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Before he became Governor of the Red River Colony, Alexander Mackenzie's cousin, Donald Mackenzie, was part of the Pacific Fur Company contingent that travelled overland to Astoria in 1811-1812. Initially employed by the North West Company, Donald McKenzie had switched to join John Jacob Astor's westward enterprise in June of 1810. Accompanied by Wilson P. Hunt, he reached the mouth of the Columbia River, "Haggard, Emaciated and in Rags," on January 18, 1812. Although trained for the ministry, Donald Mackenzie proved himself capable on numerous forays into the Columbia interior, bringing back 140 packs of furs from Okanagan Post and establishing a trading post on the Snake River.
Learning of the War of 1812 from North West Company trader John George McTavish, Donald Mackenzie rode "like Paul Revere" back to Astoria with the important news, reaching his fellow Astorians on January 18, 1813. Soon thereafter, having left England in separate ships, Donald McTavish and John McDonald of the North West Company were sailing towards Astoria, on the Isaac Todd and the Phoebe respectively, intending to take advantage of the situation on behalf of their Canadian company. In Rio de Janeiro, John McDonald switched to the Racoon under Captain Black; forced to winter in San Francisco, the Isaac Todd, with its gen guns and a letter of Marque, would not arrive at Astoria until July of 1814, much too late to see action.
After considerable deliberation and arguments, having been forewarned of the arrival of British ships, the Astorians finally agreed to sell their compound in July of 1813, having been cajoled into doing so by North West Company representatives who had arrived overland. Most of the Astorians left, leaving Donald Mackenzie behind to handle further particulars of a sale with Duncan McDougall
Nine months after leaving London, John McDonald reached his destination of Fort Astoria aboard the Racoon on November 30, 1813, by which time Donald McKenzie and Duncan McDougall had already finalized the sale of the post for currency to be paid in three installments by years' end. McDougall boarded the Racoon and made arrangements for the few remaining Pacific Fur Company employees to be safely removed, or re-employed. Unimpressed, the newly arrived John McDonald of Garth wrote, "The place was not fit to resist anything but savages... Captain Black took a bottle of wine, or perhaps something stronger, broke it against the flag staff, hoisted the Union Jack, and called it 'Fort George.'"
Having made the best of a bad situation, Mackenzie left the Pacific Coast on April 14, 1814, but returned in 1816 as an employee of the North West Company, serving at Fort George (Astoria), Fort William and Spokane House. Responsible for all interior trading posts, Mackenzie would later be praised by historian Hubert Bancroft for his superior character, decision-making and firm, conciliatory peace-making. Employed by the Hudson's Bay Company as of 1821, Donald Mackenzie crossed the Rockies in autumn of 1822, established Chesterfield House and became Chief Factor at Fort Garry on the Red River in 1824, rising to the position of Red River's Governor soon thereafter. He was friendly with David Thompson and fulsomely praised by George Simpson. Despite his 300-pound girth, Mackenzie became known and admired as a highly active administrator who enjoyed a relatively peaceful governance.
Born in Scotland on June 15, 1783, Donald Mackenzie was the brother of Roderic Mackenzie. He married Adelgonde Humbert Droze at Fort Garry in 1825 and had 13 children with her. Mackenzie retired in August of 1833 and died on his estate in Mayville, N.Y. on January 20, 1851.
BOOKS:
McKenzie, Cecil W. Donald Mackenzie, "King of the Northwest": The Story of an International Hero of the Oregon Country and the Red River Settlement at Lower Fort Garry (Winnipeg) (Los Angeles, California: Ivan Deach, Jr., 1937; Markham, Ontario: Stewart Publishing & Printing, 2001).
[BCBW 2005] "Forts and Fur"
Learning of the War of 1812 from North West Company trader John George McTavish, Donald Mackenzie rode "like Paul Revere" back to Astoria with the important news, reaching his fellow Astorians on January 18, 1813. Soon thereafter, having left England in separate ships, Donald McTavish and John McDonald of the North West Company were sailing towards Astoria, on the Isaac Todd and the Phoebe respectively, intending to take advantage of the situation on behalf of their Canadian company. In Rio de Janeiro, John McDonald switched to the Racoon under Captain Black; forced to winter in San Francisco, the Isaac Todd, with its gen guns and a letter of Marque, would not arrive at Astoria until July of 1814, much too late to see action.
