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Important Canadian Fur Trade Collection + Rebellion of 1838

With a Hand-Drawn Fur Trade Post Wall Map

Printed and Manuscript Documents, Original Letters and Printed Maps

Hudson's Bay Company's Long Lake Fur Trade Accounts & Grenville Militia Company Day Book

Peter Grant's Gold Bullion Scales from 1795

A remarkable content-rich collection of original manuscript material relating to the early fur trade in Canada, including an original hand-drawn trading post map. The core of the collection concerns the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company's operations near Long Lake in NW Ontario, with additional original manuscripts relating to the Canadian Rebellion of 1838. The collection documents the career of Duncan Clark or Clarke (1785-1850?), a fur trader and veteran of the War of 1812. Clark was a clerk for the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company from 1818-1824, and the bulk of the collection relates to this period, including original letters from well-known figures in the Fur Trade and an original Long Lake trading post ledger recording business with French-Canadian voyageurs.

The correspondence component includes letters from company officials at the Pic and Fort William, including such notable figures in the Canadian fur trade as Roderick McKenzie (1761-1844), a partner in the North West Company and Alexander McTavish, a member of the Scottish McTavish family, prominent in the early fur trade, among others (see below for complete inventory).

Several letters lend a voice, albeit indirectly, to the French-Canadian voyaguers - the storied navigators of northern waterways who transported furs between trading posts and markets. Mention is often made in the letters of specific voyageurs (e.g., Antoine Sanregret, Le May, etc.). Letters also mention First Nation peoples. Given the lack of a proper mail system in such unsettled areas of the Canadian western frontier, the letters, amazing artifacts in themselves, were often carried and delivered by voyageurs or Native Americans, through the fur trade's transportation and communication network.

Along with construction and craftwork, trade, and seeking food, voyageurs at interior posts transported goods, news, and information among the posts throughout the year. The most common form of travel was by canoe, but travel by horse, and in the winter, by dog-team, became popular. Travel over difficult terrain in harsh winter conditions was risky, and voyageurs looked to Aboriginal people for help with routes and gear - Podruchny, page 240.

Rebellion of 1838

Duncan Clark was also a member of the Grenville Militia Company: his original manuscript day-book of orders and reports, November 26, 1838 - March 16, 1839, as well as a muster record of soldiers during the Rebellion of 1838, form part of the present offering.

Fur Trade Era artifacts: Duncan Clark's Original Post Map

The cartographic highlight of the collection is a circa 1820s-30s "Map of Part of the North-West From Drawings Made by Mr. Duncan Clarke."  A pen and ink map on paper, backed on linen, mounted on wooden rod and roller. 20 x 25 inches, the map shows the Long Lake District above Lake Superior, depicting the local network of waterways: English River, French River, Little Long Lake, Jack's River, Wassa River, Pike's Lake, Clark's Lake, Round Lake, Wintering Lake, Canoe Lake, White Partridge Wood River, Goose Lake, and the like. A remarkable survival, this early 19th-century manuscript map likely adorned the inside of a Hudson's Bay Company trading post, either at Long Lake or along the Pic River. The map, if not absolutely accurate, is beautifully executed, with the words "North-West" rendered in stunning ornamental block letters with shading and internal dot decoration. Forested regions shown with small trees; and with a neatly styled map compass. A wonderful early example of vernacular fur trade cartography of the Canadian frontier.

Additional Printed 19th-century maps:

• Map of the City of Montreal Shewing the Latest Improvements Compiled & Drawn by W.H. McKenzie, Deputy Provincial Surveyor. [Montreal]: Matthews' Lith., [1851]. Lithograph map on blue paper. 14 3/4 x 21 3/4 inches. Outline red handcolor and wash indicating area consumed by the Great Fire of 1852. A scarce early street map of Montreal from The New Guide to Montreal and its Environs. 1851. See Lande 2037 & TPL 5510. Includes tables listing churches, public buildings, banks, colleges and schools, and hotels.
• Map of Part of Canada West, Compiled from the Most Recent Authorities and Surveys, for Scobie's Canadian Almanac for 1851, Being the Commencement of a Complete Map of the Entire Province, the continuous Portions of Which Will Be Published in Successive Almanacs for Future Years. Toronto: Scobie Lith, [1850]. Lithograph map. 18 14 7/8 x 18 1/2 inches. Old fold marks. Minor tape repairs on verso at fold intersections. See TPL 2871.

18th-century Gold Scales Used by Peter Grant With Signed Manuscript Gold Coin Chart Dated 1795

Original antique portable gold scales in period wood travel box (6 ¾ x 3 ½ x 1 ¼”), late 18th-century, which belonged to fur trader and prospector Peter Grant (1764-1848), a noted figure in the fur trade, a partner of North West Company and Duncan Clark’s grand-uncle. A manuscript weight chart is affixed to the inside of the traveling case, signed by Grant and dated 1795. The chart is captioned: "Weight of the most common Gold Coins" and includes columns for weight of each coin, and "Value Hlfxr Currt" in pounds. Listed are various gold coins then in circulation: Portuguese Joanne, Spanish doubloon, English Guinea, Moidore, French Guinea / Louis d'or, and fractional coinage thereof. Under this sheet is another manuscript label attached to the inside of the box lid with a smaller chart containing similar information, with a note: "The Standard Price of Gold is 3 pounds, 17 shilling, 10 1/2 pence Pr. Oz."

