in number made with cedar and white spruce fir split with whip saws after being suquared, the Roofs are couvered with shingles of Cedar and Pine, most of their posts[,] Doors[,] and windows[,] are painted with spanish brown[.] Six of these buildings are Store Houses for the company's Merchandizes and Furs &c., the rest are dwelling houses[,] shops[,] compting house and Mess House[.] [T]hey have also a warf or kay for their vessel to unload and Load at[.] The only vessel on the Lake Superior is the new one M^r Nelson was building when we passed at Point aux Pins and is to be called the oOtter, the aAthabaska which sailed to Lake before her is to be called the otter floated down the falls of S^t Mary, to help the Beaver to bring the needfull from Detroit and Mackinac to the Sault, which the otter is supposed sufficient, to convey from S^t Mary's to the Grand Portage and in return she takes a cargo of Furs to the Sault when they are arrived from the North[.] Part of the Company's Furs are sent Round the Lakes in Shipping, but the major part goes down the ottawa in the Montreal Canoes[.] Every improvement about this place appartains to the North West Company. Between

two

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