A Hudson's Bay Company Bill of Exchange from the Red River Settlement, paid to the order of Douglas Chambers in the amount of £10 sterling.
A call for obedience and restitution from agents of the North West Company at the forks of the Red River in light of recent land disputes with the Hudson's Bay Company. The Earl of Selkirk, acting under the charter of the Hudson's Bay Company, is positioned as the principal proprietor and land owner of the region in question.
The proclamation is signed by James Bird, governor N.D. [Northern Department?], and [Governor] Miles MacDonell of Assiniboia and addressed to Simon McGillivray per De Rocheblave.
Correspondence from D. McKenzie (likely Donald McKenzie) at Red River to [Governor] Chief Factors and Chief Traders of the Northern Department. The letter describes a scarcity of goods, the failure of crops, the concerns of settlement inhabitants, abundant bison, and the distribution of pemmican.
Correspondence from Donald McIntosh at Fort William to George Simpson, governor in chief of Rupert's Land, at Red River.
The letter confirms that the order sent by Chief Factor McTavish has been received at Fort William and "agreeable to instructions are now sent on" to Norway House and York Factory.
Place: Hudsons Bay House, London [England]
From: John Smith
To: The Revd John Smithurst, Church Missionary House, Salisbury Square [London, England]
Details: 1pp
Notes: This letter confirms a previous conversation between John Smith of Hudson's Bay House in London and Reverend John Smithurst. Rev. Smithurst is awarded the position of chaplain to the Hudson's Bay Company at Red River in Rupert's Land. He is granted passage from London to Fort Garry [modern-day Winnipeg].
Place: York Factory
From: Ina Cowie
To: Revd John Smithurst, Red River
Details: 2pp with integral address
Notes: A letter of effusive thanks for Rev. Smithurst’s kindness in recommending Ina Cowie to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) for employment. It seems Rev. Smithurst spoke with his friend Captain Herd on Cowie’s behalf. Cowie also mentions that he wishes to write to the Church Missionary Society to let them know of Rev. Smithurst’s thoughtfulness.
Place: [Grand Rapids?]
From: Wm Cockran
To: Rev. J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 3pp with integral address
Notes: Reverend William Cockran writes to Rev. Smithurst regarding Rev. Cowley and his wife Mrs. Cowley, who have lodged with Rev. Cockran since they arrived in Rupert’s Land the previous autumn. Rev. Cockran describes the Cowleys as being ungracious guests who do not understand the expense of living in the Red River Settlement. Rev. Cockran also writes that he has severed ties to the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Church Missionary Society but will continue as if he will “continue here for life.” He finishes the letter by discussing the flour he is sending to Henry Budd at the Cumberland House Mission. He mentions that James Sandison and Henry Bird are assisting him.
Cockran, WilliamPlace: Lachine near Montreal
From: James Keith
To: Reverend Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address
Notes: Discusses Rev. Smithurst's subscription to Church Weekly Paper, and his cancelled subscription to the Montreal Herald.
Keith, JamesPlace: St. Paul's Cray Kent
From: Daniel Aillud
To: The Revd John Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River, Hudsons Bay, Nth America
Details: 2pp
Notes: Daniel Aillud writes to Rev. Smithurst requesting a character reference so that he can leave his work as a sailor on the “Prince Rupert” for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He also discusses the death of his father, who died while he was at sea.
Place: York Factory
From: James Hargrave
To: Revd John Smithurst, &c. &c. &c., Red River Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address face
Notes: James Hargrave, an HBC employee, responds to a letter from Rev. Smithurst delivered by Mr. Morvat. The letter dealt with receiving and sending articles by the ship “Prince Rupert.” Hargrave goes on to say that Rev. Hunter and his wife arrived from London, and have continued on to the Saskatchewan District [Cumberland - Devon mission] in a boat along with part of their baggage. The rest of their baggage will be sent to them in the Spring.
