" A Journal of the most remarkable Transactions & Occurrences at York Fort from 1st Sept. 1781 to 22d August 1782 by
Mr Matthew Cocking Chief."
[Cover]


" York Fort Journal of Occurrences Proceedings &c kept by Mr Matthew Cocking Chief of the said Fort beginning September the 1st 1781 and ending 22d August 1782"
[Title page]


Sept 1 1781
" Saturday Wind NW cloudy weather with rain and Fogs. Sent the Pafsengers Chests and Bedding on board. The Charlotte Sloop Mr George Holt Master arrived from Churchill with a few Articles of Trading Goods. The people employed in cutting up Poplar for the Prince Rupert and doing other necefsary jobs for the Fort. Rec'd 37 Joints of Venison, 20 Tongues and 15 Heads. Several Indians came in to take trust and brought with them dryed Meat."

Sept. 2
" Sunday NEbN cloudy rainy squally weather. Finished loading the Severn Sloop which fell down the River to five fathom hole. Sent the Whale Sloop on board with necefsary Articles as well as fresh Food and Greens. The weather too bad for the Captains to proceed to their respective Ships, consequently Mr Marten has still the Command of the Fort. Several more Indians came in to take debt, and brought with them dried Meat and Fat. Traded with those of yesterday 30 sides dried Moose flesh, 6 bladders of Fat, 2 bags of Pimmican and 12 Deers Tongues. Rec'd 5 Bundles of Trading Goods which were left by some Indians in the Northern Track intended for Cumberland House. paid the Indian who brought them for his trouble."

Sept. 3
" Monday Wind NW cloudy weather Rain at times. Recieved on shore from Sloop Charlotte the Goods mentioned to be sent from Prince of Wales Fort and gave Mr Holt his dispatches. The Whale Sloop came up. Bad weather yet prevents the Gentlemen embarking. Credited several of the Indians and gave them a treat. Men employed part in packing up Goods for sending Inland. the others brewed small Beer and other necefsary duties."

Sept. 4
" Wind NNW light breezes first part rainy afterwards fair but cloudy. About 2 OClock in the afternoon Mr Humphrey Marten, Captains Fowler and Christopher and Mr Will. Stephenson embarked to go on board the Ship for England, also Mr Will. Falconer for the Sloop for Severn; saluted them with guns as usual. Traded two deer from one Canoe of North River Indians who came for debt. Men employed. Armourer repairing guns for Indians; Smith and Carpenters doing odd jobs in their way, the rest stowing away Goods, cleaning yards and other necefsary duties."

Sept. 5
" Wednesday Wind variable light breezes weather most part cloudy a little rain. Credited the last of the Indians and cleared them off for going away. The Men employed. Shipwright caulking a Boat. Armourer and Smith repairing hunting guns. the other Tradesmen employed at their businefses. Sent four Men up to the Island to provide hay for our Cattle. Twelve Men with Boats fetching drift wood from the Flatts, the rest ground Oatmeal and did other necefsary duty at home. In the afternoon the Severn Sloop got under way at 5 fathom hole and proceeded to sea."

Sept. 6
" Thursday Wind SE a very light breeze with Fog in the Morning afterwards NE a fresh breeze and clear. Two Canoes of Indians arrived from North River and two from up this River with Venison, 96 Joint, 10 Heads and Tongues which I traded. Sent several of our Home Indians over the River to hunt geese. Mr Humphrey Marten and Captain Christopher came up from the Ship and dined, then returned. A Boat from the other Ship also arrived for a supply, sent a large stock of fresh Venison on board of both Ships. The Men employed. Armourer and Smith repairing Indian guns for hunting. Carpenter repairing the front of the Batteries and Ports which are going to decay. four Men collecting drift wood, the rest clearing rubbish out of the yards, ground Oatmeal &c. Mr Robert Longmoor with four Men Viz. Magnus Sclater, Will. Flatt, John Driver and Adam Corrigall in two Canoes with three Canoes of Inland Indians proceeded up this River to go to Cumberland House carrying 20 packages of Trading goods &c and a Letter of Advice and Instructions for Mr Tomison as per Correspondence Book."

Sept. 7
" Friday Wind variable weather cloudy, rain in the morning. Employed as yesterday. In the afternoon Sloop Charlotte broke ground and dropped down to 5 fathom hole. Sent the remainder of our Home Indians down to the North Marsh to shoot Geese. Unpacked several Casks of Trading Goods &c."

Sept. 8
" Saturday Wind SW and NWbW clear weather until noon then cloudy. Men employed. Bricklayer repairing Ovens and Fire places, the rest of the Tradesmen employed in their several branches as before, the rest of the Men throwing up Stones to support the bank which were scattered along the shore. Two Canoes of Home Indians arrived from North River with three Deer and some skins which I traded. Two of the Men at the Hay Island came home for provisions. they say that much of the Hay that was before made is spoiled by the late rains. About 11 OClock in the morning see both Ships and the Churchill and Whale Sloops under way, and about 2 in the afternoon they were all out of sight."

Sept. 9
" Sunday Wind NE a strong gale rain the whole day. Read Divine Service. The Whale Sloop returned from accompanying the Ships to the Offing and brought up the large fairway Buoy. Mr Lockey informs me that he parted with all well on board both Ships except Captain Fowler who is indisposed with a cold, most of us at the Fort is troubled with the same complaint to a great degree. The Haymakers returned for their Tent. sent two additional Men with them which make six Men now there."

Sept. 10
" Monday Wind variable from NW to SWbW light breezes weather part clear and part cloudy. Men employed. one Man as Cook, and another as Servant to the Chiefs Mefs, a third in taking care of the Cattle and Swine, and the Steward in necefsary duties of his station. These Men tho' not repeatedly mentioned in future will be always employed in the same duties and occasionally afsisting in other. Six Men at the Hay Island and fourteen Men preparing to go up the River to raft firewood. The Armourer repairing hunting guns. Smith at the Forge doing some necefsary Jobs in his way. Shipwright making a stock for a kedge Anchor for rafters use. Two Taylors at work for the People. Two House Carpenters jobbing in their way. Cooper preparing stuff for making kegs for Inland. Bricklayer and one Man pointing the seams between the logs of the Cook rooms to prevent the admifsion of air through them. Mr Lockey with the Seamen in getting things ashore from the Sloop, the rest in unpacking trading Goods and other necefsary Duties. One Canoe of deer hunters came down the River with three Deer and a few skins which they traded and returned. In the evening four Canoes of Pungee Indians arrived they brought the flesh of seven deer which I traded from them."

Sept. 11
" Tuesday Wind variable from SWbW to NW fresh gale cloudy and foggy, rain without intermifsion the whole day. Sent off Fourteen Men to raft firewood at Rainbow and Twelve Mile Islands. Men at home employed. Tradesmen in their ways and the rest in necefsary Duties within doors."

Sept. 12
" Wednesday Wind NWbW a moderate breeze weather part clear and part cloudy a sharp frost last night a little Snow and Sleet to day. Tradesmen employed as before. The Cooper with others brewed Table Beer and did other necefsary Factory duties. Credited the four Canoes of Indians who arrived on Monday and they went away."

Sept. 13
" Thursday Wind SWbW a fresh breeze weather part cloudy and part clear a little Sleet, frost last night. Men employed. Tradesmen as before. the rest did necefsary duties at the Fort until flood and then fetched Hay in the Boats from the Island. Three Canoes of Pungee Indians brought 15 Deer; Four Canoes of other Pungees came down for debt they brought dried Moose and Deers flesh and Fat. Rec'd 180 Geese from the Home Indians who are shooting in the Marshes.
Thermometer +38°
NB. The Characters + and - which are annexed to the Altitudes denote that they stood so many degrees above or below the Cypher. The Altitudes will always be taken at 12 O Clock."

Sept. 14
" Friday Winds NWbW clear weather frost. Employed as yesterday. Dealt with the Indians who arrived yesterday, and credited them Goods for the winter. Rec'd 115 Geese from home hunters. Also 16 Deer from Pungee hunters up the River.
Thermometer +37° "

Sept. 15
" Saturday Wind NW weather part cloudy and part clear. Men employed. The two House Carpenters and Shipwright with afsistants laying sheet lead (recieved by the Ship) over the new shed and Breast work, a part of which are yet uncovered Lead falling short last year. Armourer repairing hunting guns. Smith jobbing at the Forge, the rest salted Geese and Venison and did other Factory duties. Myself accompanied by the Sloop Master went up in the Boat with four Men to Rainbow and Twelve Mile Islands to see the firewood and returned home in the evening. Five of the Wooders and two of the Hay Makers came down for Provisions. The wooders brought down also William Windwick one of their number who is disabled by a hurt in his shoulder by a fall. Rec'd 2 deer and some Geese from the home Indians.
Thermometer +42° "

Sept. 16
" Sunday Wind SSW a fresh breeze in the afternoon first part clear afterwards cloudy with rain. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +48° "

Sept. 17
" Monday Wind SWbW a fresh gale weather cloudy and foggy. The wooders and hay makers went away. 19 Men now abroad. Men at home employed. Smith with an afsistant making Hatchets, Armourer repairing guns. Cooper preparing stuff for Inland kegs, the two House Carpenters taking down the Watch house of the NW shed in order to build a new one, being quite decayed. Shipwright with an afsistant repairing the Bridge over the Creek near the Factory, and the rest went with Mr Lockey and brought home two Boat loads of Hay. Rec'd six Deer from one Canoe up the river.
Thermometer +57° "

Sept. 18
" Tuesday Wind SSW and W strong gales and cloudy at noon small Snow. Men employed. Armourer, Smith and Cooper as yesterday. the Shipwright with an afsistant repairing the Stockades. Bricklayer pointing between the Logs of the Cook rooms where air is admitted. two Taylors at work for the Men, and the rest of the Men afsisting the House Carpenters in taking down the old Necefsary, which stands detached from the North West shed watch house and preparing the place for erecting a new one. find no part of the shed decayed except the three upper logs which are rotted just under the Watch house only and which the Carpenters have cut out to put in new, all the rest of the wall is sound, as appeared by opening the plaistering in many places. William Windwick who came from the woods disabled on Saturday is yet laid up.
Thermometer +38° "

Sept. 19
" Wednesday Winds SWbW and NW strong gales rain great part of the day. an exceeding high tide. In the morning employed as yesterday but rain obliged the Men to desist who were working without doors, afterwards they were employed at necefsary jobs within. two of the Haymakers came home who say that the high tides yesterday had dispersed all the hay over the Island that was made and great part of it will be lost. Have daily rec'd a few Geese from the hunters in the Marshes.
Thermometer +35° "

Sept. 20
" Thursday Wind NWbW a fresh breeze cloudy sharp weather. Men employed as before. Haymakers returned. A Boat came from Twelve Mile Island to fetch a kedge Anchor to warp the rafts acrofs to the North shore one before taken being insufficient. Four Canoes of Pungee Indians arrived from up the River to get debt. Recieved three Deer from our Home Indians who are hunting in the Marshes.
Thermometer +28° "

Sept. 21
" Friday Wind variable clear weather. The Men from the woods returned. sent off another Boat with Mr Lockey and four Men to afsist in getting the wood over to the North shore. The Men at home employed. two House Carpenters with two afsistants making up the breach in the shed with new wood, the rest of the Tradesmen with afsistants employed as before. Traded some dried Meat and Fat and a few Summer skins from the Indians who arrived yesterday and gave them debt and they paddled away.
Thermometer +33° "

Sept. 22
" Saturday Wind SW and NW clear pleasant weather. Employed as before. Mr Lockey with the Men sent up to afsist the wooders returned home in the evening. they brought down four rafts and fastened them to the shore, off the four Mile gulley ready to drop down to the Factory when convenient, the remainder of the wood that was rafted being conveyed to the fair way near the North shore above.
Thermometer +47° "

Sept. 23
" Sunday Wind NW a fresh breeze clear weather. Read Divine Service. In the afternoon Mr Lockey with four Men took the Shallop down to the Marsh to lay her up for the winter; in the evening they returned.
Thermometer +40° "

Sept. 24
" Monday Winds NW and NE fresh breezes cold weather part clear and part cloudy. Snow at times. Men employed. Nineteen abroad Viz. 13 rafting firewood and 6 hay making. Two House Carpenters preparing to erect the new necefsary &c. Cooper preparing stuff for Inland kegs. Smith afsisted by one Man making felling Hatchets. Armourer repairing set guns. Taylors working for the Men. Shipwright with some afsistants repairing the Stockades, the rest brewed small Beer and did other jobs. Daily recieving Geese from Indians in the Marshes.
Thermometer +31° "

Sept. 25
" Tuesday Winds SE and South weather most part cloudy. Employed as yesterday except brewing and took up part of the Launch.
Thermometer +36° "

Sept. 26
" Wednesday Wind variable most part cloudy. Employed as yesterday. took up the whole of the launch and stowed it away for the winter. Bricklayer repairing the plaistering of the NE shed afsisted by one Man, having been opened in several places to examine the Logs. Will. Windwick who was disabled the 15th Instant now at work.
Thermometer +43° "

Sept. 27
" Thursday Wind NE weather most part cloudy a little Sleet. Tradesmen and afsistants with other labourers employed as before, except the Shipwright who afsisted the House Carpenters, he having finished the repairs of the Stockades yesterday.
Thermometer +38° "

Sept. 28
" Friday Winds NE and SEbE cloudy weather. Employed as before. Two Canoes of Pungee Indians came down with some fish which I traded.
Thermometer +40° "

Sept. 29
" Saturday Wind SEbS and SW weather most part cloudy. Mr Lockey with four Men went down with the Sloop, to fetch an Anchor left by him in the offing, and to bring up the River Buoys. Men at home employed as before. five Canoes of Pungees came for debt. they brought dried Moose and Deers flesh and Fat also a few Summer pelts. The Men who were at the Hay Island came home, also all the Men arrived from the woods, they brought down six rafts of firewood.
Thermometer +34° "

Sept. 30
" Sunday Wind NW cloudy weather. Part of the home Indians came in from Goose hunting, paid them and gave them debt and they went away.
Thermometer +36° "

Oct. 1 1781
" Monday Wind NW cloudy a little drizling Snow. Men employed. House Carpenters in building the new watch house. Shipwright preparing stuff for them, the rest of the Men including Steward &c carried up the firewood, also fetched down five rafts that were left near four Mile Gulley which was also carried up and all set up in a pile. The Whale Sloop returned from the Offing having brought her Anchor and the Buoys. More of the Home Indians returned from Goose hunting. gave them payment for their trouble. Credited the Pungee Indians who arrived on Saturday and they went away.
Thermometer +38° "

Oct. 2
" Tuesday Wind NWbW part cloudy and part clear. Sent Mr Lockey with 17 Men to bring down the remainder of the rafts. Men at home employed. House Carpenters afsisted by the Shipwright in building the new Watch House and Necefsary. Cooper preparing stuff for Inland kegs. Smith with an afsistant making felling hatchets. Armourer repairing Indian guns. Taylors at work for the Men. the rest stowed away provision Casks and did other necefsary jobs. The last of the home Indians returned from the Marshes paid them for hunting Geese. Recieved five Deer from them which they killed as they were crofsing the River. Total Geese killed this Fall 1909.
Thermometer +33° "

Oct. 3
" Wednesday Wind variable between SSW and SSE clear pleasant weather. Tradesmen employed in their several ways as yesterday, the rest of the Men doing necefsary Jobs. Six of the Men sent up to bring down wood arrived with ten rafts, which were fastened to the shore. A Sow farrowed eight Pigs. Credited the last of the Home Indians and cleared them off ready for going away for the winter. Total Amount of goods trusted to the Indians this Fall is 2111 1/2.
Thermometer +37° "

Oct. 4
" Thursday Winds variable cloudy rain the greatest part of the day. some Snow in the morning. Tradesmen employed at their Businefses within, and the rest (except seven Men sent up the River to afsist in bringing down the rafts) ground Oatmeal and did other necefsary duties within doors.
Thermometer +37° "

Oct. 5
" Friday Wind NW part cloudy and part clear. Late last night and early this Morning twelve more rafts or rather small floats of wood were brought down being the last of what were made. Mr Lockey with the rest of the Men arrived with them. This day all hands (except the two House Carpenters afsisted by the Shipwright in building the Cook for the Chiefs Mefs and another for the Men) employed in carrying wood up the Bank and setting it up in a pile. All the Home Indians went away for the winter except four Men to carry Packets and fetch trading goods that are wanted from Churchill and Severn. two sick Indians who appear to be in a decline, one elderly Man also with their Families, together with Widows and Orphans whom those that are gone away could not provide for. Total 34.
Thermometer +37° "

Oct. 6
" Saturday Winds SWbW and SSW weather most part clear. Employed as yesterday except Thomas Isbester who is lame, having hurt his foot yesterday.
Thermometer +55° "

Oct. 7
" Sunday Wind SSW a fresh breeze clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +55° "

Oct. 8
" Monday Wind NWesterly clear weather. Two House Carpenters employed setting up the new necefsary afsisted by the Shipwright, all the rest of the Men except the Cook carried up firewood which was finished.
Thermometer +45° "

Oct. 9
" Tuesday Wind variable between W and N clear weather. Two House Carpenters employed as yesterday. Smith Jobbing in his way. Taylors at work for the Men. 14 Men including Shipwright and Bricklayer preparing to go abroad to fell Timber, and ten more to procure provisions, the rest of the Men including Armourer and Cooper fetched Hay with the Boats, except Henry Tomison who is sick and Thomas Isbester yet lame. Recieved 2 Deer from the Home Indians now at the Fort.
Thermometer +57° "

Oct. 10
" Wednesday Wind NE cloudy and foggy at times. The Men appointed to go to the woods and hunters preparing for their Journey. Tradesmen employed in their several callings as yesterday except Shipwright and Bricklayer who go to the woods, and Cooper who is sick. Henry Tomison and Thomas Isbester yet laid up. Myself accompanied by the Surgeon with four Men went in a Boat to Angle at Tenshilling Creek caught 15 Trout, as we returned brought home the Horse left at the Hay Island by the Haymakers. Two Canoes of our Home Indians came down the River with the flesh of 7 Deer which they traded and returned.
Thermometer +41 1/2° "

Oct. 11
" Thursday Wind and weather variable. Sent off John Morris with three Men to lay abroad and procure provisions at French Creek and places adjacent. Henry Garroch and one Man went up this River to a place called Tenshilling Creek Head all to procure provisions. also sent up the River Mr Edward Umfreville with the Shipwright, Bricklayer and eleven Men to fell Timber and provide plank and Boards for Factory uses. Nine Men including the Armourer, Smith and two Taylors went up with them to afsist in conveying their things and to bring back the Boats. Two House Carpenters employed in setting up the new Necefsary. Mr Lockey with afsistants laid the Sloop at the Mouth of the Creek ready to be conveyed up to her winter birth by the next Spring tides. The Cooper, Thomas Isbester and Henry Tomison yet in the Surgeons list. George Gun also laid up with a sore eye.
Thermometer +41° "

Oct. 12
" Friday Wind NW a strong gale weather most part cloudy. Mr Lockey with three Men went away to procure provisions at Pennycutaway. The two House Carpenters brewed small Beer and the Cooper (tho' not perfectly well) is employed in repairing of old small sledges. The sick as before.
Thermometer +39° "

Oct. 13
" Saturday Wind NW a moderate breeze cloudy cold weather. Men employed cutting up firewood and other jobs. At noon Snow until the evening.
Thermometer +29° "

Oct. 14
" Sunday Wind NW weather part clear and part cloudy. Read Divine Service. Sent off the four Indians who are kept at the Factory with their Families 14 in all to trap Martins until the Season of carrying Packets.
Thermometer +27° "

Oct. 15
" Monday Winds NW and WbN part cloudy and part clear. Men employed. twenty four abroad, of the Men at home two are yet ailing, one Carpenter employed in finishing the new necefsary, the other in building the new Watch house. Cooper mending sledges, one Man afsisted by the Cowkeeper cutting up firewood. Steward mending Nets. Recieved 8 Rabbits from the old Indian now at the Factory.
Thermometer +20° "

Oct. 16
" Tuesday Wind variable cloudy with Snow until afternoon then fair. Some ice driving in the River. Employed as yesterday. 5 Rabbits today.
Thermometer +25° "

Oct. 17
" Wednesday Wind SW clear weather. Men at home employed. The Carpenters and Cooper as before, the rest in cutting up firewood. all the Men that were ailing recovered and employed. In the afternoon the nine Men sent to afsist Wooders and Hunters up the River returned with the Boats. afterwards hauled all the Boats on the bank. Mr Lockey and one Man came down in the wooden Canoe from Penicuttaway brought 123 Tickameg, 7 Perch and 10 Pike. Recieved eight Rabbits from our Indian Hunter.
Thermometer +15° "

Oct. 18
" Thursday Winds variable clear weather. Men employed. the two House Carpenters in building the new Watch house. Armourer repairing guns. Smith afsisted by one Man making felling Hatchets. Cooper repairing Sledges. both Taylors at work for the Men, the rest employed in opening the drain from the cellar in the Mens Flanker being stopped. Mr Lockey with afsistants put the Sloop further up in the Creek but could not get her high enough. He also went down to the Marsh and secured the Shallop and long Boat. Much ice on the Shores. 5 Rabbits to day.
Thermometer +25° "

Oct. 19
" Friday Wind SE weather part clear and part cloudy thawed much. Men employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +38° "

Oct. 20
" Saturday Wind Easterly cloudy haizy weather a little drizling rain most of the Snow difsolved. employed as before. The Sloop secured in her winter birth.
Thermometer +31° "

Oct. 21
" Sunday wind NE cloudy weather. Read Divine Service. John Morris and one Man arrived in a Boat from the French Creek to fetch part of their provisions and other necefsary's left when they went away. Brought 7 Trout and 9 Rabbits and have left 60 small Trout laid up at Tenshilling Creek, angled there, brought also 3 Martin skins.
Thermometer +32° "

