small parcels adapted for the communication being carried over Portages on men's backs.

Requiring British Traders to take passes and subjecting them to pay for such passes, although contrary to the spirit of the Treaty of 1794, and more particularly the explanatory article of 1796, which was framed to remove all possibility of doubt as to the right of free Trade, without any other pass port than the treaty itself.

Exacting Tonnage duties on British Vessels entering American Ports on the Lakes, from which their own are exempt in the said ports, and also pay more on entering British Lake Ports.

In respect to the extortions consequent upon the mode practised by the American Collectors, of calculating duties at the interior ports, they arise by their first adding a greater per centage for charges of conveyance, on Goods sent from England through Canada to the Indian Country, than they add on the like articles when imported from England into the States, consequently an indefinite principle is thereby established, which in most cases amounts to an over charge equal to about one fifth part of the fair duties, and may in some cases be made to extend to a half or more beyond the fair rate because the duties (when ad valorem) being calculated at so much per cent on the first cost, including such additions for charges, it might so happen that if carried so far into the interior before reaching an American Port of American Port of Entry as that the Charges equalled the Original cost of the Goods, the duties would by this mode be nearly doubled-and it presents this evident absurdity that the same article on entering the States would not every where pay equal duty, but a rate, (if through Canada) increasing in proportion to the distance of the internal port of entry from the Sea Coast, now the Canada Trader justly contends, that the meaning of the Treaty of 1794 was, that a given quantity of Merchandize when brought to any internal Port for Indian Trade, should have paid the like amount of duty, and no more, through whatsoever channel it may have been conveyed thither in order that both parties, where they came in contact, might possess equal advantages, and be liable to equal burthens in that traffic.

To suppose that the Posts of Niagara, Detroit, and Michilimackinac would have been given up upon a stipulation for a participation in the Indian Trade carried on therefrom upon a scale of duties such as the American Collectors so unjustly impose, is supposing a substance to be exchanged for a shadow.

It is proper to add, that in providing against future extortions it should also be stipulated that the past be refunded.

It is respectfully submitted if the affair of the Chesapeake so much clamoured about, should yet be resumed; whether the outrage committed at Niagara in May 1808 by firing upon British Subjects in British Boats, under the nose of a British Garrison, and the more recent, and more atrocious outrage committed by Captain Bennett of the United States army who entered Upper Canada with a party of his men armed and after seizing there a Deserter put him to death upon British Territory in Cold Blood; are not such setts off, as fully extinguish that difficulty.

MONTREAL, 30th September 1809.

Endorsed: No. 2, Sept. 1809.

Copy Minutes transmitted by the Committee of Trade at Montreal, thro' Sir James Craig to Mr. Jackson, His Majesty's Minister in the United States.

[Q 113, p 231 ]

MEMORIAL OF PRIDEAUX SELBY.

To His Excellency Francis Gore, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, &c. &c. &c.

The Memorial and Petition of Prideaux Selby, Esquire, an Honorary Member of His Majesty's Executive Council.

Sheweth,

That Your Memorialist was under the necessity of purchasing a House and offices to carry on his duty as secretary of Indian Affairs, when the post of Detroit was ordered to be evacuated, there having been no provision made by Government at Sandwich, or at Amherst. burg for Lodging any of the Department.

That having been stationed there since the year 1790 Your Memorialist had reason to believe it was his fixed place of residence, and expended considerable sums of money in necessary buildings and other improvements.

That in consequence of Your Excellency's order to Your Memorialist in October 1807 to remove himself and his office to the seat of Government he has been obliged to form a new Establishment at this place, at great expense, having lost all the benefit of his former expenditures, his House and premises at Sandwich being ever since untenanted and rapidly going to decay.

Your Memorialist therefore humbly sollicits Your Excellency in consideration of this loss of property, that you will be pleased to move His Majesty's Ministers to put him on the same footing with other Executive Counsellors who have been remunerated by grants of the waste Lands of the Crown, to cover the expenses incident to their removal to this place.

And Your Memorialist will ever pray.

YORK, UPPER CANADA, 17th November 1809. [Q 316, p 195]

P. SELBY.

JOHN RICHARDSON TO THOMAS FORSYTH.

[No. 3.]

Extract of a Letter for John Richardson, Esqr., of Montreal, to Thomas Forsyth, Esqr., London.

46

NEW YORK, 17th Feb. 1810.

