Archival Collections Catalogue

CA RBD MSG 472-2-22
File
31 July 1796

File relates to Sir Alexander Mackenzie and includes a letter from Sir Alexander Mackenzie to his first cousin Roderick Mackenzie as well as numerous biographical and scholarly material and memorabilia related to Sir Alexander and his legacy.

Mackenzie, Alexander, 1764-1820

Two partnership documents

CA RBD MSG 1247-1
File
1790-1795

Part of North West Company Collection

File contains 2 documents (copies) from the beginning of the North West Company. One document is a copy of the preamble and signatures from the 1790 North West Company articles of agreement signed at the company's many depot in Grand Portage on the shores of Lake Superior. This document outlines the division of the shares among the various NWC partners. The other document is a copy of the 1792 business agreement between the North West Co. and the Grant Campion Co.

Observations on commerce of Canada

CA RBD MSG 1246-1
File
1785

Part of Joseph Hadfield Fonds

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.

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