 30, 49; Haynes-Hall incident, 26, 36-37, 48, 49; letter to, 48; and wreck of William and Ann, 20, 30 Hamylin, Richard J., 72, 97-98; attends Dease, 51, 72, 90-91; letters to, 71-72, 88-89; position at Red River, 89, 97-98 Hanwell, Henry Jr., 148 Harmes, Mrs., 231 Harriott, John, Edward, 87,97,101,103, 168, 173, 174, 176, 182, 260, 261, 262; accountant, 66, 96-97; Nass, 175; loss at Okanogan, 167, 181; and wreck of William and Ann, 18-19, 20, 30 Harriott, Mrs. Joh.i, 87 Harrison, Benjamin, 231 Hartnell, , 184, 292, 295 Haynes, Leonard John, 27, 28; Capt. of Ganymede, 11; letters to, 11, 28, 42; Haynes-Hall incident, 26, 36-37, 48,. 49, 50; at Oahu, 24, 34, 39 Heron, Francis, 91, 133, 150, 174, 179, 192, 194, 195, 271, 281; in charge of Colvile, 100-101, 262; letters to, 68, 86-88, 100-101, 106, 108, 113, 115, 122-123, 128-129, 131-132, 132-133, 149-150, 181-182, 198-200, 201-202, 203-204, 206-207, 211, 212-213, 263-264; Snake expedition outfit, 113, 206 Heveea, S. J., 194, 202 Hiaqua (shells), 59, 161, 198 Hodson, , 291-292 Hood Canal, Washington, 81 Hooker, William Jackson, 149 Hoole, , 253 Hoole, James, 3 Horses, 52, 56, 124, 133, 150, 151, 172-173, 181, 201, 210, 269, 279, 294; for families of employees, 114; private trading prohibited, 56, 88, 114, 115, 281, 296; route to Ft. Vancouver, 294; Snake country expedition, 113, 126, 128-129, 195, 206, 210; trade, 57, 114, 121; for threshing, 125 371 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Hudson's Bay Company: American competition, see Americans; documents, 5, 147 employees, 154, 158, 193; agreements with, 143; retirement, 181-182 ; wages, 150, 178-199, 188, 191, 194, 225, 228, 251, 282-283 governor and committee, 27, 88, 90, 116, 147, 160, 206, 212, 231; letters to, 19-26, 29-38, 40-42, 49, 117-120, 134-150, 162-164, 164-169, 213-220, 275-276- marine department, 140, 170, 171; North West Co. consolidation, 169 outfits-1826, 22, 31-32; 1828, 146; 1830, 44, 131, 139, 175; 1831, 139, 175; 1832, 132, 139, 205, 236; 1833, 139; 1834, 245 and Russian American Co., 17, 66, 93; 94; secretary, letters to, 146, 147-149; shipments 7, 8, 25, 42, 245 Humboldt (Unknown, Ogden's) River, 127, 137 Immigrants, 46 Indians, 68: fever, 132, 140, 153, 163, 166, 175, 212-213, 289; at Ft. Walla Walla, 189, 241-242, 258; at wreck of Isabella, 118-119, 135-136; as messengers, 5-6, 115; punishment, 109, 183, 185, 255, 258, 268-269, 270, 271, 272, 273; reliability, 175; trade, 209; at Cape Flattery, 13; derouine, 286; license, 40; at Ft. Langley, 209; at Nass, 15, 119, 139, 215; at wreck of William and Ann, 6, 18-19, 29, 30, 31, 38-39, 40-41; see also names of tribes Ieaudoins, Charles, 267 Interior trade, see Coasting and interior trade Isabella (vessel), 120, 147; wreck, 88, 105, 106,116,149,182-183; report of, 117-119, 134-137; cargo, 120, 136- 137, 147 Iuongway, Louis, 267 Johnston, James, 247 Kakaraquiron, Pierre, murder, 268, 271, 272, 273, 274 Kanak, Frank, 230 Kanonswasse, Martin, 200, 203 Kanota, Louis, 126, 127 Karaganyate, Gros Pierre, 150, 153 Karonhitchego, Laurent, 200, 202, 203, 282, 285 Kennedy, Alexander, 148 Kennedy, John, 142, 218, 259; fever, 163, 166, 175 Keppling, Pisk (Thomas), 46, 58, 125; account, 63; illness, 63; and Minors, 153-155 Kettle Falls Indians, 95 Ki Karrow, S. J., 60 Killimook^ee Tillamook Kipling, Charles, 217, 224, 228, 248, 249, 250; and Cadboro, 252; and Dryad, 23,2, 223 224, 252; fever, 216, 235; letters to,. 