Oct. 22
" Monday Wind SE light Airs cloudy weather small Sleet. The two Men from the French Creek returned, sent two more to bring back the boat who returned in the evening with the Fish laid up at Tenshilling Creek and the Hay Cart which for want of convenience was left at the Hay Island. a little Hay yet remains there which cannot be now brought off too much ice laying on the shore near it. Men employed. 24 lay abroad, two House Carpenters in building the new Watch house. Smith and an afsistant making Hatchets. Armourer repairing Guns. Cooper preparing stuff for making small sledges. Taylors at work for the people and the rest in opening the drain to the Mens Flanker Cellar. find it stopped up with solid ice.
Thermometer +31° "

Oct. 23
" Tuesday Winds variable and cloudy some Snow most of the former Snow difsolved, no ice driving in the River and but little laying on the shore. Tradesmen employed as yesterday and the rest in opening the drain. Mr Lockey and Man went away.
Thermometer +30° "

Oct. 24
" Wednesday Winds Northerly most part cloudy some Snow. Employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +32° "

Oct. 25
" Thursday Winds NEasterly cloudy haizy weather strong gales and Snow at times. Employed, Cooper, Armourer and Taylors as before. Smith with an afsistant and Carpenter jobbing, the rest finished laying open the drane and let the water out of the Cellar through it.
Thermometer + 28° "

Oct. 26
" Friday Wind North cloudy weather. Snow with little intermifsions the whole day. Men employed Tradesmen as yesterday, the rest ground Oatmeal and shovelled up Snow from the works.
Thermometer +22° "

Oct. 27
" Saturday Winds W and NW clear weather much ice driving in the River. Men employed. Tradesmen as before, the rest of the Men cutting down willows to clear the ground near the Fort being much grown.
Thermometer +13° "

Oct. 28
" Sunday Winds WbS and N part clear and part cloudy and haizy.Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +13° "

Oct. 29
" Monday Wind SE a gentle breeze clear weather. Men employed. 24 abroad in felling Timber and procuring provisions. Armourer repairing guns. Cooper making small sledges. Taylors at work for the people. Carpenters and Smith with an afsistant jobbing and the rest cutting down willows to clear the land near the Fort. 2 Rabbits and 12 Partridges from the Indians.
Thermometer +22° "

Oct. 30
" Tuesday Winds SE and SW cloudy weather some Snow last night. Employed as yesterday. Recieved 14 Partridges and 2 Rabbits.
Thermometer +29° "

Oct. 31
" Wednesday Winds S and SE weather most part clear. The Men employed as before.
Thermometer +27° "

Nov. 1 1781 [says "April"]
" Thursday Wind Southerly clear weather. Two of the Labourers brewed small Beer, the rest as before.
Thermometer +32° "

Nov. 2
" Friday Winds Southwesterly clear weather. Armourer stocking a gun. Smith and an afsistant repairing steel Traps. Carpenters building the new Watch house. Cooper making hunting Sledges. Taylors at work for the people the rest cutting down Willows near the Fort. Daily recieving a few Partridges and Rabbits from an elderly Indian and Lad and part killed by ourselves but they are very scarce.
Thermometer +34° "

Nov. 3
" Saturday Winds variable between North and East cloudy with small Sleet greatest part of the day. Men employed. Carpenters, Armourer, Smith and Cooper employed as yesterday. the two Taylors with nine Labourers went with Sledges to fetch Venison, the Indians having killed one Buck two Does and two Faun Deer yesterday, about seven Miles distant. Our Men returned in the evening with all the best of the Meat and skins the Indians having only kept the Offal for themselves. Six Deer seen near the Fort.
Thermometer +31° "

Nov. 4
" Sunday Wind SW a light breeze cloudy and haizy at times, much rime fell last night. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +25° "

Nov. 5
" Monday Winds SW and NW middling breeze part clear and part cloudy. Men employed. fourteen abroad providing Timber and ten in Hunting. Of those at Home the Armourer stocking a Gun. Cooper making small Sledges. Smith with an afsistant repairing Steel Traps. The Taylors at work for trade. Carpenters building the new Watch house the rest cutting down willows to clear the land round the Fort. The Indians looking after Deer but have not seen any, there were tracks of some seen that were near yesterday. Six Partridges.
Thermometer +26° "

Nov. 6
" Tuesday Winds variable between NW and N cloudy Snow at times. Employed as yesterday. One Marten from the Traps. a few of which was made sometime ago. one Marten caught before. No Rabbits from the Snares scarce any traces of Rabbits about. Recieved a red Fox from an Indian shot yesterday but it is not in season. Last night had a Bonfire in remembrance of the day and gave the people a little liquor to drik succefs to the Company and the Nation in general.
Thermometer +32° "

Nov. 7
" Wednesday Wind N and NE cloudy weather a little Snow. Employed as yesterday and Packed Nine Bundles of Doe Deer skins in hair. Recieved 6 Martins from the old Indian Man.
Thermometer +31° "

Nov. 8
" Thursday Wind SE light Airs cloudy weather. Employed as before. packed three Bundles of Buck and three of Doe in hair being the whole except a few skins kept for cutting into Thongs for making Snow shoes and small Sledges. Total of made Beaver in Furs and Deer skins now in hand traded since the departure of the Ship is 287 1/4.
Thermometer +28° "

Nov. 9
" Friday Wind South weather part cloudy and part clear. Men employed. Tradesmen in their several callings the rest cutting down Willows to clear the ground near the Fort.. One of the sick Indians being somewhat better tho' far from well (the Surgeon informs me that he appears to be in a Consumption) with his Family went away to reside a little way off and with his Son to endeavour to procure a few Rabbits and Partridges; gave them a small supply of food for their support as at the fort.
Thermometer +28° "

Nov. 10
" Saturday Wind SWbS cloudy weather. Employed. Armourer, two Carpenters, Smith and an Afsistant as before, also the Cooper, the two Taylors and two Men sledging Snow out of the yard with the Horse, and cleaned Yards and platforms, the rest cutting down Willows near the fort.
Thermometer +23° "

Nov. 11
" Sunday Wind SW weather part clear and part cloudy. Read Divine Service. Last night Mr William Lockey arrived from Pennycutaway, brought one large Pike six Trout and Twenty Marten skins; He says they have been succefsful in Fish, but have got but few Rabbits. That the River is froze partly over the Channel from the North shore down as low as to about seven Miles distant, from whence he came through the plains. He brought also an unserviceable net to change for another.
Thermometer +23° "

Nov. 12
" Monday Wind SW clear weather. Men employed. 24 abroad providing Timber and Provisions. Of those at home, Armourer stocking guns, Cooper making hunting Sledges. Taylors making cloathing for Trade, Smith and Mate jobbing. Carpenters repairing the Cow house flooring, three Men cutting down willows to clear the land near the Fort and the rest Butchered a barren Cow and eight Pigs, which produced 306 lbs Nett Beef and 192 lbs Pork. Mr Lockey returned for his Tent. Recieved three Martins from the old Indian: Him and Ourselves have caught a few Rabbits, but scarce any now about near the Fort.
Thermometer +36° "

Nov. 13
" Tuesday Winds SW and S clear weather. Employed as yesterday. Butchered a cut Boar and four Porkers. total weight 504 lbs.
Thermometer +21° "

Nov. 14
" Wednesday Wind South a fresh gale cloudy with drizling Snow at times. Men employed. Tradesmen at their several callings as before, and the rest in cutting down willows except George Gun who is sick.
Thermometer +23° "

Nov. 15
" Thursday Wind NW most part clear. Employed as before. A Sow farrowed fourteen Pigs but they were so small and weak that they all died except four.
Thermometer +11° "

Nov. 16
" Friday Wind South cloudy weather a fresh breeze in the afternoon and at Even Snow. One Carpenter (Thomas Kirlew) making a Bureau for Chiefs use, the other repairing the Cow house flooring. Smith with an afsistant making shoes for the Horses, the rest of the Tradesmen employed as Monday and the Labourers in cutting down willows near the Fort. George Gun recovered and employed with the rest.
Thermometer +24° "

Nov. 17
" Saturday Wind NWbN a strong gale cloudy weather showers of Snow at times. Tradesmen employed as before, the rest shovelled Snow up in heaps ready for sledging out of the yards.
Thermometer +12° "

Nov. 18
" Sunday Wind NW a strong gale cloudy with drift in the morning afterwards clear. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -5° "

Nov. 19
" Monday Wind NW clear weather. Twenty four Men abroad. the Men at home employed. Armourer stocking a Gun. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use, The other Carpenter making conveniences in the Cow house. Cooper making hunting sledges. Taylors working for the Men. Smith afsisted by one making Ice shoes for the Horses, one Man taking care of the Cattle and Swine instead of Alexander Tours who is ill of the Gravel. Steward and one Man making triangles for set Guns, and four Men cutting down willows to clear the Land near the Fort; Myself and Surgeon in a hunting excursion having seen the trace of a Deer, sent the old Indian after it who returned in the evening having killed it. He says it is a young one.
Thermometer -12° "

Nov. 20
" Tuesday Winds NW and West clear weather. Employed as yesterday. Steward setting guns for Foxes afsisted by James Grey, but the latter having cut his hand by a Fall upon his Hatchet, he returned home disabled for the present. Alexander Tours yet ill. Rec'd the Deer killed yesterday.
Thermometer -15° "

Nov. 21
" Wednesday Winds SW and NW clear and very sharp. Tradesmen employed as before, and four Men cutting willows. Alexander Tours and James Grey under the Surgeons care. One of the Factory Dogs was shot dead at a set Gun. No Foxes.
Thermometer -9° "

Nov. 22
" Thursday Wind NW clear weather. Employed as before until breakfast, but being too cold for the Men to continue cutting down willows; those on duty were afterwards employed in cutting up firewood in the sawing yard. The River set fast opposite and above the Fort. about half a Mile below it is yet open.
Thermometer -24° "

Nov. 23
" Friday Wind SW light Airs part clear and part cloudy towards evening a little Sleet. Employed Tradesmen at their several callings as before, the rest that are well cutting up firewood. Alexander Tours employed attending the Cattle. James Grey yet disabled.
Thermometer -15° "

Nov. 24
" Saturday Wind North a fresh gale with drift a little Snow in the Morning. Tradesmen employed at their businefs as before. and the rest cut up firewood and sledged Snow out of the yards. Mr Lockey and Henry Garroch arrived from their Tents. Mr Lockey with 30 Trout, 16 Martins, 1 white and 1 coloured Fox skin. Garroch brought 2 Otter and 25 Martin skins. he says they killed only 60 Rabbits most of the woods being burned about Tenshilling Creek Head where they resided. In the evening Mr Umfreville also arrived with two Men from the wooding Tent he brought 11 Martens. Says they have felled most of the Timber where they are, but few plank sawn as yet. Three Martins from the Indians.
Thermometer +8° "

Nov. 25
" Sunday Wind NW and W clear weather. As the wooders were served their Provisions and they with others preparing to go away tomorrow prevented our having Divine Service performed. John Morris with one Man arrived from the French Creek. brought 60 Rabbits and 19 Martens one coloured Fox and one Jackash. Says they have been succefsful in Fish having about 800 at their Tent and about 90 Rabbits.
Thermometer +3° "

Nov. 26
" Monday Wind SW clear weather. Mr Lockey with Henry Garroch returned for their respective Tents. As nothing is to be got up the River worth continuing I have directed Garroch with his Tentmate to return home at the conclusion of the week with their Baggege. Mr Lockey and his Tentmates are also to return home as soon as the Fish and Rabbits are brought home from his Tents at Penicuttaway and Tweny Mile Creeks. Mr Umfreville and the two Men with him also went away, seven Men afsisted them in sledging up three weeks provisions to serve the Men to be at the woods, part of which (i.e.) Rabbits and Fish are to be served by Mr Lockey and Henry Garroch. The above seven Men with the Factory Dogs also gone with them are on their return to bring home Fish and Rabbits from Mr Lockey's Tents. Men employed. Thirty one abroad. House Carpenter setting up Hog stys in the Cow house. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use, the rest Viz. Cooper, Armourer, Smith, Taylor with Steward and Cowkeeper ground Oatmeal and put provisions in the River to freshen. Morris and Tentmate likewise went away.
Thermometer +4° "

Nov. 27
" Tuesday Wind SW light Airs clear weather. Employed Carpenter and Joiner as yesterday. two other Tradesmen brewed small Beer and the rest ground Oatmeal. James Grey yet disabled by a lame hand.
Thermometer +5° "

Nov. 28
" Wednesday Wind SEbS by South weather cloudy and inclinable to Snow. Carpenter and Joiner employed as before, the rest cut up firewood and tunned the Beer.
Thermometer +15° "

Nov. 29
" Thursday Wind SW weather most part cloudy inclinable to Snow. The Tradesmen all employed at their several callings, the rest in necefsary duties. Recieved three Martens from the old Indian. No succefs from our set Guns as yet. A Woman and Lad arrived from the sickly Indian who went away the 9th Instant to beg a supply of Food. they brought 28 Rabbits which I recieved, say that the Man has been very ailing since they left the Fort but at present is so much recovered as to hunt a little.
Thermometer +24° "

Nov. 30
" Friday Wind S and SW cloudy weather. Employed as before. The Woman and Lad went away who arrived yesterday. sent by them a supply of Oatmeal &c towards their support.
Thermometer +17° "

Dec. 1 1781
" Saturday Winds S and SE cloudy weather. Men employed as before. Henry Garroch and the Man with him came home with their Baggage, brought 7 Rabbits which with 63 supplied to the wooders makes 70 Rabbits killed by them, they also brought 2 Marten and one white Fox skin. John Morris with his Tent Mates also arrived from the French Creek. Robert Tennant and Robert Flatt brought home their things as directed intending to have sent them up the River to afsist the wooders in sawing plank but Flatt it seems has been disabled since last Sunday by having sprained his Knee. Morris and the other Man came home for a supply of Provisions, brought one Grizzle and two coloured and one white Fox skins, also two Marten skins.
Thermometer +18° "

Dec. 2
" Sunday Wind East cloudy weather. Read Divine Service, in the evening Snow.
Thermometer +20° "

Dec. 3
" Monday Wind S and SE light breezes cloudy small Snow great part of the day. Last night the seven Men sent up to afsist last Monday in sledging provisions up to the wooders, returned home they brought 73 Rabbits, 77 Pike, 10 Trout and 108 Tickameg from Mr Lockey's Tents, one of his Men accompanied them. John Morris and one Man (his former Tent Mate) returned for the French Creek. sent the two Men with them who arrived from up the River on Saturday in the room of Robert Tennant and Flatt now at home. Tradesmen employed in taking Provisions out of the River and putting more in to freshen. The Labourers all preparing to go away again tomorrow except James Grey who is lame of his hand and Robert Flatt laid up with a sprained knee.
Thermometer +15° "

Dec. 4
" Tuesday Wind SE and NEbN light Airs, calm at times, cloudy with light Snow at times. The Man from Mr Lockey's Tent returned, sent 5 Men with him to afsist in bringing down what Fish &c are left there; Robert Tennant and Thomas Isbester also went away for the wooders Tent to afsist in sawing plank or in felling Timber. Men employed 29 abroad in various duties. Men at home, Cooper mending broken sledges, Armourer stocking guns, Taylor making cloathing for Trade, Carpenters making Hog Sties in the Cow house, Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use, Smith making Iron furniture for ditto, and the rest cut up Firewood except Grey and Flatt picking Oakum stuff. Butchered a young Bull Nett Wt 221 lbs.
Thermometer +11° "

Dec. 5
" Wednesday Wind NEbN cloudy snowing weather drift. Employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +25° "

Dec. 6
" Thursday Winds N and NW cloudy with Snow great part of the day. Employed as before.
Thermometer +19° "

Dec. 7
" Friday Winds SWbW and W cloudy drizling Snow great part of the day. Employed as before and shovelled Snow up in heaps. Daily recieving a few Partridges but they are very scarce as yet.
Thermometer +16° "

Dec. 8
" Saturday Wind NW a light breeze cloudy weather. Last night Mr Lockey and his Tent Mates with the Men sent up on Tuesday arrived from Penicutaway Creek, brought 72 Trout, 4 Perch and 1 Tickameg with 90 Methy, brought also 11 Marten skins. These Men did no duty today coming home late last night. Early this morning sent off two Men afsisted by two Dogs with 4 Sledges to the French Creek and the Men there came home with them at noon. they brought 101 Rabbits and 250 small Fish, Jack, Trout and Suckers, and one Marten skin. Rest of the Men employed as before.
Thermometer +14° "

Dec. 9
" Sunday Wind W and SWbW light Airs clear weather. Read Divine Service. The ailing Indian who went away the 9th Ult. arrived with his Son brought 60 Partridges, 1 Quiquahatch, 4 Marten and several Rabbit skins.
Thermometer +3° "

Dec. 10
" Monday Wind NW a fresh breeze cloudy Snow in the evening. Gave the Indians who arrived yesterday a supply of Oatmeal &c and he went away. Mr Lockey and three Men his former Tentmates went away for Stoney River to hunt Partridges. One of the Men from the French Creek Henry Garroch having hurt his knee appointed James Grey in his stead being now able to use his hand which was wounded sometime ago, and he with the other three went to the French Creek. Employed. Twenty-four abroad, Cooper making hunting sledges. Armourer stocking guns. Carpenter making conveniences in the Cow house. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use and Smith making furniture for the same, the two Taylors working for the people, two Men brewed small Beer. these were afsisted in filling the Copper by all hands in the morning, the rest took Provisions out of water and put more in to freshen, except Robert Flatt who is yet disabled by a strained knee and picks Oakum stuff. Henry Garroch not being so lame as to disable him from working is employed with the rest.
Thermometer +15° "

Dec. 11
" Tuesday Wind NEbN cloudy snow'y weather. in the evening a strong Gale at NW with drift. Tradesmen Employed as yesterday. two Men tunned small Beer, cleaned Copper and Cook room, the rest shovelled Snow from the works and up in heaps for sledging out.
Thermometer +15° "

Dec. 12
" Wednesday Wind NW a strong gale drifting snowing weather. Men employed. the Tradesmen as before, the rest shovelled Snow from the works and sledged part of it out with a horse.
Thermometer +3° "

Dec. 13
" Thursday Wind NW a fresh gale partly clear weather. Employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +11° "

Dec. 14
" Friday Wind and weather as yesterday. Cooper preparing stuff for making rundlets for Inland service the two Taylors making Indian Leaders cloathing for presents, the rest of the Men employed as before. We have not had any succefs from the set guns as yet. and seldom above two or three Partridges a day oftener none. notwithstanding the old Indian is out daily and Surgeon, Steward and Self occasionally. they are very scarce.
Thermometer -19° "

Dec. 15
" Saturday Wind WbN cloudy weather. Tradesmen employed as before, the rest sledged out the last of the Snow and cut up firewood.
Thermometer -20° "

Dec. 16
" Sunday Wind N and NW light Airs cloudy weather. Read Divine Service. Towards evening two young home Indians arrived from up the River brought four sledge loads of venison afsisted by dogs.
Thermometer -19° "

Dec. 17
" Monday SW and S cloudy with a little snow. Men employed. Twenty four abroad in various duties. Armourer stocking guns. Taylors making Indian cloathing. Cooper preparing stuff for making rundlets for Inland. Carpenter and Smith repairing crofs cut saws. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use, the rest of the people cut up firewood, took provisions out of water and put more in to freshen.
Thermometer -11° "

Dec. 18
" Tuesday Wind SW a middling breeze Snow and drift at noon a fresh gale at NW but fair. Tradesmen employed as yesterday, the rest cut up Firewood in the morning but the weather becoming too bad were afterwards employed in necefsary jobs within. The two Indians who arrived on Sunday went away. they brought the flesh of three Deer, ten Tongues, one Porcupine and three Beaver Carcases. Brought no Furs except one Wolf, a Fox, a Quiquahack and twelve Martin skins to trade some necefsarys, said that themselves and Tentmates (two more Men) have procured Furs sufficient to pay half their debts.
Thermometer -7° "

Dec. 19
" Wednesday Wind SWbW clear weather. Men employed. Tradesmen as before, the rest setting up Beacons acrofs the River to prevent people mifsing their way in thick weather.
Thermometer -26° "

Dec. 20
" Thursday Wind SWbW light airs clear and very sharp. The Tradesmen employed at their several callings as before, the rest of the Men cut up firewood. A grizzled Fox from the set guns being the first from them this winter.
Thermometer -33° "

Dec. 21
" Friday Wind SW light breeze clear weather. Tradesmen as before. three Men making Sinnet for sledge lashings and five Men went to the French Creek and returned in the afternoon accompanied by John Morris they brought home 30 Rabbits and 466 Fish of sorts also one red Fox and three Marten skins. towards evening Edward Umfreville and all the Men who were at the woods returned home, brought 5 Marten skins. They have felled 98 pieces of Timber since they went away being the last to be found near there. The Sawyers have cut some plank and boards, but not one fourth of the quantity necefsary for Factory uses. In the evening Morris returned to his Tent.
Thermometer -25° "

Dec. 22
" Saturday Wind SEbW clear weather.The Men who returned from the woods yesterday, being much wearied with their journey were not employed to day. The Tradesmen at their several callings, the rest of the Men part making Sinnet and part went again to afsist in bringing Provisions from the French Creek who return'd again in the afternoon; the four Men who were there also came home with them, brought 262 Fish, 81 partridges and one white Fox. One Man also arrived from Mr Lockeys Tent at Stoney River, he brought 76 Partridges. Mr Lockey will come home on Monday.
Thermometer -25° "

Dec. 23
" Sunday Wind S and SWbS clear in the Morning afterwards Haizy and cloudy. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -17° "

