Fort Wedderburn
Flintlock Guns
In 1820, locum tenans Governor George Simpson reaches Fort Wedderburn, after a long and difficult journey North with the HBC’s Athabasca Brigades. The date is September 20. On the evening of September 19 they had met a staunch ally in a First Nations man who had refused to believe the stories that the NWC men told him, and stayed loyal to the HBC. He and his men gave Simpson…
a very seasonable supply of geese and ducks which cheered the drooping spirits of our men, who were by this time nearly worn out; proceeded a little way, and landed to a very hearty repast, eleven of us devouring at one meal no less than twenty two geese and three ducks; proceeded and met one of our Canoes with Messrs. [Aulay] McAulay & [Amabel] Grignon going with a supply of Ammunition to the Indians, and in quest of the Berens House Crees; from them we had the pleasure to learn that everything is quiet and well at Fort Wedderburne.
They camped that night just before they reached Lake Athabasca, and on Wednesday began the crossing of the lake to Fort Wedderburn.
Made an early start, changed our Voyaging Dress at the entrance of the Lake; had much difficulty in crossing the Traverse as it blew hard and narrowly escaped being lost. Arrived here at twelve a.m. [p.m.] where I found Messrs. [William] Brown, [Duncan] Finlayson, [Joseph] Roy, [William] McBean & Laronde [Louison de la Ronde], who welcomed me in Athabasca with every mark of respect and attention. Mr. Brown had charge of the District during the summer, and seems to have been very attentive to the duties of his situation; the people have undergone some hardships from the scarcity of provisions, and I regret to observe that there is a great want of subordination amongst them. Until Mr. Finlayson’s arrival the store was empty, and not a charge of ammunition in the Fort. It was intended that Mr. Brown should have gone in charge of the Rocky Mountain expedition, but on account of the lateness of the season, the settlement of that valuable country must be postponed until next year…
The Rocky Mountain Expedition was an expedition led by a Canadien named Ignace Giasson, who in the early summer of 1820 was put in charge of an expedition across the Rocky Mountains to prepare the way for establishment of the HBC posts in New Caledonia. Giasson was a former employee of the NWC who entered the HBC service in 1818. Bruce Watson tells us that Giasson successfully crossed through the Peace River Canyon and that the NWC discovered him and his Iroquois trappers as far south as the future location of Fort George (Prince George), where they were trading with First Nations for their furs. Simpson’s journal continues: As William Brown
has conducted the business very much to my satisfaction, I have continued him in charge. By the last accounts from Peace River I regret to learn that Mr. [Charles] Thomas has done little good at St. Marys during the summer; the buildings not completed; the people in a state of Mutiny, no Bark raised for the canoes of next year, no provisions secured, in short the business of the post sadly mis-managed.
St. Mary’s was a post on the Peace River, built originally in 1818 at the forks of the Peace and Smokey Rivers. This was its third location, downstream from the first two and on the west side of the river across from the mouth of the Heart River in present day Peace River. It was abandoned in 1821 following the merger of the two companies, and its operations switched to Fort Dunvegan. To continue:
Mr. Laronde it appears came here from Colville House in quest of a wife by verbal permission received from Mr. [Colin] Robertson in Spring; he appears to have been very industrious during the summer, having made with very slender means about 3 1/2 packs Furs, a quantity of provisions and erected some good buildings. It was intended that Mr. Thomas should have charge of Colville House during the winter, but as he has been so very inactive at St Mary’s, and the removal of Mr. Laronde might be prejudicial to the interest of that post, I have continued the latter Gentleman in the management of it….
The N.W.Co. have as usual been most insolent, they have repeatedly threatened to take the Fort and people, and frequently paraded in front of our Gates exhibiting their swords & pistols; [Joseph] Soucisse particularly has taken great pains to annoy Mr. Brown who found it necessary to keep himself a close prisoner, erect a bastion for the defence of the Fort and have a regular guard mounted; they are now however tolerably quiet: Messrs. [James] Leith, [George] Keith & [Edward “Daddy”] Smith, the former is chief of the Department and goes to Peace River. Black, [Joseph Felix] Larocque and a few other Outlaws & Felons have gone to the Mountain.
