" A Sketch of the principal Occurrences &c at Edmonton House
Commencing 19th July 1814
Ending - 19 June 1815"

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July 19 1814
" Set off from York Factory for the Saskatchewan, with one Boat - the rest of the Saskatchewan Boats left York the 12th instant."

Aug. 1 1814
" Overtook three Saskatchewan Boats, which had gone before me from York Factory in Lake Winnipeg."

Aug. 20
" Arrived at Cumberland."

Aug. 23
" Embarked from Cumberland. Left twelve pieces of Goods at Cumberland because we consider it unsafe to collect large quantities of Goods at Edmonton and yet it is necefsary for us to have them within reach in case of a rise of Trade."

Sept. 4 1814
" Arrived at Carlton House. found Mr Pruden and Men very well, but no Provisions or Furs of consequence in the House, and no Buffalo to be heard of in this Quarter."

Sept. 6
" Left a proper afsortment of Goods at Carlton House and proceeded on with three Boats for Paint River.
I have desired Mr Pruden to send the little dry Provisions he was so fortunate as to procure early in the Summer, to Cumberland House."

Sept. 17
" Arrived at Paint River. Here I had the pleasure to find all well, a few Furs in the House, and a tolerable Stock of dry Provisions, and the further satisfaction of learning that the Buffalo are numerous about twenty Miles South of this place."

Sept. 18
" Employed trading and Settling with a few free Canadians who have been waiting my Arrival here with part of their Winter and all of their Spring Hunts.
Gave according to instructions I received from Mr Auld to Touifsant? Pasquin a note on the Honorable Hudsons Bay Company for two thousand Six hundred and thirty eight Livres being the value of Furs received by Mr Howse at the Columbia from his Brother Joseph Pasquin and received a receipt for the same. Our opponents of the North West Company had not failed to represent to this Man that, as the note he was to receive would be addrefsed to no particular person in Canada, he would certainly lose twenty five per Cent on it being the difference of exchange and we? found it impofsible to remove the mans apprehensions which I am fearful will have considerable effect on the other Freemen who may wish to dispose of their Furs for Cash.
Mr? Touissant? Pasquin wishes to go to Montreal next Spring and has asked me if I could insure him a pafsage adding that if I could and if I would give him a note on a Mercantile House in Canada for this amount, he would sell me sixty five Beavers which otherwise he would be under the necefsity of selling to the North West Company to insure him a pafsage out."

Sept. 19
" Left a proper afsortment of Goods at Paint River and proceeded on toward the Factory."

Sept. 28
" Arrived at the Factory - had the satisfaction to find all well, and to learn that there is, considering the times, a large Stock of dry Provisions in the Store house."

Sept. 29
" The North West Companys Canoes six in number carrying about ninety pieces of Goods arrived."

Sept. 30
" Sent off three Men with a few Articles wanted at Paint River and with Horses to meet the Fall Packet at Carlton House."

Oct. 1 1814
" Opened the Cask of falling Hatchets received per last Invoice and found them so thin as to be quite unfit for cutting frozen wood.
Several Freemen arrived at our Neighbours."

Oct. 8
" Finished fitting out our Southward Indians for the Woods and the last of them Moved away."

Oct. 13
" A Band of Muddy River Indians arrived.
Sent four Men with nineteen Horses a Buffalo hunting."

Oct. 14
" The Indians of Yesterday traded and went away: they brought us two hundred and twenty five large Beaver, forty two small Beaver, one hundred & fifteen kitt Foxes, one hundred & eighty seven Musquashes and one hundred and fifty pounds of dried Meat."

Oct. 16
" A Band of Sufsew Indians arrived. Joseph Lewis also arrived and Tommo? an Iroquoy, brought only thirty five Beavers between them."

Oct. 17
" The Indians of Yesterday traded and went away. They brought 61 large Beaver, 17 small Beaver, 24 Musquashes and 1400 lbs of dry Provisions of sorts.
Sent two Men to fish at Gods Lake."

Oct. 18
" A large Band of Blackfeet Indians arrived."

Oct. 19
" The Indians of Yesterday finished trading and went away. They brought us 6 Beavers, 8 Bears, 14 Musquashes and 1200 lbs of dry Provisions of sort, prinicpally back Fats and dry Meat.
Men arrived from hunting with Meat of seven Cows and four Bulls."

Oct. 20?
" A band of Blood Indians arrived. these? Indians tell us that the plains are on fire between the Battle and Red Deers Rivers (and there is no doubt of the truth of their report as a fresh breeze from the South has to day surrounded us with smoke) so that if the present dry weather continues long we can expect to get very little dry Provisions in course of the Winter; indeed wood Animals are now so scarce that, if we cannot find Buffalo, I fear we shall be obliged to consume part of what we have already procured."

Oct. 26?
" Two young Bungee Indians arrived from the west side of the Rocky Mountains. They say that they are sent by their Brother in Law (a Frenchman who has long been a trader in the Service of the NWC but who from disatisfaction has now left it and is living as a Free Man in expectation of being employed by us) to invite us to go acrofs the Mountain next spring and to afsure us that he will render us every afsistance in his power and answer for our making good returns for four Canoes. The name of this Frenchman is Jacce? Finlay: he is well known to me and Mr Howse, he is considered to be an excellent Trader and extremely useful man; he can make Canoes Steer them or in short do any thing required in this Country is besides an excellent Hunter and could not fail to be of the utmost Service to people going to Trade in a Country with which they are almost unaquanted. But he is immodirately fond of Spiritous Liquors and consequently unfit for any other than a subordinate Situation tho' the NWC have intrusted him with the charge of a Settlement these few Years past.
The Bungees say that their Brother in Law made sixty Packs of ninety pounds each, of Beaver and Musquashes at the post he occupied for the NWC last Years. These Indians cannot give me an accurate account of the total annual returns of Furs made by the NWC in the Columbia Department, But they say the NWC have three Settlements on the Waters of the Columbia which occupy twelve Canoes and the medium Cargoe of their Canoes is twenty Packs so that the whole returns of the Columbia may pofsibly amount to from two to three hundred packs of Furs at the utmost. They say also that two Ships belonging to the NWC had arrived at the Columbia, one in April last and another in June and that in going off in a Boat to meet the latter Mr Alexander Henry (my Neighbour in 1812 & 13) and Mr Donald McTavist the two principal managers there with seven Men were drowned. The Boat sunk in pafsing over a shoal bar and only one man saved himself by clinging to an oar."

Oct. 30
" Mr Hughes Master here for the NWC and a party of ten Men (Canadians & Indians) arrived from a hunting excursion with twenty four Horses loaded with Buffalo Meat having been absent seven days. Yesterday evening Mr Hughes met three Blackfeet Indians part of those we suppose who left this the 28th instant going off with five Horses they had Stolen from his House, he pursued the thieves who succeeded in gaining a Hammock of Woods with the Horses; but as they were entering the Hammock Mr Hughes and his party fired upon the Indians one of whom was seen to fall and is supposed to be killed two of their Horses were also killed in the Woods, two of the Indans fired several Shots at Mr Hughes party from the Woods but without effect.
within these eight days eighty Horses have been Stolen from the NWC and their Servants principally if not wholly by the Slave Indians."

Nov. 3 1814
" Sent James Whiteway and George Spence with a small afsortment of Goods to meet the Swampy Ground Stone Indians, who are to arrive, by appointment, about this time, at Summer Berry River, to receive their Hunts from them and give them small credits."

Nov. 4?
" Mr Hughes read to me part of a letter from a Mr Keith? dated Columbia March 1814 in which he says, The probable annual returns of the Columbia Teritory may, upon the suppostition that their are one hundred Freemen and Iroquois employed, and reckoning these at three packs each, amount to Six hundred packs (their packs weigh 90 lbs each) one hundred and twenty of which will be procured at New Caledonia a Settlement on the west side of the Mountain, Settled from Peace River. Some of our Gentry says he? of heated imiginations expect many more but judging of the present by the past and forming my opinion by that and my own knowledge of the Country and Natives. I think that many more cannot be expected. He proceeds to describe the Country as bleak Mountainous and unpleasant and speaks feelingly of the poornefs of their living and the necefsary cruelty of the men in sacrificing the lives of two hundred Dogs and several Horses for Food. He mentions also the reported Destruction of twelve Men killed according to the account of a wife of one of the men who alone escaped on the Snake River last Spring by the Snake Indians and says a Council had been held on the propriety of sending an adequate? party (twenty five Armed Men) to ascertain the truth and particular circumstances of the Mafsacre."

