Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 37/McLoughlin Letters, 1827–49
MCLOUGHLIN LETTERS, 1827-49[1]
EDITED by Jane Lewis Chapin
When Dr. McLoughlin came to take charge of the Columbia department of the Hudson's Bay Company, in 1824, he left his son John and daughter Eliza in Canada. His uncle Dr. Simon Fraser undertook arrangements for their education. The daughter was sent to a convent in Quebec where Dr. McLoughlin's sister was a nun. Some time later she married a Mr. Epps. After some uncertainty as to a suitable career for John, it was decided, in 1829, to send him to Paris to study medicine under the protection of his uncle, David McLoughlin, a successful physician there. His first letters back to his uncle, Dr. Fraser, and to his cousin, John Fraser, show an enthusiasm and application for his studies. However, due to some misconduct which was considered too grave to be overlooked, his uncle David sent him back to Canada. After an erratic career, in which he incurred the extreme displeasure of his father and his uncle Simon, he was taken into the service of the Hudson's Bay Company and went to Fort Vancouver in 1837. In 1840 he was sent to the company's new fort at Stikine, and it was there he met his tragic death.
The originals of these letters are in McLoughlin House, Oregon City. The first of the series, dating from 1805 to 1826, and all written by Dr. McLoughlin, were printed in the Oregon Historical Quarterly, December, 1935.
DR. SIMON FRASER TO DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN
Terrebonne 20 Apl 1827
My Dear Nephew
Soon after writing you the 24 Apl 1826 I was informed that your draft had been honored, and at the same time that Messrs McKenzie Bethune & Co to whom I had given it had failed. I had a little before requested Mr. McKenzie pay to Mr. Esom £25. 15. 10 Curry (Currency] which was paid prior to his failing, which is all I have as yet been able to recover of that draft, but expect to get a dividend along with their other Creditors, but God only knows when that will be. I have this winter recd an hundred pounds from Governor Simpson on your account, and have now in my hands about fifteen pounds remaining of that money. there was a small balance due me when John went to Montreal, besides £15:14.1½ due to Mr John McKenzie for sundries you had got from him yourself for John & which you had neglected paying when you went up. Mr. Esom also brought an additional amount last winter of £8:4. for necessaries. I have kept a regular account for your inspection, the money I have in my hands I expect will defray your son's expenses till next fall at which time he will have acquired a sufficient Knowledge of Arithmetic and Book Keeping to fit him for an other school his present master Mr Neagle cannot teach him any thing else. I make him in the meantime read French regularly with my son Mr Neagle tho he has been appointed French Schoolmaster for Terrebonne does not understand it so well as your son or mine. I cannot complain of your son tho he is not so much advanced in his education as I expected when I wrote you last Spring the truth is I was too sanguine. the development of the human mind requires time your son is now come to that period when his mind must expand, as I before told you I will do for the best that is to say deal with your son as with my own. I thought and do still think the best thing that can be done for the young man is to make him an Indian Trader, but Governor Simpson tells me the Company have determined to take none of these Young Men into their service (for reasons which he explained to me & which you must know) I do not think he would succeed as a Physician, he would have to go thro a long course of studies these boys are remarkable for want of steadiness and application, tho by no means deficient in understanding the next thing to being an Indian Trader I would advise you purchasing an Ensigncy for him. I think he would made a good soldier he is bold and quick in his motions a Commission would cost 400£ to make him a Merchant would cost you much more and I think he would not have an equal chance of success. Governor Simpson has promised to assist me in looking out for a place for him in Montreal which cannot be before next Spring, this would not prevent you purchasing a Commission for him for we cannot and will not bind him, whilst writing in Counting House he will attend some evening school (It is not easy to get a place Mr Hallowell has not yet been able to get a place for his son William nor has Mr Webster got a place for his——) I cannot have the advantage of an answer from you prior to putting the boy in a Company Counting house but this will not prevent me from getting him to the North if possible or purchasing a Commission for him. I do not know his age. I wrote last Spring to your sister and sent her 25£ which I though sufficient to defray the expense of your daughter at the Nunnery for a Year, but your sister really astonished me by sending me an account of 80£ for a year.[2] I wrote her that I thought it highly exorbitant, I have since referred her to Mr Simpson, and refused to sanction the system she follows the Girl cannot be a nun on account of her birth & her education is above the sphere that Society seems to have prescribed for her it is calculated to make her miserable she is by all reports a fine Girl, I think she ought to be sent to your Mother I am Dear Nephew
Your Affectionate
Simon Fraser
Dr. John McLoughlin to John Fraser
Fort Vancouver 4th March 1828
My Dear Cousin
I have before me your note attached to my Uncles Letter I see you have improved in your writing—take pains my Dear Cousin and you will learn your improvement now depends on your own Exertions and unless you exert yourself you will not learn but if you do Exert yourself you must and will Learn. You are now of that age that if you do not make the progress you ought people will lay it to your fault—recollect the more a person knows the better he is able to make his way through the World and if his conduct is worthy and proper the more he is respected consider their are only two characters given to young people by the World—a Bad or a Good one—as to the first they will say this young man takes no pains to learn-he is lazy, careless, keeps Company with Idlers like himself and thinks of nothing but play—the second he is a fine steady boy always studying most Anxious to learn when he finds anything he does not understand he does not pass it over but sifts it completely till he Understands it and if he cannot find it out takes the first Opportunity of having it Explained he never is behind in his task and is always the first in his Class and from his Good temper and obliging disposition loved by his school mates and by every one who know him—now my Dear Cousin it depends on yourself to deserve this Character-consider if you do know much your friends will be pleased. I am my Dear John
Your affectionate Cousin
John McLoughlin
John McLoughlin, Junior, to Dr. Simon Fraser
Montreal 2 July 1828
Dear Uncle,
I would have written to you before this time, but I was not able to go to town I am learning Book Keeping and the French grammar I have not written in Governor Simpsons office for their hurry was not over, I begun the Arithmetic from barter till as far as the end of cube root I have no summer clothes here I have asked Mr Simpson before he went off for a Jacket and he has given it I have no hat for Sundays except a little cap that Mr K has give me. I remain Dear Uncle
Your affectionate Nephew
John McLoughlin
John McLoughlin, Junior, to Dr. Simon Fraser
Quebec 25th Oct 1829
Dear Uncle
I write you these few lines to inform you that I am to sail the 26th of this month in Lady Clerk when I arrived in Quebec I immediately inquired for Mr McKenzie but nobody could not tell where he liv'd I was brought to Mr. Forseyth by one of my cousins and he had Goodness of introducing me to him. I have not went down to Rivier du Loup Give My Respects to John and all the others I really would have written a longer letter but I was in hurry in embarking
Excuse all the faults you will find. I am Dear Uncle
Your Sincerely Nephew
John McLoughlin
John McLoughlin, Junior, to Dr. Simon Fraser
[Paris 24 Feb 1833]
Dear Uncle
