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Letter from William Hemmings Cook to Alexander Kennedy, 6 June 1810.
HBCA, B.239/b/80 fo. 6-6d.
To Mr Kennedy, Swan River,
YF 6th June 1810
My Dear Sir
I have exerted my utmost ability to forward to you a good proportion of every article in stock at the Factory – but so destitute are we of many essential requisites that I fear your post will suffer exceedingly and I am sorry that you are unfortunately so far distant as to afford but little chance of a supply in the Fall – All you can possibly do is to deal with caution & if it be practicable, to reject such Furs as are in the present situation of affairs not worth the Company’s notice – for instance – all Parchment of the Deer and Buffalo kind is useless, but Swan Skins Quills, Feathers & Castorum are valuable & cannot be too carefully collected or too highly prized; – I earnestly beg your attention to these points as the Indians you know are always thoughtless & require perpetual stimulation – Your last years assortment of Furs was in general good – there is nothing that merits rejection except the Parchment and Cats – the latter are really not worth the Castorum used in catching them – I give you these Hints without the least intention of invalidating your Exertions, which have been tried & are known to be exemplary, or with any Idea that Indians so independent & unruly as those with whom you have to deal, can be governed by us – but it is absolutely necessary to know exactly how the Honourable Company’s Affairs stand, & to use the most ardent & industrious means to alleviate or retrieve them –
Inclosed [sic] is the account of Goods now sent which I heartily wish were more, but your zeal, abilities & good Conduct are a sure & certain warrantee for the result.
I remain
Dear Sir
With wishing you every Happiness
Your sincere Friend
