Friend – and that he had concealed the deed in order to be the first to give [these] sad tidings to the unfortunate M^r Hood's Friends[.] This intelligence has been communicated to me by M^r James Leith Chief Factor to the Honb^le Hbay C^o[.] I am at a loss nevertheless how to reconcile this declaration of Doctor Richardson with what he has written to me on the same lamentable subject – for he tells me – That "Poor Hood fell a sacrafice to the hardships he was exposed to"[.] And in a conversation I had with Lieut^t Back in the spring at Fort Chepewean, when he was on his return to England – he very candidly told me that there had been dissentions amongst themselves, and concluded with these remarkable words – "To tell the truth Wentzel things have taken place which must not be known" – alluding to what befel the Expedition on their way from Copper mine River to Fort Enterprise[.] Last Fall I recieved a Letter from Captain Franklin dated London March the 7^th in which he States that he ordered 600 ₤ Sterling to be paid me for my Services to the Expedition and that he intended Sending me out His Journal by the Ship coming to York Factory[.] I have not however heard yet of the Ship news[.] I am anxious to have the Perusal in order to compare facts & to Know whether it would be proper for me to write every thing I Know, in my Journal, or to curtail some occurrences, which I could wish to do – because I find no delight in exposing circumstances which might be considered Criminal conduct, in one of the Officers who has Survived & been rewarded[.] I once had a Sincere Esteem for him, and feel it doubly disagreeable now to accuse him of conduct, for which he richly merited to be punished[.] B[e]sides his Commander is not unacquainted with the circumstances whose duty it is to have noticed it as Such[.] But I fear I am too tidious, therefore beg you will pardon the liberty I have taken in the foregoing – for which I have no other excuse to make – than the condescension with which you have had the generosity to indulge me on former occasions – a Kindness I hope I shall never abuse[.]

Respecting the Concerns of the North West – little occurs that can be interesting to Canada[.] Furrs have lost a great deal of their former value in Europe and many of the Chief Factors & Traders would willingly compound for their Shares, with the Company, for 1500 ₤ in order to retire from a Country, which has become disgustful & irksome

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