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TOR«)N TO: PUBLISHilJ) By ANaON <ihgfc|!f 1853. ]l ii a M 'ti I- If !»•( «i!«»r- )*■•»» JOURNAL OF THE EEVEKEND PETER JACOBS, Snttfan Wixltsm i«f»stonatj!, ^ FROM ICE LAKE TO THE HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY; AND RETURNING. COMMENCING MAY, 1853: WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFeT AND A SHORT HISTORY OF THE WESLEYAN MISSION TO ^ THAT COUNTRY. ■* TORONTO: PUBLISHED BY ANSON GREEN, AT THE CONFBRENCB OFFICE, No 0. WELLINGTON BUILDINGS. KING STREET. 1853. ■,! I . •,11 7 . TrS. ■'■'. V ,.f il^'C fi ,.'>■ s. S 9 1! i .1. V THOMAS n. DE.VTtET, 1»RIKTER. i PETER JACOBS'S HISTORY OF HIMSELF, Twcnty-ciglit years ago I wua a Heathen, and so wore all tho tribos of Canada West. When I was a iud, I never heard an Indian praj', as Christians pray, to the Great Being. Our people believed in the oxisionce of a Great Being, tho Maker of all things ; but wo thought that God was so very far away, that no human voice could reach Him ; and, indeed, we all believed that God did not meddle with the affairs of tho children of men. I, OS well ua the people of my tribe, were very cruel and wicked, because there was no fear of God in our heart, and no fear of punishment ; but every man settles his o\vn affairs by the force of his tomahawk; that is to say, by burying his tomahawk in the people's heads, and that ends all disputes. The Indians made their women do all their work, and the men did little or iiuchmg, in heathen lifo ■| The women made tho wigwam, and removed it when necessary, carrying it on their backs ; and they /; chop tho wood, and carry it home on their backs. They brought tho venison home, when the doer 7^ is killed by their husband ; they dress the skins for their husband's clothes ; and make the ooats^ ■ shirts, mocassins, which completes tiio Indian dress, as you now see in the picture. AH was dona by tho women. Notwithstanding the poor women done all this, they got very little gratitude from their Heathen husbands. I will just relate to you one of my prayers in Heathen life. " O God, the Sun, I beseech you to hear my prayer, and to direct my steps througii tho woods ir that direction where the deer is feeding, that I may get near him, shoot him, and ki'l him, and hnvo something to cat thereby." And this was all the prayer I over made. Tiiere is nothing about soul-salvation in that prayer. Some pray for fish, or ducks, or rabbits, or whatever they wish to got At length the Missionary came, and began to preach about Christ, nnd how he died for me ; but I first said, " No, tiiat is tlie white man's God and white man's religion, and that God would not have anything to do with tho Indians." But ho assured me that God would save me, if I would believe on tho Lord Josus Christ : and, as a proof, he read portions of Scripture to me, again and again. And then, at last, I began to think that he must bo right, and I must be wrong, because he read the "book of God" (as we call the Bible) to me. Then I began to pray, for the first time, in English. I only then knew a few words. I said, " O God, be merciful to me, poor Indian boy,, great sinner." And tho word of God had now got hold of my heart, but it made me feel very sick in my heart. I went to bed, and I could not sleep, for my thoughts trouble me very much. Then 1 would pray the words over and over again, and got more and more sick in my heart. I was very sorry that God could not understand my Ojibway. J thought God could only understand English ; and when I was praying, tears came spontaneously from my eyes ; and I could not understand this, because I had been taught from infancy never to weep. In this misery I passed three or four weeks. I then met with Petor Jones, who was converted a few months before me, and, to my surprise, I heard him return thanks, at moal, in Ojibway. This was quite enough for me. I now saw that God could understand roe in my Ojibway, and therefore went far into the woods, and prayed, in the Ojibway tongue, to God, and sty, <* O God, I was so i|jfnorant and blind, that I did not know that thou couldst understand my ir Ojibway tonguo ! Now, O God, I bosonch thco to bo jracious to mc, a sinner ! Take away this sickness that I now fool in my heart ; for all my nins lay very heavy in my hfart ! Send now thy Holy Spirit to come work in my heart ! Let tho blood of Christ bo now applied to my heart, that all my sins may depart !" Though I eould now pray in this way in my native tongue, yoc God did not seem to think it best to hoar my prayers at this time, but left mo to pass many miserable nights. And I cried out again, " O God, I will not let thoo alono ! I shall trouble thoo with my pruycrs, till thou bless mo !" And at last God heard my prayers, and lie took away this heavy sickness of heart ; but not till many tears had boon shod. And when this sickness was taken away from my heart, then I jxperionced another fooling, which was joy in tho Iluly Ghost, which wns indeed full of glory. My tongue could not express tho joy I then felt. I could say nothing but, " Happy, happy !" When I found this religion of Christ so sweet in tho hoort of man, I wanted all my people then to know of tho great and true God ; but they all paid. No : that I was wrong ; that I had been to tho white man's God, and not tho Saviour of the Indians. But I said that God was