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Wednessday 10^th (December 1800[.] Still very cold, clear weather[.] M^r Sugar Royall did not think proper to leave me & I was tormented with his Super Stupid conversation all day[.]

Thursday 11^th[.] I Sent off M^r Harmon & eight men loaded (at their Sledges) with 60 Beaver each, I likewise dispatched Jacco Finlay's men & wrote him to send if possible two men here in the Month of Jan^y & to send me whatever goods &c he can Spare. M^r Sutherland went off, after breakfast[.] I Sent B^te Roy, & Jacque to the Hunters to try to make them Separate as they Kill nothing at All hardly. I gave Roy ¾ of a f^m Tobacco to cut to them[.] It's very mild weather, this day[.]

Friday 12^th[.] A very mild day[.] Roy & Jacque came back they brought 1 ½ Red Deer, the hunter's boy came with three beaver Skins to buy a small Kettle but I have got none of the Size he wants[.]

Saturday 13^th[.] A beautiful day[.] Jacque, & the hunters boy went off, I Sent the Hunters, each some powder & Shott[.] Thaws & great deal[.]

Sunday 14^th[.] Still a finer day than yesterday[.] The Sun really heated very much, & it even thawed where the Sun did not shine[.] [E]arly in the morning Demarrais broy^r in law (Crapaud) came to the Fort with three young Stone Indians, they are come from the Upper part of the Lakes of the River Qui Appelle, the three Stone Indians were Sent by the old men of their Camp to tell the H.B people at the Elbow to go with goods, liquor &c. to trade with them, they had paper which Sutherland gave them last Autumn, & which I got from them to look at, which I tore & threw into the fire, & I prevailed on them not to go to the Elbow[.] Jacque came, from the Hunter's with an old Stragling Cow they Kill'd yesterday which is quite Meagre[.] [B]y the Stone Indian's account the Buffaloes are a great way off as yet & if it does not come Cold weather we are likely to be as ill off as other forts in the Red River were last year, all the Country rou[nd] this having been hunted by a great number of Indians all last winter & Summer has driven the Deer far off in every derection[.] Consequently we can have but Small hopes of Bonne Chere if the Buffaloe does not approach. It does not freeze in the least out of doors tonight, But the Sky is quite clear & the firmament covered with an inumerable quantity of bright Stars.

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