223, 235, 248-249; Capt. of Vancouver, 221, 223; Vancouver wreck, 240, 251, 265, 275, 290 Kittson, William, 43, 56, 86, 90, 91, 109, 113, 150, 151, 191, 201-202 Ko Kanish, Miste, 70 Kootenai Indians, 199, 264; trade, 56, 191 La Blanc, Louis, 44, 45 Labonte, Louis, 133 Lackie, William, 252 Lacourse, Pierre, 182,191,193,198,200, 203, 271, 282 Laderoute, Xavier, 177 Lafleur, Joachim, 193 Laframboise, Michel, 47, 70, 125, 177, 188, 249, 274, 285, 293, 295; Bona- ventura expedition, 77, 85, 86; letters to, 70, 266-268, 268-269, 269, 272, 274; punishes Indians, 268-269, 270, 272, 273, 274; Tillamook country, 268; Umpqua River expedition, 152; and wreck of William and Ann, 20, 30 Lajois, John Baptiste, 182, 193, 200, 203 Lama (brig) , 288, 290 Lamotte, Paul, 285 Lapierre, Joseph, 87, 182, 193, 199 Larky, Carpenter, 222 Larocque, J. S., 173 La Souris (Indian), 109 Layland, Richard, 14 L'Ecuyer, Francois, 44, 56 Lefevre, Jean Baptiste, 202, 204 L'Etang, Pierre, 185 Lillewhit River, see Lillooet River. Lima, Peru, 140, 160, 161, 163, 165, 170 372 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Lillooet (Lillewhit, Harrison) River country, 65, 95, 99 Liquor, 7, 59,124,219,240,245,290,291; agreement with Russian American Co., 16, 237; drunkenness, 26, 36-37, 49, 140, 252; used in packing furs, 38; influence on Indian trade, 216; prices, see Prices; on H. B. Co. ships, 239, 252 Lucier, Madam, 153 McDonald, Anawiscum, 12 McDonald, Archibald, 13,65,70,96,110, 111-112, 144, 147, 187, 197, 207, 208, 242, 248; letters to, 5-7, 12, 70, 111- 112, 174-176, 196-197, 209, 243, 246- 247, 250-251, 265-266, 278, 286; and Maniso, 174; trade in Puget Sound, 71, 111 McDougal, James, 87, 95-96 McGillivray, Duncan, 169 McGillivray, Simon, 173, 179, 188, 192, 201, 205, 207, 236, 270; in charge of Colvile, 259, 261; and Flathead post, 280; letters to, 174, 189-190, 195-196, 204-205, 206, 210, 235-236, 240-241, 241-242, 253-254, 254-255, 261-262, 271, 279, 280-282, 282-283, 283, 284, 293-294; and Sasty affair, 241-242, 253-254, 258-259, 261-262; in charge of Ft. Walla Walla, 180-181 McKay, Thomas, 77, 125, 138, 269; fort, 274; leave of absence, 187; letter to, 177; to retire, 261 McLeod, Alexander Roderic, 65, 80, 87, 113, 114, 177-178, 187, 194, 201-202; Bonaventura expedition- lack of ammunition, 74-76; arrival at Ft. Vancouver, 76; leaves Ft. Vancouver, 77; journal mentioned, 78; McLoughlin letter, 75-76 Clallam expedition, 81-84; letters to, 73, 73-74, 74-75, 75-76, 76-77, 79, 80, 125, 152-153, 177-178, 192-193 McLeod, Mrs. A. R., 87 McLoughlin, John, 42, 231, 253" letters to— from Manson, 155, 156; unsigned, on Simpson's death, 255-256 deals with Russian American Co., 17 McNeil, William H., McLoughlin wants to hire, 288-289; offers to sell Lama, 287; trade, 290, 291 