Thomas McCliesh
| Thomas McCliesh | |
|---|---|
| Macklish; Maclish; Mack Leish; Mack Clish | |
| Occupation | Fur trader; HBC governor; chief factor |
| Partner | |
Thomas McCliesh (fl. 1698–1746) was an Hudson's Bay Company carpenter, chief factor, and governor-in-chief who spent much of his working life managing HBC posts on James Bay and at York Factory, contending with French competition that extended to the post at Kaministiquia in present-day Thunder Bay.
Early career
McCliesh first engaged with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1698, arriving at Fort Albany on James Bay. Over the following years he served under a succession of governors: James Knight (1698–1700), John Fullartine (1700–5), and Anthony Beale (1705–7). During the winter of 1702–3 he undertook what the Company later described as extraordinary service, travelling to Gilpin's Island off the East Main in search of news about a delayed supply ship; he received a £10 gratuity for the effort. He returned to England in autumn 1707.[1]
Second posting (1708–1714)
McCliesh agreed by January 1708 to return to James Bay, sailing in June aboard the Hudson's Bay [II] under admiralty protection against naval impressment. He wintered with Henry Kelsey off the East Main in 1708–9. He was made master of the Eastmain sloop in 1711, continuing under Fullartine (1708–11) and then Beale (1711–14). The absence of supply ships from Albany in 1710 and again in 1713 kept him in the bay longer than anticipated, and he did not return to England until 1714.[1]
Chief factor and deputy governor (1715–1721)
Re-engaged in spring 1715, McCliesh oversaw construction of the Hudson's Bay [III] before sailing on the Port Nelson (under Captain James Belcher) to Albany, where he succeeded Richard Staunton as chief factor. Under governors-in-chief Knight (1715–18) and Kelsey (1718–21), he rose to deputy governor at Albany in 1718.[1]
During these years McCliesh confronted intensifying French competition in Albany's hinterland. In 1717 Zacharie Robutel de La Noue re-established a French post at Kaministiquia — present-day Thunder Bay — and by 1719 another post had been built near the mouth of the Nipigon River. Directives from London to divert "northward Indians and Christeens [Crees]" toward York Factory added pressure on Albany's trade. McCliesh worked to maintain East Main contacts for the valuable "small furs" trade, rebuilt the Albany factory, and established a permanent post on the Eastmain River before returning to England in 1721.[1]
Governor-in-chief (1722–1734)
McCliesh succeeded Kelsey as governor-in-chief in 1722. He spent his first season at York Factory, finding it less desirable than Albany though more profitable in trade. He noted that Churchill, constructed to attract Northern (Chipewyan) Indians, was drawing business away from York. After supervising construction of the Mary [II], he sailed again in 1727; the vessel was wrecked off Cape Farewell, Greenland, but crew and passengers reached Churchill and York aboard the Hannah under Captain Christopher Middleton. McCliesh resumed command at York.[1]
By 1734 competition had grown still more severe. The La Vérendrye family had established posts between Lake Superior and Lake Winnipeg, and coureurs de bois were trading inland. Despite his requests to London for better quality goods and for "Brazil tobacco" — a commodity French traders offered — he could not match rivals who delivered goods directly to Indigenous people far inland, sometimes by force. He returned to England in 1734.[1]
Final years (1735–1746)
Re-engaged in 1735 as "Governor in Hudson Bay," McCliesh sailed to Albany to succeed chief factor Joseph Adams and superintend Moose Fort. Severe illness compelled his early return to England. He sailed again in 1736 but ill-health returned, and his 1737 contract was cancelled before ships departed. By 1746 McCliesh was recorded as living in reduced circumstances at Woodbridge, Suffolk. His wife Mary and their children had remained at Limehouse in London during his long absences abroad.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Alice M. Johnson."Alice M. Johnson, "McCliesh, Thomas," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 3."[website].Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 3 (University of Toronto/Université Laval).1974.University of Toronto/Université Laval.Link.(Rights: copyrighted | Access: open)