tho Saviour of oil tho nations of tho earth ; for 1 know in my own heart what ho has done for mo : and what ho has dono for me, he can do for you. And they began to pray for mercy and the forgiveness of their sins ; and they praying in strong faith, many of them were converted ; and now at this time there aro hundreds that are converted among tho North American Indians. I was tho first fruits of tho Mis- sionary labours in my tribe. After I was converted I became a Irayor-loador, and afterwards, when the Indians were settled in houses, I became a Class-Leader, then a Local Preacher. When I was a Local Preacher, I used to preach very long, very hard, and very often. Once I had been preaching til' eleven at night, to tho converted Indians from Loko Simooo, and was just finishing, when iho Indians said, " When wo were Heathen, wo never gave up drinking tho fire- waters the whole night; and why should wo now go to bed' Why should wo not gj on singing and praising God till daylight?" I was young and full of spirits ; and though I had just dono preaching, I began again, and preached a great part of the night. After their conversion, the Indians were settling in houses, and I built myself a largo house, and then began to keep a store, and mado a comfortablo living by selling things ; but I wished to be a Missionary to the tribes of Indians who had not heard of the Gospel ; and I oflTered myself for tho Mission-work, and was accepted, sold off my store, and went as a Missionary. I have been a Missionary for sixteen years. Indians in tho Hudson's Bay Territory. Twelve years I have been to the far west, among the In the year 1842 I came to England, and was ordained in tho Centenary-Hall ; and in 1843 was sent back to the Hudson's Bay Territory. I cannot tell you about all the tribes of Indians that I have visited, it would take too long. I have preached to many poor Indians in their Heathen state, and they have become Christian. At Norway-House I first formed seven classes, and helped the Indiana to build eleven houses ; kept school for children and married women. This mission is now one of the best in the Hudson's Baj Territory. There aro more than three hundred hearers, fine chapel, and eighty children in the school. Since I have been in the Hudson's Bay Territory, there has boon slow progress mado among tho Indians there. There have not been many converts ; but the Indiana are not so wicked as they were. I am now going back, and my heart is altogether bent to go to Hudson's Bay. ? Pbter Jacobs. iikc away tills 5oiid now thy huart, that all )t God dill not crablo nights. ly priiycr:', till nosH of lioart ; ny heart, ihca full of fflory. ppy !" When an to know of to the white )ur of all the it ho has done }f thoir sins ; imo thoro are 8 of tiio Mis- )rword3, when ton. Once I and tvas just nking tho fire- n singing and }no preaching, •go house, and wished to be a myself for tho est, among the I in 1843 was ins that I have hon state, and ed the Indians is now one of ne ohapel, and thoro has boon jul the Indiana bent to go to R Jacobs. 1 JOURNAL, &e. I T/nirsday, May 6(h, 1852. — This momingat ten o'clock 1 left this tine Wosleyan Mission at Rice Luke. The Indians of this mission nie far advanced in civilizaticjn : tliey are all dressed like Europeans : on Sundays the congregation dress \ory well ; the women have line gowns on, &c.; and the blanket, whioh they formerly used as an article of dress is now seen no longer, but is exchanged for a shawl. There are choirs of Indians in the Clunchos who sing most delight- fully in time of divine service. Th»ire is another Wesleyan Mission, seven miles from this, Avhich is in a high state of civilization: the Indians of that place have a large Academy, built of brick, where young peo])le are taught to be of use as Mission- ai'ies or Teachers in their country here.ifter. The majority of these ))eople are tee-t<itallers, — they take no wine or beer. The Rice Lake itself is one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada West: it is about thirty miles in length and three miles in breadth. In it Aild rice grows, and conse- quently a groat many wild ducks of all sorts fre- quent the lake. This is therefore a great sporti»\g jplace for English gentlemen. In its waters abound 'muskinoonj. bahs, eels, and other sorts of fish hat take the hook. The lake is an excellent lace for angling and trolling : very often gentle- en come from Boston, Kew-York, and other ties to aiuuse themschcs in angling and trolling iSbr weeks together. Also in the foi'ost abound deer, ])heas;uiUs, and rabbits, \Yljich make good sport for a marksman. The land around this ilakejj,s of good cjuality and very richly tiiubere.l iwith all sorts of vahialilc tiiubcr; it is well settled ;by English farmers, many of whom ar>'iad('iH'nd- eat gentlemen. On thenoith side of this beauti- ful lake is an Indian \ illage, which is situated on Jiigh banks. A beautiful scenery is ]irosenled to the tiaveller's eye from this village, and the whole length of tho lake can be seen with one glance of the eye. The beautiful sctmery that this lake pre- sents would aftbrd abundant matter to the traveller for exercising his poetical powers. There are four little steamboats on the lake, which are emiiloyed in bringing goods from vilhige to village, and ta- king in return cargoes of wheat and otlier grain from Peterboruugh : some of them are also em- ployed in bringing boards for the American mar- ket : by this it may bo seen that the country and the lake ha\e great resources. At 12 o'clock we roache<.l Hams's hotel, and landed there. Mr. Harris himself drove us in his carriage to Cobourg, which is 12 miles distant, on the fine jJank road. From Cold Springs to Cobourg the country is very well settled, and many farm«!rs live on the road. At 3 o'clock we arrived at tho beautiful town of Cobourg. This beatiful town I cannot praise too highly : it is situated on elevated groimd and is very healthy, for the inhabitants are refreshed by every breeze of wind that blows on Lake Ontario. In this j>lace are many fine Churches, belonging to dif- ferent denominations, and on tho height of the bank at the north end of the town, stands con- s])icuous!y, the beautiful college called Victoria College, lielonging to the great body of Wesleyans* Within its walls at the present time avo about TO students. This excellent college has already pro- duced uiany eminent men ; and God grant that it may produce more excellent statesmen and min- istei"s who shall be an honour to the Province. At 7 o'clock wo started in a steamer for Toronto, and arrived there dui'ing the night. Friday, ^th, 1852. — I went about from place to place, getting a few things for my use in my long voyage. The city of Toronto is one of the moHt liiloiulid cities of Canatla West; it is still rising and will coiitimio to do ^>k tlu' ImildingH aro generally of brick. The principal street for- merly was King Street, li\i' there are now Tany other beautiful streets, especially ^'o^go 'Street. There aro many fine largo wholesale stores, ns veil iis many tine retail stores. In tlu' city aro four Wesjcy'an Churches, and n few sninjl chapels in the vicinity of the City; there aio also many cliurclus jf other dtnoniinatioiis; there are two or three ('olleges, luid also Normal, Model and Common i^chools. The land extending 100 miles around this City is excellent, rich, and well covered with valu.-iblc timber; the farmers that live here are as hapj^y as princes. In the afternoon, at 2 o'clock, I met the Re-, . Enoch Wood, and he gave mo £25 in cash for my travelling expenses ; and after I received his Messing and prayers for my safety and preserva- tion in the journey, I parttd with liim. Saturday^ %tk. — I was accompanied thus far by my wife Elizabeth, and my daughter Mary, and the little baby, and my brother-in-law, An- drew Anderson, and at 7 o'clock this morning, after commending each other to God's care, we parted. My wife and family then t(X)k a steamer for Col)ourg and the Rice Lake. I myself went in the steamer for Niagara Falls, and the Lake Ontario being calm, we were soon over i.ic Ijako, and at 12 o'clock we an-ived at the old English town of Niagara. On each side of the river there is a garrison, one belonging to the English and the other to the Americans, All the soil of the Niagara District is rich, and the timber is valuable that grows here, such as the black walnut and the cherry : when the black walnut is sawed into boards, it makes chests of drawei-s and tables, and beautiful doors for the houses of the rich ; and when cherry trees are sawn, the wood appears like Mahogany. There is the sugar maple, the l)eech, and the liickoiy, and also the sassafrsis, which has a pleasant scent. At 1 o'clock we arrrived at Queenston, and took the stages for the Falls, where we arrived soon after two o'chwk. Hero we spent two hours, and afterwards I went down to see the greatest Fall in the world. The cataract is indeed awfully grand; and it aj'iK'ared to me as if an angi-y god was dwelling beneath it, for my whole frame shook .IS a leaf w hile I was viewing these mighty angrv falls. Now it is no woTider that my fore- fathers, in by-gone days shou' ■>lVi.'r ui> sficritices at the foot of these falls : they u.-ed to come and jtrav to the god of the fall to bless them in their hunt and to jmilono- their life and that of their children : for everv indiau believed thiit a i,'nd dwelt under this miglity slioet of water; but lat- terly the Weslcyan Missionaries have taught them bettor things, and toM them that no (Jod dwelt there, but ]ioinliiig nj) to heaven, directed thcra to pray to Ilim that dwells there. They now no longer come to ]>ray to the god of the Fall, but are found daily on their knees at the forit of the cross of Christ, praying through Mini that Ood might be merciful unto them (-itmers, and keep them in his own care, I'l conclusion, f would just say that English ge'itlemen and ladies would bo well repaid if th.'y would come and see the Falls of Niagara V hile they are in America. Th(!ro arc five or si.