we shall sleep out, wind and weather permitting; this side of the grand portage[.] Leaving pointe au père we paddled two pipes and put to shore to give the men time to clean themselves, while we breakfasted[.] [T]his done a short pipe brought us to Pointe au Chapeaux round which we got a sight of the long wished for Grand Portage. The beach was covered with spectators to see us arrive, our canoe went well and the crew sung paddling songs in a vociferous manner.

The Grand Portage is situated in the bottom of a shallow Bay perhaps three miles deep and about one league and a half wide at its mouth from Pointe aux Chapeaux to pointe a la Framboise having a small Island just opposite the fort about half way from one of these points to the other: on a low spot which rises gently from the Lake. The pickets are not above fifteen to twenty paces from the waters edge[.] Immediately back of the Fort is a lofty round Sugar loaf mountain the base of which comes close to the Picket on the North West Side[.]

The Gates are shut alyways after sunset and the Bourgeoin and clerks Lodge in houses within the pallisades, where there are two Sentries keeping a look out all night cheifly for fear of accident by fire. A clerk[,] a guide and four men are considered

watch

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