After considerable deliberation and arguments, having been forewarned of the arrival of British ships, the Astorians finally agreed to sell their compound in July of 1813, having been cajoled into doing so by North West Company representatives who had arrived overland. Most of the Astorians left, leaving Donald Mackenzie behind to handle further particulars of a sale with Duncan McDougall
Nine months after leaving London, John McDonald reached his destination of Fort Astoria aboard the Racoon on November 30, 1813, by which time Donald McKenzie and Duncan McDougall had already finalized the sale of the post for currency to be paid in three installments by years' end. McDougall boarded the Racoon and made arrangements for the few remaining Pacific Fur Company employees to be safely removed, or re-employed. Unimpressed, the newly arrived John McDonald of Garth wrote, "The place was not fit to resist anything but savages... Captain Black took a bottle of wine, or perhaps something stronger, broke it against the flag staff, hoisted the Union Jack, and called it 'Fort George.'"
Having made the best of a bad situation, Mackenzie left the Pacific Coast on April 14, 1814, but returned in 1816 as an employee of the North West Company, serving at Fort George (Astoria), Fort William and Spokane House. Responsible for all interior trading posts, Mackenzie would later be praised by historian Hubert Bancroft for his superior character, decision-making and firm, conciliatory peace-making. Employed by the Hudson's Bay Company as of 1821, Donald Mackenzie crossed the Rockies in autumn of 1822, established Chesterfield House and became Chief Factor at Fort Garry on the Red River in 1824, rising to the position of Red River's Governor soon thereafter. He was friendly with David Thompson and fulsomely praised by George Simpson. Despite his 300-pound girth, Mackenzie became known and admired as a highly active administrator who enjoyed a relatively peaceful governance.
Born in Scotland on June 15, 1783, Donald Mackenzie was the brother of Roderic Mackenzie. He married Adelgonde Humbert Droze at Fort Garry in 1825 and had 13 children with her. Mackenzie retired in August of 1833 and died on his estate in Mayville, N.Y. on January 20, 1851.
BOOKS:
McKenzie, Cecil W. Donald Mackenzie, "King of the Northwest": The Story of an International Hero of the Oregon Country and the Red River Settlement at Lower Fort Garry (Winnipeg) (Los Angeles, California: Ivan Deach, Jr., 1937; Markham, Ontario: Stewart Publishing & Printing, 2001).
[BCBW 2005] "Forts and Fur"
Articles: 1 Article for this author
Donald Mackenzie, “King of the Northwest”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE
CHAPTER I ......13
Donald Mackenzie's Early Life - Ancestry - Father Killed in Duel - Distinguished Cousin and Brothers - His Desire to be an Explorer - Ernest Cawcroft, Excellent Article in the "Canadian Magazine";! - Donald Mackenzie Sailed from Scotland to Canada, When Seventeen Years of Age.
CHAPTER II ......16
Little known of Donald Mackenzie's First Ten Years in Canada - Similar to Dumas' "Twenty Years After"; Interval - Joined the North West Company - L. J. Burpee's Speech, Delivered at Kingston, Ont., as it Appeared in "Queen's Quarterly"; - Commenting on the Lack of Written Knowledge - Successful Careers of his Relatives.
CHAPTER III ......18
Description of Donald Mackenzie's Personal Appearance - Extraordinary Qualifications - Man of Liberal Education and Endowments - Aversion to Writing his Exploits - Congenial with Every Man - Organization of the Pacific Fur Company by John Jacob Astor - Mackenzie and Hunt made Partners - Wherein Mackenzie Excelled - Astor's Offer to the Nor' Westers - Bancroft, Laut and Ross' Comparison of the Two Leaders.
CHAPTER IV ......22
Departure of the Astorians - Difference of Opinion between Hunt and Mackenzie Regarding Recruits - Voyageurs at Shrine of Ste. Anne's - Up the Ottawa-Mackinaw a Great Bedlam - Rivalry of the Nor' Westers - Opposition to Getting Recruits - Ramsay Crooks Taken on as Partner.
