Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/82

 more than I can say or venture to imagine I leave the whole to your superior Judement

As John went up last Summer he wrote me five letters the last of which is from Laponite Lake Superior 11th Octbr 1836 ... he says, "for the exertions I have made, the Commander has given me the Commission of Major in the Cavalry, I am extremely satisfied with my promotion, as it increases my pay." I must here remark that the General is a self created one, and he may from his own authority appoint them all Colonels, Generals, Vice Roy, if he thought proper, but from whence shall they be paid, and where is their regiment? they will be paid when they have taken Santa Fee, and their army will consist of Indians, if they wish to raise themselves against the Americans. From so feeble a prospect, I have written several times to your esteemed sister St Henry, who has addressed John requesting him earnestly to desist from his foolish expectations and continue his way to join you, which I sincerely hope he do. I also write him myself the same thing exposing him my best reasons, or to persuade him to join you without loss of time, assuring this as his best plan, and feeling confident that you are the better able to direct his future happiness from your experience and means, than he can do for himself. . . . I remain My Dear Cousin

Yours very Truly John Fraser

Norway House 29th July 1838

My Dear John

I acknowledge the receipt of your letter and in reply allow me to thank you for the information it contains and the feelings you show me in it. I perfectly agree with you that it did me no credit for having left Montreal, the more I think on the subject the more I see my folly.

When last I wrote you I mentioned that I was going to winter at Fort Vancouver so I did, and came out this spring with my Father. It is no joke to cross the Mountains in the Spring Snow eleven feet deep. I think if the Snow was as deep in Canada at that season some the the folks would open their eyes.

By the Bye I am sorry to learn the disturbance that has taken place in Canada I wish in your next you would give me all neces-