Now, let’s tell you who these people are, especially as some of them are very interesting. Edward “Daddy” Smith was in charge of the Mackenzie District in my book-to-come No Ordinary Risks: Three Journeys North to the Arctic Sea. His people loved him. Joseph Soucisse was a Canadian employed as a bully by the NWC. In the spring of 1820 he was arrested by the HBC on a legal warrant, but he escaped and returned to the district. Peter Skene Ogden was one of the “felons” who retreated to the West side of the Rockies to avoid being arrested, and he was now at the Kamloops post, or perhaps at Fort Nez Perces or Spokane House. “Black” is, of course, Samuel Black, and we will hear plenty of him in these posts. As you can see, there are plenty of familiar names who are now working in the Athabasca District or at Fort Superior, Lac Ile-a-la-Crosse. We continue:
21st — Had an interview with Laronde, and reprimanded him on his intimacy with the people, cautioned him against indulging them too much, and gave strict orders that no promises or presents should be made them which did not appear on their engagements; this is becoming a very general practice amongst the Officers in this part of the country, merely to gain a little popularity, but must be discontinued. (I suspect that this became part of his management instructions to all his gentlemen and men-in-charge once he was made governor.) Mr. Brown lodged a serious complaint against Bouche the Interpreter (Joseph Bouche, or Waccan) and several of the people for neglect of duty, and disobedience of orders during the summer; I gave them a severe lecture, and confirmed the fines he had imposed. Bouche was inclined to be impertinent on the occasion, and hinted at joining the NWCo., but when I talked of hand-cuffs & short allowance he lowered his tone. An example must be made of some of these people, otherways they will have things entirely their own way. Appointed Mr. McBean to the management of the Store, books and accounts at Colville House and dispatched him and Mr. Roy for that place in Two of the Peace River canoes. Made several necessary arrangements in regard to the establishment and trade.
22nd, Friday: Messrs. [Jonas] Oxley & [George Peter] Andries have arrived, also Messrs. McAulay & Grignon; the latter Gentlemen have been unsuccessful in falling in with the Crees belonging to Berens House.
He wrote a letter to Robert McVicar, of Great Slave Lake, which indicates two things he considered important: firstly, his idea of OEconomy. “OEconomy must now be the order of the day,” he wrote. “Indeed our means are this season so limited, that we cannot follow up the extravagant system which has hitherto been adopted and your influence with the Indians will I have no doubt soon reconcile them to the change.” He included a similarly written paragraph in every letter he wrote to the Gentlemen of the District. But further down the letter to McVicar, he gave another important instruction, that he does not seem to give to other HBC gentlemen. “Strange to tell, our Opponents seem at length inclined for pacific measures,” he wrote. “We must avoid collision with them if possible, but on no consideration submit to be imposed on; I need scarcely remind you that the rights and interests of the Company are to be maintained at the risk of life.” In case you are interested in why he wrote this to McVicar and no one else, it might be because McVicar was the man in charge of the HBC’s Green Lake post, who meekly handed over a First Nations man that traded only with the HBC — to Peter Skene Ogden, who then brutally murdered that First Nations man on the ice of the lake in front of McVicar’s post.
On Saturday, October 14, Simpson wrote, “Simon McGillivray & McVicar passed our gates early this morning, and made a circuit of the Fort.” This is not Robert McVicar, but his brother Walter, who worked for the NWC. “I suspect this Gentleman [McGillivray] is likely to be a troublesome customer and some hints have been given me to beware of him. Being desirous to see the state of our Fishery, I this morning went to the Big Island, twenty miles distant, accompanied by Mr. Oxley and some of our people. Found about 500 white fish in store, the Houses in good repair, and the prospect of an abundant fishery. Killed a few White Partridges & stopped there for the night.” But next day, Simpson wrote,
A N.W. canoe with McVicar and an Iroquois followed me to the Big Island this morning for the purpose of watching my motions. Intended visiting the Old Fort Fishery (off the original Fort Chipewyan) but prevented by the wind. Returned home in the evening and found that Lamallice had got back last night and left Lezett’s Band in high spirits…
He hasn’t mentioned this before now but the North West Company men had built a Watch House just outside the front gates of Fort Wedderburn so that they could “watch” the HBC men in comfort. “The N.W. Coys Watch House is about twelve yards distant from our corner Bastion and projects about five yards beyond the front of our Fort towards the Lake, so that from their back window they command a full view of all our proceedings which is extremely unpleasant. In order to remove this eyesore I requested Mr. Oxley to superintend the erection of a few Stockades to run in a line from the corner of our Bastion towards the face of the banks. While preparing the Timber and digging a trench for the Stockades, Mr. Simon McGillivray attended by several of his people under arms came out and ordered him in a peremptory tone not to erect the Stockades. Mr. Oxley told him he did so by my orders and that he should proceed: he however came into my room where I was occupied writing and informed me of the circumstance. I now saw it was necessary to carry my point without ceremony as forbearance in this instance might be construed into submission and encourage them to renew their arbitrary and atrocious proceedings. I therefore called the Gentlemen together, also three or four most confidential men, and after explaining the business requested they would support me in case of need. They were instantly in readiness. I then proceeded to the spot, accompanied