Master Donald McPhersonWind S.W. Blowing a gale. I arrived here about 10 Clock this morning with 14 Men in two Boats, with a little supply of Trading Goods for the Service of this District, I found a Mr.Buck a Canadian Clerk) here acting for your Honors - placed in a small House, formerly occupied by two of the NW Company Servants, but had been here as Freemen, these I I years back. They went with the Right Honorable the Earl of Selkirk to Red River Settlement in the month of June last [1/6]
on examining the receipts of the Goods which were left here, during the Summer. I find that Mr.Buck has expended a considerable quantity and has at the same time little or nothing to shew for it, he passed the summer here, with 5 men all Canadians. doing nothing excepting the attendance of the Potatoes, on the arrival of the N.W. they hemed his House on all sides so as to prevent any Indians from coming his way, [2/6]
Mr.Gale was here with about 45 men and Several of your honors officers on there way towards Montreal. The men principally belongs to the NW Company, but had refused to Serve the NW. in future, consequently they were prosecuted as deserters and sent to montreal. the officers are all employed in your honors Service and have been taken down to Montreal as witnesses against the N.W. the Commissioner a, Mr.Mackenzie partner of the NW. Company were here also, and a lawyer on their part, [3/6]
the latter brought forward charges against me on grounds of having aided the Earl of Selkirk in the taking possession of the N.W. Company Post commonly called Fort William, they wished to take me immediately to Montreal, but I induced the Commissioners to take Bail for my apperance next September. [4/6]
on my way through the Lake of the Woods I Traded all the wild Oats from the Indians, and having not been able to bring all with me: consequently left Mr.Calder and Robboine (a Canadian) on the Lake to take care of it - The little wheat I induced the freemen who were here last year to Sow, appears well and will in a few days be Ripe, the Potatoe crop look well also [5/6]
It is in a manner fortunate that I have procured provisions from the Indians as I had none from Hudsons Bay but scrump for the Journey - and as Mr.Gale and his party were here also, destitute of the means of subsistince in the Provision way excepting Potatoes, which could not have served them to Montreal. The people passing from Montreal in the Summer has destroyed the Potatoe crop, in a great measure, there being no other provision here to supply them with – [6/6]