Canadian Fur Trade

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Canadian fur trade was an important economic resource and cultural exchange largely dominated by two major entities: the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) and the North West Company (NWC). The HBC, granted a royal charter in 1670, controlled vast territories accessible via the Hudson Bay. In contrast, the NWC, established in 1779, was formed by Scottish and French-Canadian traders based in Montreal, focusing on the interior regions accessed through the Great Lakes and river systems. Both companies engaged in intense rivalry and were particularly active in Northwest Ontario along the North Shore of Lake Superior, an area rich in furs and crucial for transportation and trade. Peter Grant, an influential figure within the NWC, operated as a wintering partner and managed trading posts in the region, navigating complex relations with Indigenous groups, essential to the fur trade's success. The period reflected in the present collection (early 19th-century) not only helped shaped the economic framework of Canada but also significantly impacted its social fabric and the relations between European settlers and Indigenous peoples.

Carolyn Podruchny has written a brilliant book (Making the Voyageur World) focusing on the social history of the various groups involved in the Canadian Fur Trade, especially the French-Canadian voyageurs. She also shines light on the so-called bourgeois figures, such as Peter Grant and Duncan Clark, who managed fur trading posts or districts. The much romanticized voyageurs - the canoe paddlers and other laborers who transported furs and trade goods between remote trading posts and urban markets - were known for their endurance and skill in navigating the vast network of Canadian waterways and played an integral role in the fur trade throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. According to Podruchny, "voyageurs helped Aboriginal hunters cache and haul their meat to lodges and posts... Conversely, the bourgeois and clerks rarely lived alone with Aboriginal people in their lodges unless they were exploring new lands." But the bourgeois, she concedes, were the local leaders, not only in charge of the day-to-day operations but also responsible for the overall business and trading decisions at the post. A bourgeois such as Grant stood as a key figure in the fur trade hierarchy, representing the interests of a larger trading company like the Hudson's Bay Company or the North West Company. According to Podruchny, "Bourgeois frequently advanced wages and encouraged voyageurs to incur debt as a means of exerting control over them." Clerks such as Duncan Clark were also, as bourgeois, given responsibilities that required a blend of leadership, knowledge of trade and negotiation, and an understanding of the relationships with local Indigenous communities.

A plaque placed near the location of the Long Lake Post summarizes the competition between the rival fur companies: 

In 1814 the Hudson's Bay Company set up a trading post on Long Lake about 3 km southwest of here, close to one established prior to 1800 by the North West Company. The latter had been intercepting trade which would otherwise have gone to Henley House, an H.B.C. post on the Albany River some 225 km to the northeast. The two local posts continued in bitter competition until the union of the rival companies in 1821. In subsequent years Long Lake House was a relay post on the winter "express route" between Red River and Moose Factory. The post was moved in 1921 to its present location in Longlac.

Paul Chrisler Phillips, author of a classic history of the fur trade, provides further context:

Expansion of the Fur Trade from Montreal had long been a danger to the monopoly of the Hudson's Bay Company and had greatly hindered expansion from the posts on the bay. The managers of the great company, however, long clung to the hope that the dissensions among Montreal traders would someday destroy this competition... For the most part, Hudson's Bay traders remained at the posts; Moose Factory, Albany, Severn, York, and Churchill. Indians came downriver to these posts with their pelts, which they exchanged for goods... The consolidated North West Company began... a reorganization of its trade west of Lake Superior. The old company had gradually abandoned its route to the Northwest in favor of one farther north... In 1798 Roderick Mackenzie rediscovered a long-forgotten French route from the northern shore of Lake Superior... Simon McTavish was interested in this new route and indicated that he had in mind to establish a new rendezvous for the Northwest trade at the mouth of the Dog River on Lake Superior. No move was made, however, until 1802, when a United States collector at Grand Portage threatened to levy duties on all goods brought into the United States. Even though by the terms of Jay's Treaty the execution of this threat was illegal, the North West Company began to move. A post, called at first New Fort and later Fort William in honor of William McGillivray... After the consolidation of the Canadian fur business in 1804, all trade with the northwest passed through this post... The North West Company planned to extend its trade area farther west, beyond the Rocky Mountains. Then Simon Fraser and David Thompson made the explorations that were to cary Canadian trade to the Pacific and to initiate a transpacific trade to Asia....To the north of Lake Superior, the furs of Lake Nipigon, Lac des Isles, Le Pic, Montontague, and Michipicoten were abundant. - Paul Chrisler Phillips, The Fur Trade II, p .292-295, passim.

The Pic

Several of the letters present here are addressed to Duncan Clark at the Pic, which was a strategic post in the Fur Trade located on the Pic River near the town of Marathon in Ontario. The mouth of the Pic River was a crucial hub of trade and settlement, serving as a strategic point within the regional water transportation network. This location was pivotal for accessing the northern territories and provided a canoe route to James Bay, marking it as a vital midway stop for travelers along Lake Superior's north shore. Its significance is evidenced by its appearance on European maps as early as the mid-seventeenth century. By the late 1770s, local natives were trading furs with the French, leading to the establishment of a trading post by 1792. The Hudson's Bay Company took over the post in 1821 and operated it until 1888, when it was moved due to increasing settlement. In 1914, the Pic was designated as a treaty reserve for its traditional inhabitants, the Ojibways of Pic River No. 50 First Nation, highlighting its enduring importance and a rich history that pre-dates the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Fur Trade era.

Canada's Paul Revere

During the War of 1812, Lieutenant Duncan Clark participated in the Battle of Point Iroquois, serving as a crucial messenger, alerting British and Canadian forces of American advancements. On November 5, as General Wilkinson's American forces began their movements on the St. Lawrence River, Lt. Clark, then part of the Incorporated Militia and formerly an Ensign in Capt. Ault's Flank Company, was stationed on the shoreline. Observing a large contingent of American boats, he quickly commandeered a plough horse from a nearby farm and dashed off from Elizabethtown to Prescott. His urgent warnings to the local militia and civilians, proclaimed with the cry "The enemy is at hand!", were instrumental in preparing the defenses. This act of bravery and quick thinking earned him the nickname "Canadian Paul Revere," drawing a direct parallel to the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere during the American Revolutionary War. Interestingly, another figure in Canadian history, Laura Secord, an American turncoat married to a Canadian, shares the sobriquet for her role in warning of an impending American attack.