Dec. 24
" Monday Winds NW and SW light Airs cloudy and very mild a little Snow. The Men employed in various duties Viz. Armourer stocking guns, Cooper preparing stuff for making rundlets for Inland service, Taylors making cloathing for trade. Shipwright and House Carpenter jobbing. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use and Smith making furniture for ditto, four Men took provisions out of water and put more in to freshen, all the rest cut up firewood and ground Oatmeal. Mr Lockey and Tentmates came home with 17 more Partridges.
Thermometer +5° "

Dec. 25
" Tuesday Wind SW cloudy and mild with mizzling snow most of the day. Read Divine Service as appointed for the day.
Thermometer +21° "

Dec. 26
" Wednesday Wind variable cloudy and very mild. The Men kept holiday. The sickly Indian who has resided abroad a little distance off for sometime past came in with all his Family saying that he could get no Partridges or Rabbits to feed on, he brought a few Rabbit skins, but only one Marten.
Thermometer +18° "

Dec. 27
" Thursday Wind variable cloudy haizy weather. Men cut up a little firewood and ground Oatmeal.
Thermometer -6° "

Dec. 28
" Friday Winds and weather as yesterday. The Men amusing themselves at harmlefs sports.
Thermometer +3° "

Dec. 29
" Saturday Winds NW and W weather most part clear.
Thermometer -11° "

Dec. 30
" Sunday Wind NW clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -28° "

Dec. 31
" Monday Wind S and SE clear until towards evening then cloudy with a fresh of wind.
Thermometer -28° "

Jan. 1 1782
" Tuesday Winds and weather variable.
Thermometer [blank]"

Jan. 2
" Wednesday Wind North cloudy and rimy in the morning at Noon thick Snow strong gale and drift for the remainder of the day. Yesterday evening the four Indians whom I had retained last Fall to carry Packets and whom I sent off the 14th October to trap, came in with their Families, brought 118 made Beaver in Furs, almost wholly Martens, they brought a Beaver Carcase and a little Venison which I also traded.
Thermometer -14° "

Jan. 3
" Thursday Winds NNW and South weather part clear and at times much obscured with rime. The Men employed. Armourer repairing hunting guns. Cooper blocking stuff for making rundlets for Inland. Shipwright and House Carpenter helving Hatchets. Taylors making cloathing for trade. Joiner and Smith jobbing and the rest ground Oatmeal and shovelled up Snow in heaps except John Houston and Alexander Tours who are both ill.
Thermometer -22° "

Jan. 4
" Friday Winds SWbW and W fresh gales cloudy with snow and drift at times, at other clear. Armourer, Cooper, Taylors, Joiner and Smith as yesterday employed. The Shipwright, Carpenter, Bricklayer with three others preparing to go up the River to saw Plank and Boards, and nineteen others, some to sledge timber to the bank, and some to hunt Partridges, the rest sledged Snow out of the yard with the Horse.
Thermometer -20° "

Jan. 5
" Saturday Wind NW a fresh gale with drift, clear sky. Employed as yesterday and cut up a little Firewood. Daily recieving a few Partridges from the Indian hunters.
Thermometer -34° "

Jan. 6
" Sunday Wind West a fresh breeze clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -35° "

Jan. 7
" Monday Wind and weather as yesterday. Mr Lockey with three Men again went away to Stoney River to shoot Partridges and John Morris with two Men to the French Creek on the same businefs. Shipwright House Carpenter with Bricklayer and three others to square Timber and saw it into plank and Boards up the River, and Henry Garroch with eleven Men proceeded for the same place to sledge out the remainder of the Timber to the Bank which remained undone before Christmafs. Men at home employed. Armourer stocking a gun. Cooper preparing stuff for Inland rundlets. Taylors making cloathing for Trade. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use. Smith making furniture for it and the rest cut up firewood. John Houston and Alexander Tours recovered.
Thermometer -35° "

Jan. 8
" Tuesday Wind and weather as yesterday. Men employed as yesterday. In the Morning dispatched two Indians with Letters for Prince of Wales Fort. In the afternoon Henry Garroch and another Man returned home bringing Robert Tennant on a sledge who has got most of his Toes frost bitten. They likewise inform me that another Man's (Andrew Harvey) Toes are part frost bitten but not to such a degree as Tennants; they left Harvey with part of the Men who lay at twelve Mile Island last night, he was unwilling to accompany them to day tho' able to walk saying he would come down tomorrow as Garroch informs me. Robert Tennants Toes are swelled and blistered part of them, and two on one Foot have a livid appearance, but the Surgeon gives me hopes of his making a cure without any part of them being mutilated. I find on inquiry that the above misfortune has happened to these Men through negligence in not taking proper care of their Feet. Harvey by going from the Fort in damp socks, and Tennants socks were much wore being thread bare, consequently not very warm.
Thermometer -39° "

Jan. 9
" Wednesday Wind WbN clear, at times obscured by Rime. The Men employed as yesterday except two whom I sent off to twelve Mile Island to fetch down Andrew Harvey, Garroch and Partner also went away.
Thermometer -36° "

Jan. 10
" Thursday Winds NWbW and W clear weather. Tradesmen employed at their several callings, the rest cut up firewood except John Houston who is again sick and Robert Tennant who is disabled by his Toes being froze. The two Indians sent off for Churchill on Tuesday came back again saying that Port Nelson River is not yet froze over, that they went a considerable distance above where Flamborough House formerly stood but without effect. They suppose it to be owing to their being yet a fresh of water in the River which has prevented its being set in as it is narrow above Flamborough Head. In the afternoon the two Men sent up this River yesterday came home with Andrew Harvey from twelve Mile Island, the wooders who stopped there went forward yesterday. Harvey's Toes are but slightly frozen compared to Tennant's and I hope he will soon be perfectly well.
Thermometer -36° "

Jan. 11
" Friday Wind SW clear weather. Employed as before. A Cow calved a Bull Calf.
Thermometer -36° "

Jan. 12
" Saturday Wind SWbW clear weather. Employed as before. One Man arrived from the French Creek with 38 Partridges and a white Fox. Daily recieving a few Partridges from the Indians.
Thermometer -33° "

Jan. 13
" Sunday Wind WNW and W clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -32° "

Jan. 14
" Monday Wind West clear weather. at noon a fresh gale with drift. Twenty three Men lay abroad on various duties. the Men at home. Cooper employed in making more small sledges, all the rest who were able except Steward, Cook, Cowkeeper and Servant went over the River to beat a path from the heaps of wood, that are laying there and which was felled last winter, down to the Marsh in order to sledge it home. John Houston is recovered and employed. Robert Tennants Toes have but a very indifferent appearance as yet, but Andrew Harvey's are almost well. The two Indians again set off with Letters for Churchill: if the North River should not be yet set in they are to wait there until it is when they will proceed. Sent another Indian with them who is to return as soon as they have crofsed to inform me.
Thermometer -10° "

Jan. 15
" Tuesday Wind SW cloudy weather, small Snow with drift at times. The Men employed all in filling the brewing Copper, afterwards the Tradesmen employed at their several callings, the rest of the Men opened the water hole and put salt Provisions in to freshen and brewed small Beer. Steward making Nets. A Sow farrowed six Pigs but two of them were dead. Recieved two white Foxes from the Steel Traps.
Thermometer -3° "

Jan. 16
" Wednesday Wind WbS clear pleasant weather. All the Tradesmen and Labourers who could be spared from the Fort beating a path for the wood sledge acrofs the Flatts. James Grey who was Tenting at French Creek came home being ill.
Thermometer -11° "

Jan. 17
" Thursday Wind East a very light breeze, cloudy weather. Tradesmen and the rest employed as yesterday. The last of the young Pigs farrowed on tuesday died, they were too weak to suck their Dam.
Thermometer -6° "

Jan. 18
" Friday Calm and cloudy small snow at times. Armourer repairing guns. Cooper making small sledges. two Taylors making cloathing for trade. Joiner making a Bureau. Smith filing up furniture for the same, the rest with the Horses sledged home firewood from over the River. The Indians who were again sent off on Monday with Letters for Churchill again came back. It seems Port Nelson River is not yet froze over, having been a considerable way above where they were before and found it open with much ice driving down the Current, a sure sign that the River is not yet set in for some distance further. We shall yet wait another week or ten days and if it is not set then set in I shall send them off with the Letters for Severn and the Bay Forts, for if we wait longer it will be too late before they can return from Churchill as the Spring will be advancing which will make it difficult for them to sledge the loads of Brazil Tobacco here from Severn, if it can be spared that I shall send for. - James Grey who was ill of a severe cold and Andrew Harvey who had his toes frost bitten are recovered and were employed with the other Men. Robert Tennant is yet and likely to be disabled for some time. The Surgeon was obliged to amputate one joint of one of his small Toes, being mortified.
Thermometer -3° "

Jan. 19
" Saturday Wind NW clear weather. The Men employed Tradesmen at their several callings and the rest sledging home firewood as yesterday. The Men sent up the River Monday sevennight to sledge Timber to the Bank, returned home having finished that businefs. John Morris and his Tent Mate also came home from French Creek they brought 42 Partridges. two Men likewise arrived from Mr Lockey's Tent at Stoney River with 120 Partridges: have also recieved 279 from our Indian Hunters during the week.
Thermometer -19° "

Jan. 20
" Sunday Wind West clear weather. Being much indisposed with a cold did not Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -29° "

Jan. 21
" Monday Wind WNW clear pleasant weather. The two Men from Stoney River returned to their Tent. John Morris and Partner also went away. Sent an Indian Lad with them to afsist in hunting. Eleven Men preparing to go up to Twelve Mile Island to sledge firewood to the bank which was felled last winter; And the Men to remain at home employed as follows Viz. Armourer repairing Guns. Cooper making eight gallon Rundlets for Inland. Joiner making a Bureau. Smith making furniture for the same. Taylors making cloathing for Trade, the rest of the Men with the Horses sledged home firewood from over the River. Robert Tennants Toes are on the recovery, tho' slowly, he is employed sewing Canvis bags for Inland service. Steward making of fishing Nets.
Thermometer -20° "

Jan. 22
" Tuesday Wind West clear weather. Henry Garroch (as Patroon) and ten more Men set off for Twelve Mile Island to sledge out firewood to the Bank Twenty-three Mem now abroad on various duties. The Men at home employed as yesterday.
Thermometer -16° "

Jan. 23
" Wednesday Wind SW weather most part cloudy. Employed as before. I should have mentioned yesterday that four Indians afsisted by six Dogs were sent off with ten sledges loaded with provisions for five weeks for the six Men who are up the River sawing plank and Boards about three days Journey distant. this provision with a fortnight before got up will serve them for seven weeks ensuing.
Thermometer -6° "

Jan. 24
" Thursday Wind North a strong gale with drift clear near the zenith. The Men employed as before on the Morning, afterwards cut up firewood.
Thermometer -21° "

Jan. 25
" Friday Wind as yesterday clear and sharp weather. The Men cut up firewood and ground Oatmeal except the Tradesmen who were employed at their several callings as before.
Thermometer -31° "

Jan. 26
" Saturday Winds SW and W moderate breezes weather part clear and part cloudy. Men employed as yesterday and sledged Snow and rubbish out of the yard with the Horses. The four Indians sent off with provisions last Tuesday for the Sawyers came back having done that Service.
Thermometer -24° "

Jan. 27
" Sunday Wind NW a fresh gale clear but rimy weather. Sent off two Indians to see if North River be yet set in, they are to go up to Flamborough House near which is the narrowest part.
Thermometer -33° "

Jan. 28
" Monday Winds NW and SW clear weather. Twenty-three Men employed in various Duties as before. The Armourer repairing Indian hunting guns. Cooper making eight gallon Rundlets for Inland Service. two Taylors making cloathing for trade. Joiner making a Bureau for Chiefs use and Smith making furniture for it. The rest of the Men took provisions out of water and put more in to freshen and sledged home firewood with the Horses. The two Indians returned from the North River they say that it is now froze over.
Thermometer -37° "

Jan. 29
" Tuesday Wind NW clear but rimy. Tradesmen employed as yesterday, the rest sledging home firewood except Tennant who being unable to walk makes Canvis Bags for Inland Service. Steward knitting fishing Nets. The two Indians preparing to set off for Churchill.
Thermometer -35° "

Jan. 30
" Wednesday Wind NW clear weather thick rime in the afternoon. employed as before. Sent off two Indians once more with Letters for Churchill. Sent the rest of the Men to hunt Partridges at North River.
Thermometer -31° "

Jan. 31
" Thursday Wind W and SW Weather as yesterday. Employed as before except James Murwick? who is sick.
Thermometer -37° "

Feb. 1 1782
" Friday Wind SW a stiff gale with drift clear above. Employed as before.
Thermometer -20° "

Feb. 2
" Saturday Wind SWbS weather first part clear afterwards overcast and inclinable to Snow. The Tradesmen employed as before. The other Men cut up firewood and took Provisions out of water and put more in. One Man arrived from Mr Lockeys Tent at Stoney River he brought 75 Partridges. Morris and his Tentmates also arrived from the French Creek with 92 Partridges and one white Fox. Have also recieved 175 during the last fortnight killed about the Factory chiefly by the Indians.
Thermometer -10° "

Feb. 3
" Sunday Winds W and NWbW clear weather. Three home Indians came in with a few Furs and Deer skins which paid half their debts. They brought Twenty Tongues and four Rumps of Venison.
Thermometer -12° "

Feb. 4
" Monday Wind SWbS clear weather. The Men from the Partridge Tents went away, as did also six Men who also arrived from the woods on Saturday for provisions. Twenty three Men abroad as before. The Men at home employed Viz. Cooper making rundlets for Inland. Taylors making Cloathing for Trade. Armourer repairing hunting guns. Joiner making a Bureau. Smith making furniture for it. Steward making Fishing Nets. two Men sledging firewood from over the River with the Horses, and the rest who are able cutting up firewood. John Barston laid up with a cold. Robert Tennants Toes heal but very slowly he is employed sewing bags for Inland Service.
Thermometer -19° "

Feb. 5
" Tuesday Wind SW a fresh breeze first part clear afterwards cloudy and inclinable to Snow. The Men filled the Copper with water in the Morning, afterwards the Tradesmen employed in their several callings and two Men with the Horses as yesterday. two Men brewed small Beer and two Men cutting up firewood. Stewards went to the set guns which he has occasionally done during the winter, few traces of Foxes seen. The three Indians who arrived on Sunday went away.
Thermometer -14° "

Feb. 6
" Wednesday Wind NW a strong gale with drift clear. The Tradesmen employed as before. the two Men who brewed yesterday tunned the Beer and cleaned the Copper Robert Tennant making bags and Barston who is yet ailing making tyings of old Rope yarns; The rest cut up firewood and ground Oatmeal.
Thermometer -25° "

Feb. 7
" Thursday Wind SW clear weather. The Tradesmen and two ailing Men employed as before. Two Men with the Horses sledging Firewood from over the River. Steward making fishing Nets and the rest cut up firewood. A red Fox from the set guns. Two North River Indian Families, Men, Women and Children. Nine in all came in seemingly well gooded in furs. they brought no provisions.
Thermometer -21° "

Feb. 8
" Friday Wind Wind WNW first part afterwards a stiff gale at NW with drift, clear. Employed as yesterday. The Indians trading Liquor who arrived yesterday.
Thermometer -18° "

Feb. 9
" Saturday Winds West and South cloudy weather at Noon light Snow. The Men employed as before. Dealt with the Indians who arrived on Thursday who paid their Debts honestly in good Beaver and had plenty to spare to trade supplies. Total of what they brought 308 1/2 made Beaver. Gave them presents as encouragement and also sent presents by them to others of their Countrymen.
Thermometer -18° "

Feb. 10
" Sunday Wind North cloudy with small Snow at times first part, afterwards a stiff gale with drift.
Thermometer -10° "

Feb. 11
" Monday first part Wind SW and clear weather. At noon a fresh gale at South with drift cloudy. The Men employed 23 abroad in various duties: The Cooper making Inland rundlets. Smith afsisted by one Man making Hatchets for Inland Service. Armourer repairing guns. Joiner making a Bureau. Taylors making Indian cloathing. Steward making Nets. Rob. Tennant whose Toes heal but slowly employed making sinnet afsisted by one Man. the rest afsisted the Horses in sledging home firewood from over the River. John Barston recovered and employed. The North River Indians went away. The home Indians sent acrofs north river to hunt Partridges returned from thence. they brought 240 Partridges but say there are few left about there at present.
Thermometer -20° "

Feb. 12
" Tuesday Wind NNW a strong Gale Snow and drift. Much Snow last night. Employed Tradesmen as yesterday, the rest after shovelling Snow in heaps, cut up firewood and ground Oatmeal.
Thermometer -2° "

Feb. 13
" Wednesday Winds EbS and S cloudy weather at Noon thick snow and drift but in the evening fair and clear. Tradesmen employed as before; the rest sledged Snow out of the yards with the Horse and ground Oatmeal.
Thermometer -0° "

Feb. 14
" Thursday Wind NW a light breeze in the evening calm. Employed as yesterday except James Murwick who is ailing afsisting Robert Tennant to make Sinnet. Steward brought home a white Fox from the set guns.
Thermometer +19° "

Feb. 15
" Friday Wind SSE cloudy weather. Tradesmen employed as before. all the rest who are able repairing the sledge path to the firewood on the South side of the River being much spoiled by the late Snow and drift.
Thermometer -+ "

Feb. 16
" Saturday Wind East thick Snow at Noon A strong Gale Snow and drift cloudy. The Tradesmen as before and the rest who are well ground Oatmeal and shoveled Snow from the works. six Men came from the woods to fetch provisions, and Morris with his Tentmates an Englishman and Indian Lad from French Creek, they brought 128 Partridges. Mr Lockey also arrived from Stoney River with 105 Partridges. 228 Partridges have been killed about the Factory the last fortnight almost all by Indians including 240 brought by them last Monday from North River. Recieved a Crofs Fox from the set guns. also recieved one red and one crofs Fox from the wooders killed by their set guns. Provsions taken out of water and more put in to freshen.
Thermometer 0° "

Feb. 17
" Sunday Wind North clear overhead. Horizon obscured strong gale with drift. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -14° "

Feb. 18
" Monday Winds W and SW small breezes clear weather, towards evening Haizy. The wooders and hunters returned for their respective Tents; 23 Men now employed abroad. Viz. six Men about three days Journey distant up this River in sawing plank and boards for Factory uses. Eleven Men at twelve Mile Island sledging firewood to the bank, and six Men at the Partridge Tents, all as before. NB as there are so few old Servants now at York Fort and but a small part of those who can use a gun, is the reason of so few Men being employed by me as Hunters, and of those, two are new Men, but of little Service as yet for want of time to learn, other new Men whom I have tried were of no use and not likely to become so that way, and therefore are now employed with the rest in providing firewood and other Factory duties afsisted by other Labourers old Servants who not being fit for hunters have been hitherto employed in other ways. The Men at home employed as follows; The Armourer repairing hunting guns which are great part of them almost wore out. Cooper making eight gallon rundlets for Inland Service. Smith and one Man making felling Hatchets for the same. Joiner making a Bureau. Taylors at work for Trade, the rest of the Men who are able shovelled Snow up in heaps and ground Oatmeal untill breakfast and afterwards employed in now treading the Path towards the firewood on the other side the River. James Murwick yet disabled from working without doors by a severe cold but is employed within preparing stuff of old Rope yarns to make sinnet. The Surgeon cut off one of Robert Tennants great Toes above the first Joint being mortified, his other great Toe was healed but has broke out afresh, one of the small Toes has also a livid appearance yet, the rest of them that were froze are almost well.
Thermometer -11° "

Feb. 19
" Tuesday Wind SW and NW clear weather. The Tradesmen employed as yesterday except the two Taylors who sledged Snow out of the yards with a Horse, the rest of the Men new beating the sledge path on the River who are able. The two Indians sent off with a Packet to Prince Wales Fort on the 30th Ult. returned with Letters from that place, all well. In my Letter to Mr Samuel Hearne I had desired him to send their Bricklayer when convenient, if he could be spared for next Summers work; But in his Answer he says, he cannot pofsibly spare the Mason as much of his work is yearly wanted: Whereas by recurring to the Copy of Correspondence between this place and Prince of Wales Fort. Mr Hearne says in his Letter of 12th of August last, that the Mason may be spared for a season; in answer to Mr Martens preceeding Letter specifying that a Bricklayer was much wanted at this place. Our Powder Magazine is great part of it tumbled down and must be rebuilt. Mr Marten informed me that the reason of its not being set about before was his opinion the Bricklayer is not capable of doing it and that it would be necefsary to have one for the purpose from Churchill, but as Mr Hearne now declares he cannot be spared, we shall be obliged to attempt it without.
Thermometer -12° "

Feb. 20
" Wednesday Wind NW a fresh breeze weather part clear and part cloudy. The Tradesmen all employed at their several callings as before except the Joiner who having finished the Bureau was employed to day in repairing the Bellfrey part of it being decayed. The rest of the Men sledged Snow out of the yards with the Horses.
Thermometer -33° "

Feb. 21
" Thursday Winds variable most part clear. The Tradesmen employed as yesterday. The rest of the Men afsisted the Horses in sledging Firewood from over the River.
Thermometer -37° was -48° at 6 in Morning & 44°- at 9 Evening."