\ large hotels by the Falls, some of w hich will eon- tain about two hundred boarders : and there are also hotels of smaller classes, so that a gentleman can be boarded at from one dollar to four dollars a day ; for these largo hotels are as fashionable and as great as any of the IksLionable hotels in the city of New- Yoik. At 4 o'clock, took the railway cars, and reached Buffalo in a very short time. I passed over soil very rich and well timbered. The city of Buftalo is a very important and flourishing city ; it is situated at the foot of Lake Erie, and it has a very fine harbour, where all the western vessels and steamers como : more than a dozen steamers leave its wharves every day; that is to say morn- ing and evening. The g;:at Erie Canal ends here, and the New- York and Albany Railroad ends hero also; and there are other railroads that end here. There is a railroad that conies from the Southern States, and there is another that goes throujjb the citv of Cleveland and other ci- ties of the West to Cincinnati, so that the city of Bull'alo is becoming an important city : it is a great city of business. The main street of Buflfa- lo is a beautiful street, and there are many fino buildings there, and many churches of dif- ferent denominations, three of which belong to the Episcopal Methodists. I put up at the Wes- tern Hotel. Sunday, Olli, — At 11 o'clock, I went to one of the Methodist chapels, and at 3 o'clock I went to the same chajiel. At six o'clock in the even- ing I preached in the stone church called the Niagara church, to the edification of a large ctingiegation. After divine service many of the principal men of the congregation gave me thanks for my preaching, and the Minister said to mo that he had luvcr lieard an Indian preach like me, and that I was a great orator: however, I did not stiiiid ii|) to dispute with him, I just allowe<l liiiii to tell his own opinions freely. It a) ipears tliiit two Sabbaths before this the Rev. Peter .loiu.'s pieachetl in the same church, and the tht 4 ntor; l>iit Int- c tjiuglit them no (lod dwelt dirocU'il thcra Tlioy Jiow 110 ' tli(^ Knll, but ho tWit of the lini tlint Ood srs, and koop ' that En^flish well repaid if lis of Niagara arc five or six rliich will con- and there are t a i^entloman to four dollars aH fashionable fible hotels in 8, and reached [ passed over The city of riHhin;;^ city ; it , and it has a iw.'storn vessols lozon steamers ) to say morn- •ie Canal ends bany Railroad railroadrt that ; conios from another that and other ci- hat tho city of city : it IS a treet of Buffa- are many tine 'chcs of dif- ich belong to ip at tho Wea- wcnt to one o'clock I went i in the even- ch called the n of a large many of the ave me thanks jr said to mo im preach like hnwev«'r, I him, I just >ns freely. It this tho R«v. huroh, an<l the Minister told mo tliat tho fli-st p«rt of my sermon f wuH vory much liko his. f Monday 10//*. — In the cveniDg at 8 o'clock, after tJio railway cars came in from Now-York and Albany, I went on board tho Ocean steamer, which had about throe hundred jiassungors — gentlemen and ladies. The stoamers, especially the Mayjlower, tliat run in connection with tho railroads of the We8t,aro most eplondid and highly tiniHhed steamers ; their cabins are like palace- parlours. At o'clock our Ocean began to move throu^di fields of broken ic(^ : I was very much i afraid that her paddles would be broken ; however, a wc got through safely. The steamer then ran f through the middle of Lake Erie ail night and ! half a day without staying at any harbour, until we reached the city of Detroit, which is about 300 miles. Tho i)assengers in tho steamer were so numerous tliat thoy could not all como to tho first bible. At meal times, some gentlemen, fear- ing that they could not como to tho tii-st table, practised this artifice. Thoy generally took up a newspaper and began to read it, in pretence of being deeply engaged in reading, and seated thernsehea in front of the plates, and so be in readiness wlien the signal would be given, to take their seats {it the table; but notw ithstaudintr their acuteness tJiey would sometimes lose their seats and plates in the following manner: The ladies (these lower angels) as every body knows, must have their seats ])r()vided for them at all risks, as tho Wilitors always informed the ladies first when tho meals wore rc.dy, and afterwards the gentle- men; but sometimes a few of the ladies were a few minutes too late; and a gentleman who had bei-n hitherto seated comfortably before a dish of some rich sort, hearing the approaching steps of a lady and tin* rustling of a silk gown, jumps up on his two feet, and to show that he is a highly polished gentleman, ho otlers tho lady his seat and walks tmaj, as many do, grudgingly, to wait a long hour for tho next table. But on these occasions, when I find myself seated so corutortably, I generally appear to be deaf to the sound of the approaching steps of theso lower angels, and hasten to get some article on my plate ;iiid begin to c:it a mouthful or two, that none of these lieau- ties would desire to take my seat aiuj plate. The victuals that lay on tho tabie were of all sorts, and the sweetimmts were too various to eimmenfte : all that I can say about them is that they wca-o very fine. I know the shores of Lake P^iic well on the British and Aiuericiin sid.'s. Thoy inciiiio to bo fiat. The soil is of clay, and some parts of it are .sandy; but, taking it alfogetliei', iioth side-* of the lake are g<.)od agricultural ci.iuiitries, and heavily timbered. In its forests, tiirbor is found of all sorts. There are a few ports on tho BritLsb side, and small villages; but, on the American side, ports lue more nuiin^rous. There are e\en two or three cities. Tho city of Cleveland is the most beautiful city on Lake Erie. It is situated on a high bank, and has a fine view of Lake Erie. Canals and niilroads come into this city from all parts of the country, as well as vcsseLs and steamers. This city is doing a great deal of business. There are