"I arrived here the 14th inst for the purpose of negociating 'along with Mr. McGillivray, an arrangement for the sale of Mr. "Astor of the Interests of the Michilimackinac Company. To this

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measure nothing but dire necessity would induce me to consent, "but it seems to be evident under present circumstances, that unless "something of the kind can be effected, utter ruin to the property "invested in that concern must be the consequence-So many impedi"ments are thrown in the way of the Trade, that it is impossible to be carried on profitably, under such depreciation of returns when obtained. If we fail with Mr. Astor, a journey to Washington "will be requisite to know upon what footing we shall stand, the ensuing season, as by the existing non-intercourse act, we are prohibited ingress and egress with supplies and returns. This is a direct infringement of the ten permanent articles of the treaty of 1794 and yet the Lords of Trade (as appears by copy of a report "upon the Canada Memorial communicated by Sir James Craig) "consider that treaty as not at an end; but upon what principle it can be competent to one party to do away one side of a joint contract, and yet keep the other party bound, I am at a loss to comprehend."

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Endorsed: No. 3.

Extract of a Letter dated New York, 17 Feb. 1810.

[Q 114, p 243]

SIR,

CAPT. MATHEW ELLIOTT TO WM. CLAUS, DEP. SUPT. GEN.

AMHERSTBURG, 9th July 1810.

The Saukies and Foxes to the number of 125 arrived here some days ago, and on the 3d Inst demanded a Council when, in presence of all the Officers of the Garrison the Chiefs first spoke on a Pipe, saying they had come with their warriors and young men to hear their Father's word, that they were all of one mind, and would faithfully attend to what he might tell them.

They pleaded great poverty and requested some cloathing, kettles and other necessaries for themselves, women and children.

The warriors then spoke on their Pipe as follows. They said the Pipe was on the same subject as those left here some years ago from the Nadowepies and them, and they much wished to see them now they continued, the warriors, with our chiefs and young men, have come here to know our Fathers Sentiments, we are all of one mind and only wait our Father's words, If our Father wishes a bad say, we are all ready at a moment's warning, present only this Pipe to us, we want no other token. If one half of the day may have passed fair we can make the remaining part so embroiled as to make the one half like the whole. We expect our Father will smoke out of our Pipe as he has done out of that of the Chiefs; We hold our Father fast by the hand and will never let go our hold. They then begged some guns and ammunition for their young warriors and then presented their Pipe, which with that of their Chiefs I have now here.

I returned them for answer (on Six Strings of Wampum each to Chief and warriors) that I was exceedingly happy to hear them express such manly sentiments and to hear them also determine to listen to their Father's words, as good & faithful children. That

it was always their Father's advice to them to be unanimous and to hold him fast by the hand.

I advised them to observe a peaceable conduct towards all Nations and to each other and told them that if their Father wanted them, they should have the token they left with me presented to them; that their former Pipes which they so much desired to see were with their Great Father & that I expected they would soon be

returned here. They were accordingly handsomely supplied with most of the articles they had demanded.

I have the honor &c

M. ELLIOTT, S. I. A.

The Honble William Claus, Dept. S. Genl., Fort George.

Endorsed: Copy. A. Capt. Elliott's Letter to the Dep. Supt. Genl.

Amherstburg, 9th July 1810.

In Gov. Sir J. H. Craig's 29th March 1811.

[Q 114, p 66]

SUBSTANCE OF THE SPEECHES OF THE INDIANS AT THE COUNCIL AT THE BIG ROCK, GIVEN BY THE HURONS.

1st. A White Belt with strings. Red Jacket.

The Hurons well know that their Forefathers had only one object in view, vizt. to be at peace with all Nations and unanimous among themselves. That the Great Spirit had first placed the White People on the other side the Great Lake, and the Red on this Continent. He therefore wished them to be all of one mind, and forward the Speeches to the South West.

That in former days they had only one Bowl and one Spoon and used no knives, that their victuals were well cooked, and they amicably sat round and ate out of their Bowl together. He requests them to unite again and be as one man; if they did so they could help themselves should any thing happen. He begged his Speech might be sent in every direction even to the Sea Shore, and after having made the circuit of all the Nations to be returned to the Council Fire at Big Rock

2d. One four strings White Wampum. He planted a tree at the door of the council House which was already full of leaves to shade them, and desired their Chiefs to sit down in the shade and deliberate only on good. The Root of the tree would extend to a great distance in every direction for the Chiefs to lay their Heads on, and if any animal wanted to destroy any of the roots they would pursue and strike them.

He gave them also a wing to fan and keep clean their Council Fire, and also a staff to drive away all offending animals. Should such come & prove too powerful for them alone, they had only to give the whoop.