by Mr. Oxley, and directed the workmen to go on with their business. On my arrival Simon McGillivray, Soucisse, Wilburner, and several others came out, each armed with a dirk and brace of large pistols, not fastened as usual in their belts, but held openly to view in their hands. I shall here repeat the conversation that took place verbatim, in case it may be of importance at any future period. When standing close to McGillivray on the bank of the trench I remarked, “My name is Simpson, I presume yours is McGillivray.” He replied, “it is.” I then said, “I intend erecting these Stockades from the corner of the Bastion in a direct line to that stump (pointing to the stump of a tree, about Five feet within another stump which is understood to be the boundary of the two establishments). Pray, sir, what are your objections?” He answered, “I understood from Mr. Oxley that he intended to run them beyond the boundary line which I shall not permit.” I rejoined, “We have no intention to encroach on what is understood to be the line of demarkation, nor shall we tamely submit to any encroachment on our rights, we are inclined to be quiet, orderly neighbours if permitted to be, but are determined to maintain our privileges with firmness, and shall promptly resent any injury or insult that may be offered.” He sullenly replied, “Time will show.” In the interim my Tarrier [sic] Dog Boxer (a very playful Fellow) was amusing himself with a stick close to Soucisse’s feet, and while the Bully was regarding him with an ill-natured look, as if about to give him a kick, I with a smile addressed the dog, “Come here, Boxer, you do not seem to be aware that you are committing trespass.” McGillivray, with a good deal of asperity observed “We have no intention to molest your dog, Sir,” to which I replied: “Nor shall you his Master with impunity.” Here ended the conversation, McGillivray and his bullies retired somewhat crest fallen, and in the course of two hours afterwards, the fence was completed and an annoyance removed, which has been a source of great vexation to the inmates of Fort Wedderburne since it has been established.”
So this is the timeline of the various defenses/offenses that took place on the island on which Fort Wedderburn was built. Firstly the HBC built Fort Wedderburn on an island that was close to the North shore of Athabasca Lake. The NWC men then moved Fort Chipewyan from the South shore of the Lake to the North, building it about one mile away from Fort Wedderburn. Then sometime before the summer of 1820, the NWC built a watch house more or less in front of the fort, where they had a good view of the fort gates and also of the walk from the Fort Wedderburn gates to the waterfront. (They had done the same earlier at Fort Superior, Lac Ile a la Crosse.) In response to the NWC’s aggressive move, the Fort Wedderburn men had built an additional bastion in their palisades that overlooked the watch-house, and they kept it well manned with armed men. Now Simpson had ordered the construction of a palisade that would prevent the NWC men from watching them as they left or arrived at their fort.
Yes, it would only get worse! On October 22, Simpson wrote that “Our Opponents at the Watch House have been actively employed (altho’ Sunday), in rafting and preparing Timber, which from its appearance I conceive to be intended for a Bastion; this is something like a declaration of hostilities. While sitting at dinner this afternoon, one of our men, James Taylor, burst into the Hall crying, and evidently in great pain and terror; on enquiring into the cause, he informed me that while passing quietly at a little distance (about 10 yards) from the NWC Watch House with a load of firewood upon his shoulder, he was accosted by one [George] Linton, a Clerk, and asked if he was not aware that he had committed a trespass by walking so near the buildings. Before the man had time to reply one Wilburner, a Canadian Half Bully, half Clerk, knocked him down, and while laying on the ground, beat and kicked him in a most inhuman manner. After having fully satiated his revenge, he permitted the poor fellow to crawl away, detaining his cap and firewood as a trophy of Victory. Being desirous to avoid any thing like a serious rupture with our Opponents, I directed [Paul Boucher dit] Lamallice to call on Mr. Simon McGillivray and require an explanation of this wanton and violent outrage, also to demand a restoration of the man’s cap and firewood. He returned in a few minutes and stated that Mr. McGillivray did not choose to enter into explanation, on the contrary justified Wilburner’s conduct; he was permitted to bring the cap but the firewood remained. I therefore put the Gentlemen under arms, manned the Bastion, and directed Taylor and another to go for the wood that was taken from him, and authorized the man who accompanied him to shoot any person who interfered with them, and that we should protect them. Fortunately the assault was not repeated and the men brought the Firewood along with them, when they had returned inside our Stockades. The man who assisted Taylor in carrying the wood fired off his Pistol into the Lake. McGillivray on hearing the report asked in an authoritative tone of voice, by whose directions the pistol was fired off. Mr. Oxley being next him replied that he conceived the Pistol was fired into the Lake for the purpose of unloading it. I at the same time asked if it was by his authority that his Bully had so wantonly assaulted the man; he attempted to justify Wilburner’s conduct on the ground that Taylor passed so near their buildings, and authorized me to chastise his men in a similar manner if they committed any Trespass on our grounds. I told him that we should take no other Law than that of Self defence in our own hands, and gave him solemn warning never to assault, interfere with, or insult any person connected with the Honourable H.B. Coy, as I was determined to protect them whatever might be the consequences. Here the matter rested and both parties retired. McGillivray’s intentions are now unmasked and it will be necessary to watch him with the utmost vigilance.”