Feb. 22
" Friday Winds variable small breezes clear weather. Tradesmen as before; the rest sledged out some Snow that remained in the outer yard and sledged in firewood from the pile with the Horses except one who is employed in taking care of the Cattle and Hogs, Alexander Tours their keeper being sick.
Thermometer -30° "

Feb. 23
" Saturday Wind NW light Airs clear. Tradesmen employed as before, the rest took Provisions out of water and put more salt provisions in the River to freshen. James Murwick well.
Thermometer -29° "

Feb. 24
" Sunday Wind West clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -9° "

Feb. 25
" Monday Wind NW a strong gale and drift, clear. Twenty three Men employed abroad as before. Men at home employed. Cooper making Rundlets for Inland. Armourer repairing guns. Taylors making Cloathing for trade. Smith with an afsistant making felling Hatchets for Inland service. Joiner repairing the Bellfrey, the rest of the Men cut up firewood.
Thermometer -9° "

Feb. 26
" Tuesday Winds NW clear weather moderate in the Morning afterwards a strong gale with drift. In the Morning every one filled the brewing copper after breakfast Tradesmen employed in their ways as yesterday; Two Men brewed small Beer. one Man attending the Cattle instead of the Cowkeeper who is yet ill. two Men with the Horse sledge bringing firewood from over the River and one Man cut up firewood. The Indian Men preparing to set off for Severn with the Packet.
Thermometer -10° "

Feb. 27
" Wednesday Winds variable cloudy and inclinable to Snow. Tradesmen employed as before. the two Brewers cleaned the Copper and tunned the Beer and the rest afsisted the Horses in sledging firewood from over the River. Four Indians afsisted by seven Dogs set off with Severn House Packett containing Letters for that place and the Bay Settlements: they are to bring some Trading Goods from Severn if to be spared.
Thermometer +3° "

Feb. 28
" Thursday Winds NW and N fresh gale clear weather. Tradesmen Employed as before except Smith and Joiner who are jobbing in their way and the Cooper who is sick. Alexander Tours the Cowkeeper also yet ill. Robert Tennant's toe recovers but slowly. The Labourers afsisted the Horses in sledging firewood from over the River.
Thermometer -12° "

Mar. 1 1782
" Friday Winds N and NW fresh gales clear weather. Employed as yesterday.
Thermometer -30° "

Mar. 2
" Saturday Wind West clear weather. The Tradesmen who are well employed as before. Two Men sledging firewood from over the River with the Horses, and four Men opened the water hole, took out provisions and put more in to freshen. Morris and Tentmates came home with 90 Partridges, and two Men from Mr Lockey's Tent at Stoney River with 70. Partridges it seems continue to be very scarce there. There have been killed about the Factory this last fortnight 226 partridges. Six Men (wooders) arrived from Twelve Mile Island to fetch provisions. Yesterday evening five Home Indians with their Families came in, they all paid their debts(chiefly in Fox and Deer skins) except one who having been ill could only pay part.
Thermometer -25° "

Mar. 3
" Sunday Wind NW a fresh gale at times clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -30° "

Mar. 4
" Monday Winds WNW and W clear weather. The Hunters returned for their Tents. Sent off six Men with a fortnights provisions for the six Men who are three days Journey up the River, about 44 Miles distant sawing plank and boards. 29 Men now abroad. Men at home employed as follows. Armourer repairing guns. Cooper making 8 gallon kegs for Inland use. Smith making Hatchets for the same. Carpenter Jobbing. one Taylor with a Labourer sledging firewood home with the Horses, the other Taylor keeping the Cattle instead of Alexander Tours yet ill. Robert Tennant's toes recover but slowly, he makes Sinnet for slinging of Inland Bundles with. Steward attending set Guns. Foxes are remarkably scarce. oneMan employed as Cook and another as Servant to Chiefs Mefs. Three Families of the Indians who arrived on Saturday went away. The others remain the Men being ailing and ill able to walk, one with a schrophilous complaint in his leg, the other with the same in his hip.
Thermometer -32° "

Mar. 5
" Tuesday Wind Northerly calm at times clear weather. Employed as yesterday. Yesterday afternoon two Men arrived from the woods sledging home a third (Hugh Harrow) who had got the soles of his feet froze on Sunday. It seems he went abroad with his gun after some Partridges but having lost his way for sometime and not being well clothed about his feet met with this accident. We hope that he will soon recoover as his toes do not seem to be affected.
Thermometer -25° "

Mar. 6
" Wednesday Winds NE and SE clear weather. Employed as before; Two wooders went away.
Thermometer -10° "

Mar. 7
" Thursday Wind S and SSW fresh gales cloudy light Snow at intervals. Men employed as before.
Thermometer -3° "

Mar. 8
" Friday Winds N and NW stiff gales and drift clear. Employed as before.
Thermometer -35° "

Mar. 9
" Saturday Winds varible fresh gales cloudy light Snow and Drift. The Cooper, Armourer, Smith and Joiner employed at their Trades. one Taylor attending the Cattle, the rest of the Men who are able shovelled up Snow and Rubbish into heaps in the yards. The six Men sent up the River on Monday with provisions for the Sawyers returned. they brought me a Line from the Shipwright which informed me of the work done since Christmafs and that he expects they will have finished the Timber that was laid apart for sawing in one Month more. One of the Men arrived (John Barston) froze the wrists of his hands this day so as to blister them a little.
Thermometer -21° "

Mar. 10
" Sunday Wind WNW a strong gale with drift clear near zenith. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -12° "

Mar. 11
" Monday Winds NWbW and WNW fresh breezes clear weather. Twenty three Men employed in various duties as before abroad: Those at home as follows. Armourer stocking hunting guns. Cooper making eight gallon rundlets for Inland. the two Taylors making Indian cloathing for presents and trade. Smith and Joiner Jobbing in their ways. four Men opened the water hole, took out freshened provisions and put more salt provisions in to steep. one Man sledged out rubbish and snow with the Horse afsisted by another who takes care of the Cattle. Steward Net making and attending set guns and traps from which we recieved a Crofs Fox and a white one. The ailing Men who are able to do any thing employed within as follows. Robert Tennant makes Sinnet. John Barston twists yarns of old rope for making it, Hugh Harrow cuts corks. his feet are almost well. he has lost part of thr skin of the soles of them that were blistered by the frost. Alexander Tours much weakened by a violent cough which has afflicted him for sometime past, but is now on the recovery. This day an Indian found five Partridges dead in holes in the Snow near each other in the manner they sleep at this season, supposed to be froze to death, an event never known to have happened by the eldest Indian now here.
Thermometer -21° "

Mar. 12
" Tuesday Tuesday Wind WNW light Airs clear weather. The Tradesmen employed as yesterday and Invalids also. three Men mending the sled path and two Men sledging home firewood with the Horses.
Thermometer -16° "

Mar. 13
" Wednesday Winds variable calm at times weather cloudy and clear. The Tradesmen and Invalids employed as before, the rest afsisted the Horses in sledging home firewood from over the River. One of the Indians shot a Wolf on the river and John Morris brought home the skin of another killed at one of their set guns.
Thermometer -9° "

Mar. 14
" Thursday Wind variable weather most part cloudy. The Tradesmen and ailing Men all employed as before except the Joiner who is sick. the rest cut up firewood.
Thermometer -10° "

Mar. 15
" Friday Wind Easterly Snow and drift great part of the day. Employed as yesterday. The ten Men who were at Twelve Mile Island all came home having sledged out the last of the firewood that was felled to the bank.
Thermometer +3° "

Mar. 16
" Saturday Wind NW a fresh breeze low drift clear weather. The Men who arrived from Twelve Mile Island yesterday fixing a frame on the wood sledge for the purpose of fetchng home some of the hay from the Island on Monday which was obliged to be left there last Fall. the rest of the Men employed as before. Mr Lockey with one Man arrived from Stoney River they brought 120 Partridges; recieved also 95 from the French Creek hunters. Two Men arrived from the Sawyers up the River they came to fetch part of three weeks more provisions, the time it will require according to the Carpenters account to finish their work, after the end of next week which they are already served provisions for. Recieved three coloured and four white Foxes from them. Recieved 128 partridges and 20 Rabbits shot about the Fort this fortnight. Last night a Cow calved a Bull Calf.
Thermometer -5° "

Mar. 17
" Sunday Wind NEbN clear pleasant weather. Read Divine Service. John Sinclair Servant to the Chief sick. Joiner, Cooper and Alexander Tours yet ill, also Robert Tennant and Hugh Harrow in the Surgeons list.
Thermometer -7° "

Mar. 18
" Monday Wind NWbN a strong gale with drift clear above head. The two Men from the Sawyers Tent went away, as did also the hunters from Stoney River and French Creek. Sent off five Men to Tent acrofs the River who are to fall some more firewood. Seventeen Men now abroad. Those at home employed as follows. Armourer stocking hunting guns. Smith jobbing. Joiner, Cooper, Alexander Tours, Robert Tennant, Hugh Harrow and John Sinclair under the Surgeons care. Tennant and Harrow make Sinnet, the rest of the Men except Steward, Cook and Cowkeeper fetched a sledge load of Hay from the Island but becoming too bad weather they afterwards remained at home and cut up firewood ground Oatmeal and filled the brewing copper with water. A Sow farrowed two pigs.
Thermometer -6° "

Mar. 19
" Tuesday Winds variable between SW and fresh breezes clear weather. Two Men brewed small Beer, four Men opened the water hole took out provisions and put more in to freshen; All the rest that were able afsisted the Horses in sledging firewood from over the River.
Thermometer -16° "

Mar. 20
" Wednesday Wind North clear weather. Yesterday evening James Omen one of the five Men that are felling firewood over the River came home disabled for the present by a hurt recieved by a tree falling upon him. The Men employed as follows who are able Viz. Joiner and Cooper who are recovered tho' weak went with the Horses and Sledged firewood home, the rest (except two that tunned Beer cleaned copper &c) Sledged home 2 loads of Hay from the Island.
Thermometer -5° "

Mar. 21
" Thursday Wind NNW clear. Alexander Tours the Cowkeeper recovered and employed in that duty but Henry Tomison his Locum Tenens is become sick. the following Men are also under the Surgeons care. Viz. James Omen who came home hurt as mentioned on Wednesday. Jn. Sinclair who is very much reduced by a violent cold, and Robert Tennant and Hugh Harrow whose Toes and Feet were frost bitten sometime ago are almost well. Able Men employed Cooper and Joiner attended the Horses in sledging home firewood and the rest fetched two sledge loads of Hay from the Island.
Thermometer +4° "

Mar. 22
" Friday Winds NW and WbN clear pleasant weather. Men employed as yesterday.
Thermometer -2° "

Mar. 23
" Saturday Winds variable between S and W mild pleasant weather. Men employed as before and brought home the last of the Hay, except one Man sent to John Morris's Tent to afsist him and his Tentmate home with their things from the French Creek they returned in the afternoon. brought 44 Partridges; one Man came from Stoney River with 50 Partridges. Two of the wooders came from over the River to get their Hatchets ground.
Thermometer +2° "

Mar. 24
" Sunday Wind NW a strong gale with drift in the Morning: In the afternoon Sun at intervals appeared through the clouds. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer -29° "

Mar. 25
" Monday Winds variable clear weather. The Hunter from Stoney River and the two wooders returned, sent an additional Man with the last instead of the Man who came home hurt on Tuesday. Fifteen Men now abroad. The Men at home employed as follows Viz. Cooper making eight gallon rundlets and the Smith with an Afsistant making Hatchets all for Inland Service. Armourer stocking hunting guns. Joiner repairing the Bellfrey and prefs posts some more parts of which was found to be decayed when he was lately repairing it. two Taylors making Indian cloathing. Two Men with the Horses in one sledge and nine Men in another sledge hauling home firewood from over the River. four under the Surgeons care. Robert Tennant who makes Sinnet, Hugh Harrow and James Omen pick Oakum stuff. John Sinclair yet is but very poorly.
Thermometer -16° "

Mar. 26
" Tuesday Winds N and NNW stiff gales small Snow and Drift. The Men employed as yesterday, untill breakfast, but becoming too bad weather, those who were with the wood sledges were afterwards employed in cutting up firewood and grinding Oatmeal. Two families of home Indians came in, Eleven in all: The two Men and a stout Lad had debt in the Fall but one of them wanted 15 Beaver of his debt and the other two but barely paid theirs, they pretend to have been in want of food.
Thermometer -17° "

Mar 27
" Wednesday Winds NW and NWbN thick Snow and strong gales with drift in the afternoon afterwards lefs wind and Snow. The Tradesmen all employed as before except the Joiner who is jobbing within, the rest of the Men ground Oatmeal and picked Oakum stuff. Rec'd a Wolf from the set guns.
Thermometer +13° "

Mar. 28
" Thursday Winds NW and N cloudy weather small Snow great part of the day. Tradesmen all employed as yesterday, the rest cut up firewood and ground Oatmeal. Sent two Indians afsisted by a Dog with three sledge loads of provisions for the six Men who are sawing plank up the River.
Thermometer +11° "

Mar. 29
" Friday Winds W and SW clear weather. The Tradesmen employed as before, the rest afsisted by the Horses fetched from over the River one load of Firewood. afterwards all the people unemployed to give them an opportunity to attend their Devotions being Good Friday. Two Indians arrived with a Letter from Churchill.
Thermometer +17° "

Mar. 30
" Saturday Wind SW a fresh gale overcast thawed much. Tradesmen employed at their several callings. four Men shovelled up Snow and with the Horses sledged it out of the yards, the rest sledged home firewood from over the River. Mr Lockey came from Stoney River with 50 Partridges. James Lisk one of his Tentmates came with him who is ailing.
Thermometer +32° "

Mar. 31
" Sunday Winds SW and NW cloudy weather thawed much Read Divine Service for the day.
Thermometer +34° "

Apr. 1 1782
" Monday Wind East cloudy weather. Snow in the forenoon. Men at home employed. Cooper and Smith with an afsistant working for Inland Service one in making kegs the other in making Hatchets. Armourer stocking guns, both Taylors working for trade. Joiner repairing the Prefs and Belfrey. Being much water on the River could not employ the rest in sledging home firewood. indeed the Snow from the continued thaw is so much of it difsolved there is no going any way without being wet, therefore they were employed at home in cutting up firewood and grinding Oatmeal. John Sinclair Hugh Harrow and James Omen are all recovered and now employed. Robert Tennant yet under the Surgeons care, also James Lisk they pick Oakum stuff: four of the Men felling firewood over the River went away, whom I should have mentioned came home on Saturday for provisions. Four Families of our home Indians arrived from up the River. they paid their debts honestly in good Furs and had part to spare. Total 180 1/2 made Beaver.
Thermometer +19° "

Apr. 2
" Tuesday Winds SW and S cloudy small Rain in the afternoon. The Tradesmen employed as yesterday, the rest cut up firewood, ground Oatmeal and brewed small Beer.
Thermometer +35° "

Apr. 3
" Wednesday Winds variable cloudy weather light Snow at times. Employed as yesterday. It thawing yet very much prevents the great sledges being sent to bring home firewood. In the afternoon the four Indians sent off with Letters for Severn as mention'd the 27th Feb. arrived with Letters from thence all well at Severn as I find by the Letters, by the date I find our Indians have been 18 days in coming, they tell me that bad weather retarded them and by that means they were greatly distrefsed for food; all the Dogs they had with them died through want for they were obliged to leave them as they became past walking: However the Indians have brought all the Tobacco and other goods sent from Severn except two Sledges laid up somewhat further than half way to Severn which I shall have to send for. Mr Falconer in the Publick Letter has desired me to send him about 30 or 40 yds of red corded Cloth if I have it to spare, but as I have near 100 yards lefs of that Article than was on account last year and there was only 8 yards remaining when the accounts were closed. I shall not send any. Made up a Packet for Churchill.
Thermometer +24° "

Apr. 4
" Thursday Winds NW weather part clear part cloudy. Men employed as before.
Thermometer +11° "

Apr. 5
" Friday Wind NE cloudy rimy weather and a fresh gale. At 11 AM a violent Tempest arose attended with Snow and Drift without intermifsion continued the remainder of the day. The people employed as before except two Men sent with Mr Umfreville who went up to Tenshilling Creek to try for Fish, towards Evening Mr Umfreville returned along one of his Men being taken ill near here and he left the other to take care of him until he himself came for afsistance accordingly I immediately sent off two Indians with an Englishman who conducted by Mr Umfreville went for the Man, they soon returned bringing him with them. He says that faintnefs prevented his walking, but that he is now better. The two Indians from Churchill returned with Letters to that place.
Thermometer +12° "

Apr. 6
" Saturday Wind NbW a strong gale with much drift. The hurricane yesterday has drifted an immence quantity of Snow into the yards. The people all employed in sledging Snow from the works afsisted by the Horses.
Thermometer +20° "

Apr. 7
" Sunday Wind NW part clear and part cloudy a fresh gale with drift in the Morning some light Snow at times. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +8° "

Apr. 8
" Monday Winds variable between South & SW clear until Noon afterwards overcast. Sent off two young Indians for the Goods left on the road from Severn by the Packet men as mentioned on Wednesday. Men employed at home. Armourer in stocking guns for hunting, Joiner in repairing the Belfrey. Cooper making rundlets for Inland service. Smith and both Taylors with three others sledging out Snow with the Horses, all the rest of the People who are well beat the path afresh to the firewood on the other side of the river. Robert Tennant makes Sinnet. James Lisk, Robert Narston and Peter Barston sick. fourteen Men employed abroad as before.
Thermometer +16° "

Apr. 9
" Tuesday Wind South clear in the morning afterwards cloudy. Men employed Tradesmen as yesterday except Joiner who having finished the repair of the Belfrey was this day Jobbing in his way, and the Smith afsisted by one Man making hatchets for Inland, the rest of the Men who are able sledged home two loads of firewood but the path becoming too soft through the mildnefs of the weather, they were obliged to desist from that duty and were afterwards employed in afsisting the horses to sledge out Snow and rubbish from the works. Indian Men all employed in hunting partridges.
Thermometer +33° "

Apr. 10
" Wednesday Winds variable calm latter part cloudy weather. The Joiner employed part of the day as before but having cut his leg was obliged to leave off, the rest of the Tradesmen as yesterday and the remainder of the people afsisted the Horses in sledging Snow and rubbish out of the woods the path being too soft to fetch firewood. The five Men who were over the River felling more firewood came home having yesterday directed them to return; two of them James Gaddy and James Burwick are both ill with pains in the breast. Of the Men before at home James Lisk with Robert Tennant remain under the Surgeons care. Peter Barston and David Narston are recovered and employed with the rest of the Men.
Thermometer +36° "

Apr. 11
" Thursday Wind North light airs weather cloudy thick fog in the forenoon with some sleet. Tradesmen all employed at their several callings except the Joiner who was disabled yesterday and both Taylors who afsisted the rest of the Men in sledging home firewood from over the river. One Man arrived from Mr Lockey's Tent at Stoney River who brought 37 Partridges and two red Fox skins. - One of our Indian partridge hunters met with and killed a Deer which I traded from him.
Thermometer +36° "

Apr. 12
" Friday Wind East weather foggy towards noon clear at times. Sun eclipsed. The Man from Stoney River went away sent another with him to afsist the hunters home with their things. The Men who are well employed as yesterday. Took provisions out of the water and put more in.
Thermometer +26° "

Apr. 13
" Saturday Winds SE and SW part clear and part cloudy. The Men employed as before. The Joiner James Lisk and Robert Tennant only now under the Surgeons care. Five families of our home Indians came in they barely paid their debts but what they brought were good Furs Total 263 1/3 made Beaver, they pretend that want of food in the winter prevented their trapping. Mr Lockey with his Tentmates and the Men sent to afsist, came home with their Baggage from Stoney River. The Shipwright House Carpenter and three more Men who were sawing plank about three days journey up this river, also came home. total of plank according to Shipwrights account now laying there for bringing down when the river is open are as follows Viz. 369 of three Inches thick for large Gun platforms the present ones being much decayed, and 350 more plank and Boards of different thicknefses for other Factory uses.
Thermometer +40° "

Apr. 14
" Sunday Wind WNW a very strong gale Snow and drift the whole day.
Thermometer +12° "

Apr. 15
" Monday Wind NW a strong gale Snow and drift in the morning afterwards moderate and fair in the evening clear. The Men employed as follows Viz. Cooper making rundlets for Inland service. Smith jobbing. Armourer stocking guns for hunting. House Carpenters making a saw horse. Taylors both working for trade. Joiner lame. Shipwright new helving broken tools, all the rest of the Men after filling the brewing copper with water in which the Tradesmen afsisted, were employed, two brewed small Beer and the others ground Oatmeal and sledged Snow out of the yard; Five under the Surgeons care, Joiner and Robert Flatt are lame Peter Barston and James Lisk ailing and Robert Tennant yet lame, they all pick Oakum stuff.
Thermometer +14° "

Apr. 16
" Tuesday SW a fresh gale clear weather Tradesmen all employed as yesterday. Mr Lockey with 14 Men went with the great sledge loaded with Powder, Shot and Hogsheads to the Fourteens River for the Goose season, they returned towards noon; two Men attended the Horses in sledging firewood from over the river, and the two Men who brewed yesterday tunned the Beer cleaned copper &c. Sick list as yesterday. A Sow farrowed 4 pigs.
Thermometer +32° "

Apr. 17
" Wednesday Winds variable between E and NE clear weather. Mr Lockey with 14 Men sledged a Boat and other necefsaries to the Goose Tent, two Men cut up firewood, two with the Horses and Tradesmen who are able as before.
Thermometer +23° "

Apr. 18
" Thursday Wind SW clear weather Mr Lockey with four Men went to fourteens River to pitch a Tent for the Goose season and to provide firewood &c for the time, they are to return when they have done. Bricklayer repairing the Chiefs oven, the rest of the Tradesmen as before. The rest of the Men who are able employed two with the Horses and the rest with another Sledge in hauling home firewood. Peter Barston recovered but John Sibeston being ill and Thomas Isbester lame, the Surgeon has six Men under his care. The Indian Men and Boys are daily employed providing Partridges for us.
Thermometer +39° "

Apr. 19
" Friday Winds NE and N cloudy weather. The Shipwright and Bricklayer were this day employed in sawing boards for repairing the Craft. All the rest as yesterday.
Thermometer +28° "

Apr. 20
" Saturday Winds N and ENE cloudy much rime fell last night. Employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +28° "

