" Journal at Brandon House Assiniboyne River Lat. 49.42 with some account of the Notorious Conduct of the NWC in Employing half Indians to destroy the Red River Settlement. also Astronomical Observations made at the Same Place by Peter, Thomas and Charles Fidler. also the Abstract of a Thermomitrical Journal kept at the same place with Occasional remarks on the Seasons Productions &c. & Copies of a Few Letters from Mr Robt. Semple
by Peter Fidler."
[Maybe not quite all that]

July 16 1815
" Sunday. Mefs Bird, Thomas & self went in a Boat from Jack River along Lake Winnepeg in order to meet Mr Colen Robertson, who has been expected these several Days back from Montreal with a considerable number of Canadian Canoes for the Hudsons Bay Company on purpose to re-establish the Athapesan? Country on a large scale as it has been found already in 1791. 1802 that it will not answer in a small one on account of the unjustifiable means used by the NWC for any beneficial purpose to the HBC."

July 20
" Thursday. We Met Mr Robertson & Decoygne in a light Canoe & 8 Men ? on the South side Pigeon River early in the Morning. Francois came with them as Guide from Red River where they have been to Jack River; They relate that all the Colonial buildings have been burned down the day after we left it, only the Smiths Shop left standing, given to us by the NWC to put our Goods in, altho? Grant & others had previously promised that the HBC should have one of the Colonial Buildings - and accordingly every thing was removed into it, but set fire to by the NW Banditte? & part of the Property burnt before it could be removed - and some stolen by the Canadians & half Breeds, Brulies or Mitifs?. and he says (Francis Meugenie?) that the 2 Canoes we saw going up the Red River at Rivere au Merts? when they came opposite the Colonial buildings which was then in flames. Duncan Cameron? took off his hat & huzzaed two or three times - Nearly all the half Breeds dispersed, the greater part are gone to Fort William on Lake Superior to assist carrying out the Colonists and to receive there from the hands of the Agents of the NWC the goods promised them for destroying the Colony - Only 3 or 4 half breeds were seen and they said they were very sorry for driving away all the Colonists & destroying every thing - Mr Jn McLeod & 3 of the Colony Servants & 2 others remaind there for the purposes of Trade and for securing part of the Crop of wheat, Barley & Potatoes.
Mr Robertson says he left Montreal 24 May (The Agents for the NWC left it on the 8) and that he has engaged and brought up 157 Canadians & 24 Officers included and he expects them to ? soon. he left them a little N of Fort William but they are short of provisions - he met Capt. McDonell in Company with 6 NW Canoes carrying him to Montreal - a little to the N of Rain Lake, - he remained with him 1/2 an hour & had a private conversation with him, & he brought to me 2 Letters from him & some to others he had written some time before - We stopped together one hour & got breakfast, where Mr Descoygne went ahead to Jack River in the Canoes and Mr Robertson accompanied us in the Boat."

July 22
" Saturday at 4 AM we arrived at the outlet of Lake Winnepeg. The 20 last? Mr Warren died in great agony. he had been very bad for 3 Days before - ever since his Scull was fractured with a small splinter of a Wall piece bursting he has never had his right senses. he was buried this Morning with Military honours, just at the entrance of the Lake on the N Side? & a handsome building erected near? his ? ?."

July 23
" Sunday We got back to Jack River House."

July 25
" Tuesday Mr Robertson returned to the entrance of the Big Lake to meet his people."

July 26
" Wednesday Mefs Thomas & Bird went there also."

July 28
" Friday Mr Jn Clark the head Manager for the Athapescow businefs ? Mr McDugald? arrived in a light Canoe, Humphrey Favell came with them from the Winnipeg River as Guide, he had been sent there some time before from the Forks with Pemmican to meet our Canadians - Mr Jn McLeod has employed 4 or 5 Freemen to assist building another House - at the Sandy Point near Berens River, Mr Clarks canoe being hawled lightly? on the beach and all going in search of Eggs, the wind blew her off. luckily rather a side wind prevailed that she drove aShore again about 20 Miles off toward Jack River, with everything they had in her all safe - This ought to be a caution to others to hawl up the Canoe well before they leave her."

July 30
" Sunday All our Canadian Canoes arrived at the Outlet of Lake Winnipeg. Mefs Rod McKenzie Linklatter & Lewis Co? Old Officers went there to Join them - Mr Decoygne also accompanied them - a 10 Gall Keg of High Spirits was given out amongst the Canadians and most of them got very Drunk. There is no House to receive the officers in there, nor any necefsary article of Table Equipage, which I suppose will rather startle them - Thank God we have a good quantity of Pemmican to serve sufficiently to put every one to his intended place of wintering if tolerable expedition is made; There is a great want of many or Indeed all kinds of Clothing for the Canadians as they like to flash & live well while they can, seldom thinking of the time to come, indeed this is the case with the greater number of them - being very much like English Sailors in this Respect. I believe they have 18 Canoes but some of them very indifferent which will be replaced by Seven others new built by Mr Bird & left at Cumberland House his Spring - It is intended to send Mefs Decoygne & Lewis beyond the first ridge of the Rocky Mountains, but I afterwards found that they went to the lefser slave Lake to compleat the Chain of Posts between the Athapescow & Saskatchewan River - Mr Clark is to be in Peace River &? Mr Awley? at the Great Slave Lake - Mr McKenzie & Campbell at the Athapescow Lake - Mr Logan at the Isle a la Crofs - Mr Alex Kennedy just now arrived here from York Factory & will Accompany them to Cumberland House to fit them out & give the Canadians another booze."

Aug. 1 1815
" Tuesday Mr Thomas Thomas the Superintendent appointed me to go with 10 Men in a Boat to find a good situation for building a Depot at about the lower end of Knee Lake where the Athapescan? people are to receive their Goods & leave their furs as it is considered that they would not have time to fetch the Goods from the Sea Coast - similar to the Rain Lake where the NW get their annual supplies who winter to the Northward of Portage la Loche, or Methy Carrying place - at 4 3/4 AM we embarked and put up on the Hairy Lake at 7 1/3 PM - Got as a supply 1 Kettle, 3 lb Shot, 1 lb Powder, 2 flints, 2 Qt Spirits & 5 Days Pemmican, 2 Old Nets & to get 2 others and a fishing Canoe at Oxford House to fish with where the Depot is to be built."

Aug. 2
" Wednesday At 3 3/4 AM we got away & arrived at the Painted Stone at 8 PM & put up - Water shoal in Each? away ? is? river?."

Aug. 3
" Thursday At 5 3/4 AM left the Carrying place and stopped a little after for rain - Arrived at the White Fall and got all over, here we met 4 Boats from the Factory with goods. most all the Men from the Swan & Saskatchewan Rivers and low Country have been employed carry'g up Goods to Jack River for the Athapescow Expedition; so that they will? have two trips to make, which will cause the distant old established places to be late in the fall before they can get there with the usual supply of Goods, and in some cases perhaps a little part of the Track may be lost - besides the Goods that came out last year will not be sufficient by a deal to furnish the old Trading posts after the Northern Expedition is supplied."

Aug. 4
" Friday At 4 AM left the White Fall portage and pafsed down the river on the left & arrived the Hill Carrying place; got to the last Carrying place in Wee pin a pan nis river & put up at 7 1/4 PM."

Aug. 5
" Saturday At 3 2/4 AM we left the Portage & arrived at Oxford House at 4 ? PM"

Aug. 6
" Sunday At 8 ? AM we left Oxford House taking with us two old Nets & a small Canoe to fish with; put up about 8 Miles along the Knee Lake - Left one Man at Oxford we had from Jack River."

Aug. 7
" Monday Got away at 4 1/2 AM & put up near the lower end of the Knee Lake at 7 PM, examined very well as we pafsed along, but found no wood of a proper size & a convenient situation to build at."

Aug. 8
" Tuesday Employed the whole Day in examining both sides of the Lake and even 4 miles down Jack River but found no good place; but the best that there is, is about 4 Miles from the lower end of the Knee Lake on the North side, but the woods on the main shore are very small & the ground covered with a deep mofs and Swampy; however there are 2 or 3 Islands the farthest not above 3/4 of a mile distant, where I believe wood will be got sufficient to finish the Depot buildings - where the House will be built is sandy. about 2 Acres of Ground, a fine view? of the Lake - Left 2 Men with the Nets at Jack River. The Tickameg are there very numerous swimming on the surface of the water, they are to join us tomorrow."

Aug. 9
" Wednesday Set 8 Men to cut down Pines to cut into Logs of 28, 16 & 8 feet each. They cut down & made ready 94 Logs - Our 2 fishermen returned but could not catch a single fish notwithstanding they are so very numerous on the Surface - They are the same every Summer but none can be caught in Nets, as they have often times tried."

Aug. 10
" Thursday The two fishermen put down their 4 Nets in the best places they could imagine, in order to find out the best places. - The other 8 Men cutting down Logs as Yesterday & finished 106 More - This ? is about 700 yards from the low sandy point on the N side where the Depot is to be built, which can easily be rafted or hawled over the Ice in Winter. at 2 PM Mefs D Sutherland & Hill? arrived from YF with 4 Boats one of which is loaded with Colony Goods & people. They remained here two hours & again Embarked for Jack River above."

Aug. 11
" Thursday The 8 Men cut down the Woods at the Point where the Buildings are to be erected - Got from our Nets 5 Tickameg & 7 Succors this seems to be a scarse place for fish. Indeed in general all thro this Country the Summer Months are generally the worst in this respect."

Aug. 12
" Friday Sent away 9 Men to get 40 pieces each of Pine Bark to cover the two small Houses for the Men & Master to live in whilst the Larger buildings are erected which I imagine will be the labor of 8 Men for 3 Years according to the extensive plan of the Buildings. That is 3 Buildings of 90 feet each 25 feet wide & 2 Stories high, to be built of Boards & Quartering. Two to be as Stores &c and the other to be divided into different rooms for the accomodation of the Northern Gentlemen whilst they remain here every Summer probably from 7 to 10 Days till the Men are supplied and Canoes fitted out. at 11 1/2 AM Mr Thomas the Superintendent arrived here in a small Canoe with 2 Indians from Jack river, he is on his way to YF to be there on the arrival of the Ship, he remained here two hours and again embarked. he says that the 5th Inst. the last of our Canadians were to leave the outlet of Lake Winnepeg for their respective situations in the Athapescow Country &c. Set a few Rabbit snares here & killed 3. also received from our Nets 4 Tickameg, 2 Perch, 1 Jack & 5 Succors - in the Evening the Men returned with the Pine bark for covering the temporary houses but it is of an indifferent quality the Trees are so very knotty."

Aug. 13
" Sunday Marked out a place for the Buildings 40 yds & 1 foot square. also two small temporary ones 20 feet by 16 - got from our Nets here 6 Tickameg & 7 Succors."

Aug. 14
" Monday Set 4 Men each about building the 2 Small Houses. 3 each got wood on the Island & the other two got roofing sticks & cut down logs to build them with. The 9th Man Dug holes for the Posts & got some roofing sticks. The other man attending the Nets, repairing them &c."

Aug. 15
" Tuesday At 5 1/2 AM Mefs Bird & Holdsworth arrived here in one Boat from Jack river on their way to the Factory. They? remained here 1 1/2 hours & then embarked. they left here 8 Bundles of furs & a Tent to take down with us - he says that Mr Bourke & Holt got wounded by a Pistol going off unexpectedly, the former in the Shoulder where the Ball lodges & cannot be extracted, the Ball pafsing thro' Mr Holts hand, but both are likely to do well. - Six fish from our Nets - Got the posts of the Houses up & 1 tier of Logs round."

Aug. 16
" Wednesday Got the Houses up to the Windows, but left off sooner than usual for rain - 13 fish of Sorts mostly succors, sometimes called in this Country Carp a very soft bony fish and very bad eating, the head & shoulders being only generally used."

Aug. 17
" Thursday Got the Square of the Houses up and one ridge pole on. 5 fish of sorts from the Nets - so very few to be caught that the Pemmican we brought with us from Jack river is waisting very fast."

Aug. 18
" Friday Got all the Roof sticks on one House and the other about the half. bad cold weather these two Days. Strong Gale at North on the 16th with Thunder & Rain - 8 fish from the Nets."

Aug. 19
" Saturday Finished both Houses at 2 PM, and covered them both well with Bark - we have now only one bag of Pemmican left amongst 10 Men, the very few fish we can catch saves very little of it. Took up our Nets as we scarsely catch any thing but Succors & as we hourly expect a pilot to arrive from Jack River to conduct us down the rapids below and to have all the Nets ready dried before he arrives, to be ready to start."

Aug. 20
" Sunday Strong Gale at SE? & South."

Aug. 21
" Monday Heavy Gale all night at S.SW & West - Sent the Men to get stones for Chimneys but obliged to leave off on account of the heavy swell in the Lake - The Men collected & burnt all the Rubbish & cleared the point compleatly for building &c. Showers of Rain in the Afternoon."

Aug. 22
" Tuesday As our Provisions is now nearly all expended we embarked for the Factory on that account, as all the men with me their Contracts are expired, and none of them would consent to remain Longer when they were seperately asked at Jack River before we embarked. Left this place at 9 1/4 AM & a little after we met Mr Thomas Swain 3 Miles below, with whom we stopped Three Hours and engaged one Man to return with him in place of an Indian he got at YF to assist his two Boats up. The Indian returns with us. Also exchanged Wm Budge for Wm Dunnett to Guide us down- Budge is to return when he meets he other Boats expected down soon, as he did not know the Rapids."

Aug. 23
" Wednesday Put up last night in the Sandy bay in the Swampy Lake at 7 1/4 PM & this Morning we embarked at 4 AM and put up at the still water at 7 PM cold foggy day."

Aug. 24
" Thursday The Men finished their last provisions last night. gave them a share of the little I had left. the whole we have will not be half Allowance till we reach the Factory. - Embarked at 4 1/2 AM and got to the entrance of Steel river, where we remained two Hours to Cook 3 Geese we killed in the Day & then embarked, rowed & drove with the current alternately all night."

Aug. 25
" Friday Arrived at Pennycutway river at 8 AM at to? York factory at 7 PM cold weather - The Schooner arrived from CR & Severn 3 hours before us, very few Deer to be seen crofsing the Rivers."

Aug. 26
" Saturday The Hadlow Capt. Davidson Anchored in 5 fm hole with 84 Emigrants, & then she is to go down to Moose Factory, to take on a cargo of sawn wood by the steam Engine lately erected."

Aug. 28
" Monday The Pafsangers came on shore, and the Prince of Wales, Capt. Hanwell arrived & anchored in 5 fathom hole. also came on Shore Robert Semple Esq. the Governor General of all the Hudsons Bay Company, Territories &c also Mr Wm Sinclair who went home last Year - at 8 PM Mr Archibald McDonald arrived in a small Canoe from Jack River - The Dee Sloop of War Capt. Andrews daily expected - he has a ? ? on board."

Aug. 30
" Wednesday Geo. Rofs married to one of the Young Settlers lately come ashore - a very short courtship - bad rainy weather."

Aug. 31
" Thursday Another Marriage - The Governor swore in some of his Council by Mefs Thomas, Bird, Sinclair & Mr Laurence Wilkinson as his Secritary - Arranged some of the Inland businefs - The Dee Sloop of War arrived - Mr Adam Snoddie & 2 Boats arrived from Churchill with the Furs made in that Department - All the Hadlows Cargo on shore."

Sept. 6 1815
" Wednesday Sent 2 Boats of Emigrants away for Red River, they want to take so much of their own things that nothing can be sent for the Company - Mr Alexander McDonell accompanied them who is now come from? Europe - My businefs now is to get the Boats, People & every requisite to get all the Settlers Inland to Red River. The 2d Inst. Mr James Bird embarked for Edmonton House in a Boat & 9 Men besides his Son George who is just retd from England where he has been 1 Winter & John Park - Their Boat is well Manned & light so I think they will reach their destination before Ice sets in."


" York Factory 5th September 1815
Mr Peter Fidler
Sir
The Situation of the Colonists here for Red River requiring the exertions of a Man of Abilities and Experience, and it being proper that they should be conveyed Inland without delay, I commit to you the Superintendence of this Important object & have directed Mr Alex. McDonell to be guided by your opinion on all Occasions, where your Local Knowledge may be supposed to entitle you to speak decidely. - In your progrefs Inland, you will be guided by the intelligence which may be received as to the state of Affairs at Red River, and will either continue to carry the Colonists up in a Body or distribute them for the Winter at the diff't Stations where Provisions may be most readily procured - The Zeal and Readinefs with which you have entered into my views on the Subject convince me that nothing will be wanting on your part to contribute towards the re-establishment of this important Colony, in the secure and flourishing condition of which you will I trust hereafter see the best and most gratifying reward to your own mind. - For the Present you will consider Mr Colin Robertson as First & Mr Alexander McDonell as 2d in Command at the Red River until the Earl of Selkirks pleasure be further known. - I hope to see you there in the Spring, and shall then communicate whatever Instructions the State of Affairs may appear to me to require?
I am
Sir
Yours Sincerely
Signed Robert Semple"

" It is the Governors intention to Winter at Hudsons House, as being the most central? place we have for the Northern & Southern places. he is to proceed there as soon as the Ship is ready for Sea but it will be too long I am afraid before he can leave the Factory to be able to reach that place before the Ice sets all Navigation fast. Mr Thomas Thomas has now quitted the HBC Service intending to become a Settler and fix at or near the Man ne tow sopow Lake. also Mr Wm Cook. the former is to pafs this present Winter at Jack River & the other at Oxford House."

Sept. 7
" Thursday Sent away two More Boats of Emigrants & Mr John Rogers the Minerologist now come from England accompanies them. 4 Pigs came out for the Colony but Jn Flett one of the Steersmen absolutely refused to allow any of them to be put on board the Boat he steered - Sent away 2 long Brafs 3 lb? Cannon for the Colony as the NWC carried all the former? Artillery away last April. - Mr James Sutherland arrived here from Jack River which place he left 28 Ult., he was detained there in fitting out his different Posts, but is very difficient in Goods as well as Men to fix them as they require, he also brought down all the Books & Papers relating to the Colony that had been forgot there by Mr Arch. McDonald - 3 Men was sent for them in an Indian Canoe & were met 1/2 way up Hill river & they returned."

Sept. 8
" Friday Yesterday the Hadlow sailed for Moose Factory - Busily emp'd repairing Boats to carry Goods Inland for the Company. They have few Boats here, and obliged in the Summer to make use of Several bel'ging to the Colony and now a few more is required of them."

Sept. 9
" Saturday Very bad weather, Rain, Snow & Sleet at a heavy Gale at NE."

Sept. 10
" Sunday Sent away two more Boats, one of Colonists & 1 contg the Cos property. The Former steered by Charles Fidler the other by Rob. Garrock - Yesterday morning Surgeon Manning of the Dee Sloop of War died suddenly supposed to be an apoplectic fit."

Sept. 11
" Monday Capt. Andrews came on shore & the Surgeon was buried with Military honours- Mefs Sinclair & Sutherland getting things ready to go Inland, the former to be at the Depot building in Knee Lake & the other in red river- The Governor in Chief swore in two other Members of his Council Mr Sutherland & self - 10 Men is to be along with Mr Sinclair at Knee Lake. he takes a considerable quantity of Beef Pork & Flour Oatmeal &c in case the fishing should not be productive in Winter to maintain all his Men in building."