Nov. 4th?
" Mr Carswell and William Bruce arrived on Horseback with our Letters from England and York Factory. I had desired Mr Carswell to bring three hundred and twenty pounds of Tobacco Brazil with him from York Factory but the Brazil Tobacco brought by the Prince of Wales proved to be so very bad as to be unfit for any use whatever. This Circumstance with the great quantity of Provisions we have purchased, almost solely with Tobacco, renders our Stock of this article far too small and I shall be under the necefsity of getting what cam be spared from Mr Howse as also the two Rolls? I left at Cumberland House."

" York Factory 7th Sept. 1814
Official
Mr James Bird
Sir
It is necefsary to inform you that the Honble Committee have made very considerable alterations in the method of conducting the businefs of the Northern District. A Multiplicity of Factories with seperate consignments of Goods will no longer be kept up, but one principal Factory for this Department will be established at York from which the trading Districts will receive their Supplies. Such Goods therefor as You now receive from the Invoice of the present Year will be entered in the Accounts of Your District as Goods received from the Factory.
In abolishing the Multiplicity of Factories to which Consignments of Goods have been made, it is not intended to alter the Situations of the Chiefs who will still continue to have Authority over the Posts in their respective Departments the only material difference will be that each trading District will keep its own seperate Accounts and receive its Supplies from the General Factory but may still give occasional Supplies to its Neighbours and receive others as heretofore, the Saskatchewan Department of which you have the Command, will consist of three Posts viz. - Edmonton Carlton and one to be placed at Deers River or Beaver River and the Officers at these Posts will be one Chief having four Shares and two Traders with one Share each. -
The Honble Comm. intend to divide the Halfs of the Profits which has been set aside for the Officers into one hundred Shares, the Shares alloted to the present Officers do not exhaust that number, but the remainder will be held in trust by the Honble Committee to be distributed among the Officers as extraordinary Rewards in such manner as may appear most beneficial to the Concern - The fixed Salaries and Shares of Profit as last Year will be continued untill the Trade of 1815 & 16 is brought to account but the value of these Shares will be guaranteed no longer. -
Businefs of the greatest Importance renders it necefsary that the Boats of your Department Should arrive at this Factory as early as pofsible next Spring. the Demand for Pimecan will be exceedingly great exclusive of that which will be wanted for this? current Services of the Year and Mr Howses Men 100 bags at least will be required at Cumberland House in June next. I must therefor beg leave to call your very particular attention to the procuring as great a Quantity as pofsible.
I remain
Sir
Your very hbl Servant
Thomas Thomas Gov.
P.S. Several Canoes will be required for the Service of next Summer at Cumberland which I hope You will have it in Your power to Supply. T.T."

Nov. 7
" John Ashburn and James Whitford arrived with three Horses carrying a few articles that Mr Carswell has brought from York Factory."

Nov. 8
" Sent John Ashburn, William Bruce and James Whitford back to Paint River.
Mr Carswell's Account of the lofs of Patrick Welsh -
Andrew Setter, William Bruce, Richard Cunnigham and Parick Welsh were tracking the Boat along a sand, which lay at a little distance from the Shore but betwixt which and the shore there was not a channel deep enough for the Boat to go through. Some little time before the men came to the head of the Sand, Patrick Welsh had occasion to remain behind, the other three Men proceeded on with the Boat to the end of the Sand and waded on through the water to a proper distance to haul the Boat up to them; By this time Patrick Welsh had arrived at the head of the Sand and Mr Carswell called to him to come to the Boat but neither threats nor persuations could induce him to wade to the Boat tho the water betwixt him and the Boat did not exceed eighteen Inches in Depth. Instead then of coming to the Boat as desired he run away towards the lower end of the Sand where he knew the water to be shoal. Mr Carswell and the rest of the Men thinking that Patrick Welsh would crofs at the lower end of the Sand with ease and safety and soon overtake them proceeded on with the Boat: after going a Short distance however without Welshs appearing Mr Carswell sent back Richard Cunningham to see after Welsh and hasten him along: Cunningham returned after some time and said that Welsh was drowned. from the tracks on the Sand it was evident that Cunningham found Welsh still there and it appeared that the former had stood opposite Welsh about the middle of the Sand and encouraged him to crofs there. but the water unfortunately proved deeper than either thought it to be and Welsh was drowned. Richard Cunningham is an excellent Swimmer and according to his own account plunged into the water to safe his comrade but his efforts were unfortunately unsuccefsful. Mr Carswell and party used every means in their power to discover the body of Welsh but without succefs."

Nov. 9
" In course of Conversation to day with Mr Hughes, Master for the NWC here, he said that, in contemplation of a Speedy Peace with the United States and of their? being driven back to their first lines as Settled in 1783 the Agents of the NWC were already making preparations for establishing a Trade in the Mifsourie that is to extend to and be connected with the Trade on the Columbia. A Settl't is to be formed on the South side of Lake Superior from whence he says the communication with the Mifsouri is easy. They propose carrying up a number of Iroquois to kill Beaver as they have no reliance on the industry of the Natives of those countries. Mr Kochblave? proprietor of the NWC who wintered at Carlton House last Year is, he says, gone to Montreal to be in readinefs to conduct this new Speculation."

Nov. 11
" The Men of this Settlement are at present employed as follows. James Folster is tenting with three tents of Southward Indians to take care of what Skins they may kill as they are tenting in the neighbourhood of Several free Canadians. Peter Flett and John McIntyre are living with the Hunters to collect Meat. Robert Rowland and Peter Corrigal are fishing at the Gods Lake. James Whitway and George Spence are at the Summer Berry River waiting till they receive the fall hunts of a few Indians who are in that Quarter. Hugh Gibson is taking care of our Horses at a distance from the House to prevent their being Stolen, John Moar is Making a Boat, Gilbert Budge making small pine? kegs for the Indian Trade. James Dickson making occasional iron work for boat builder, Indian Awls, Steels and repairing Hatchets. David Johnston with a Horse hauling fire Wood, Angus McKay and John Foubister Sawing Wood for Boats, James Rofs, Murdoch Rofsie, John Morrwick, William Gibson cutting fire wood and Will. Flett Cooking."

Nov. 12
" The River froze over. Men employed as Yesterday. John McIntyre and an Indian Boy arrived from our Hunters with four Horses carrying the flesh of three Moose Deer."

Nov. 15
" John McIntyre returned to the Hunters Tent.
George Spence arrived from Summer Berry River for a few Articles of Goods wanted by the Indians who are at that place.
Men at the House employed as last Week."

Nov. 16
" Sent George Spence to Summer Berry River with the Goods he came for and by him directions to James Whitway for the Disposal of them."

Nov. 18
" Two Southward Indian Young Men arrived at the Canadian House."

Nov. 19
" A party of nine Southward Indians arrived, four of them came to this House and five to our Neighbour."

Nov. 20
" The Indians of the eighteenth inst. went away and Stole two Horses the property of David Johnston and Robert Kirknefs. Peter Flett and John McIntyre arrived from our Hunters with the meat of three Moose Deer. It may be proper to mention that it has always been a custom in this River a custom borrowed from the Canadians for each Man to keep Horses of his own to bring home to the House that portion of meat which may fall to his lot to fetch."

Nov. 21
" Sent David Johnston, John Morrwick and Murdoch Rofsie with four Horses to the Hunting Tent the latter is to come to the House with meat as soon as it can be had. The Indians of the 19th inst went away - they are gone Strait to our Hunters Tents and I am much afraid they will Steal the Horses we have there for collecting Meat. These? Indians are come from a band of twenty Six Tents who are living in the plains and their Journey to the House seems to have had no other Object than horse stealing. John Moar building a Boat, Smith trying to make the falling Hatchets received from England, fit for use, the remainder of the Men hauling fire wood and turning Sleds."

Nov. 22
" Mr Carswell and a party of five Men set off after the Horses Stolen on the 20th inst. The rest of the Men as Yesterday."

Nov. 25
" Mr Carswell and party returned with the Stolen Horses. They found the Indians who had them tenting near the Egg Lake. They pretended they had not taken them with an intent of keeping them but merely to ride home as they were too lazy to walk.
James Whitway and George Spence arrived from the Summer Berry River having seen all our Indians who were in that Quarter. They brought 58 Beavers of sizes, 1 Swan and a few Musquashes."

Nov. 27
"Two Men arrived from our Hunters with the Meat of three Moose Deer - they left the meat of ten more Animals at the Tent. The Indians who left this the 21st inst attempted to Steal the Horses at the Hunting Tent but they were discovered and the Horses taken from them by the Hunters; two of the party were however seen lurking in the Woods near the tent Yesterday and it is feared? that they will not return home without horses. one of our Hunters arrived with the Men to afsist to protect the horses that brought home the Meat. Sent five Men with Horses to fetch Fish from the Gods Lake."

