No 2

From all this discourse we could easily gather that the Indians had been to the South branch of the Saskatchewan River and destroyed some of our people in that quarter.

The people of the Village perceiving a gloom upon our Countenances gave up discontinued their rejoicing and […] & the further exhibition of their late plunder[.]

My Business being confined to the villages and their vicinity I lost no time in adopting the proper measures for securing the trade of the quarter[.] M^r La Rocque who was to ascend the Mississouri upon discovery was opposed in his views by the Indians who insisted upon his return to the Red River without going any further[.] They said that if the White people would interfere & extend their dealings to the Rocky Mountains their villages would be the sufferers[.] They not would only would have the benefit which they had hitherto derived from that trade but that in measure as the Rocky Mountain Indians would obtain arms they would become independent and insolent in the extreme[.] This remonstrance Conduct of the Natives caused uneasiness to Mr. La Rocque and he was at a loss in which direction to take steer. and He therefore as the last resource went to find the Head Chief who had been confined to his bed[.] This man is called La Borgne; he is a clever fellow; but is reckoned a great rogue. M^r La Rocque exposed his difficulties to him – he listened attentively and at length made the answer as following answer –

My Son, said the chief, were I in health when you arrived you would have been in my Lodge and the Indians would be more civil to you than they are. But the Indians have no sense. The chief of the White people wishes you to go visit the Rocky Mountains and you shall visit them

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