My Idea was that for the conveyance of themselves their Instruments & Provisions they would require two north Canoes, but Sir Alexander MacKenzie has suggested that one north Canoe with Canadian Voyageurs and Six Small Indian Canoes would be a fitter outfit for the Route from Fort Chepewyan to the Copper Mine River[.] In deciding any Question of this Kind and in any other Question which may arise I trust you will afford Leutenant Franklin every Assistance and information in you power – and I trust you can at no loss to provide such conveyances, and Supplies as may be deemed the fittest for his purpose[.] In the event of you having to furnish Canoes and men for Leutenant Franklin's Expedition, it will of course be proper that you send with them an Experienced Clerk, accustomed to voyaging and to the Habits of the Indians on the proposed Route[.] The men must be engaged to attend Leutenant Franklin for Such time and to Such Countries as he may find occasion to require their services, & for any extra remuneration which it may be necessary to give them, as well as for their engagements, and for the outfits and Supplies which you may furnish to Leutenant Franklin and which are to be paid for by Government you will please to take his reciepts, and transmit the Same with accounts of the particulars to the Agents at Fort William[.]

I remain always Gentlemen

Your faithful obed^t Servant

(Signed) Simon MacGillivray

a True Copy from

one by George Keith Esq

W.F.Wentzel

(Copy No 2)

Fort Chepewyan March 3^rd 1820

Sir,

M^r Keith had informed me of his intention to communicated to you the arrival of the Expedition equipped by His Majesty's Government under my Command, and to forward the Copy of the General Circular from M^r Simon MacGillivray addressed to the Partners of the North West Company[.] I need not therefore I presume offer any Apology, or hesitate, in soliciting your assistance in promoting our advance and forwarding our pursuits[.]

The objects the Expedition has in View are two fold, first to reach the Northern Coast of America and thus endeavour to trace its N.E. termination – the manner of proceeding to effect these, must depend the information to be derived from the Indians who are most conversant with that line of Country[.]

Such

[66]