In addition to the 3 maps and antique gold scale described above, the collection consists of the following:

Letters and Documents:

• Undated manuscript document, petition from Duncan Clark to Sir. P. Maitland regarding land allotments given to officers in the militia for service in the War of 1812. Bifolium. 1 page of text. "In Council the Petition of Duncan Clark of Matilda in the Eastern District a Lieutenant in the late Battallion of Ind. Militia of Upper Canada..."
• Undated manuscript note by Donald Clark, on paper slip, 3 x 8 inches, signed "D. Clark.": "Peter Grant, commonly called black Peter of Craskie, John McDonald alias Campbell, Alexander McDonell - Alexander, Donald & Hugh Chisholm, brothers. George McGregor and Hugh McMullen. They concealed in the highlands when the Prince and his party came repeatedly upon them and were well received. Peter Grant of Craskie was my grandfather... D. Clark."
• “Historical Facts from Charlevoix” A brief chronological account, describing events from 1497-1710. Small volume, approximately 8 x 6 inches. 34 pages of manuscript text on laid paper. Contemporary calf-backed marbled boards (worn). N.d., but late 18th-century or early 19th-century.
• 1788  Early manuscript copy of letter from Mary Cannon to her brother Peter Grant of the North West Company while Grant was a fur trader.
• 1797  License granted to Donald Clark (Duncan's father), town of Matilda, County of Dundas, "to utter and sell wine, brandy, rum, or any other spiritous liquors, by retail; to be drunk out of his house." Printed document, completed in manuscript. 7 3/4 x 6 1/4 inches. Old creases and some tape repairs. Remnants of wax seal. West Niagara, Lincoln County. Signed by Peter Russell (1733-1808), an important judge and administrator in Upper Canada.
• 1801  Letter to Peter Grant from his grandmother in Scotland. Letter addressed to him at "Grand Portage, in the Interior Part of Canada, North America." May 30, 1801. Peter Grant's sister, Henrietta (Henny in the letter) married Duncan Clark's father, Donald (also from Scotland). Folded lettersheet. 3 pages of manuscript text. Tape repair. In part: "I cannot express my happiness at hearing of your being in such a respectable line in the Indian Trade and doing well..."
• 1807  Recapitulation of 73 fur packs made at The Pic, June 20, 1807 [with, on verso:] Inventory of Sundries remaining at the Pic, June 22, 1807. 1 sheet (2 pages).
• 1810  Book-keeping or accounts ledger, Edinburgh, January 1769, copy made April 1810 by Donald Clark. 48 pages.
• 1811  Invoice of 75 fur packs. The Pic, June 10, 1807. Bifolium. 3 pages. A table noting type of pelt (beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, etc.).
• 1818  Autograph letter, signed, to Donald Clark, from J. G. MacKenzie, Jr. Montreal, Jan. 5, 1818. 2 pages.
• 1819  Inventory of goods carried on "3 trips Schooner G. G. to the Sault, Summer 1819. 1 sheet. Table on verso.
• 1821  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Alex McTavish. Pointe au Gourgan. Sept. 1, 1821. Bifolium lettersheet. 2 pages of text. Remnants of wax seal.
• 1821-22  Invoice of Long Lake Outfit [with, on verso:] Long Lake Returns, Spring 1822. 1 sheet (2 pages).
• 1822-22 and 1824. Mid-19th-century fair copy diary entries recording travel in Long Lake district. Six-page manuscript travel account coincides with the region shown on Clark's map, written by him on 2 sheets of blue paper in the form of sporadic diary entries summarizing activity in 1821-22 and 1824. The paper appears to date from ca. 1850, suggesting a fair copy by Clark, perhaps copied by him from an earlier now lost journal. Good content relating to Indians, including indigenous names for lakes: 
  • "Left Long Lake house on the morning of the 28th September 1821 with Baptiste Landry a half breed and two Indians named Matchimitta and Muscitoo ... to visit Rice Lake and some Indians, whom I was informed had furs for the Company - Proceeded N. Easterly about 6 leagues down the English river then N. Westerly up the river [de Smachen?] to the lake of that name - then Easterly up a small river to Round Lake then Northwesterly up a small river to rice Lake when we arrived in the morning after dusk and found a numerous band of Indians half drunk amusing themselves at the war dance. Saw an Indian carry liquor in his mouth to a distant part of the camp and [poped?] it into the mouth of his friend ... Long Lake House 16th February 1822 - Started with Louis Lafert two days and train to carry our baggage and provisions for Wintering Lake when I had established an outpost in charge of Mr. Landry - strong head wind all day on Little Long Lake. Encamped for the night at an old N.W. hut...Tuesday 12 - arrived at Wintering Lake about 3 P.M. pretty place - the hut is on a beautiful little island covered with Norway Pine, Landry has 1000 white fish in store... Wednesday 13 - Passed the day here, as the [Ranquas?] & Brothers have not yet appeared, they must have gone to Nippigon - It appears they are dissatisfied when they got their credits in the fall...Wa-wa-nu-ga- - Sagiagan - Goose Lake; Ka-ba-le-ke- Wissen - White Partridge Wood River; Kan-ba-mutche-kana - Cross Lake; Au-pis-kis-ka-ta- Agingan - Fire Stule Lake. Long Lake house Friday 24th December 1824....Started with... La Long an Indian two days and train for Lake Nippigon - the dogs and Indian train carried the baggage and provisions....I shot a partridge and a weasel and caught a Pike under the ice when we cut a place to get a drink... made the portage and a long traverse to the end of Little Long Lake 2 Leagues - then ... the Kabasi River or White Partridge wood River - made several small portages to a lake about 2 miles in circumferance called Waw-Aunga - Sagiagun [Saganaga?] or Goose Lake... then a long portage to a Lake of 2 miles in circumferance... making a days journey of about 9 leagues killed a white partridge... and being informed by La Long the Indian that this Lake had no name, I called it Christmas Lake, but the Indian called it Siganac, Sagingan, Siganac being the name I had [?] the Indians of that part of the country [this little travel diary ends with a table of placenames and distances: "From Long Lake house to the Straits of Little Long Lake - 4 Leagues...Wawanaga - Sagiagan Lake 3 leagues; Pike Lake 2 leagues..."
• 1822  Long Lake Outfit, 1822. Includes entries for sundries provided to Indians at the Pic in summer. With general inventory of supplies and goods.  Bifolium. 4 pages.
• 1822  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark, "Master at Long Lake," from Nicol Finlayson (1795-1877), Chief Factor of HBC. Henley, March 10, 1822. Bifolium. 1 1/4 pages of text. ".... I have scarcely seen any Indians in the course of the winter; I have given debt to two of the Tohano's gang whom I have not seen since the fall, likely you have seen them... also the Spring Captn.... who are hunting on the Nyayamy ground to whom I gave debt to a considerable amount... I have no doubt they have gone to the Pic, the Villains deserve a sound milling... "
