RK-815

Fort de Liard January 31st 1862.

My dear Kennicott -

You will have heard of the iniquitous law passed in Council regarding leather, which puts it out of our power in future to make a present of a pair of shoes - Mr Ross says you will not be allowed to take out leather with you, so I did not open your parcel at Fort Simpson, but for all that I intend to get the shoes made out of some leather of my own here, for I do not, (like Mr Ross,) understand the Resolve in Council to go the length of prohibiting the exportation of shoes - it refers as far as I can understand it to the number of skins to be sold to

the servants - to prevent the ex portation of leather to Portage La Loche which has increased very much of late years, - between ourselves, the whole affair was caused by the large amt. of leather. Mr. Ross sent out annually to his Motherinlaw & others - I shall pack the shoes along with some specimens I hope to be able to collect in spring, or perhaps you may take the shoes along with you, of your grant[?] by the Portage boats next summer. - All I collected last year I delivered to Mr Ross to arrange & label, as he appeared to wish it. there was nothing however very valuable -

Brass[?] was down here at New Year, and remained ten days with us - he finds it very dull and lonesome at Fort Hackett[?], and regrets having

left his wife at Peels River -

If you have not already promised or disposed of your dogs, will you let me have them when you leave the District. Remember I asked first. I shall give you waht you paid for them - Do what I will I cannot cause[?] a good set of dogs here, & it is probable that we shall soon have to depend entirely on dogs for hauling meat, firewood & every thing, for the oxen will not last above another year at most, and there are no others to replace them. The breed has run out, the cows have not had a calf for the last 5 years -

Mr Ross I believe goes out next summer, and Mr Graham of the Columbia is talked of as his successor. You will be pleased to hear of friend Lockharts promotion - [illegible] Geo Simpson did him this act of justice before he died You would have been sorry to hear of the rupture between the Northern and

Southern states. Government I think does wrong in trying to coerce the Southerners. it will only [word crossed out] make things worse, and very probably end in the disolution of the Union -

Much as we shall all regret your departure, there is no one I think who would not take a similar course. Every true hearted American should be at home to protect the constitution if when his Country is likely to be torn asunder by civil strife -

I hope you have had good success on the Anderson. You will be able to do agood deal to complete your collection, on your way out next summer. -

I shall anticipate the pleasure of seeing you next summer. In the mean time with our united good wishes. Believe me

My dear Sire

Yours faithfully William L Hardisty