Place: Fort Frances
From: Nicol Finlayson
To: Revd Mr John Smithurst, Missy Ch. M. Society, Red River Settlement
Details: 1pp with integral address face
Notes: Nicol Finlayson writes to Rev. Smithurst that he sent along the requested maps, and he sends his best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Cockran.
Finlayson, NicolPlace: Lower Fort [Garry]
From: Alex[ander] Christie Jr.
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Carried by courier
Details: 2pp + integral address face
Notes: Christie discusses the shipment of goods that were deficient in the last shipment. He informs Smithurst that there is no flannel to be had, nor jackets of any description.
Christie, Alexander JrPlace: Cumberland Mission
Details: 2pp
Notes: Cumberland Mission list showing the accounts for making and packing bags and pemmican for Rev. Smithurst. Named individuals are: John Vincents, Thomas Logan, James Inkster, James MonKinun, William Bird, William Rob Smith, and Thomas Thomas.
Place: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d John Smithurst, R.R.S. [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and thence by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: William Gregory Smith, a secretary at the Hudson’s Bay Company London office, acknowledges receipt of Smithurst’s letter dated August 4, 1846 containing two bills to be paid and credited to Mr. Cockran, also that six cases belonging to Mr. Cockran have arrived safely and “have not been lost sight of.”
An addition to the letter reads: “Your letter of the 17th Nov’r forwarded by Winter Packet has just come to hand. Sir George Simpson leaves tomorrow with the Express. I have therefore only time to say that every exertion shall be used to meet your wishes.”
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Lachine
From: Dun: Finlayson
To: Revd Inv: Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Delivery: Carried by Hudson’s Bay Company canoe brigade to the Red River Settlement.
Details: 3pp + integral address.
Notes: A letter sent by Duncan Finlayson, Hudson’s Bay Company Director, to Reverend John Smithurst. The letter details issues related to supplies of wheat, and comments on the problems of receiving publications from England. Finlayson also mentions that Reverend William Cockran spent the winter in Toronto with his family. Rev. Cockran’s children had been ill and his son John died.
Finlayson, DuncanPlace: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d John Smithurst, RRS [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1 pp (letter) + 2 pp (invoice) + integral address face
Notes: Hudson’s Bay Company secretary W.G. Smith mentions having received Smithurst’s letter of November 17, 1846 on April 16, 1847 and having written a brief acknowledgement that was included with the Spring Express. Smith appends an invoice for goods ordered (tea, gun powder, sugar, mustard, salt petre, soda, starch, pork, soap, etc.) and says these were shipped to Smithurst on board the “Westminster” via York Factory and Red River Settlement.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: [Lower Fort Garry]
From: Alex[ander] Christie Jr.
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Carried by courier
Details: 1 pp + integral address face
Notes: Christie thanks Smithurst for the gift of pigeons, and sends 495 lbs. of beef, crediting Smithurst’s account. While the note is undated, Christie was posted to Red River in 1847 and was transferred to Edmonton some time in 1848.
Christie, Alexander JrPlace: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, RRS [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1 pp + integral address face with hand postal marking
Notes: Hudson’s Bay Company secretary W.G. Smith acknowledges Rev. Smithurst’s letter of November 23, 1847 which arrived by the Winter Packet. Smith apologizes and writes, “I regret to find that my worst fears, with regard to the loss and disappointment, likely to arise from the late arrival of the Westminster, have been fully realized.” Smith explains that, “[s]he had a most narrow escape and I believe that, had it not been for the 1st officer of the P[rince] Rupert, who was on board the Westminster when she was driven from her anchorage, both ship and cargo would have been lost.”
Smith goes on to say that Mr. Christie (at Red River) will refund Smithurst the overpayment made for the goods, caused by an accounting error.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d John Smithurst, RRS [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1 pp (letter) + 1 pp (invoice) + integral address face with hand postal marking
Notes: Hudson’s Bay Company secretary W.G. Smith offers his apologies to Rev. Smithurst. The vessel "Westminster" carrying Smithurst's ordered goods, arrived too late in the season to be unloaded before the Red River-bound boats were sent off. Consequently, very few of the privately ordered goods reached Red River before the Spring.