McTavish, J. G., 5 Manley, , 232 Maniso, , 174 Manson, Donald, 47, 81, 92, 117, 289; Clallam expedition, 103; in charge of Ft. Simpson, 214; and wreck of Isabella, 117-118, 135-136; letters from, to McLoughlin, 155, 156; letters to, 10-11, 47, 50-51, 58-59, 63,64, 153-154;and Minors, 153-154, 155 Markus, Harry, 230 Martineau, Pierre, 108, 122, 130, 188, 210 Maude & Co., 148 Medicines, 159, 161, 225, 230, 233 Miles, Robert, 204 Mills, 46, 72; corn, 293; at Ft. Langley, 7; horses for threshing, 125; iron, 201; irons, 2, 3; saw mill, 94, 168, 176, 185, 186 Minors, John: arrival, 124, 132, 175; captain of Dryad, 130; character, 144, 154, 163; and Keppling, 153-154,155; letters to, 129-130, 133-134, 141-142; quarrel with McLoughlin, 134, 140- 144, 175 Mitchison, Mrs., 232 Molasses, 167, 218, 226, 229, 230, 277 Monterey, California, 292, 295; beaver at 160; H. B. Co. trade with, 37, 160, 163, 165, 170, 183 Montour, Nicholas, 14, 88, 101, 115, 150, 191, 199, 203-204, 212, 263-264 Montreal, 194 Moreau, Joseph, 205 Myers, Carpenter, 143 Nass, 25, 293; establishment, 149, 153, 183, 187; plans, 112; postponed, 162, 165, 175; survey, 15, 109-110; Indians at, 15, 119, 139, 215; trade, 139, 144, 149, 153, 208; vessels for, 140, 163, 165, 176, 182, 211; voyages to, 119, 130, 131, 132, 139, 145, 149, 209, 246 Nass River, 147 New Archangel, 16, 37 New Caledonia, 96-97, 101, 132, 192, 195, 204 Nez Perces district, 282 Nichols, Mrs., 232 North West Company, 148; debt due to, 161, 169; H. B. Co. consolidation, 169 373 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Oahu (Wahoo, Owhyee), 83; Finlayson at, 277-278, 287-290; letters to, 39,42,116 (see also Richard Charlton) ; trade with, 24, 27, 34, 46, 116, 157, 158, 163, 164, 165, 181, 183-184, 196, 228 (see also Richard Charlton) ; workers from, 27, 208, 213, 226, 229; vessels at, 92, 138, 228, 233, 275, 287, 286; see also Sandwich Islands Ogden, C. J., 214 Ogden, Peter Skene, 8-9, 46, 56, 58, 61, 122, 238, 240, 241, 242, 243, 246, 247, 249, 250, 256, 260, 266, 288, 289, 290; Bonaventura expedition, 119-120, 137-138; to Colorado River, 119-120, 137-138; loss at The Dalles, 118, 137; fever, 163, 166; Ft. Simpson, 206, 215, 216, 223; letters from, 125-128, 128-129; letters to, 52, 54- 55, 208, 220-222, 234, 236-238, 239, 242-243, 244-246, 248, 251-252; letters to, from Birnie, 253; McLoughlin praises, 22-23, 32-33; Nass expedition, 194; discovers Pit River, 76, 96; Snake River expeditions, 22-23, 32, 33, 46, 95, 138, 185; Stikine River, 237, 257; trade, 234-235, 237 Ogden's River, see Humboldt River Okanogan River, 167 Otoetanie, Michel, 267 Ough, Richard, 239 Ouvre, John Baptiste, 62, 176, 266, 273 Owhyhee (brig), 81; departure, 145; at Ft. George, 1, 6; undersells H. B. Co., 6; voyages, 92, 117 Owhyhee River, 23 Pambrun, Pierre, 285; in charge at Walla Walla, 259, 261; letters to, 271-272, 279, 294, 294-295, 296 Payette, Francis, 43, 113, 264, 293; Snake River expedition, 127, 293 Percy, John, 231 Perrault, J. Baptiste, 201 Perry, John, 148 Petit, Thomas, 14 Picard, Andre, 193 Pierre, Little, 267 Pin, Joseph, 12, 200, 203 Pit