A friend of mine has kindly offered to forward this letter to you. Ah what can be the cause of your long silence to me? Am I the cause of it. if so tell me on what occasion, but I hope that you will be so kind as to Write a few Lines to say that you are in good health as well as the rest of your family. Alas can I ever cease regretting the loss of your love and regard no never, I imagine that you must have heard some reports on my conduct if it is so, you can write to my Uncle and ascertain whether those reports are true and you may be sure that he will tell you the truth I am anxious to know what can prevent you from writing a few lines you are perfectly aware that it will give me great pleasure to know that you are well, by a letter that I received from John he says that you complained to him that my letters did not satisfy you principally on one point that is not saying a word about my studies, if I had known that this subject could have pleased you so much I should not have forgotten to mention it I shall give you in a few words of What I have done since my last and what I am doing at present. Since my last letter I have passed the examination of Bachelier es lettres and passed it with credit As soon as I left the room every gentleman said that it was myself that had passed the best of the whole. I answered to every question put to me by the examinators I was so perfect on it that it is impossible to be rejected. Since them I am preparing two more examinations for the month of July. I hope to have the same success as the preceeding one. I am to enter in one of the hospitals in summer. I study from ten in the morning till three and then rest till six and from then I study for three hours more during that time I study chemistry anatomy Physiology Physics; but I devote more of my time to anatomy for the study of it pleases me more than the rest. I do not like to say much for myself but you ought to ask my Uncle about it for you might think that I am not telling the truth or I am praising myself to much so I advice you to write to him that you may be sure of what I am doing as you take so much interest in it je vous en ai beaucoup gre pour l'interet dont vous me temoigne
I received a letter from my dear sister in which she announces me her marriage with Mr Epps I hope she shall be happy with him. I hope that she has written to you on the subject, it seems that the gentleman is very respected in Quebec by all his friends. the information given to my Uncle by one of Governor Aylmer Aide de Camp are very good. I have written to Papa a few weeks ago and wrote him a very long letter letting him know all what is passed in Paris since my last letter. It is very singular that he has not received any of my letters since my arrival in Paris. I have written twice a year and sometimes more, and still not one of them has reached him I cannot account how this happens. I hope by this time that he have received one he is very uneasy, in every one he has written he complains that I am forgetting him. He may be sure that I never [ms torn] I am writing to him at this moment I hope little Mary is quite well so is her Mother I shall write in a few weeks again. Remember me kindly Mr McKenzie family I wish you a good health and life long
I am Your Nephew
John McLoughlin
Rue de la Paix No 8
John McLoughlin, Junior, to John Fraser
[Paris, August 8, 1833]
Dear John
Yours of the 14th June reached me this morning in a thoughtful moment. I was thinking of your good father and mother, I was talking to one of our cousins how happy I should be to see you all once more I had scarcely finished the sentence when the servant brought me your letter containing the unexpected news. It is impossible to give you a discription of what I felt after reading your kind letter I could not forbear from shedding tears. this relieved me very little enough to write you immediately that I partake the grief of the family.[3] It is your poor father that is to be most pitied, he being so old. Do what you can pour les console. I know it is not as easy to do as to say, but at all events you must endeavour to command yourself on such a point I know if I should find them in low spirits I should join them. I hope this will find you all in good health I shall write to your father but I am afraid d'eveiller en lui de triste souvenir so I shall wait a little longer and I suppose he is as contented when I write to you as to himself.
Perimit to thank you for and your father for the praise and rank you made of my abilities I shall always endeavor to satisfy everybody this is if I can If I fail it will not be by want of hard application I devote the whole day in studying. I am sorry I did not apply as I ought to have done when I was a boy your good father often told me I should repent of it and I never took or paid the slightest attention to what he said if I had followed his good advices I should be more informed than I am I regret every moment I lost I wish I had to begin over again my studies. Do you correspond with my sister I wrote to her to do so I do not know if she has fulfilled my request do not wait till she begins. Before I conclude this letter I must let you know how these three memorable days of July 1830 were celebrated[4] there never existed any fete so handsome (I use this word to give the expressing of my idea), 27 July all the churches were covered in black that is the front and inside. Great judgement and taste were displayed in all the decorations that of the Louvre was the most remarkable; a funeral Column placed in the angle next the river attracted attention afar off, and at the tomb a temporary scaffolding covered with black cloth bore inscribed in large white characters, the simple but impressive epitaph Morts pour la Patrie. Behind this scaffolding were placed the musicians of the National Guard and of the line, who executed funeral music throughout the day. In isolated spots in which one or two of the victims were buried the attention of passengers was attracted by simple monuments erected by the friends of the deceased. Service was performd at all the places of religious worship of every persuasion. The pont arcole as the scene of one of the most memorable exploits of the three days was profusely decorated several things I omit in consequence that you have never seen the spots the streets were so crowded that it was impossible to pass on the 28 all the troops and National Guard was reviewed. It is impossible to exaggerate the enthusiasm with which he was received throughout his whole progress number of troops reviewed [ms torn] been 100000. Immediately after the review all crowded in the Tuileries garden to hear the music. the place contained 500 musicians . . . I was engaged with ladies to go out and see the illumination and fire works. No pen can give the discription of it if I was to try I would only spoil it so I only will tell you it is impossible that any person can give a real discription. . . I shall endeavour to settle in Paris that is if I can enter in the hospital, but before settling I shall pay you all a visit I am at this moment preparing for two concourses I do not know if I shall succeed for they are very difficult but I hope to have distinguished myself in it ... May God Bless you and your father and mother
Yours truly Cousin
John Macloughlin
Rue de la Paix No 8
August 1833
Dr. John McLoughlin to John Fraser
Fort Vancouver 1st Feby 1835
My Dear Cousin
Your kind letter of the 20th April last reached me on the 16th Octr by which I had the pleasure to be informed of your Welfare. I am as you may suppose happy to see that you have acquired a complete knowlege of keeping Books and as you justly observe a Knowledge of Goods is highly important and with the opportunities you have you cannot fail to become perfectly acquainted with them and with Mercantile Business in General and this with Industry and OEconomy you will be certain to make your way through the World. I had a long letter from John he says he is Studying and on his own account I hope he is. I suppose by this time that he has taken his Degrees. Whether he will settle in France or come back to Canada I cannot say. I see you all Expected me down and in truth I had given Reasons to Expect I would do so But Circumstances arose which prevented my being able to do so, though certainly nothing could give me greater pain than to be obliged to Deprive myself of the pleasure of seeing my Relations and friends. In one of your former letters you mention that there was a Young mans Society formed in Montreal pray is it still going on. I would think it a most Valuable Institution as it is not only an Agreeable place to Dissipate Ennui But Valuable from the oppertunities it affords of Acquiring information these Young Mens Societies have done immense Good wherever they have been formed With Best Wishes Believe me to Be My Dear John
Your Affectionate Cousin
John McLoughlin
SIMON FRASER TO JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUNIOR
Terrebonne 12 April 1835
Mr John McLoughlin
Sir
I have this moment been informed that the canoes for the North West are to sett off from Lachine the 20th 1st. I yesterday wrote to Mr. Keith in answer to his letter of [blot) in which he expressed a wish to wait for the arrival of Mr. Finlayson who was hourly expected he Mr. K. says that Mr. Finlayson might explain your fathers views &c—in my letter of yesterday I explained more fully my reasons for requesting a passage for you I hope he will consent you will on receipt of this letter call immediately on Mr. Keith and request of him as a particular favor to procure you a passage to Fort Vancouver Columbia river. You know or ought to know that I have not the means to maintain you in Montreal that your father tho' much richer than myself would not support at the rate you have lately done.