other small cities on the shores of the lake, belonging to tho Americans. Tho lake itself is very shallow, and, const^qiicntly, whcjii the wind blows high it is very rough alwa}s. Its waters abound with white fish, salmon trout, and other fish. The best sorts of fish are tho white fish and trout. The entrance of Detroit River is garrisoned by the British. The village and the garrison arecalleil Amherst- burgh. The scenery around this village is bean- tiful, and tho '^ountiy is level, and abounds with timber of all sorts. Tho whole length of Detroit River is beautiful, and tho country on each side of it is picturesque, especially tho Canadian side. The only fault the country has, is, that it is too flat, coasequently there is a great deal of stagnant water, which makes it very unhealthy in the summer, and tluis the people have tho ague and the fever, which is very prevalent here in the summer season. Tho river is about ;}0 or 40 miles in length, and is a beautiful ri\ er. Now comes the city of Detroit. It was formerly a French city, but now it belongs to the Americans, and is the capital of Michigan. It has many fine buildings and many fine sti'oets. Jt is becoming very important, and is a great city of busiiioss in tho west. The railro-id to Chicago begins here, so that one going thither, might go by tho "ail- road, or around by the 'ikes in a steamer. The word Chicago is a ct .iptible form of tho word Shekakong, which means the"placeof ashunk." 0|^^o«ite Detroit is a littlo village called Sand- wich, on the British side, where there is a British Post Office. Tho country around it appears to be a fine fai niing country ; ail the ground in the District of Detroit is fiat, and the land is weU timbered with all sorts of timber, but it is a very bad country for tho fever. If any person wishes to catch it he may go there in summer. Wednesday I2th. Remained all day in the city, saw nothing worth relating ; but I shall relate tho following ciivumstance. As I was ]iassing one, of tlie grog shops in the streets, I lie.'ii'd a man talk very roughlj'-, and he swore to the ma-.ter of the house that if he did not give him aruithev glass of whi.-^key, he would lay him flat ou the ground, in two seconds ; the land- 8 lord replied " not a dro)> will you get." The tall Yankee that I uow got a sight of, cursed and Bwore at the master that if ho did not give him another glass ho would flatten him like a paneako in two seconds, at the same time showing his fist now holding it near the end of the mastei-'s nose. The tall Ya:;kee then saiO; " you are an nngrateful being, I have spent many dollars here, and yea will not give me another glass ;" the landlord then said " no." He was of very little stature, and tho Yankee could have had no trouble in giving tho landlord a g.)od thrashing. However he was just going to pounce upon him when a servant man came out from one of the rooms, and said to t)ie tall Yankee, " I guess you better walk out of this." The tall Yankee show- ed his fist again, and tho servant by this time got hold of him by the collar, aud dragged him out to the sti-eet imd gave him a blow under the 'iar which stupified the tall Yankee, and inado iiim stand speechless far a long time. This was all that was done unto him, and ho never spoke again, but quietly walked away. I think that the blow did him a great deal of good. Thursday VMh. Before daylight our steamer London was olf, passed the little Lake St. Clair, before I was from my cabin for breakfast. Tho Lake St. Clair is a small lake, of about 150 or more milos in oiivumference, all its banks are very low but tho land is good and heavily tim- U'red. There are many farms around the lake. 'J'ho St. Clair river is a very fino river ; it has Tory fine banks, the land is good and possesses much valuable timber of all sorts, Tho only fault about the country farther back, is that it inclines to bo swampy. In the interior, the inhabitants sufler very much in the summer from fever and ague. Thousands and I may say millions A all kinds of fish abound in tho river, tho fish are caught by means of the spear, tho hook, tho not, and seine. In the W(Kx1s farther back from tho jiver alK)und deer, bears, rabbits, ©Iks, patridges, wild turkeys and other animals. Tho marshes abound with ducks. Tho St. Clair river is al)out 60 miles in length, and it has many fino villages on each side of the river. Fariiiors settle on both sides. Tho east side belongs tc the English, and the West to tho Americans. The river runs from north to sfuith. By tho appoanince of the houses the faiiiKTs are well otV. The whole of thecoun- tr}' that I have now trav^'lk'd over for 300 niik's, is very good for wheat anil other grain, wiM and cultivated fruits of all sorts such as apples, poaclips and plums; and there are also in some parts of tho Western Provincf wild ci-ab-apfdes. At the inkt of tho Kivt-r of St. Clair are two villages, tho EiiglL'<h village is called Port Sarniii, but tho American village opposite is much larger than tho English, On the English side ndjom- ing Port Sarniij, we have an Indian Wesleyan Mission ; as tho steamboat went along close by the Indian Mission, I perceived that the Indians and their wives, and their children appeared to be well dressed. They were busily emplo}ed in their agricultural operations, and some of them were collecting wood for the steamboats. The j