Smith acknowledges receiving Smithurst's letter of August 6, 1847 which was brought by the vessel "Prince Rupert" in October, 1847. He further apologizes because of an error in the charges for the last shipment. Adjustments have been made accordingly to Smithurst's balance, a copy of which is appended to the letter.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Lachine
From: Dun: Finlayson
To: The Revd Jn Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Details: 2pp and integral address face
Notes: Duncan Finlayson writes to Rev. Smithurst. Sir George Simpson is travelling by steam to Sault de St. Marie soon. He answers questions about subscriptions to the New York Albion and the Church. Finlayson is startled by the new republics in France and Prussia, and the fear in Russia, Austria, and the Italian states. He also mentions that Ireland is in "a very disturbed State."
Finlayson, DuncanPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: John Black
To: Revd John Smithurst
Details: 2pp and integral address face.
Notes: John Black writes to Rev. Smithurst that he is sending along the requested nails by the bearer of this letter. Also, the flooding experienced the previous week resulted in 4 feet of water in the office, and significant ice damage to the distillery.
Black, JohnPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: W. Lane
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably Hudson’s Bay Company courier)
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: A short letter by William Douglas Lane, Postmaster at Lower Fort Garry, noting that he is sending copies of Smithurst’s accounts. The reverse of the letter is covered with columns of numbers, lists, and calculations.
Lane, William DouglasPlace: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, RRS [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 2pp + integral address face
Notes: Hudson’s Bay Company secretary William Gregory Smith discusses a request by Rev. Smithurst to submit money to the Hudson's Bay Company for interest. As mentioned to Smithurst by Sir George Simpson, the Company can do so only for money earned through the company. Smith did approach the Governor and Committee on Smithurst’s behalf, but they refused the request.
Also mentioned is business regarding a Mr. Henry Cook and the property of his deceased father. A postscript dated April 3, 1850, indicates Smith received additional papers from Rev. Smithurst regarding the late Joseph Cook, presumably Henry Cook's father, but he does not have time to process these before the Spring Packet leaves London.
An additional note scrawled in a different handwriting is written on the integral address face and mentions Cook and money.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: [Lower Fort Garry]
From: W[illiam Douglas] Lane
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably Hudson’s Bay Company courier)
Details: 2pp + integral address face
Notes: A short letter from William Douglas Lane, Postmaster at Lower Fort Garry, noting that the 10 lbs of nails that Rev. Smithurst requested are being sent, and fresh beef will be available shortly. Lane also thanks Smithurst for recovering some goods stolen [from Lower Fort Garry] by young Flett, while expressing his suspicion that William Tait put the boy up to it, but Lane intends to “do all in my power to get the young scamp punished.”
Lane, William DouglasPlace: Norway House
From: Don Ross
To: Reverend J Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River
Details: 2pp and an envelope
Notes: A private letter written quickly by Donald Ross to Rev. John Smithurst. He vaguely refers to trouble involving Mr. Hunter, and also refuses to comment on an unidentified situation.
Ross, DonaldPlace: Hudson's Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Revd John Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Details: 3pp and integral address face
Notes: Mr. Smith writes to Rev. Smithurst regarding financial matters. He comments that money is cheap due to the influx of gold from California.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: W. Lane
To: Revd Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address face
Notes: List of payments made on behalf of Rev. Smithurst to Charles Cook, Geo Beardy, James Smith, John Kirkness, and William Bird.
Lane, William DouglasPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: W[illiam Douglas] Lane
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably Hudson’s Bay Company courier)
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: A short letter by William Douglas Lane, Postmaster at Lower Fort Garry, discussing the payment of bills, refunding of money, and receipt of a flute.
Lane, William Douglas