CHAPTER V.......24
Via Fox and Wisconsin Portages, and Down the Mississippi to St. Louis - Same Hidden Opposition as at Montreal and Mackinaw - Manuel de Lisa and the Missouri Company - Hunt Regrets Not Taking Mackenzie's Advice - Another Partner, Joseph Miller Taken on - Four Hundred & Fifty Miles up the Missouri, Nov. 16, 1810 - Gaiety of the Canadian Voyageurs - Change of Leaders - Robt. McLelan Joins Party.
CHAPTER VI ......26
Hunt Returned to St. Louis - Lisa also Sending an Expedition up the Missouri - Pierre Dorion, a Half-breed Interpreter Secured - Insisted Wife and Babies to Accompany Him - Party Met Daniel Boone - At the Nodowa River April 17, 1811 - Historian Skinner's Comparison of Leaders - Crossing the "Equator"; on the Platte - One Large Boat Armed with Swivel and Howitzer - Two Frightened Members Were Left Behind - Trouble with the Sioux.
CHAPTER VII ......29
Adventure with a Ponca - Message from Lisa, who was Pursuing Our Astorians - Three Kentuckians (One Scalped) Join Party - Donald Mackenzie's Strategy with the Sioux - Conference with the Savages - the Pipe of Peace - Another instance of Donald Mackenzie's Strategy with the Arickaras - Arrival of Manuel de Lisa.
CHAPTER VIII ......33
Crooks and McLelan bitter Enemies of Lisa - Lisa trying to Induce Dorion to Join his Party - Chiefs Big Man and Left-Handed - History Making between Lisa and the Hunt-Mackenzie Party - Chief Gray Eyes Promised to Steal all the Horses Necessary - Mackenzie and Hunt Traded Boats for Horses with Lisa.
CHAPTER IX ......36
Succinct Accounts of Astor's Overland Party by Fuller - Eleven Hundred Mile Race Won by Lisa - Trading with the Cheyennes - Disappearance of Pierre Dorion - In the Black Hills - Hunt and Mackenzie Discover New Peaks of Rocky Mountains - Adventure of Cannon with a Grizzly - Terrible Suffering from Hunger and Thirst - Donald Mackenzie's Valuable Dog Perishes from Thirst.
CHAPTER X.......40
Flathead, Blackfeet, Shoshones and low Digger Indians - September 9, 1811, Eighty Miles up the Wind River - Two Snake Indians Captured - Big Buffalo Hunt by Indians - September 24, 1811, Reached Headwaters of the Columbia - Thrilling Adventures on the Dangerous Stream - Building Boats Much to the Delight of Canadian Voyageurs - Joseph Miller Quits Company, October 1811 - Digger Indians Rescued from Starvation.
CHAPTER XI ......43
October 18, 1811, Fifteen Canoes Sailed - Two Snake Indians left to Care for Horses - Two Canoes upset in brawling Stream - Terrible Rapids, River never Navigated Before - Shoshones and Snakes fled from Whites - October 28, 1811, Crooks' and Clippine's Boat Struck Rock - Clippine drowned in Roaring Current - Canyon Walls Two Hundred Feet High - Named it the Cauldron Linn - In Desperation the Partners decide to Divide into Four Parties - Fuller's Account of Trip - Quoting L. J. Burpee, Regarding Mackenzie's Determination - Eating a Beaver and its Skin.
CHAPTER XII ......46
Letter from Astor to Thomas Jefferson, Esq. - Ramsay Crooks' Expedition a Failure - Did not Expect Donald Mackenzie to Succeed - Hunt broke Camp and Journeyed 472 Miles - Irving says that Mackenzie and Reed were Better Fitted - Account of Hunt's Trip from the Devil's Scuttle Hole.
CHAPTER XIII ......48
McLelan and Reed Joined Donald Mackenzie - Decided Best not to Return and Encumber Hunt - Succeeded in Descending the Snake River, where Hunt and Crooks Failed - Suffering Terribly from Hunger and Thirst - McLelan finally Killed a Bighorn - Wild Horses Seen for First Time - Donald Mackenzie First to Arrive at Astoria, Haggard, Emaciated and in Rags, January 18, 1812 - Fuller's Description of Mackenzie's Terrible Trip.