You will let me know the result of your visit as soon as possible you have no time to lose. You have not yet sent me the statement I requested of you and shown how your money was expended. If you go to the Columbia (which I most earnestly wish) you will account to your father in the meantime you must not expect any money from me before I receive the statement I demanded of you I am apprehensive you will not have time to visit your sister in Quebec. I expected the Canoes would not leave Lachine before May, but they are advertised for the 20th Apl this however (may) have been done to make the men come to Lachine where they may wait a few days more Mr. Keith will inform you when it will be necessary for you to come to Lachine. you must be very attentive not to come too late it is better you should be there a day or two too soon and wait for your passage I again repeat you will let me know immediately the result of your visit. you will also send me a list of cloathes &C. You may have left at my house. They will be use in the canoe. if you have time you will come to Terrebonne that will depend on the information you receive from Mr. Keith
I am &c
Simon Fraser
SIMON FRASER TO H. G. MOFFATT
Terrebonne 24 Apl 1835
Confidential
Dear Sir
I have to thank you for your kind favor of 20th Jul I am not so well pleased with John McLoughlins behaviour in Montreal as I was when at my house last summer It was not then necessary to trust him with money he has expended more money than I think justifiable, I am consequently determined not to let him have any more till he sends me a regular statement how the last was expended. I take the liberty to enclose a letter open for your perusal addressed to him (Mr. J. McL) which I beg you will seal and forward at Mr. Trudeaus I intend sending Mr. J McLoughlin to Mr. J. M. Fraser in Quebeck whom I will request send the Young Man with as little delay as possible to my brother Alex Fraser at Riviere du Loup, to remain there till next fall, when if he meets with my brothers approbation he will come to Montreal to attend the Medical Lectures A Degree or Diploma from McGill College will carry equal weight with one from Edinburgh. I will of course write Dr D McLoughlin and acquaint him with these particulars, indeed my Dear Sir I am greatly apprehensive that our protege cannot be trusted out of sight, he possesses considerable abilities but cannot be made to study. A physician must study as long as he lives, his toils never end. John McLoughlin in my opinion is a very improper person for a Physician, you will ask what is to be done, I really do not know. I wished to send him to his father but could not get a passage from Mr Keith I request as a particular favor that you will write to the Young Man, direct him [to] procure a certificate from every one of his Medical teachers of his regular attendance at lectures particularly on examination days tell him that you require these certificates at his Uncles earnest request to be inclosed and sent to him (his Uncle) he has no occasion to know which uncle. I will not require any money on the young man's account before he is sent to Quebec, when I will send you an account of the balance which may be due me together with what may be necessary for this journey to river du loup, I will request the favor of your procuring a passage in a Steam boat for Quebec. I cannot will not trust him with money if I can help it.
[Simon Fraser]
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUNIOR, TO JOHN FRASER
Quebec 8 June 1835
My Dear John
I wrote you two letters and I am sorry that I have not received any answer to them. you are perfectly aware that I am very anxious to know whether your Father consented to order me a new suit of clothes Yes or Not will you at the same time ask him who is to supply me with cash for Mr Fraser says that he has no order from your father to pay my passage to Rivier du Loup. How can your father have sent me to Quebec without before hand made all these arrangements and not let me in trouble. Let your Father write to Mr Fraser and tell him to get me these articles that I am in great need of. Remember me kindly to all my friends. have you got the boot I left behind.
I am Yours
John Macloughlin
I also want a pair of boots. Did your Father receive my letters from Europe if he has any for me will you forward them immediately.
