BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

136 W· F. WENTZEL'S
The principal reasons for my writing at presenL, are to request
you will have the goodness to communicate Lo the Indians
generally the arrival and nature of the expedition; to sollicit
your aid in collecting all the information possible from the
different persons who frequent your Fort, and your endeavours
to procure guides, hunters and interpreters to accompany the
expedition.
Your local knowledge and experience will enable you to
judge bet.ter than myself what TIl'lmber of these may be required
for the guidance and support of the party. The number of men
we shall take has not yet been determined upon. I do not
imagine, the party, including officers, will amount to more Lhan
two and twenty persons, a force amply sufficient, I apprehend,
to' ensure safety and protection. Nor can it be determined ulltil
the Gentlomen arrive here in Spring what number of canoes we
may have, but these are arrangements quite independant of the
Indians, who will proceed, I am informed, in their own canoes.
Sir Alex. McKenzie strongly recommends that the Indians
should be accompanied by their wives as a measure of security,
and that the selection shoull! be made of men who had small
families. Women too would be extremely useful in preparing
skins, making shoes, clothes, &c, during the next winter which
we shall cert.ainly have to pass in some convenient and favorable
situation near the coast. I should wish therefore that some
might be engaged to accompany their husbands for those purposes
and receIve a proportionate compensation.
As soon as the water opens and the necessary arrangements
have been completed here respecting men, provisions, &c., I
shall proceed to Great Slave Lake with my present companion,
Mr. Back (and there await the arrival of the rest of my party
from Cumberland Honse) with a view of having commnnication
with you and seeing the Indians, whom 1 hope to meet there;