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Fur store report, 1864
FC 3207 F85 1.9.1 · Item · 1 December 1864
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A report detailing the quantity and condition of furs received at York Factory during the summer of 1864 from various districts of the Northern Department. The letter is signed "MKR."

Districts included in the report are the following: Athabasca District, English River, Saskatchewan District, Cumberland District, Swan River District, Lower Red River District, [Lac] la Pluie District, Norway House District, [Island] Lake Post, Severn Post, Trout Lake Post, and Churchill Post.

FC 3207 F85 1.8.4 · Item · 23 March 18[52]
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Private correspondence from an unknown sender to an unknown recipient at Fort Garry.

The letter describes exchanges of goods and letters with other Hudson's Bay Company posts. It also notes the movement of livestock to Red River, news about women named Mrs MacChristie and Mrs Campbell, the storage of a Catholic Bishop's piano, and medical needs. A man named Mr Lockhart is also mentioned.

Correspondence, 2 June 1851
FC 3207 F85 1.8.2 · Item · 2 June 1851
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Copy of correspondence from George Simpson at Moose Factory to Donald Ross at Norway House.

The letter describes an incident at the district of [Kinogoumiss], which may refer to the area near Kenogamisis Lake in Ontario. The incident involved an alleged attack on Postmaster Donald Grant, who was in charge of the Flying Post. The letter states that it is not possible to bring the accused Indigenous man to trial due to a lack of evidence and other complications, so on Simpson's order, the accused attacker is to be moved to a post on the Northwest Pacific Coast so that he cannot return home. Simpson states that he cannot issue official instructions and asks for private letters to be sent to possible recipients of the accused. Since Simpson is not sure who will receive the man, letters are to be sent to "Mr. Douglas," "Mr. Work", and "Mr. Ballenderi."

FC 3207 F85 1.7.5 · Item · 1 April 1848
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A handwritten report detailing Indigenous families associated with Oxford House and Indigenous people associated with Oxford House who have died or moved.

The report names Indigenous hunters who have died or moved away from Oxford House. It also includes the names of male hunters along with their relationship to other hunters and a numerical account of their wives, sons, daughters, and "[separate] followers." The report is signed by L. [a] Robertson of Oxford House.

FC 3207 F85 1.7.3 · Item · 14 December 1846
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from James Harrold at Fishing Lakes [near Fort Qu'Appelle?] to William McTavish [sic] at York Factory.

The letter describes a trip planned to York Factory, ice fishing, weather, and a message from "Mr. Hargrave" about fishing, which may refer to James Hargrave. The letter also includes a brief inventory of fish caught on open water.

FC 3207 F85 1.7.1 · Item · 26 March 1846
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from James Hargrave at Norway House to William Mactavish at York Factory.

The letter addresses the harvesting of timber and the fishery at York Factory, goods scarcities, and a note from C. F. [Chief Factor] [Alexander] Christie requesting gunpowder to be sent to Red River.

Correspondence, 26 June 1831
FC 3207 F85 1.6.8 · Item · 26 June 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Donald Ross at Norway House to Alexander Christie at York Factory.

The letter informs Christie that he can expect to receive business documents sent by Ross via canoe. The letter also describes exchanges of provisions between Hudson's Bay Company posts, goods distribute to various brigades, and Ross's need for a carpenter. A man named [W.] Cameron is also mentioned.

Correspondence, 19 June 1831
FC 3207 F85 1.6.7 · Item · 19 June 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Donald Ross at Norway House to Alexander Christie at York Factory.

The letter confirms receipt of cargo. Ross notes that the Indigenous people who brought the cargo to York Factory were sent back with no cargo to return. A person by the name of [W.] Cameron is noted to be waiting for the Saskatchewan and Swan River Brigades.

Correspondence, 14 May 1831
FC 3207 F85 1.6.4 · Item · 14 May 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

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.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.3 · Item · 15 February 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Robert Harding at Churchill to Alexander Christie at York Factory.

Robert Harding notes that he and those in his company have been stuck in Churchill due to bad weather and an injury suffered by a man in his company. He also tells the recipient that he has sent half-dried meat by dogsled to York Factory.

Correspondence, 6 April 1837
FC 3207 F85 1.6.26 · Item · 6 April 1837
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Private correspondence from Alexander Roderick McLeod at Fort Resolution to John Stuart, HBC fur trader. Mailed c/o James Hargrave at Fort Garry, reaching John Stuart at Finchurch Street, Hudson's Bay House, London.

McLeod, Alexander Roderick
Correspondence, 6 April 1837
FC 3207 F85 1.6.26 · Item · 6 April 1837
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Private correspondence from Alexander McLeod at Fort Resolution to John Stuart, c/o James Hargrave at Fort Garry, reaching Stuart at Finchurch Street, Hudson's Bay House, London.