Indiaus appear to bo well off. I should have 1 been glad to have spent a day with them. St. Clair village appears to bo healthy as it is daily refreshed by the breezes that blow on Lakfe Huron. The clay of the land is mixed with sand. About a mile from this village, towards the lake, there are beautiful sandy plains with a few oak trees standing here and there ; it would bo an excel- lent place for a gentleman to live in. At the entrance of the river is a beautiful sandy beech where the fisherman catches thousands and thou- sands of white fish in the fall. On the east sid« of Lake Huron, that is toward the town Goderich and Saugeeng, I have travelled by land, and I found the soil very good. The trees ihat grow on it are the oak, beech, maple, pine and other trees, which make valuable timber. This is a fino country for farmers. Tho country gonevally inclines to be flat, but on the American side which runs N. W. the land is excellent, ami much heavy timber is obtained from the land. At 6 o'clock in the evening we were fairly out to sea, and our steamer ran all night. Tho night was very calm. Friday lith. Calm day. Our steamer made great progress. We saw the land all day on the left at a distance. At 4 o'clock, we were near Mackinaw, and met a heavy fog. Mackinaw comes from an Indian word Moshenemahkenoong, tho immense turtle. On account of tho heavy fog our st«ainer lost its way and and was wander- ing about during the night Saturday l^th, 1852. When it became clear in tho morning, wo were near Mackinaw ; tho passengevs were glad that they did not nm ashore during the night. Mackinaw is a high sjilendid island, many parts of it are more than 100 f(K)t high, and some parts aro veiy preoipi- t4>us. The top of tho island is flat, and is good for fanning. There is an American garrison on the suniiiiit. The town of Mackinaw, lif«? in a bay at tho foot of tln^ high ground The lower classes of tho iiili'Mt.'uits of tho island sujiport thetnsclvHs priiK'ipdily by fishing ; for white fish and sjilmon trout jirp caught here in great abun- dance in all scafons of the year, and especially in tho fall. Tho town has a few stores au<l grr^ I 1 is much larger h side ndjom- ian Wesleyan ilong close by it the IciiianR 1 appeared to y emplo} ed in some of them imboats. The I should have ;h them. St. y as it is daily n Lake Huron, sand. About he lake, there few oak trees I be an excel- ^e in. At the il sandy beech inds and thou- a the east side town Goderich y land, and I ■ees Ihat grow ne and other er. This is a mtry gonewlly Lnierican side excellent, an<l )m the land, were fairly out It. The night steamer made all day on the wo were near Mackinaw emahkenoong, of the heavy d was wauder- t became clear ackinaw ; tho did not nm naw is a high ire more than veiy prccipi- it, and is good ■rioan garrison kinaw, lips in The lower slaiid sTipport for white fish m great abun- 1 especial ly in i>r(>s and grr^ shop, and there is a new liotel at tho Old Presbyterian Mission at the point. There is a Komisli Church hero, and a Presbyterian Church. Travcllei-s when they are on the suninilt of tho island have a most splendid view of the straits of Michigan, and the shores and islands on the West, and on tho east side they have a fine view of Liike Huron and its islands. There is a breeze a>nstantly passing and repassing over the island. This is the place for invalids to come and improve their health. We were at this beautiful harbour for an hour, and the men took in their wood for the boat ; after this, we were oft" again for the Sault. When we were about P miles from Mackinaw towards the ejist, we beheld a steamer in a bay in diflicul- ty. Her bows were high anil dry upon the sandy beach ; she raised a signal of distre&s for our stearccr. and when we arrived there most of tho paisengeis and especially the females were crying. I do not suppose they knew why the}' cried. After a loss uf time for an hoiii-, tho Loudon Steamer got the other steamer off by the use of her cable ropes and chains. Tlie steamer had about 300 passengers; she was one of the large steamers. When they were oft" they ga>e our Captain three cheers. I'oor fl'Uows! They then went away to Chicago. It is said by the pas»engei*» that our Captain will get about four hundred dollars for his trouble. At noon we rounded the detour on the west side of Drummond's Island, wliioli is about -30 miles from Mackinaw and 40 miles from the Sault. The islands now assume a ditK-rent aspect from what we were accustomed to see of fine rich lands. At this place wherever you direct your eye, you see the granite stones showing their teeth to you, and the timber that you see is scrubby pine, poplar and Avhito birch. I have travelled again and again, on the north shore of Lake Huron, and I am sorrj' to say, that ilie islands and the mainland on this sidt- are nothing but barren rocks. V^ery little good soil if there is any, is found in tho valleys. Manitoullu Islands is the only exception to the bad land, and lit is only the soil on the ea.