N^o 1

After leaving the North West Company's Fort at the entrance of the river Ouinipique we have near eighteen leagues of the lake of that name to coast along before we come to the red river. This river enters Lake Ouinipique at its S.E. corner by three different channels; the middle channel is the deepest and most practicable; the others are choked up by sand at their entrance into the Lake. It is lined with very tall reeds; the wood being only discernible at a distance – this middle branch is the Road of all canoes &c. that enter the river. All the branches join a league above the entrance, and two leagues higher the banks (though still very low) begin to be covered with wood. Three leagues from the lake the river Aux Morts enters the Red River on the North Side; here a large Camp of Assinibois, Crees, and Sauteux were massacred by the Sioux or Naudawessi, the most powerful Nation in all the interior Country. Ever since this slaughter the river has been called with

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