CHAPTER XIV ......50
May 15, 1813, The "Missouri Gazette"; Description - Constance Skinner's Account - Mackenzie Greeted Hunt and Party upon Arrival - Comparison of the Two Leaders, Hunt and Mackenzie - "Toronto Globe"; September 13, 1922, Article by Alexander Mackenzie - Series of Mistakes of Wilson Price Hunt - Pierre Dorion's Heroic Wife - Canadian Voyageurs Marrying Indians - Description of Donald Mackenzie's Appearance, after Arrival at Astoria.
CHAPTER XV ......56
Destruction of the "Tonquin"; and Timely Arrival of Mackenzie - Capt. Thorn, Another Unfortunate Choice of Astor - Mackenzie Spending Winter with Indians at the Cascades - John Reed and His Adventures - McLelan's Fight with Indians - Kentuckian to the Rescue - Indians Humiliated - Reed Abandoned his Trip to Deliver Papers to Astor - Rescue of Ramsay Crooks - Donald Mackenzie Exploring the Willamette, Discovered and Named its Main Tributary, the McKenzie - Mackenzie's Adventure, and his Tact with the Wakiakum Indians.
CHAPTER XVI ......59
Donald Mackenzie Sent to Oppose the Nor' Westers at Forks of the Columbia - McLelan and Crooks Willing to Abandon the Party - Robbed by Indians - Rattlesnakes - Several Partners Withdrawing - Clarke Inactive and Uncertain, Mackenzie Took over Command - Mackenzie's Success with the Indians - Reed Discovered the Cauldron Linn Cache Robbed - Reached Mackenzie's Post on the Shahaptan - Arrival of the "Beaver.";
CHAPTER XVII.......62
Quoting from Grinnell's "Beyond the Old Frontier"; - Ross' Comparison of Mackenzie and Clarke - Affairs at Astoria not so Good - Short of Provisions, Mackenzie was Sent to the Willamette - Mackenzie Spent Winter Among the Nez Perce Indians - Arrival of John George McTavish of the North West Company - Handed to Donald Mackenzie Notice of Declaration of War between Great Britain and the United States - Also British Warship "Isaac Todd"; Expected - Donald Mackenzie Broke Camp, Hastened to Astoria - Like Paul Revere, He Carried the News, Arriving at Astoria January 18, 1813.
CHAPTER XVIII ......65
The Voyage of the "Lark"; - David Porter would not Help Hunt - Boldness of Donald Mackenzie, Recovering the Stolen Property - His Scheme for Securing Horses - Washington Irving's Description of Mackenzie's Stolen Rifle Episode - Historian Bancroft's Praise for Donald Mackenzie - The Rival Mackenzie and McTavish Parties.
CHAPTER XIX ......70
Geo. W. Fuller's Description of the Inland Competition - Ross Cox and His Adventures - Mackenzie Disgusted with the Nez Perces - News of War - July 1, 1813, the Partners Resolved to Abandon Astoria - Irish vs. Scotch - Theft of Mr. Clarke's Silver Goblet - Clarke Had Indian Thief Executed - Boasted of it to Mackenzie, Who Censured Him.
CHAPTER XX ......70
McDougall and Mackenzie Agree to Abandon Astoria - Clarke and Stuart, Disappointed at First, Finally Agree, July 1, 1813 - Mackenzie to go to the Willamette - All Left Astoria July 5 except Donald Mackenzie - McDougall Empowered to Arrange with McTavish for a sale to the North West Company - Hunt Arrived on the "Albatross"; and Assented to Sale - Became Unanimous, as for Astor's Interests - McTavish and his Nor' Westers, Gloating Over Prospects - How McTavish Prevented Mackenzie from Escaping.
CHAPTER XXI ......77
Hunt's Feeling Towards McDougall - McDougall Explained How a Fifty Per Cent Advance Could Be Obtained for Astoria - McDougall and Some Others Joined the North West Company - Porter Describes the Abandonment of Astoria in "Life of John Jacob Astor"; - Mackenzie Had Interests of Astor at Heart - Mackenzie Left on March 31, 1813, to Notify the Winterers of the Decision - Mackenzie Met a Strong Detachment of Nor' Westers Up the Columbia - McTavish Showed Threatening Letters to Donald Mackenzie Regarding the "Isaac Todd"; and Another Frigate; Orders to Destroy Everything American - Mackenzie's Activities Vindicated by Historian Porter - Explains How Irving was Wrong - Mackenzie's Bluff, Defying the Enemy.
