The story of. these letters is interesting. Last summer 

 the writer had a call from a well known author, Ernest 

 Thompson Seton, and his cultivated American wife. He 

 mentioned that in lecturing in Canaudaigua, N.Y., he had 

 referred to Manitoba, when a Dr. II. H. Holmes accosted 

 him and spoke of possessing letters of some relations and that 

 these had friends in Manitoba. By the advice of Mr. Seton 

 these were forwarded to the writer, and the following extracts 

 may be of interest. 



1. Written by Alexander Koss at " Fort Eez Perces, 

 Columbia Kiver, North Pacific Ocean, May 1, 1822," to 

 " Mrs. Henrietta Rannie, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland," 

 she being his sister, her husband's name John Rannie. 

 ' : My Deak and Affectionate Sistek. 



It is certainly with more pleasure than I can express on 

 this page that I received your kind favor in last October, 

 dated ' Turriff, 23rd March, 1821/ and along with that your 

 dear portrait in miniature, executed in a style to do credit to 

 the artist. This striking image of a person so dear to me 

 shall soothe my mind in the greatest of troubles, and shall 

 be preserved by your brother while he lives. Both your 

 letter and your husband's were handed me at the same 

 moment, nor can I tell which of them gave me the most satis- 

 faction, particularly those parts respecting your family and 

 affairs. Throughout your husband's letter there is a peculiar 

 degree of good sense and discernment. The dull state of your 

 affairs are under the control of Providence, it is common to 

 all. Do not despair, my sister, as long as you both have 

 health. God will always assist your honest endeavors. 

 Everyone has trouble in bringing up their families. When 

 it pleaseth God that I see you, I hope to find you as able to 

 give, as needful to receive, but should it be otherwise, if I 

 have but a single shilling, you shall have part of it . 



I would wish to recall our youthful hours, our harmless 



