Latest News

Brandon Sun - ONLINE EDITION

Shedding light on Canadian history

Letters in Scottish archives discuss settlers, battle

By: Jenny Ford

Wednesday, Sep. 5, 2012 at 8:37 AM | Comments: 0

Enlarge Image

Cabinet secretary Fiona Hyslop and George MacKenzie examine historic letter. (PHOTOS BY CHRIS WATT)

The Scottish archives has uncovered two letters shedding light on the Selkirk settlers' journey to Canada and the Battle of Seven Oaks.

"These (documents) possibly throw further light on the settlement and on the background to it," George MacKenzie, registrar general and keeper of the records for the National Records of Scotland, said Tuesday.

The rediscovered letters' significance and connection to the Selkirk settlers' bicentenary only surfaced a few weeks ago, MacKenzie said.

"What you're getting is a direct connection to the past in a way that, really, no object can connect you," he said. "You're right into the minds of people here."

Copies of the letters will be presented to the Manitoba's Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee by the current Lord Selkirk, the Rt. Hon. James Douglas-Hamilton, sometime this week in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Selkirk settlers' arrival in Manitoba.

The first letter is a draft written by Lord Melville, who commanded the Royal Navy, turning down Lord Selkirk's request for a naval escort to protect the settlers' journey to Canada. The 1812 letter is written days after the United States declared war on Britain, and there were concerns about the British navy kidnapping people to serve in the unpopular job.

"The danger is not just making that voyage and setting up, you've got the potential that your own navy might intercept you," said MacKenzie.

The letter, although denying protection, shows Lord Selkirk was important enough to be granted a response, said Jack Bumsted, author of Lord Selkirk: A Life.

"Selkirk has enough clout for them to say 'no,' " said Bumsted. "He's important enough that (Lord Melville) writes to say what is not happening."

Melville writes, "Be assured that no Officer will impress a Landsman if he is satisfied that he is really not a seafaring man," stating the settlers were not the type of people the navy was looking for.

The second letter recounts one version of the 1816 Battle of Seven Oaks, between the Hudson's Bay Co. and the Northwest Company, written by Angus Shaw, a manager of the Northwest Company.

"It was basically getting their version of the story out as fast as possible," said Harry Duckworth, past president of the Manitoba Historical Society. "The version (Lord) Selkirk encouraged was that it had been the Northwest Company all the time that had been provoking things, picking fights."

The 1816 letter was addressed to a Halifax merchant, with Shaw outlining it was the colony governor and the Hudson's Bay Co. that provoked the fight, and accusing Lord Selkirk of not allowing the Northwest Company to ship their furs to Montreal.

Even though none of the information is groundbreaking, Duckworth said the letters provide a new angle of events.

"It's always exciting when you get new documents, even when it's about a well-known incident. It's a slightly different take," he said.

jennifer.ford@freepress.mb.ca

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.