J Macloughlin
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUNIOR, TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Quebec 15 June 1835
My Dear Sir
I wrote a couple of letters to your son and in answer to them he says that you are not willing to give me any of the articles that I requested him to beg of you. It is certainly very strange that I must go barefoot. Surely you are not without any feeling of humanity although I have lost your friendship it is not the reason why you should leave me go without shoes. get the boots made in your village if you will not trust me with the money, or order Mr Fraser to get them for me and other articles such as a Hat, Stockings cotton drawers and when I get those article I shall not trouble you any More of any thing
I remain Yours
J Macloughlin
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Fort Vancouver 14th Feby 1836
My Dear Uncle
I have now before me your two favors of the 16th and 19th April and of course it is unnecessary for me to say how much I am grieved at the cause which made it necessary for you to take so much trouble on my account and I did not Expect when I learned that my Brother had handed his letter to me of March 1834 to John to Read that he would have shown such Want of respect to me and Ingratitude to my Brother for pardoning the trouble he had given him as only Four Days after this to commit an act (my Brother does not write me what it is and he ought to have done so) Which obliged my Brother to send him away and as he is spending more Money than is necessary and Neglecting his Studies It is Evident that what has occurred to him has not affected him as it ought and that he is destitute of that becoming pride which would make him feel ashamed at his time of life after so much Money has been spent on him so much pains taken with him and such Excellent Opportunities afforded him to see that he is not yet qualified to Earn his own livelihood and that he must yet be Indebted for his support to the labor of an other and though he must be aware of his own Deficiency and as he writes me "de me dire dans votre prochaine quelle somme vous desirez que je tire sur vous jusqu'a ce que je suis recu Medicin c'est a dire par annee" and yet Instead of Studying hard to make up for his past Errors he is Idling his time. But this is too painful a subject to dwell on and I will only say if he had felt one hundreth of what I feel he would have acted differently and all that I will now do is to Request, if you find that he conducts himself a Gentleman, and though he ought long before this to have completed his Education, still if you have continued him at it if he applies himself Zealously to his studies and shows by his conduct that he is sensible of his Errors and is fully determined to reform you will allow him any Sum you consider necessary Under a hundred and fifty pounds Hallifax Cry [Currency] pr annum, or till you hear from me and which I authorise you to draw on my Account from the Honble George Moffatt and which he will pay In 1834 when I sent my Son David to my Brother though I consider I have funds in My Brothers hands (unless his Expenditure on John has been beyond all Bounds) I wrote him to draw on the Honbl George Moffatt for any sum he required for the support of my Sons under two hundred per Annum. In his reply to me he does not say a word of this nor does it seem that he has mentioned any thing to you as you are silent about it But John writes that my Brother has written that Mr Moffatt would supply the Money necessary for his support But if John acts improperly and forgets What he owes to himself and to his friends you will please only give him any small sum necessary to take him out of the Country I have not the means to support him as an Idler and if I had I would not do it Indeed if he had any feelings he would perceive how much Money he has cost, how much trouble he has given my friends and pain to me and would be confused with shame and Remorse and I am astonished how he did not feel too much ashamed to come Back to you However all has been done for him that could be done and I humbly implore the Almighty that of his infinite Mercy he may touch his heart-make him see the error of his Ways and reform him. But perhaps he is off to India, or that he is coming to this Country as on Receiveing my Brothers Letter of 1834 I wrote My Brother to Engage John to the Hudson Bay company if he could find no other place for him But this was only as a last Resort and if he could find no other place for him and perhaps he may have done so But if he Behaves well and if there is an opening for him I would prefer he settled in Canada for the sake of seeing him however let him go where he can do Best for himself. I see that my Brother in his letter 30th June 1834 writes you that he settled with me in 1822 for a hundred pounds which you advanced for him if he will look at his account he will see that he is mistaken he accounted to me for a hundred pounds which he received of mine. I wrote him about it with Best Wishes Believe me to be
Your Affectionate Nephew
John McLoughlin
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Fort Vancouver 16th Feby 1836
My Dear Uncle
John has written me a Very contrite letter But as he is spending so much More Money that considering what he has already cost, if he felt any Sincere contrition for his Misconduct he would spend, as I am informed that instead of applying himself Zealously to qualify himself for his profession he is Neglecting his Studies I do not write him and you will hand him the Inclosed or suppress it as you think proper I am My Dear Uncle
Your Affectionate Nephew
NB I regret much that you sent John to my poor Mother. He may give her trouble I would have preferred that you had sent him to Board at some Priests or some Respectable House in the Country. But I hope that you have not left him in town Unless he was Employed. Pray why did he not go last year on his arrival to see his sister. What I mean by leaving it optionable with you to give the Inclosed or not is that if his conduct is improper I do not wish him to have it as in that case I do not wish to hold any correspondence with him if his conduct is such as you wish let him have it
J McL
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUNIOR, TO JOHN FRASER
[La Pointe Lake Superior 11th Octr 1836]
My Dear John
As this is perhaps the last time that I can be able to write you for a length of time so I profit of it. I wrote to you before leaving the Sault St Marie which I hope you have received long before this, stating what happened to me in crossing the Lakes, but in this you find more of hardship that I have gone [through] figure yourself in a common bateau with twenty men costing a lake of 500 miles long living on corn and pork (and not of the very best) exposed to cold this in only a pleasure trip I anticipate more yet which will be worst these men that I had was the worst of all those living under the face of Heaven I could not get them to work without hard treatment, I assure you that before I get to red river I shall break some of their bones, and I will do it with the greatest pleasure for they deserve it, they give me more trouble than they are worth. The weather is very severe too much so for the season. We have had some snow about two inches this did not please me. Since my departure I have enjoyed a very good health getting stronger every day. I forgot to mention in my last letter that you can write to me at Red River by the winter express ... I wish you would write to my sister and ask her if she has any letters to send and let her send them at the same place I have no time to write to her at present moment. I wish you would do me a favor that is to order at Boulanget an uniform of Cavalry for me for the Spring to send up by Mr Mackenzie and the Money will be send down early in the Spring by one of our party going down with dispatches the coat must be red work with silver lace on the chest and collar with large silver epauletts and two pair of pantaloons one black and the other the same as those he already made for me, with gold lace on the sides. In fact just an English Life guard dress do not be afraid of the Expense. I shall pay it. I shall also send you all the money that I shall earn and you can place it as you think it proper. I understand that my Father will be down this fall in Montreal You must not forget to let me know whether it is the truth or not ... Adieu once more may God preserve all
I am Your Cousin
Major J. Macloughlin
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO JOHN FRASER
Fort Vancouver 14th Febry 1836
I have the pleasure My Dear Cousin to Acknowledge the Receipt of Yours of the 7th April last and beg to thank you for the attention you paid to my Request in attending to my Son David as Mr Finalyson informed me that on Receiving my Note you called on him at LaChine. But as you know Davids Cousin Mr Bethune Kept David at Sault St Maries. I had a letter from David since his Arrival in Paris and My Brother writes that he proposes to Educate him for the Engineer Department and send him out to India. And I have written to desire he will do as my Brother Wishes. As you may suppose I was much affected on Learning that John had Misconducted himself that my Brother had been obliged to send him Back to your father who certainly at his time of life ought not to be harrassed with the care of other peoples Children, and what makes it Worse John is no longer a Child and his Errors are the less pardonable he told Mr Finlayson by way of complaint that My Brother only allowed him twenty five pounds pr Annum for his Clothing and Pocket Money, and he wrote me so formerly and I wrote him in reply if he Exerted himself at His Studies and that his Uncle was pleased with his conduct and that it was Necessary, My Brother would Increase his Allowance though while he had enough to eat and drink, was lodged, and that his teachers were paid, twenty five pounds pr Annum was enough for his clothes and for what purpose he require more money. I sent him to France to Learn how to Earn his livelihood in a Respectable Manner and giving him Money to spend in Disipation would not only have been Wrong, but would have Destroyed the very Object for which he was sent he writes me an Apology for his Misconduct but he does not write me what it was he did which obliged his Uncle to send him away and if he felt any Contrition he would not be spending more Money than is Necessary as your father Well Knows and Neglecting his Studies as Madm. Trudeau informed one of my partners Mr McDonald this Gentleman called repeatedly at Madam Trudeaus and not finding John at home appointed an hour in the Evening to meet him—When Young Men who study ought to be at home—he accordingly called as he wished to see him to give me some accounts of him from his own verbal communication John had been home to Tea But was gone out and Mad. Trudeau finding who Mr McDonald was told him John did nothing but go about and Neglected his Studies. Is he so destitute of feeling or have they been Destroyed by his Misconduct that he is not ashamed at his time of life after so much Money has been spent on his Education and having had the Oppertunities that he has had to be unable to Earn his food and to be Indebted for his support to the Labour of Another. There never was so far as I know a Young Man from this Country who had so fine a Prospect to begin life with and now he has thrown it away. But as my Brother has not wrote me what John has done all I do at present is to write your father that if John Conducts himself as a Gentleman and applies Zealously to his studies to Allow him any sum he considers necessary Under a hundred and fifty pounds Halifax it is more than is necessary for his support But I wish he should have enough and I do not regret the sum if he makes a Good use of it though it is not what a man spends which makes him Respectable It is his conduct and capacity that must do it. But if he acts otherwise than he ought and forgets what he owes to his friends to himslf and to me he is not to have one penny if he will not act as I wish and he ought he must support himself I have not the means to support an Idler and if I had I would not do it. I Respect myself too much to Labour for a person who does not Respect himself this as you may suppose is a subject on which I feel deeply and therefore I have been insensibly led to dwell on it longer than I intended when I began and I will conclude by praying that the Almight may in his infinite Mercy touch his heart and lead him to the paths of Virtue and Religion and what will afford him happiness and Honor in this World and in the World to come. . . . Believe me to be My Dear Cousin
Yours Truly
John McLoughlin
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Fort Vancouver 4th Feby 1837
My Dear Sir
I have before me your Esteemed favour of the 19th April last and I presume I need not say that it is impossible for me to express how much I am Disappointed and Grieved at the account that you and others of my Correspondents give me of John. You say you do not know how he supported himself last Winter it appears Mr Moffatt paid him on my Account
£25.