Apr. 21
" Sunday Winds variable cloudy rain at times. Mr Lockey with the Men sent with him to afsist in providing firewood &c for the Goose Tent came home yesterday evening. This day all the home Indians pitched away for the Marshes to wait for Geese, they are all to continue hunting partridges for us. Two young Pungee Indians arrived from up the River, they brought a trifle of Furs to trade a little Ammunition Tobacco &c.
Thermometer +40° "

Apr. 22
" Monday Wind NW a fresh breeze cloudy and snow at times. Several showers of rain last night. much ground bare of Snow in open places. The two Indians went away who arrived yesterday. The Men employed. Armourer repairing guns. Cooper making eight gallon rundlets for Inland. Smith making rivets for Coopers use. Joiner making a Table for Chiefs mefs. Shipwright and Bricklayer sawing stuff for repairing the Craft. House Carpenter afsisted by one Man preparing stuff for lengthening the launch when it shall be set up being found not to project far enough out from the bank for unloading the Craft readily when in use last Summer; both Taylors at work for trade, four Men clearing away rubbish from the plantation, all the rest of the people sledged home firewood from over the river. Robert Tennant Thomas Isbester who are lame and James Lisk who is under a course of physick make wads for Cannon.
Thermometer +6° "

Apr. 23
" Tuesday Winds N and NEbN cloudy weather faint Sun at times, in the afternoon light Snow at times. The people kept holiday and amused themselves in firing at a Mark as usual.
Thermometer +11° "

Apr. 24
" Wednesday Winds ESE and East weather most part overcast. The Men employed. Armourer repairing hunting guns. Cooper repairing rundlets for Inland service. Joiner making a Table for Chiefs Mefs. Shipwright and Bricklayer sawing stuff for repairing the Craft. one Taylor working for trade the other the Men. Carpenter and one Man preparing stuff for lengthening the launch. Smith making hinges for the table the Joiners making, four Men clearing away rubbish from the plantation which they carry away to make up the ground on the Factory side of the water hole Creek, the rest of the Men sledged firewood from over the river except those who remain under the Surgeons care and are employed in necefsary jobs within. The two Indians arrived who were sent off for the Goods left on the road from Severn by the Packet Men as mentioned the 8th Instant. They brought the whole safe being 78 lbs Roll and 63 lbs Leaf Tobacco. they say that they have been much troubled with snow blindnefs as it is called (a complaint common at this season) which prevented their returning sooner. They went away in the evening.
Thermometer +30° "

Apr. 25
" Thursday Winds NE and NbW cloudy snow towards noon which fell thick the remainder of the day. The Men employed as yesterday. The last thaw having made much water on the river, which being since froze and the ice very slippery prevents the Horses being employed in sledging home firewood. Recieved 202 partridges from the Indians in the North Marsh. A sow farrowed six pigs.
Thermometer +25° "

Apr. 26
" Friday Wind NbW cloudy weather. The Tradesmen employed as before. the rest of the people after filling the copper were employed, two in brewing small Beer the remainder ground Oatmeal, sledged snow and rubbish off the Plantation clearing water ways &c.
Thermometer +20° "

Apr. 27
" Saturday Wind East a fresh gale and light snow until noon then a strong gale thick snow and drift. The Tradesmen all employed as before except Shipwright and House Carpenter who not being able to work out doors were employed helving tools in the workshop, the rest of the people kept the Oatmeal mills going by turns, part picked Oakum stuff and others cleaned Cabbins and guard rooms. Rec'd 130 partridges from the Indians in the North Marsh also 11 paddles which I traded for Inland service.
Thermometer +20° "

Apr. 28
" Sunday Wind NW a strong Gale Snow and Drift until afternoon then lefs snow and without drift. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +14° "

Apr. 29
" Monday Wind NW a fresh gale clear weather. The Men variously employed as follows Viz. Armourer stocking guns for hunting. Joiner making a Table. Smith filing up hinges and screws for the same. Cooper making rundlets for Inland Service. House Carpenter and one Man preparing stuff for lengthening the launch. Shipwright and Bricklayer having sawn a sufficiency of boards for repairing the Craft are now employed sawing 1 1/2 inch boards for other Factory works; both Taylors at work for the Men. the other people were employed grinding Oatmeal and sledged snow out of the yards. We recieved from the Indians in the East marsh yesterday and to day 226 partridges in the whole.
Thermometer +8° "

Apr. 30
" Tuesday Wind East clear weather. Employed Tradesmen as yesterday except the House Carpenter and his Mate who having prepared stuff for lengthening the framing of the launch were this day preparing upper Sleepers for nailing plank of the Gun battery platforms to when laid. the Smith employed forging some necefsary tools for the Shipwright. Robert Tennant and another Man employed in making Leaf Tobacco up in pricks for trade, two Men attended the Horses with one sledge which brought firewood from over the river, and the remainder except Steward (who makes Nets) Cook &c hauling firewood from over the river on another sledge. Rec'd 127 partridges from the East marsh.
Thermometer +18° "

May 1 1782
" Wednesday Winds E & N light Airs cloudy and some light Snow first part late in afternoon clear. The Men all employed as yesterday. 161 partridges from East Marsh Indians.
Thermometer +24° "

May 2
" Thursday Winds variable between S and E light Airs clear weather until evening then overcast. Employed as before. Rec'd 98 partridges from Indians in North Marsh; some of them see 2 Geese yesterday.
Thermometer +38° "

May 3
" Friday Winds NW and NNW cloudy weather some Snow in the forenoon. Employed as before. Recieved 46 partridges from East Marsh.
Thermometer +24° "

May 4
" Saturday Wind NW weather most part cloudy some light Snow in the morning. Men all employed as before. Rec'd 60 partridges from the East Marsh.
Thermometer +15° "

May 5
" Sunday Almost calm, clear until noon then overcast, in the evening cloudy. Read Divine Service. Rec'd the flesh of two Deer and a half from the North Marsh Goose hunters killed by some of them who have been for sometime past on the look out for those Animals at a crofsing place about 20 Miles up Port Nelson River.
Thermometer +20° "

May 6
" Monday Wind NNW cloudy small snow in the morning afterwards fair. The Men employed in the following duties Viz. two now abroad at Fourteens River Goose Tent. Armourer stocking hunting guns. Cooper making rundlets for Inland service, both Taylors making Indian cloathing for trade. Smith afsisted by one Man making staples for the purpose of fastening rafting ropes to pieces of Timber to be floated down from up the River when it becomes open. House Carpenter and one Man preparing sleepers for platforms. Joiner making a Table for Chiefs mefs. Shipwright and Bricklayer sawing boards for Factory uses, all the rest of the people who are able were employed with the Horses and sledged home the last of the firewood from over the River and afterwards filled the brewing copper with water. Steward mending old fishing nets. Cowkeeper, Cook, and Servant to Chiefs mefs employed their way. Robert Tennant and one Man making up Leaf Tobacco into pricks for trade.
Thermometer +32° "

May 7
" Tuesday Wind North a light breeze cloudy weather misling snow at times. Tradesmen employed as yesterday. The rest of the Men two of them employed brewing small Beer and the others ground Oatmeal cleared more rubbish out of the outer yard and off the plantation which is become thawed and other necefsary jobs. Recieved 72 partridges from the Indian hunters over the river at the East marsh. A stragling Goose at times and a few Ducks have been seen but none killed as yet.
Thermometer +33° "

May 8
" Wednesday Winds NE and E cloudy in the forenoon afterwards clear. The Tradesmen employed as before except the Joiner who having finished the Table was this day jobbing in his way. The two Men who brewed yesterday tunned the Beer cleaned Copper &c. Two Men making up Leaf Tobacco for trade. Steward mending Nets, all the rest were employed providing Tent poles for the use of Indians during their stay at the Factory. Rec'd 42 partridges from East Marsh. Mr Lockey went to the Goose Tent to serve powder to the Indians.
Thermometer +44° "

May 9
" Thursday Wind NE light Airs cloudy weather light snow at times. Tradesmen employed as yesterday. Two Men making up Leaf Tobacco. Two more making Powder bags for packing within kegs for Inland. The rest except Henry Tomison who is ill, afsisted the horses in sledging home Tent poles.
Thermometer +32° "

May 10
" Friday Wind North a light breeze small snow at times in the forenoon, sleet in the afternoon. The Men employed in sledging home Tentpoles yesterd. having provided sufficient, were this day cutting down Brushwood in the vicinity of the Fort and sledging it home for the purpose of making up the chasms in the banks of the water hole Creek; and the two Men who made bags yesterday were now employed with the Horses in sledging out snow and ice large heaps being accumulated within the entrances of the gardens. The House Carpenter and his Mate having prepared what small refuse Timber we have at the Fort for platform sleepers, left off that businefs and began to bark trees selected from the firewood for making stockades of. The Shipwright and Bricklayer finished sawing of Boards and afterwards the Shipwright afsisted by the Bricklayer began to put another streak to one of the Boats, called the skiff to heighten it, being too low gunneled. All the rest of the Tradesmen &c employed as yesterday. Tomison yet ill. A Goose seen at the Fort. Recieved 2 Ducks from the Indians in the North Marsh.
Thermometer +34° "

May 11
" Saturday Winds NNW and NbE cloudy with thick Snow (great part of which difsolved as it fell) until the afternoon then fair. The Tradesmen employed as yesterday except the Shipwright and House Carpenter who were employed helving broken tools in the shop. Their mates with the rest of the people as the weather was too bad for out door work, were employed picking oakum stuff and grinding Oatmeal. some water on the river ice along shore.
Thermometer +36° "

May 12
" Sunday Wind variable between NE and NbW weather most part overcast and mizzling Snow at times. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +40° "

May 13
" Monday Winds N and NE weather cloudy & clear alternately. The Men employed. Armourer stocking guns. Cooper making rundlets for Inland. Smith jobbing. Shipwright raising the gunwale of a boat. House Carpenter afsisted by two men barking of trees for Stockades. Joiner making a Box. both Taylors at work for trade, the rest of the people, a small part were employed clearing rubbish out of the outer yard and off the plantation the remainder except two twisting spunyarn sledged home brushwood until breakfast but the path being very soft freezing little last night, afterwards these Men were employed in clearing away rubbish with the rest. Three Men abroad at East Marsh Goose Tent. Yesterday evening the Indians some of them arrived from North Marsh with the flesh of seven Deer and three Geese the first this Season which they had killed up North River. A Goose was also killed by one of our own Men (John Taylor) soon after their arrival. This day we recieved 3 joints venison, 2 heads with tongues and 4 Geese from an Indian belonging to the East Marsh. Henry Tomison employed.
Thermometer +37° "

May 14
" Tuesday Winds variable between N and E cloudy until noon then clear. The Tradesmen all employed with those that had Mates as yesterday. Three Men putting slings to rundlets for Inland use to carry them by, all the rest sledged brushwood until breakfast and then clearing away rubbish from the outer yard and plantation.
Thermometer +40° "

May 15
" Wednesday Winds W and NE clear pleasan weather. The three Men who were employed yesterday in slinging kegs for Inland carriage this day filled them with powder, one Man afsisted the Shipwright and another the Smith as Mates, all the rest of the people employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +49° "

May 16
" Thursday Wind East clear weather. A Swallow seen. several Geese and Ducks and three Swans seen and several other birds of pafsage. The Tradesmen with their Mates employed as before. the other Men early in the Morning unstowed all our powder found the casks in good condition, rolled and shook them pretty much to loosen the powder to prevent its caking, then stowed them away. Three Men made water from Snow and filled the brewing copper and cut up firewood for brewing tomorrow. two Men twisting spunyard. All the rest after sledging Brushwood until breakfast, clearing away rubbish. Rec'd 13 Geese and 2 Ducks from the Indians in North Marsh. Steward has been constantly employed in mending Nets for sometime past.
Thermometer +46° "

May 17
" Friday Wind SE early in the morning afterwards East weather part clear and part overcast. The Cooper with three Men brewed Table Beer. The Men who were employed sledging brush yesterday went early this morning down to the Battery and run back the two Twelve pounder Cannon that are there, the Ground being washed away from before them; these Men after they returned were employed in cleaning the channel of the water hole Creek being stopped up in places. All the rest of the people employed as yesterday. Seven Geese to day.
Thermometer +45° "

May 18
" Saturday wind Easterly clear weather. The South Channel ice appears to be broke up to below the Fort. The North Channel appears yet to remain fast up to the head of the Mile sand but above there the main ice seems to be wholly broke up. We see several Deer upon the North Channel ice a little above the Fort where they remained sometime, at length they crofsed the South Channel part, and the remainder to this side. The Men employed. Cooper and one Man putting water into rundlets to season them for filling with Brandy for Inland trade. The Cooper has now finished 94 eight gallon rundlets. The rest of the Tradesmen with their afsistants employed as before. Two Men brewed small Beer, the rest of the people were part of them employed in opening the ground in the Chiefs garden to facilitate its thawing and the remainder wheeled earth from the drain that was opened last fall and spread it over the Mens garden ground where low. Four Geese from Indians in North Marsh and two more from John Morris killed by him near the Fort.
Thermometer +36."

May 19
" Sunday Wind SE and E and NE middling breezes cloudy weather. Read Divine Service. Rec'd 1 Goose 6 Ducks and 7 plover killed yesterday by Mr Umfreville in the Marsh but not brought up until to day.
Thermometer +34° "

May 20
" Monday Winds variable light breezes weather most part overcast sharp frost last night. The river ice as on Saturday. The Men employed as follows Viz. three are abroad at the East Marsh Goose Tent. The Armourer stocking guns for hunting. Shipwright afsisted by one Man raising the gunnel of a Boat. Smith with one Man making staples for fastening rafting ropes to Timber. House Carpenter afsisted by the Bricklayer and another Man barking of Trees for Stockades. Joiner jobbing. Cooper and one Man tightning of Inland rundlets, both Taylors making cloathing for Trade. Myself with the Steward and five more Men packing trading goods for Inland. Morris employed in writing which has been his constant duty since his return from the hunting Tent. Mr Umfreville gunning in the Marsh. The rest of the people were part of them employed in levelling the ground in the Mens garden and the remainder in clearing rubbish off the plantation. Rec'd the flesh of one Deer and 34 Geese from the Indians in the Marsh.
Thermometer +45° "

May 21
" Tuesday Winds Northerly until noon then variable between S and W part clear and part cloudy. The Tradesmen with their Mates employed as yesterday also the Men who packed trading goods, the remainder grinding Oatmeal, slinging Inland rundlets and levelling the Mens garden ground. Rec'd another Deer and 5 Geese from the Marsh Indians. About 6 OClock in the evening the whole of the river ice in motion opposite the Fort and driving down with an easy current. At nine the channel almost clear facing the Fort and above, very little rise of water.
Thermometer +46° "

May 22
" Wednesday Wind North cloudy weather drizzling snow early in the Morning afterwards fair. The river appears to be quite clear of ice above as far as can be seen from the Fort, except stragling pieces driving down at times, and below it is clear as far as the Beacons in the Marsh. Tradesmen and their afsistants employed as before. two Men slinging Inland rundlets, six Men levelling the Mens garden ground, and the rest in breaking of Lime Stones.
Thermometer +38° "

May 23
" Thursday Wind NW a fresh breeze weather most part cloudy. The Men employed, tradesmen as before with their afsistants except the Cooper who is now making three gallon rundlets for Inland service. Myself with five others packed what Deer skins have been recieved during the winter, being 120 doe and 20 Buck. The rest of the people variously employed. Five were sent in a Boat to set two Nets for fish at Tenshilling Creek, these returned in the afternoon without performing that service saying there is too great a fresh in the Creek at present, they brought 5 Trout caught by angling: and the remainder of the people were employed in levelling the Mens garden ground and filling the Lime kiln which was also lighted.
Thermometer +38° "

May 24
" Friday Winds NW and NNW small breeze cloudy raw cold weather. The Tradesmen all employed as before with their Mates, except the Cooper who with Morris and the Steward was filling eight gallon rundlets with Brandy for Inland trade. one Man slinging Inland packages, all the rest of the people levelling the garden ground and carrying rubbish off the plantation except four Men who went with me in a Boat to Tenshilling Creek to angle for fish we returned in the afternoon, no succefs. Found a very great fresh in the Creek, observed much ice is drove on the shores and Islands up this river; this I fear will retard our rafting the firewood and Timber to be brought down until most of the fresh of water is run off when the river will be much shallower and consequently the floats must be made lefs. Rec'd 17 Geese only from the Marsh. the continued Northerly winds prevents the Geese from coming on the Coast as yet, In the evening a Canoe of Pungee Indians arriv'd from up the river who brought down a large float of Deer being 12 Bucks and 3 Does. Traded with them and they went away directly. they left their people waiting to kill deer about 35 Miles up this river, and will soon come down with their Furs.
Thermometer +37° "

May 25
" Saturday Winds variable weather most part cloudy. All the Tradesmen with their afsistants as before, the rest levelling garden ground and clearing the plantation of rubbish. Some Deer seen daily a herd was observed early in the morning by the Watch feeding near the Fort.
Thermometer +39° "

May 26
" Sunday Wind SSW a fresh gale weather most part overcast a few drops of rain. Read Divine Service. Rec'd 80 Geese from the Marsh hunters.
Thermometer +51° "

May 27
" Monday Wind East a light breeze clear weather Much ice drove up as high in this river as the Crofs Bar with the flood and returned to sea with the ebb. The Men employed. Three are abroad at the Fourteens River Goose Tent. Mr Umfreville also abroad at the North Marsh where he is to serve Powder and shot to the Indians there and recieve Geese from them. sent both Horses attended by one Man with the Ammunition for that purpose they returned in the afternoon with 39 Geese. The Shipwright with one Man repairing the Craft. Cooper and one Man washing of provision casks. Smith and a Man making staples to fasten rafting ropes to Timber. Armourer stocking guns. Taylors making Indian cloathing for trade. three Men barking of trees for stockades. House Carpenter, Joiner and one Man employed in examining round the bottom of the wall of the South Flanker, found it perfectly sound on the SE side except one course of the logs near the surface of the earth being decayed about the thicknefs of a quarter of an inch on the outside, which they dubbed off; the logs below and next above perfectly sound. On the SW side found two courses of logs one next above the other below the surface of the earth almost wholly decayed, one log the only course below that sound, and those next above the same. The Carpenters cut out half the length of the two decayed courses and filled the space up again with new wood, tomorrow they will do the remainder. The Bricklayer preparing firestones for soleing of a new Oven, to be built in the Chiefs Cookroom the old one being very ruinous; one Man making Mortar: All the rest of the people except one Man grinding paint and another spinning Spunyarn were employed in carrying litter from the Cowhouse Dunghill and laying it upon the Brushwood laid along the Factory side of the Sloops Creek to bank off the water.
Thermometer +41° "

May 28
" Tuesday Wind and weather the same. The Men employed all as yesterday. In the evening fifteen Canoes of Nacowawock, commonly called Pungee Indians arrived from up the river to trade; gave the Leaders and young Men the usual presents they recieve on their arrival. they brought 12 Buck and 3 Doe Deer which I traded from them.
Thermometer +36° "

May 29
" Wednesday Wind SE and S clear and very warm. The House Carpenter, Joiner and one Man laid a sheet of new lead on a part of the NW shed the old one being much broke. they also leaded the flooring of the new watch house which was built on the above shed last Autumn. Smith soldering other parts of the same where broke. the Smiths Mate making staples. All the rest of the Tradesmen with their afsistants as before. Five Canoes more of Pungee Indians came to trade, they brought 4 Buck and 24 Doe Deer. the people except those above mentioned employed in skinning cutting up and salting Deers flesh and one Man attending the gates to keep the Indians out, also another Man who went with both Horses to the Marsh from whence they brought 77 Geese.
Thermometer +56° "

May 30
" Thursday Wind SW and W weather part clear and part overcast. House Carpenter, Joiner, Smith and two afsistants repairing the lead on the roofs of Flankers and sheds where faulty. Armourer cleaned our small Arms and reloaded them. Cooper and two Men making pickle, the rest of the people were employed in stretching Deer skins and in carrying dung to make up ground near the Creek in the forenoon, except the remainder of the Tradesmen with their afsistants who were employed at their several callings as before. In the afternoon the Labourers employed in skinning and cutting up 13 Buck Deer which we recieved by a Canoe of Pungee Indians who arrived from up the river with a few Furs. Have not yet traded all they brought from the Indians before here, as several of them are yet drunk.
Thermometer +66° "

May 31
" Friday Winds N and NE fresh breezes cloudy wet Fog great part of the day. Dealing with the Indians. Armourer cleaning of trading guns. House Carpenter Joiner and one Man repairing the South Flanker. Cooper and three Men making pickle and washing provision casks. Smith with his Mate making staples, the other Tradesmen as before with their Mates, the rest of the people ground Oatmeal and dug the gardens except two Man who accompanied John Morris in a Boat to Tenshilling Creek, they returned in the afternoon with 30 Trout.
Thermometer +37° "

June 1 1782
" Saturday Wind Easterly fog in the morning afterwards clear. The Tradesmen and their Mates all employed as before also the three Men who were barking of trees for Stockades. the Bricklayer with the afsistance of the rest of the people drew the Lime from the kiln which was spread quick on the garden ground for destroying of grubs with which it is much infested. Dealt with the last of the Indians and cleared them off ready for going away. Total of what has been recieved this week 1208 1/2 made Beaver. Recieved 90 Geese from the Marsh yesterday and 39 more to day.
Thermometer +43° "

June 2
" Sunday Wind SW a fresh breeze clear sultry weather. Part of the Indians went off in the morning but they came back again with 7 Canoes more of Pungee Indians whom they met and who arrived at noon, gave the latter the usual reception presents.
Thermometer +65° "