Nov. 29
" Sent five Men with Horses and Sleds to fetch home the Meat that is at the hunting Tent.
Gilbert Budge making Sleds. Robert Kirknefs taking care of the Horses and hauling fire wood and John McIntyre Sewing Sleds. Boat builders as before."

Dec. 3 1814
" The five Men who went for Meat on the 29th ult arrived with the meat of nine Moose Deer - they left the Meat of four more at the Hunters Tents."

Dec. 4
" The Men who set off the 2nd ult arrived with fifteen Horses carrying 690 Tickemeg Fish."

Dec. 5
" All hands except the Boat builder employed prepairing Sledges for fetching Fish and Meat.
Andrew Spence and an Indian arrived on Horseback from Paint River for a few Articles of Goods wanted at that place. By the Indian who is arrived from Paint River I am informed that the Indians Mr Hughes and party fired at, and whom they supposed to be Blackfeet, were Stone Indians. none of whom were killed."

Dec. 6
" Sent seven Men for Fish and three Men for Meat. Smith making Ice Chifsels for Paint River. one Man hauling firewood. James Rofs prepairing to go to Paint River and the Boat builder employed as before.
An Indian Woman arrived. She is come for a few articles on Credit for herself and Husband."

Dec. 7
" Sent off Andrew Spence James Rofs and the Indian for Paint River and by them the Goods wanted at that place.
The Indian Woman of Yesterday went away."

Dec. 9
" The three Men who went off for meat on the 6th inst arrived with the flesh of Six Moose Deer."

Dec. 10
" Sent four Men with six Horses and Sledges to the hunting Tent for Meat."

Dec. 12
" The Men who went for Fish the 6th inst arrived with eleven hundred Tickemeg weighing 4456 tib?"

Dec. 13
" The Men who went off for Meat the 10th inst. arrived with the flesh of eight Moose Deer."

Dec. 15
" Sent two Men with three Horses and Sleds to fetch meat and George Spence to remain with our Hunters to collect Meat to their Tents: The rest of the Men employed Sewing Sledges &c."

Dec. 19
" Sent two Men with Dogs and Sledges with a few Articles of Goods to Paint River and six Men with Horses and Sledges to fetch home Fish - The Smith and Boat builder employed at their several Trades.
The Men who went for Meat the 15th inst arrived with the flesh of five Moose Deer.
Two Sufsew Indians arrived (four went to the NWC House) they are come from the Red Deer River near the Rocky Mountain. they say that there are no Buffalo in their Neighbourhood and inform us that eight Tents of Blood Indians among whom was one Sufsew were entirely destroyed about the beginning of November last by a large War Party of Stone and Southward Indians. The news of this Shocking Mafsacre was brought to them by a Blood Indian Woman who had been taken prisoner but who contrived to make her escape from the Stone Indians as they were returning home."

Dec. 20
" The Sufsews of Yesterday traded and went away. They brought us 7 Wolves, one Red Fox and 15 Musquash. A Southward Indian arrived at our Neighbours."

Dec. 21
" Sent three Men with five Horses for Meat."

Dec. 24
" The six Men who went for Fish on the 19th inst with Robert Rowland and Peter Corrigle who have been fishing since October last Arrived with Horses and Sleds and eleven hundred Fish. The Men could no longer catch a Sufficient number of Fish to be worth remaining at the Lake for."

Dec. 25
" The three Men who went for Meat on the 21st inst arrived with the Meat of six Moose Deer they left the flesh of ten Moose and of four Bulls at the Tents."

Dec. 26
" Sent eight Men with twelve Horses and Sleds for Meat."

Dec. 27
" Four Fall Indians with Dogs carrying a few Kitts arrived. They have Slept five nights since they left their Tents which are between the Red Deers and South Branch Rivers where they say Buffalo are plenty."

Dec. 28
" The Fall Indians of Yesterday traded their few kitts (48) for Tobacco and went away. These Indians contradict the report made by the Sufsews of the Mafsacre of the Blood Indians and say that it is an absolute falshood."

Dec. 29
" An Indian Boy arrived for a man to fetch the hunts of three Southward Indians."

Dec. 31
" The Men who went for Meat on the 26th inst arrived with the Meat of six Moose Deer and seven Old Bulls. The two Men I sent to Paint River on the 19th inst arrived also with three and a half rolls of Tobacco part of which I had directed Mr McFarlane to send to Carlton House for. I am sorry to learn from Mr McFarlane that James Spence and an Indian whom he had sent with Mr Howses Letters from England and York Factory to Green Lake to meet according to appointment there, Mr Howses Men, but who had also Orders in case they did not find Mr Howses Men there, to proceed on to Isle a la Crofse, were forcibly prevented from pursuing their Journey by Mr Ogdon Master for the NWC of a Settlement at Green Lake and a party of his Men and so terrified that they returned to Paint River without accomplishing the object of their Journey. Mr Ogdon it is said drew a Pistol from his pocket and swore that if they did not return immediately to Paint River he would kill the Indian and their Horses and take every thing that James Spence had from him. Mr McFarlane has not however explained this affair to me so particularly as I could wish or as I shall desire him to do hereafter."

Jan. 2 1815
" Sent James Bird Jun. with Dogs and a Sled with the Indian Boy of the 29th Ult."

Jan. 4
" Sent six Men with eight Horses and Sleds for meat. Boat builder employed making a Boat. Smith making Nails for Boats. Gilbert Budge making pine? kegs for the Indian Trade. John Foubister and Angus McKay sawing, Robert Rowland chopping timber, James Whitway making Carrots of Tobacco and Robert Kirknefs and John McIntyre hauling firewood and Timber pieces."

Jan.5
" James Bird Jun. who went for Furs on the 2nd inst arrived he brought 122 Martins, 2 Beavers, 1 Red Fox, 1 Otter and 3 Wolverines."

Jan. 7
" The Men who went for Meat on the 4th inst arrived with the flesh of nine Moose Deer."

Jan. 8
" Four Men employed sawing down Timber Pieces, two Men with Horses hawling them home."

Jan. 9
" Two Men sawing timbers for Boats, two Men squaring Timber Pieces, Cooper making Kegs, Smith making Indian Awls, Boat builder making a Boat, and the other two Men cutting firewood. An Indian had arrived for Ice Chifsels and a Gun on Credit."

Jan. 10
" Men employed nearly as yesterday."

Jan. 11
" The Indian Lad of the 9th inst went away.
Men employed nearly as yesterday."

Jan. 15
" George Spence arrived from our Hunters for men to fetch the Meat of Seventeen Moose Deer, three Red Deer and one Old Bull. - An Indian also arrived at our Neighbours."

Jan. 16
" Sent Hugh Gibson, in company with a Canadian, to fetch the hunt of one of our Debtors who is tenting with the Indian that arrived at the NW House Yesterday. all the Men except the Cooper, Smith, Boat builder and Horse Keeper fetching Horses and prepairing Sleds to go for Meat tomorrow."

Jan. 17
" Sent William Gibson and Robert Kirknefs to remain at the hunting Tent in the room of Geo. Spence and John Morrwick who are to come home, and ten more men with sixteen Horses for Meat.
Cooper employed making Kegs, Boatbuilder making a Boat and David Johnston employed hauling Logs for sawing. Three Young Southward Indians arrived for a Supply of Ammunition and for men to fetch their Furs."

Jan. 19
" Sent James Bird Jun. and David Johnston with Dogs and Sleds, with the Indians of Yesterday, to fetch their Furs, and carry them Supplies of Ammunition &c.
Three Young Southward Indians arrived for supplies of Ammuntion and Tobacco and for Men to fetch their Furs - they slept nine Nights on their way to the House."

Jan. 21
" Sent James Whitway and Murdoch Rofsie (with Dogs and Sleds) with the Indians of the 19th inst to fetch Furs. - The Men who went for Meat on the 17th inst with George Spence and John Morrwick from the Hunters Tent arrived with the flesh of nineteen Moose Deer, one Bull, and three Red Deer."

Jan. 23
" Hugh Gibson arrived he brought 72? Martins, 6 Beavers, 4 Otters and 2 Leather Skins - the Hunts of four Men and an Old Woman.
Boatbuilder, Smith & Cooper working at their respective Trades, two Men with Horses hauling Timber, two clearing Paths to the Timber & two Cutting firewood. Eight Blackfeet with Dogs hauling small parcels of Wolves & Kitts arrived, four went to Mr Hughes."

Jan. 24
" The Blackfeet finished trading and went away. - They brought us 8 Wolves, 72 Kitts, 31 Musquash and 8 Red Foxes nearly the whole of which were purchased with Tobacco.
James Bird Jun. and David Johnston arrived - They brought 40 Beavers of sizes, 295 Martins, 6 Minks, 2 Otters, and one Bear Skin the hunts of six Men, three Boys & three Old Widows."

