| Description | Grateful for Richardson’s work at Fort Norman. Lists stores: spirits and grease added to stockpile. Has ordered Smith to send powder and ball previously loaned to him. Commends Richardson’s choice of crew. Intends to go to Whale Island soon: describes intentions thereafter. Discusses arrangements for Richardson’s journey, which has been discussed with Back. Richardson free to take men of his choice. Hopes to meet Richardson by end of September. Reports news of discovery by Copper Indians of a river near end of Great Bear Lake. Reports dismissal of Canadians and related financial arrangements: need to save expense and provisions. Harkness volunteered for only as far as Great Bear Lake and Munroe seemed doubtful. Letters from England include remembrances for Richardson: Mary Booth wrote that Mrs Richardson was well. Refers to death of Lady Franklin [Catherine, wife of Sir Willingham Franklin], leaving three orphaned children. Regaining his sense of calm: implies that his wife’s death meant an end to her suffering.
Postscript: Lane has sent sextant, compass and other articles with Hosegor, and Back will lend Richardson his chronometer.
[letter bears no year nor postmark: year 1820? marked in pencil at top; content indicates 1825] |
| Sender Location | Fort Norman, [North West Territories, Canada] |
| Recipient Location | Great Bear Lake [North West Territories, Canada] |