BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

(Copy)
Sir,
LETTERS 135
ENCLOSURE No.2.
Fort Chipewyan, March 3rd, 1820.
Mr. Keith has informed me of his intention to communicate
to you the arrival of the expedition equipped by His Majesty's
Government under my command, and to forward the copy of
the general circular from Mr. Simon MacGillivray, addressed to
the Partners of the N orth-West Company. I need not, therefore,
I presume, offer any apology or hesitate in solliciting
youI"assistance in promoting our advance and forwarding our
pursnits.
The objects the expedition has in view are two fold: first to
reach the northern coast of America, and then endeavour to
trace its north-east termination. The manner of proceeding to
effect these must depend on the information to be derived from
the Indians who are most conversant with that line of country.
Such men, I am informed, principally resort to Slave Lake, and
it is from thence only that guides, hunters and interpreters can
be procured to accompany and conduct the Party.
The route which I ,should prefer taking would be nearly
North from Great Slave Lake, and, from the information Beaulieu
has given, I am inclined to hope a passage may be made
up a river which falls into the Slave Lake near Monntain Island;
from thence, by crossing lakes and portages, into the Coppermine
River which communicates directly with the sea; but you
will be able to obtain from other men of equal, if not greater
experience, positive assurance as to the possibility and practicability
of proceeding this way with moderately loaded canoes.