Jan. 25
" Sent six Men with nine Horses for Meat. Cooper, Smith, Carpenter and Sawers as before the other two Men hawling firewood. William Flett Senior begun making prepairations for building two Canoes as Challifoux? who was depended upon to make Canoes at Paint Creek is so ill that it is feared he will not recover. It is thought that he is in a consumption."

Jan. 28
" And Old Cree Woman arrived - She has brought eleven Martins, one Beaver & 2 Leather Skins, which pays her Debt of last fall."

Jan. 29
" The Men of the 25th arrived with the flesh of thirteen Moose Deer - they left the meat of four more at the Tents. James Whitway and Murdoch Rofsie arrived - They brought 47 Beavers of Sizes, 229 Martins, 8 Otters, 9 Minks, and 2 Black Bear Skins.
Two Men arrived at our Neighbours with Letters from Slave Lake, Peace River and the Columbia."

Jan. 30
" Sent four Men with six Horses and Sleds to the hunting Tent for Meat. Cooper, Smith & Carpenter employed as before, the Men who arrived Yesterday resting themselves.
Mr Hughes our Neighbour paid us a visit - He says that the account given by the Bungee last Fall of the Death of Mefs Henry & McTavish is confirmed: that the Isaac Tod sailed for Canton in June last with Four thousand eight hundred pounds weight of Furs on board four thousand four hundred pounds weight of which were Beaver - (this account differs a little from his former statement of the returns of the Columbia) and that a Schooner Captain Robinson Sailed from the same place in July last on a Coasting Trade. He told me also that a party of their Men who were coming up the Columbia with eight Canoes were attacked by the Natives at the Falls in August last but that the latter were repulsed and four of them killed on the Spot. He says likewise that the Isaac Tod and the Schooner together left at the Coulmbia five thousand Dollars in Spices? which had been received for Merchandize disposed of at the different Spanish posts they touched at during their Voyage to the Columbia - These Dollars are to be conveyed to Montreal by this route next Spring."

Feb. 1 1815
" Mr Lewis and Michael Runey arrived from the Isle a la Crofse with Letters from Mr Howse. Mr Lewis was accompanied from Isle a la Crofse by James Spence, Andrew Setter, James Rofs, Michael Runey, John Flett, and Patrick Cunningham. On his way from Isle a la Crofse Mr Lewis and party encamped for the Night in the Beaver River within a short distance of Green Lake. After he had encamped Mr Ogdon Master for the NWC at Green Lake with four Canadians armed with Guns, Pistols and Clubs arrived and encamped quite near Mr Lewis. next Morning Mr Lewis continued his Jounrey but had not proceeded far till Ogdon came running up to him and endeavoured to push him out of the road and said he was come to fight, turn? out then, said Mr Lewis I am ready; instead however of executing his challenge, Ogdon Spoke to the Canadians in a language Mr Lewis did not understand, on which the Canadians stripped? themselves on the Ice and challenged Mr Lewis Men to fight, none of the latter however had spirit to resent the insult offered them except Patrick Cunningham who fought the Stoutest of the Canadians but unfortunately proved too weak and was obliged to relinquish the contest from having dislocated his Thumb. During this Battle Mr Lewis said something to encourage his Man who was fighting Mr Ogdon took offence at this, some altercation ensued and Ogdon Struck at Mr Lewis who returned the blow and Knoked Ogdon down. One of Ogdons Men seeing this jumped on Mr Lewis, Seized him by the hair and struck him such a blow on the Eye that he immediately lost sight of it: Mr Lewis Men all looked on without making an attempt to afsist their Master. the remaining Canadians at length interfered, Seperated all Combatants, each party drefsed themselves and Mr Lewis continued Journey. Mr Ogdon threatened to keep a watch on them and await Mr Lewis on his return to Isle a la Crofse to give him and his Men a beating, saying that no Servant of the Hudson Bay Company had any right to be in Beaver river and much more such unaccountable nonsense.
As the three Men sent from Paint River in December last Viz. James Spence, James Rofs and Andrew Setter were proceeding to Isle a la Crofse to find Mr Howse they met Ogdon and six Men returning from that place to Green Lake. Ogon went up to James Rofs and asked him what businefs he had there, Rofs answered that he was come on his Masters businefs which he supposed did not concern him; Ogdon then Spoke something to his Men two of whom immediately laid hold of Rofs and held him while Ogdon struck him several blows on the Face Rofs at length disengaged himself and went to a little distance, two Canadians then hit Andrew Setter whom Ogdon struck on the face also and then run off. Ogdon told James Spence that he had desired him not to come there again that he had now come twice but if he came the third time he should never return home. This is Mr Lewis account of this affair but I will hereafter get Depositions from the Men themselves that if pofsible the Villain who could dare to afsault men who were peacably doing their Duty may be brought to punishment."

Feb. 2
" Two of the Men who went for Meat the 30th Ult. arrived with four Moose Deer the other two Men remained at the hunting Tents till Meat is killed for them to take home."

Feb. 5
" Two Men arrived from the hunting Tents with the flesh of five Moose Deer."

Feb. 6
" Two Men sawing down timber Pieces. Robert Rowland Squaring Timber, John Foubister and Angus McKay sawing, two Men with Horses hauling home timber, two Men cutting firewood, Smith, Cooper and Carpenter employed at their Several Trades."

Feb. 7
" James Folster and an Indian Lad arrived. He left the Indians he was living with, on the North Branch River nearly opposite old Acton House. They had found several Beaver Houses but in such difficult situations that they have thitherto? been able to kill very few, they hope however to kill a few when the River opens. James Folster is come for supplies of Shot Tobacco &c."

Feb. 8
" Sent William Flett Sen. (as he is the only person here, and indeed in the whole Department, Challifour? who is sick at Paint River excepted, that understands how to make a Canoe) Gilbert Budge, Peter Corrigle and Murdoch Rofsie, the weather being fine, to try to split some wood for making Canoes. Robert Rowland and John Morrwick, John Foubister and Angus McKay sawing, two men hauling Logs, one man cutting firewood, George Spence and Peter Flett sent off to scrape Pitch from some Pine Trees which were barked for covering the Houses in Summer. the Smith and Carpenter employed as before."

Feb. 9
" George Spence and Peter Flett arrived with a little Pitch. A Stone Indian also arrived for a supply of Ammunition."

Feb. 11
" William Flett and party come home in the evening they have got half the wood required for three Canoes. The Stone Indian above received a supply of ammunition and went away. He said that he has 7 Beaver and 10 Martins at his Tent."

Feb. 13
" William Flett and party set off to get Canoe Wood. George Spence and Peter Flett accompanied them to Collect Pitch: The rest of the Men employed as last week."

Feb. 14
" James Folster set off on his return to the Indians. He is to endeavour to detain them as long as pofsible where they are now, with a view of their killing a few Beaver when the Rivers open, and to bring their hunts here before the Embarkation."

Feb. 15
" One of our Hunters and William Gibson arrived for Men to fetch Meat. There are nine large and two Young Moose Deer at the hunting Tent.
Peter Flett arrived to go to the hunting Tent in the place of William Gibson."

Feb. 16
" Sent Robert Rowland, John Morrwick, James Whitway and William Gibson for Meat, also Peter Flett and John McIntyre to remain with the Hunters (the latter in place of Robert Kirknefs who is to come home with meat). John Foubister and Angus McKay sawing, Smith making Steel Bayonets for Trade, Carpenter making a Boat and the other two Men hauling home Timber."

Feb. 19
" Five Young Blackfeet arrived for Tobacco for fifteen Chiefs. eight Young Men went to the NWC House.
Thirty four Blackfeet arrived forty one went to the NWC House. The Men who went for Meat on the 16th inst. arrived with the flesh of twelve Moose Deer."

Feb. 20
" Nine fall Indian Chiefs arrived, eighteen went to our Neighbours, loaded principally with Buffalo Robes which are to him an advantageous article of Trade. He buys them at one Yard of Tobacco, and reckons them worth, here, twenty Shillings each.
The Blackfeet trading.
Men employed nearly as last week."

Feb. 21
" The Blackfeet and Fall Indians went away, and three Southward Indians arrived with about fifty Skins in Martins, and nine Beavers.
Sent three Men with four Horses to the hunting Tent for Meat."

Feb. 22
" Three Blackfeet Indians arrived.
The Indians of the 19th and 20th inst brought us 8 Beaver of sizes 750 Kitts, 50 Red Foxes, 127 Wolves, 127 Musquashes and 56 Buffalo Robes and three hundred pounds dry Provisions of sorts. Four Men employed Sawing, Smith making Small Hatchets for Trade, two Men hauling firewood, two Men tying up Furs & Cooper making Kegs. William Gibson lame from the kick of a Horse and Carpenter making a Boat."