River, discovery, 76, 96 Plante, Antoine, 1, 3 Plante, Charles, 128 Plomer, Henry, 230 Plomondon, , 112 Plouffe, Antoine, 182, 193, 200, 203 Poirier, Madam, 59 Port Essington, 238 Port Stephens, 257, 260 Portelance, Narcisse, 182, 193 Portland Canal, 275 Powers, Gilbert, 200, 203 Prices, 24-25, 34, 107, 110,121,186,192: barley, 186; bear, 110, 249; beaver, 6, 23,26, 33, 46, 92, 110,139,248-249; made beaver, 23, 33, 184, 197, 199: beef, 159, 292; blankets, 6, 25, 26. 33, 34, 92, 139, 172, 184, 196, 197, 198, 248; cattle, 292; corn, 186; deals, 24, 37; fox, 110; guns, 6, 11 23, 25, 33, 34, 47, 63, 196, 197 horses, 292; liquor, 37, 291; martin, 110; mink, 110; otter, 110, 249; peas, 186; pork, 159; potatoes, 186; rice, 157, 159; salmon, 160, 197; salt, 159; timber, 12, 196-197, 259; tobacco, 157; wheat, 186 Proveau (Preveau), Louis, 182, 193, 200, 203 Puget Sound, 71, 111, 287 Quesnel, Amable, 267 Quenville, Colvile, 200, 203 Ralph, John, 46 Raymond, William, 202 Red River Golony, 97-98 Reed's River, 125, 126 Regneir, Tappage, 194, 202 Rendal, I., 232 Rio Del Norte, 119 Rivet, Francois, 43, 113, 212, 263-264 Riviere au Malheur, 23, 113 Robertson, D., 232 Robson (Robertson), , 218, 219 Rocquebrun, Thomas, 67 Rocquebrune, Antoine, 193 Ross, Donald, 1, 2, 4; letters to, 3, 5,7 Roussil, Augustin, 279, 284 Rowand, John, letter to, 44-45 Rupert Land, 182 Russia, trade agreement with Great Britain, 194-195 Russian American (Fur) Company: letter to governor, 15; liquor and arms agreement, 16, 237; New Archangel post, 16, 37, 93; trade agreement, 17, 66, 93, 237 Ryan, Mrs. J., 149 374 LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Ryan, William, 110, 149, 181, 214, 217, 218, 220; captain of Isabella, 117; wreck of Isabella, 117-119, 134-137, 147, 183; letters to, 105, 158-159, 233; at Oahu, 157, 158, 163, 175, 181, 233 Sabassas, 257 Sabine, Edward, 148 Sabine, Joseph, 231 Sacramento, see Bonaventura St. Petersburgh, 66, 94 Salmon, 46, 63, 105, 125, 131, 149, 242, 243, 245, 246, 247, 263, 266, 277; prices, see Prices; salting, 12, 95, 112, 286; trade, 140, 144, 157, 160, 163, 165, 170, 175, 176, 181, 183, 197, 207, 208, 209, 215, 224, 225, 228, 229 Salmon River, 126 Salt, 150, 160, 161, 228, 230, 243, 287; prices, 159 San Bias, Mexico, 161 San Francisco, 295 San Francisco Bay, 137 Sandwich Island River, 127 Sandwich Islands, 25; Islands used as crew members, 36; trade, 163, 166, 234; see also Oahu Sandy Encampment, 177 Sascatchewan, letter to, 44, 45 Sasty (Indian), 241, 255, 258, 262 Scarborough, (J. A. or Robert), 252 Scarborough, James Allen, 211, 212, 219 Scarborough, Robert, 222, 288 Servant, Jacques, 200, 203, 285 Shacgostska, Louis, 267 Shanagarate, Louis, 267 Shasta Valley, 76, 96 Shipwrecks, 81, 103, 104; see also Isabella, Vancouver, William and Ann Sickly River, 126, 128 Silvaille, Mrs., 116 Simpson, AEmelius, 36, 45, 46, 47, 57, 81, 84, 105, 147, 148, 215, 219, 231 236, 251; Clallam expedition, death, 214, 220, 232, 233, 255, 256 257; at Ft. Langley, 13, 93, 109, 139; Ft. Simpson, 214; and wreck of Isabella, 117, 135; letters to, 13, 46, 47 49, 104, 109, 110, 