McLeod writes of his personal affairs, including the slander and criticisms towards his handling of fur trading business.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.25 · Item · 14 September 1839
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Private correspondence from Andrew Linklater at Nelson River to Thomas Spence at York Factory.

Linklater sends his well-wishes and shares details about his circumstances.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.22 · Item · 16 July 1837
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Report on the total returns of the Saskatchewan District outfit in the year 1836. The small transcribed excerpt lists a few furs included in the list.

The report lists quantities of furs, leather products, clothing, and food products produced by the district that were brought to Norway House. The report also includes items brought from New Caledonia and Cumberland. The letter is signed "E. E." at York Factory.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.19 · Item · 1835
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A print report outlining the Hudson's Bay Company's rules and regulations pertaining to the "religious improvement" of servants and "effectual civilization" of Company employees' families and Indigenous peoples associated with the Company. Portions of other reports are also included.

The report outlines conduct and moralizing activities prescribed to servants, women, children, and Indigenous people in general. It is suggested that all groups listed attend religious services, that wives and children speak the language of their husband or father, that women and children should occupy their time with activities that promote "virtuous habits," and that fathers should spend part of their leisure time educating their children.

The portions of other reports included in this document prescribe rules and regulation related to Indigenous hunting and trapping, providing for wives and children, tariffs, wages, trade, inventories and property, and payment to and treatment of Indigenous people, including a statement calling for gradual decreases in liquor sales to Indigenous peoples. Partial rules and regulations aimed at preserving beaver populations are also included.

Report, 1835
FC 3207 F85 1.6.18 · Item · 1835
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Print report outlining the Hudson's Bay Company's rules and regulations pertaining to wages.

The report includes rules and regulations pertaining to freight costs and wages, including those for wage according to position held and region occupied, accepting gratuity, and transferring money. Some consequences for failing to follow these prescribed rules are also included.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.17 · Item · 1835
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A print report outlining the Hudson's Bay Company's rules and regulations pertaining to tariffs and inventory prices.

The document outlines distinct rules for tariffs and prices as they relate to specific goods and the activities of "Commissioned Gentlemen," "Clerks and Servants," "Freemen," and "Half-breed and Iroquois Trappers" [Métis and Haudenosaunee trappers]. The cost of moving private orders between Hudson's Bay Company posts is also described.

Correspondence, 20 May 1833
FC 3207 F85 1.6.16 · Item · 20 May 1833
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from William Mackintosh at Fort Dunvegan to Chief Factor John Charles at Fort Chipiwean [sic].

The letter describes the arrival of men and children, the status of grain seeds, a need for new canoes, an account of skins at Fort Dunvegan, and transactions with other Hudson's Bay Company posts, including Fort Vermilion, New Caledonia, and Slave Lake. The letter also describes conflicts between trappers and "Beaver Indians" [Dane-zaa], and the hiring of Iroquois [Haudenosaunee] people. Slave (Slavey) labour is mentioned in passing.

Report, 28 November 1831
FC 3207 F85 1.6.14 · Item · 28 November 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A report from Fort Simpson to the Chief Factors and Chief Traders of the Hudson's Bay Company Northern Departments.

The report describes trade at Mackenzie River since the sender's last communication with the recipients. The report includes details about the movement of goods and the employment of Indigenous people.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.13 · Item · 28 September 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A handwritten copy of a report that describes the experiences of Joseph Touron. Also included is a document that provides historical background information.

The report describes the actions of and names of Hudson's Bay Company traders who abandoned the Company to trade with the Americans. A man named Berger is singled out as the man responsible for persuading a group of traders, including Peigan [Piikáni] hunters and James Bird, to desert the Hudson's Bay Company. Touron describes receiving threats from the deserters when he refuses to join them, and Touron states that he formed connections with Blood [Kainai] people when the Peigan [Piikáni] hunters could not be persuaded to return to trade with the Hudson's Bay Company.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.12 · Item · 29 August 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Donald Ross at Norway House to Alexander Christie at York Factory.

The letter confirms receipt of cargo delivered by John Ballandine, the Oxford House guide, and explains the status of Norway House's pemmican.

FC 3207 F85 1.6.11 · Item · 6 August 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Andrew Wilson at "Split Lake" to Alexander Christie at York Factory.

Wilson confirms receipt of documents carried to him by Indigenous couriers, receipt of twine, the failure of the fishery, and distribution of goods to Indigenous people. The letter also describes the Indigenous people of the Split Lake region's suffering and starvation that came as a result of an animal shortage and instructions from the Hudson's Bay Company to not hunt beaver.