Feb. 23
" The Blackfeet traded and went away. - They brought us three Beaver, 7 red Foxes, 4 Wolves, 12 Kitts and a little dry Meat."

Feb. 25
" The three Men who went for Meat on the 21st inst arrived with the Meat of five Moose and one Red Deer.
Our Hunters have at last found Buffalo and killed three Cows. The Southward Indians of the 21st went away. Two Canadians arrived last night on Horseback with Letters from the Columbia. Our Neighbour tells us that these Men left the Sea on the 29th November, before which time he says a Schooner Captain Robinson belonging to the NWC had arrived from a Coasting Trade which had proved very advantageous. The Schooner had put into a Rufsian port on the Coast of Siberia or Kamskatcha and had there disposed of a few Articles of European produce particularly Wine and Rum at a very advantageous rate. procuring in return Fur Seals and other Furs of considerable Value. He says further that the NW Proprietors at the Columbia have a most favourable opinion of a coasting Trade but say decidedly that the Trade in the interior of that Department will never prove advantageous owing in a great Measure to the unfavourable Disposition of the Natives six of whom were killed in two attacks they made on the Canadians in the course of last Summer. It may be proper to add that my informant is totally regardlefs of Truth and pofsefses? an Invention always ready."

Feb. 26
" Sent five men and eight Horses for Meat."

Feb. 27
" Two Stone Indians arrived for a Supply of ammuntion and Tobacco. William Flett Sen. and James Whitway employed planing Canoe Timbers, Robert Rowland and John Morrwick sawing plank, two Men getting Oars? Tradesmen employ'd at their respective Trades and Hugh Gibson and Robert Kirknefs hauling home Timber &c."

Feb. 28
" John Spence and Andrew Spence arrived from Paint River with Letters from Mefs Kennedy, Pruden and McFarlane and with Letters for Mr Howse from York Factory. Mr McFarlane informs me that all the Horses belonging to the Men and the Company at Paint River were Stolen a few Days before the date of his Letter by two bands of Stone Indians. a misfortune which will occasion much difficulty in procuring Birchrind for Canoes and in the conveying Pemican &c to Beaver River for Mr Howse."

" Copy of a Letter from Mr Pruden
Carlton District 10th Feb. 1815
Dear Sir
Mr McVicar and Robert Garrick arrived here a few days ago with Letters from below which I was requested to forward as soon as pofsible to Paint River; but being very busy with Indians and expecting daily to hear from Red River, made me detain the Letters till now.
Mr McVicar was to have gone to Isle a la Crofse from this place providing he could be furnished with a Guide but as none of the Indians at that place knows the way he returns back to Cumberland again. James Spence and James Sandison whom I sent to Cumberland House returned two days ago with three rolls Tobacco and two dozen of Yew handled Knives which I requested of Mr Kennedy. They had a bad trip of it and was obliged to leave half their loading at the Neck of Land their Dogs being so weak they could not haul it further indeed one of the Dogs died the day after they got to the House.
I am happy to inform You that appearances both of Furs and Provisions are at this moment more favourable then I have know them since I have been here and unlefs some unforseen accident may occur among the Indians - The Stone Indians have the means of making as much Provisions as they choose the Buffalo being numerous about them and within a moderate distance of the House. The Southward Indians have brought us no Provisions as yet there being no Buffalo in the Quarter they are in (which is the Birch Lake).
I did not think it safe to send up the half roll Tobacco by this conveyance as the Men have to pafs betwixt two Camps of Stone Indians which might have tempted them to pillage it and if they work as they ought to do they will be able to purchase all the Tobacco I have. I am glad in saying we get a better Share of the Stone Indians than formerly. - We are out of Several articles here a list of which I shall inclose as well as an account of Furs and Provisions procured at this time.
I remain Dear Sir
Your Obt. Servt.
John P Pruden
PS. I had a Letter from Captain McDonell informing me that If I had orders for the purchasing of Horses for the Red River Settlement I might desist from it as he would have no occasion for any this season.
J.P.P."

Mar. 1 1815
" The Stone Indians of the 27th ult received small supplies of Ammunition and Tobacco and went away.
Four Young Blackfeet arrived for Tobacco for Sixteen Blackfeet and fourteen fall Indian Chiefs who are to arrive tomorrow. It may be proper to mention that it is an Old established Custom in this River for all the Slave Indians who have anything to trade to send for Tobacco when they approach within a Moderate distance of the House; and from six to nine Inches according to their desert? is sent them."

Mar. 2
" Sent Andrew Spence and John Spence off for Paint Creek and by them five Horses to afsist in carrying the things Mr Howse wants by Mr Lewis to Beaver River as the uncommon warm weather we have lately had has melted all the snow and rendered it impofsible for to convey any Goods through the plains in Sleds. Ten Tents of Blackfeet and fall Indians arrived: three Muddy River Indian Young Men arrived also for Tobacco for four Chiefs who are to be here in a few days."

Mar. 3
" The Indians of Yesterday traded and went away; They brought us 1220 Kitts, 27 red Foxes, 16 Beavers of Sizes, 83 Wolves, 102, Musquash, 60 Buffalo Robes and a few pounds of pounded Meat.
The Men who went for Meat the 26th Ult arrived with the flesh of twelve Cow Buffalo."

Mar. 4
" Three Southward Indians arrived who brought a few Martins."

Mar. 5
" Mr Lewis Set off with Angus McKay for Paint Creek. Mr Carswell accompanied them to remain at Paint Creek during Mr McFarlanes absence, if on his arrival there it should appear necefsary. Six Men set off also with twenty Horses to fetch the last of our Meat.
Two Southward Indians arrived who have pafsed the Winter in the Neighbourhood of the Rocky Mountain where they had hopes of finding a few Beaver, They have made very poor Hunts having Killed only twenty two Beavers between them. -
Four Canadians arrived at our Neighbours from the Crofsing place, from which place they have brought four Rolls of Tobacco. They have also brought Letters from Swan River, by which it appears certain that a Warrant was ifsued in July last by Mr William McGillivary for the Apprehension of Mr Howse a Circumstance which from Information we had received was hitherto thought doubtful.
Copy of a Letter to Mr McFarlane
Sir
To prevent Ogdon having it in his power to execute his threats on Mr Lewis as he returns to Isle a la Crofse I have determined that You, James Knight, William Bruce and Angus McKay accompany him to some distance beyond Green Lake. The Indignation You have exprefsed at Ogdons Conduct and the Voluntary offer You, Mr Carswell and the Men above mentioned have made for this service is as gratifying to me as creditable to Yourselves and renders it unecefsary for me to add anything further than a desire that You conduct Yourself with Coolnefs and discretion and bear in mind that You are not sent to provoke insult, but to repel with Spirit and firmnefs any Violence that may be offered You. If as You pafs Green Lake, Ogdon should venture to interupt You, represent to him that a person afsaulted in the public way is justified in defending himself by any means in his power, and that You are determined not to be insulted or interupted by any Man with impunity. If this warning should prove ineffectual, You must of course act as Your own prudence and feelings may suggest but if the occasion will admit of such a measure I could desire that You Seize the Contemptible Villain and convey him a prisoner to Mr Howse or Paint River as You may find most expedient.
I am
Sir
Yours
J Bird."

" Copy of a Letter to Mr Howse
Dear Sir
Letters from York Factory are at length arrived for You, and Mr Lewis is prepairing to return to Isle a la Crofse.The unprovoked Insults and injuries to which he was exposed in pafsing Green Lake (the particulars of which he will of course inform You of) and the threats of that contemptible Villain Ogdon to repeat them when Mr Lewis should return, have induced me to send Mr McFarlane, James Knight, Angus McKay and William Bruce to accompany Mr Lewis as far as Green Lake - they all Volunteered for this Service and will I think repel with becoming resolution any Violence that may be offered them.
I have sent by Mr Lewis the Articles You desired and the Pimecan &c shall be sent to Beaver River as early as Your Men can be there to receive it.
The great Quantity of Provisions we have traded and the increase of our Trade in Wolves and Kitts in consequence of the late rise in their Value has occasioned our being Short of Tobacco, Rum, Powder, and Flints for the Summer. I have therefor to request that You send us in the Spring 100 tibs? of Powder, 10 Gall of high Rum, and all the Tobacco and Flints You can conveniently spare.
With my best wishes for Your Health and Succefs
I remain Dear Sir
Yours
J. Bird."

Mar. 6
" Sent of James Bird Jun. and Wm Bird to overtake Mr Lewis at Paint Creek that intelligence may be conveyed to Mr Howse of the certainty of a Warrant being in this Country for his Apprehension. He is indebted to the good wishes of one of the NWC for this certain Information.
Thirteen Muddy River and two Sufsew Indians arrived. (twelve of the former and four of the latter went to our Neighbours) The former have slept twenty five nights on their way to the House, the latter ten nights. Two Men employed sawing, Tradesmen at their several Trades and the other two Men hauling fire wood."

