BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

54 RODE RIC MCKENZIE
" Occurrences vlith Lord Selkirk and the Hudson's Bay Company
are so various and numerous that it would require a
volume to.detail and comment upon them; most of the prominent
events I learn from the public prints.
"Upon the whole they have not. turned out so disastrous to
the North-West Company as might naturally have been apprehended.
The losses sustained in the country, though severe and
serious, have been, in a considerable degree, compensated by
the high prices obtained for the furs, the sales of which were
certainly managed with great judgment in London.
"The returns from all quarters, I should suppose, would
have brought £50,000 more than they were estimated; similar
prices, I understand, were expected this year, and it is said the
returns are good. This, with the affairs of the interior reduced
to their usual state, is a cheering prospect.
"The North-West agreement is now drawing to a close, I
should not be surprised to see a serious change take place in the
direction of its affairs. To me this can be of no eonsequence, as
I think it would be unjust, as well as impolitic, to eontinue me,
or any other persall, upon the establishment as Dormant Part.ners,
I shall be most happy however to see the business continued
and carried on with vigour
"They will have a large amount to account to me; the
present agents do not seem disposed to reduce it, as they have
not paid me a shilling of principal or interest since I became a
partner under the firm of " Sir Alexander MacKenzie & Co."
" I hope that, before now, you have discovered the annual
income of your estate to exceed your expectations. I should not
be sorry to hear of your havlllg disposed of it advantageously;
perhaps you might think of investing' it in your native land.
Follow the example of our old friend M. McGillivray who, I
find, has bought an estate in Argylshire for £20,000.