Special Collections — Occasional Paper No.8

32. HARGRAVE, Joseph James. Red River. 1871.

Red River. By Joseph James Hargrave, F.R.G.S. Montreal: Printed For The Author By John Lovell. 1871.

References: Peel 328; Story p. 344.

Hargrave (1841-1894) was born at York Factory, the son of James Hargrave, whose letters appear in the Champlain Society’s publications. Joining the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1841, Joseph became secretary to his uncle, William MacTavish, governor of Assiniboia in Red River. From 1869 to 1884, Hargrave was active in the fur trade, coming to Fort Edmonton in 1884. He retired in 1889 and died in Montreal. This work is an account of events leading to the Red River Rebellion, based on the letters of Hargrave, Senior. There is also an account of the difficulties encountered in travelling from England to the West.