me that my name should not be forgot on the list of promotion[.] But "out of Sight is being out of mind" and I dare not venture to Supplicate that Interest of Some powerful person in my behalf – being fearful of giving thereby cause of offence as becoming troublesome[.] Tho I am convinced that some have been advanced whose claims were not Superior to my Own – no doubt, they had the means to turn the wheel – which I had not – yet however mortifying the reflection may be to me, I hope I shall never disgrace those who have honour'd me with their Friendship, or be unmanly enough to allow my feelings to on that subject to get the better of my feeble understanding – Therefore Shall continue to Serve the Company some time yet with my usual Zeal and integrity[.]

In turning to the Affairs of the once celebrated Athabasca Department, (whose Trade had been so beneficial to the Concern, and increased by, Sir, your Successful care & management) a Person cannot help lamenting its present ruinous State, without Sincerely regretting, that the mangement of its commerce Should ever have devolved to other Hands[.] The Preceding year, The Collective exertions of the whole Department did not exceed 380 Packs – including the Returns of the year before from MacKenzie River[.] I cannot account for it – but by some fatality or other, the natives have taken a dislike to the whites – and perhaps the reduction of the Returns may be as much attributed to this unfortunate circumstance, as it may be to the pretended ruined State of the Country[.] Still, The cry of no Beaver is the only ground on which the Concern have come to the resolution of reducing, very properly, the number of Posts in Peace River – and very injudiciously, relinquishing with out reserve the whole Department of MacKenzie River – a Place which might yet have been a profitable consideration to the Company, had a proper Plan of reform been

tried

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