June 3
" Monday Winds variable clear sultry weather.The Indians that arrived yesterday trading a little Liquor at times and most of them with part of those before here are drunk. Our Men employed three at Fourteens river Goose Tent. Shipwright afsisted by one Man repairing the Boats. House Carpenter, Joiner and one Man repairing the South Flanker. Armourer cleaning trading guns. Cooper repairing leaky trading rundlets. both Taylors making Indian cloathing for trade. Bricklayer with an afsistant building a new Oven in the Chiefs Cook room. Smith and one Man making staples, three Men barking of Trees for Stockades. four Men gardening. two Men brewed small Beer, and the rest carried Litter from the Cowhouse dunghill to make up ground near the water hole Creek. Edward Umfreville returned from the Marsh he says the Geese are almost wholly gone off the coast.
Thermometer +75° "

June 4
" Tuesday Wind NNE fresh breeze and cloudy. The Indians who arrived first, all went away. Dealt with those who arrived on Sunday and cleared them ready for going away. Total of what they brought 435 made Beaver. One Canoe of North River Indians, A Man, Woman and Child arrived, brought only 14 Beaver. they bring a very disagreeable account of Occurrences in their Country, that two of their Countrymen have been murdered by two of the same family, that the murderers have fled further up the river, these are debtors here as were the two Men murdered and were all prime hunters, but this unfortunate affair has deprived this place of the whole for the Murderers will not dare to come this way again for fear of the rest of their Countrymen. The Men employed. two that were brewing yesterday, tunned the Beer today and cleaned the copper &c. All the rest as before.
Thermometer +46° "

June 5
" Wednesday Winds variable between N and W cloudy snow at times in the morning and some snow last night. The Joiner is disabled having bruized one of his legs in afsisting to launch one of the Boats yesterday. The other Carpenter with an afsistant opened the plaistering of the SW shed in many places to examine the wall, found the two lower courses of logs much decayed, the next course and all the rest above perfectly sound as high as the bottom of the parrapet where the logs are decayed in places by water having got in between the plaister and wall at the joining of the Watch house with the parapet and about the edges of the two Gun ports. the Carpenter cut out half the length of the two lower courses and put in new wood, tomorrow the other half shall be done. Cooper making 3 gallon rundlets for Inland Service. Shipwright with an Afsistant repairing the Sloops Forecastle and Quarter decks. All the rest of the Tradesmen with their afsistants and three Men barking of Stockades as before. the remainder of the people employed in wheeling earth over a temporary bridge from the off to the Factory side of water hole Creek which they spread on the Cowhouse litter they have been laying there to make up ground for banking off the Creek; except five Men who went in two Boats to the French Creek for Mr Lockey, his Tentmates and Indian hunters who came there last night from the Eastward the Geese being gone. Total killed in the East Marsh 856. paid the Indians for shooting them and our Men ferryed them over the river again to go a Deer hunting. The Pungee Indians all paddled away. The Canoe of North River Indians remain to go some other way with any of their relations who may arrive, saying they are afraid to go up North river again least they should be likewise killed to prevent their retaliating at any future opportunity, the Man was Brother to one and Son in law to the other of the Men murdered, and the Woman is widdow to one of them.
Thermometer +38° "

June 6
" Thursday Winds variable between N and NE fresh breezes cloudy weather. The Tradesmen with their afsistants employed as yesterday. Fourteen Men preparing to go up to Twelve Mile Island to raft firewood. the rest packed five bundles of Deer skins in the Hair and did other Factory duties. Our Indians arrived from the North Marsh they brought only three Geese, paid them for hunting and part of them immediately went away Northward to hunt Deer. Total of Geese killed in the North Marsh is 413 which with 856 in the Eastern Marsh makes 1269 in the whole.
Thermometer +33° "

June 7
" Friday Wind SW in the Morning afterwards a fresh gale at NE clear weather. The Joiner yet disabled and one Man, John Houston also laid up with a pain in his arm. House Carpenter took out half the length of the two lower courses of logs of the South wall of the SW Flanker being decayed and put in new Timber. The rest of the Tradesmen as before. Fourteen Men in two Boats set off for twelve Mile Island to raft firewood. two more went with them to bring one of the Boats back. the rest of the spare Men employed in wheeling earth from the off to the Factory side of water hole Creek. Steward and Cowkeeper occasionally employed, the former in mending Nets and the other in gardening. A Cow calved a Bull calf.
Thermometer +45° "

June 8
" Saturday Wind NE a fresh breeze clear weather. The two spare Men sent up with the wooders returned with one of the Boats. Tradesmen and their Mates employed in their several callings, the rest put the remainder of the home Indians over the River to hunt Deer, except the North River Indians before mentioned and a cripple young Indian whom we are obliged to maintain his limbs being contracted prevents his walking.
Thermometer +47° "

June 9
" Sunday Winds SW and W weather clear in the Morning at noon cloudy and in the evening foggy. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +70° "

June 10
" Monday Winds variable thick fog in the morning which was dispersed by noon but the weather continued cloudy. Fourteen Men abroad rafting firewood. Shipwright repairing the Sloops upper works, both Taylors working for trade. House Carpenter afsisted by one Man renewing the foundation logs of the South flanker. Armourer cleaning trading guns. Cooper making 3 gallon rundlets for Inland use. Bricklayer afsisted by a Labourer building an Oven in Chiefs Cook room. Smith and an afsistant making staples. Myself with two Men went in a Boat to Tenshilling Creek where we caught 14 Trout by Angling, and set two Nets. The remainder of the people employed in making up ground near the water hole Creek, except the Joiner and John Houston who are under the Surgeons care. In the afternoon sixteen Canoes of Lake but commonly called at the Fort Pungee Indians arrived, seemingly pretty well gooded. I gave the Leader and his followers the usual reception presents. They inform me that a violent disorder has raged among their people which they describe as an eruption on the skin, some of whom were Debtors here and name four prime Indians among them that used to resort here, and that others yet remain in a dangerous way. But the account they give of the mortality that has happened amongst the Swan River, Red Deer River or Cowonitow and Sahsahnew Indians who all border on their Country is alarming indeed and which could be nothing lefs that the effect of a Plague. They mentioned the names particularly of seven Leaders, all there were belonging to those Tribes being dead, and not only them but that the whole of the Tribes, Men, Women and Children are dead. And that the Moose, Buffalo and other Animals died. If this account be true only in part, York Fort will be deeply affected indeed as the above Indians brought last year about one third of the Trade recieved at it, and indeed were the other distant Indians who have continued to bring down Furs hitherto except a few stragling skins recieved from Basquis and other Indians who came down with Cumberland House Furs. What these Indians further relate of Deaths at and above Basquiou is even more alarming than the above, indeed it is so much so that I shall forbear to insert it for the present further than that they afsure me I may expect to see no more Indians whatever come down this River this Summer with Furs except two of their Countrymen whom they had heard were intended to come. That our people at Cumberland house were well but will have to come down by themselves, as death has made such devastation among the Indians their former afsistants in bringing down Furs and carrying up trading goods. The latter account these Indians pretend to have recieved from an Indian who went to trade a supply last winter at Cumberland House. - The Natives most of them are such notorious Liars that great allowances ought to be made for exageration in the advices recieved from them, this gives me some hopes that Events if not false are not so bad as they have represented them, and which I shall cherish until I hear the truth from Mr Tomison when he arrives. I pray God grant his information may be propitious and contradict the whole of the aforegoing. - We recieved 4 Buck and 3 Doe Deer brought by Pungee hunters from up the River which they traded and returned.
Thermometer +46° "

June 11
" Tuesday Winds variable between N and NW cloudy with rain great of the day. Tradesmen employed at their several callings as yesterday, the rest of the people when weather permitted making up ground near the Creek when too bad employed at necefsary jobs within. The Indians who arrived yesterday most of them drunk and occasionally trading Brandy. A Canoe of Hunters came down the River with 11 Buck Deer which they traded and immediately went away again - A Sow farrowed 6 pigs.
Thermometer +41° "

June 12
" Wednesday Winds as yesterday most part cloudy rain hail and snow at times. Tradesmen with their afsistants employed as before. Sloop Master and 4 Men with a Boat fetched home 4 hogsheads of salted geese from the Fourteens river, the rest of the people except two that are ailing and two more that went with Mr Umfreville in a Boat to Tenshilling Creek employed in necefsary factory duties. Only 1 small Pike & 3 Trout from Tenshilling Creek brought home both nets from thence. Dealt with part of the Indians.
Thermometer +46° "

June 13
" Thursday Wind NW and NE weather most part cloudy some Snow and rain at times. The two Men who were at Tenshiling Creek yesterday were this day employed in carting rubbish with the Horse off a heap on the plantation lately cleaned out of the yards whch they spread out along the outside of the NE Stockades to raise the ground, being low and wet. The rest of the people all employed as yesterday.Mr Lockey and his Men brought home 3 1/2 Hogsheads of Salted Geese from the fourteens River being the last. they also brought home the Tent Cloth and other necefsaries with the remains of Ammunition. Dealt with the remainder of the Indians. Total of what they brought including the furs recieved on Sunday is 1054 1/6 made Beaver. Rec'd 4 Buck and 1 Doe Deer from Pungee hunters. Indians sixteen Canoes who arrived on Monday all paddled away.
Thermometer +45° "

June 14
" Friday Wind SW clear till towards evening then cloudy. The four Men who were fetching home Geese yesterday employed to day in wheeling earth from the off to the Factory side of water hole Creek to bank off the water. Joiner being recovered employed in jobbing and John Houston afsisted the Cooper to make pickle. All the rest as before.
Thermometer +54° "

June 15
" Saturday Winds NNE and N cloudy weather. The people employed as yesterday except four who accompanied the Surgeon, Sloopmaster and self in a Boat to Twelve Mile Island with provisions for the 14 Men there, find they have made fifteen small floats of firewood; we returned home in the evening. Recieved 4 Deer from the Indian hunters up the river. The Canoe of North river Indians who have been here sometime went northward to hunt Deer.
Thermometer +54° "

June 16
" Sunday Wind West a light breeze and clear until noon then a fresh gale at ENE and cloudy towards evening rain. A Canoe of Pungees brought the flesh of seven Deer which they traded and returned for up the River. Sent the Sloop Master and six Men to go up with more rafting ropes which are wanted there; five of the Men returned towards evening in the Boat, the sixth Man remains there and is to accompany Mr Lockey up to Pethecahtaway River by land where they are going to fetch the wooden Canoe laid up there by the Fishermen last Fall at the setting in of the River.
Thermometer +57° "

June 17
" Monday Winds variable between N and W till afternoon then a fresh breeze at NE clear pleasant weather. Fourteen Men abroad rafting firewood and one with Mr Lockey as mentioned yesterday. The Men at home employed, after filling the brewing copper, two Labourers in brewing small Beer, the Armourer cleaning and oiling trading guns, Cooper trimming up casks for packing Furs in, Shipwright afsisted by one Man repairing a Boat, Smith making staples, one Taylor working for trade the other for the people. Joiner Jobbing, Bricklayer repairing the plaistering of South Flanker in places where it had been broken to examine the walls, house Carpenter and his mate finished renewing the lower logs of West Flanker walls and afterwards examined the state of the whole by opening the plaistering in many places. found the NW side decayed much particularly near the top of the outer angle the SW is also decayed near the top of the same angle but the remainder appears to be sound. Afterwards they examined the outward walls of North Flanker in the same manner the NW side of which is sound but the NE one is much decayed. Two Men tarring Buoy and other ropes, and two Men accompanied Surgeon and Self in a Boat to Tenshilling Creek where we angled for Fish, caught only two Trout. The remainder of the Men turned the current of the mouth of water hole creek further off from the Factory side it having made itself a channel winding downwards. Set a net for fish in the morning but caught nothing with it last tide.
Thermometer +55° "

June 18
" Tuesday Wind NNE clear weather. The Tradesmen all with their afsistants and two Men tarring ropes employed as yesterday, except the House Carpenter with his Mate and other afsistants was employed in removing part of the SW stockades further back the ground being fell away from the bottom of them into the Creek great part of which lodges, as we want it, on the Factory side amongst breakwaters laid for the purpose. Four Men cleaning the plantation and Battery platforms and occasionally afsisting the Carpenters crew in lifting ribbon lengths of Stockades at once, four small fish from the Net.
Thermometer +55 ° "

June 19
" Wednesday Wind South a small breeze, at noon a fresh gale at NE clear weather. The Men employed all as yesterday except Shipwright and his Mate with the Joiner who afsisted the House Carpenter. The Armourer this day began to stock a gun.
Thermometer +58° "

June 20
" Thursday Wind NE cloudy a fresh breeze in the afternoon much rain at times in the forenoon. Men employed Tradesmen and afsistants all as yesterday except the Joiner and Shipwright who began to repair the Bridge over water hole Creek. After breakfast the weather becoming too bad they with House Carpenter were employed in mending broken shovels and other tools. The Labourers afsisted the Carpenters until Breakfast and afterwards skinned and salted part of the meat of 14 Buck and 6 Doe Deer which we recieved from Pungee Hunters.
Thermometer +53° "

June 21
" Friday Winds NE and E fresh gales clear till towards evening then cloudy. Yesterday evening two Canoes of Pungee Indians arrived with some Furs which I immediately traded paid their debts honestly but had but little over. Total of what they brought 102 made Beaver. This morning a Canoe of Pungee hunters brought down 5 Buck Deer which they traded with some Deer skins and with the Indians who arrived yesterday returned up the River. Our Men employed Tradesmen all as yesterday except the Smith who was jobbing and the Armourer stocking a gun. The Labourers part of them afsisted the Carpenters and the remainder skinned Deer salted venison and stretched the skins to dry them.
Thermometer +65° "

June 22
" Saturday Wind NE a fresh breeze cloudy weather and foggy small rain at times. The 14 Men who were up at Twelve mile Island arrived last night with 15 small floats of firewood as it was midnight before they reached the Fort, did not employed them on any duty. The Men before at home employed as follows Viz. Tradesmen all at their several callings but coming on much rain those who were at out Door work were afterwards employed jobbing within. Labourers except tradesmens afsistants were employed in setting some firewood up in a pile which was laying on the ground being a little that remains of what the Horses and Men sledged home during the winter and spring.
Thermometer +43° "

June 23
" Sunday Winds NbE and NE weather clear until evening. Read Divine Service. In the afternoon some North River Indians arrived who came acrofs the Island on foot being too much wind for them to have come round the point of Marsh in Canoes. they consist only of three Women and three Boys, and tell me that the Women with another woman and four Children left are all that remain of five Families the rest being dead. Viz. five Men with two Women and Children. The Women now arrived are Widdows of three of the Men, they with the Boys have brought 268 made Beaver in good Furs. Beaver and Cats, greatest part of which they say were procured by the deceased Men and that they were obliged to leave a large part more where they died not being able to remove them all with their own necefsaries. One of the Women tells me that she with her Husband did go up to Cumberland House in the winter with some provisions and Furs to Trade accompanied by four of the Lake Indians who border Southward of them whom they had met with and whom she named. I find three of them are part of the four prime Indians mentioned to be dead that belonged to the Indians who arrived here the 10th Instant, but who did not say that any of those they named had been at Cumberland House, only that they had recieved the account of Deaths in that part from an Indian who had been in at Cumberland House to trade a supply. The Woman says that none of the North river tribe accompanied herself and husband: She gives her confirmation of the account recieved the 10th Instant of the great Mortality that had happened amongst the Indians at and above Basquio which she says they recieved from Mr Tomison himself who exprefsed his fears that he should find it very dificult to come down with his people for want of Indians to afsist them at the bad Falls; That Robert Longmoor with the Englishmen and Indians sent up with him last fall all arrived safe but were near stopped by the winter setting in; that Robert Longmoor was not then at Cumberland House but she supposed he might be at Hudson House and did not hear of his having been sent Northward to the Athupiskow Indians Country. That Mr Tomison informed that himself and Men at Cumberland House had chiefly subsisted on Sturgeon caught in their Nets in the Lake and that no Indians had for a long time before come in except one Man. the Indians their former providers being dead. - That the Englishmen at Cumberland house were all living but Mr Tomison said that two Men had died at Hudson House, one called Charles Isham, the other he did not name. These Women tell me their Husbands &c died of a violent breaking out upon them all over their bodies and within the mouth and throat and which from their description of it must have been the small pox: That they themselves were afflicted with the same disorder, but got over it, one of them appears to have been much so her face, hands and body are all red spotted in the same manner as any persons is who has recently recovered from the Small Pox, the other two women are also marked but have had but few; and they say that those whose eruption broke out freely recovered, but of those persons who died theirs did not come well without the skin. The Widow of the aforemention'd deceased Leader who was in at Cumberland House says that the Indians that way died of the same complaint, which makes me suppose that She and her Husband caught the infection when there and communicated it to their Tribe when they fell ill after their return; The Natives at Basquiou &c probably have recieved it from some of the Canadian Pedlers who may have brought the disorder up with them from Canada. - As Mr Tomison knew that the North River Indians that he see resorted here every Summer with what Furs they might have, I am much surprized he did not send a Line to inform me of any particular events that might have happened as I think was necefsary: I always thought it my indispensable duty when at Cumberland House to sieze every trusty opportunity of conveying accounts of Occurrences to Mr Marten which Mr Tomison must well know as he has the copies of Letters inserted in my Journals left at the House. This Woman tells me that they asked Mr Tomison if he would send a Letter by them as they expected to reach York Fort early in the Summer, but he declined it. - The Women further informed me that they see two Families of their Countrymen near Sweet Herb Lake in the winter whom they expect may yet come down if death has not laid his hand on them. They also mention having seen another Leader belonging to North River with his Tribe who were then well and appointed to meet them in Canoes early in the Summer at a Lake in the track, intending to have all came down in a body; but say that they neither met with them or found any marks of their having been at the place appointed, and therefore fear (and alafs their is great reason to doubt their fears will be verified) That death has also visited them, it being now much later in the Summer than their usual time of arriving. Besides as it was after the aforementioned deceased Leader had been at Cumberland House. He perhaps has communicated the Small Pox to them.
Thermometer +55° "

June 24
" Monday Winds variable between SE and ESE cloudy weather drizling rain at times. The Tradesmen were all employed at their several callings within being too bad to work abroad, the rest of the people first part of the day ground Oatmeal picked Oakum stuff and packed three Bundles of Deer skins afterwards being fair weather were employed in cutting up firewood. The North River Indians went away. The Women informed me that they embarked in Canoes to come down at Grafs River at which place they left the two Murderers mentioned the 4th Instant who with an elderly Man their Wives and Families and with the three Boys that accompanied them here; came to where they were residing soon after the bloody deed was committed: As they said the Murderers and another Man (who were all trusted goods here last Fall) have Furs with them, I did desire them to tell the men that I requested them to come here with what they have as soon as pofsible: But I suspect that part of the Furs recieved yesterday from the Women has been privately sent by these Men being afraid to come down themselves.
Thermometer +59° "

June 25
" Tuesday Wind SE a fresh gale weather overcast most part, rain at times. The Men all employed in carrying firewood up the bank nd setting it up in a pile. They carried up all the fifteen floats which were brought down on Friday night. rob. Tennant employed as Cook being not able to do any other but light duty as one of his Toes part of which he lost by the Frost as mentioned soon after Christmafs is not yet healed. Three Cnoes of Pungee hunters brought a few Deer skins which I traded and they returned up the River.
Thermometer +71° "

June 26
" Wednesday Winds variable, in the afternoon heavy rain with Thunder and Lightning, at times towards evening fair and clear for awhile, then cloudy sudden gusts of wind. Sent Mr Lockey with 21 Men in three Boats to fetch the remainder of the floats of wood from Twelve Mile Island. - The Men at home employed. Armourer mending a gun. Cooper trimming up casks for packing in. Smith jobbing. Taylors working for the people. House Carpenter and one Man lengthening Stockades where earth had fell from them into the Creek. Joiner jobbing. Bricklayer altering Oven Chimney that he lately built being smoaky. Shipwright squaring small Timber for repairing the upper part of the wall of SW shed which is part decayed as mentioned the 5th Inst., the rest of the people cleaned yards &c except James Flatt who has got one of his arms hurt by some wood falling upon him yesterday. James Omen also disabled for the present by a wound with a spike in his thigh Towards evening two Canoes of Pungee hunters arrived with a few Deer skins which they traded.
Thermometer +72° "

June 27
" Thursday Winds Northerly cloudy weather. The Pungee Indians returned up thw River. This morning the Men sent up the River arrived with 15 more floats of firewood being the last of what weremade. As these Men were employed during the night in coming down they did no duty today. The Men before at home employed. Armourer, Cooper, Cmith, Bricklayer and Taylors as yesterday. Shipwright afsisted by House Carpenters Mate cut out the decayed part of the wall of SW shed. House Carpenter ill of the Country distemper. Joiner also under Surgeons care one of his Ancles being much swelled. The Labourers who are able stretched wet Deer skins recieved yesterday. James Omen and James Flatt yet lame.
Thermometer +42° "

June 28
" Friday Wind NW clear weather. All the people who are able carrying up firewood. House Carpenter and Joiner in the Surgeons List. also Alexander Tours laid up with the gravel.
Thermometer +55° "

June 29
" Saturday Wind NE cloudy first part afterwards clear, fresh gale in the afternoon. Employed as yesterday and finished. Last night three Canoes of Pungee hunters arrived with Deer skins which I traded from them this morning and they returned up the River.
Thermometer +60° "

June 30
" Sunday Winds variable between S and E fresh breezes weather most part cloudy rain at times. Yesterday evening two Indian Men in one Canoe arrived with four bundles of Furs which I traded today Total 188 made Beaver. They are Lake Indians and appeared to be lately recovered from the late virulent disorder which has proved so fatal to many of the Indians, they are much more pock fretten? than the two Women mentioned to have arrived last Sunday. Say they resided with a Leader called Tommy White one of the four prime Indians mentioned to be dead the 10th Instant. They informed me that they see Mr Tomison with several Canoes of English, and eight Canoes of Indians whom they left on their way down and expect them to arrive in three nights more. They confirm the account before recieved of the lofs of Basquio Indians and say that those that are now accompanying Mr Tomison are part of the Tribes above, that they had not heard of any of the Company's Servants being dead either at the lower or upper Settlements. Soon after trading their furs they returned up the river.
Thermometer +68° "

July 1 1782
" Monday Winds W and NW cloudy weather small rain at times. In the morning all the men afsisted in filling the brewing Copper, afterwards the Armourer employed in repairing guns. Cooper trimming up Casks for Packing Furs in. Taylors working for the people. Smith jobbing. Bricklayer repairing the pleastering of North and West Flankers where opened to examine the state of the walls. Shipwright with an afsistant filling up with new wood the Breach made in SW shed wall on Thursday. House Carpenter and Joiner continue under the Surgeons care, George Gunalso ill. Steward, Servant of Chiefs Mefs and two more Men packed a few Deer skins. one Man gardening and two Men brewed small Beer. all the rest of the Labourers with the Horses employed in making a bank of Earth carted and carried from the river bank which is to run in from the edge of the River Bank about 250 yards above the Fort to the head of Water hole Creek about 300 yards behind the Fort, for the purpose of stopping the great inundations of water which after heavy rains and in the spring when Snow thawed, run towards the Fort from the Swamps and plains that way and made many chasms in the ground, and to cause it to empty itself either into the River above or water hole Creek behind the Fort.
Thermometer +50°."

