Wentzel, Willard Ferdinand. Fifteen letters from Wentzel at Mackenzie River to Roderick Mackenzie, 1807-1824. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0012
No 14
MacKenzie River April 10th 1823
Dear Sir,
Labouring under a severe fit of sickness, which has much depressed my Spirits – obliges me to beg you will have the goodness to forgive me should I fail in not communicating the intelligence which I am convinced would be most acceptable to you – and that I had most at heart to relate touching the Land Arctic Expedition and the new turn which Affairs have taken of late in this Country[.] The solitary corner from whence I date the present – has become an object of the most serious consideration of the [York] Factory Council – and imputant advantages expected to be disclosed by a number of Enterprises Set afloat for the Discovery of every unknown part of the mountains[.] Indeed such is the spirit and avidity exhibited by the Council that it is believed these discoveries will be extended as far as the Russian Settlements on the Pacific Ocean[.] A Party is likewise to leave Churchill Factory this Spring, consisting of fourteen Persons including Two Gentlemen – and proceed along the Sea coast in Boats – and if necessary to winter with the Esquimeaux, with whom they may happen to fall in – and then the ensuing Season to resume to prosecution of their Survey – and endeavour to come out in Great Slave Lake[.] [O]ne of the Gentlemen selected to accompany the Party, is acknowledged to possess a sufficient Knowledge of astronomy to assertain the Latitudes & Longitudes of the differ
-ent countries
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L E G E N D :
in red , modifications made by the editor(s).
in lavender , modifications made by the assumed author(s).
