N^o 5

MacKenzie's River Depar^t Great Bear Lake

February 28^th 1814

M^r MacKenzie

Dear Sir,

The affairs of the Concern in this Department are yet, much on the Same footing they were the preceeding year – appearances of Returns last Fall throughout all Athabasca were however rather more promising[.] Particularly in this Quarter where we expect a genteel increase considering the melancholy destruction of the Principal Establishment last Winter – respecting that unfortunate disaster we are at present fully convinced that the Natives trading there were the Perpetrators[.] Several of whom have had the assurance to bring furrs and Barter at the Forks[,] M^cK. River and Hay River Establishments[.] Some Proposals were made among the Gentlemen Proprietors to retaliate, but it proceeded no farther[.] Indeed Athabasca itself is dwindling into nothing[.] The Indians complain of a want of Beaver (the Iroquois having ruined the Country) – and yet they formed a Conspiracy last Spring to Massacre all the Whites of Fort Chepewean and Big Island in Peace River as well as moose Deer Island Establishment of Slave Lake[.] The Chepewean Tribe are said to have been the first instigators[.] And altho the affair seems to be laid aside and forgotten, Still we are alive to the most painful apprehensions for the Safety of our Lives[.] In this Quarter about the Same time the Loucheux were near creating an uproar also at Fort Good Hope on account of a difficiency on the part of the Fort, of Beads – yet it would ap

-pea[r]

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