On his death in France his agent in London was Mr.John Pritchard.

Seventeen days after the death of Lord Selkirk, Rev.John West was appointed to come as chaplain to the Colonists and the other Protestants of Red River.

Pritchard arrived by Hudson's Bay ship at York Factory 15 Aug., 1820, having Mr.West in company with him.
And now Colville wrote to Alexander Macdonell, the Governor of the Settlement: "Mr.West goes out and takes with him persons acquainted with making bricks and pottery." Macdonell was a Roman Catholic, but Colville wrote: "I trust also that by your example and advice you will encourage all the Protestants, Presbyterians as well as others to attend divine service as performed by Mr.West.He will also open schools." As to Mr.West's support a curiosity occurs in one of Mr.West's letters written in the following year from York Factory.

He speaks of an agreement between Lord Selkirk and the Selkirk Settlers.
"That the Settlers will use their endeavours for the benefit and support of the clergyman and shall be chargeable therewith as follows (that is to say): each settler shall employ himself, his servants, his horses, cattle, carts, carriages and other things necessary to the purpose on every day and at every place to be appointed by the clergyman to whom, or whose flock he shall belong, not exceeding at and after the rate of three days in the spring and three days in the autumn of each year." This is a gem of ecclesiasticism.
Mr.West says: "I find that it is impracticable to carry the same into effect.

This is attributable to the distance of most of the settlers and the reluctance of the Scotch Settlers." Mr.West had made mention of this to Governor Garry..