BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

30 RODERIC MCKENZIE
" You will observe by the paper;; that there are remaining on
hand goods more than sufficient for next year. Therefore, it will
be needless to send in more canoes than will be required to carry
out the returns. Eight, with three of Lhe five that remain inland,
will carry more than the country will produce.
;, The greatest dependence of this place at present is on the
Peace River. The Chippeweans are in the habit of trading in
Hudson's Bay.
" Mr. Boyer goes out: I could not prevail on him to remain,
but he is to return if he can settle his accounts to his satisfaction
at Grand Portage. He is a very fit person for the Peace River;
Mr. Vandreil is to pass the summer there.
" Mr. Leroux returned on the 22nd March from the north side
of Slave Lake where he met with a great number of Red Knives
and Slaves who traded with him and to 'whom he promised a
1'endez-vous in the summer there.
" Mr. Leroux arrived on the 22nd March from the other side of
Slave Lake where he had seen a great number of Red Knives
and Slave Indians. They traded with him and promised to
meet him this summer on the west side of the Lake. I intend
to pass that way on my voyage for a supply of provisions " ...... .
I examined two routes this season in hopes of getting rid of
Portage La Lache. In going out, I went by Little Fish River below
POTtage La Lache and found this route would not answer. However
it answered the purpose of a trading establishment.
Going in, I went from Isle it la Crosse by Lac Clai,. to the head
of the Athabasca River, which I found to be one continued chain
of falls and rapids roaring among rocks and precipices entirely
unfit for the purpose of navigation, so that we had the greatest
difficulty with our canoe to find our way through to the landing
place of Portage La Lache.