Sept. 14
" Thursday at 4 PM 4 Boats embarked for Inland and I accompanied them - Mr Sutherland not having finished the Papers to send home - he and Mr Sinclair will come up after in Indian Canoes - all the Boats are very heavily loaded on account of so very little goods going up in the Summer for the Old established Posts - The greater part being sent into the Athapescow Country - Three Days ago Mr Snoddie went to Churchill in 2 Boats with Goods and Provisions - Also Mr Work by Land to Severn, he is to winter at Trout Lake - Mr Sinclair Jun.? & Finlayson embarked with me, also Mr Joseph Spence, The Latter to winter at Oxford House and in Spring to go up to Jack river and to go to the Athapescow country as an Interpreter for the Northern Indians - Mefs Cook, Rofs & Monkman to winter at Oxford house or? ? Lake 2 Days Journy? overland - they are all to leave the Factory in a few Days."

Sept. 21
" Thursday Got all over the Rock Portage at 2 3/4 PM and put up on the next one at Sun set - Shoal water in the river, considering we are so heavily loaded."

Sept. 22
" Friday Left the Portage 8 1/3 and put up at the Still water at dusk."

Sept. 23
" Saturday Embarked at 5 3/4 AM & put up a little below the Burnt wood portage (since?) Obliged to lighten the Boats at Many places on Account of their being so heavily loaded and little Water."

Sept. 24
" Sunday Got away very early and put up at Moggans Rocks; in the evening Mefs Sutherland & Sinclair came up in Small Canoes. They left the Factory 17th Inst."

Sept. 25
" Monday After consulting together we judged it better for Mr Sinclair to go expeditiously on and send back one Boat he might find the most advanced in order to lighten our 4 Boats, as they are so very heavily loaded - Mr Sutherland remains with me - Got 3 Geese from Indians. at 7 AM left the Rock & put up above the Swampy Portage at Dusk."

Sept. 26
" Tuesday at 5 2/3 we embarked & put up at the rapid above the Mossy Carrying place late - Mr Sutherland 2 Indians in hunting who saw the last 2 Boats that left York several Days before is a little a head only - they seemingly have also been too much loaded."

Sept. 27
" Wednesday At 9 1/2 AM got all over the Rapid & put up at upper end of Masters Creek at dusk."

Sept. 28
" Thursday Got away at 5 ? AM and arrived at the upper Portage in knee River before Sunrise - here we found Wm? Leiths Boat & 10 Men Mr Sinclair had overtaken and sent back to lighten our Boats. he returned from Jack Tent? river. Received a Packet of Letters from Mr Robertson to be sent to England, but as the Ship would have sailed before they could reach York we took them back with us - took a part of the Cargo out of each Boat & put into the one we just met, so that I hope we shall go better on, wrote a Letter & left here for Mefs Semple & Thomas containing the News from Red River &c. put up at O set, nearly all over the rapids, in this River; we have made great progrefs this day in comparison with what we have done before."

Sept. 29
" Friday at 5 1/3 AM we again got away & put up at the upper end of the Long Portage on Jack River. Mr Sinclair had been at the head of this River and sent all the Colonists on leaving a Cargo of Goods - that the Colonists all might be together - he returned and found us this evening."

Sept. 30
" Saturday At 5 1/3 AM embarked to scarsely light to see the rocks as the Season is fast advancing & we have a great distance to go. at 2 1/2 PM arrived where the Goods were left. embarked 1 hour and at 6 PM arrived at the Depot Knee Lake where we put up. Mr Sinclair 10 Men 1 Boat & Cargo are to remain building here all winter."

Oct. 1 1815
" Sunday Mefs Sutherland & Sinclair embarked in their Indian Canoes to go to Oxford House - I remained to leave the necefsary things? here & settle every thing and at 9 1/2 AM we got away Three Boats Mr Sinclair to bring some things ? Oxford? House? he requires & has family who have remained here whilst he was in England this last Winter. Put up at 6? PM 3 Miles North of the Ten Islands in the Knee Lake - a head wind part of the Day."

Oct. 2
" Monday At 4 AM we embarked & at 4 1/2 PM we reached the Trout Fall, in tracking up it, either the line untyed or broke; so that 1 Boat went down and drove against a rock & unfortunately broke her to pieces - we luckily preserved most part of the Cargo, by the other boats picking it up as it floated down - we lost a long 3 lb? Brafs Cannon - about 100 Tin Kettles of Sizes and 12 Hatchets belonging to the Company. Three of the Men lost every thing they had. Got the other 2 Boats Cargoes over the Portage."

Oct. 3
" Tuesday Early this Morning sent one Boat & 18 Men back to fetch the Boat left at the Depot, as we cannot convey the Goods up without another Boat - At 3 PM I embarked in the remaining Boat for Oxford &c taking with us every Thing that was wet and leaving some of our Cargo to be brought up by the others - in order to have it opened at the House & dryed to prevent the Goods being spoild, as the weather is rather rainy I could not dry it out of Doors - Left 2 Men here to take care of the Goods till the Men returns back from the Depot with the Boats & then to make all expedition to oxford House. we put up at 6 PM at the middle portage - Rainy weather."

Oct. 4
" Wednesday At 5 1/2 AM left the Carrying place and arrived at oxford House at 4 1/2 PM & found here Mefs Sutherland & Sinclair."

Oct. 5
" Thursday Last night opened several packages that got wet when the Boat Broke & this day opened the remainder to Dry."

Oct. 6
" Friday Got every thing dry & a Canoe ready to embark in tomorrow morning with 4 Men to overtake the Colonists before they reach Jack River. in the evening the other 2 Boats arrived with the Goods."

Oct. 7
" Saturday We all left OH at 8 AM. also took the other 3 lb? brafs gun intentionally left here by John Flett. we all went together & put up in the narrows of the Trout Lake, strong wind in the Day which retarded us greatly - Tomorrow? Mr Sinclair & family is to embark in a Small Boat with 1 Man to return to the Depot."

Oct. 8
" Sunday At 3 1/2 AM got away & left Mr Sutherland. all the Boats & self & 4 Men proceeded in advance? for Jack River, put up at the ? ? Early, an very strong Gale ahead retarded us very much."

Oct. 9
" Monday At 5 AM got underway & put up at the White Fall for Rain also had a strong wind ahead."

Oct. 10
" Tuesday Got off at 6 AM & arrived at the Painted Stone where we found Charles Fidlers Boat & Crew, he had been left here 3 Days ago by Mr Alexander McDonald, one of the Settlers Wives being delivered of a Son - Tomorrow she thinks she will be able to proceed on the Journey on the Boat, gave her & another woman 7 Ducks all we killed this day & a little Butter. we remained with them one Hour & embarked and put up at the Stony Beaver Dam at Dusk; pretty good water in the Each way mam mis river now."

Oct. 11
" Wednesday Embarked at 5 1/4 AM & Put up 2 Miles below the Sea river Carrying place at dusk, Strong wind a head all day with little Snow."

Oct. 12
" Thursday At 6 AM we embarked & arrived at Jack River House at 4 PM found the Settlers had gone from this for the Entrance of Lake Winnepeg about Noon, I immediately followed them in the Canoe? & obliged to stop all night on an Island near the Play Green, the Night, being dark & wind Strong I could not venture amongst the Numerous Rocks & Islands in the Dark."

Oct. 13
" Friday Off early & arrived at the Settlers all well - they came here last Night; Mr White the Surgeon had been here from the Settlement about 3 Weeks ago & gave very favoable account of Peace & Plenty there - Also Mr Pambrun & 3 Men in a Boat arrived from thence a few Days ago with some Salt Catfish & Potatoes to supply the expected Emigrants to that place. They report there is 400 Bushels of Wheat 200 Bushels of Barley & a Considerable quantity of Potatoes and that they had sent Mr Jn. Prichard to remain with a few men at Fort Daer to procure provisions & that the Buffalo were plenty near that Settlement that Mr Prichard is certain 500 Families may be very well off all winter there for Provisions - Busily employed getting all the Goods & out of the Stores embarked on Board the Schooner & other Boats & got every thing ready that they may all embark tomorrow to Red River - The 3 Men left here had compleated what the Schooner required; but her bottom is too thin being originally made for a Boat only and after wards lenthened? & heightened? - The Barley sewn here in July entrance of Play Green Lake is only 6 Inches Long - The Soil seems quite unfit to produce corn - Mr Robertson with 3 Boats left this place 8th August for Red River."

Oct. 14
" Saturday Got every thing ready for the Colonists to Start & told them not to lose a moment when opportunity offered to proceed thro the Lake, as the season is now far advanced - Mr Donell and? White accompanies them - Yesterday Mefs Pambrun & Rogers? with 7 Men went to the Settlement to make all haste they can to acquaint Mr Robertson that the Colonists were here & their Numbers, so that he might get some Corn threashed ready to serve the Emigrants from the Forks to Fort Daer 5 Days Journey in case he had no other dry provisions to serve them there, as very little Meat can be expected to be had at the Forks. at 10 AM I returned back to Jack river & to Accompany Mr Sutherland up to Red River - At 4 1/3 PM reached that Place, and found that Mr Sutherland had arrived this Morning in his small Canoe. The Boats & 1 of Colonists hourly expected that we pafsed at the Painted Stone."

Oct. 15
" Sunday at 3 PM Charles Fidler arrived here with the last of the Emigrants; and the other Boats also arrived - Mr White came here from the Settlers for something he had left."

Oct. 16
" Monday at 5 1/4 AM got all the Colonists away to join the others & Mr White the Surgeon Accompanied them. All hands busily emp'd repacking Goods now brought up to send to various places."

Oct. 17
" Tuesday at 1 PM Yesterday all the Colonists embarked for Red River - Employed as Yesterday - An Indian Canoe went from this to Oxford House & takes down some articles required there."

Oct. 18
" Wednesday at 11 AM Mr Semple & Mr Thomas & family arrived in one Boat from York Factory which place they left 24th Ult. in the Evening - The Ship was to sail the Day after - Got sent away 12 Men in two Boats for Cumberland House and one Boat & 6 Men for Swan River as the Season is late the Governor intends going with us to Red River & from thence pafsing over Land to Hudson House; it is absolutely necefsary for him to see the Colony and put things there in good order."

Oct. 19
" Thursday Strong Wind at NE with Snow very bad weather."

Oct. 20
" Friday Weather as Yesterday - Snow fell 1 Inch - got every thing ready."

Oct. 21
" Saturday at 8 3/4 AM Mefs Semple, Sutherland, Finlayson, J. Bird Jun.? & self started for Red River in 3 Boats - we pafsed the Saskatchewan & Swan River Boats at the entrance of Lake Winnipeg - we put up at the Spider Islands - Mr Kirknefs & Thomas remain at Jack River. George Yarns? and 4 other Canadians are to proceed after us in a small Boat to build a small Trading house at Jack head in Lake Winnipeg - They all came up with Mr Robertson from Canada."

Oct. 22
" Sunday At 3 AM we embarked and obliged to put up on the Cold Island at Noon for Wind."

Oct. 23
" Monday Obliged to remain all day, a very heavy Gale from the NW with showers of Rain. The Snow all gone."

Oct. 24
" Tuesday Embarked at 6 AM and put up on Semples Island near Poplar river at Sun Set, fresh breezes a head at night."

Oct. 25
" Wednesday a Heavy Gale at WNW and cold, could not proceed."

Oct. 26
" Thursday The Gale still continued but towards evening it rather Moderated - but freezing hard."

Oct. 27
" Friday at 4 AM we embarked and reached Pigeon river at 5 PM. Sailed most part of the day - Morning very cold & much Ice on the shores - stopped at Mr McDermonts House as Mr Sutherland had some businefs to settle with him; as we came along this day we put a shore at Cuthellen? bay where she was wrecked last fall, we found several fragments of her Cargo - a little striped cotton was Still strong - the Wollen articles quite uselefs - They are getting pretty? plenty of fish at the House - They were to have gone high up Pidgeon River to the Lake but found that the Boat could not be got there, so they remained in the same Houses Mr Holdsworth did last Winter."

Oct. 28
" Saturday Embarked at 4 AM, and only got acrofs Pidgeon river being obliged to stop again. a strong wind & Swell - Set a Net in the Evening."

Oct. 29
" Sunday Took up the net 37 Tickameg & at 5 AM we got underway fine and Calm, and put up at the Dogs head at 7 1/2 PM. Many Gulls and Ducks here yet. and? a very warm day at this Season of the Year."

Oct. 30
" Monday Got away at 3 AM and sailed part of the Day & put up 5 miles south of Grindstone Point - very warm & Calm weather."

Oct. 31
" Tuesday at 2 AM we got away & at 6 1/2 found thin Ice & went thro' it, the further we went the thicker that two of our Boats got cut quite through in 2 or 3 places by the new formed Ice, we were now about 3 Miles from Land, near the Grafs narrow, and broke it with sticks till we reached the nearest Land on the right, when we unloaded repaired the Boat took out part of the Cealing and nailed on the outside of the Boat at the level of the Ice to secure better the Boat, as the narrow part is not above 1 mile off, and we think if we were there we can go well on being in the open Lake - we had no sooner fixed the Boards & loaded the boats when a fine South Easterly breeze sprung up which dashed the Ice all to pieces in lefs than one hour, which fortunately liberated us from our unpleasant situation; we got 2 Miles beyond the Narrow and found to our great surprize that all the Colony Boats & Schooner were here.. we went to them at Dusk & found that the Schooner in Coming thro' the Narrow stuck on a Stone & broke a hole thro' her bottom - every thing was taken out & put a shore in order to repair her and that the last heavy Gale we had at Poplar River, made the water in the narrow to rise above 2 feet above the ground where the Goods were, so that they certainly must be a good deal Damaged - and some even spoilt - There were no higher ground within 2 miles of that place - There is 2 or 3 Kegs of Gunpowder that lay under water 2 Days. They had repaired the Schooner in a Temporary manner and embarked the Cargo ready to sail for the entrance of Red River tomorrow morning if the wind is favorable - All the Colonists are hearty & well except one Man having recently caught cold. We also found here another Boat from the Settlement sent after Mr Pambrun had arrived there from Jack river. we then learnt that Mr Robertson had made Mr Duncan Cameron the NW Proprietor at the Forks prisoner with Serephin? la Mar? & kept them 3 or 4 Days but that then they were both liberated, Cameron giving his most solemn word that he nor any of his Assosiates should? debauch molest or any thing against the Colonists - They also told us that Mr Robertson had lately sent Lagomnier? & another Canadian with a Packet to Montreal, which it is expected to reach about the Middle of January next, They go by Red Lake & Fon du Lac Sup? &? St Maries? falls - All the Indians then about the Settlement said Mr Robertson had done right in Seizing Cameron, and they were not pleased when he was liberated - The Settlers have been so long coming thro' the Lake owing to bad weather; that their provisions are nearly all expended - They however got wheat Barley from the Vefsel any quantity they choose to have - They told us that all about were they lay was frozen over in the Morning - There is however many aquatic fowls? hereabout - had we not found the Settlers here it was our Intention to have gone all night as we had a fine tail wind - Mr Enes? Holt here who brot a little provisions from the Fort but it is all eaten up."

Nov. 1 1815
" Wednesday at 3 AM we all got underway, the Settlers a little after, the Schooner waits till day Light, sailed with a Strong wind Northerly & Arrived at McRaes Island at 9 1/2 got breakfast and all of us entered the Red River at 1 PM, a very heavy swell & we all shipped some water. The Schooner entered the river 1/4 hour after us very well she sailed on & we stopped with Indians about 1/2 an hour at the entrance of the River 1 Tent of Bungees, from whom we Traded a few Ducks. all got away again; the wind still stronger but thank God we are now out of the Lake, and now there is little doubt but all will reach Fort Daer by water; Came to Riviere au Morts? & found 2 of our Men fishing, who had been here sometime but we only got from them 37 fish mostly Pike - The few Tickameg & other good fish the 2 Men & family eat, they also had supplied some to 2 Tents of Bungees near them - Took the fish & embarked leaving 2 still here to fish, to be hawled on the Ice to the Settlement towards Christmas, went away & put up below Hilliers? old hut at dusk - at bed time 3 Indians brought us a few Ducks which Mr Sutherland paid for - The Schooner still ahead of us, a strong wind right? after us - Some showers of Snow in the Afternoon."

Nov. 2
" Thursday at 3 AM we embarked & at 6 came to where the Schooner was at Anchor, last night Took out 10 pieces of Goods in our Boat to lighten her every Boat to do the same that she may more easily get over the ripples, as it would not be safe to leave her a distance from home, for fear the Canadians might burn her in the Winter. at Sun Set 3 of the Boats put up at the lower Settlers Houses that was burnt last spring by the NW men & hired banditte?; All the other Boats behind."

Nov. 3
" Friday Mefs Semple, Sutherland & self walked to the Settlement & the Boats pursued their way up there - at the frog plain we met Mefs Robertson & Bourke with Horses and 1 Man - The Governor rode & ? Sutherland & self walked to the place & came there at 9 1/2 AM & found all well - Mr McLeod had got built in Summer a House two Story high 40 feet long & 20 wide, a small House & Cookroom built since Mr Robertsons first arrival only. The following is the Crop reaped here

STACKS
Wheat Barley Oats
....3..... 0......... 0 .. Mr McLean
....8..... 2......... 1/10 .. Lord Selkirk & Duncan McNaughton
....3..... 1......... 0 .. Mr Jn Pritchard
....1..... 0......... 0 .. Alex. McLean & Jordan
....0..... 0......... 1/100 .. John McVicar

Each Stack contains 40 Stooks of 24 Sheaves each, about 35 to 40 Bushels estimated in each Stack. The weeds for want of hoeing? in Summer had hurt the Crop greatly also a deal was shaken out by the Wind before reaped - McNalty? has about 2/3 of one Stack of Wheat & Barley - The whole Potatoe Crop howsed was about 400 Bush. St. Germain went by land last night from the Image? plain and informed of our speedy arrival; our 4 Boats arrived at Noon. The Settlers behind expect them early tomorrow Morning. Charles Rofs? was made a Prisoner at the same time as Cameron & liberated."

Nov. 4
" Saturday at 10 AM all the Boats & Settlers arrived in excellent health & Spirits & are delighted with the Country - no corn is yet threshed to serve them up to Fort Daer & no other provisions at the House - round? Mr Jn Still? here waiting the arrival of our Boat. Busily employed in opening & Drying Goods we had out of the Schooner that was wet."

Nov. 5
" Sunday All the Settlers now arrived assembled in the Largest room at the Settlement & had Prayers. They are all pleased to arrive so hearty & well, & much pleased with the Country & particularly with the very fine Wheat, Barley & Potatoes, The Cattle & Sheep, and they exprefs their surprize that the late Emigrants should have suffered themselves to be led astray by the NW Company."

Nov. 6
" Monday Several Men employed thrashing Corn, even by Candle Light, that they may have a sufficiency to serve them to Fort Daer - Mr Sutherland busily employed in sharing out the Goods now brot up amongst the Different Posts - Mr ? McLeod went in September & settled at Thievry? river a small one that empties itself into the Red River from the left 1/2 way to the Red Lake- he went overland to it from Fort Daer; a short time since Mr Jn Rd McKay who had gone up with several men to rebuild our Houses at Riviere Qu Apelle that the Canadians had recently burnt down after we left them in April; when he was beginning to build Mr Donell the Canadian Master there sent word over as we very naturally might suppose Mr Fraser a 1/2 breed with orders to our people to immediately desist from building, but for them all to retire to Brandon House, or if they all did not leave the place in 24 Hours, the Canadians would blow them to pieces; the Canadians immediately after this mefsage deliver to us, began cut out loop holes in their Pickets and made every demonstration of doing as they had said if our people remained - however our men were determined to stand from being urged to it by Many Indians who luckily were at the Houses at the Time, saying they would support them to the last & would not allow the NWC to drive us away. The Indians immediately sent away their Women & Children for safety. The NWC seeing the determination of the Indians to assist us desisted from their Intended purpose of driving away all our proplr from Qu'appelle - Our having established the Athapescow Country on a large Scale this Summer & well knowing that we should require a considerable quantity of Pemmican to carry it on, They wished to distrefs us in this particular - when Mr Robertson heard the News, which Mr McKay sent exprefs to him; just after he made Duncan Cameron & the others prisoners as before related at it was? apart of the Condition of being liberated that on his promising to write immediately to to McDonell at Qu'Appelle not to molest or annoy us for the future, which Letter was sent away directly to that place about a fortnight ago. but no news is yet received how matters stand there - so that Mefs Robertson, Bourke, Nolan, Haydon? went away to that place - as it is the best Provision? post in the Country."

