"Angus MacDonald was Chief Trader at Fort Colville (originally spelled Colvile) and this letter was to his son-in-law, James McKenzie, a former Hudson's Bay Company clerk at the same fort.

MacDonald, Angus

English

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LETTER FROM ANGUS MacDONALD*Colvile, 4th June '70.ConfidentialMy dear McKenzieI have your note by Joel from Lytton and that other oneyou left here for me. I scarcely find words .The Company say that terms will be made with the Gentle-men of the West2 and that they are forthcoming. Perhaps I'lltake no decided step till they come. Meanwhile or sayKamloops.Vast emigrations are in view from the East and the Westwill grow and land will be valuable. And a home is always so.My intentions are to get what I can for my improvements here.See Duncans fixd at the Flat-Head Post and if you join your fatewith mine North or somewhere I'll do everything in my powerto help you and make you happy.Mr. Finlayson is well disposed to you. I made suggestionsto him in your behalfTwo horses were brought here by Joe. to blacks. he says heleft the sorel of Peon' dying in the Colvile Mountain.Poor Allard5 is dismissed. a total drunkard and raving madwith delerium tremens. If you want charge of Shepherd6 youcan go and wait to close it up whilst looking for something else I• Angus MacDonald was Chief Trader at Fort Colville (originally spelled ColvUe) andthis letter was to his Bon-in-law, James McKenzie, a former Hudson's Bay Company clerkat the same fort. The letter and notes are furnished by William S. Lewis.-Edltor.1 .Toe LaFI~ur; he accompanl~d Mr. and 1ft.. McK~nzie on t.h~ir journ~y with theH. B. Co's. records from fort Colvllle. See Remlnisences of Christina MacDonald Me·Kenzie Williams, Washington Historical Quarterly, Vol. XIII, page 114.2 In July 1863, through a reorganization, a new Hudson's Bay Compan:sr took overby deed of transfer the assets or the old company theretorore existing. On 10th Septem·ber, 1869, by final award under the treaty or 1846 the new Company was given by theAmerican Government $450,000 in its own name, and $200,000 to its alflllated company,the Puget 'Sound Agricultural Association. Treatie. and OonventionB, 1776·1887, pages469-470.The Utrade partners," or commissioned offi(~ers, 1. e., Chief Traders nnd Chief Factors.were in 1871 paid by the new company £107,055 (or $520,287.00) or a third or theamount received by the Company from the Canadian Government for the· surrender onNovember 19, 1869, ot the land and territories embraced within "Rupert's Land," butthese trade partners or Chier Traders and Chief Factors were excluded from any par-ticipation In the American Award. Malcolm McLeod, son of John McLeod-one of thesigners of the deed pol! of 1821 and one of the early company olfleers In the ColumltiaRiver District-made an unsuccessful attempt in the Courts of Canada to recoyer theshare claimed by these otrlcre. In the _~merlcan Award. Malcnlm J{cLeod'. Brief on theclaims or the late Chler Factors and Chief Traders against the Hudson's Buy Compauy.These matters are what the writer refers to.3 Angus McDonald's son.4 Baptiste or William Peone, employee of the company, who settled at PecnePrairie, Spokane County. McKenzie did not take company horses on the trip.5 Jason Allard. Allard afterwards recovered and refornled, and removed to BritishColumbia, where he died about two ~'ears ago near Ft. Langley.6 The H. B. Co. post on the Columbia, just north of the international boundary line.(108)Letter From Angus MacDonald 109will simplyfy the accounts and only keep Donald7 we closewith this winter the whole District.sI enclose a note for Christina9 and if you give her a kiss onthe ,two cheeks and on the mouth for us three I will remain whatI amA. M. Donald.Mr. James McKenzie.7 Angus McDonnld's son.8 The closing ot the Hudson's Bay Company's business in the American side ot thehoundary, established by the treaty ot 1846. Sce hereon Remllnlscences ot Christina MscDonald, McKenzie Wllllams, Wa8hington Historical Qua~terlg, Vol. XIII, pages 107-117.o His daughter, !lirs. McKenzie: Washington Hi8torlr-al Quarterlll, Supra.

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