Mar. 7
" The Indians of Yesterday traded and went away. they brought us 44 Beavers of Sizes, 612 Kitts, 150 Musquashes, and 45 Wolves."

Mar. 10
" Three Young Blood Indians arrived for Tobacco for fourteen Chiefs who are to arrive tomorrow.
The Southward Indians all moved away."

Mar. 11
" Six Tents of Blood and Fall Indians arrived (three Tents went to our Neighbours)
The Men who went for Meat on the 5th inst with the two Men who were living with the Hunters arrived with the Meat of thirteen Cow Buffalo which complete our Stock of Meat for the Season."

Mar. 12
" The Indians of yesterday traded and went away. Traded from them 159 Wolves, 500 Kitts, 101 Musquash, 8 red Foxes, 4 Beaver, 15 Buffalo Robes and 110 lbs [it looks like tibs but I'll use lbs from now on] of pounded Meat."

Mar. 13
" Sent two Men to remove our Horses to a greater distance from the House, four Men to cut Stockades for enlarging our Garden, four Men sawing Boat Wood for next winter, two Men hauling home firewood, Wm Flett Sen. and James Whitway planing Canoe Wood, Carpenter making a Cart and the Cooper & Smith employed at their respective Trades."

Mar. 14
" Men employed as Yesterday."

Mar. 17
" Five Sufsew Indians arrived (five went the NW House) Two Muddy River Indians also arrived for Tobacco for eight Old Men who are to arrive tomorrow. All the Men except for the Tradesmen employed pounding Meat and packing Wolves Skins."

Mar. 18
" Two Men hauling Garden Stockades?, two Men hauling home hay, three Men pounding dry Meat, two Men looking after the Horses and the Sawers & Tradesmen as before. - The Sufsew traded. They brought only one Beaver, a few Wolves and 220 lbs pounded Meat. Nine Muddy River Indians and one Sufsew arrived. Two of the former Tribe and four of the latter went to our Neighbours.
Men employed nearly as Yesterday."

Mar. 19
" The Muddy River Indians and Sufsews traded and went away. - They brought 34 Beavers of Sizes, 115 Musquash, 390 Kitts, 15 Wolves, 5 red Foxes and 12 Buffalo Robes.
Twenty fall Indians arrived (six went to the NW House)."

Mar. 20
" Three Men employed getting Logs for building a small Storehouse, two Men with Horses hauling home Garden Stockaddes, two with Horses hauling fire wood, one Man putting snow out of the Yard. four Men sawing plank. Boat builder chopping Oars. Smith making Iron work for a Cart and Cooper making small Kegs for the Trade."

Mar. 21
" The fall Indians traded and went away. Traded from them 18 Beavers of sizes, 778 kitts, 8 red Foxes, 1 Bear, 27 Wolves, 40 Musquash and 30 Buffalo Robes. We are obliged to allow and even persuade the Indians to take many Buffalo Robes to the NWC House because our Stock of Tobacco is but small and because I know of no way in which they can be disposed of had I purchased them.
Men employed nearly as Yesterday."

Mar. 22
" Two Southward Indians arrived for a Supply of Ammunition for themselves and tent mates and for Men to fetch Furs."

Mar. 23
" Our Hunters arrived, received the balance due them for Hunting and returned to their Tents. - Two Freemen arrived at our Neighbours."

Mar. 24
" Sent Peter Flett and George Spence with the Indians of the 22nd to fetch Furs and carry out the few articles wanted by them and party."

Mar. 25
" The Freemen of the 23rd went away from our Neighbours - they have taken privately from us to the amount of Seventeen Beavers on Debt."

Mar. 27
" Two Men employed hauling home small Stockaddes for Garden, two hauling home Logs &c for building a small Storehouse, four Sawing, Cooper and one Man chopping Wedges &c for the Prefs. the Smith and Carpenter as before."

Mar. 28
" Sent William Flett Sen. and David Johnston and Peter Corrigle with an Indian Guide to take some Birchrind in the Beaver Hill. G. Spence and Peter Flett arrived they brought 160 Martins, 11 Beavers, 1 Otter, 5 Skunks?, 1 Woverin and ten leather Skins.
Four Canadians arrived at our Neighbours with Letters from Paint Creek and the Crofsing Place.
Mr Hughes came over to inform me that a most unfortunate and fatal quarrel had taken place in Feb. last between Mr Howses Men headed by Mr Johnston and six of the North West Company's Men headed by Mr Black in which one Canadian was killed. Mr Johnston was also killed and two of his Men Mortally wounded. The quarrel he says originated about a Steel Trap which one of Mr Howses Men had lost. he supposed the Canadians to have stolen this trap, and under this Idea went to take a Canadian Trap that he knew to be set at a certain place. Mr Black and the Canadians guefsing his intentions, went to prevent him. Mr Johnston and twenty one of Mr Howses Men went to the afsistance of their Countryman, both parties met and a quarrel insued the consequences of which are so Melancholy. He says that the Irishmen fired first but notwithstanding their numbers run off and left the Canadians in pofsefsion of the scene of their Quarrel. This information Mr Hughes has from Ogdon, whom it appears Mr McFarlane has taken prisoner brought to Paint Creek and is now bringing up to this place. Mr Hughes read to me part of Ogdons Letter according to which it appears that Mr McFarlane has not acted according to the Instructions I gave him in my Letter of the 5th inst. for by Ogdons account he was taken at his Gates of his House and at a time when he had only a Single Man at Home. Mr Hughes complained of the way in which Ogdon was taken and declared his determination to attempt to rescue him by force unlefs to prevent the probable consequences of such a Measure, I would consent to release him. I replied that it had not been my desire for Mr McFarlane to seize Mr Ogdon unlefs Mr McFarlane and party should themselves be interupted or insulted by him. and that if the affair was as Mr Ogdon represented it, I would order him to be released immediately. but that if it should prove that Mr Ogdon had been taken in the act of attempting to interupt our people I would by no means release him till he was carried before a proper tribunal. I aded that I consented the more readily to release Ogdon from a desire to prevent the effect of quarrels originating in another Department extending to this River and destroying that good understanding which had so long subsisted between us and which has been productive of so much benifit to both concerns and of so much comfort to ourselves."

Mar. 29
" Mr Carswell and James Whitway in company with Mr Hughes to inform Mr McFarlane of my desire under the above Circumstances to release Ogdon.
Men employed nearly as Yesterday.
Two Sufsews arrived for a small supply of Tobacco."

Mar. 30
" The Sufsews went away. Two of our Hunters arrived and pitched their Tents at the House. They are going to pafs the Summer in the neighbourhood of Paint River."

Mar. 31
" Mr Carswell, Angus McKay, James Rofs and James Whitway arrived. Mr Carswell met Yesterday morning William Taylor, Angus McKay and James Rofs Conveying Mr Ogdon prisoner to this place when? it appearing from the Account of Angus McKay as well as from Mr McFarlanes Letter that Ogdon had been taken in the way related by Mr Hughes. Mr Carswell gave up the prisoner."

Apr. 1 1815
" Ten Blackfeet Indians and four Sufsews arrived. as many went to our Neighbours. they appear to have brought very little.
James Rofs gives the following account of the treatment he received from Ogdon. He says that as he, And. Setter and James Spence were proceeding to Isle a la Crofse they met Mr Peter Ogdon and six Canadians who were returning from that place to Green Lake. On meeting Rofs who was walking first of his party, Ogdon went up to him and asked him how far he had to go, to this Rofs Answered that he hoped he had not much farther to go as he believed the Isle a la Crofse to be near, upon which Ogdon exclaimed You Sons of B-h-s did I not order You to come this way no more.(alluding to what he said to James Spence whom he forced to leave Green Lake) Rofs replied it was true he had forced one of his companions to leave Green Lake without fulfilling the object of his Journey, but that he was determined to execute the Orders he had received from his master. Ogdon then said to Rofs go back You rascal or I will send You back. Rofs said that he would not go back upon which Ogdon Seized him by the Hair, while two Canadians held his arms and calling him and his Companions rascals and sons of B-h-s Struck him several times on the Face. The two Canadians who were holding Rofs had now got his Gun from him and left him upon which he extricated himself from Ogdons grasp with the lofs of part of his hair, ran to the Frenchman who had his Gun, snatched it out of his hands and then went to a little distance, determined he says to defend himself if Ogdon dared again to approach him. Rofs now saw two Canadians holding And. Setter whom Ogdon Struck on the Face several times till he bled, after which Ogdon said to Setter go You Son of a B-h and tell Mr Howse another Son of a B-h like Yourself how Mr Ogdon has used You.

