Beschreibung:

FUR TRADE]. HENRY, Alexander (1739-1834). Autograph letter signed ("Alexander Henry") to William Edgar in New York; Montreal, 22 October 1787. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, neatly silked . A LEGENDARY FUR-TRADER REPORTS ON WORSENING CONDITIONS IN "THE UPPER COUNTRY". A rare letter relating to the fur trade in upper Canada: "....I send you a dozen Brown Marten [skins] they are the best I can get, and cost Half a Guinea each...It would be too long to give you a history of my Journey -- only the upper Country is worse than ever from the great Quantity of Merchandize sent into it, by the King for presents, a part of which is carried to the most distant parts, and Traded for furs by the Agents & Interpreters..." He reports the condition of fur traders they know, and adds that "Major Matthews is in command" of a Edgar's old frontier post, Lassomtion(?). "I found all our friends, Militia Mad : James McGill is a Major and Isaac Todd a Captain...Your old place...is once more Inhabited by English..." He notes the shortage of skilled physicians, from which "we drop off one after another...." Henry was one of the most adventurous of the English fur traders active before the Revolution, and ventured at an early date deep into French-dominated Indian territory, including Fort Michillimakinac and the mouth of the Saskatchewan. He narrowly escaped the Detriot massacre of Pontiac and later published a classic account of his wilderness adventures: Travels and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories between the Years 1760 and 1766 (New York, 1809). RARE.