27

Teusday 17^th March 1801[.] Cold, northerly wind[.] Dannis, Fra^s Roy, & old Parrant Sent off their wives as they are going to Swan River to make Sugar the two former for themselves & the later for one with whom I Send Petit Jean to help him[.] I got 30 kegs filled with Grease, today, the Indians traded a few dress'd Buffaloe Skins & a little, very little, Pounded Meat, for Amunition & Tobacco[.]

Wednessday 18^th[.] Fine weather[.] [T]he Indians went off, I came to a determination of making the men attempt to make a Batteau, to Send down by the Red River, as the Snow is So totally gone off I See it to be merely impossible to get all the effects here transported to Swan River, I have no person here that ever wrought at a boat, but I fancy among us we may be able to make some sort of thing to float at least, but as the River is so full of Shoals & rapids from here to the Indian Elbow I ordered the men to carry all the Kegs of grease down to M^r Sutherlands with Sledges & I went down with them to get M^r Sutherland to Store them to which he chearfully consented, we passed the night there[.] I Sent off old Parrant to make Sugar at Swan River[,] Dannis & Fran^s Roy went off likewise.

Thursday 19^th[.] The Men & I came back from the Elbow in the forenoon, I found the people employed getting timber ready for the Batteau, & Cadotte returned from his Bull hunting with nine Bull hides with which I mean to make Canoes[.] [I]t is an unlucky thing for us the Snow's melting so very precipitately[.] I got ten Iron hoops from M^r Sutherland which is very opportune, as I am at a loss for old Iron Sufficient for the nails necessary for the Batteau.

Friday 20^th[.] This is the finest day we have had this year[,] the Snow diminishes very fast[.] I Sent some of the men with loads to the Elbow, I have now Sent 31 Kegs grease & 1 Bag Pimican down there[.] I Sent Collin down there this morning with Hamickonitt's Debt account, as he has been M^r Sutherland's Hunter, & is about to be paid, to endeavou[r] to get him to acknowledge his debt as in that case M^r Sutherland promised me to pay 30 Skins value of the 71 that he Still owes me[.] The people are very busy preparing Timbers & planks for the Boat as is the Blacksmith Nails, he made two hundred, (with nine hoops) of 3 ½ In.

[26]