James Rofs sayeth that as Mr Lewis, himself, Patrick Cunningham, Michael Rooney, John Flett, Andrew Setter and James Spence were proceeding from Isle a la Crofse to Painr Creek they were accompanied from the former place by the Canadians, one of whom when they drew near to Green Lake went before them to adverter?, as he supposes, Mr Ogdon, who was living at Green Lake, of their approach. That after Mr Lewis and party had encamped for the Night, Mr Ogdon with four stout Canadians all armed with Guns, Pistols and Clubs arrived, made a Hut, and Slept quite near them: That the next morning Mr Lewis and party continued their Journey but had not gone far till Ogdon and the four Canadians came after them and Ogdon running up to Mr Lewis said, 'I took the advantage which Superior numbers afforded me to beat Your Men now I am come with two lefs men then You have that You may take Your revenge if You can'. That Mr Lewis then said he was not come to fight but to prevent his Men being so ill treated as they had been by him (Ogdon) That Ogdon then said 'it appears then that You are a Gentleman come to protect others'. to which Mr Lewis replied I am a Clerk to the Hudson Bay Company and I believe You hold a similar Situation in the North West Service: That Ogdon then exclaimed 'What do You reckon Yourself a Gentleman like me, You Play actor Son of a B-h' and advanced on Mr Lewis who told Ogdon to keep off and at length pushed Ogdon (who is a weak Man) over; upon which a Canadian (a half Breed) jumped on Mr Lewis who retreating a little to avoid the afsault slipt off the hard Track into the soft Snow and fell backwards in what Situation the Canadian got upon him and Struck him on the Eye so severely that it was instantly closed up. That after Mr Lewis got up, quite blind as he was of one Eye, Ogdon drew forth Pistols and challenged Mr Lewis to fight, but a Canadian jumped between Mr Lewis and Ogdon, said there should be no more fighting and Obliged Ogdon to be quiet: That during this time Patrick Cunningham had been fighting a big Canadian who had challenged him and insulted him but having put his thumb out of joint and being too weak was obliged to relinquish the contest for the present, promising the Canadian however that he would fight him again on his arrival at Isle a la Crofse. That another Canadian went up to John Flett and Andrew Setter challenging and insulting them both who replied that they did not want to fight. That he firmly believes by winks and looks that Michael Rooney and Ogdon exchanged with each other that the latter knew he had no reason to fear resistance from Rooney: That during the above Scuffles Ogdon said frequently to him (Rofs) dont You interfere I used You ill but I do not wish that You should be hurt now. That soon after the Canadian as above mentioned had obliged Mr Ogdon to be quiet they all went away triumphantly hooping and hallowing like a party of Savages who had recently butchered their Enemies."

Apr. 2
" The Indians of Yesterday traded and went away. They brought us 44 Wolves, 12 red Foxes, 12 kitts, 3 crofs Foxes, 15 Buffalo Robes, 66 lbs of pounded Meat and 60 lbs of Fat. Some of the Young Blackfeet stole this Morning from Southward Indians six Horses. Six Sufsews arrived at our Neighbours."

Apr. 3
" Two Men employed getting Ribbands for Garden Stockaddes. two Men hauling home building Logs &c, two Men hauling home Hay, four Men sawing, Smith Making Awls &c, Cooper making kegs, boat builder making a Cart and the other two Men tying up Skins."

Apr. 4
" Sent Hugh Gibson and an Indian Lad to take care of our Horses at a distance from the House.
Six Men prefsing Furs the rest employed as Yesterday."

Apr. 5
" Three Southward Indians arrived. they have about twenty Skins each in Martins at their Tents.
Men employed nearly as Yesterday."

Apr. 6
" Boat builder caulking a Boat - the rest of the Men employed as Yesterday. - A Swampy Ground Stone Indian arrived but brought nothing. Several went to our Neighbours."

Apr. 7
" Sent two Men with the Indians of the 5th inst to fetch their Furs. Men employed nearly as before. The Swampy Ground Indian went away. Six Indian Horses Stolen in course of last night."

Apr. 8
" William Flett Sen. and party arrived with about forty fathoms, only, of Birchrind. the Men who went for Furs arrived also with 64 Made Beaver principally Martins, and twenty four Leather Skins. made fifty three bags of Pemican."

Apr. 9
" A Southward Indian and his two Sons arrived paid their Debts amounting to fifty Skins, received a few Articles on Credit again with a present of Rum &c and went away. James Folster and two Indians arrived from the neighbourhood of Old Acton House. Folster has brought about one hundred Beaver the Winter Hunts of Six Indians an Iroquoy, and Joseph Lewis."

Apr. 10
" Sent off Peter Flett and James Rofs with fifteen Horses for Paint Creek to convey Pemican to Beaver River for Mr Howse. Four Men employed sawing, Smith making Boat work, Carpenter Caulking a Boat. Cooper afsisting William Flett in making Gunnels for Canoes, two Men pointing Stockaddes and the rest tying up Furs. - A Young Swampy Ground Stone Indian arrived."

Apr. 11
" Sent Wm Gibson and John McIntyre with an Indian to take Birchrind. the rest of the Men employed nearly as Yesterday. A Swampy Ground Stone Indian arrived with his Winter Hunt amounting to thirteen Beaver, twenty five Martins and four Drest Skins."

Apr. 12
" William Flett Sen. and Tradesmen employed as before the rest of the Men prefsing Furs."

Apr. 13
" Sent James Whitway with the Stone Indian of the 10th to fetch Furs. Men employed as Yesterday. The Stone Indian of the 11th inst went away."

Apr. 14
" William Gibson and John McIntyre arrived with twenty fathoms of Bark."

Apr. 15
" Benjamin Bruce and William Bruce arrived with Letters from Mr Howse and Paint Creek."

Apr. 16
" Sent James Folster with an Indian to take a little Birchrind which the latter has seen in the Beaver Hill. Three Young Blackfeet arrived for eight Chiefs which are to arrive tomorrow."

Apr. 17
" Sent Ben and William Bruce off for Paint River. I have desired Mr McFarlane to send Mr Howse eighteen bags of Pemican (of 80 lb each) which as the late unfortunate affair at Isle a la Crofs has prevented Mr Howse from leaving Men their in Summer is all he desires. Four Men sawing three Men employed with William Flett turning Canoe Timbers three Men fitting and boring Garden Stockaddes two Men cutting down Fat for melting. Cooper making Kegs, Boat builder Caulking a Boat and the Smith making Nails. Twelve Blackfeet arrived."

Apr. 18
" The Blackfeet traded and went away they brought nothing but a little pounded Meat and Fat."

Apr. 19
" Several Southward Indians arrived they brought very few Skins with them their Winter Hunts having already been brought to the House.
James Folster and the Indian arrived with twenty five fathoms of Birchrind."

Apr. 20
" The Indians of Yesterday traded the few Furs that were coming to them, received small Credits and went away."

Apr. 21
" Seven Men employed Making Pemican. (made fifty bags) Tradesmen as before."

Apr. 22
" Six Sufsew Indians arrived eight went to our Neighbours. - William Flett afsisted by Robt Rowland and William Gibson began making a Canoe."

Apr. 23
" Sent John Morrwick and George Spence with the Indian who accompanied James Folster to take some Birchrind which we have lately heard of."

Apr. 24
" Wm Flett, Robt Rowland and Wm Gibson making Canoes, five Men digging trenches and putting up Garden Stockaddes. two Men ploughing, one Man cutting Potatoes for seed and Tradesmen employed at their respective Trades."

Apr. 25
" Sent six Men accompanied with the Women of the House acrofs the River to dig and split roots for sewing Canoes. the rest of the Men employed as Yesterday.
A Swampy Ground Stone Indian arrived, he brought us 6 Beavers, two Martins and six drest Skins; his Winter Hunt was brought to the House by J. Folster."

Apr. 26
" The party sent for Birchrind on the 23rd inst arrived with only eleven fathoms, which is all they could find, the Birch they went to not answering the discription we had received of it. The Indians of Yesterday went away. Men employed as on the 24th inst."

Apr. 27
" Three Men employed putting up Stockaddes, five Men ploughing, harrowing and setting Potatoes. the rest employed as before."

Apr. 28
" Men employed as Yesterday. Finished setting eighty Gall. of Potatoes and sowing twenty Gallons of Barley."

Apr. 29
" Sent three Men to plough and sow Barley at Old Edmonton House. four Men with Wm Flett working at Canoes, Tradesmen working at their respective Trades. James Folster cutting Potatoes for setting and the rest of the Men breaking out ground in the new part of the Garden. finished the sewing of three Canoes. Sowed twenty five Gallons of Barley."