Nov. 7
" Tuesday Got away 2 Boats of Colonists for fort Daer but as the weather is very cold and Ice driving in the river, the rest of the Settlers seemed averse to leaving this place - Mr McDonell & White accomp'd them. also Mr ? Jermain? in 1 Boat & 5 Men Mr Sutherland fitted out to Join Mr McLeod at Thieving River - Mr Rogers the Minerologist accompanied them."

Nov. 8
" Wednesday Pursuaded 2 More Boats of Colonists to embark as the Corn is little & they cannot be supplied here all winter. Mr McLean & Holt accompanied them. There are still 24 Colonists left here of all ages & sexes who could not be pursuaded to Embark, the weather being very cold - had the Corn been thrashed ready on our arrival about 10 Bushels every settler might have reached Fort Daer with ease by water, now I am afraid they will not reach there by water - Mr Stills? went away to settle at Dead River with 4 Men & 2 left there as we came up fishing."

Nov. 9
" Thursday The River froze over - Mr Robertson & party returned having met 2 Canadians about 40 miles off bringing down Letters from Riviere Qu'Appelle to himself & Mr D. Cameron saying all was peace & Quietnefs there - Mr Sutherland & 10 Men got every thing ready and went away for Brandon House, taking 4 Carts with a little Goods and their own necefsaries. Late last night 2 Men came in from Fort Daer with some Provisions. they had great difficulty to reach this on account of the driving Ice. The Governor & myself went below to see if any part of the Settlers Houses set fire to last Spring by the NWC Banditte, could be easily put in order again for these Settlers here, who would not hearken? to go up to Fort Daer; as now living in Tents is very cold; we found two out of about 30 that can be made habitable with little repairs."

Nov. 10
" Friday Michal Boyle Boat Builder married to Mifs Kennedy? - Men here variously employed. there is many people here but they have nothing else but Wheat & Barley to eat so that much work cannot be done - Indeed there is much too many people kept here - a little Provisions that might be got here with fish would support a few good able men, then some work could be expected from them."

Nov. 11
" Saturday All the remaining colonists moved down to the 2 Houses we found yesterday about 1 1/2 mile off - sent an able Man to assist and direct them how to repair them. The Governor used every pursuasive? argument to induce these? Colonists to go to Pambina but they were too lazy to benefit by the good advice. they would seemingly remain here and half starve than give themselves a little Trouble for 4 or 5 Days in? track? would put them to the Land of Plenty all winter. There are here Mefs Semple, Robertson, Self, Bourke, Wilkinson, Nolan & at the Canadian House Mefs Cameron, Serephin & Hefse."

Nov. 12
" Sunday The Packet arrived here from St. Maries? falls by land, the Canadians at Fort William made? to return by taking away Guide in August last, They came by Fon du Lac & Red Lake; they remained at Thieving river & Mr Jn McLeod sent others on with the Letters to Fort Daer; They met Lagemonier & our Canadian who Mr Robertson sent away about the 20th Ult. near Fon du Lack we also received some Letters from Capt. McDonell - it is reported that Coltona?, Bellgards Son seized the Guide at Fort William but this could not be realized to be done without the desire of the NWC - Mr McLean returned who went away with the 2d set of Colonists to Pambina, he says they were froze in at Stinking River and the 3 other Boats that went away the Day before near Scratching River - There are plenty of Buffalo near Fort Daer - got many Shoes made to send to the Colonists to be sent them immediately to enable them to walk to the Fort Daer - The Boats &c must remain where they are hawled high up till next Spring. very fine weather these 2 Days."

Nov. 13
" Monday Mr Robertson intended going to Fort Daer but found the Ice weak to crofs the river at the Crofsing place about 10 Miles above and returned as also Mr McLean."

Nov. 14
" Tuesday Jourdan? & Adams? came here from where they were froze in at Stinking River about 12 Miles by Land in a direct line - Yest'y Duncan McNaughton went to Pambina by Land alone."

Nov. 15
" Wednesday Mr Robertson set off again for Fort Daer."

Nov. 16
" Thursday The Men daily employed putting up a temporary barn - An Indian came here with word to go to his Tent 2 Days Journey off to fetch 2 red Deer & a few Skins - gave him a Treat of Brandy. Men to accompany him Tomorrow to Fetch those things."

Nov. 17
" Friday Sent away 2 Men with a Cart along with the Indian to fetch here as mentioned yesterday. Paid the Indian before he went away - Also another Indian Arrived from below and says that Mr Flett? & party was froze in at the Limestone Rocks & that the Men are hawling the property lower down to build. The Indian told us to fetch meat from his Tent."

Nov. 18
" Saturday Sent away Charles Fidler & D. Livingston Jun. with 2 Horses and a Gun Carriage no cart now here to bring the Meat. The Charcoal Kiln finished that has been on Fire these 3 Weeks."

Nov. 19
" Sunday Mr Robertson returned from Fort Daer - Mr Pambrun coming from there down the River with 4 Sledges of Dry Provisions and on the 20?th They arrived here with it."

Nov. 28
" Tuesday In the afternoon Thomas Fidler & John Flett came here, they were bringing down some dry Provisions from Brandon House to the Colony but the Horses could not drag it here - it is tied? securely up 40 Miles off. They came here for some Trading Goods; They had 2 Horses away from the House, but one got hurt and unable to proceed further the 2d Day & then the whole Loads of both was too much for the other one to bring the whole way here - The Governor appointed me to go and remain at Brandon House and shall start as soon as a Sledge can be made to take our Provisions Bedding &c. Rec'd a Letter from Mr Sutherland at Brandon Ho. saying he was 5? days going there & that in a few Days more (22d) he will start for Riviere Qu'Appelle as he hears the businefs is not going on there so well as it might."

Dec. 1 1815
" Friday The Above 2 Men, Self & Family with one Horse & Sledge went away from the Colony to Brandon House - we started at 9 1/2 AM and put up at the 2d point of Woods at 6 1/4 PM. Snow on the Ground a bout 3 Inches Deep."

Dec. 2
" Saturdy Snow till Noon then cleared up. at 7 3/4 AM we started & put up at a long narrow Lake at 6 PM where the people left the Provisions & Sledges bringing down to the Colony; here we got a supply as we had no Provisions from the Settlement."

Dec. 3
" Sunday Cold weather, Wind, Snow and Drift till 10 AM. Mr Bourke with 1 Man, one Horse, 3 dogs & 1 Sledge came here from the Forks; to take there the Provisions left here also brought me a letter from the Governor in Chief Mr? Semple, desiring to send back with Mr Bourke one of my Sons to be Interpretter at the Settlement, as Mr Nolan the present one it was in contemplation to send to Montreal with Letters by Fon du Lac; in consequence I sent back Charles and we proceeded on our Journey & went about 7 Miles and put up, we are under the necefsity of every one of us carrying a small load about 20 lb each on our backs as the Horse is weak. The Snow is pretty deep here which makes it bad walking without Snowshoes."

Dec. 4
" Monday Started at 7 AM and rested at Portage des Praire point then proceeded & put up at Mushroom? river at 6 3/4 PM."

Dec. 5
" Tuesday Found a Dog Sledge here & put 80 lb on it which we hawled by turns to lighten the Horse. left the river at 10 AM & put up at the Stinking water at 4 1/2 PM, very warm day."

Dec. 6
" Wednesday Set? off early and? came to the Bad Woods at 10 1/2 & went till 2 1/2 PM & put up where they left one of the Horses on going down he hurt himself by running a Stick into his Breast when he was drinking, we saw the Track of him, but it appears some days back, we shall look for him tomorrow; a little Snow in the afternoon."

Dec. 7
" Thursday Searched much for the Horse & found him nearly well & at Noon we got away he hawled part of our Things on the Dogs sledge so that none of us had any thing to carry - Met a Little after we started Mr Fraser a Brule & 2 Canadians going towards the Forks with Dogs & Sledges, we did not speak together; Fraser is the same person who carried over to Mr McKay at Qu'Appelle orders for all our people to leave that Post in the Fall in 24 Hours, or the NW would blow us to pieces. very cold day and Strong wind a head went about 12 miles & put up at the first Pines near dusk."

Dec. 8
" Friday Thermomer this morning only 1 1/2 lefs than when Quicksilver freezes solid. went about 4 Miles beyond Root River & put up at dusk."

Dec. 9
" Saturday At 7 1/2 AM we got away & arrived at Brandon House at 1 1/2 PM & found all well but little Provisions in the House altho' 2 Hunters employed; The Buffalo are far away."

Dec. 12
" Tuesday Thomas Favel & Son went to Riviere Qu'Appelle with Letters from Mr Semple for the Athapescow Gentlemen & Others."

Dec. 23
" Saturday Thomas Favel returned from the Above Place and took charge of this place according to Mr Sutherland directions - They have got fatt there for 400 Bags Pemmican of 80 lb each & Beat meat for 200 bags. The Indians has there carried away 24 of our Horses - The evening before the Canadians took all theirs into their Yard with Hay, never before done by them so our people supposes that the NW were privy to their being stolen - News lately from Charlton House they have there about 100 Bags Pemmican. where before they seldom could make Ten in the whole season. This is owing to the Great number of Indians both there & at Qu'Appelle who left the Saskatchewan river last Fall on account of Wars amongst the Slave Indians & they have fled this way for safety, so that the usual supply of Provisions cannot be expected? from the Saskatchewan as usual."

Dec. 24
" Sunday Last Night 2 Indians arrived here from the West end of the Turtle Mountain 5 Tents of Crees & 3 of Stone Indians La Frane? Chief."

Dec. 26
" Thosday? Sent Thomas Favel, Thomas Fidler & James Moor along with the Indians that came on Saturday Night for the few Skins they have, Two Canadians went with them from their House here. Harry Gear Daily cutting firewood in 3 Billet lengths - This will be his Constant winters work & one Man hawling it home - Got 4 Horses ready to send down to the Forks for Goods left there in the Fall as Mr Sutherland finds the greater part of the Goods he sent to Riviere Qu'Appelle expended & some Kinds intirely; The Company has no Horses here fit for the Journey so I am obliged to make use of the best belonging to our Men - we have only 4 Dogs here which came from Above, so that this House is destitute of Both Horses & Dogs to hawl meat or go to Indian Tents; Sent word by our People this Morning to ? what Dogs they could; Wrote to Mr Roberton requesting him? to spare us from the Colony store 4 Kegs of Spirits to send to Riviere Qu'Appelle as they have very little left there & the greater part of the Trade is still expected except Fat. The other men here variously employed - Three Men constantly at the Hunting Tent. Yesterday two Canadians arrived from Mannetobaw Lake, says that Don'd Sutherland is bad with sore Eyes since the fall. being Christmas day gave each man 1 pint Rum each according to old Custom."
[In the margin
" Men at Brandon House
Peter Fidler
Jas. Inkster Cooper
Tho. Fidler Writer
Tho. Favel Interpreter
Jn. Lyons Hunter
Robt. Cloriston Smith
James Anderson Taylor
Jas. Moore
Harry Gear
Jn. Flett
R. Cunningham
D. Donovan
Angus Mc Ivan?
Jn Kipling Sen.?"]

Dec. 27
" Wednesday Sent James Anderson & 3 other Men with 4 Horses & sledges to the Forks to bring up Goods, each horse to bring up 300 lb. They have only 2 Kegs Spirits at Riviere Qu'Appelle, 1 roll Tob. & no Cloth or Blankets. James Inkster making a pair of Smiths Bellows larger than the old pair & the Smith making nails for them. Only 3 Men home."

Dec. 28
" Thursday Made here 7 new Dog Slegs & 2 Horse ones. The French hunters came here with Cows meat the first brought this winter but they are hunting above 40 miles off and our Men about 20."

Dec. 29
" Friday Finished making the Bellows 6 Days work."

Dec. 30
" Saturday Traded 155 Rats & 1 fisher from Trotier a freeman."

Dec. 31
" Sunday we have at the Hunting Tent 5 1/2 Bulls to fetch."

Jan. 1 1816
" Monday Gave each man 1 Pint rum on New Years day as customary."

Jan. 2
" Tuesday Our Men returned from Indians at Turtle Mountain & brought a few furs - They seem to have hunted very little this Winter - They also Traded some dry provisions & 3 Dogs which is much required."

Jan. 3
" Wednesday Smith & 1 Man making Axes &c."

Jan. 4
" Thursday Made some Candles; Cooper & Smith got ash willows? for Keg hoops, others variously employed. a Stone Indian came here for us to fetch Provisions from 2 Tents a bout 40 Miles off."

Jan. 5
" Friday Sent 3 Men to hunting Tent for meat others variously emp'd."

Jan. 6
" Saturday Our Men came home with Meat & say that our hunters has lately seen the first Cows & killed two."

Jan. 7
" Sunday Sent Tho. Fidler & J. Moor along with the Stone Indian lately arrived here for meat & to trade Dogs, as we are very scarse of them to do the necefsary duty & the Snow is drifted deep in the Vallies for the Horses to go new Roads."

Jan. 8
" Monday Men variously Employed."

Jan. 9
" Tuesday Men the same."

Jan. 10
" Wednesday T. Fidler & Moor came home from the Stone Indian Tent well loaded with Provisions & also a few Wolves; There is much ? there yet. which the Indians are to bring in themselves soon - Traded 1 Dog from them. One Man & boy came here from the Hunting Tent with 2 Sledges of meat."

Jan. 11
" Thursday Sent back the same people to fetch more meat from the Hunting Tent, others variously Employed."

Jan. 12
" Friday at 2 PM Mr John Rogers with Reginald Green & our 4 Men came here from the Forks with 12 pieces of Goods. They left that place the 4th Inst. - One Hour after Governor Semple also arrived here from Fort Dair accompanied by Mr Pambrun & 10 Men - they were conducted here by a Canadian who was lost at times on the way. They left Fort Daer 4th Inst. Capt. Grant an Indian accompanied the Governor here 1 Days Journey off & brot 170 Rats & 1 Bear Skin - Charles Fidler also came here along with the Governor; Nolan still at the Forks as it was judged not very necefsary to send Letters now to Montreal. Our Men returned from the Hunting Tent with Meat. The Smith made 2 Rat? ? for the Indian who came here now."

Jan. 13
" Saturday Two men came home from the Hunting Tent with Cows meat, the first we have had brought home this season."

Jan. 14
" Sunday Nearly all the Governors Men went to the Hunting Tent to Fetch meat, as also 4 of our own people. Reginald Green also went there to remain to assist our Hunters &c."

Jan. 15
" Monday Richard Cunningham & Jn Flett were particularly desired to take 3 sledges of Dogs betwixt them which is very frequently the case for one Man to drive 2 sledges of Dogs on a well beaten open track - but Cunningham absolutely refused to take more than one Sledge of Dogs with him - Charles Fidler assisting the Cooper making small Kegs. D. Donovan badly - he was so on his Journey up from the Forks. Smith & 1 Man making Axes & made a mainspring for Mr Pambruns Gun. other men variously Employed."

Jan. 16
" Tuesday Mens employ as before. The 6 Dogs sledges came home with meat from the Hunting Tent; As Richard Cunningham absolutely refused to take care of more than one Sledge, by the Governors consent & advice I thought proper to fine him 10 Shillings for this disobedience of his Duty & Mr Sutherland will confirm it, this is absolutely necefsary or some men would do nothing but what they choose."

Jan. 17
" Wednesday Sent Thomas & Charles Fidler with 4 Sledges to the Hunting Tent for meat. Smith & the others as usual."

Jan. 18
" Thursday My Two sons came from the Hunting Tent with 4 Sledges of meat 1337 lbs & the 7 Sledges that came here on Tuesday only brought 1401 lbs having the same number of Dogs & better ones too in each of their Sleds - Two men arrived here from Riviere Qu'appelle for Goods - Mr Sutherland had gone to Swan River 4th Inst. to send men to Cumberland House for Goods, and also to get a supply from Charlton House, and had not returned when these men came away. Smith repaired two steel traps & 1 Kettle for Vidier? a Freeman."

Jan. 19
" Friday at 9 AM The Governor in Chief & 8 men, besides the 2 men that came here Yesterday went away for Riviere Qu'appelle taking a good deal of Goods with them recently brought from the Forks. 4 of our Men getting ready to go down to the Forks to bring up more Goods for Qu'appelle. wrote? up to that place to send us 6 good Dogs as ours is going down to the Forks, and we shall have few here either to fetch meat or go to the Indians Tents for Furs &c."

Jan. 20
" Saturday Sent away James Moor & 3 other men down to the Forks for Goods with 12 Dogs and 4 Sledges, also sent some fat for the Colony. we have so very little dry provisions in the House that we are obliged to send fresh meat for the Dogs to serve them back which makes their sleds? from this on that account very heavy. Two men sawing? boards - Duncan McDonell left here by the Governor who is badly, also Cunningham. Cooper & Charles Fidler making small Kegs - very warm Day Therm. +40."

Jan. 21
" Sunday 2 Men came here from the Hunting Tent with meat."

Jan. 22
" Monday Sent Thomas Fidler & Smith to an Indian Tent 2 days walk away to purchase Dogs as we have none here. 3 Men badly - 2 Indians arrived here Yesterday, Traded with them and they returned. Men at home able variously employed."

Jan. 23
" Tuesday D. McDonell & Cunningham at work cutting firewood."

Jan. 24
" Wednesday All hands now about necefsary Duty, in the Evening the two Stone Indians came here our Men were lately at with 18 Dogs & 1 Horse Sled loaded with dry provisions & Skins. Two Men arrived at the Canadian House from Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Jan. 25
" Thursday 2 Men came from the Hunting Tent with meat. James Inkster, Thomas & Charles Fidler constantly employed Keg making."