Correspondence, 10 July 1831
FC 3207 F85 1.6.10 · Item · 10 July 1831
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Robert Harding at Churchill to Alexander Christie at York Factory.

The letter describes fur shipments and the movement of other goods, and hunting at Churchill, including instructions given to Indigenous hunters working for the Hudson's Bay Company about which animals may be hunted. The two groups named are Chepoweyans [sic] [Denesuliné] and Cree [Nēhiyaw].

FC 3207 F85 1.5.7 · Item · 10 December 1828
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A handwritten copy of a letter sent by Chief Trader Francis Heron at Brandon House to Chief Factors and Chief Traders of the Northern Department.

The letter describes trade relations with Americans and the sender's difficulties re-establishing trade with Indigenous peoples after a prairie fire drove them away. The "Stone Indians" [Nakhóta?] and Cree [Nēhiyaw] are the two groups named in relation to trade in Canada. A conflict between the Americans and the Pawnee is also described.

FC 3207 F85 1.5.6 · Item · 15 December 1827
Part of Fur Trade Collection

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.

FC 3207 F85 1.5.3 · Item · 21 April 1823
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Personal correspondence from David MacBeath in Edinburgh, [Scotland] to MacBeath's brother-in-law, John Robison, in London, [England].

David MacBeath discusses family affairs, including his marriage to John Robison's sister, Emelia Robison, his financial situation, and MacBeath's interest in a position with the Hudson's Bay Company.

Report, 27 September 1822
FC 3207 F85 1.5.2 · Item · 27 September 1822
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Report of furs seized from Registi La Rinti by John Clarke, chief trader of the Hudson's Bay Company. La Rinti was caught trading furs on Hudson's Bay Company territory at the lower Red River without a license, 27 September 1822.

Proclamation, 15 July 1817
FC 3207 F85 1.4.2 · Item · 15 July 1817
Part of Fur Trade Collection

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.

FC 3207 F85 1.4.1 · Item · 27 July 1812
Part of Fur Trade Collection

An engagement contract for John Nouray, which renews his previous contract with "the Governor and the Company of Adventurers of England, Trading into Hudson's Bay" (the Hudson's Bay Company). The contract binds Nouray to the Company for three years of service.

Hiring contract, 18[00]
FC 3207 F85 1.3.1 · Item · 18[00]
Part of Fur Trade Collection

An unused Hudson's Bay Company hiring contract. The contract has blank spaces to capture the incumbant's name, job title, duties, and wage, as well as blank spaces for the date and the signature of a witness.

York Fort America anno, 1715
FC 3207 F85 1.2.1 · Item · 1715
Part of Fur Trade Collection

A double-sided, printed card stamped with publisher information for Jackdaw No. C5 The Fur Trade and a note that the card was printed in Canada.

On one side, the card outlines the value of various trading goods. Goods include toiletries, clothing, animal skins, tools and implements, and household goods, such as thread. On the reverse side, the card details the value of goods traded at York Fort, including a breakdown of the goods and their quantities, between 8 September 1714 and 1 August 1715. The goods listed are animals skins. The items are tallied and noted that they are to be "packed up to be sent home and valued into beaver."

FC 3207 F85 1.10.2 · Item · 27 September 1871
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from W. J. Christie at Lower Fort Garry to J. S. Helmcken at Victoria, [Vancouver Island?] Also included is a small, blue envelope marked with Helmcken's name and location.

The sender informs the recipient that he and other Hudson's Bay officers in London, [England] would like to formally express respect and esteem to Donald A. Smith and asks if the recipient will join them in doing so.

Correspondence, 17 June 1871
FC 3207 F85 1.10.1 · Item · 17 June 1871
Part of Fur Trade Collection

Correspondence from Donald A. Smith at Hudson's Bay House, London, [England] to Henry Connolly at Rigolet, Labrador Coast. Also included is a handwritten transcript and a brief description of significant people and places mentioned in the letter.

The letter asks the recipient to allow the passage of [Mr. McArthur], who has recently retired, through Labrador.

The descriptive document provides some biographical information about Donald Smith and Henry Connolly as well as some information about Fort Rigolette [sic].

Fur Trade Collection
FC 3207 F85 · Collection · 1666 - 1871

This archival collection is composed of textual and graphic materials related to the Hudson's Bay Company, the fur trade in Canada, and early European settlement in Canada. The collection includes correspondence between high-ranking employees at Hudson's Bay Company fur trade posts, personal correspondence between settlers or Hudson's Bay Company employees and their families, and Hudson's Bay Company reports, proclamations, contracts, and others records. The involvement of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian fur trade is also described throughout this collection. With a few exceptions, most items within the collection were created during the early- to mid-1800s.