14. 19. 3
30. 12. 6
9. 33
5.
£84. 14. 9
which is spending freely for a man who is Dependent on an other and is proof of his Want of pride and Respect for himself as certainly if he had any when such Excellent oppertunities have been afforded him and so much Money spent on his Education he would feel so much ashamed to find himself yet unable to earn his own livelihood and to be obliged to Depend for his support on the Labour of an other that he would not if possible shew himself before those who knew this Untill he had by his Exertions retrieved his character and would limit his Expenses to the lowest possible amount, to Mere Necessaries. But instead of this you see he is neglecting his studies and spending as much Money as he can get and descends to the Meanness of begging it from every one he thinks will let him have it. What Else is it that he is doing. Mr Moffatt let him have the sum he did on his pressing Entreaty as he was actually under Arrest when Mr Moffatt paid the Money and if I refused to Allow credit to Mr Moffatt for it how is John to pay. Is it not insulting me in the highest degree to presume to draw on me or even ask for money on my Account after neglecting to obey, and if he refuses to do this he must stand the consequence, and support himself. Gov. Simpson writes me John applied to him for a passage to this Country which he refused that he then asked to Enter the Service, which was also refused. Is he such a fool as to suppose that people will Engage a person in this Service who has shown so Untractable a Desposition as to Disagree with his Relations and Guardians When people Engage others they only Engage those who are anxious to do their Duty and desirous of giving satisfaction to all who have any control over them. But excuse my Warmth of Expression and Allow me to conclude this to me very painful subject As I am desirous to give him every fair chance. if as I wrote you last year he Conducts himself as a Gentleman and if he Endeavours to the Utmost to make up for his past misconduct by applying as Zealously as he possibly can to his Studies you will please Allow him any sum you think Necessary Under a hundred and fifty pounds Halifax pr Annum But if he acts improperly or will not apply to his Studies You will please not to Allow him one farthing on my Account since he whl not do as I wish and he ought he must support himself. That he could for a moment suppose at his time of life after spending as much as I have on him that he will get one farthing from me. Unless he Earned it by his Good Conduct I consider as insulting to me does he think that I undergo privations to Earn Money for him to spend in the Way he seems determined to do But let me drop this and pray that God may of his Mercy lead him to see the Error of his ways and make him reform you disapprove of my sending David to France But the fact is that in 1833 My Brother wrote me "I have great pleasure in telling you that your Son has since your last letter given me Great satisfaction he has taken to his studies with an Ardor and with a tenacity which shows he is not acting under the spur of the Moment but from conviction and from a sincere desire to profit of the Advantages he has if his Zeal for Study continues and that he throws the Whole of his mental faculties into the scale he must succeed in distinguishing himself" with such accounts of John I could not hesitate to send his Brother last March David was at Edmonton nigh London. with Best Wishes Believe me to be
Your Affectionate Nephew
John McLoughlin
PS Please make my Compliments to the Honble Rod McKenzie and Mrs McKenzie John has had the impudence to write me—of course I do not write him he has applied to be Allowed to come to this Country. I have suffered enough of Mortification from the Reports I had of him. he shall not come to this Country. When I say impudence I do not mean to say it was impudent in him to write me no it was proper and Right for him to do so and to do this in a proper way—to shew that he sees his Error and will reform instead of this he complains he could not get Money. A man to say so who spends £84 from Dec to April (and rather than starve in Canada requests I would allow him to come to this Country) But not a word of Regret for the pain his Misconduct must give he writes that he wishes to Discontinue his Studies on Account he says of the large sum it will cost to enable him to take his Diploma while he tells Mr. Moffatt (as the latter wrote me) that he will prepare to pass at Quebec in August. What can be more Disgraceful than such Deceitful conduct and to shew you the little spirit he has on reference to Gov Simpsons letters that on seeing he could not get a passage to come to this Country nor be taken in the service he offered to come up as a Common Engagee. I wrote Mr Moffatt not to pay one farthing for John Unless he has an order from you and I must repeat that though I have set apart a hundred and fifty pounds pr Annum to Educate him still his conduct has been such that you will please to act as you have hitherto done and not give him one farthing more than you consider absolutely Necessary and that his conduct deserves he must have no pocket Money he complained to Gov Simpson of the Want of Pocket Money if he had acted as he ought he would before this have been living on his own Earnings in a most Respectfull way as no Young Man from this Country had so Advantageous an Opportunity to provide for himself. When he has past his Examination You will give him what you think Necessary and let him shift for himself. If he had behaved Well and had passed his Examination I could have got him a situation of 150£ pr Annum. But his being Unqualified and his Misconduct put it out of my power. In a postscript to his letter of 21st Nov 1835 to Mr Epps he says he will go to Montreal to resume his studies if a hundred and fifty pounds are given him. What an Impudent demand What little Desire does this shew to qualify himself to earn his livelihood as a Gentleman if I had been in Canada when he made this most impudent demand I should have sent him at once about his Business and cast him off for ever as certainly after the Manner he has acted with my Brother if he had the least sense or feeling he would feel too sensitive of the Great Favour Great Charity done him in giving him an opportunity of reestablishing himself in the World that he would receive all that is done for him with the humility and Gratitude which such Unmerited Kindness and Indulgence deserve, and I cannot conclude this without assuring you that I duly feel for the manner in which you have been treated by a person whom you had treated so Affectionately and still do I feel it more severely as all this trouble was brought on from your desire to do good to others and to benefit me
J McL
NB. . . You Disapprove of my having sent David to Paris. I did so in consequence of the fine Accounts my Brother gave me of Johns progress. ... Receiving such Accounts I was Induced to send David who I Expected would not only have the benefit of his Uncles protection but that also of his Brothers care how cruelly have I been Disappointed. How different was My Brothers Letter of 1834 and those received in 1835 are still worse. If you had Expressed the least desire for Davids remaining in Canada Mr Finlayson would have left him as he supposed after seeing the letters my Brother wrote me in 1833 in praise of John that My Brothers Marriage was the cause of Johns coming to Canada. But I cannot but say that instead of sending John to Canada, since my Brother had assumed the Charge of him, on finding he was going Wrong he should have sent him to the Country till he had Received my answer and since My Brother sent him away in the Manner he did I am convinced that John must have given him I am Grieved to say Ample cause