Jan. 26
" Friday At 4 1/4 PM Jack Favel & Tom Kipling arrived here from Fort Dair, carrying their Bedding, ? &c on their backs. They was sent by Mr Jn McLeod and have been 11 Days on their Journey not knowing the straight road. They brought Letters from Mefs McLeod, St Germain & Pritchard, relating a shocking Massacre of 31 Bungees out of 34 within 15 Miles of Turtle River by a large party of the Sioux Indians. Mr McLeod & 3 Men were at the Bungee Tents & in the afternoon of the Day previous to the horrid catastrophe they left the Tents notwithstanding the very prefsing invitations of Bungees to remain with them all night & particularly as the weather was very boisterous & snowy. They however went away about 8 Miles & put up. it continued snowing the greater part of the night & next day which obliged our people to remain in their encampment. The Snow providentially falling so much shut up the Tracks by which means in all probability our people escaped. The Bungees being killed early in the Morning of the 20th December last. Those 3 who escaped returned back two Days after to the Tents & found their Murdered & Scalped country people except 2 or 3 Women who it is supposed the Sioux had taken away live. many of their country people they found half roasted and several had their Limbs cut off, and some few with Knives still sticking in their Throats; it was only 2 years ago that the Sioux killed several Bungees a little above this place, and also on the very same night 2 of our Men had left their Tents where they had been for furs? also 4 months before this they killed 5 Free Canadians near there on a Hunting Excursion after Buffalo. This affair of killing the Indians now will be the cause of a great diminution of Trade there, not only as there are few hunters, but their Countrymen will lament their Deaths and in consequence do little or nothing for the remainder of the Hunting Season. Mr McLeod has been very badly off for Provisions where he settled last fall - he has Canadian opponents from Leech? Lake; All the Ablest Settlers are now going from the House at Fort Dair to live where the Buffalo are Killed, as they have not means at the Fort to hawl all the fresh meat to it. This is what should have been done early in the Fall as by this means the Horses & Dogs could have been enabled to lay up a Considerable quantity for consumption after the Snow melted & the river Ice cleared away, and besides it would have spared many Servants to have been employed in falling & collecting wood for Buildings & Stockades and rafted down in the Spring; whereas they have all been employed in one respect or another in getting & bringing vast quantities of meat a Distance up to the Fort to be eat up immediately by the Swarms of Settlers, and it would have been much more comfortable for the Settlers themselves had they gone early to where the Animals abounded; small log houses would have very soon been built to pafs the winter in - Whereas at the Fort they have sometimes they say been 4 days without meat. This I mentioned early in the Season but was not at that time paid attention to - Many of their Horses are killed in constant dragging meat to the Fort. in every other respect the Settlers are hearty & well and are much pleased with the Country & behave themselves in a very becoming manner - not so with many of the Servants, who it appears will do nothing in a great measure but what they choose; this bad behaviour of the Servants makes matters worse - Thomas Fidler & Smith returned with 3 Dogs which will be a great help to us. - Great numbers of Buffalo all the way from Fort Daer to within 40 miles of this Place. The Men here variously employed."

Jan. 27
" Saturday Sent away Thomas Favel & R Cunningham to Mannetobaw Lake to fetch 2 Kegs of Spirits to send up to Riviere Qu'Appelle and for Pisk Kipling to accompany our men back in case he is at the House as the Governor wants him, perhaps for a Guide to the Mandans at the Missouri River to trade Horses &c from them; James Inkster badly, Murray? a Canadian I heard went from their House here to the Forks to fetch up Duncan Cameron the NW Proprietor to visit & plan some mischief no doubt with Alex. McDonell at Riviere Qu'appelle. Men at various jobs."

Jan. 28
" Sunday."

Jan. 29
" Monday Smith & 1 Man making small hatchets for Trade but what with the Smiths wages, Burning Charcoal & the great waste of Iron, besides one Man to assist him, every hatchet made by him costs near double it does in London, but in making Nails from Bar Iron the lofs to the Company every thing considered would be at least three times what they would originally cost in England. Four Men came home from the Hunting Tent with meat - The Buffalo are still very far away."

Jan. 30
" Tuesday Green remained here & 3 others went back to the Hunting Tent for Meat, & 1 Man more to remain there in Greens place. Mens employ at the House as usual."

Jan. 31
" Wednesday The Cooper is now able to work he, Thomas & Charles Fidler making small Kegs of Oak for the Indian Trade and part of them to be carried down to the depot at Knee Lake, for the use of our Canadians who winter in the Athapescow Country. at 2 PM Mr Jn Severight arrived from their House at the Mannetobaw Lake to their House here the 3rd day having come fast on, he is come to accompany Duncan Cameron to Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Feb. 1 1816
" Thursday Poitras & Severight came quite unexpectedly over here on a short visit, as there is no visiting here or above by either party. 3 People making Kegs - Smith constantly at his Duty & others emp'd."

Feb. 2
" Friday Men variously Employed at the House as usual."

Feb. 3
" Saturday Men as before - at 2 PM one Man arrived here from the Forks & left 2/3 of what they brought from there about 3 Miles off. the Dogs so very poor; quite Knocked up. They have had very little since they left the Forks, the Provisions they had laid up going there the Canadians had found and taken away. I immediately sent back other people and they got the whole here before bed time - James Moor remains at the Forks he was unwell and could not return. - Peter Dahl a Norwegeon came up in his place; they saw great numbers of Cow Buffalo within 18 Miles of the Forks, and when our Men came here from the same place 12th Jan. they saw great numbers near the same place, and there is no doubt but they have been there all the intermediate time notwithstanding the Buffalo being so plentiful & near the Settlement they have not got any Killed, we fetch ours from where it is killed near three times the distance, and they are living on Boiled Barley & Wheat without any meat. They get from their nets werewith to make a Breakfast for 10 people commonly of small Fish - no news from Fort Dair this Month past."

Feb. 4
" Sunday Bad drifting weather."

Feb. 5
" Monday At 4 PM our 2 Men I sent to Mannetobaw with 2 of Mr Sutherlands men arrived here with 2 Kegs Spirits. In case he sent Pisk Kipling & had dogs I wished his Men to bring one Keg of Tar two bars of Iron & a few Axes that was left in the fall about 40 Miles off from this close to the Track. but altho They had an empty sledge & 3 dogs they would not bring it or any part giving for an excuse that they were not told by their Master. Men at the House variously employed."

Feb. 6
" Tuesday Charles Fidler badly. a very bad drifting day; The Men employed within doors. Also served out Provisions for Pisk and Donovan to fetch tomorrow the Tar, Iron &c they would not bring but Pisk flatly refused to go back for it. Smith & 1 Man daily splitting bar Iron for Nails for the Batteaux to be built at Riviere Qu'Appelle & Charlton House & Here 1 Boat."

Feb. 7
" Wednesday at 2 PM Henderson, Kirknefs & Menascon a Canadian came here from Riviere Qu'Appelle, saying that the Governor had given up the Idea of going to the Mandan villages, as there was not in this River a proper assortment of Goods to send there. and I expect the Governor down here in a few days to pafs the Spring here; The Governor arrived at R Q about the 24 Ult. & Mr Sutherland returned from Charlton House two days before, he was taken badly & could not go further, he got there two Kegs Spirits & 1 Roll of Tobacco which luckily arrived in time as there was in the House no Tobacco when returned; The Swan River boat in the fall was froze fast at the entrance of Shoal river, and the 2 Saskatchewan Boats in the Cedar Lake; They have gone on very slowly to be froze in so low down. Told Pisk & Henderson to go tomorrow to Fort Dair to fetch 3 Kegs of Salt, to Salt Tongues &c and 1 Keg of Spirits. Also wrote to Mr McLeod to return that quantity to Mr Pritchard if he supplied us. The Governor is waiting to see Alex McDonell who is gone to Swan River and is soon expected to return, about the Cannon that it is reported they have at Riviere Qu'Appelle belonging to the Colony carried away from it last April. The Buffalo our people saw in great Numbers at the Big Tent about 30 Miles off as they came here: 3 Men cutting Ice to lay up our Meat in for the Spring & Summer and the rest variously employed. 3 Coopering & 2 at Smiths work Mr Tho. Swain badly at Swan? river House."

Feb. 8
" Thursday Menascon a Canadian who accompanied the Governor from Pambina to Riviere Qu'Appelle with Pisk & Henderson went away for fort dair for Salt &c also sent Donovan & McGruer to fetch the Tar &c. They would not bring the latter man he was now very much against going for it. Sent 3 Men to cut Oak to make 12 Gallon Kegs to put fat into as Mr Sutherland says he will have a considerable surplus of Fat more than he will have Beat Meat For. Smith & one Man constantly employed splitting bar Iron & drawing out into rods to make Batteaux Nails. 2 Sawying? & the 3 Coopers making Kegs the other men variously employed. in the afternoon we were very agreeably surprised to see above 200 Buffalo not more than 3 Miles off where none has been seen so near here for Many Years. This is owing to the very severe Days with Great wind & Drift we have just had which has driven them near the river to the Woods for Shelter from the Storm; in the afternoon Duncan Cameron came to their House from the Forks. he is going to Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Feb. 9
" Friday Sent 4 of our Men to Kill Buffalo, as we can see swarms of them from the Window, in the evening They returned having killed one each. 3 Men cutting wood to make Kegs for fat; Smith and one Man employed as usual about Nail making: John Favel came from our Hunting Tent for Ammunition. They have Killed 43 Cows Here within the week; 17 in one day, the bad weather has made them plenty abt the Tent, they had even shot one from their Tent door. The last 3 Bad drifting days had drawn them to the Woods for shelter in great numbers; The rest of the Men cutting & hawling home firewood as usual & otherwise variously employed."

Feb. 10
" Saturday Sent 3 Men to the Hunters Tent to assist bringing the Meat there from where it is killed. Mr Rogers accompanied our Men to the Tent to see the Buffalo. The Men brot home the Meat killed near here yesterday, others as Cooper & Smith at their respective duties."

Feb. 11
" Sunday Charles Fidler in hunting & killed 1 young Bull, at 10 AM Mefs Cameron, Siveright & 5 Canadians went away for Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Feb. 12
" Monday Sent 2 Men for the Buffalo killed yesterday; The 2 Men ret'd with the Tar, Iron &c left in Sept. last at the Bad woods about 40 Miles off. In the afternoon three Cow Buffalo came very near the House, sent one Man after them & he killed the whole and returned back at bed time. very bad weather. Two men got long willows for hoops for Big Kegs."

Feb. 13
" Tuesday Brot home the meat killed yesterday. Sent away Thomas & Charles Fidler to hunt, they returned in the evening having killed two. Two men sawing boards to make heads for Fat Kegs. Smith & 1 man at their respective duty, splitting & drawing out bar Iron & working it up into rods which is a very great waste of Stuff, Time & Labor."

Feb. 14
" Wednesday Charles & Tom Favel Hunting & killed 3 Buffalo, brot home those killed yesterday."

Feb. 15
" Thursday Two Canadians went to Mannetobaw & I sent with them Alexander McGruer as Mr D Sutherland has few Men there. sent by him 25 lb Beat Meat & 25 lb Fat with 1 Dog & one Sledge; Cooper, Thomas & Charles Fidler keg making, as I wish my Sons to learn every thing that is useful - 2 at Smiths work & 2 Sawying; The Tobacco Indian came here from the Turtle Mountain, Six tents there; Yesterday sent word for our hunters to come here & hunt about the House as the meat will be much easier to get home; They both came here along with Mr Rogers They brot home 3 Sledges of Meat; The Buffalo are very plentiful all the way to the Fort. They killed one Cow on the Track as they came here. The families are all left behind & only the 2 Hunters came here."

Feb. 16
" Friday Sent Thomas Favell & 2 Men to the Turtle Mountain along with the Indian that came here the 14th Inst. to fetch what few Skins they have. indeed when the Rats are taken away indeed very little Trade can be expected in this River if the Wolves still continue of little Value. Besides the Indians are almost all too lazy to hunt the few furs that are to be had. Sent away our 2 Hunters who came here yesterday and they returned in the Evening having Killed 7 Cows. brot home two Cows killed here yesterday; 3 Employed making 12 Gall. Kegs to put fat in; P Dahl & Donovan badly this 2 Days, our Men who are gone to the Indians Tent to trade dogs. There is 68 Buffalo at the Hunting tent to fetch."

Feb. 17
" Saturday Sent several Men Horses & Dogs to fetch home the 7 Buffalo killed Yesterday. The Hunters killed 2 More Buffalo."

Feb. 18
" Sunday Bad weather in the Morning."

Feb. 19
" Monday The 2 Hunters away and killed 7 more Cows. brot home all the meat killed on Saturday. The Men at home variously employed but the Smith is badly and not able to do any thing. this is a very bad job as we require so many Nails for Batteaux building and the season they should be sent away, before the snow goes off, is fast approaching. found many of our Potatoes frozen in the Cellar which they never before was. The cold came thro' a small hole that sand ran from in Summer and was then forgot to be shut up, we shall loose by this Many Bushels."

Feb. 20
" Tuesday Sent away the 2 Hunters & they returned in the evening having killed 5 Buffalo. Also sent the Men and brought home the 7 Killed Yesterday.at 2 PM George Setter came here from Riviere Qu'Appelle, been 5 Days on the Journey. when he left that place the Governor & several others of our Men came away one Days Journey when soon after they had put up in the evening about 20 Miles from the House. Mr Sutherland sent Francois De Champs Jun. after him with a Note informing that Duncan Cameron & several others had arrived that morning at the Canadian House there. in consequence of this the Governor next morning returned back there with 2 Men to see if Cameron would do any thing improper & to wait there till he went away - Mr Pambrun & 3 other men came here according to the Governors orders but the 2d day after the Governor returned he left Mr Pambrun & others."

Feb. 21
" Wednesday Sent & got home the Meat Killed Yesterday, we have now a sufficient quantity of Buffalo Killed, if we are able to get it home and store it in the Ice House. that will serve us till August is out at least so told the Hunters to leave off killing & to return to their Tents. Men here variously employed; at 4 PM our 3 Men ret'd from the Indians at the Turtle Mountain with Furs & Provisions & 3 Dogs which will be a great acquisition to us in getting our Meat home and the season is so far advanced: Also 2 Stone Indians came here for us to fetch Meat but as we have so much of our own to fetch we cannot Think? of loosing what is already paid for, we told them to bring it here themselves & sent the Chief 1 fm Tobacco & a little Ammunition as a present by them. at Sun Set 2 of Mr Pambruns men came here he is yet behind with 1 Man & the Letters from Qu'Appelle."

Feb. 22
" Thursday Sent 6 Men to the Hunting Tent each man having two Sledges &? Dogs some with Horses and the 2 Men who are there will also come home with meat. John Lyons our servant has killed 69. Marsollois? Son our engaged Hunter 63 & we have killed ourselves at the House 12 Buffalo. The Average quantity of Ammunition allowed a hunter is 4 Balls & 4 Loads of Powder for each Animal he kills, if he uses more it is charged to his account; but this very seldom happens and they in general are able to lay up a small stock for themselves. The Smith has been badly these several Days but this day he was he thought rather better & made a main spring for Geo. Setters Gun."

Feb. 23
" Friday Smith again very badly. also Anderson the Taylor our wood hawler set Thomas Kirknefs to cut firewood at the House, but as he was very long after the rest of the Men going to Work, I paid particular attention to him & after working exactly 1 hour & 50 Minutes he left off work for the Day in the evening I reprimanded him for leaving off so very soon & very long before any of the rest of the Men here did. I told him I should pafs it over this time but that for the future he should be fined for not doing his duty like the rest of the Men. Two Men returned from the Tent with 4 Sleges of Meat. Charles Fidler is left there badly and unable to come home; Cooper & Tho. Fidler daily hewing wood to make Fat Kegs & Salt Meat, Cunningham brot little meat home on his 2 Sleds. what he should at least have brought on one he had only 264 lbs & the other man 435 lb with the same Dogs & Sleges, This Ric'd Cunningham is a very refractory fellow, and is enough to spoil a whole House of People - he has been in the Saskatchewan one year - but Mr Bird would not allow him to return there again on account of his very refractory conduct, and the People at Ship time were few? to save? every place, so he was brought up again, but home is the next fitting place for him."

Feb. 24
" Saturday 4 Canadians went to their Hunting Tent 4 Horse & 2 Dogs Sleds. Their Tent is about 40 miles off; Smith & Taylor badly - picking out the frozen Potatoes, some men came home with meat & others went for more; John Favel was to take 2 Sleds the same as the rest of the men but he would only take one tho' particularly told. This is the same Person Mr McLeod sent here last Month as he could not get him to do any thing but what he chose himself: Thomas Kirknefs was told to go away with the other Men to the Hunting Tent for Meat with 2 Sleds but instead of this he went away to Riviere Qu'Appelle without saying any thing. I have wrote to the Governor & Mr Sutherland to fine him for this disobedience of orders which he so richly deserves. at Noon Mr Pambrun & McKay a Brule came here, they had remained 3 nights at one of the Freemans Tents on the road; received from him the Letters and busily employed in putting up an assortment of Goods Mr Sutherland immediately requires for the Trade at Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Feb. 25
" Sunday at 4 AM sent away Geo. Setter with Goods to Riviere Qu'Appelle, he has 4 excellent dogs & would only take 204 lb, he refused to take a bag of Ball 56 lb which he very easily could have taken and it is required above. Indeed all the Men that comes from Qu'Appelle appears to be very much their own Master, they have been so very much indulged by Mr McKay who has spoilt them, and any other Person who wishes to bring matters round as they ought is hated by them, but this I don't mind as I am determ'd every man here shall do his duty, come from what house he will. - Sent 2 people to the Hunting Tent for meat, and to bring Charles Fidler home who is laying there badly."

Feb. 26
" Monday Charles Fidler was brot home on a Slege and others came with meat. Letters came down from Rivere Qu'Appelle to send to Jack River for some Goods: appointed Rd Cunningham & John Favel, the latter very much objected going the Journey, but I was obliged to threaten him before he would consent. These half Breeds in general are very carelefs and don't mind fining them part of their Wages, personal chastisement is the only thing with these kind of People, but the Men from the Old Country it has a great effect on and was the best? step the Co. introduced here in or about 1793 at which time almost every man did as he chose particularly if he was a Steersman or Bowsman of a Canoe, no other Craft was then used. Smith yet very badly & 3 others."

Feb. 27
" Tuesday Men variously employed as usual and busy in getting our Meat home before the Snow Melts away."

Feb. 28
" Wednesday at 9 AM M. Pambrun & 4 Men went to the Forks with 5 Slegs of Dogs sent by them as much Dry & Fresh meat as They could take for the use of the Colony. They took 1190 lbs also sent in Company with them John Favel & Rd Cunningham with the Packet for Jack river. I expect them to return to the Forks about the 1 April. They were to have gone by Mannetobaw Lake but I was doubtful they would not have found there a pilot. and then their Journey would have been lost. supplied them with 3 of our best dogs. The Men at the House variously employed."

Feb. 29
" Thursday Sent away 7 Horse & 5 Dogs Slegs to fetch meat from the Hunting Tent, and for our Hunter to come with his Family to remain at the House to do something - Cooper & Tho. Fidler daily employed making large rundlets: Taylor, Smith & Charles Badly. 2 Crees came here for us to fetch meat from their Tents, but we have got more of our own than I fear we shall be able to hawl home before the Snow goes away. told them to bring it themselves & gave them a Supply of Ammunition & Tobacco & a little Liquor as one brother is badly at the Tent."

Mar. 1 1816
" Friday 2 Men came home with meat, others variously employed. much water in a Creek on the road. at 3 PM Mr Duncan Cameron Severight, Fraser & the others arrived from Riviere Qu'Appelle. Salted a quantity of Meat to carry down in Pickle to the Depot at Knee Lake for the Athapescow Gentlemen. it is the prime parts of the best Animals & will I believe be little inferior to English Salted Beef - This will be a great saving as it can be carried down in 12 Gall Kegs & delivered at 6? ? lb whereas meat from England would I should Imagine double the price to land it there."

Mar. 2
" Saturday 3 Men badly & others at home variously employed. at 5 1/4 PM the Governor in Chief from Riviere Qu'Appelle arrived here with 4 Men, two of which or others in their place are to return immediately with Trading Goods. They have been 5 Days on the road some of the people as well as the Governor Snow blind. 12 Horse sledges came home from the Hunting Tent. 5 of which John Lyons required to bring home his things and Family; sent some away for more meat in the Morning."

Mar. 3
" Sunday In the evening 6 Young Indians came here with a Considerable number of Furs. The Governor stopped one night at their Tents as he came down to secure the Skins from the Canadians, also a Canadian Freemans wife came here with Dry provisions."

