-ber, M^r Clarke had already been off for Peace River with Ten Canoes well appointed[.] The Settlement & distribution of the ou[t]fits necessarily took up much time, and the Season being considerably advanced, our People were arrested by the Ice, Those of Peace River below the Falls & the MacKenzie's River Brigade at Moose Deer Island Slave Lake[.] Before I left Fort Chepewean on the 11^th of October, M^r Colin Roberts was brought to the Fort a Prisoner by Mess^rs Samuel Black & Simon MacGillivray[.] Several of our men informed that he had threatened to excite the natives to massaccre the North West Companys Servants at Fort Chepewean, and our men refused to do their duty unless he was apprehended & detained in Safe Custody – this occasioned his arrest and has been Kept confined ever Since, but treated with every attention he could expect in Such a Situation[.] In the month of December we had, tho not directly, news from Peace River imparting that that M^r John Clarke in his progress up that way had partially Seized M^r William MacIntosh and attempted to brake open the North West Companies Stores, at Fort Vermillion for a Supply of Provisions – but was repulsed by the Steady & resolute behaviour of Malataire one of the Interpreters of the Concern[.] Since that we have had no other intelligence from that Quarter[.] With respect to this Quarter we have been opposed all Winter by M^r M^cAulay & nineteen men besides a Canadian Clerke, but they have continued in Statu quo – not having even conversed with an Indian, but Subsisted by the Produce of their nets, not however, without Suffering incredible privations[.] Thus it may be said that

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