CHAPTER XXII ......81
Capture of Astoria by Capt. Black of the "Raccoon";; Now Named Fort George - Turned Out Fortunate for U.S. Later - Affairs of Pacific Fur Company Closed Out - Wilson Price Hunt a Poor Business Man - Donald Mackenzie's Opinion of Russia and Alaska - Burpee Describing Mackenzie's Strategy when Stranded Among the Indians - Fuller Describes Mackenzie's Trouble with the British - McDougall's Father-in- Law Chief Concomly - Astor Received $40,000 - All Granted Free Passage to Canada.
CHAPTER XXIII .......84
Result of Astor's Experiment - Treaty of Ghent - Fortunate for the U.S. that Astoria was in British Hands - Donald Mackenzie's Part in Results - North West Company Files Claims for Losses - History Around the Writer's Home, the Niagara Frontier - Letter from Astor to James Monroe, August 17, 1818 - Original Document of Sale from Hudson Bay House, London, England - Ross and Thwaite and their Version of the Abandonment - Burpee in "Queen's Quarterly"; Gives His Opinion - Capt. Black's disgust in gaining Fort George.
CHAPTER XXIV ......87
Bancroft's Story in "History of the Northwest"; - Hunt gave McDougall full Authority in Case of Absence - Bancroft Criticises Irving as Unfair - Points Out Many Inconsistencies in his "Astoria"; - McDougall Defended - Cawcroft's Story in "Canadian Magazine"; - "History of Lewis and Clarke Expedition by U.S. Government"; takes a Sounder View of Mackenzie's Actions - Astor and Mackenzie Joined in Asking U.S. Gov't for Renewed Efforts in the Oregon Question - Hunt and Mackenzie Laid the Foundation for the Large Astor Fortunes - Donald Mackenzie Appointed by Mr. Hunt to take the Money and Papers to Astor - Mackenzie left Fort George with Flying Flags.
CHAPTER XXV ......91
Mackenzie's Return Overland Journey Told by Franchere - Rival North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company - Up the Columbia, Over the Rockies to the Athabaska - Down the Saskatchewan, Lake Winnipeg, Rainy Lake, to Fort William on Lake Superior - Thrilling Trip; Thirty-six Portages in One Day - July 21, 1814, left Fort William - Capt. McCargo Escaped from Sault Ste. Marie - War Still Going On - Up the French and Down the Ottawa Rivers - Irish Pilot Story - Arrived Montreal September 1, 1814 - New York Press Announces Dissolution of the Pacific Fur Company - Astor Unfriendly to Donald Mackenzie - Cawcroft's Concise Account of Mackenzie's Value to History.
CHAPTER XXVI ......97
Donald Mackenzie Again a Nor' Wester - Back Again at Fort George in 1816 - Mackenzie Placed in Charge of All Trading Posts in the Interior - Keith and Others Against Him - Loyalty of the Indians to Mackenzie at the Cascades - Returned to Fort George June 16, 1817 - Historian Ross' Excellent Description of Mackenzie's Administration - Could not be Intimidated by Keith - Mackenzie Departed on Journey Greatly Handicapped - Successful Despite All Obstacles - Under Mackenzie's Guidance, the Establishment was Now a Success.
CHAPTER XXVII ......102
Grinnell's Incident of Mackenzie and the Stolen Dog - How Mackenzie Outwitted the Iroquois - Historian Fuller's Description of the Keith- Mackenzie Affairs - Mackenzie's Record; Whole Year of 1817 without Bloodshed - His Opponent Now Loud in his Praises - Established Fort Nez Perces - Bancroft in his History Says Donald Mackenzie Far Surpassed Anyone in the Northwest - Fort Walla Walla Built on Site Where Lewis and Clark Fasted - Mackenzie Brought Peace Between Shoshone and Other Tribes - The Iroquois Traded their Effects for Shoshone Women - Correspondence Between Ross, Cox, and Mackenzie - Eugene, Oregon, Merchants.
