N^o 8

Lac La Pluie August 4^th 1818

Dear Sir,

I was ordered off from Montreal So Suddenly that M^r Thaine actually refused me leave to go to pay my last respects to you at Terrebonne, but promised that he would himself Explain to you the occasion of it – and make a Suitable apology for me to you and M^rs M^cKenzie[.] [W]hether he has performed his I do not yet Know[.] I am however sure that nothing ever created more anxiety in my mind, that such apparent ingratitude should have occurred twice[.] Therefore I humbly recommend myself to your indulgent goodness to forgive a neglect of which I was not willingly guilty[.]

Since my arrival at this Place I have had but time allowed me to think about myself having constan[t]ly employed in giving out Equipments and advances the Athabasca and Lesser Slave Lake men – and whom I have closed Acc^ts to day – So that I am writing this with the utmost haste being ordered to be off tomorrow morning for Athabasca[.]

Respecting the local concerns of the Country it will be pleasing to you to hear that the Company's affairs appear to wear a much better appearance than

could

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