159-162, 169, 171, 207-208; at Monterey, 160; superin tendent H. B. Co. marine depart ment, 140, 170, 171 Nass expedition- departure, 139, 194; report, men tioned, 139; survey of harbor, 15, 109-110, 139; trade, 208; collects N. W. Co. debt, 169; Russian America expedition, 18, 37, 58, 66, 93; at Sandwich Islands, 12, 27, 34, 37, 181; discovers Stikine River, 216; trade, 94, 95, 160-162, 163, 165, 181, 194; and wreck of William and Ann, 20, 30 Simpson, Geddes M. K., 148 Simpson, George, 17, 25-26, 35, 38, 65, 68, 70, 86, 148, 199, 238; and Hamlyn, 97, 98; at Ft. Vancouver, 2, 19, 29, 176, 186; letter from, to Russian American Co., 15-18; letters to, 77- 78, 81-86, 90-99, 102, 182-188, 256-261 Sinclair, Thomas, 187, 211-212, 219, 247; in charge of Cadboro, 215, 236; at Ft. Langley, 197; at Ft. Simpson, 238, 240; instructions, 207, 209-210; at wreck of Isabella, 118, 136; letters to, 197-198, 209-210, 238, 238-239; quarrel with McLoughlin, 252; and Minors, 156; at Nass, 211; officers under, 221-222; trade, 209, 236-237, 249; and Vancouver wreck, 240 Sitka, 47, 58, 93 Sitleux, Petit, 195 Smith, G. F., 148 Smith, Jedediah, 295; massacre on Umpqua, 77, 78, 79, 84; trade with H. B. Co., 94 Smith, Phil, 232 Smith, Thomas, 202 Smith, William, 148, 231, 233; letter to, 146 Snake district, 129, 185 Snake River country expeditions, 3, 113, 147, 196, 260; see also P. S. Ogden, John Work South America, 183 Spaniards, 41 Spokan,53 Spokane Garry, 293 Stikine River, 195, 260-261; discovery and exploration, 237-238, 257; proposed post on, 237-238, 257 Strait of Juan de Fuca, 139, 209, 222, 242, 257 Sugar, 124, 218, 284 Swan, J. P., 19, 21, 29, 31 Taylor, , 218, 228 Tecalvatiron, Charles, 200, 203 Tehonwasse, Thomas, 210 375 ■ffffiWWHWW LETTERS OF DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN Thervien, Pierre, 12 Thomas, , 267 Thomas, Henri say, 202 Thompson, Captain, 55, 64, 89, 91, 100 Thompson River post, 3, 4, 9, 101, 106, 109, 185, 195, 205; rule concerning families, 114; leters to, 2, 10, 65-66, 99; number of men at, 95 Three Knobs, 126 Tillamook (Killimook) country, 268- 269 Timber (lumber, shingles, deals), 11, 27, 42, 149, 157, 163, 166, 176, 228, 233; deals, 24, 27, 63, 64, 94, 145, 157, 160, 161, 163, 166, 170, 175, 181, 183,186,207, 215, 227,229; prices, see Prices; trade, 94, 95, 140, 144, 259 Tobacco, 1, 157; used to pack furs, 37; trade, 224, 228-229, 230 Tod, James, 148 Toupm, Jean, 114, 116 Trade, see Coasting and interior trade, Fur trade, Indians, Oahu, Sandwich Islands; names of forts, names of vessels Turgeon, Joseph, 201 Turgeon, Michel, 285 Umphveville, Canot6, 200, 203 Umpqua River region, 84, 295; Laframboise expedition to, 152; A. R. McLeod expedition to, 84; J. Smith party massacre, 77, 78, 79, 84 Unknown River, see Humboldt River Valle, Antoine, 282 Valparaiso, 160, 163, 165 Vancouver (barque) ,36, 111, 220, 237, 253, 257; built, 112; certificate, 112; description, 112, 221; at Ft. Simpson, 214, 257; crew of Isabella, 119, 139; Juan de Fuca Strait, 139; Nass expedition, 119, 139, 194, 246; at Oahu, 157, 163, 165, 175, 183; officers, 221-222, 