• 1822-23  Invoice of Long Lake Outfit, 1822/1823 [with, on verso:] Long Lake Returns, Spring 1823. 1 sheet (2 pages).
• 1823  Autograph letter, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Alexander McTavish. Fort William. July 5, 1823. 1 page.
• 1823-24  Total Expenditures of Long Lake, 1823-24 [with, on verso:] Long Lake Returns 1823/1824. 1 sheet (2 pages).
• 1824  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Roderick Mackenzie. Fort William. August 26, 1824. Folded lettersheet (2 pages). "Messrs. Ferguson & Whistler will hand you this, en passant at the Pic, St. Cire takes his passage down along with them, he being M[illi?]cent's foreman for Black River.  As there are little prospects of my leaving this place, before sometime in next month, it will be as well to send off Mr. Vincent & men immediately for their wintering ground (Black River). The Outfit for that place is to be made out according to the Outfit of 1820, which Mr. McTavish left in a Book, lying in his desk, in the two story House... The men fror Black River, are St. Cire, Brunnel, Caillie, & Mallette - Mr. McTavish told me, you only required three men for White River, is the reason we send four to Black River.... Please receive the American Gentlemen with attention & liberality; you have some wine at the Pic, don't be sparing of it...N.B. I intend to go to the Pic in a boat; it's a great pity you did not send the Sails I requested of you by La Garde."
• 1824-25  Long Lake Outfit Inventory and Returns June 1825. 1 sheet (2 pages).
• 1824-25  Statement of fish taken at Long Lake: Sept., Oct., Nov. & Dec. 1824 + Jan., March, April, & May, 1825. Daily tabulation of fish taken. 2 sheets, densely filled with manuscript text on both sides.
• 1824-26  Manuscript ledger for “Long Lake House, H. B. Company," 1824. Contemporary plain brown paper wrappers. Approximately 13 x 4 1/4 inches. 80 pages of manuscript ledger entries on laid paper sheets (watermark dated 1822). An amazing document in excellent condition which records the receipt of fur pelts (black bears, beaver skins, otter pelts, muskrats, etc.) at the Hudson's Bay Company's Long Lake House post in the Thunder Bay district of Ontario, throughout the summer and fall of 1824. Also records trade items, with prices, including: belts, blankets, tobacco, ammunition, and the like. By 1814 the Hudson's Bay Company had established a trading post at Long Lake, just south of an existing North West Company post. The North West Company's operations continued until the 1821 union with the Hudson's Bay Company. Records transactions with many fancifully named French-Canadian voyageurs, and possibly some Native Americans:
  • Grand Saban
  • L'Homme Blanc
  • Mattotapp
  • Bandard
  • Jour Qui Marche
  • Mondac & Sons
  • Mattatoppanan's Son
  • Gros Tete
  • Asawagano Moudac's Son
  • Wassa Saban
  • L'Hiver
  • The Lac
  • Papick
  • The Roineau
  • The Hangman
  • Augustus Granville
  • Bedard, Thomas Pike, Young Barber, Old Barber and Son, Big Martin's Son, and others.
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Long Lake, from Roderick McKenzie. Pic, May 1, 1825. Bifolium. 3 1/2 pages of manuscript text. Mentions serval voyageurs by name. At end of letter: "List of Sundries sent to Long Lake." Excerpt: "Your men arrived here late last night, & handed me your favor of the 23rd ultimo... Your men wish to return immediately, & I don't wish to detain them.  I have not Baut de Canot to send you. They are both at Fort William... I would send you François Caillies, but he is unwell, & will not able to carry. Antoine SanRegret I cannot dispence with. He is the only person here fit to go after Indians. You must endeavor to hire La Garde, to take out the Canoe... The Indian you speak of, you may allow to come out, if he is anything of a good Voyager... Mr. Vincent writes me that then 500 Skins or about five packs furs. The Indians there were very quiet and civil to them. The Little Chief did not come near the House all Winter, but sent the few furs he hunted by his Sons... Crock Jambon was killed by the Little Carribou & run away with the Wife of the deceased. The hunt of both these Indians will be lost to the place & I'm afraid will hinder some of the others from doing as well as usual... Mr. Joseph McGillivray passed here in a light Canoe the latter end of September last... Chief Factor Davis was drowned last fall, along the Sea Coast, going to his Wintering Ground, towards East Main. He went out of his Canoe to shoot Birds along shore, & is supposed to have been overtaken by the tide... N.B. If there were any possibility of taking it out, I wish you could get a small voyaging Canoe made by Mondack about the size of the one your men has here now, but a little higher in the ends.... The men are of opinion that La Garde will not come out on any conditions: they therefore take Francis Caillie along with them. He is not able to carry sacks, but can paddle and carry the canoe. "
• 1825 Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Long Lake, from Roderick McKenzie. Pic, May 11, 1825. Bifolium. 2 pages of manuscript text. "Juno Ballemy arrived here, on the 3d. Inst. from Fort William by them I received letters from Mr. Haldane [John Haldane or Holdane is mentioned by Phillips (The Fur Trade) as a pioneer clerk in the North West Company's consolidation of the Nipigon District north of Lake Superior, when "in these rough struggles, Hudson's Bay men were generally vanquished] requesting me to bee at Fort William about 10 or 12 proxima to take charge of that post, as he must leave at about that time to transact the company's business at Michipicatton [i.e. Michipicoten] and the Sault you will therefore please proceed hither immediately on receipt of this, with your returns, leaving Ola Tunem with Sanregret or Caitee at Long Lake, to wait for as many of the Indians as are still absent, with any order or directing that you think proper to give them. St. Cire is a Baute there will bee no necessity for you to wait for La Garde, nor give him any extravagant terms.... Captain Franklin & party passed here for days ago - He left England in February and passed by York in Upper Canada. Furs sold well in England last winter - Mr. William McGillivray was very unwell in Montreal. Peace and plenty all of the world..."