Mar. 4
" Monday Sent back to Riviere Qu'Appelle Francis de Champs & McKenzie with 2 Sled load of Goods. Sent away 6 Horse & 1 Dog Sled to the Hunting Tent. Traded with the Indians and they all returned, made them small presents of Ammunition; Tobacco and Liquor, the freemans wife also returned. D. Cameron, Severight Fraser & the others went away towards the Forks, for this month past the Canadians has been busily employed hawling dry provisions down to the Forks, what they never did before, in the afternoon some of our people came in from the Hunting Tent with 4 slegs & 2 Men."

Mar. 5
" Tuesday The Taylor well & now at his old job hawling wood - An Indian arrived here with some dry provisions. other men variously employed. at 4 PM M. Kilkenny arrived here from Riviere Qu'Appelle, two others came with him from Montagne? la Bofse where 2 bags of Ball was left last fall and have returned with what they could find. The Bags being Leather the Wolves had eat holes in them and about 1/4 of the ball could not be found."

Mar. 6
" Wednesday Sent 2 More men down to the Forks to fetch up more goods. they have also taken a quantity of fat for the Colony, have? wrote to Mr Robertson to send one of his 2 Blacksmiths up to make Nails for the Riviere Qu'Appelle Batteauxs as the time is? fast approaching to send them up and our smith is still very weak and badly. Charles Fidler now better & working at Kegs but in the evening worse than before. the same Kind of Complaint most all our Men has had at first a swelled face, then a severe pain in the Breast which generally lasts about 15 Days."

Mar. 7
" Thursday at 11 AM Pisk Kipling & Henderson returned from Pambina with 183 lb Salt. They had it to fetch from where it was made, they say only 10 Kegs are made & that very little more will be made this? Season. The whole of the Settlers they say except about 18 are out the Plains where the Buffalo are ? but that very little work done on collecting wood to raft down in the Spring. received a Letter from Mr Jn McLeod. he Mefs Robertson & Still are there on a visit. Some of our Men came home with Meat - Mr McLeod writes he has sent us one Keg of Grouts? which we much wanted at R Q but that Mr Robertson & Pritchard it would appear has detained it as none was brought here and they only received the ? there?. Jn Lyons assisting the Cooper since he has come home from the Hunting Tent."

Mar. 8
" Friday Sent 3 Men to fetch meat with 6 Horses. Charles, Dahl & the Smith are getting better. others variously employed."

Mar. 9
" Saturday The Men came home from the Tent with Meat."

Mar. 10
" Sunday Sent 3 Men to fetch Meat."

Mar. 11
" Monday All our Men returned from the Hunters Tent, a Stone Indian came here for us to fetch Meat from his Tent, but we have more of our own I believe than we can get home. Sent some more men away to fetch home our Meat from the Hunting Tent."

Mar. 12
" Tuesday Some men came with Meat; Thomas Fidler badly same compl't as the rest; The Smith began again to work, there is much to do in that way Nail making. sent Men away to the Tent for meat and some cut Ice to store it by with in the deep Cellar to keep for the Summer."

Mar. 13
" Wednesday 3 Men came with meat from the Hunting Tent, Sent Pisk Kipling away to Mannetobaw as he will be required there, he takes with him for Mr D. Sutherland use 126 lb Dry provisions - Some cutting Ice & the others at their respective duty."

Mar. 14
" Thursday Sent Men away to fetch Meat, &? one clearing out the Ice House and seperating the different Joints and the others as usual. none Ill. at 7 PM Wm Sinclair & Fraser arrived from Riviere Qu'Appelle with our Northern exprefs from the Athapescow & Peace River, which gives I am sorry to hear very dismal accounts of our People in that Quarter. Mr McDougal was it seems obliged to make an agreement with Archb'd McGillivray at the Vermillion Fort in Peace River 22d Nov. last & declare? up to the NWCo all the Goods he had amounting to about 60 Large pieces and also all his Men about 18 for one Year. Those? Men to act for the NWCo during that time if required: Mr Clark went ahead from the Athapescow to the Vermillion Fort and remained there till the river was froze in. he then with a few others went down to meet his people & met them coming up in a miserable state by starvation but the Agreement was made which he sanctioned but would not deliver himself up to the NWC. it is supposed that he & 2 Clerks have gone to live with some Beaver Indians till they are strong & able to walk well & procure a small supply of Provisions to put them down to the Athapescow Lake where some of our people are at as well as at the greater & Lefser Slave Lakes, and the Isle a la Crofse Green Lake & the Pipe? Stone 60 miles above Athapescow Lake in that River - The NWC are sending our 18 Canadians who gave themselves up towards the Saskatchewan River that they may be quite out of our way in the Athapescow - It would appear that our people has been too long on the Journey in, and consumed their provisions which should have served them to their winters Quarters - As it is well Known that the NWCo would keep every Indian from the Track that they could who had any thing to dispose of. This is the most melancholy businefs I have ever known. it is well known that the NWCo will stand at nothing to prevent our annoying them in that Northern Country where they bring the largest part of their Beaver Skins from: Our People with Mr Logan at the Isle a la Crofse appears to be doing nothing & the case is the same almost every where else: Decoyne at the Lesser Slave Lake appears to be doing the best. The Packet left Edmonton House 13 Feb. at 7 AM & arrived at Hudson House 26th at 10 PM and left it next morn. at 7 AM Arrived at Charlton House 6th March at 11 PM & left it next morning at 8 AM: arrived at Riviere Qu'Appelle 11 Inst. & 1 PM & left it the same evening at 9 PM & arrived at this House 14th at 7 PM. This is the soonest in General people travel in Snow Snoes betwixt the different Houses - The News from the Saskatchewan is that the Indians there had been quarreling with each other & that the Fur & Provision Trade would not be equal to last year, that the Buffalo was plenty early in the Fall at Hudson House; we also learnt that all our Horses Stolen from Riviere Qu'Appelle about Christmas was taken by Stone Ind. & are at the Touchwood hill about 1/2 way between Charlton & Hudsons House. - The same Tribe swept away with 65 of the Co. & Mens Horses last fall from our Houses in the Saskatchewan river. A Packet also came from Cumberland House with 3 Kegs Spirits & some Cloth & saying the Trade there was much the same as last Year at the same time but that the Moose Lake House had quite failed - very few Rats to be had & I have no doubt that very soon it will be ageneral case thro' all these parts - Our people at Swan river are doing better than usual both in furs & Provisions. They have already got at Charlton House near 150 Bags Pemmican, when last year they were obliged to get a supply from Qu'Appelle to serve them on the Journey to Jack River - McDonald? the Canadian Master at Swan River arrived 11th Inst. at Qu'Appelle: 400 Bags Pemmican expected to be made in the Saskatchewan by us - McKenzie who went from this beginning March with DeChamps was left by his companion Snow blind & the poor fellow had great difiiculty in reaching the House. The Canadians at R Q has made a Buffalo pound? and got about 30 Cows into it. - No news of ours? from Big Slave Lake."

Mar. 15
" Friday Our Men came from the Hunting Tent with the last of the Cows Meat; Men here variously employed. one constantly with the Smith & 2 with the Cooper making 12 Gallon Kegs for Fat & Salt Meat; a band of Indians came here with 9 Sleges mostly Provisions, The Governor busily employed writing Letters for the Saskatchewan to send away tomorrow."

Mar. 16
" Saturday Fraser & Henderson was directed to go down to the Forks to fetch up Goods for Mr Sutherland, but the Former absolutely refused to go there saying he was snow blind, but he went away on his own accord to Qu'Appelle. I was obliged to send down with Henderson to the Forks Charles Fidler: Fraser very much deserves to be fined for his obstanacy in doing nothing but what he chooses & the Governor in Chief says he well merits it for his pretended Snowblindnefs &? going away to Qu'Appelle when he heard he was to go down to the Forks to bring up some Goods immediately wanted for Riviere Qu'Appelle he hung an old Handc'f? over his Eyes and came into the Room saying he was very bad, whereas the whole day he went about the Yard bareheaded & not the least sign of Snow blindnefs with him. Sent down some fat for the Colony use, by the 2 Men now going down there - They took with them our Northern Exprefs to Mr Robertson and went away at 11 1/2 AM, but our people has very bad dogs & few. - at 1 PM the Canadian Northern exprefs arrived with 2 Men at their House acrofs - 2 Sleges & 4 Excellent Dogs each."

Mar. 17
" Sunday Poitras the Canadian Master here told Tho. Favel that they expected a Packet from Montreal in April - The French exprefs went away in the Middle of the Night to the Forks to Duncan Cameron."

Mar. 18
" Monday All our men came home with the last of the Meat from the Hunting Tent - The Coopers finished making 50 Kegs of 12 Gallons each - Thomas Fidler very badly - 2 Constantly emp'd in splitting Iron and Nails. The Table in the Margin is the meat hawled home from the Hunting Tent & what is lately killed at the House - so this will well serve us this Spring & the Summer Men till the return of the Boats from the Factory in September when well laid up in Ice."
[In the margin is the pounds of meat brought in each day from Feb. 15 to Mar. 18. Total "28,820 lbs"]

Mar. 19
" Tuesday Our 2 Men we sent sometime ago returned from the Forks with some Goods, they left 102 lb Lead on the road & obliged to hawl here. the Smith now sent from the Forks to make Nails, as ours was very badly but since he is well & working - Most of the Men are gone from the Forks to Fort Daer to live, they catch now generally from 4 to 6 Sturgeon every 2 Days. These? met our 2 Last Men near the Bad woods. All hands cutting Ice to put in the Ice House to preserve the Meat."

Mar. 20
" Wednesday The French Smith Papin? badly now come from the Forks Ours & 1 Man making Nails. Cooper at work making Boat Timbers - all the rest employed hawling up Ice from the River."

Mar. 21
" Thursday Sent away Kilkenny & Tom Kipling with Goods to Riviere Qu'Appelle that was lately brought from the Forks, The rest as yesterday."

Mar. 22
" Friday Sent 2 Men to fetch the Lead lately left on the road the other Men as before."

Mar. 23
" Saturday Finished laying up our meat in the Ice House, and there was never such a Stock before at this House, it will serve our people here and what remains in Summer till Snow again covers the ground. we have had a deal of difficulty & perserverence in getting it brought home - now every one is well pleased at the Great Stock, even those who were the most averse in hawling it home - we have put 29 Tons of Ice besides a quantity of Snow mixed with the Meat, the Ice House is full and about 14 Buffalo over to use the first; at 1 3/4 PM our Men returned with the Lead lately left on the Road: at 3 1/2 PM James Moor came here from the Forks in company with Mr Jn Severight & 1 Canadian of NWC with Letters for the Governor in Chief here, relating that Mr Robertson & 12 Men had on the 17th Inst. about 8 PM entered into the Canadian House at the Forks and made all Prisoners Viz. Duncan Cameron, Serephin la Mar & the Canadian Master who then happened to be there from Winnipeg River and that we shall keep pofsefsion of that place; and all the Colony Goods &c is to be immediately carried up there - There were about 14 Canadians at the Time at the NW House - a Letter was sent by Mr Robertson to Cameron & whilst the NW men unlocked the Gates & opened them, our Men rushed in with charged bayonets, and on Tuesday the 19th about Noon the Canadian Northern Exprefs arrived there and Mr Robertson seized it & I believe opened many Letters it contained & read - some of them were full of the NWC intentions of Destroying the Colony this Spring, aided by the half breeds, that they are assembling from all Quarters, and that after they have driven them away in the Spring, they are to remain abt. the Forks & not suffer either Colonists or HB Traders to again enter the River. - Mr Severight came over & asked Mr Semple permission to go to Riviere Qu'Appelle with the news of what has lately taken place at the Forks & he with 1 Man & 2 of ours will go tomorrow to that place - The Governor wrote to Alex McDonell there telling him if he offered any violence to any of the HB people he would severely retaliate at the Forks: the following is one of the Letters taken out of the Canadian Exprefs which plainly points out the NWC intentions it is wrote from Riviere Qu'appelle to Jn. Dugald Cameron at The Sault St. Maries. This Grant is a Clerk to the NWC. son by an Indian Woman to the late Cuthbert Grant and its said had left him near 5000 £.

Riviere Qu'Appelle 13th March 1816
My Dear Sir
I received your Generous & kind Letter last fall, by the last Canoe; I should certainly be an ungrateful being should I not return you my sincerest thanks; I am as yet safe and sound thank God for I believe its more than Robertson or any of his Suit dare to offer the least insult to any of the Bois Brules; altho' Robertson made use of some exprefsions which I hope he shall swallow in the Spring - he shall see that it is neither 15, thirty nor fifty of his best Horsemen that can make the Bois Brules bow down to him - The half Breeds of Fort Dauphin, Des Prairies & English river are all to be here in the Spring, it is hoped we shall come off with flying colours and never see any of them again in the Colonizing way in Red River, in fact the Traders HBC shall pack off with Themselves also, for having disregarded our Orders last spring; according to our arrangements we are to remain at the Forks & pafs the Summer for fear they should play us the same trick as last Summer of coming back, but they shall receive a warm reception - I am loth to enter into any particulars as I am well assured you will receive a more satisfactory information than I have had from your other correspondents - Therefore I shall not pretend to give you any; at the same time begging you will excuse my short Letter, I shall conclude wishing you health and happinefs.
I shall ever remain
Mr Dear Sir
Your most obedient Humble Servant
(signed) Cuthbert Grant
To J.D. Cameron Esq."

[In the margin of the letter
"My Sister & Betsy return their most respectful compliments to you."]

Mar. 24
" Sunday at 5 AM two of our Men with 2 Canadians went for Riviere Qu'Appelle with Letters, also with one to be forwarded to Mr Bird at Cumberland House - at 5 1/2 AM the Governor in chief, Mr Rogers & 3 Men went away for the Forks, as Mr Robertson anxiously expects? the Governor soon to arrive there - Last night a family of Indians came to our House with a boy dead about 14 Years of age for us to bury him. set all hands about it & in the evening completed the job."

Mar. 25
" Monday 2 Men badly - both Smiths at work nail making - 3 hawling home firewood - a Stone Indian came here for us to fetch Meat, but all our Dogs are gone to Riviere Qu'Appelle and along with the Governor & Charles Fidler to the Forks."

Mar. 26
" Tuesday Tom Kipling came here at 7 AM he met our men from R Q coming down for Goods, he delivered it to them & returned about 1/2 way. Mr Sutherland writes me that since the NW Northern Exprefs arrived at Qu'Appelle - next morning the NW flag was hoisted on the flag staff and that another one was hoisted by Cuthbert Grant in the name of the half breeds on one of the bastions of their Fort and that he is appointed Captain General over all the half breeds that are collecting from all Quarters - Young Shaw Son of Angus Shaw is at the Isle a la Crofse & McGillivray in the Saskatchewan collecting them, and report says that from 100 to 150 will be here in the Spring for the avowed purpose of the destruction of the Colony & to drive away the HBC Traders. as the NWC find they cannot prevail on the Indians to assist them, tho' they have used every means to get them to drive us away. They have told them not to go near the Forks in the Spring, as they tell them that there will be bloody work. Men variously employed who are well - Ground bare of Snow in places."

Mar. 27
" Wednesday Put all our Potatoes out of Doors in the Sun to dry after seperating the froze from the unfroze ones?, as we shall supply the Colony in the Spring with all we have for seed after keeping a few here for seed & our own use. The men got only one day in the week on that account, we shall also supply them? with all the Wheat, Barley & Indian Corn - An Indian arrived here with a few Skins. Sent 6 Men to cut wood to make Charcoal as what was made last fall is very near done & will not serve all the Nails making for Riviere Qu'Appelle Boats, besides the Boat that is to be built here; and many other necefsary jobs; other men variously employed. yesterday Charles Fidler & Henderson came from the Forks with nothing all the Snow is now off the Ground & no sled hawling. They arrived the evening before James Moor left the Forks to come here for the? ?. Charles is much wanted to assist the Cooper to build a New Boat Henderson will go to Qu'Appelle with the Nails when they are made. at 4 PM Anthony McDonald & an Indian arrived here from Fort Daer with Letters for the Governor in Chief relating that the 19th Inst. Mefs McDonell, Pritchard, White & McLeod had made prisoners in the Canadian House there of Bostonais Pangman the Master, a very conspicuous character last Spring at the Colony and who for his Conduct in that businefs in driving the Settlers away had his choice given him of being? Master of any of the NWC posts in the Red River Department. Charles Hefse & Mr? Fraser this last lately went there from Riviere Qu'Appelle, he was dragged from under the bed where he had concealed himself. This businefs was done after Dark near bed time - They all three were carried over to the Colony house & kept Prisoners & in a day or two it was intended to send the whole down to the Forks under a strong escort to be kept along with Cameron and the others. Our people took all the arms and Ammunition they found both here and at the Forks. Mr McLeods men are hawling Meat to Fort Daer where he intended to pafs the Spring, as they have all left the Thieving river, they being doubtful of the Sioux intercepting them on their Journey down in the Spring - All the Settlers have again left the Plains & are at the Fort. having made a great Quantity of Provisions (dry) for every family to serve them till after the Ice drives away. James Inkster the Cooper & Charles Fidler working at the Boat."

Mar. 28
" Thursday Mens Employ as Yesterday."

Mar. 29
" Friday Put Salt meat into 8 Kegs made here. They each hold 105 lb on an average to be taken down to the Depot at Knee Lake. The Taylor these 2 Days making a Jacket & Trowsers for one of the Men. 3 Freemen with their Families pitched to the House, put up a Keg of Suet - 6 Men at the Charcoal Kiln."

Mar. 30
" Saturday Sent 8 Men to the Charcoal Kiln & expected it would have been ready to set fire to this day but find that it is not half covered, went to see it myself about 1 1/2 mile off and spoke very sharply to Tom Favel & others when I returned about the Slownefs of their work & the coals are so much wanted - I should have expected 3 Men to have done what they have all done in the same time, but many of the Men don't consider any thing but living well & doing little, for want of Charcoal we cannot get the Nails made for the Batteaux & Boat and we have sent 3 times down to the Forks to be supplied where there are plenty but Mr Robertson would not send us a single Nail, Tho' indeed the last time we requested them Mr Robertson said we might have 500. trifling as this number is our men could not get them from him or Mr Bourke after frequently asking him for them. James & Charles laid the Keel of the Boat & put on some floor Timbers; the few at the House employed at sundry jobs. The French Smith of ours again badly - very little snow now left on the Ground, only in low places & in the thickets."

Mar. 31
" Sunday? Sent Charles & Antony McDonald to tell Marsallor's? Son to deliver up to the Latter, the Horse they carried away last Spring with many others, but he made frivalous excuses, saying he would deliver it up himself when he went to the Forks. - at 4 1/2 PM our Men returned from Riviere Qu'Appelle along with Mr Severight and a Canadian, Mr Sutherland has kept one of our Men to assist him at his place, as the Canadians there have been assidiously spreading the most horrid reports, that they would destroy every one of us before we reached the forks, and taking every half breed that remains with the Indians, they do not know for what purpose they are now retained at the Canadian House, not a word has now transpired there since the Forks businefs has reached them - our men after remaining there 2 Days returned back to this place."

