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Letter from Alexander Kennedy to John McNab, 16 July 1809.
HBCA, B.239/b/77, fo. 19-19d.
From Mr Alexander Kennedy
Oxford House July 16th 1809
Sir
As my time was so short at the mouth of Hill River I forgot to deliver you the inclosed [sic] notes being copys [sic] of what passed between me and my neighbour, after my arrival at Swan River last fall; as they relate to a robbery that was committed by the Canadians under the immediate direction of one of the NW proprietors on Hugh Sabbeston to the amount of fifteen Beaver Skins, the particulars of which I have already related to you, as well as their having blocked up our track last Summer, on the long carrying place which was a great hinderance [sic] to our people getting in. I hope sir you will lay them before the Honourable Committee, and that they will take such steps, as put a stop to the scandalous depredations of our opponents. If they are tamely permitted to plunder when ever they have it in their power by dint of superior numbers, the advantage on their side, is too much for us to contend with; to give any hopes of success and it is not only prejudicial to the Interest of our Employers, but very mortifying to the feelings of their servants to be insulted by these fellows without the means of redress.
If I could have been justified by declaring open war against these Robbers, there is no piece of Service I would have more willingly undertake [sic] than trying to have redeemed them but as I could only make a demand of them after my arrival to which my neighbour replied, to this effects that he had taken and was determined to keep them, It remains for our Honourable Masters to decide who has the best right to them
I remain Sir
Your very Humble & most Obedient Servant
Alexander Kennedy