May 1 1815
" Sent three Men to plough ground and sow Barley at the Old House. three Men with Will Flett Sr. making Canoes Smith making Nails, Cooper making small Kegs for the summer, Boat builder repairing Old Boats and the rest of the Men digging new ground in the part of the Garden lately taken in and putting up Stockaddes. Sowed fifteen Gallons of Barley."

May 2
" The Men employed nearly as Yesterday."

May 3
" Sent William Flett with Angus McKay and Murdoch Rofsie in a small Boat to Superintend the making of Canoes at Paint Creek and by him all our Surplus Birchrind amounting to thirty fathoms. Five Men employed plowing and setting Potatoes in the Garden. Tradesmen employed as on the 1st inst. Robert Rowland and James Whitway working at the Canoes and the rest of the Men employed digging new ground."

May 4
" Men employed nearly as Yesterday. Finished the three Canoes."

May 5
" Several Southward Indians arrived who brought a few Swans. Robert Rowland and James Folster making a Boat Sail. Tradesmen employed at their several Trades and the rest of the Men working in the Garden."

May 6
" Tradesmen employed as before, R. Rowland and James Folster employed as Yesterday. the rest of the Men launching and ballasting our Boats. The Indians of Yesterday went away. Engaged two of them for Hunters for the Summer."

May 9
" Magnufs Spence, James Knight, John Flett, George Rofs, John Spence and Benjamin Bruce arrived from Paint Creek to afsist us down with our Boats."

May 10
" Sent Benjamin Bruce and George Rofs off in a Canoe for Paint Creek: They are to collect a few Swans from some of our Southward Indians who are Tenting along the River."

May 12
" Sent off James Knight, John Foubister, John Spence, Magnufs Spence, Wm Flett Jun. and John McIntyre in two Boats loaded with Furs and Provisions for Paint Creek: They also took with them two large Canoes tied to the Boats. Mr Hughes the NW Proprietor here embarked in a Canoe manned with six Men for Paint Creek. His Canoes and two large Batteaux left this a few days ago.
John Spence gives the following account of Ogdons behaviour towards him when he was sent to Green Lake with letters for Mr Howse to wait there the arrival of Mr Howses Men from Isle a la Crofse. He says that on his arrival at Green Lake he alighted? at the Gates of Ogdons House to deliver him letters which Mr McFarlane had permitted him to carry from Mr Hallet for Ogdon. After receiving his letters Ogdon asked Spence where he was going, to which he answered to Isle a la Crofse. Ogdon replied, You may go to Isle a la Crofse but You will find none of Your people there. Spence than went away and made a Hut at a little distance from Ogdons House with a view of awaiting there according to his instructions the arrival of Mr Howses Men from Isle a la Crofse. the next morning Ogdon came with two Canadians to Spence and asked him what he was remaining there for. Spence Answered to rest my Horses. Ogdon then said You shall not remain here; Spence then asked him what reasons he could have for driving him away. Ogdon replied that they (meaning the NWC) acted as they pleased without giving reasons for ther conduct and I tell You continued he that if You do not go away I will kill Your Horses; Spence then asked Ogdon if he would himself kill his Horses; Ogdon said no but I will employ others to do it. But continued he I do not know what prevents my taking You prisoner for the winter and if You do not go away directly I will do it and kill Your Horses. Spence being then of the opinion that Ogdon would kill his Horses and perhaps take the letters from him says that he thought it best to return to Paint Creek and returned home accordingly. Two days after Spence left Green Lake Mr Howse arrived then expecting according to appointment to find Men there with his letters from York Factory.
William Flett, William Bruce and James Spence arrived from Paint River. William Flett found on his arrival there that a Freeman called the Pigeon? whom Mr McFarlane had engaged to take Birchrind and make Canoes had already made one Canoe and that his afsistance was not required, therefor according to instructions I had given him, returned immediately."

May 14
" Embarked with Mr Carswell and ten Men in four Boats for Paint River, Left William Flett in charge of the House and Charles Bird as Storekeeper to manage the little accounts of the House; the following Men also remain during the Summer, James Whitway, James Folster, Robert Kirknefs, John Moar, William Flett Jun. and Hugh Gibson: the latter takes care of the Horses at a distance from the House."

May 19
" Arrived at Paint River and had the satisfaction to find Mr McFarlane and men well. I found here also letters from Mr Pruden informing me? of the amount of his trade in Furs and Provisions and five Men from Carlton House to afsist us down with the Boats and Canoes."

May 20
" Peter Flett and James Rofs who were taking care of Pemican for Mr Howse at Beaver River with three Men whom Mr Howse has sent to afsist us to York Factory and Alexander Robertson arrived from Beaver River with several pieces of trading Goods sent by Mr Howse. The Boat from Isle a la Crofs arrived where the Men from this place were waiting for it on the 16th instant. Mr Howses Men received eighteen bags of Pemican (1440 lbs) and turned about the same day for Isle a la Crofs. Two Freemen, Mitchell Alleni? and his Son, arrived with their Spring hunts. Water rose on the River one foot in course of to day and last night."

May 21
" Received from the Little Pigeon a Freeman, Sundry Furs to the amount of Seventy six pounds six shillings and five pence, for which he desires to receive payment in cash, and gave him a receipt for the same. Those Furs he deposited in this House last Autumn with a view of disposing of them as above Mentioned on my arrival here this Spring."

May 22
" Embarked with Mr Carswell and thirty one men in Seven Boats and seven Canoes for Carlton House; four of the latter were made at this place by little Pigeon Carrying about four hundred and twenty pieces (of 80 lb each) of Furs and Provisions. Mr McFarlane continues in charge of Paint Creek and he has with him Alex. Robertson Clerk, James Spence Interpreter, Benjamin Bruce, William Craigie, Oman Northquay and Thomas Louttit. The poplar Trees here have some of them a green appearance to day and some of the Hills also are green. Barley at Paint Creek was appearing above ground but the green blades were only thinly scattered and the season may be considered as full twelve days more backwards than last Year, owing I imagine to the prevalence of easterly winds during the latter part of April and all May."

May 27
" Arrived at Carlton House had the pleaure to find Mr Pruden well and to learn that his trade was considerably better than last Year. Immediately on arriving set the men to work to make Pemican for which I have brought a quantity of Fat from Edmonton and Mr Pruden has pounded meat: made seventy bags (of 80 lbs).
Vegetation is much more forward here then when we left Paint Creek. The leaves of the Poplar Trees are expanded and even large; and the Barley has a fine appearance."

May 29
" Embarked with Mr Carswell and thirty eight Men in Nine Boats and seven Canoes all heavily laden for Cumberland House. We have procured for Summer use, in the whole Saskatchewan, 34200 lbs of Pemican and 2500 lb of dry or piece? Meat a quantity that will I imagine be sufficient for my purpose."

June 4 1815
" Arrived at Cumberland House and had the satisfaction to find Mr Kennedy and Men well. As we approached Cumberland few Signs of Vegetation were to be seen the Trees are beginning to bud but they scarcely appear green."

June 5
" Remained all day at Cumberland to repair a Boat and put the Canoes &c in the Storehouses. Left at Cumberland 150 bags of Pemican, 560 lb dried Meat, 320 lb Fat, Seven Canoes, a keg of Canoe Pitch and ten fathoms of Birchrind."

June 6
" Embarked from Cumberland with nine Boats for Jack River and York Factory. Mr Kennedy embarked also in company."

June 8
" Arrived at the Cedar Lake and found the middle of it entirely covered with Ice which Shifts with the wind and is still unbroken. At 3 PM the Ice obliged us to encamp, indeed we can have no hopes of getting thro Lake Winipeg these several days to come, we made no great efforts to force our way thro.
In the Neighbourhood of this Lake Vegetation is of course nothing more forward than at Cumberland."

June 10
" Pafsed the Great Rapid with two Boats and arrived at Lake Winnipeg part of which contrary to expectation we found open but could not proceed far as we found the Ice close to the Shores and extending as far out as the Eye could reach."

June 11
" A Strong Breeze of wind from the NE drove the Ice in the direction of the Great Fall and opened us a pafsage about 2 PM when we resumed our Voyage. The Boats I left at the Great Rapid will not I apprehend yet find a pafsage thro the Ice."

June 12
" Sailed through large fields of floating Ice occasionally cutting our way through points? of Ice which rested on the Shores and at 11 PM arrived at the end of the Lake. The whole way through the Lake no open water could be perceived to the Southward of us but the whole appeared to be one vast Sheet of Ice."

June 13
" Arrived at Jack River at which place there has been no arrivals from Red River or, since the water communication opened, from York Factory."

June 19
" I had the pleasure to meet Mr Thomas Governor of the Northern District, and proceeded with him to Oxford House."

" James Bird."


1M49 B.60/a/13

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