-<t half side of I tlie island which is gooil. Maple anil other hard timber gr'^iw on this island. It is about TO ^ miles in length. Tho CliSrch Missionr.ry Society, ' and and the Romish Cl.urch, havo Missions on tho good part of the island. At the Cliunh Mission in one of tho bays of tli(> island, are Government stores, and a Covornnunt Indian Agent resides here, \vlio gi\ c annual ]»rosents to tlie Indians who assfniMe in hundreds at this place. Tho Indians subsist by fishing in the siunmer, and Tocnring furs in tiie winter, which tlioy give in exchange for clothing. We now passed on the south side of St. Joseph's Island, which is about 30 miles in length. Some parts of the soil are good, maple and other hard timber growing thereon ; but other parts are rocky and mountiiinous. One Major lljiines and some other genilemen are trying to colonize the lands. The Indians say that the mountains of this Island have rich copper mines, but they do not show the veins of copper ore to the white man for fear of making thegod of the copper mine angiy, and thus losing their hves by it. The Indians are very supei-stitious respecting all mines, for they believe that there is a god over eveiy mine. On one of tho beautiful pt)ints of the Island there stands the remains of an old British fort : this must have b(;en a fine place when the troops were here. — We now passed l)y many inferior Islands, and I found the country had a dismal appearance. At sunset we reached the Garden River : and liere the Wesleyans ai'o forming an Indian mission, and there are already many little houses on the banks and many little gardens. I think in a few years this Avill be an important mission. About two or three miles back from the mission there are moun- tainous places jutting out their nigge." peaks, which seem to defy the fanner, and sa; , " there is no farming here." At 9 o'clockj wo anchored at the American town of St. Mary's, which lies at the foot of tho falls of the St. Mary's. The new town of St. Ma- ry's is rising very fiist and becoming important. It has improved very much since I was here in 1836, as Missionary to the Sault Indians on the American side. I was glad to find many of my old converts here, and that they were still faithful, and serving the Lord their (rod. Their mission hiis been removed fro'.u tho Sault to a place 10 miles above it, where the Indians are now culti- vating the soil. The town of St. Mary's has a few large stores and many small ones, two fine hotels, and a few inns and small grog shops. The missionaries here aro Episcopal Methodists, Bap- tists, and Romish priests. The American govf -u- meut are proposing to make a canal here, which will be about thive quarters of a mile in length. Tho canal is to be 100 feet wide at the suiface. To at bottom, and 12 feet <leop; there are to bo two locks, 325 feet in length and 75 fcot in width. The ])robable cost v. ill be less than half a million of dollar?. The rapids, or as it is called, the fall of St. Mai'} 's, has a descent of 21 feet : canoes and boats can run down tlioiapids without any barm. Tho width of these rajiids [■■ iiciuly oiio mile; — Near the foot of the fall there is an excellent fishery: Indians and half breed-; scoop the finest white fish in all the setisons of the year. They are the most excellent iish in the country. how 1 feasted on them wliilo I remained here. 10 T'.ie Indians and half breeds make a fji-cat deal of money by their fish. The Hon. Hudson's Bay Company have an establishment on the other sido of the river. One or two or more stoamere, as well as sailinir vessels, como here once every •week, from Buflalo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Pene- tanguishine, or Penahtahwahiiiroshecng, the 'alter being an Indian word, moaning the tumbling sandbanks. Our steamer London, landed here 160 passcngei-s, and the majority of them have gone to the mines of Lake Superior. The population of those now engaged in the minus of Lake Superior is 8000, and 1000 are in commercial business. This is very v.ell for Lake Superior. Sunday, 1 Gth. — I went to hear the Episcopal clergyman Dr. Omeara projich this morning ; he read his sermon, so and so. lie is rather defec- tive in his delivery. In the evening, I gave a short exhortation to those v,ho were present, in the same cha])el. It rained very hard in the evening, and the whole of the next day — that is tliG 17th— so that I saw very little of Sault Ste. Marie that day. The Methodist clergyman of this place is a good man : he is the Superinten- dent of the Indian Missions in these pails. He was just now about to tike a tour to visit his Missions on the southern shore of Lake Superior, Fondulac, S;mdy Lake, and Ited Lake. Tiiesdai/,\Hth. — The day was fine. I dined with John Johnston, Esq., and his lady, and 1 fomul them affable and kind. This John J<jhn- ston is a »^>n of the late great John Johnston of Saut Ste. Marie. After dinner the Hudson's Bay can«ws arrived. The number of men in the canoes was about iiO; thoy had a young clerk with them nainfed Mr. Taylor. Wednesday/, \Mt. — At ten o'clock I left ray hotel, at Sault Ste. Mario, and wont over to the other side of the river to the Hudson's Bay House, and after being furnished witii provisions, we were at the farther side o^ the Poilage at 2 o'clock. The number of passengers now in the canoes, excluding myself, wa** two, viz. ; Francis Erma- tinger, Es(]., Chief T-ador, and young Mr. Taylor. Tlie Canadians and Iricjuois now fiuslied oft and gave us some of their beautiful Canadian canoe songs. We encamped at a ]i1ace about 1.5 miles from the ^ault, ca!l<'d Point Pino. Tbis was a fine en'>!imiiiiient for us. Tiio sf)il of this ]il;iee is of light sand, and the timber is nothing but