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Fur trade -- Canada -- History.
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Observations on commerce of Canada

File contains 2 handwritten manuscript copies of the personal writings of Joseph Hadfield and his observations during his time in the fur trade. Hadfield mentions the role of traders making expeditions to the West and North West to barter with Indigenous communities for furs. He describes in detail how voyages were made from Montreal through Lake Ontario and Erie to Detroit by traders. Handfield provides lists of trade goods that he judged necessary for these traders to carry for barter and lists the skins received in exchange for goods. He lists the particular details of one cargo carried by canoe, with quantities and weight and value of goods transported. He also details which geographical regions are good for fur trapping (including Detroit, Michilimackinac, and Grand Portage) and provides pricing information for different types of animal skins, and distances traveled by traders. Includes very brief descriptions of activities of Indigenous community in the Northwest Canada/Detroit region and European fur trader settlements.

Also included the file are two letters written by Hadfield's granddaughter, Miss A. Hadfield, to Dr. G. R. Lomer of McGill University. The letters explain that Miss Hadfield had in her possession these accounts of her grandfather and she was inquiring to their informational value.

Hadfield, Joseph, 1759-1851.

Partner responsibilities and bill exchanges.

File contains 1 document outlining the financial responsibilities of each partner of the North West Company from 1804 to 1813, the problems of bill exchanges in England during and after the War of 1812, and the financial disputes which occurred after the absorption of the NWC into the Hudson's Bay Company.

North West Company

McTavish, Frobisher & Company, and McTavish, McGillivrays & Company Collection

  • CA RBD MSG 1243
  • Collection
  • 1805-1822

These are various business papers of Simon McTavish and include partnership agreements with William and Duncan McGillivray, William Hallowell, Roderick McKenzie, Angus Shaw and James Hallowell, 1806 and drafts of agreement for seven years between McTavish, Frobisher and Company and John Fraser of London, Simon McGillivray and John Tullon, 1805.

Simon McGillivray Fonds

  • CA RBD MSG 1245
  • Fonds
  • 1826-1832

A collection of documents from the life of Simon McTavish including a letter to his creditors and a series of legal opinions on the estate of Simon and William McGillivray. Documents' informational value is largely financial in nature.

McGillivray, Simon, 1783-1840

Joseph Hadfield Fonds

  • CA RBD MSG 1246
  • Fonds
  • 1785

Consisting of documents detailing the 1785 travels and observations of Joseph Hadfield through the Northwest fur trade of North America and to Niagara Falls (probably written after 1810). Observations are primarily economic in nature; however, there are also references to the geographical and cultural surroundings.

Hadfield, Joseph, 1759-1851.

North West Company Collection

  • CA RBD MSG 1247
  • Collection
  • 1790-1826, 1861

This material comprises a group of official documents, and correspondence among various partners. The official documents include four articles of agreement for partnership between various Montréal companies, largely with McTavish, Frobisher and Co., 1790-1802, and a memorandum on the effect of exchange differences on the partners' shares (approximately 1826). The partners' correspondence, approximately 1792-1808, contains letters from Simon McTavish, Isaac Todd, and Alexander Mackenzie concerning provisions, business agreements and loans. A letter from William McGillivray to Mr Justice Reid discusses family matters. One financial ledger for the North West Company contains business accounts and records transactions. The bulk of entries are dated from January 1810 to November 1825, with some entries dated 1861.

North West Company

Charlotte Frobisher Collection

  • CA RBD MSG 434
  • Collection
  • 1810-1821

This material documents the estate of Mrs. Charlotte Frobisher and includes a copy of her will and an inventory, 1820.

Frobisher, Charlotte, 1761-1816