Tuesday 14^th Jan^ry 1800. As I think it high time since S^t Germain has taken another hunter to send up M^r Wentzel without any longer waiting the different Expresses' arrival this morning I sent Lambert for Mandeville to the Little Island to set off with him for the Forks after tomorrow as this Man offered himself the last Time he was here[.] After Dark two young Men arrived from the Beaver whom they left in Slave River[.] The Beaver sent them to ask if Pierre Labri was arrived and to tell that if he was not yet arrived that he would be ashamed[.] A fine time indeed to enquire after him – a month after he left them[.] Reprimanded them for allowing him to come alone to the Fort[.] They said it was that bad Man called the Beaver's fault for they were like slaves to him & could do nothing without his Consent[.] Gave them a piece Tob^c &c.

Wednesday 15^th[.] The Beaver sent by these young men 22 Skins of his Credits and also 3 Skins worth fresh Meat[.] Gave them each a piece of Tobacco a flint &c & sent the Beaver 1½ foot of Tobacco w^t repeated assurances that if he behaved well & came to the fort at the usual season that Nothing would be done him worse than paying whatever he brought beside his Credits[.] I know if I don't clear myself by giving proper reasons for my thus Countenancing the Contributors of a Man's Death that I will run the risk to be severely censured by the Divines & moralists of the Age as well as of the Country in which I live[.] I must therefore tell these devout Gentlemen in as few words as I can that could I have considered myself as a private Man divested of any other employment or duty than that of a Man then I would not do what I have done – but being a Clerk of the North West Company bound to forward their Interest in every respect to the utmost of my power I could not in Conscience think it consistent with my Duty or their Interest to make them lose a pack or two by ill treating these Indians for the sake of a Man who never gained them a farthing in his Life[.] Michel Cadien & one of the whitefish's Sons in Law arrived[.] They slept 6 Nights & left the whitefish with his Son & Son in Law below the Rapides in Slave River & say they have about half their Cr^s. Lambert arrived from the Little Island[.] Mandeville was at the old Fort but les Gens de la Maison said he would be there to Night & promised to send him here tomorrow[.] I told Lambert that he would not come tomorrow from my Knowledge of their Character which was or is always to tell Lies – this Lambert denied with all the Vehemence of a Frenchman upon which Michel Cadien offerd to take Mandeville’s place by going to the Forks[.]

Thursday 16^th[.] This Morning Ch^s Cadien's Comrade arrived & paid 62 skins peltries & 4 D^o M^t Credits[.] He was so haughty on his arrival on acc^t of his Skins that he thr[ew] the Tob^c I gave him in my face saying it was not good & that I lied when I said there was none better in the Fort[.] The Mens advice tho' not asked was to poke the piece of Tob^c in to the Indian's Nose or give him a Kicking for his ill breeding which from Mons^r Maclause or Mons^r Mackancie woul[d] meet with this punishment[.] This rough usage I thought a

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