Apr. 1 1816
" Monday James Inkster & Charles Fidler daily employed in building a new Boat - 2 Constantly nail making for R Q. 2 Men badly - La Trane? and band came in with Dry Provisions. gave them 4 Gallons mixt Liquor as he is a Leading man amongst the Indians. Took our Coal Kiln down as it was badly built and employed Hanilen? a Freeman to put our Men in the right way, he is afraid to lay his hand to it for fear of the NWC as all the Freemen are in just terror of them - 4 Men sleep there to thaw the Ground to cover the Charcoal Kiln - Sent away Antony McDonald & an Indian to the Forks with Letters for the Governor in Chief - Severight & a Canadian went for Mannetobaw - Traded with the Indians that came here Yesterday - Another Indian came here with a quantity of Rats - The Freemen pitched away to make Sugar, the whole of the Co. & Mens Horses brought home to be kept in the Stables every night to keep them from being Stolen by the Indians now the Snow is off the Ground. some of the Men wanted to keep their Horses in the Stables & eat the Hay made by the Co. Servants and at the same time not allow them to work any thing for the Co. but be kept merely for their own pleasure; This I would not allow and I told them all that no mans Horse should be admitted into the Co. Stables & eat their Hay and one Man is constantly employed in the Day time to watch them from being Stolen - when they found me determined they then said their Horses should do an equal share of work with the others & the Companys, and on these terms I allowed them to be taken the same care off as the rest: The Coal Kiln built & nearly half covered."

Apr. 3
" Wednesday Indians Trading & Drinking. Men as usual."

Apr. 4
" Thursday 2 Cut firewood - 2 Sawying - 2 at Nail making. got the Coal kiln built & put fire to it; Donovan & Henderson remains there to attend it. - at 2 PM 2 Stone Indian Men & one family came here with all their Hair cut short & their Legs & thighs Lacerated in many places & the Blood flowing down for Grief according to the Indian custom when any disaster befalls them. They had a great Quantity of Dry Provisions so they were obliged to put it by a short distance & make 2 or 3 Trips daily & on the 1st Inst. one of the Women & 2 Children not coming up at the time expected - The Husband then returned to see what had become of his Wife & Children & shocking to relate found her scalped, a large stab in the Side & both her hands cut off & carried away - a Daughter about 12 Years old was also killed & both hands & feet cut off and carried away & scalped. and a boy about 2 Years old could not be found and it is supposed the Enemy have tied it about the Horses neck as they often do. The Mandans are the supposed Enemy, indeed the Stone Indians well merits any like evils they can have done to them as the Mandans sincerely wish to make Peace with the Stone Indians & be allowed to come to our Houses for the purpose of Trade; All the Crees or Southern Indians pitched away towards the Pine Fort to make Sugar from the Juice of the Maple tree & to kill Rats. - we hear from the Indians that our Neighbor has no Goods except Liquor he is keeping for some of his particular Indians expected soon at the House."

Apr. 5
" Friday at 7 PM the Freemen who was taking care of the Coal Kiln came to the House in great haste & Terror, leaving every thing behind them, they had seen at Dusk acrofs the river opposite to them about 23 or 24 Indians & 4 Horses which they supposed to be an Enemy the Mandans in search of the Stone Indians & those who had lately killed those mentioned Yesterday - 2 Men Sawying - 2 Nail making. 2 at Boat Building - our Men went acrofs & told the NW about the Enemy being near - Several Tents of Freemen living in the Plains about 1/2 mile off who all immediately came to their? Houses with every thing they had. The other men variously employed."

Apr. 6
" Saturday I went myself early this Morning to the Coal Kiln as the rest were afraid to go. - & found it broke down & burnt almost uselefs away except about 4 Bushels we saved. sent the Men to it directly on my return. This is a very great lofs to us as Coal is so pressingly wanted to make nails for Riviere Qu'Appelle. Men at home employed as usual."

Apr. 7
" Sunday Last night an Indian arrived from Riviere Qu'Appelle with a Letter from Mr Sutherland, also several others for the Governor Semple that came from Cumberland House 10th March. Mr Sutherland writes that the Indians there seemed displeased at our Making Cameron Prisoner, & that Francois des Champs Jun. a half breed & engaged last fall for us and a very conspicuous character in destroying the Colony last Spring had left our House & that La Doux wished to do the same & Mr Sutherland wishes the Governor to go up to him from the Forks with a number of men, as the NWC are spreading horrid stories that they will not let a single one of us escape before we reach the Forks - In consequence of this prefsing request I immediately hired a trusty Indian to go down to the Forks with the Letters to the Governor. The Indians about this place are very indifferent at what has been done lately at the Forks, and sagely observe that as the NW had carried away our Great Men last year it is nothing but fair that we should carry away theirs this year: wrote to Mr Sutherland & the Indian is to return there again tomorrow. also wrote to the Governor requesting 10 well armed Men to come up from the Forks - An Indian it seems had been persuaded to fire three shots at our House when Drunk at R Q, one of the balls struck one of the Window Posts & there loged - and all our people there seem very much alarmed as the Canadian Master there is well known will not stand at any thing to annoy or ruin us. The Great Quantity of Provisions we have there & being an excellent supply to carry on the Athapescow businefs, we naturally imagine the NWC would wish to destroy to defeat that Expedition - besides it makes them pay much dearer as well as getting much lefs from the Natives than they would otherwise do if we were not there - as at Present we are come up to the full half of whatever the Ind. at that Post (RQ) bring in to trade - we also learn that some Indians had gone into the Canadian House with Provisons just before the Messenger came with the Letters 4 Days ago: that they brot every thing out again and traded with us saying that the NW had got no Goods - To give the Indian 20 Skins for going down to the Forks with the Letters; the same as Mr Sutherland has now Given to the Indian now come from him - I asked several of the Freemen & half breeds if they would go with Letters to the Forks, they all made excuses they could not go there - nor had they agreed I should not have trusted the Letters with one of them. Smith & 1 Man making nails for Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Apr. 8
" Monday Early this morning sent back the Indian to Riviere Qu'Appelle & the other one to the Forks with Letters to the Governor. Sent away 7 Men to cut more wood for Charcoal. James Inkster & Charles Fidler Boat building, others at home at their respective duties - at 7 PM Cunningham & Duncan came here from the Forks with the Jack River Packet; the former had only gone to Pigeon River where he found the Packet just brought them with which he returned here. Jack Favel & 1 Man had gone ? from thence to Jack river to get a supply of Goods - They are doing pretty well at Pigeon River - but Geo. Yarns and the Canad'n who went to the Jack Head last fall had made only 3 Martin skins and the Greater part of his Goods expended; one of his Men died 14th Feb. & another nearly his foot froze off also another one had been frost bit but likely to receive no material harm from it. Our Men left the Forks 4th Inst. and brought nothing with them. they say Cameron, Bostonais, Hefse, Fraser are Prisoners at the Forks, all the Colony Officers & Men at the NW House there & all the Colony Goods removed there; and the Governor & HBC officers remain at the Colonial establishment - Mr? Nolan received a Letter from Montreal 13 Sept. last saying that the French Army was entirely defeated at that Bonaparte narrowly escaped in a Small Boat. - They get very few fish at the Depot in Knee Lake, the 600 fm net constantly down well attended."

Apr. 9
" Tuesday Several of the Indians here went away to fetch the Meat where the Woman & Children was lately killed: The Mens employ as Yesterday & nearly built & covered the Charcoal Kiln. it is made nearer the House than the other one was."

Apr. 10
" Wednesday Thomas Favel badly these 4 Days indeed this is too generally the case with this Man, when any particular thing is to be done - Put out all our Skins to dry; Swans, Ducks & Geese seen the first this Season; Our Women here making Bags to put Corn in, Pemmican &c to send down to the Colony as soon as the Ice clears away - got the Coal Kiln covered - other men variously employed."

Apr. 11
" Thursday Sent Papin & Duncan McDonald to set fire to the Charcoal kiln & remain there. 2 Sawying - 4 tying up Furs in the Inner prefs. The Indians returned with the meat they lately went for where the Stone Indians were killed, about 800 lb dry provisions which they traded directly for Liquor the bane of the Indians which always keeps them wreached in Clothing and other necefsaries."

Apr. 12
" Friday Men as Yesterday."

Apr. 13
" Saturday Finished Thank God all the Nails required for the Riviere Qu'Appelle Batteaux 4520 & tyed them up to send away tomorrow and the men is to take the best Horse the Co. has to carry them they weigh 106 lb which has been a very long job to get them made out of large bar Iron - Six Men getting ready to go with them as I wish to send Mr Sutherland every man we can possibly spare to carry on our necefsary work here. Nails now requires to be made to finish the Boat building here - Supplied every man with a Gun that had none of their own and Ammunition, very bad Snowy weather. Men employed in doors."

Apr. 14
" Sunday It thawed much. our men did not start with the Nails being Easter Sunday."

Apr. 15
" Monday Early this Morning our 6 Men went away with the Nails. 2 Men cut seed potatoes & the others variously employed. at 2 PM a Canadian came from Riviere Qu'Appelle to their house here & another from Mannetobaw - 2 Men Sawying a Large Elm log into Boards."

Apr. 16
" Tuesday 2 Men working at the Boat and the few others left here variously employed about the House & Coal Kiln."

Apr. 17
" Wednesday at 3 PM Mr Pambrun & 10 Men with the Indian came here from the Forks all well armed, They had a Horse & cart to carry their Provisions and bedding, also Mr Pambrun had another horse. they have come here in 5 Days; the day before they left the Forks six? Men had arrived from Fort Daer, which enabled the Governor in Chief to send the above men here - Serephin la Mar is liberated on his parole not to interfere in any thing of the disputes & he came up here to the Canadian House to remain with his Family and Bostonais Wife & Children who is prisoner at the forks Still - Fraser is also liberated on Parole & said to be gone to the entrance of Winnipeg river to pafs the Spring: Only Cameron, Hefs & Bostonais Prisoners - Mr McLeod & 5 Men had been sent to the Canadian House at the Winnipeg river to examine & find the Cannon taken away from the Colony last Spring & which was reported to be there by Coltona? a half Breed, but they found nothing; every thing seems to have been put away as they scarse found anything - The Master who was Prisoner (Lonier?) at the same time Cameron was, had been 3 day previously been liberated & gone home there and perhaps expecting a visit might be made there by the Colony people had put every thing out of the way - Only one Canadian now remains at the Forks to attend Cameron - Severight had lately been there and taken Inventory of all the NW had remaining there which was very little Goods, but they had upwards of 16,000 Rats & only 2 Beaver Skins - This Animal is now almost extinct - formerly their skins were valued to the Indians at 1 skin each now we always give 2 and sometimes 3 times the old price as our Neighbours do the same - Some Canadians beat a Bungee about dead river & on the Canadians was fired at by those Indians - 2 Men sawying others as usual."

Apr. 18
" Thursday Mens employ the same. 8 Bungees came here from the Pine Creek below. Traded mostly Blankets, Cloth & other dry Goods and returned to their Families again."

Apr. 19
" Friday River Ice moved a little, and broke our old Boat that was froze in all winter; got her out & up the Bank to repair. yesterday Morning John Favel returned here alone from the Forks, he had brot some goods from Jack river but all the Snow being off the Ground it was left at the Forks, 1 Keg Liquor 1 Roll Tobacco; all well at Jack River. Packed some furs in the Inner prefs. sent away John Lyons as Guide with 4 of the Colony Men down the river to Bonneaux Tent for a Horse he took from the Colony last Spring, & he refused to give it up to us the Tents being on the Contrary side the River our men was upon & the Ice being very weak they could not crofs, but they saw an old woman who they told to tell Bonneaux that if he did not send the Horse they would come and take it, and insisted that he should send it up to our House directly - Our Men returned the same evening - Spoke to Marsollois Son who is here & has another Colony Horse. The Indians went away, gave them a present of a two Gallon Keg of Liquor."

Apr. 20
" Saturday at Noon Old Bonneaux Horse belonging to the Colony was seen at the French House where 4 of the Colony men & Mr Pambrun went & brought them both over - Charles Fidler repairing the Crofsing Boat & James Inkster the other lately broke by the Ice to send down to the Colony. The rest of our Men Packing Furs - Gave the Colony Men 44 pr Shoes for their Journey to Riviere Qu'Appelle now we have gotten the two Horses - All the Indians pitched away to Hunt on the North side the River."

Apr. 21
" Sanday The Tobacco Indian & band came here with some furs also paid them for 100 Skins value in Dry Provisions they sent here in the Spring just before the Snow melted away."

Apr. 22
" Monday M. Pambrun, 8 Men & Tom Kipling as Guide went for Riviere Qu'Appelle to join Mr Sutherland. They have away? the same two Horses they brought- Traded with the Indians and they went away. Packed the Furs. Ice a good deal drove by."

Apr. 23
" Tuesday Old Kipling & Jack Favel badly: got the old Boat repaired. Put by Corn, Potatoes &c to send down to the Colony. Sent 2 Men to the Forks with the two Horses lately got from the Freemen, and sent every Horse the Company had here for the use of the Colony, as they are very badly off without them for Plowing &c. The Men has Horses here which I shall get them to do all the Work in Plowing &c we have 4 acres to plow & we have a great stock of meat that Horses will not be required this long time - gave the Men 8 Days provisions & told them to go slowly along, not to hurt the Horses, that they may be ready for use when they reach the Forks or Fort Douglas - Much Ice drove by."

Apr. 24
" Wednesday Two men at work at the New Boat & all the rest loaded very heavily the Boat with Provisions, Barley, wheat, Indian Corn, Tents & Potatoes to send down to the Colony tomorrow if no more Ice drives. she has the Weight of 128 Pieces of every thing."

Apr. 25
" Thursday Sent away early this Morning the Provision Boat to the Colony with three Men. Three Men brought home a little Charcoal for present use. 2 raking the Potatoe tops in the Garden ready to begin to Plow. Capt. Grant & Black Duck came here with a quantity of Furs. Traded part with them & they took notes for 27 Skins to be paid them at the Forks where they are going to next Month. they went away gave them a 2 Gall Keg mixed Rum & a little wheat Barley & Potatoes for seed as they have Houses & Gardens half way to Portage des Prairies."

Apr. 26
" Friday Smith & 1 Man making Nails for the Boat builder nothing could be done at her some time ago for want of Nails whilst the Riviere Qu'Appelle ones were making, besides since we have had no Charcoal to work with. Two Canadians came from Riviere Qu'Appelle."

Apr. 27
" Saturday 2 Men putting our Plow in readinefs to begin on Monday. Others as before. Indians Drinking at the French House, Tho' they ? repeatedly? some time ago refused giving any Liquor; perhaps they have got some from their lower? Settlements. Other at respective duties."

Apr. 28
" Sunday James, Thomas & Charles & self went down to the Old House below; nettles springing up there fast."

Apr. 29
" Monday 2 Men working at the Boat 2 Splitting out Iron & Nail Making - 2 Men Plowing Ground for Wheat."

Apr. 30
" Tuesday Plowed a little more then sowed 1/5 Gallon Wheat & Harrowed it in. others as before - Traded a considerable quantity of Rats from a Canadian Freeman."

May 1 1816
" Wednesday Sent 4 Men to quench the Charcoal Kiln, gave the Indians Ammunition & they went away to hunt Buffalo which are very near on the North side of the river; The Indians say that they cannot get from the NW either Powder or Tobacco & that the English have taken all they had at the Forks - Mr? Donat? at Qu'Appelle & Poitras here."

May 2
" Thursday Finished Packing all our Furs, others as before."

May 3
" Friday 2 Men Plowing & sowed 1 Bushel of Barley; several Indians Pitched away, all except 2 Tents; The Men home variously employed."

May 4
" Saturday at 10 AM Bostonais & 2 Men on Horseback arrived at the French House, the former was lately a Prisoner at the Forks. I suppose he is liberated on Parole. This man has great influence with the half Breeds. At 7 PM Pisk Kipling came from our House at the Mannetobaw Lake for Potatoes, Barley &c for seed. he says Bostonais came by their House at the Mannetobaw & that Charles Hefs another Prisoner lately at the Forks is expected here in a few Days. he has also got his liberty. I wish he make a proper use of it to keep quiet. Mr D Sutherland writes that all the half Breeds about him have gone away it is said for Swan river to? to Riviere Qu'Appelle. The Canadians have been threatening all winter to do mischief to our People there. The Canadians are making larger buildings & erecting Stockades at the entrance of White river the Southern extremity of the Mannetobaw Lake; Planted half of Potatoes; Smith making Nails for the Boat here; an Indian came in here with a few Beaver Skins & swans, as I expect Mr Sutherland very soon from Riviere Qu'Appelle I shall detain him here a few days, that he can write by him."

May 5
" Sunday Two of our 1/2 breeds went over & spoke to Bostonais who told them he & Hefse had got their liberty from the Governor."

May 6
" Monday Early this Morning Bostonais, Moostoose & broudrais? Son went on Horseback to Riviere Qu'Appelle - 2 Making Stem & Stern plates for the New Boat, finished planting Potatoes 23 Bushels. Finished the Boat ready for Caulking."

May 7
" Tuesday Plowed part of the outer Garden & sowed Barley. it just contains one Acre the Larger Garden 3 1/12 acres."

May 8
" Wednesday Finished Plowing, Sowing & Harrowing the outer Garden it took 16 Gallons Barley - Pitched the new Boat ready to launch - Plowed & sowed 2 small gardens belonging to the Men containing about 1/2 an Acre with Barley."

May 9
" Thursday 2 Splitting & drawing out Bar Iron into nail rods - water falling daily 1 3/4 Inch - Repaired the Selkirk Boat: Launched the New Boat Mink. Cold Weather & strong wind these two Days. 2 Canadians arrived here from their House at Riviere Qu'Appelle. The Indians stole both their Horese near their House above."

May 10
" Friday Jn Lyons, T Kipling & T Favel working at their Gardens now first breaking them up. others variously employed. Serephin la Mar & two Canadians went towards the Forks we understand with Letters brot yesterday from Riviere Qu'Appelle for the Governor in Chief & Mr Robertson from Alex McDonell & they say that Mr Robertson is requested to come up here to meet Alex McDonell to make Peace, but I suppose they only wish to get hold of Mr Robertson & keep him Prisoner, but I hope he will not be thus tricked by them. as the Canadians must pafs the Forks why not then & there settle the businefs."

May 11
" Saturday At 5 AM a Batteaux of ours with 3 Men 51 Bags of Pemmican & 10 Packs Buffalo robes arrived from Charlton House. They left that place 29th April - wrote to the Governor in Chief and sent them away in 1 1/2 hour after their arrival here - sent by them 450 lb fresh meat for the Colony use & 26 1/2 lb fat - They say 9 half Breeds are arrived at Riviere Qu'Appelle & 4 from Mannetowbaw Lake & that many more from the Saskatchewan Ille a la Crofse & are daily expected; They left Qu'Appelle 6th Inst. early in the Morning. They say that Mr Sutherland & McDonell had the 4th Inst a long conference & that he would start about the 6th with 6 Batteaux well loaded with Provisions - James Inkster & Charles Fidler repairing the crofsing boat. Burnt the Rubbish about the House. They have now only 100 bags of Pemmican at Charlton House altho they had 130 made soon after Christmas being obliged to eat it, not being able to get a sufficiency of Fresh Meat in the spring."