CHAPTER XXVIII ......109
Description of Mackenzie's Trip Down Snake River - Boasting Kittson and his Rescue by Donald Mackenzie - Mackenzie and his Brilliant Success over the Mountain Snake Indians - Returned to Walla Walla June 18, 1820 - Sir George Simpson regarded Donald Mackenzie as Judicious, Firm, Conciliatory - Attraction at Spokane House; Fine Women and Horses - Mackenzie and Six Men Traveled on Snowshoes, Six Hundred Miles - Mackenzie Went Farther South, Up Bear River than Any White Man - Arrived at Fort, June 1829, with Record-Breaking Stock of Furs and Horses.
CHAPTER XXIX ......113
Description of Mackenzie in the Snake and Nez Perce Indians' country - Sir Alexander Mackenzie's Letter regarding his Cousin, Our Hero, Donald Mackenzie - Ross and Fuller - Regarding Mackenzie's Motley Crew - News Regarding the Dorions - Mrs Dorion a Real Heroine - Mackenzie Thinks the Deaths were Acts of Retribution - Completed his Work on the Columbia - North West Company Absorbed by the Hudson's Bay Company - Crossed the Rockies in Autumn of 1822 - Now about to Enter the Hudson's Bay Company's service.
PART TWO
CHAPTER I ......119
Letters from Alexander Mackenzie, and Donald M. Robertson - Letters from Sir Alexander Mackenzie to his Cousin Sir Roderick - Regarding the Mackenzie family - Correspondence between John Jacob Astor and Donald Mackenzie - Optimistic over Peace between Great Britain and the U.S.A. - Good opinion of Astor towards Mackenzie - Severing of their connections.
CHAPTER II ......124
Description of Assiniboia and Red River Colony - Merging of the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company - Donald Mackenzie established Chesterfield House - Commission from Nicholas Garry Appointing Mackenzie as Chief Factor - Letter from John L. Lewis to Governor Simpson Recommending Mackenzie - Alex Ross' Opinion of Donald Mackenzie - Davidson's Reason for the Merger - The Abbe Carriere story - Sir Alexander Mackenzie's Opinion of the Merger, as Writing to his Cousin, Sir Roderick - Donald Mackenzie now owning a large share of Stock in the Hudson's Bay Company.
CHAPTER III ......129
Death of Sir Alexander - Some of the Mackenzie Family - Sir Roderick a good Writer - Donald, the Younger Brother, Wished to Emulate his Famous Relatives - Friendship Between David Thompson and Mackenzie - Quotation from Wilson's "The Great Company"; - Meaning of "H.B.C."; - Arrival of Geo. Simpson - An old Nor' Wester, John Clarke - Many of the Astorians and Nor' Westers, now With the Hudson's Bay Company.
CHAPTER IV ......132
Wonderful tribute to Donald Mackenzie from Gov. in Chief Sir Geo. Simpson to A. Colvile - Famous letter from Donald Mackenzie to Governor Simpson, showing his tact and diplomacy worthy of Shakespeare - First mention of our hero in the "Legislative Records of the Canadian Northwest";, by Prof. E. H. Oliver - Letter of Gov. Simpson to Wm. Kempt, Esq. - More praises from Gov. Simpson to A. Colvile - Mackenzie being groomed for Governor.
CHAPTER V ......136
Governor Simpson forming a Police Force - Donald Mackenzie appointed High Constable - Chief Factor Mackenzie requested to remain for summer, as absolutely necessary - Governor Simpson's journal relating to Chief Factor Mackenzie at Fort Garry - Governor Pelly to go to Europe - Donald Mackenzie prevailed upon to accept the office of Governor of Red River Colony - Remarkable tribute to Mackenzie by Simpson, Chester Martin, and Burpee - Description of the Red River of the North.
CHAPTER VI ......140
Prof. Geo. Bryce Describes the Peculiar Will of Peter Fidler - Cawcroft's condensed Account of Mackenzie as Councillor, Chief Factor, and Governor at 42 Years of Age - How Mackenzie Dealt with the Indians Regarding Liquor and Women - Donald Mackenzie's Previous marriage to an Indian, Daughter of Dr. John McLoughlin, and Cawcroft's Comments - Mackenzie Selected for his Previous Columbia River Experiences - Necessary to have a "Mac"; Prefix to Your Name - Story of Hargrave - Pinkerton in his "Hudson's Bay Company"; comments on Gov. Simpson and his competent aides.