John FRASER TO DR. John McLOUGHLIN
Terrebonne 13 April 1837
My Dear Sir
I was in due time favored with yours from Fort vancouver 14th February 1836 and I am extremely sorry to find your sons conduct would have proved as to be quite disapproved of. I leave others to discuss the same and wish that their construction of it shall be such as to give you the satisfaction you so richly deserve. I will only mention what I have done for him, and what I am still exerting myself to effect. You will learn from all quarters that your Son John left Montreal last July, to join one named Dixon, whom he qualified the title of General Dixon. He, this individual had collected Twenty Young Men in the United States along with five from this Province all born in the Hudson Bay's Company territories to proceed and meet him at Waterloo U.S. on 1st Augt & from thence to proceed to Santa Fee Mexico by the way of Lake Superior and continue their Expedition inland, engaging the Natives to join as they went along, and endeavour to take St Fee by surprise. this was their plan, but to execute the same was not as readily done, they all there fore reached Waterloo on the appointed Day, and there bought a schooner, to begin their glorious campaign, they then set sail on the Lake to reach their destination, they had not however gone far, before their means of support, seems to have been quite exhausted as they landed on Huron Island where they killed three oxen, and embarked them to furnish their store without either leave or consent of the proprietor who immediately sought protection from the neighbouring authorities, who ordered the Sheriff to pursue them at once with a Steam Boat, and he caught them just at the entrance of [illegible] River, they were of course put into custody untill they had repaired the damage done and were afterwards allowed to continue their expedition How far they have gone, and what they have done is more than I can say or venture to imagine I leave the whole to your superior Judement
As John went up last Summer he wrote me five letters the last of which is from Laponite Lake Superior 11th Octbr 1836 ... he says, "for the exertions I have made, the Commander has given me the Commission of Major in the Cavalry, I am extremely satisfied with my promotion, as it increases my pay." I must here remark that the General is a self created one, and he may from his own authority appoint them all Colonels, Generals, Vice Roy, if he thought proper, but from whence shall they be paid, and where is their regiment? they will be paid when they have taken Santa Fee, and their army will consist of Indians, if they wish to raise themselves against the Americans. From so feeble a prospect, I have written several times to your esteemed sister St Henry, who has addressed John requesting him earnestly to desist from his foolish expectations and continue his way to join you, which I sincerely hope he do. I also write him myself the same thing exposing him my best reasons, or to persuade him to join you without loss of time, assuring this as his best plan, and feeling confident that you are the better able to direct his future happiness from your experience and means, than he can do for himself. . . . I remain My Dear Cousin
Yours very Truly
John Fraser
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUNIOR, TO JOHN FRASER
Norway House 29th July 1838
My Dear John
I acknowledge the receipt of your letter and in reply allow me to thank you for the information it contains and the feelings you show me in it. I perfectly agree with you that it did me no credit for having left Montreal, the more I think on the subject the more I see my folly.
When last I wrote you I mentioned that I was going to winter at Fort Vancouver so I did, and came out this spring with my Father. It is no joke to cross the Mountains in the Spring Snow eleven feet deep. I think if the Snow was as deep in Canada at that season some the the folks would open their eyes.
By the Bye I am sorry to learn the disturbance that has taken place in Canada I wish in your next you would give me all necessary information on the subject for I am very anxious to know all its particulars . . . Remember me kindly to your Father and Mother and to Mr and Mrs Ruby in fact to every acquaintance. Believe Me to be
Your Cousin
John McLoughlin
DAVID MCLOUGHLIN TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Norway House 11th July 1839
My Dear Uncle
It appears to me but yesterday that I saw you the time seems to pass by remarkable quick. It pained me to see you and your son leaving Mr Lestee's house because I thought thus it was the last moment I shall ever have the pleasure of seeing you I was very comfortable during the voyage except when we first left Montreal on account the weather being very cold I arrived here just in time to bid My Father and Brother John a good day for they were on the point of starting in light Canoes for York Factory therefore I am not able to tell you how My Brother is getting on. The Gentlemen of Hudson's Bay Company and clerks have formed a new Company among themselves independent of the fur Company which goes under the name of Pugets Sound Agricultural Company they have raised a subscription of 200,000£ this summer for the purpose of beginning the affair and My Father is appointed to manage the business in the Country which he is to do besides superintending the Hudson's Bay Company affairs in the Columbia I have taken a share of 100£ in it remember me to those I knew while at Terrebonne Hoping that when you receive this letter you will be in good health I am
Your Truly
David McLoughlin
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO DR. SIMON FRASER
Fort Vancouver 24th Feby 1840
My Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to inform you that I safely arrived at my old quarters on the 17th Oct last and I much regret that my Business would not allow me in my Visit to the Civilised World to spend a longer time in the Society of my Relations and nothing but its pressing nature could have made me submit to it. I think I sent you from New York a Copy of Parkers travels[5] in this Country by which you will see that his object was to select places for to place Misisonaries and accordingly a large Band came across in 1838[6] and are dispersed among the Natives Instructing them in Religion teaching them to Read and Write and to Cultivate the Ground, for which this Country affords them Greater facilities than on the other side as these Indians live in Villages and Spirituous Liquors have not been introduced among them. At present their are Methodist and Presbyterians from the States and Roman Catholics from Canada My Compliments to the Honble Rod McKenzie and Mrs McKenzie I am My Dear Sir
Your Affectionate Nephew
John McLoughlin
JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, JUNIOR, TO JOHN FRASER
Fort Vancouver 15th March 1840
My Dear John
As this is the usual time that our express leaves this for the east side of the Mountains I cannot allow it to go without resuming my habit of writing although I am not one of the best letter writers still I can manage enough to let you know that I am still amongst the living of this country but to tell you the truth I was nigh going last spring but through good attendance I came round again. I will not have the pleasure of going across with the express this year as I have done since two years as I am ordered to go off in a few days to the coast to establish another fort,[7] now you see my dear John that I am going farther this year than ever and the only thing left us is writing I hope that you will avail yourself of every opportunity to let me know how you are, as well as your good old Father For my part I can only write once in two years and then I will not be sure of even that time it will reach you ...
