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Saturday 7^th March 1801[.] As fine a day as the two preceding[,] all the Ice & Snow is entirely melted in the Fort[.] Old Parant has filled the Ice house, he finished this evening, Collin busy preparing Staves & hoops to make large kegs to put Grease into[.]

Sunday 8^th[.] A very charming day, the Snow Melts very fast[.]

Monday 9^th[.] Petit Bled went off, I sent Roy, & Pickaquet along with him for a Lodge & some Grease he has, Michel's step son went with them for a horse he got from the Petit Bled[.] I Sent Girardin to the Elbow (with a letter to M^r Sutherland) for some of the articles he barters with me for wolves[.] Old Parant hauled wood, & Collin worked at the Grease kegs[.] The wind shifted to the N.W. when the weather got colder in the afternoon[.]

Teusday 10^th[.] Cold, & Blowing a fresh gale from the Westward[.] [I]n the afternoon the Cern fin's Son came to the House, who tells as the Day child & two Stone Indians are not far off, on their way to the Indian Elbow[.] Roy & Picquaquet came back with the Lodge & ten bladders of grease & for 4 Skins of Pounded meat, Michel's Stepson came back with his horse[.] Collin was making large keg all day[.]

Wednessday 11^th[.] Rather colder than yesterday[.] I Sent Dannis & Girardin off early in the morning to Meet the Jour d'Enfant that in case he intended really to go to Sutherlands they should get what he owes here from him, but he & they with two Stone Indians arrived in the afternoon, he made a present of 40 Skins for which I clothed him & gave him half a keg[,] they traded liquor all night; They are come a great distance having Slept Six nights from their Lodges[.]

Thursday 12^th[.] A Very fine day, the Indians still drunk[.] [T]he Jour d'Enfant, took it into his head that we did not give him Rum Strong enough he put on his Shoes &c. & wanted to Sett off for the Elbow with the remainder of his furs; but on my telling him to give three Plus & that I Should let him have Strong Rum he complied & I give him a Pint of high wines & water mixed half and half, that is half a pint of each, with which he was highly Satissfied, & I heard no more of the English[.] [T]hree men arrived from Fort Dauphin whome Mitchel Sent for Grease, they brought me a letter from Mitchel wrote by M^r Ferguson, & one from F. himself containing the old Story of a Scarcity of High Wines. Some of the Men that were at Swan River are come back with two of M^r Perigne's Men[.]

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