CHAPTER VII ......145
Arrival of the French Swiss - The future bride of Donald Mackenzie came via Hudson's Bay - Date of marriage - Birth of writer's father - Sir Geo. Simpson, the Governor was godfather to Noel Simpson Mackenzie, born on Christmas Day - Women of Red River - Rev. D.T. Jones and the churches - Alexander Ross' tribute to Donald Mackenzie - Description of the fine old Stone Lower Fort Garry.
CHAPTER VIII ......148
Donald Mackenzie's Heroic Work in Winter of 1825 - Prof. Geo. Bryce's Excellent Account of the Great Floods of 1826 - Buildings were Undermined and Washed Away - Letter from Donald Mackenzie to A. Colvile, London, Regarding Departure of the Swiss and Meurons - Chester Martin in "Oxford Historical and Literary Studies"; gives Mention of Prosperity - Regards Mackenzie's Regime as Timely - Donald Mackenzie's Poetic Letter - Visits of David Thompson, Sir John Franklin, the Botanist David Douglas, and Sir Roderick to Donald, at Lower Fort Garry - Description of Douglas' Visit.
CHAPTER IX ......152
Echoes from Astorian Days - Last Will and Testament of John Day, February 15, 1827 - Donald Mackenzie, his Old Friend, Appointed Executor - Lands and Saltpetre Caves Bequeathed to him - Also Cash to Miss Rachel Mackenzie, his Daughter, now in Hands of John Jacob Astor - Will Probated Oct. 28, 1836, Mayville, N.Y. - Description of Doings at the Stone Fort where Donald Mackenzie Held Sway - Prosperity of a Dozen Towns, Fashions of London and Paris, and Commerce of the World, often decided on - Season's Routine Business on the Lower Red River Society at Red River.
CHAPTER X ......156
Beautiful Letters from Lady Simpson to Madame Mackenzie - Apologizing for Not Using French - "Dear little Noel,"; was the Writer's Father - Another Letter Describing York Factory and the Mosquitoes - Social Life among Society at Red River Colony - Reverend D.T. Jones very Active - Cawcroft Comments on Donald Mackenzie's Success - Burpee in the "Queen's Quarterly"; Speaks of Letter Sir Geo. Simpson wrote to Sir Roderick Mackenzie, Regarding his Brother Donald - Praise from Headquarters, London, regarding Donald Mackenzie's Work in the Great Floods of 1826.
CHAPTER XI ......160
Hudson's Bay Company changing Tactics - Going in for Agriculture - Governor Simpson on the Final Term of Donald Mackenzie - The Archivist of Ottawa Sums up Mackenzie's Achievements - Minutes of last Council at Fort Garry, May 4, 1832, Regarding Fire done to the Woods - June 8, 1832, Leave of Absence Granted Donald Mackenzie to Visit Civilization for Medical Advice - Letter from Hudson's Bay House, London, Granting Extension of Leave of Absence until 1835 - Took two Months to Reach him - Description of the 250th Anniversary of the Hudson's Bay Company in Winnipeg.
CHAPTER XII ......163
A Century Later; Visit of the Author to Lower Fort Garry - Quoting from his own "Three Transcontinental Sight-seeing Trips"; - Another Flood going on - Arrival at Lower Fort Garry Gate - Welcomed by Mrs Coralie Harmer - Doubly so When I explained who I was - Miss Katherine Strickard Detailed to Show me Around - Several Pictures Taken - Comparing my Entry to Fort with Gov. Simpson's, a century Before - Letter from "Manitoba Free Press, Ltd."; - Winnipeg Free Press May 28, 1927, Writes up Visit.
CHAPTER XIII ......167
Poetic Comments and the Scotch Mac's - The Scotch race Predominates in the Fur Trade - Story of Canadian visiting Rock - Historian Geo. Bryce regarding Donald Mackenzie - Alexander Mackenzie's Personal Interview with Prof. Bryce and the Remarkable Tribute paid Donald Mackenzie, placing him Before all Others - Proud Description of the Present Day Winnipeg, by Louis Aubray Wood - Loyalty of Hudson's Bay Company's men - Similar to the Loyalty of the Employees of the Bell Telephone System - Story to prove it - Burpee tells why the Animosity of Franchere - Cawcroft's excellent Summing Up.