Our neighbours the Americans are doing their utmost to get their government to take possession of this country in fact I do now know what right they have to reclaim it and I hope that Great Britain will never consent to part with such a prosperous country. In point of commercial views there is no country equal to it. the navigable waters of the Columbia abound in timber of all descriptions and the River itself is inexhaustible in Salmon. they have petitioned the Congress to send them a civil administrator and protection of its army.[8] I do not know whether their petition will be attended to time will only tell. Last summer we had a visit from an English Surveying Squadron[9] here they surveyed the River and the principal harbours on the Coast it was a gay time for those who were present here, but I had not that pleasure For I was then travelling on horseback to red River annoyed by swarms of mus-quitos for all that I never yet had such a pleasant journey it is worth any ones trouble who is fond of seeing beautiful sceneries
I do not believe that there is an office in Montreal that has so much to do as ours. We are in it from ½ past 6 in the morning till nine at night. I have learned more in the way of transacting business here than I should have done in Montreal in the same space of time. If you were to see our establishment you would be highly delighted with it. ...
Remember me kindly to your good mother and tell her that I shall never forget her kindness to me. ...
I am Your Cousin
John McLoughlin Junr
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO JOHN FRASER
Fort Vancouver 24th Oct 1840
My Dear John
Though certainly I have nothing particular to inform you still in justice to my feelings I could not let this opportunity pass (which only occurs once a year) and not drop you a few Lines. Merely to assure you that I am well and that I sincerely hope that you are not only Well but that you are also doing Well I arrived here on the 17th Oct and had the pleasure to find my family Well and much Gratified at finding I brought back David with me who has been ever since his arrival Employed in our office as is also John and I must say that they are as attentive and smart at their work as most young men and this is merely from being as young men ought to be kept Employed As certainly most Young Men are ruined by not being Kept Busy as Idleness is the Root of all evils With Best Wishes For your Wellfare I am My Dear John
Your Affectionate Cousin
John McLoughlin
DAVID MCLOUGHLIN TO John FRASER
Fort Vancouver 19th March 1843
My Dear Cousin
Your kind Epistle came to hand last fall and I am happy to learn that you are getting on so well both in your public & private life. It is with the greatest pain that I am under the necessity to relate the circumstance which led to the dreadful calamity which has befallen us by the murder of My Brother John he was shot on the night of the 20/21 April in his own Fort & by his own men. John was in Charge of a Post on the Coast within the Russian Territories consisting of 22 men Sir G Simpson on passing there last fall took his assistant from him to replace one that was going away from the adjoining Post and left John with a common man and a Boy as seconds to Manage the men and conduct the operations of the place; having regular watches set night and day, to watch the natives who are daily in search by some way or other to execute their vicious intentions of destroying the establishment or murdering the men yes I may say he was left alone in that solitary Post, surrounded on every side by dreary Mountains having its tops covered by perpetual snow and drowning its inhabitants by unceasing rains who would fain to live in such a dungeon like Country its Gloomy aspect would chill, even the breast of a most determined man Yet there it is & in that Situation My Brother was without a proper assistant given him on whom he might rely on his fidelity to battle against these sanguinary Villians and to guard themselves & property against the hostile intentions of the Natives I am bewildered how this affair will be brought to a proper conclusion as Sir G Simpson is such a dunce as to have formed his opinion on the reports of the Murderers who were pleading to alleviation than truth yet there it is on the words of these Villians he published his reports without consideration without a doubt these wretches have told him the truth and poor John was shot as a means of self preservation they not being satisfied with the tendency of these aspersions still they desend farther from the standard of man by turning Calumny to truth to strengthen their vile intentions of fabricating the memory of the deceased Cowardly wretch not being satisfied with the ball going through poor John by his treacherous act still proceeds further by running up to his Victim and placing his foot on his neck whilst struglling in the agonies of death to hasten his end they have endeavoured to make it appear that he was always drunk and on these occasions he would be very violent beating &c The Wine which was sent to him, allowance for the year was found almost complete his accounts well kept up and his journal brought up to the day before he was Murdered and the letters he wrote to Mr Work bitterly complains of the two assistants that Sir George left him and says that he would leave the service unless they send him better assistants than the two he had Sir G Simpson arrived there five days after this fatal act was committed on his way to England. when he first went there and on his return here to go to California he praised John as an active and industrious Young man having his Fort in better order than any other person in the Coast a few Months after arrives there again find him no more Murdered by his men yet after what he has seen on a former occasion desides with these Villians. There is a Mystery in this affair and I am afraid there will be some difficulty to find the truth of this atrocious Murder.
