51

been very agreeable and impartial. M^r J. M^cGillivray will probably succeed him. The H.B. Co. at two Posts in English River Department, last Year, made only Six Beavers. They are still desirous of holding out. A very Melancholy Castastrophe happened to a M^r McDonald, Clerk to the N.W. Co. in the Nipigon, the latter having been murdered by a party of the H.B. The affair is probably deciding at present at Montreal. We are all too apt to tamper with the H.B. and it generally happens unfortunately, that the most serious disputes between opponents take their origin in mere trifles.

You will doubtless hear from your friends in this quarter. I leave this Department next Spring; intending to go out as soon as possible to Fort William with a view of seeing my brother somewhere or other along the Route or at that place. I have not had

[51]