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Roderick McKenzie. Fort William, June 11, 1825. Bifolium. 3 pages of text. "Two bateaus will leave this tomorrow for Michipicoten. They will take down potatoes & some articles for the Pic. An acct. of which Mr. Rouse? will forward you. They are to take on board the Pic packs on their way down. If the batteau be too much loaded to take the whole of the packs, a part of them must be sent down on the Long Lake canoe. Old Maltette, Belle Hemeure, and Antoine Sanregret will unbark in her - the Widow and the old woman can take Maltette's canoe as far as Michipicoten. Mr. Haldane will pass by the Pic some time about the 20th. Should there be any furs remaining he will take them in by own Canoe to Michipicoten - you will not neglect to send down the two new oil clothes, keg of oil & two new [codlines?] for the canoes to go to moose Factory (Long portage). Granville will deliver you a pacton of furs which I got from the Indians on my way up, for which you will please credit them... I wish you could make up your mind to remain a few years longer in the Country, Mr. Haldane is much disposed to do all in his power for you... N.B. Should the two Batteaus hold all the packs Antoine Sanregret will remain at the Pic till Mr. Haldane passes... By [Old Lemay] send me... a kind of a report about the Long Lake Indians, counting the number of skins they gave the Company last winter, with their manner of living, habits of life, &c. 
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Roderick McKenzie. Fort William, June 16, 1825. Folded lettersheet. 1 1/2 pages of manuscript text. "Mr. Haldane will leave this to-day, and will deliver you this En pasant - please be very particular in giving him all the accts., i.e. a list of the serviceable articles, recapitulation of the furs, & the Indian debts - send up to me copies of the same... In addition to the report I told you to make out, about Long Long [i.e. Lake], please mention the number of trading pieces you generally take in & the time the loaded canoes take to go from the pic to the post. The same about Black River. I left some wissel skins in the Garet which you will please deliver Mr. Haldane, also all the furs you have, to the last Rat..."
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Donald McIntosh. Michipicoten, July 8, 1825. "This will be handed to you by old Le May. I wished much and expected that I would go to the Pic when ever Mr. Haldane had set out for Head Quarters...."
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Alexander McTavish. Michipicoten, July 8, 1825. Folded sheet. 1 page of text. "Your letter by the boat received and attended to what you have said about Vincent, it is likely he may get to winter at Long Lake, though I wished to have Roderick McKenzie there... "
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Roderick McKenzie. Fort William. July 18, 1825. Folded sheet. 1 1/2 pages of text. "Your favor of the 12th Inst. was handed to me by my son, who arrived here yesterday, along with two of the Pic Indians... I received your letter by the Lake Nipisingue Indians. The Old Verrat paid off all his debts...I am sorry to hear of your leaving the Country, but if Mr. Haldane arranges it so, as to be on a leave of absence, we shall have the pleasure of seeing you again next Spring. The Beaver trap is repaired & sent down..."
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Alexander McTavish. Fort William, Aug. 20, 1825 (or 1826?). Folded lettersheet. 1 page. "If the weather turns fair the Boats will start from here today, but it is doubtfull. When they get to the Pic the first thing the men will have to do is to make a half dozen of nets for the Island Posts not to exceed 4 1/2 in make..."
• 1825  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Pic, from Donald McIntosh. Michipicoten, Aug. 24, 1825. Bifolium. 3 pages of text. Much detail on supplies, internal management problems, and logistics. "Your favour of the 17 Inst. with the several other letters were handed to me by Liard on the 20th. I feel rather concerned to find by the tenor of your letter & Mr. McTavish's that the arrangements for the Pic have been thrown into some irregularity in consequence of the changes that have taken place since last year. Mr. McKenzie was too short a time there to pay the attention to the affairs of the District that it required. The supplies Pic made to Lake Nipigone and this place last year, was considered as part of the years outfits, this could not have been foreseen when the order was made out at Moose, and the mischief is that the Captain did not get the order revised in winter nor inform'd Mr. Haldane of the supplies made to the above said Posts of the goods that were included as part of outfit 1825....The Tobacco will be sent from Frl. by the return of Pic men. I have little hopes of our being able to get a horse from there this fall. Mr. McTavish writes me that he intended to leave one of his canoes, of large dimension, which he says will exactly answer for Long Lake..."
• 1826  Contemporary letter in a secretarial hand from R. W. Horton, Under Secretary, to A. McLean. Downing Street. Jan. 18, 1826. 1 page. "I am directed by Lord Barthurst to acquaint you that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury...under consideration... that half pay may be granted to the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada for their services during the late war with the United States. Their Lordships have been pleased to authorize the Secretary of War under the special circumstances...to place the officers of the Battalian of Incorporated Militia upon the list of half pay..."
• 1826  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Matilda, Upper Canada, from John Liveright. Coulonge, June 8, 1826.  1 1/2 pages of text. "... I had anticipated the pleasure of seeing you this way, but am happy to learn you have realized what you was so deservedly entitled to which ensures a far greated independence than the Indian trade does at present... You can now enjoy life without that misery & anxiety we are subjected to in this country... poor returns at this post... I have had a letter from Lake Nipigon 28th May in which complaints of that nature is also made. Brown at the Inland Port from Missisagan had been making a too free run of Hugh King and Mr. Fraser had superseded him in charge..."
• 1826  Account of merchandise purchased by Duncan Clark from W. F. Wentzel. Montreal, August 1, 1826. 1 page. Scotch Holland Shirting, doe skin gloves, etc.