July. 2
" Tuesday Winds W and SW fresh breezes clear weather. The House Carpenter recovered and employed with the Shipwright on the Duty he was at yesterday. Steward and three more Men packed Deer skins, and one Man gardening as yesterday. The two Men who brewed yesterday cleaned Copper &c. Sent Henry Garroch and four more in a Boat for North River to kill white Whales. the remainder of the Labourers employed in making the bank. About nine in the morning Mr William Tomison and 22 Englishmen including Robert Longmoor and James Elphingston and part Indians in 12 Canoes afsisted by three Canoes only of Indians arrived. Mr Tomison answered to my enquiry after their welfare; that they had been so unfortunate to lose Magnus Sclater one of their Men in the winter; that Charles Isham had been ill of the Small Pox but happily recovered, that Himself with the rest had been healthy in general; that Food except Fish had been very scarce at both houses during the year, and that he had left four Men at Cumberland and six at Hudson Houses. I am very sorry to have to say that the information I did recieve from the Indians who arrived here on the 10th Ult. proves true: The whole Tribe of U'Basquio Indians are deceased except one young Child. The many different Tribes of Southern, Afsinnee-Poet and Yatchithinue Indians are also almost wholly extinct as I am afsured by Mefs Tomison and Longmoor, for they say that they really believe of young and old not one in fifty of those Tribes are now living. such has been the dreadful effects of the Small Pox in this Country. It seems a party of those Indians who were at war having met with a Tent of Kenapick Athinewock (i.e) Snake Indians who were all ill of the Small Pox (and were supposed to have recieved it from the Spaniards whom tis said those people trade with) killed them all and Scalped them to carry away with them, by this means they recieved the infection and almost all of them died on their return. what few reached their own Country communicated the disorder to their Friends and it spread through the whole Country above here in some parts of which it yet rages. Numbers died through want of Food or starved with cold, having no attendance for as the complaint became general there was none left in many Tribes able to hunt for or administer to the wants of each other; many put an end to their own existence to end their pain, and others for grief at the lofs of their friends. - What I have to relate further from Mr Tomisons information is additionally distrefsing to me, for he tells me that he met two Canoes of the Lake Indians who arrived here the 10th Ult. and went away the 14th these he afsures me are all that remain of that Company, the rest 14 Canoes being all dead of the Small Pox since, except one poor wretched Man with a Child whom our people found laying helplefs near his Canoe with his feet in the water and almost dead with want, who said that his Wife and another Child died sometime before he reached the place were he was found: This Man with the Child our people have brought with them; The disorder seems to be at the height and as the pocks are well come out we have some hopes of saving both. - Towards noon six Canoes arrived with Furs to trade, five of them are Sahsahnew Indians, the sixth Lake Indians Three of this Company are now ill of the Small Pox which siezed them on the way down. I put them all immediately under the Surgeons care; one of them died in the evening, the others have spots coming out on them very thick which the Surgeon says have but an unfavourable appearance. and their throats are excefsive sore. Those who are well confirm the account reciev'd and inserted the 10th Ult. concerning the devastation made by the Small Pox among their Countrymen and also among the Swan River and Cowonitow or Red Deer River Tribes, they say that they had heard one or two Canoes of these people who remain intended to come here to Trade but as it is now late doubt they have been prevented either by having traded with the Pedlers, Deaths or Sicknefs, of such as had not yet then been ill of the Small Pox. - Mr Tomison informed me his reason for not writing to me by the North river Indians who were up at Cumberland House last winter was; that he was fearful I should be vexed at knowing they had been there being Debtors here.
Thermometer +60° "

July 3
" Wednesday Winds variable light breezes part clear. Men employed. Armourer mending Indian guns. Smith making Iron work for Inland. Taylors working for the people who are arrived from Inland, the rest of the Tradesmen as yesterday. The Labourers employed one in attending upon the sick Indians, two more buried the one that died last night and the remainder in making the bank. - Traded with five of the six Canoes of Indians who arrived yesterday noon. Total 496 made Beaver including the Furs belonging to the deceased Indian and which they traded for the benifit of his Friends in goods to be carried up to them. - I have enquired into the manner of the Man called Magnus Sclater being mifsing Inland and find Mr Longmoor with Magnus Sclater were sent up from Cumberland to Hudson House where they arrived the 21st Dec. Soon after they with the whole of the Men there except the Master and three others, left the House and went to live with the Indians being sent as they could not be supported at it. In Feb. Sclater returned to the House with an intent to offer his service to carry a Packet which was necefsary then to be sent to Mr Tomison. Of the three Men at the House none were willing to comply to accompany Sclater two of them were indeed not able travellers, the third Will. Luitet was, this Man Will. Walker appointed to go but he absolutely refused notwithstanding his being offered payment the same as an Indian and being threatned to be put off duty and Wages stopped. Magnus Sclater being anxious to go entreated Will. Walker to send him alone but was not at first complied with however as he continued his importuning Walker was induced to consent, and accordingly very imprudently sent off Sclater with the Packet the latter part of Feb. afsisted by a Dog to haul his sledge of Provisions. Three days after Sclater was met by some of the Men who had been sent up by Mr Tomison. one of them offered if he would return back with them to Hudson House. He would then accompany him down to Cumberland House, but Sclater would not comply saying he should perform the Journey very well alone. accordingly he proceeded but was never seen after. About the time after he might have reached Cumberland House, two Men who had been sent from thence to afsist ailing Indians, found his track upon Saskachiwan River but did not then know who had made it, about two days Journey from the House. It is supposed the poor Man has been lost in attempting to crofs a small River in his way which runs from the Lake about six Miles above Cumberland House and empties itself into Kesaskachiwan. This River is seldom froze over in the coldest winter except for short times breaking up again. at that time it might be set in and to save going along way about, He perhaps has efsayed to crofs it but the Ice breaking, both him and dog with the sledge fell in. What strengthens this opinion is, The weather during the time it would have taken to perfom the Journey was not unfavourable, and he could not well lose his way, because in their Journeys between the two Houses the Men always followed the course of Kesaskachiwan River and if any accident had happened to him only the Dog would probably at length have left him and returned to one of the Houses.
Thermometer +65° "

July 4
" Thursday Wind variable from E to NE cloudy weather towards noon some rain in afternoon heavy showers. Tradesmen employed at their several callings and the Labourers in making the bank as before but Musketoes becoming very rife and intolerably troublesone those who were working abroad were obliged to desist and were employed within doors picking Oakum stuff. The Men from Inland were employed in packing Cumberland House Furrs. Four Canoes of the Indians who arrived last on Tuesday went away for their own Country, they took with them the Goods belonging to the Man who died on Tuesday and another they have left who is almost dead. these would have manned the fifth Canoe. The two Men belonging to the sixth Canoe who are Brothers have not yet traded one being ill of the Small Pox and have therefore defered it for the present he is in a favourable way.
Thermometer +57° "

July 5
" Friday Wind W and SW cloudy weather. The poor Indian died mentioned to be near so yesterday. Tradesmen employed in their ways. Two Labourers buried the dead Indian. two more set Nets along shore for Fish and the rest were employed in making up ground on Factory side of water hole Creek. the ground being too wet with the rain that fell yesterday to cart earth for making the bank they were employed at. The Men from Inland employed in packing.
Thermometer +57° "

July 6
" Saturday Winds variable cloudy weather. Men employed all as yesterday. finished packing the Furs from Inland. Total 6095 17/30 made Beaver. Disposed of the late Magnus Sclaters effects by Auction to some of the Men in the Fort and for which they gave Bills on the Company. The Total amount of which is £7.15.8 as pr Bill of Sale. Besides a Bill of £1.4.0 on the Company from Wm. Flatt which sum was owing to Sclater. These papers and a promisary Note for £40 from Captain Will. Christopher, are all enclosed under a Cover titled Papers belonging to the Heirs at Law of Magnus Sclater deceased and shall be sent home enclosed in the Companys Packet.
Thermometer +60° "

July 7
" Sunday Wind NE cloudy weather. Read Divine Service. - This day I appointed the Men who are to return Inland. Mr Tomison informed me that he could not on any account take up more Men than he brought down fearing that he should not be able to provide food for them, having been so distrefsed last year as to serve half allowance a long time: And as all the Indians who came down with them consist only of two Lads and some women who are not capable of Steering large Canoes obliged me to employed as many of the old Servants who are able Steermen as pofsible accordingly all of those that have arrived whose Contracts do not expire this year I directed to prepare for the Journey up again. The Men whose Terms will be out are as follows Viz. Malcolm Rofs who sent notice last year to be recalled; Magnus Twatt sent for 2 years at £25 each, Mitchell Omen, William Grey, William Omen, Robert Davey and Will. Luitet all sent for home; James Banks, James Spence Sen. each for 2 years at 20£ a year. James Spence Jun. required 15£ as an able Canoe Man. As none of these Men were willing to comply with my proposals to return Inland without their wages were advanced to what they sent for. I therefore agreed with Malcolm Rofs for one year at 18£ or for 2 years at 20£ each if the Company allowed it. Mr Tomison represented this Man to be an able Canoe Man and very trusty and fit to take charge of any undertaking. Charles Isham agreed on the same terms being also an able Canoe Man; Magnus Twatt also agreed for one year at 18£ or 2 years at £25 the wages he sent for if allowed. He being very handy and having acted as Carpenter for some years. James Spence Jun. agreed for 3 years at £15 each. Out of the rest of the Men I offered James Banks, Will. Omen and James Spence Sen. each £16 for one year but they were unwilling to comply without a further advancement which I thought it imprudent to consent to at this time, and as Mr Tomison had told me that he thought it not pofsible to get the Canoes up without some more of the old Servants accompanied them and we being both of opinion that there is sufficient time to go up to Cumberland House and return back to the Fort before the departure of the Ship especially as few goods will be wanted Inland. I did accordingly appoint James Banks, Will. Omen and James Spence Sen. to go with Mr Tomison as afistants in the Journey up, who will as soon after his arrival at Cumberland House as pofsible dispatch them back. Banks and Omen demurred but Spence absolutely refused and told me I might put him off duty tomorrow he cared not; therefore to prevent such behaviour in others, I discharged him from further service until the Ships arrival that he can be sent home and put him upon half allowance of Food. The remainder of the Men before named are to remain at the Fort. John Driver and James Elphingston are also to stay, the former Mr Tomison refuses to take with him again on account of his having feigned himself sick along time to screen himself from work. The other was brought down in compliance with his own request saying he wanted to go home and Mr Tomison says he consented because Elphingstone is very unsettled and not fit for Inland service. To make up the Complement of 23 Men now to return Inland I did appoint the following eight new Men Viz. James Grey, John Sabeston, James Johnston, James Murwick, James Burwick, James Flatt and James Downey. [8?]
Thermometer +57° "

July 8
" Monday Wind North a fresh breeze cloudy weather a little rain. The Men employed. Armourer stocking a Gun. Shipwright sick. Joiner lame. House Carpenter afsisted by one Man filling up the breach in the SW shed with new wood which was finished. Cooper and Smith working for Inland, Taylors working for the People from Inland, Bricklayer making plaister, They all having afsisted filling the brewing Copper in the morning. Two Men brewed small Beer. two more set Nets for fish. one Man attending the two Indians ill of the Small Pox. the rest of the people were employed in making up ground on the Factory side of Water Hole Creek except the Men appointed to go Inland who packed up Flour, Oatmeal and other English food for Inland. Sent two Men up the River in a Canoe to see if any of the Pungee Indians are there yet and to trade Venison from them if they have any. I directed the Men to caution the Indians against coming to the Fort at present least they should get infected by the two now ill here of the small Pox, and to tell them that if they wanted to trade supplies they should be met and traded with when they came at the Sloops Creek. Immediately on Mr Tomison and his peoples arrival last Tuesday finding they had brought an Indian ill of Small Pox, I sent the lame home Indian mention'd to be left here sometime ago, and my own connections over the River where they continue well. they are to stop any who may be coming in that way. The same day I supplied the Men sent to North river a Whaleing with Ammunition Tobacco &c to trade Deer Skins from the few home Indians who are there if they should be coming in and which they are to forbid.
Thermometer +45° "

July 9
" Tuesday Wind NW clear weather. The House Carpenter afsisted by one Man opened the plaistering of SE shed in places to examine the state of the wall found it sound except a few of the logs beginning to decay. To preserve the building from further decay I directed them to take off the whole of the plaistering when we found all sound except a log in places begun to decay on the out side, they dubbed of what was not sound and the Bricklayer with an afsistant began to new lath the wall for plaistering afresh. Shipwright who is recovered and one Man went down to the Marsh to repair the Shallop and Long Boat. The rest of the Tradesmen, and a Labourer attending sick Indians as yesterday. Two Men went to the Nets from which we recieved a trifle of Fish. two Men tunned small Beer cleaned Copper &c. all the rest of the Home Men employed at the Creek as yesterday. The Men for Inland preparing for the Journey.
Thermometer +60° "

July 10
" Wednesday Wind SW fresh breeze clear weather. Tradesmen employed as yesterday. The rest of the Home Men making the bank and digging a trench to carry off the water. Men intended for Inland providing for the Journey. James Banks and Wm Omen have agreed to stay one year longer at £16 and to go Inland, or two years at £20 each if the Company allowed it being their resolves last year. Observing a smoke at the French Creek sent over two Men in a Canoe who told me on their return that two home Indians were come from the rest that way to get a supply of Ammunition Tobacco &c. The two Men sent in a Canoe up the River as mentioned last monday, returned they informed me that they met with 9 Canoes of Deer Hunters all well a little above Ten Shilling Creek Head but that they had no Venison to trade indeed have been in want sometime past. they promised our Men to come down with Venison as soon as they get any, but will stop at the Sloops Creek and wait there until I send to trade with them. The last of the poor wretches left here ill of the Small Pox by the Indians who went away last we fear will not get over it. The Man and Child brought down by our people are on the recovery tho' slowly, the Man in particular is yet helplefs, his feet are quite raw and he is much trouble with swellings which succeed each other in different parts of his Body and Limbs. Our Surgeon has been very afsidious in attending on them and a Labourer is employed in no other duty but in nursing them. The ailing Indians have always laid in Tents.
Thermometer +64° "

July 11
" Thursday Winds variable light breezes weather part cloudy. House Carpenter and Mate preparing and pointing stakes which are to be drove on each side of the drain which is kept open from the East Flanker Cellar to the Creek to drain off the water for when covered it was always stopped with ice. the stakes are to be drove close so as to form a wall on each side so as to prevent the Earth tumbling in. Smith having hurt his back by a fall is disabled. Joiner yet lame but doing a light job. The rest of the Men all employed as before except four Men who accompanied me in a Boat to the French Creek where I went to carry the supply sent for by the two Indians who came there yesterday. after serving them they set off on their return to their Families accompanied by those who were put over the River and staying there as mentioned the 7th Instant. They informed me that Deer had been but scarce, that they had however preserved a little dried Venison and promised to send it tomorrow or next day to the French Creek where I shall send to recieve it. they also promised me having two Canoes not to attempt coming to the Fort until we think it safe, but if any of them should become ill of the Small Pox will come back to the French Creek immediately. I desired them so to do hoping to prevent its being so fatal to them when under our care as when left to themselves. Myself and Men returned to the Fort where I found a Pungee hunter his wife and Son had been admitted very imprudently by Edward Umfreville notwithstanding the order to the contrary. The Man told me he came to trade a few Deer skins and beg a little Medicine for his Wife with him who has been ailing since winter. I immediately supplied his wants and he returned up the River. He informed me that one of their people was taken ill with the Head ache last night. While Myself and Mefsmates were at Dinner two more Canoes of Pungee Hunters arrived from up the River and came into the yard before they were known of. I immediately dealt with them and sent them away again, one of the Women complained of a pain in the head. Towards evening one of the Indians ill of the Small Pox died, being the third, one only now under care.
Thermometer +73° "

July 12
" Friday Winds NE and ENE strong gales cloudy weather. Employed as yesterday and buried the dead Indian. Observed a smoke made at the French Creek supposed made by our Home Indians with meat but the weather was too boisterous to send a Boat over. James Spence Sen. having complied with the order to go Inland he accordingly signed a Contract for one year at £16. as there is now one Man more to go than Mr Tomison can take, shall keep James Downey at the Fort who is one of the new Men I had appointed to go.
Thermometer +59° "

July 13
" Saturday Winds variable from ESE to E strong gales with heavy rain at times. much rain and very tempestous weather last night. Could not send a Boat over to the French Creek to the Indians there. Our Men employed grinding Oatmeal and doing other necefsary jobs within. Shipwright returned from the Marsh as he cannot work this weather. the other Tradesmen employed jobbing within except the Smith who is yet disabled. The Men intended for Inland are all ready for the Journey except giving their Canoes the repairs they want which cannot be done until drier and warmer weather.
Thermometer +48° "

July 14
" Sunday Winds NbE and N cloudy stormy weather rain at times. Five Men and three Boys of Lake Indians arrived overland from back of the Island where they left their Canoes (four) they brought Furs to trade. they belong to the same Tribe as those who arrived the 10th Instant whose Deaths they have not yet heard off for as they came acrofs the Country to the North river track prevented their meeting any that went up the Southern track. - As soon as these Indians approached the Fort I went out to meet them intending not to have admitted them if they had not yet had the Small Pox but I found they had all got over, past recently and said they are all the Males that remain alive of their Company. I gave them the usual reception presents and traded with them immediately as they are desirous to get away tomorrow morning. I find our North River Deer hunters are well whom these Indians see but did not land there; said they met the North River Women and Lads who arrived here the 23rd Ult. but see no other Indians whatever, so that I fear the Indians mentioned then to be mifsing are extinct.
Thermometer +44° "

July 15
" Monday Wind North cloudy first part and Noon fair and clear lefs wind. Sent the Steward and four Men in a Boat to the French Creek they found the dried Venison brought there by our Home Indians left safe and dry under a Canoe but they were gone. our people accordingly took it and left Brandy to the value of it in exchange, as soon as I recieved it I divided it among Mr Tomison's Indian afsistants as a little supply for their return up. - Two Men sent to the Nets. Armourer repairing guns belonging to the Men going Inland, both Taylors working for them. Cooper repairing small rundlets. Smith yet ailing by a hurt in his back. Bricklayer and an afsistant lathing the SE shed for plaistering. House Carpenter, Joiner, Shipwright and one Man repairing broken tools. two Men gardening, the rest of the Men making up ground on Factory side of Water Hole Creek. Henry Garroch arrived by land from North River having left his partners four Men with the Boat at the back of the Island being too great a swell to come round the point of Marsh. gave him a little supply of provisions and he returned: He informed me that they had killed only one small young Whale which he expected would only produce about 3 Gallons of Oil; said that they had seen the home Indian hunters last wednesday all well, who wanted Ammunition, he accordingly credited them with part of the supply sent with him. - The Indians went away who arrived yesterday. Men from Inland repairing the Canoes for their return.
Thermometer +45° "

July 16
" Tuesday Wind NE clear weather. Shipwright with an afsistant repairing the Long Boat. Bricklayer afsisted by a Labourer plaistering SE shed. House Carpenter afsisted by three Men preparing stakes for lining the sides of the drain from East Flanker. one Man gardening. one Man attending the Indian and Child who is ill, his feet heal but slowly and he is much troubled with tumours. the Child we expect will be a cripple having lost the use of her limbs. The rest of the Labourers were employed in making the bank above the Fort to prevent the inundations of water from the plains and making a trench on the off side. The five Men arrived in the Boat from North River, gave them a supply of provisions and they again went away also furnished them with some Ammunition and Tobacco for the Home Indians at North river, from whom they brought a few Deer skins in return for the supply before sent. A Canoe of Pungee hunters arrived from up the river. I met them at the waterside intending not to admit them within the Fort but the Man having informed me that his Brother (the Indian mentioned to be ill of the Head Ache the 11th Instant) whom he lives with is now ill of the Small Pox. I thought it needlefs as most probably he has already recieved the infection. accordingly I took him in the yard and traded the trifle of Deer skins he brought and they returned up the River immediately. Three more Canoes of their Company are yet well, the rest of the Deer Hunters as they had killed nothing lately, are gone up Shemattaway River.
Thermometer +57° "

July 17
" Wednesday Wind South light breezes weather overcast. Employed as yesterday. The Smith yet disabled alo Wm. Luitet who is lame. Mr Longmoor with seventeen more Englishmen with Indian afsistants set off on their return Inland. Sent Mr Umfreville, James Elphingstone and Ja. Wafs in a Canoe up the river to set Nets for fish. two Men accompanied them with the wooden Canoe to afsist them up with their things.
Thermometer +73° "