CHAPTER XIV ......171
Exciting Incident in Donald Mackenzie's Journey to Civilization, as told to me by his Eldest Child, Jemima - Lucky for the Writer - Donald Mackenzie's career similar to Alexander Graham Bell's - Wm. Mackenzie Describes how Mackenzie Selected Mayville - Mackenzie and Judge Peacock - The Holland Land Company's Riots - Peacock's Complaint - How Donald Mackenzie came to the Rescue - John Jacob Astor Desired Shares in the Holland Land Company - Mayor Sam'l Wilkeson and Millard Fillmore of Buffalo took Prominent Parts.
CHAPTER XV ......175
Missouri Historical Society seeking Information Regarding Donald Mackenzie from Dr. Wagner, Washington, D.C. - Notes regarding Kenneth Mackenzie - The John Day Will and Testament again - Letter from Donald Mackenzie as the Executor of Day to John Jacob Astor, regarding Claims - Reply of John Jacob Astor to Donald Mackenzie - Appeal to Astor Regarding the Faithful Services of Day - Donald Mackenzie gets Judgment from Astor.
CHAPTER XVI ......179
Another Letter Relating to the Mackenzie-Astor case - Oregon Historical Society interested - Information wanted about Donald Mackenzie - Fine Pamphlet Book issued by T.C. Elliott, describing Donald Mackenzie and the Oregon Trail - Many Tributes paid him Regarding Geographical Names and Discoveries - Cawcroft's Description of Events - Donald Mackenzie in 1843 and 1844 evidently still with the Hudson's Bay Company in their Profits - William H. Seward, Personal friend of Donald Mackenzie - Now living the Life of a Country Gentleman - The Author's personal Interview with Madame Mackenzie, his Grandmother.
CHAPTER XVII ......183
Rare Letter from Governor Sir Geo. Simpson to Donald Mackenzie - Expecting to visit him at Mayville - Given News of old-time friends - Splendid Letter from Lady Simpson to Mrs Mackenzie - She mentions the many "Olive Branches"; around Mrs Mackenzie, meaning Children.
CHAPTER XVIII ......187
Another newsy Letter from Scotland - Donald Mackenzie again in Demand as an Executor - Mackenzie had many Investments in the City of Buffalo - Letter from Donald to Mrs Mackenzie regarding a Slight Injury - Regarding some of the first Children of Donald Mackenzie and some other Relatives - Letter January 8, 1851, from Edmonton, from D.D. Grant, regarding Kind Deeds done by Donald Mackenzie - Last Letter from Governor Sir Geo. Simpson to Donald Mackenzie, before his death - Talks of Boom in California and Oregon, and of Dr. John McLoughlin, et al.
CHAPTER XIX ......190
Letter from Lady Simpson to Madame Mackenzie after the Death of Donald - Tells of her Four Children and Mentions Mrs Mackenzie's Thirteen - Both Letters are Gems fairly breathing with Domesticity - Beautiful Jemima mentioned - Proposed trip to Europe - "Buffalo Express"; write-up of Jemima's Death in her 99th year - Eight grandsons, pallbearers.
CHAPTER XX ......195
How, when, and where Donald Mackenzie met his Death - His Burial - The old Mackenzie Homestead - Interesting Relics sold - Some of the Relatives have most of the Valuables - Repeating Irving's opinion of Donald Mackenzie Comparing the three Historians, Franchere, Ross, and Cox - Pinkerton sums up the Lives of the Mackenzies - Fuller closes his account bewailing the fact of so few journals left by Mackenzie.
CHAPTER XXI ......199
"Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography"; published in 1888 regarding Mackenzie - "Dictionary of American Biography"; by Charles Scribner, published in 1933 - Best of all succinct Accounts relating to Donald Mackenzie - Descendants of Donald Mackenzie - Cawcroft, in the "Canadian Magazine";, gives useful suggestions.
BIBLIOGRAPHY ......204
"INDIAN"; TRIBES IN THIS BOOK ......205
ASTORIA COLUMN PHOTO......205 & 206