May 12
" Sunday In the evening arrived here Tom Kipling & Tom Taylor two boys from Riviere Qu'Appelle on foot having been obliged to leave two Horses about 20 Miles off from where they started, they brought the Following Letter from Mr James Sutherland

Riviere Qu'Appelle about 8 miles from Red River
Thursday 12 PM May 9th 1816
Sir, On Monday we started from the House, and owing to the shallownefs of the river, did not get here till yesterday about 8 OClock AM when we were attacked by about 50 Canadians & half Breeds; This is the narrowest part of the River, the Batteaux touch both sides in passing and is also a shallow rapid and a very crooked reach, which obliged out Boats to be far apart and out of sight of each other. Two Boats that was a head of mine was disarmed & the men made prisoners, before I knew any thing of it; The others behind could render no assistance: when I landed there was upwards of 30 Guns pointed at me & our Men disarmed as fast as they appeared, when I found resistance was uselefs; I left all the Men here and returned to the House in hopes to make some arrangement with Alex McDonell, but found it ineffectual; whilst I was absent the NW Servants deceived our people & told them I had sent for them, consequently they all went to the House, in the interim I returned here: To day I have learnt they are all made Prisoners except Harvey Gear, M. Spense & John Spense. I am here with a Guard of Canadians both over my Person & Property and write this in a very hidden manner consequently cannot be explicit only wish to inform you that us & all the property are in Posefsion of the NWC. This has solely occurred through Mr Robertson having liberated Bostonais who arrived the night Previous to the Attack with horrid accounts from the Forks. had he not arrived we would have passed down the river without molestation: Five days ago I forwarded the Boat from the Elbow which I hope has passed your place before now; when we may arrive with you is uncertain, be on your Guard, as I have no doubt but an attempt will be made on you - This Morning Cuthbert Grant searched McKays House and took 6 lb Tobacco, Two Musketoons & 1 Gun - forward the news to the Governor in Chief as fast as pofsible. I am writing by the light of a very bad fire, therefore must conclude wishing for better times
& Remain
Yours Sincerely
James Sutherland
Enquire at T. Kipling for Particulars.

About 1 PM two young half Breeds belonging the NWC came with 2 Horses from above; some of our Men went & spoke to them before they crofsed the river; they said that Mr Sutherland & our Batteaux had left Riviere Qu'Appelle 7 Days ago, but not any thing more altho we soon after found that they both were present when the Canadians seized our Provisions - John Lyons & Tom Favel were acrofs the River & heard the News from Poitras the Canadian Master here when ? saw our two boys arrive - All the Canadians & half Breeds there had collected about 6 or 7 Indians to join them; Those without any families, as no good steady family Indian would assist in such a bad businefs - The Canadians had holes made in the Grain where they lay, and the spot seemed to have been chosen some time ago - One of our Men Duncan McDonell went over to the Canadian House just before our Men left Riviere Qu'Appelle House & spoke to McDonell the Canadian Master, who told Duncan that our people might sleep very quiet & safe, as not any of his People would molest them, and made him a Present of a pair of fine Shoes - Cuthbert Grant & Bostonais seem to be at the head of the Band & the former told our people that when their House at the Forks was given up to them - that all our property should be returned - The Rattle Snake & Several of our Indians were in Company & had a big Keg of Brandy, Ammunition & Tobacco on board our Batteaux which the NWC people took to themselves, which really exasperated the Indians against the NWC, stowed by underground almost all of our Tobacco, liquor & Ammunition that the Canadians may not find it if they should search our Houses; we understand that McDonell has wrote to Poitras here to allow no Boats to embark from this place till he arrives or go any where else. The following are other extracts from letters found by Mr Robertson in the Canadian Packet the tendency of which cannot be but obvious, relating to the Distruction of the Colony. there are also many others not inserted here, but I have made many extracts in a Collection taken out of the Canadian Packet "A storm is gathering to the Northward ready to burst on the heads of the Rascals" HBC - " The New Nation is coming forwards to clear their native soil of Intruders & Assassins" - " Never had we such a set of villians to deal with, men & Gentlemen (viz. Mr Sutherland, Fidler, Robertson & Semple)" - "Wm Shaw is collecting all the half Breeds in the surrounding Departments" - " What took place last year will be a joke to it." "

May 13
" Monday As we could not tell when Mr Sutherland may reach this, I fitted out Pisk Kipling with Tobacco, Barley, Potatoes &c to send to Mannetobaw Lake who came here for those articles some time back - But that the Governor in Chief should have the news of the disasters from Riviere Qu'Appelle as quick as pofsible; last night I appointed John Lyons to carry it on horseback and to start before day light; but he was taken very ill in the night and not fit to go the Journey - I then appointed Thomas Favel who peremptoraly said he would not; so then the only person we had here was Charles Fidler. I fitted him out & wrote to the Governor in Chief and also sent a Copy of Mr Sutherlands Letter just before inserted and he & Pisk were put acrofs the River - but the Canadians surrounded them both & took from them their Guns & Ammunition by main force & drove them back again - They told our Men that Alex McDonell had written & received yesterday to allow no person whatever to leave this place to carry any news below; Buskee a Canadian struck Pisk before he would part with his Gun. Charles Hefs was a very busy person in this Businefs, when our 2 Men would not willingly deliver up their arms & return to Poitras & Hefs the latter made a Signal & immediately out rushed from the NW House 10 or 12 Armed men - So that I don't know how I can convey the News to the Governor in Chief, as the NW House men now all round us to prevent our sending any where - At 1 PM Dauphine a Freeman came from the Forks sent up here by the Governor in Chief & Mr Robertson with 2 Letters he came on horseback, he left the Forks Saturday last in the Morning - he found 3 Canadians near the Pine House 20 Miles below this in the track to lay hold of any person that we might send to carry Letters or any news below; he was conducted into the NW House here & detained 2 Hours, they asked him to deliver up the Letters but would not, then they allowed him to come over here with them, but kept his Horse & Gun & they told him that if he returned with out any Letters he should have his property again & would be allowed to return back to the Forks, otherwise should a Letter be found on him he should be detained - All the Settlers are doing well at the Forks and settled on their respective Lots of Land, and have already sown a good deal of wheat - Mr McLeod soon expected from Pambina; Only one? Canadian with Cameron at the French House except our People - Dauphine met Serephin la Mar & 2 Men 20 miles below Portage de Prairie who are going down to the Forks - This is also a bad job as we are prevented from sending seeds to Mannetobaw & Tobacco for the Trade. Men at the House employed about several small things."

May 14
" Tuesday The Men finished railing round our outer Garden. Smith made a Chain to lock our crofsing Boat to, to prevent Indians from using her, they frequently leave her acrofs the river when we want her - Two Tents of Indians pitched to our House: James Inkster began to make Cart naves, there is 10 Carts required to be made this Summer - at 4 AM Dauphine returned to the Forks, told him every thing regarding the seizure of the Provisions, Furs &c at Riviere Qu'Appelle as he was not allowed to carry any Letters by the NWC or else should have written to the Governor in Chief every particular as I wished very much to inform him & Mr Robertson, but I thought it better that the man should return to the Forks without any Letter than he should be detained here by the NWC: as he could relate all the particulars I told him - yesterday assineboin a half Breed arrived at the Canadian House from the Forks & 2 Canadians went to Riviere Qu'Appelle on the North side the river to avoid Stone Ind. &c on the other."

May 15
" Wednesday 5 Tents of Indians come into our House. Men variously Employed."

May 16
" Thursday Indians Drinking, got from them near one Pack of Furs besides Dry Provisions - 2 Men cut 120 pieces of Wood 8 feet long to put between our Stockades that are far apart to prevent Indians looking into the Yard - Dryed the Furs & Provisions traded - got home the last of our Charcoal, by far the most Coal we have had in any other of the same quantity of Wood - James Inkster & Charles Fidler daily working at cart naves - John Lyons still badly - & T. Favel according to custom doing very little - he does not earn his & Family exclusive of his Wages."

May 17
" Friday Smith repaired 2 Hoes? & Horse Irons - at 9 PM a great huzzaying at the French House we Imagine they wish us to believe that Mr Robertson is come up & made a prisoner but I think he knows better than trust to any thing Alex McDonell can write him: Serephin is expected from the Forks."

May 18
" Saturday Early this morning saw Serephin walking before their Gates, who we suppose came from the Forks last night - sent an Indian acrofs to learn the News, who spoke to Hefs, he told him that Mr Robertson had written to McDonell that he would deliver the House up on his arrival at the Forks, and that were the NWC intended to do us any harm at this place they would have done it before now & that they had no intention to molest us in the least here - Early this Morning 2 Canadians was sent off with Mr Robertson & Semples Letters to McDonell - The very few Men here are always employed doing some necefsary duty about the House. The following is a Copy of the Agreement entered into between George McDougall Clerk to the Hudsons Bay Company on the one part & Archibald McGillivray Clerk to the NWC on the other Part Viz.
Article 1st
The said George McDougall promise & binds himself and all his Colleagues to deliver up all the Property belonging to the said Hudsons Bay Company both at Stony Point & Loon river (both in Peace River) to the said NWC and remain in their pofsefsion for the term & space of one year from the Date when they are received which is to take place as soon as pofsible.
Art. 2nd
The People in Peace river are to get all possible assistance from the NWC that is in the Article of Provisions which indeed their present wretched state loudly calls for, but all expenses are to be re-embursed by the Hudsons Bay Company.
Art. 3d
The above mentioned Servants of the Hudsons Bay Company and now serving in Peace river are to serve the said NWC if required, if not, not to serve against them for the term & space of one year at the expiration of which Period, they shall be allowed to return.
Art. 4th
Should the said HBC not fulfill all & every part of the Present Articles it is in that case well understood, that all the Property in the pofsefsion of the said NWC shall be by them retained for their use and benefit for the nonconformities of the said HBC - The Engagem't of the above men in the said service of the HBC now in Peace river are to be delivered up to the NWC.
signed
George McDougall
Archibald McGillivray
Witnefsed by 10 of the HBC Servants
Point de Roche 22d Nov. 1815."

May 19
" Sunday At 8 AM Mr James Sutherland, Finlayson and five men with 2 Carts & Horses with Mr Sutherlands Baggage - They left the Riviere Qu'Appelle on Wednesday last - every thing is in Pofsefsion of the NWC & our men were all obliged to sign the following Paper
Conventions entered into between Alexander McDonell of the NWC on one part & the undersigned men of the Hudsons Bay Company on the other.
Whereas it is agreed and Stipulated between both parties, that the undersigned Servants of the Hudsons Bay Company, shall return from hence down to the Forks of Red River in a quiet & peaceable manner without giving the least Molestation to the Persons & Property of the Gentlemen and all other Servants of the NWC but in all respects conduct themselves according to the Spirit of this Agreement & in no manner whatever to deviate from the true meaning of this Agreement. - It is further agreed and understood, between the aforesaid parties, that the undersigned Servants of the HBC shall after their arrival at the Forks of Red River not act in any manner against the Persons & Property of the NWC, or make any attempt to seize or to pofsefs any Property in the posefsion of the said NWC. - It is further agreed that should unfortunately any of the Officers or Commanders of the HBC request the undersigned Servants of the HBC to take or bear Arms against the Persons or Property in the pofefsion of the NWC that they are by no means to obey such orders - And In consideration of all such conventions the said Alexander McDonell of the NWC promises to the undersigned Servants of the HBC that after the expiration of their respective Contracts, he the said Alex McDonell shall receive & Protect the said Servants of the Hudsons Bay Company and further procure them a free passage & furnish them such Provisions as is customary with the NWC Servants to receive on the passage to Canada, & the said Alex McDonell considering the said Servants of the HBC as free born British Subjects who may and have a right to better their Condition or Situation in any other part of his Majesties Dominions where they may be inclined to proceed to. - It is understood that the undersigned Servants of the HBC entered into this agreement of their own free will & Consent in confirmation of which both Parties have hereunto subscribed? their Names & each party put their Seal at Riviere Qu'Appelle in the Year of our Lord 1816 the 10th May signed Brian Gilligan, Thomas McDermid, Patrick Maroney, Michael Kilkenny, John Forbes, Hugh Fraser, Donald McKay, George McKenzie, James Bruen, Thomas Kirknefs, Wm Duncan, Jn. Flett, Duncan McDonald, Angus McIver, Don'd Donovan, Mich'l Kilbride?, Andrew Sinclair, Robert Sutherland, James Sandison, Martin Jourdan and Alexnder McDonell.
In consideration of my Oath to Miles McDonell ? my conditions with Mr? A McDonell of the NWC are rather different but I pledge myself that I will give no further molestation to any of the Persons and Property of the NWC, than such Oath actually binds me (being a Constable) to it? or bear Arms in any other Manner. Riviere Qu'Appelle
13th May 1816 (signed) Patrick Cocaran.
Copy of a note given to a Stone Indian Chief hired by the NWC to assist to destroy the Colony. - but would not go with them.
The Plundering of the NWC Property by the Hudsons Bay Company in Red River is the sole occasion of this Indian going off without a round of Ammunition or scarsely a Pipe of Tobacco - he is staunch & true.
R Q 17th April 1816 (Signed) Alex. McDonell.
Three Men would not sign the Agreement: Two Men came with Mr Sutherland to return to RQ with Ammunition & Tobacco Liquor &c. McDonell is to bring down all our Boats & Provisions; he at last consented to allow our Men to have 15 Bags Pemmican & a few Packs of Buffalo robes with 1 Batteaux to carry them down to the Forks - All the Arms remain in pofsefsion of the NWC except 2 Guns, they had down with them, Mr Pambrun & James Bird Jun. the NW keep as a kind of Hostages - There is 8 of our men to pafs the Summer at Qu'Appelle - The French Batteaux were to leave their House above 2 Days after Mr Sutherland came away. - In the evening part of our Men came by land having left the Batteau & the rest at 10 OClock this Morning."

May 20
" Monday at 6 AM the Batteaux arrived with the rest of the Men, those that came last night & this Morning paid a visit to the Canadian ? here. sent T. Favel to ask Poitras if they would allow us to send 2 Men to Mannetobaw Lake House; he said we might go there; but they said they would not allow any of us to go to the Forks belonging? to this House."

May 21
" Tuesday Mr Sutherland sent Mr Finlayson over to the French House to ask liberty to go down to the Forks, and after long hisetation they said those from Qu'Appelle might go but to take no property from this belonging to this House - at 7 AM the Batteau from Riviere Qu'Appelle & the men embarked for the Forks - at 10 AM a Canadian & 2 Inds. arrived at the Canadian House from the Forks & we learn that Mr D. Cameron was sent away to Jack River, a Boat & 1 Canoe Accomp'd him - soon after Serephin sent over a Note to Mr Sutherland saying that on the receipt of the late News he could not think of allowing him to embark notwithstanding his late Promise. - Mr Finlayson was again sent over & after long conversing they were allowed to proceed, but no one else; and at Noon Mr Sutherland, Finlayson embarked with 5 Men & 3 Families - at the said time corrossed? the River Pisk Kipling & his Father & family to go to Mannetobaw House according to their Promise yesterday, but no sooner were they over than a number of NWC Servants seized Pisk, took him by violence to their own House & detained him till bed Time when they put him acrofs the River to our House - would not allow him to proceed on his Journey - taken from him a Pistol - his Father & family were allowed to proceed with Tobacco, Barley, Potatoes, Pitch &c with a Cart & two Horses - also at the same time two Men from Riviere Qu'Appelle with Horses crofsed the River & went down to the Forks, one was an European & had Signed McDonells paper before inserted & the other a half Breed John Spense, whom they do not insist on signing as being a Native of this Country. There was sent to Mannetobaw 2 Axes 2 Hoes & a New Cart for the use of Mr Thomas Thomas - Yesterday the smith repaired a Gun Lock to Mr Sutherland & this day Lock & Keys for him, he is appointed by Mr Sutherland to go down to the Bay? but he told James Inkster that he would see both Mr Sutherland and Mr Semple dam'd if he worked any thing on his passage down. - Indians fencing in the River half a Mile above the House to kill Sturgeon. Two or 3 Canadians arrived at their House, our Men in Coming down the River saw 3 Tent Places? where the Warparty of Mandans had been remaining about the time of the Melting of the Snow near Montagne LaBofse."

May 22
" Wednesday Self & 3 Men must wait here till Alex McDonell arrives as we are not allowed to proceed altho we have had every thing ready to embark for the Forks nearly a Forthnight - Six Tents of Indians (Crees) partly our Traders arrived from the North side & wished to pitch their Tents at our House, where there are 12 already Pitched & none at the French House. but the Canadians would not allow them to come over, so they pitched their Tents on the North side. Sowed various kinds of Seeds in the Garden Mr Sutherland brought with him last year from Montreal. The NW people was very near stopping Mr Sutherlands Boat after it went from this Yesterday. several of the Men for it others against it: The Men almost appear to do as they Choose."

May 23
" Thursday at 8 AM 4 Canadians on Horseback arrived, one of them we knew to be the Person who took up to McDonell Mr Robertsons last Letter. Serephin, Poitras & another seemingly had a very animated discourse? when after many more joined them on the Bank fronting our House? - sent several Indians to endeavour to learn the News, but each brot a different Story from the different men they spoke to - As we are in daily expectation of the Batteaux arriving from Riviere Qu'Appelle and as we want about 600 Nails making to leave here to make Carts with in the Summer, I particularly wished them to be done before they arrived, but ever since Clouston our former Smith knew he was to go down, he has not done half a Days work since Mr Sutherland went away, I desired him to make Nails but he refused to do it; and began to mend his own Clothing: I then set Papin the French Smith from the Colony to make them as the other refused to do it: - Moostoose our Late Hunter came over & told our People that 3 Days ago that the NW Batteaux left mouth Riviere Qu'Appelle."

May 24
" Friday Told John Lyons, Pisk, And.? Spense, Henderson & Clouston to fetch wood home to make Carts. all went away & brought home a good Load, but Clouston the Smith absolutely refused to go; and Yesterday he would not work at Nail making so much wanted for Carts; so as he would do neither one thing or another I put him off duty & told him that as he would not work he should have no Wages - Papin the Canadian Smith & 1 Man splitting Iron & drawing out for nails for Carts, about 14 halfbreeds & Canadians barring up the River to prevent the Sturgeon from going down - They annually come up every spring in great numbers when the Ice goes away & they appear here about 10 or 12 Days after it clears away tho' the distance to Lake Winnipeg is 400 Miles, by the river, They also ascend as high as Shell River 500 Miles further & about the 12 June the last of them pafs this on their way down to the Lake again - so that they must go with great Swiftnefs - a Bungee had got from us for ? the Indian a Crooked Knife, 1 Hoe & sent him one fathom of Tobacco gratis - The NW shut up about 1/4 part of the River - I understood this day that McDonell lately wrote down here to engage the half Breeds not already engaged and some of the Canadians whose times are out, but that none would engage."

May 25
" Saturday Took the Selkirk boat out of the Creek as the water is now getting low. Papin the Smith nail making & steeled an Ax for James Anderson - James Inkster & Charles Fidler making Cart Naves. Sent our Freemen away & they brought home a good Boat Load of Oak to Make Carts - A Canadian Boucher came over and asked us to assist to bar the River up or else they would neither allow us or any of the Indians to have any sturgeon out of the River - Trotier a Freeman got 3 Steel traps repaired here, at 1 Skin each, he paid half & the other half is still due."

May 26
" Sunday Some of the Freemen brought home Buffalo killed about 12 Miles off. - a very hot day."

May 27
" Monday All hands getting wood to bar up the river & shut in about 1/4 the Canadians were to have assisted but not one made his appearance I beleive they are gone to meet their Batteaux: 2193 square yards of Barley sown in our Inner Garden & 3463 Square yards of Wheat, also 324 Yards of Oats & English Barley two seded? Grain: Smith nail making."

May 28
" Tuesday Papin the Smith as Yesterday. Clouston off Duty as he refused to work at his own work or others - About 6 PM a Freemans wife had been away collecting Jackasapuck? to mix with Tobacco to smoke & return within 1 mile of the House, she saw 5 strange Indians (Mandans) driving away some Canadian Horses, she gave the alarm when she reached the House & several Canadians pursued them and they let go the Horses they were driving away & crofsed the River at our old House 3 miles below - One of the Mandans spoke to the Woman and as she answered in the Cree Language they let her pafs, The Man had she said an Arrow fixed in his Bow ready to shoot her before she spoke. - Those Indians are friends with the Crees & only mean to do mischief to the Stone Indians almost always their Constant Enemies."