• 1826  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Matilda, Upper Canada, from W. F. Wentzel. Aug. 18, 1826. Folded lettersheet of wove Ruse & Turners paper with watermark dated 1823. [2] pages of manuscript text. Concerning receipt of payment for a recent order and interesting comments on a missed opportunity of employment with a fur company: "Not two hours ago I received your obliging favor dated the 9th Inst. per Mr. P. Shaw inclosing to me Bank Bills...being a discharge...of your order...You appear to dislike Upper Canada, and still remember the charms of Lake Superior. So do I  - and had I received the letters addressed to me last fall from that quarter, I might have been there again with a salary of 150 £ a year, for the American Fur Company. Wm. Morison one of the partners - arrived here yesterday, him and I had been schoolmates and old friends, he told me he had written that offer to me & kept the place vacant until the 1st of August - expecting my arrival at the Sault... Calder that is will me is, entre nour, a confirmed Sot - So much so that he cannot answer with reason when spoken to... In short you dare not trust your Brother, perhaps not even a Parent, in this Sweet emporium of fraud & Rascality.
• 1826  Account statement sent to Duncan Clark at Matilda, from Gibbs & Co. Montreal, Sept. 11, 1826. Folded lettersheet. 1 page.
• 1828  Manuscript letter to John McPherson at Masonic Hall Hotel, Montreal, from Alex. McDonald. Prescott, July 6, 1828. Bifolium. 1 page of text. Concerning money transfer to Scotland.
• 1828  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Matilda, from James Keith. Lachine, Aug. 6, 1828. Folded lettersheet. 1 page. "Observing in a letter from you to Mr. Liveright dated 14th June last, you have a wish of being employed in the Company's service, and that Governor Simpson had indirectly promised to use his endeavours to procure you a situation. I am happy to acquaint you that there is now a vacancy, which you would be fully qualified to fill, and which we now make your a tender, provided our terms meet your views..."
• 1829  Nominal List of the Men Between the Ages of Nineteen and Thirty-nine Inclusive, enrollsed in the First Regiment of the Grenville Militia, Prescott, 6 January 1829. 7 pages. Listing of 357 men. Attached is the list of men enrolled in the troop of cavalry of the 1st Regiment of Grenville Militia; lists an additional 40 men. 
• 1829  Last will and testament of Donald Clark, signed at Matilda, Dec. 23, 1829. Signed by Clark and Witnessed by Paul Grant, Samuel Shaver, and Nicholas Wart. Folio. 3 pages.
• 1831-32  Account ledger for potash production at Matilda, Upper Canada, 1831-32. 20 pages. Final page: "Recapitulation of 51 barrels of potash made in the summer of 1832 at Matilda." A very rare survival, possibly the only such extant record from the Hudson Bay Company or the North West Company. Potash production associated more with the Great Lakes, not the Far North and West.
• 1832  Printed document (“Indenture”), completed in manuscript, between Hugh Munro of Edwardsburgh, Upper Canada and Duncan Clark for land in Grenville, Nov. 3, 1832. 16 x 20 inches. Signed twice (countersigned) by Simon Fraser, the famous Canadian explorer and fur trader and pioneer settler of British Columbia.
• 1833  "Adventures in the North-Western Territory" [in:] State Herald. The Manufacturer's & Mechanics Advocate. Portsmouth, N.H. Vol. 3, No. 4. Jan. 24, 1833. Full issue of newspaper with 2 full columns of North West Company fur trader's adventures in Upper Canada, reprinted from Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine.
• 1833  Printed document ("Indenture"), completed in manuscript, between Hugh Munro, of Edwardsburgh, Upper Canada and Duncan Clark for land in Edwardsburgh. April 30, 1833. 16 x 20 inches.
• 1833  Manuscript document ("Security Bonds"). Sept. 7, 1833. Bifolium. Docketed: "Security Bonds of Clerk & Bailiff for Division No. 9. For Michael Brown, Nicholas Brown, and Edward Brown.
• 1833  Printed document, Sept. 10, 1833, signed at York, by Sir John Colborne, Lt. Gov. of Upper Canada, appointing Clark, Jacob Brouse, James West and others as Commissioners of the Eastern District. Bifolium. 1 page of printed text, completed in manuscript. 15 x 9 inches. With blindstamped seal. Appointing said men "to be the Commissioners for the purpose of carrying into execution the object and provisions of the said recited Act [for the recovery of small debts]."
• 1833  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie & Co. Montreal, Oct. 30, 1833. Bifolium. 3 pages. Sundries, mostly cloth.
• 1834  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie & Co. and letter on integral leaf. Montreal, Feb. 13, 1834. Bifolium. 3 pages. With note on availability and pricing on various items and note: "The Salmon is the best Hudson's Bay - it is very scarce here at present."
• 1834  Printed document ("Indenture"), completed in manuscript, between Donald Clark and Duncan Clark for a parcel of land in Matilda, Upper Canada. 16 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches. Signed by Donald Clark and D. Clark.
• 1834  Account of Duncan Clark with Agnes Carlton Co. Montreal, Aug. 29, 1834.
• 1834  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie Co. Montreal, Aug. 30, 1834. Bifolium. 2 pages. Various types of cloth, kid gloves, shawls, patent thread, linen tape, and the like.
• 1834  Account of Duncan Clark with James Kerr. Montreal, Aug. 30, 1834. 1 page.
• 1834  Account posted to Duncan Clark at Matilda, Upper Canada, from J.G. MacKenzie & Co. Montreal, Oct. 8, 1834. Circular Montreal postmark dated Oct. 9.
• 1834  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie Co. Montreal, Dec. 10, 1834. 1 page.
• 1835  Account of Duncan Clark with C. Carlton. Montreal, June 29, 1835. 1 page. Hair brushes, black wallets, green gauze veils, percussion caps and the like.
• 1835  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie Co. Montreal, June 20, 1835. Bifolium. 3 pages. 
• 1835  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie Co. Montreal, July 1, 1835. Folded sheet. 3 pages. Lists cloth, including printed worsted shawls, and gingham umbrellas, candles, soap, one keg of snuff, etc.
• 1836  Account of Duncan Clark with H.B. Smith. Montreal, Feb. 4, 1836. 1 page.
• 1836  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark at Matilda, from Alexander McTavish. Michipicoten, Aug. 1, 1836. Folded lettersheet. 1 1/4 pages. "I arrived here the other day from Albany where I passed the winter in charge of that district, but the climate disagreeing with my health, obliged me to return again to Lake Superior. I am now here with Old Donald who tells me he had a letter from you this spring in which you said ... enquiring after me... had you not been very busy. and not begin the world at an age, where others think of giving up its trials and truths... was what you have been accustomed to it ... no answer .... your Company at my arrival in Montreal to this... no doubt you would make a comfortable living, without the probability of incurring or making debt which may occupy your ... but be of good cheer my lad, and let not what I say disturb your hopes..."
• 1836  Account of Duncan Clark with J.G. MacKenzie Co. Montreal, Sept. 24, 1836. Bifolium. 3 pages. Circular Montreal postmark, dated Sept. 30, 1836. List of sundies: cloths, candles, indigo, white paint, keg of powder, etc.