223; repair, 266, 276, trade, 95, 144, 157, 159, 163, 221, 248-249; and wreck of William and Ann, 20, 30; wreck of, 239-241, 244- 245, 249-250, 253, 257, 265, 266, 290 Verveau, 272, 274 Vessels, see Coasting and interior trade; names of vessels Wagner, Peter, 204 Wahoo, see Oahu Ward, John, 238 Watford (Walford), Thomas, 160, 170 Webster, James, 148 Willamette River, 92, 138, 294; hunting on, 119, 138, 267 Willamette Valley, 46, 103, 195, 213, 269 William and Ann (vessel), 21, 22, 36, 42; crew murdered, 6, 12, 19, 21, 31, 38-39, 40-41, 119; wreck, 6, 12, 18-19, 19-21, 29, 31, 34, 106 Women: on Dryad, 129-130; H. B. Co. rule concerning families, 114; see also names Work, John, 43, 61, 101, 116, 185, 191, 202-203, 231, 232, 279, 290, 294; Bonaventura Valley, 283, 292; Colvile district, 43, 54, 91, 100, 101 commission, 214; letter from Ogden, 125-128; letters to, 43, 53-54, 55-56, 61, 101, 283, 292-293, 295 Snake River expeditions, 264, 292; takes charge 138, 185; departure, 128-129; equipment, 206, 207; horses, 195, 206-207, 210; instructions, 125-128; men, 210, 260; requisition for, 44, 129 and wreck of William and Ann, 20, 30 Work, Lydia, 232 Wright, Charles, 148 Yale, James, 85, 112, 249, 250 Yates, John, 160 York Factory, 5, 87, 95, 97, 139, 175, 183, 187, 188, 196, 201, 204, 252, 269 Young, Robert, 221-222, 223, 288; Minors incident, 143, 144 Young, William, 148 376 (CONTINUED FROM FRONT FLAP) that sanctioned by his authority. The natives killed traders; Dr. McLoughlin dealt with them sternly. Even domestic troubles between trappers and their native wives were brought to the Chief Factor to settle. In short, here is a diary of life on the first frontier, all the more moving because stated factually and directly. Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin have been edited by Dr. Burt Brown Barker, who made two trips to London to check the data for his introduction, notes and appendices. Several years of work have gone into the editorial preparation of this volume. Dr. Barker is vice-president emeritus of the University of Oregon and past president of the Oregon Historical Society. For several years he has been a close student of the life of Dr. McLoughlin, having previously published two articles on him in the Oregon Historical Quarterly. Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin is a major contribution to Pacific Northwest history. It is a must for scholar, collector and library. Published by Binfords & Mort for the Oregon Historical Society. BY THE PACIFIC ____! ifTHREE BOOKS OF THE American guide series WASHINGTON. S^tate *verareen ^Jiale 120 illustrations, 4-color state map, 800 pages. Price $3.50 OREGON, £ndoftL%ail 100-illustrations, 4-color state map. 650 pages. 11 Price $3.50 NEVADA, Oke SiLr State * 100-illustrations, 4-color state map. 420 pages. Price $3.00 BINFORDS & MORT, Publishers Portland, Oregon
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Hudson's Bay Company
Fur trade
Oregon Territory--History
Letters of Dr. John McLoughlin written at Fort Vancouver 1829-1832
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