May 29
" Wednesday a Bungee at 10 AM arrived from the Forks at the French Ho. & 4 hours after he came over here & delivered me two Letters from the Governor in Chief & Mr Robertson; he came away about 1 hour after our people by land reached there with Horses. The Boat & Batteaux was not reached there from this when he came away 25th Inst. Cameron was sent away 18th Inst for Jack River - water remarkably high in the Red River & low in this or the Assiniboyne - one Boat & Canoe gone with Cameron & 5 Freemen, McLeod to return again - Humphrey Favel & Angus McDonald farming at the Point below the Colony. 10 Large Tents of Bungees at the Forks? acrofs the River - The Premier & band returned to Red River to farm where they did last year - Many of the Horses stolen from the Colony lately, supposed by the NWC people, as our men have seen several of them here - Charles Hefs went away from here 2 Days ago to Mannetobaw Ho. - Fort Douglas at the Forks put in a good state of Defense and Mr Robertson & 20 Men remains in the Canadian House at the Forks - Mr Flett & people from near Dead River has been up at the Forks some time ago. Plenty of Sturgeon they are catching there, Dauphine the Canadian who came here some time ago with a Letters got down safe to the forks - in the forenoon several half-breeds and Canadians went in search of 5 Mandans who they drove acrofs the River at the Old House, leaving behind them 3 pair of Stockings & 2 Buffalo robes - They returned when many others went in search of them again with some Indians here but came back seeing no person - Hawled up all our Cart wood into the Yard snd Sawyed some of it - We have now only 4 Kegs of Potatoes remaining - Planted 15 shoots of Potatoes as an experiment - James Inkster rather badly. - The Indians at the Forks particularly desired to be nuture [neutral] in case any disputes should happen there between us & the NWC. Tho' they very much wish to assist us if required - The Bearer says that Mr Fraser lately liberated and 2 Men came from Winnipeg and are now up here, stealing as they pafsed some of the Colony Horses - Papin making Awls for Trade having made a sufficient number of Nails for the Carts."

May 30
" Thursday Men cutting & hewing wood for Cart wheels - 7 Carts went away from the French House up to the Rapid above where the Batteaux are to be Lightened. Smith making Rivets & a Steel for an Indian."

May 31
" Friday At Noon some Canadian Carts arrived with Pemmican at 5 PM Alexander McDonell & Bostonais arrived: The former with Serephin walked backwards & forwards till dusk before their fort - we expect the Batteaux will be here tomorrow - Men hewing wood for Carts - we are daily getting 2 or 3 Sturgeon from the Indians - Smith making Awl blades."

June 1 1816
" Saturday At 1/2 past Noon about 48 HalfBreeds, Canadians, Freemen & Indians came all riding on Horseback with their Flag flying blue about 4 feet Square & a figure 8 horizontally in the Middle, one Beating an Indian Drum and many of them singing Indian Songs, they all rode directly to the usual crofsing place over the river where they all stopped about two Minutes and instead of going down the Bank & riding acrofs the River they all turned suddenly round and rode full speed into our Yard - some of them tyed their Horses, others loose & fixed their flag at our Door, which they soon afterwards hoisted over our East Gate next the Canadian House - Cuthbert Grant then came up to me in the Yard & demanded of me to deliver to him all the Keys of our Stores, Warehouses &c I of course would not deliver them up - They then rushed into the House and broke open the Warehouse Door first, plundered the Warehouse of every article it contained, tore up part of the Cellar floor & cut out the Parchment windows without saying for what this was done for or by whose Authority - Alex McDonell, Serephin, Bostonais & Allan McDonell were at their House looking on the whole time - They then broke open the Store Door & Barn Door carried away almost every thing there except the Packs of Furs & some empty Kegs - They also plundered every person in the House of part of their private Property & took away every horse belonging to the Company & European Servants. Those Horses that Jn Lyons T. Favell Half Breeds had they let alone: All these men were armed with a Gun each, a pike at the end of a pole, some bows & Arrows, Swords &c. There were only 3 European Servants here which could make no effectual resistance & our half breeds would not lift a Gun since last Spring when at the Forks, the NW in the name of their half breeds wrote them a Letter saying that if they lifted arms against them they would massacre the whole of them; Thomas McKay was the principal in breaking open our Warehouse Door & Fraser the Barn Door: They also broke open the Smiths shop and took away most of the articles it contained and searched Private Room & bed place in the Houses & James Inkster has lost private property to above 40 £ Sterling value in England & all the others considerable - myself was the next sufferer to a large amount. They carried on this plunder till 3 PM, when they all went acrofs the River to the NW Ho. taking all the Property in our Boat, and when they got acrofs they began again their Indian war Whoop & war songs to a Drum one of them beat, and fired off many of their Guns, the few Indians tenting at our House durst not offer any resistance to the NW Banditte, some of the Indians not only shed tears but cryed bitterly aloud to see us plundered of our Property & otherwise ill treated by the NWCo? people - during the time they were plundering the House some of the NW Party forced over to their House Thomas Fidler & Papin the Smith, the latter they shut up alone in the Ice House & tyed his hands to make him tell where we had hidden our Ammunition, Tobacco &c as they were as Cuthbert Grant informed me told by Mr Jn Nd? McKay at Riviere Qu'Appelle that 2 Men had gone down with Mr Sutherland to fetch up to that place a keg of rum a Roll of Tobacco & 1 keg of Powder besides Ball; and finding little of them? articles in their first Plunder they knew we must then have hidden it - which we did immediately on hearing from Riviere Qu'Appelle of the Provisions being all seized - Thomas Fidler they Knocked about in McDonells room & in his presence and told him that if he did not inform where the above things were hidden they would Murder him. at last he was obliged to tell them to save his life where one roll Tobacco was hid - and the same large band came over again with the most horrid threats many of them being now almost quite drunk to render them desperate & told us that if we did not immediately dis? where the Goods were hid they would Murder us & Burn down all the Houses - James Inkster was also very badly used by them till he was at last obliged to tell them where the Things were hidden to save his Life - They also used me very ill & threatened to tye me to the Gates & keep me there two? days if I would not tell, but they could not induce me to inform them - In their search for the Roll of Tobacco, they found the other one which happened to be laid up near it, so that they got every thing we had laid up & now we are without a single Load of Ammunition or pipe of Tobacco or any thing else either to procure provisions or trade any things from the Natives - This 2d visit they also carried away a deal more private property, and some of them was for setting fire to the Houses, particularly Primo, so that we all put out the little we had left & remained on the Plains without amongst the Crees & Stone Indians who very much felt for our distrefs & afterwards erected Shelter to keep us from the Weather & to remain out in the Plains till the NW hired Banditti? go away, as we feared they might burn us in the House in the Night - They took away the Selkirk Boat & Oars we had remaining to carry down our Furs & Provisions; they also took away our small crofsing Boat & scarsely left us an Ax to cut wood with - They found several Indian Tents in our Store which they cut to pieces. They came over the 2d time at 6 1/2 PM & left it again at 7 1/2 PM carrying away with them the Keys of our East Gates. They forced Thomas Fidler over to the NW Ho. & made him sign a paper not to bear Arms against the NWC - when they left us the first time the Banditte forced over to their house every person except myself, saying McDonell wanted them - they remained at the NW Ho. about 1 hour & no one speaking to them they all returned here - Bostonais told that it was Mr Robertsons fault they had plundered our House - for taking their Fort at the Forks - 3 Canadian Batteaux arrived from Riviere Qu'Appelle water shoal & they are all deeply laden that much of the Property will be damaged. the Batteaux almost always touching the Ground & making them leaky."

June 2
" Sunday Yesterday morning 6 or 8 halfBreeds crofsed the River on Horse back & rode up the River? we imagined to meet their Batteaux but we found afterwards they had been sent away to Join the others - Several of the Canadians & half Breeds visited our House twice this day - & carried away my Thermemiter (Assineboyne) Tho' Thomas Fidler asked the man for it when he was taking it but would not return it - We keep the Gates Shut & fast to keep out the Indian Children; The Banditte most part of last night was drumming and singing; There were only 5 Indians along? with the Canadian Servants when they plundered our House, but they behaved much better than the rest of the Band taking nothing but merely lookers on. They have not left us a scrap of Dry provisions or Fat here. every thing is carried off. this day they broke one of the Glafs windows - Mr Pambrun arrived last night at dusk & marched him into the French House, between two rows of armed men, & some of them, he said, kicked him as he pafsed them: This Day he was allowed to come over to see us guarded by Thomas McKay. he says that James Bird Jun. got his liberty to return back to our House above after keeping him some time: Mr Pambrun has a very bad leg a deep foul Ulcer & increasing fast & we have no Medicine; he says that a great deal of Pemmican is spoilt & some thrown away by being constantly wet coming down. drefsed his leg the best we could."

June 3
" Monday Yesterday wrote a Letter to the Governor in Chief relating what had happened here & the probable? intentions of the NW with respect to the Forks. & gave to the Indian who lately brought me? Letters from the Forks. & he concealed it, and will remain at the NW house some days to avoid suspicion - & then carry it down. Mr Fraser and a large party of NWC men came over he told me to carry away all our Furs & insisted on my giving him a Copy of the Contents of the several Packages by McDonells orders, which I gave him and they took them all away & broke many 10 Gallon Kegs from England & took away all the Iron hoops. & in the afternoon Old Dechamps broke open our Hay yard door & carried away our hay. several others followed his example. he & his 2 Sons are the most violent of the whole - They hoisted our Flag at the Canadian House & the halfbreed one over it, singing Indian Songs drumming & Dancing, which is enough to ask any one to see Such things but we cannot help ourselves. - I believe & what I learn from Mr Pambrun that the 1/2 breeds are nearly the master of McDonell - or at least he is obliged to wink at their proceedings not to make them leave him till his intended plans are put in execution or done but the person who assembles them is ? accountable for their conduct. Heavy Thunder, Lightning & rain on Saturday night; we are all living out in the Plain along with the Indians. Furnished the Indian with 3 pair of Shoes who carries my Letter to the Governor. The NW pulled down one Stockade of our Garden."

June 4
" Tuesday Canadians carried away more Hay and leave the Garden Gates always open - The half Breeds dancing in 2 Tents made into one on our side the river close to our House. The Old Cooper Alard from Fort Dauphin is also a very conspicuous character & does Much Mischief as well as the DeChamps & Cottona Bellgards' son. Serephin & 7 Men crofsed the river & went up it in search of a Man they sent for a Horse 7 miles off 3 days ago which was left then & they could not find him - we afterwards learnt that our Indians tenting at our House had killed him - Several more of the Banditte within our Houses this day."

June 5
" Wednesday The tube of my large 3 1/2 feet Achromatic Telescope was taken away by the Banditte 1st Inst. & this day I got it from a Stone Indian. Mr Pambrun came over on a visit guarded as usual, his leg is in a very bad state - Wrote a few Lines to Mr Robertson open, for Medicines to be fetched up by a Canadian as Alex McDonell will not allow him to go down to the Surgeon - he says the NW has sent to Mannetobaw for a Keg of Rum to treat the 1/2 breeds with. They were obliged to employ these Ignorant people to do their dirty work as the Canadian Servants very few would do what they wished them. The High Spirits taken from us was 2 Gallons belonging the Co. & 2 Gallons to John Lyons. They soon finished it on Saturday night - McDonell told Mr Pambrun that he has seen nothing belonging to us as yet but that all was put securly by & would be returned when matters were made up at the Forks - he desired Mr Pambrun Yesterday to take a walk with Fraser, but he soon returned & found McDonell giving away our Tobacco by fathoms to his people, tho' just before he told Mr Pambrun every thing would be returned but I am certain that the greater part of the smaller articles will never be returned as those who took them will keep them - Several more Canadians & halfbreeds in our House climbing over the Stockades & always doing some Injury to the Buildings every time they come - The Canadians are Pitching & repairing the Batteaux & Canoes - 16 Batteaux 4 Canoes & the Selkirk Boat, our small one we have not seen these 2 Days we suppose they have put her adrift - ? of the Enemy Indians said to be seen several went there but saw no one. - Several 1/2 breeds over here, Singing, Dancing & Drumming all day & till late last Night - a very disagreeable sight - a very sharp frost at Night & killed all the Barley, Wheat, Oats & Garden stuff above ground except lettuce & onions - The Oak Leaves just coming out are as if they are singed by fire & dead: The Canadians pulled down about 30 yards of our Garden fence & carried away & put into the Bottom of their Batteaux and loaded them ready to start."

June 6
" Thursday They carried away more hay."

June 7
" Friday at 2 1/2 PM 16 Batteaux 4 Canoes & Selkirk Boat went away down the River each having only two Men: There are 38 halfBreeds in All going by Land. 28 with Grant on the North side the river all on Horseback & 10 on the South side with Antoine Hoole - Alex McDonell sent for all the Indians tenting at our House & gave them about 1/2 Yard of Tobacco each & nothing more and a very severe Speech all against the English delivered by Bostonais & at 4 1/2 PM he went away by Land. Grant & Bostonais - several Carts goes down with Women & bedding &c &c. Old Peltier with them, Mr Pambrun informed me that there were 106 Men in all of all descriptions - he embarked in with Papin our Smith in a Batteaux - The Indians Enemies said again to be seen, but our worst enemies are our fellow subjects."

June 8
" Saturday In the afternoon we all moved into the House again most of the Windows broken or cut to pieces and nothing left to repair them again - every thing being carried off by the NWC. - Indians here went in search of the Enemy but saw none - All the Canadian Batteaux at the Sourie river - a few half breeds came here & sung & danced till Midnight."

June 9
" Sunday Drumming at the French House all Night. Their Batteaux all still at the Sourie - water shoal in the Assineboyne River."

June 10
" Monday An Indian came in with 4 Swans, but we have not a pipe of Tobacco to give him, nor a load of Ammunition; Pisk Kipling asked liberty of Poitras the Canadian Master here to go to Mannetobaw Lake, but could get no satisfactory answer; so he is afraid to proceed. Sent away Henderson & Spense to Riviere Qu'Appelle, they are to come down here again in about 3 Weeks for Ammunition & Tobacco we may expect up here then from the Forks, also to bring down some fat. Almost all the Sturgeon now come down from above. Anderson put up the Garden fence the NW carried away."

June 11
" Tuesday Made out a fair copy of every thing the NWC has plundered from us. Ja. Inkster, Tho. & Charles Fidler hewing wood for Carts, others went to fetch up our small Boat from the Sourie that the NW put adrift."

June 12
" Wednesday at 5 AM Clouston our Late Smith went away for the Forks he got lent of Murrays Horse to the Portage ; could not pursuade Pisk to go away - an Indian came here yesterday with Swans & Ducks. An other Ind. arrived from below says the Batteaux is not yet at the Pine House 20 Miles off."

June 13
" Thursday Rain - Men hewing Cart wood, James Inkster & the late Wm? Yorstons family got 1 1/2 Bags of Pemmican at? the Canadian House, they are all going away with their Father to remain some time. 5 Mandan seen near the House by the Indians at dusk."

June 14
" Friday gave Tom Favel a half Breed a very indifferent working hand his liberty to be free according to Mr Sutherlands order as he would not work on the Passage down. Made a parchment Canoe to go down to the Forks to be there by the time the Batteaux reach there, as nothing can be settled till then. Men as before."

June 15
" Saturday Men as before. Clouston our late Smith returned at 2 PM from the Bad woods 40 Miles off. Mc Donell would not allow him to go to the Forks - Told Pisk & Lyons to hew cart wood but neither would do it - since the NW half Breeds have been liberly promised great payment & no work done by them ours above imagine they have no right to work & are become very saucy on that account. Ja. & Charles unwell - The 4 Days following they were variously emp'd? & on the 21st I embarked for the Forks & arrived there 2 hours after the Canadian Batteaux.
PFidler"


" Fort Douglas Jan. 2d 1816
My Dear Sir,
I embrace this opportunity of wishing you all the Good returns of the New Year and succefs to all good Intentions, knowing your good will toward this Settlement I make bold to desire you to procure for me two Good Laboring Horses for next Spring fit for Carts & Plowing. I shall not grudge the price. Mrs McLean is well and begs to be remembered to you.
I am Dr. Sir
Yours most truly
(signed) A. McLean.
To Mr P Fidler."

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" Fort Douglas 10 April 1816
Dear Sir,
What can I say to you except that we are all well & remain quiet here! - Cameron is much blamed by his Colleagues and truly he has brought himself & the whole of them into an unpleasant situation. I trust we have now such a mafs of Evidence that the Laws of our Country cannot fail to do us ample Justice and that they will have to make good even the Coat Tails which they have cut off. Mr Sutherland wished to have my old Red Coat (for an Indian Chief) but I am afraid it is now too late, should an opportunity offer pray send it up to him. I am afraid this cold weather will retard the opening of the river, but it is rising fast & the Pambina & Scratching rivers we hear are both running. The Colonists however are all well stocked with Provisions. The Poctical? Capt. desires to be remembered to you. I remain
Dear Sir
Yours Truly
(signed) Robt. Semple
To Mr Peter Fidler"

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" Fort Douglas 12 April 1816
Dear Sir
I am really grieved to see that Mr Sutherland continues under such anxiety - He seems totally to forget that our Adversaries are at least Men of some common sense and will not it is to be presumed, be carried so far by Malice as to do us an Injury which they know can and will be retaliated tenfold upon themselves - To talk of Indians appears to me strange - And as to Half Breeds I have told McDonell I cannot seperate their actions from the NWC. I really cannot believe, he will be rash enough to permit any violence to be offered - Should he however he shall find that what I told him will prove true and that the consequences will be Terrible to themselves - I shall hold 10 or 12 Men perhaps twenty in readinefs and as soon as the Settlers arrive send these Men to Brandon House. My foot is at Present so sore that I cannot walk, therefore it is out of my power to say whether I shall be able to accompany them myself. - I hope however to be able - If this comes to hand before the Nails are sent up? you can let Mr Sutherland know this. It is needlefs for me to write him as I really can say no more than what I have already stated to him.
Francis Dechamps is a Scoundrel I attached no importance to his being with us & therefore none to his desertion. - we are this day reduced to our Old Beverage of Barley Soup - The Meat is done and the Nets are up, but the Ducks are flying about and Mr or Capt. Rogers is waiting with great impatience to see one brought upon the Table.
I am Dear Sir
Yours truly
(signed) Robert Semple
To Peter Fidler."

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" Sir,
I have heard with equal surprize & indignaton that forty Men have been taken at Qu'Appelle without any lofs as it would appear on either side. an event which is clearly to be attributed solely to their Officers - Knowing as You Know the total want of faith or honor among the NWC I must confefs myself in the present state of our Intelligence wholly unable to account for this event. a few Days must decide that uncertainty which however as it relate not to the final result I consider is of little moment. In whatever situation you may be, remember your Honour as an officer of the Hudsons Bay Company, and avoid every act which might tarnish it. Make no Compromise. Enter into no Engagements with a set of lawlefs Banditti, We have now proofs sufficient to bring them before the Tribunals of our Country and the Question, at least as to their Traders will very shortly be determined. - In the Mean time remember that we are strong here one Spirit Animates us, one will directs the whole, you Know the Grounds on which we proceed. Do your utmost to further our great designs. Indians & Robbers act upon the principle of seizing a few Individuals or a little property, but be assured that our Enemies are only plunging themselves farther into their own mire.
I am Sir
Yours Sincerely
Robt. Semple
To Mr J. Sutherland & P. Fidler
Fort Douglas 25 May 1816."

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