The Colony Buildings burnt were four houses grouped as the fort, five farm houses, barns, stables, a mill and eighteen settlers’ cabins. This was not done by order of the N. W. C. but by the Plains Rangers.
It appeared in N. W. C. records that as high as £100 was paid some of the colonists to desert Red River.
Selkirk’s letter to Robertson, which the N. W. C. captured from Lajimoniere, ran thus: “There can be no doubt that the N. W. C. must be compelled to quit ... my lands ... especially at the Forks ... but as it will be necessary to use force, I am anxious this should be done under legal warrant.” I cannot see much difference between Selkirk bringing up De Meurons to drive the N. W. C. off, and Cameron calling on the Indians to drive the H. B. C. off.
May 18th, Cameron was sent to the bay. June 11th, Robertson quarreled with Semple and followed. June 10th, Semple had ordered the dismantling of Gibraltar, which was completed after Robertson left.
Letters from McIntosh of Peace River give details of Clarke’s disaster in Athabasca, describing his men “as starving like church rats and so reduced they were not able to stand on their feet, and were a picture of the resurrection.”