• 1837  Printed invitation to Saint Andrews Ball, to be held at the Commercial Hotel at Brockville, on Nov. 30, 1837. Completed in manuscript. Folded sheet. Circular postal stamp, dated at Prescott, Upper Canada, Nov. 25, 1837.  Addressed to Captain Clark. With handwritten note: "It is the intention of the Military Officers to appear in uniform. Captain Clark is requested to do the same." Not in Lande or Lande Supplement.
• 1837  Account of Duncan Clark with J. G. MacKenzie Co. Montreal, Feb. 4, 1837. 1 page.
• 1837  Account of Duncan Clark with G. W. Warner. Montreal, July 15, 1837. 1 page.
• 1838  Manuscript letter to Major D. Clark, from J. F. McKenzie & Co. Montreal, Jan. 5, 1838. 2 pages. In reply to Clark's request for a pair of plated scales and silver bullion epaulets
• 1838  Autograph letter, signed, to Major Duncan Clark, "2nd Dundas Militia, Manatowa," from Col. P. VanKoughund. Cornwall, Nov. 8, 1838. Bifolium. 2 pages of text, with integral address leaf. Regarding the formation of a Cornwall Regiment of Militia: "You will perceive by the enclosed that I have authority to raise a Regt. for 6 months service... I think there will be no difficulty in your raising a Company at once, in some neighbourhood. I will leave the selection of the subulturns to youself, trusting in your making a proper and judicious selection... P.S. I will receive none but able bodied men, and shall be most particular in their examination..."
• 1838  Autograph letter, signed, to Major Duncan Clark, "1st Grenville Militia, Prescot, Upper Canada," from Peter Grant. Folio sheet (stained). "My Dear Nephew, I was favored with your letter of the 2d Inst. from Prescot where you mentioned the particulars of the Battle with the Brigants [sic], I am thankfull & happy of your narrow escape in such a dangerous and trying Warrfair ... I have been several times in Montreal this winter & experienced much kindness from our Friend McQueen... I had a letter in November last from your cousin Mr. Allen Cameron of Glanes, both his sons are in the East Indies. He writes me that his brother Peter is just arrived from India.. We have been on the Que Vie and tormented by our Canadian rebels, as you are by the confounded Brigants. How long such proceedings may continue no one can tell... Believe me, dear Duncan, your most affect. uncle, Peter Grant." 
• 1838 - 1839  Manuscript garrison order book for the 1st Regiment Grenville Militia. Prescott, November 26, 1838 through March 16, 1839. Folio. Stitched binding. 92 pages. Final three leaves (6 pages) with tear to fore edge margins, moderate paper damage causing loss of a few words. Records General Orders issued at Montreal Headquarters, Toronto, Prescott, and the like. Orders signed by various commanding officers: P. Young, Richard Bullock, John Eden, C. Foster, and others.
• 1839  Account of Duncan Clark with Gibb & Co. Montreal, March 7, 1839. 1 page. Letter mentions frock coat, forwarded by morning stage. The invoice lists "A Superfine Blue Cloth military frock coat, faced with Silk Serge, £6.10:0"
• 1839  Account of Duncan Clark with Gibb & Co. Montreal. Nov. 15, 1839.
• 1840  Autograph letter, signed, to Duncan Clark and William McQueen, from R. Tucker of the Provincial Secretary's Office. Toronto, Nov. 11, 1840. Bifolium. 1 1/2 pages. 
• 1844  Printed document ("Indenture"), completed in manuscript, between Martin Casselman and Daniel Akin, for a parcel of 74 acres of land in Edwardsville, granted to the trustees for a Presbyterian Church, "and whereon such church is now standing." 15 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches.
• 1847  Manuscript legal document appointing Duncan Clark the Deputy Returning Officer for the Township of Edwardsburgh, Dec. 23, 1847. Bifolium on blue laid paper. 1 page of manuscript text.
• 1848  Account of Col. Duncan Clark with Akin & Bailey, Edwardsburgh. For cloth, bottons, etc. Invoice dated July 28, docketed Aug. 1, 1848.
• 1850  Printed document (Land deed “Memorial”), completed in manuscript, between Samuel Shares and James Paul in Matilda, May 13, 1850, witnessed by Clark.
• 1850  Autograph letter, signed, to D. Clark at Matilda, C.W.,  Edwardsburg, Upper Canda, from Henry Clark Grant (Peter Grant's son). Aug. 31, 1850. Folded letter sheet. 2 pages of text. Regarding lands sold by Peter Grant.
• 1851  Deed, manuscript copy of deed between Duncan Clark, heir at law of the late Donald Clark, and Donald Paul and James Paul of Matilda for parcel of land. March 10, 1851. 1 page.
• 1852  Account of Duncan Clark with Simpson & Houghton, "Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Crockery, China and Glass Ware." Ogdensburgh, September 4, 1852. 1 page.
• 1859  Manuscript document signed by D. Clark describing summarizing fur trade activities at Ft. William in 1818. Spencer Grove, Edwardsburgh, June 25, 1859. 1 page. "Leaving the North West Brigade of Canoes 16th May 1818 at the fort of the Long Sault rappids, Ottawa, Mr. McTavish and Mr. McDonald went to Mr. Hamilton's Hawksburg Mills, and Messrs. Fraser, Scott, Chisholm, Nelson, and myself crossed the river at Barrows Pointe and walked up to the residence of A. Grant, Esquire L'Original and on the arrival of the canoes the following day, started with a merry song, and reached Fort William, Lake Superior on the morning of the 24th June performing the voyage from Lackin in 44 days. On the 22nd July Mr. Chisholm young McKay and young  Mittleburger left in a little canoe for the Pic, and I left on the 26th by the vessel for Sault St. Mary;s where i was stationed about two years, with the exception of one winter at Michipicoten. I returned to Fort William again on the 9th July 1820 and on the 22nd left for Michipicoten department with Mr. McIntosh, Mr. McTavish and young McKay the two latter for the Pic when we arrived on the 28th at 8 in the morning and passed the day and the night with our friend Mr Roderick Chisholm who was most happy to hunt with his fellow voyageurs Mr McTavish and myself. Mr. McIntosh and myself got to Michipicoten on the 30th, and on the 8th August I left for my wintering station Brunswick Lake. A Montreal light canoe passed down on the 7th supposed to be Messrs. McGillvary, McKinzie & Hughs and Mr. Chisholm might have been on board leaving the Pic station in charge of Mr. Alexander McTarvish who came from Fort William for that purpose - D. Clark, Edwardsburgh."
• 1860  Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Prescott. Printed policy document, completed in manuscript. Feb. 20, 1860. Policy for Duncan Clark's house at Edwardsburgh, County of Granville.
• 1862  Inventory of the Effects Real and Personal of the Estate of the Late Col. Duncan Clarke of the Township of Edwardsburgh. 3 folio sheets, lined blue wove paper. 

