Print preview Close

Showing 2 results

Archival description
Detroit (Mich.) File
Print preview View:

1 results with digital objects Show results with digital objects

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.

Journal, 1767-1769

This file contains a journal containing entries related to two voyages undertaken by James Morrison, with some accounts, lists of goods and furs, contracts, and other notes and transactions. The first voyage is titled "Journal of a voyage in a large cannoe by Jas Morrison from Montreal to Toranto [sic]," and took place between 13 April 1767 and 1 August 1767, during which they also visited Michilimackinac. The second voyage, "Journal for voyage 11 April 1769 1 canoe to Detroit," also set out from Montreal and visited Michilimackinac, returning on approximately 20 or 21 September 1769. Other notable entries include "A Dictionary of Indian words in the Missisage" with 49 words of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) vocabulary and a directive from Benjamin Roberts, Commissary of Indian Affairs, to Jean-Baptiste de Couagne, Interpreter for Indian Affairs, written in Morrison's hand from Fort Niagara, 21 May 1767.