This wasn’t the end of this war by any means. The next day, the NWC men began to build “a Bastion at the distance of two feet from our Bastion, and immediately in front of it, thereby encroaching about three feet within the line that was acknowledged by Mr. McGillivray on the 19th Inst to be the boundary of the two establishments. I immediately determined on resisting this encroachment, and being desirous if possible to avoid hostilities requested Mr. Brown to go out alone to the side of our Stockades, and caution Mr. McGillivray not to attempt building on our ground. He accordingly went but Mr. McGillivray treated his remonstrance with a most ineffable contempt, and intimated his intention of erecting the building on the site lined out, as he now recollected that the boundary line was within the Stockades of our Fort; at this time he was superintending the Workmen employed. Upon Mr. Brown’s informing me the result of the interview, and after ascertaining that the boundary line acknowledged on the 19th was correct, I resolved that they should not thus invade the Company’s rights with impunity, and forthwith to resist the encroachment by force if necessary. While conversing with the Gentlemen on the subject, Mr. Grignon (a constable for the District of Montreal who had been absent since the 18th inst.) unexpectedly arrived. On learning the circumstances of the case he informed me that he had a Warrant in his possession against the said Simon McGillivray, and would by virtue of that instrument apprehend him. In reply, I told him (through Messrs [Jacques] Chastellain, Oxley, [Robert] Clouston & Brown as Interpreters and Witnesses to guard against misunderstanding) that I could not interfere or give any sanction or instructions to him in his Official capacity as a Constable, that whatever was done in that way must be on his own responsibility, but that it was my province to protect the Company’s rights and that I was now about to act in conformity…”
Arms and ammunition were brought into the Hall, and I shewed the example by loading my double barrel’d gun and pistols with Ball; when in readiness I ordered a few men into the Bastion and directed the others to accompany me, but gave positive orders that no gun should be fired until I gave the signal, which was only to be the case in the event of my being attacked. I then proceeded, attended by Messrs Brown, Oxley, Clouston & Grignon, with about half a dozen men to the ground which the N.W.C had prepared as the foundation of the Bastion outside the Stockades, Mr. McGillivray and several people armed immediately joined us he came up to the spot where I stood with his hand on the hilt of his Dagger, and when close to each other I said, ‘Mr. McGillivray I shall be glad to have some further conversation with you on the subject of this boundary line,’ he was about to reply when Mr. Grignon collered [sic] him and said, ‘I arrest you in the King’s name.’ He made some resistance and the Officer called out, ‘I demand your assistance in the Kings name,’ on which two of our people rushed upon the prisoner, disarmed and conveyed him into Fort Wedderburne. Some of the NW people were about to fire, but on seeing us prepared to return the compliment, they made a precipitate retreat. The Officer narrowly escaped being shot by Wilburner, but while his finger was on the trigger, the other presented a dagger to his Breast, which gave him an active pair of heels, and the villain Soucisse took refuge in the woods. On my return into the Fort I found Mr. McGillivray venting his spleen in a torrent of abuse, he inveighed [sic] against me with much warmth, declared that the arrest was illegal, and that Warrants would be issued against the whole party forthwith. I replied that the Officer had acted on his own responsibility and could alone be liable for the consequences.
And that was that. Simon McGillivray was captured by the HBC men and stowed away in a locked room in Fort Wedderburn. The NWC men when faced with a barrage of guns ran away, either into their post or into the woods (which is really quite amusing — I think the HBC men had a laugh about that in the evening.) But a lot more happens at Fort Wedderburn, and when I write the next post I will include that here: https://nancymargueriteanderson.com/whatever-i-call-it/
Copyright, Nancy Marguerite Anderson, 2026. All rights reserved.