July 18
" Thursday Wind South light breezes cloudy weather, in the afternoon Thunder, Lightning and rain, towards evening fair and clear. Mr William Tomison with 4 more English and an Indian afsistant set off for Inland. Smith & Wm. Luitet and House Carpenter who has hurt his hand under the Surgeons care. the able Men employed as before except two Men who brewed small Beer. the Men who were employed in making the bank were obliged to desist Musketoes being so very troublesome. afterwards they sawed wood in lengths for stakes for the drain. Sent a Boat over to the French Creek having observed a smoke and recieved on its return some dried Venison brought by two of our Home Indians. The two Men sent to afsist the Fishermen up the River yesterday returned. they brought a little Fish from there and Nets at Tenshilling Creek. Shipwright and the Man with him returned from the Craft below having given them what repairs can be done where they lay.
Thermometer +76° "

July 19
" Friday Wind NW a strong gale and rain great part of the day. The Tradesmen employed in their way within doors. The rest of the people swept out their bed places, scraped and washed Cabbins and Guard room. Too bad weather to send a Boat over to French Creek.
Thermometer +49° "

July 20
" Saturday Wind Northerly cloudy weather a little rain. Tradesmen who are able employed at their several callings. the Labourers employed in making up a breach in the bank of the River made by the great quantity of water which being stopped from running towards the Fort emptied itself through the ditch made on the off side of the bank now making. - Not observing a smoke at the French Creek, did not send over supposing the two Indians to be gone who arrived there with Meat on Thursday. The 3 Men sent up the River on Wednesday to set Nets arrived. they brought only four pike. indeed the weather has been too bad to get any thing done. Recieved also 4 fish from the Nets at Tenshilling Creek.
Thermometer +45° "

July 21
" Sunday Winds N and NE moderate breezes clear weather. Read Divine Service.
Thermometer +55° "

July 22
" Monday Wind SE light Airs, at Noon a fresh gale at East clear weather. The Men employed. five Whaling at North River; Edward Umfreville James Elphinstone and a Labourer returned up the River to attend the fishing Nets. two Men went to Tenshilling Creek Nets from which they brought a trifle of Fish; the Armourer repairing old hunting guns. Cooper making 3 Gallon rundlets. Shipwright and four more brought the Longboat at flood up to the Fort. Bricklayer and an afsistant plaistering the outside of SE shed. Smith yet disabled by a hurt in his back. House Carpenter lame of his hand also Wm. Luitet yet disabled by a lame foot. The joiner is again laid up with a wound from his axe on his shin as mentioned last winter which has never been healed and is now festering; one Man gardening, both Taylors and the rest of the Labourers employed in digging the trench on the off side of the bank made to fence off the water from the Fort and finishing the same. The Indian with the Child lately recovered of the Small Pox and the only ones now here are yet under care. the Mans feet are yet sore but he is well otherwise. The Child yet wants the use of its Limbs lost by long sitting.
Thermometer +64° "

July 23
" Tuesday Wind East light breezes clear pleasant weather. Myself with Morris the Cooper and four more packed Coat and Parchent Beaver. Shipwright doing something to the Longboat. House Carpenter afsisted by one Man making steps for Offing Beacon, the rest of the Tradesmen and Labourers who are able employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +63° "

July 24
" Wednesday Winds variable all round light breezes clear weather a shower of rain in the forenoon. The Tradesmen employed as yesterday. The Bricklayer has finished the first Coat of plaistering of SE shed. Shipwright and two Men rigged the Longboat. Mr Lockey overlooks the people at work to keep them employed. Steward mending Nets. Myself, Morris, Cooper and three more packed the remainder of the Trade except a few Deer skins. The two Taylors with the rest of the Labourers gave both yards a thorough cleaning. The Chiefs Flanker was also cleaned and washed both above and below stairs, and part were employed in finishing the bank. Sent two Men to where our Indians are at Fourteens River to tell them to bring in all their Deer skins to the French Creek where I shall go to recieve them tomorrow. our Men returned home in the Afternoon.
Thermometer +61° "

July 25
Thursday Winds variable light airs clear weather. Early this morning a Pungee Indian Man and two small children arrived in a Canoe from up the River. the Man has just got over the Small Pox which has been very numerous upon him, one of the Children appears to have had them sometime ago, the other is not yet broke out. The Man gives a shocking account of the ravages made by this cruel disorder among the Pungees. He says that Himself with the rest of our Deer hunters were on their way to their own parts in Shemattaway River when several of them became ill of the Small Pox most of which died before those who had not yet become ill left him and whom he expects have most of them shared the same fate by this time. When he found himself become able to paddle he set off to come here to beg a supply of Food and other necefsaries: I accordingly supplied his wants and they returned up the River accompanied in the same Canoe by the Indian and Child who have lately recovered here from the same disorder. - The Men employed. Bricklayer and one Man breaking Lime Stones. Cooper making small rundlets. Smith yet ailing. The Joiner yet lame and now very ill of a fever. Mr Lockey with the Shipwright and ten more went down in the Longboat and set one of the Offing Beacons. John Morris afsisted by one Man painted all the Chiefs apartments. The rest of the people cleaned plantation, afterwards four ferryed me over to the French Creek where I recieved what few Deer skins our Eastern hunters had brought. We carried over two Canoes for them which I had traded for them in the spring; Supplied them with Powder and Shot to shoot Ducks and plover for us. Two families propose to hunt in the North Marsh, they told me that about half of their Tribe went Eastward as they have got nothing yet. - Eight Pike from the Nets at Tenshilling Creek. The Fishermen up the River also arrived with eight more.
Thermometer +78° "

July 26
" Friday Winds variable cloudy weather rain at times. Employed as yesterday. The other Offing Beacon was set, and Morris with his Mate were employed in painting the Guard Room and Cabbins below in the Chiefs Flanker.
Thermometer +69° "

July 27
" Saturday Wind NNE small breezes cloudy weather foggy in the morning, in the afternoon Thunder Lightning and continued rain. Last night the five Men who were at North River came home with the Boat. they brought three Barrels full of Blubber being the produce of three white Whales they have killed, one of them was struck by Henry Garroch, the other two by Rob. Davey who was one of his afsistants. -The Men employed today. Tradesmen all at their several callings except Thomas Kirlew yet ill. Fourteen Men including Henry Garroch preparing to set off on Monday to raft the Timber and plank which is laying up the river. the rest of the Men except William Luitet who is yet lame, finished new bank above the Fort and cleaned plantation. John Morris and an afsistant finished painting the Cabbins and Guard room below in Chiefs Flanker also the pafsage and stair case this with the former washing we hope will be a means of removing any infection that may remain after the four Indians lately ill here of the Small Pox. The Furs are all packed and the warehouses have been well swept and are daily aired. The Mens Flanker has been swept and washed also the Offices and the yards and Plantation thoroughly cleaned often since the Indians went away. One of our North River Deer hunters arrived to beg a supply of Oatmeal which I accordingly gave him without admitting him into the Fort and he went away.
Thermometer +62° "

July 28
" Sunday Wind NE cloudy and rain untill noon then fair and clear. The new painted rooms not being yet dry, Divine Service was not performed. Mr Umfreville with two Labourers as afsistants went away to attend the Nets up the River.
Thermometer +53° "

July 29
" Monday Wind NW weather most part overcast flying showers of rain. Fourteen Men in two Boats set off up the River to raft Timber and Firewood. Men at home employed. Armourer repairing old hunting guns. Cooper repairing small rundlets. Smith doing light jobs in his way. Joiner yet sick and lame, both Taylors working for the people. Bricklayer with an afsistant feeding the Lime kiln with stones and wood which was lighted on Saturday. House Carpenter Shipwright and the remainder of the Labourers erecting of the launch except Will. Luitet who is yet lame. Packed a few Deer skins being the last of the Trade. Total 6606 4/5 made Beaver. A few Fish from the Nets at Tenshilling Creek.
Thermometer +63° "

July 30
" Tuesday Wind SE cloudy weather a little rain. The people employed as yesterday. Myself afsisted by John Morris and the Steward examining the remains of Trading goods. Recieved a few Ducks and Birds from our home Indians in the Eastern Marsh for which I sent Mr Lockey to the French Creek in a Boat.
Thermometer +59° "

July 31
" Wednesday Wind NE fresh gale cloudy weather showers of rain at times.Bricklayer and an afsistant laying on the outer Coat of plaistering on SE shed. Armourer, Cooper, Smith, both Taylors and Joiner as before. House Carpenter with his Mate and four more driving stakes on each side of the open drane from the East Flanker so as to form a wall on each side of it to prevent the ground falling in. Mr Lockey with Shipwright and the rest of the people got the Whale Sloop on shore and began to grave her.We are prevented getting the outer length of the launch erected at present, being a great fresh of water in the river. A few fish from the Nets at Tenshilling Creek.
Thermometer +51° "

Aug. 1 1782
" Thursday Winds NW and NE weather most part cloudy. The Men employed as yesterday. Fishermen up the river came down with a few fish from the Nets. James Elphingstone has got a swelling in his groin and is under the Surgeons care. Indians in the North Marsh brought up a few Ducks and Birds which we recieved without the works and they returned. Two of our Home Indians who are at North River also arrived saying they have been in great want no Deer crofsing. gave them a supply of Oatmeal and sent them off again immediately. Men employed as yesterday.
Thermometer +65° "

Aug. 2
" Friday Wind NE in the morning cloudy and small rain at times, afterwards fair and clear. Employed as before. The Whale Sloop's bottom is done but the Tides are fell of so much that she cannot be got off the shore until next Spring Tides.
Thermometer +52° "

Aug. 3
" Saturday Wind variable between NNE & E clear pleasant weather. Employed as before. The Fishermen returned up the River to attend their Nets. Sent two Men to the Nets at Tenshilling Creek from which they brought a trifle of Fish.
Thermometer +61° "

Aug. 4
" Sunday Wind Easterly small breezes clear pleasant weather. Read Divine Service. A few Ducks from the Indian hunters in the Eastern Marsh.
Thermometer +72° "

Aug. 5
" Monday Wind SSE clear in the morning afterwards cloudy with Showers of rain. Men employed 14 up the River rafting Timber. Mr Lockey with the Shipwright and three more dropped down with the Shallop to 5 fathom Hole yesterday evening to lay the outer and some other Buoys. Armourer stocking a gun. Smith doing some necefsary iron work for the craft. Bricklayer afsisted by one Man finishing the plaistering of SE shed. The rest of the people afsisted the House Carpenter and his Mate to line the drain from the Mens Flanker. Mr Umfreville and the two Men with him arrived from the Nets up the River with only three Fish.
Thermometer +73° "

Aug. 6
" Tuesday Winds NW and SEbE small breezes variable weather, some Thunder and rain. Sent two Men up the River to fetch the Nets as they have produced nothing of late worth keeping them set. The rest of the people employed as yesterday. Three families of Pungee Indian Deer hunters arrived from up the River. two Men and a Lad now ill of the Small Pox; I was much distrefsed in mind to know what to do with them for if I kept them at the Fort our Home guards in the Marshes would most probably catch the disorder either by coming to the Fort or by our peoples cloaths who must have gone over in a Boat occasionally to them. Luckily the poor people arrived complied with my request not to land telling them that part of our own Men had not yet had the Small Pox. they accordingly returned up to the Sloops Creek on the upper side of which they landed and where I sent them every supply that Myself and Surgeon thought could be of service to them, the Surgeon also gave them all the afsistance in his power by attending upon them, and a supply of Medicines to carry away with with them, saying they would move a little further off tomorrow. Mr Lockey and his Men came up in the Shallop having laid the Buoys. Two of our Home Indians came from over the River purposely to carry Letters to Churchill but as I fear the Small Pox has certainly reached that place by some of the Musuash River or other upland Indians and the disorder now perhaps among their home Indians if so any Indians sent from here cannot escape therefore Myself and Mefsmates are all of opinion it would be imprudent to send at this time.
Thermometer +73° "

Aug. 7
" Wednesday Wind and weather variable. The two Men sent up the River returned with the Nets, also took up the Nets at Tenshilling Creek. Mr Lockey, Shipwright, Cooper and two more were employed on board the Craft got the Sloop off the ways and preparing to lay the Shallop on. House Carpenter with his afsistants finished lining of the drain from the North Flanker. The rest as before. The Joiner is yet lame and unable to stand to work but does such light jobs as he is able. William Luitet is recovered and has been employed this week. The Pungee Indians embarked from the Sloops Creek but went no further than just acrofs the River and as I fear some of them may be stragling down towards our Home Indians in the Marsh on that side, I shall be obliged to sent tomorrow to endeavour to prevail on them to move further off.
Thermometer +65° "

Aug. 8
" Thursday Wind SE and E in the forenoon middling breeze in the morning, at noon a strong gale at NE cloudy weather. Early in the morning a Vefsel was observed in the Offing which proved to be the Severn Sloop and about eleven she got up and Anchored off the Fort. Mefs Falconer and Turnor came on shore who informed me that their Trade is increased to 4000 odd made Beaver, had heard of no Pedlers above them & thank God the Small Pox had not reached any of their Pungee Indians as yet. Sent the Surgeon accompanied by Mr Umfreville and four Men in a Boat to the ailing Pungee Indians whom they removed to the distance of four Miles above the Fort on this side of the River. Sent five Men to the Hay Island to provide hay for our Cattle. Armourer stocking a hunting gun. House Carpenter and his afsistant repairing the wood work of our Batteries. Mr Lockey, Shipwright, Cooper and another Man caulking and graving the Shallop. Bricklayer and his afsistant finished plaistering SE shed and began to pull of the old plaistering of SW shed. Both Taylors and the rest employed in necefsary jobs. A few Ducks and Birds from the Indians in the North Marsh.
Thermometer +54° "

Aug. 9
" Friday Winds NE and NEbN first part cloudy afterwards clear. Two Men employed digging a Trench which is to run from Water Hole Creek a considerable distance behind the Fort out to the River bank about 200 yards below it to prevent the great inundations of water which used to deluge the ground about the Fort after heavy rains from the plains that way, but to secure the Fort from the flush of water in the Spring will require a small bank. Cooper and one Man boiling Whales blubber brought home by our Men who were whaling at North River. it produced 1 1/2 Hogshead of Oil. The rest of the people all employed as yesterday. Bricklayer finished taking off plaistering of SW shed, found the whole of it perfectly sound no part of it having been the least decayed except those parts which we renewed this Summer. Steward daily mending Nets. Men on board the Severn Sloop putting her in order and preparing to land her Cargo. Some old and young Geese, Ducks, Birds and a little fish from our Eastern Marsh Hunters. one of the three North River Indian Debtors mentioned the 24th June arrived, and paid his debt but in poor Furs. the other two he tells me would not come down, indeed he says they are not well able for one of them was shot through the wrist with a Ball and the other stabbed with a Bayonet a little above the breast by the two Men they murdered last winter as before mentioned.
Thermometer +54° "

Aug. 10
" Saturday Winds SE and SW light breezes clear pleasant weather. Got the Sloops Cargo on shore. The Men employed in various duties as before. Bricklayer broke off the plaistering of NW shed in order to renew it found it now perfectly sound, a little of the upper part which was decayed we renewed as mentioned last Fall. The Surgeon with Mr Umfreville and four Men went up in a Boat to visit the ailing Indians who are up at Four Mile Gulley, and to carry them necefsaries, they found that an elderly Man had died yesterday, him they buried, of the others another Man with a Woman seemed to be in a dangerous way; Our people gave them all the afsistance in their power and then returned.
Thermometer +72° "

Aug. 11
" Sunday Winds variable clear weather. The Severn Sloop dropped down to Five fathom hole to wait the arrival of the Ship. I should have mentioned yesterday that the fourteen Men who were sent up the River to raft firewood returned having compleated it and brought it all down to dram point, a short way above here. they brought the flesh of five Deer having killed six as they came down. It seems numerous Herds of those Annimals are now crofsing, but alas we have no Pungee Indians left to kill them and I fear it will be death to any home Indians to be sent. I shall howsever send up two of our Men in a Canoe tomorrow to try what they can do. The four Men at the Hay Island also arrived yesterday.
Thermometer +72° "

Aug. 12
" Monday Wind WSW clear weather. Sent off two Men up the River to stay there and try to kill Deer, sent with them a supply to the ailing Indians at four Mile Gulley. Four men went up to the Hay Island and spread what little Hay is cut. Twelve Men fetched down the rafts of Timber from Dram Point. Mr Lockey, Shipwright and two others employed in putting the Craft in order. Smith, Cooper and Joiner jobbing. Bricklayer with an afsistant lathing the SW shed for plaistering. Two Men making the trench from Water Hole Creek within the Fort to the River bank below. the rest of the people afsisted the House Carpenter to set up the last of the launch, being a great fresh in the River for sometime past prevented this businefs being done before.
Thermometer +76° "

Aug. 13
" Tuesday Wind SW fresh breezes clear weather until evening then cloudy and drops of rain. All the Men who are able employed in getting Timber and Plank up the bank. Yesterday afternoon two Indians arrived from over the River and in the evening they set off with a Packet for Severn House and containing Letters to be forwarded as speedily as pofsible to Albany and Moose Forts giving advice of the havoc made by the Small Pox this way that they may be on their guard to keep their Home Indians out of the way of any strangers that may come down to those places.
Thermometer +77° "

Aug. 14
" Wednesday Wind and weather variable. Men employed as yesterday. About 10 OClock in the forenoon observed the Sloops Signal for seeing a Vefsel sometime after we descryed it from the Fort and after by the Signal supposed it no enemy about 2 in the afternoon she came to an Anchor in five Fathom hole. Rec'd three Deer from two of our North River Deer hunters which they traded and returned. The two Men sent up the River on Monday came down with twelve Deer which they had killed six of them very small. They see a Family of Pungeese about 24 Miles distant consisting of one Man a Boy and two Women who were in the Small Pox except one of the Women and appeared to be on the recovery. They see the other ailing Indians on the South side opposite Four Mile gulley to whom they gave the necefsarys sent. found another man dead whom they buried. This day the Surgeon accompanied by two Men in the wooden Canoe went up to the willow Island opposite Four Mile Gulley where they were on Saturday and not seeing them there came back."

Aug. 15
" Thursday winds variable light breezes clear weather. Employed as yesterday. Sent the Whale Sloop down to the Ship. Severn Sloop and Ships Longboat arrived with part of her lading. Sent for two Indians from over the River to carry the Packet to Churchill. Sent the Surgeon again up the river to look for the ailing Indians found them on the South shore: he supplyed their wants and returned, said that two Lads and a Woman before ill are on the recovery, but another young Man is now breaking out. - About noon Mr Humphrey Marten and Capt. Fowler came on shore.
Errors Excepted
Matthew Cocking."


" This Journal continued by Mr H. Marten"

" Having landed this day I took charge of the Fort and entertained the following pafsengers, Viz. Robert Garroch, John Flett, Henry Lutit, Andrew Davey, James Flett, Will. Flett, Robert Inkster, Hugh Lisk, John Kirknefs, William Lenny and David Groundwater Labourers each for 5 years also Will. Sinclair Mr Martens Servant. Severn Sloop and Ship's Long Boat came with part of the outward bound Cargo."

Aug. 16 1782
" Friday Wind variable a Fog about noon, the rest of the day clear fine weather. Busy in unloading Cargo. Sent a Packet to Churchill. Some Indians came in with a few Geese and Ducks also a few fish. Sent fresh Provisions and Greens to the Ship."

Aug. 17
" Saturday Wind variable from SEbE to SE the weather part clear part cloudy and part Foggy. Rec'd 22 Deer great and Small from English and a few small birds with three Geese from Indians. The Surgeon visited the sick Indians, some in a fair way, some dubious. The Men employed in recieving and stowing away the outward bound Cargo with sundry other necefsary Jobs."

Aug. 18
" Sunday Wind Southerly very fine weather. Men employed in Salting venison. Mr Tunstall and several of the Petty ship Officers & Sailors came on shore entertained them as well as the Fort could afford."

Aug. 19
" Monday wind variable from NW to SW at times small drops of rain. The weather warm and mostly cloudy. The Men variously employed. The Surgeon visited the Sick. another Boy dead. A few out of danger some dubious. Mr Tunstall &c went on board."

Aug. 20
" Tuesday Wind variable from NW to SW the weather cool with rain at times in the afternoon a Boat came from the Ship to acquaint Capt. Fowler that three three masted Ships were seen in the Offing, on which the Capt. went on Board to prepare the Ship for fighting. Loaded our Guns to make the best defence we can."

Aug. 21
" Wednesday Half past 5 AM observed a Boat from the Ship go to the outer Beacon & cut it down. At 11 PM rec'd a Letter from Capt. Fowler informing me he wanted water and the Homeward bound Cargo as soon as pofsible as he intended to go to Sea as soon as opportunity offers. As the Ships in the Offing were large he thought he might run into shoal water and so escape them. As I found by this Letter the Ships were of force and an Enemy. I went on board to consult with the Capt. on the properest and surest measures to be persued, when it was agreed to send the Cargo on board with water & the Ship to go off the first opportunity. At 5 PM returned to the Fort when I was informed two Sloop rigged Vefsels and seven Boats were proceeding up the North river. Put ourselves in the best posture of defence we could and watched with half our force all night, we took to our afsistance Ten Indians. At 7 OClock Mefs Falconer & Lockey came to the Fort."

Aug. 22
" Thursday A hard gale at North. Sent a Letter by two Indians to the Ship to acquaint the Captain we thought the Enemy were landed we having at 2 AM heard a whistling in the woods. Put part of our Homeward bound Cargo on board and getting water into the Lonboat. at 9 AM or thereabouts the Boatswain arrived with a Letter from the Captain requesting the water &c be directly sent him. Sent off the Sloop & Longboat. Am informed that nine Boats belonging to the enemy are on ground on the Sands in the mouth of the North River. The Following Persons returned in the Ship for England Viz. Mr Matthew Cocking, Hugh Moar, James Lisk, James Wafs & Will. Grey & Alexander McCorest."



B.239/a/80

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