Canadian Rebellion of 1838: Context

The Canadian Rebellions of 1837-1838 were significant uprisings that occurred in the provinces of Lower Canada (now Quebec) and Upper Canada (now Ontario), driven by widespread discontent against the colonial government. In Lower Canada, the rebellion was led by Louis-Joseph Papineau and the Parti Patriote, fueled by grievances over political corruption and the lack of power held by the French-speaking majority. In Upper Canada, William Lyon Mackenzie led reformers who were frustrated by the undemocratic oligarchic rule of the Family Compact. Both rebellions were ultimately quashed by British forces, but they significantly impacted Canadian history by leading to the 1840 Act of Union, which united Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada and initiated a gradual move towards responsible government and increased self-rule, setting the stage for Canada's eventual confederation in 1867.

Summary

The Duncan Clark collection goes far beyond documenting one man's career in the early fur trade, to encompass and reveal details on the operations, routes, and key figures of the early Canadian fur trade, highlighting the challenging and adventurous life of frontier fur traders in the old Canadian Northwest. 

Provenance

The collection is accompanied by two letters (1966-67) from the Ontario Department of Public Records and Archives addressed to the private owners of the Clark material, including one to Jerome Peltier, owner of Clarks Old Book Store in Seattle, who provided copies of some of the Clark documents to the Ontario Archives in the late 1960s, adding to their existing Duncan Clark fonds. The Ontario Archives online finding aid, which does not go beyond folder-level detail, suggests that the photocopies made from Peltier's holdings were selections only, and far from a complete copy of the present extensive collection. As of this writing, the Duncan Clark fonds have not been digitized.