Poor John he had a great deal of trouble the short time he was in this world, & if he had remained in Canada this would never have happened He is such a determined man and I am partly convinced it has been the means of his untimely end. our people here are such beasts they take every advantage of insulting their Masters especially when there is a favorable opportunity. I am now alone with my Father and Mother My Sister[10] is in California with her husband, we are daily looking for her return You must excuse me for this letter I am so hurried to write it the express being off a few days ago for Canada hopg to hear from you I am
Yours ever truly
David McLoughlin
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO John FRASER
Vancouver 12th April 1843
My Dear Sir
I presume that before this reaches you you will have heard of the Murder of my Son John on the night of 19/20 April last at one of our Establishments on the West Coast of which he had Charge In Oct 1841 in passing there Sir George Simpson saw Every Thing in such high Order, Every thing so Well Arranged that he was Induced to accommodate an other Officer who wished to come here on account of his health to take my Sons assistant to replace this officer and leave my Son the only Officer at the place Where there is the most Danger on the N W Coast, and which Sir George Simpson would not have done so if my deceased sons Good Conduct had not given us the Utmost confidence in his abilities. But among the men belonging to the place there were three men of very Bad Characters who formed a plot to murder him. It seems my deceased Şon found it out and found one of them that night lurking about his Door with his Gun whom he took, and put in confinement and as he was in search of the two others one of them shot him in the Breast as he was turning the Corner of a house, My son fell and while writhing in the Agonies of death his murderer rushed on him and put his foot on his neck. My poor Son brought on his death by his own Rashness as after he put one of them in prison if he had temporised for five Days Sir George Simpson would have been with him Indeed at the time he was in Momentary Expectation of Sir George Simpsons arrival to whom the men Made Believe that my deceased Son was Given to Liquor and that when in that state he Used to Beat the Men most Unmercifully as if one man could ill use when Intoxicated twenty two men (the number at the place) so much as to make them murder him when if he was as they said they could have tied him Especially as they were in Momentary Expectation of the Arrival of a Superior Officer and the ill treatment of which they speak was punishment he found it necessary to inflict to make them do their duty (as we found out after Sir George left) and to make them do their Duty and they did not get so much as they deserved—they told Sir George that the night of the Murder the deceased gave them liquor.[11] It is now found that it was the man whom the Deceased Employed as an assistant (temporary till I sent him one from here) who gave them the Rum that he stole pure Spirits from the Store and gave to Every Canadian and Iroquois in the place (of which there were Eleven and Eleven Sandwich Islanders) one Bottle of pure Spirits Each and which was only discovered by the confession of the one who assisted him to do so, and of which my deceased Son might not have been in the least aware as there used to be so much Liquor sold to the Indians at that place that the men used to get it from them and get drunk in consequence of which my son had to punish Several and to keep them all in the fort and prevent them from going to the Lodges. The Canadians and Iroquois are in confinement and Will remain so till I hear from London where a whole detail of the case is forwarded as though they are British Subjects the Deed was perpetrated on Russian Territory at a place we lease from the Russians My Compliments to my Uncle and Mr and Mrs McKenzie And Believe me to Be
Your Affectionate Cousin
John McLoughlin
P. S. In consequence of this unfortunate affair We have been able to make an arrangement with the Russians by which no liquor is issued to Indians in that quarter and consequently no liquor is issued to Indians by the Hudsons Bay Company as before this I had stopped it at all our establishments on this side of the Mountains
J McL
DR. JOHN MCLOUGHLIN TO JOHN FRASER
Vancouver 17th Feb 1844
My Dear John
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 20th April by which I was happy to hear of your marriage with Elizabeth our Cousin I have every confedence she will make you a good Wife present her my Respect and tell her I devoutly pray God may Bless you
I am happy to find that your affairs are coming on so Well and of which I have not the least [doubt) if you follow the advice of your Worthy father
The report you had of the Murder of my Son John is unfortunately too true he was Murdered on the night of 20 April 1842 from seeing every thing about the place in the highest order Sir George Simpson was Induced to take Johns assistant (John had charge of the place) to place at another place on that Day or rather evening John allowed the men to Dance in the Fort and Gave them a little Liquor. But the person who acted for the moment as assistant and the Steward stole a quantity of Liquor which they gave to the men which made them Drunk, particularly the Steward who being noisy the deceased ordered to be tied, in doing which the deceased assisted but this making the fellow abusive The man who shot the Deceased made a remark which Irritated the Deceased he struck him when the fellow ran away calling out aux armes, aux armes The Deceased went for his Riffle and as he was in search of the fellow he shot the Deceased from behind a corner the Deceased was about four feet from the muzzle of the Gun and was shot in the Breast he fell and his Murderer rushed from his lurking place and put his foot on his throat while he was writhing in the agonies of Death and finished him by beating in his head with his riffle The Murderer is sent to Sitka to be tried by the Russians as the Deceased was murdered on Russian Territory. I have not yet heard the result. These men had spread a Report that the Deceased was Intoxicated. But it is false it is not so. I never saw so correct accounts of every Dealing at the Place as were found in his accounts—a Drunkard does not keep correct accounts My compliments to my Uncle and Mr Roderic McKenzie and Mrs McKenzie and
Believe me to be Yours truly
John McLoughlin
DAVID MCLOUGHLIN TO JOHN FRASER
Oregon City 18th March 1849
My Dear Fraser
You must not expect to receive a long letter this time from me as I have but very little time to spare, preparing for the Gold Mine. this Mine was found last Summer the extent of it is not Known. I believe both California & Oregon is covered with Gold there are gold mines found here but not so rich as the one in California I am now on the eve of starting for the gold region with large numbers of Indians hired to me for a year I hope then to be satisfied for the remainder of my life every one has to do his own work in these days, silver or Gold being no object to any one. This will throw this beautiful Country back for years This time last year men that would be very glad to get employment are now walking about the Street too proud to touch any thing. believe me Money is flying about here in large quantities especially Gold dust I have made for my share these last five months about twenty thousand dollars in Gold dust the Indian is waiting for this letter so you must excuse me remember me to all
I am ever yours
D McLoughlin
- ↑ Mrs. Chapin received these letters for McLoughlin House from a granddaughter of Alexander Fraser.—Editor, Quarterly.
- ↑ The bill Dr. Fraser received on account of Eliza was for board, schooling and music from May 16, 1825 to May 15, 1826; see letter from Sister Henry to Dr. Fraser, May 18, 1826, original (written in French) at McLoughlin House; copy in Oregon Historical Society.
- ↑ He refers to the death of Dr. Fraser's daughter, Mary.
- ↑ This was the revolution of July 1830, which brought an end to the reign of Charles X.
- ↑ Samuel Parker, Journal of an Exploring Tour, 1838.
- ↑ This was the second missionary party sent by the American Board; the first, Whitman and Spalding, had come in 1836.
- ↑ Fort Stikine.
- ↑ This petition was forwarded to the United States by Thomas J. Farnham, January, 1840, and was presented in congress, June 4, 1840.
- ↑ The expedition of Captain Sir Edward Belcher. The result of his survey was published as Narrative of a Voyage Round the World ... 2 volumes, London, 1843.
- ↑ Eloisa, whose husband, William Glen Rae, was at this time in charge of Hudson's Bay Company affairs at Yerba Buena, California.
- ↑ Dr. McLoughlin was much embittered at the failure of Simpson to have a judicial investigation of the murder. In his last letter to the Hudson's Bay Company, written in 1845, he gives the circumstances of the murder and states his grievances against Simpson; American Historical Review, October, 1915, 118–19.