pino; and inde>'d I may say lure in iny Journal — Farewell ye beautiful lands (if Canada, mo shall not s(!e you for many u long day. Thursday, 20tk. — At 4 o'clock wo started, and breakfasted at the Gros Cap, 18 miles from our encampment It is the first point that projects out into the lake, and it has a beautiful mountain on it. Many gentlemen and ladies come hero to the mountain to have a view of the splendid Lake Superior, and then return to their eastern homea. After breakfast, the men pulled away across a long travei-se of 16 miles, called Gooley's Bay, and dined on an island in the traverse. After dinner we hoisted sail and sailed very well this day. At five o'clock we passed the Lake Supe- rior mines, and there we saw 20 or 30 houses, one or two of which are very large houses. At 1 o'clock v,i went in Montre J River, and encamp- ed in it. We made about 60 miles this day. The face of the country is a mass of rocks ; we passed very little good land to-day : at Gooley's Bay we saw some good land, for there are sugar maple trees growing there ; and the Indians of this part make a gi-eat deal of sugar in the spring. A great many fish are caught by the Indians here. They em]>loy diftei-f-'ntways to take them, viz^ by moans of nets in the fall; and by spear- ing them and angling in the winter, in holes made in the ice. Friday, 2lst. — Windbound here till noon: we found the time very long. The half day appear- ed to be as long as two days. The men were grumbling and comi>laiTiiiig, and they seemed to be the most miserable of all men. Thoy were saying owe to another about the guide : '' Why not go at once ?" But our guide wa.s a trusty man, he would n-^t let them go, until he thought it safe for them to go. After dinnei-, the guide ga\c the word to go; and in a few minutes wo were again afloat on the lake, rolling up and down on its waves.. When wo got oif about 1 5 miles from our eneampment, the sea and the wind began to riso higher and higher, and as the rocks of the mountains on lan<l were very steep, the sea diished its waves against the rocks, and it became very rough. The canoe jumped so high and went down again on the w!iti?r, that I was afraid something very serious would haj»pen to the canoe. Wo were in tfiis condition for half an hour. The danger a\ as very great; and I am not one of those cowards tnat are afraid when there is a little ruining in the watore; but I have boon frer|uently called the brave \t.)yager. As we were passing along the rooks, o\w vr t\\o waves dashed in to our canoe, so that oue of the men was con- stantly bailing (Hit IIk; wati;r; we were not in dan- ger of upsetting, but we were afraid that the bark at the bottom of t!i<' canoe would break, a^ it sometimes ha]/pens to the canoe in a heavy gale in this fresh water sea. We cncampodj for the 8ny pc ro started, and liles from our that projccta tiful mountain J come hero to splendid Lake sastcrn homes, away across a Gooley'a Bay, averse. After very M'cH thia 16 Lake Supe- I or 30 houses, houses. At r, and encamp- tilos this day. of rocks; we y : at Gooley's here are sugar the Indians of r in the spring. )y the Indiana 9 to take them, and by spcar- , in holes made •e till noon : we alf day appear- Tho men were they seemed to 1. They were guide : *' Why was a trusty ntil he thought mer, the guide 3w minutes we rolling up and ot oif ahout 15 'a and the wind ,nd as the rocks y steep, the sea ;, and it biK^ame 1 80 high and I at I was afraid happen ti> the on for half an and I am not raid when there nit I have boon r. As we were o waves dashed men was con- keie not in ilan- id that the bark aid break, as. it in a heavy galft ampodj for the 11 evening near the mountains and point called by the Indians Nanahboshoo. We only made 36 miles this day. The convei-sation this evening was about the danger of to-day. It appears that die men in the other canoes were as afraid as our men ; our new hands, called Pork Eaten?, said they thought they would be drowned. It must be remembered that we had three canoes in all. There is a large stone here, near the Nanahbo- shoo mountains, which is very remarkable. The Btone looks as if some man had sat on the i-ock land made an impression on it, as one would on lie snow in winter. This was not carved by any :ndian, but it is very natural. The impression is very large, and is about six times as large as an impression made in the snow by a man. The findians say that Nanahboshoo, a god, sat here long ago, and smoked, and that he left it for the " west. Every time the Indians pass here, they leave tobacco at the stone, that Nanahboshoo might smoke in his kingdom in the west The Indians tell many traditions respecting Nanahboshoo, and ,.of his wonderful deeds. About the mountain, i there are many precious stones to be found, which I the Indians collect and sell at Sault Ste. Mario. Saturday, 22nd. — At one o'clock this morning our guide gave the command for embarking, and in a short time the men were again on the water. It was very calm, and Ave came on very w<.>ll. At eight o'eldck we arrived at Michipicoton, the Com- pany's Fort. John Swanson, Esquire, the gentle- man in charge, is a very good man ; he gave us • a very kind reception, and we took breakfiust with Lim. All iho coast that we made before breakfast, for 20 miles, is of barren rocks : some of the mountains are almost perpendicular at the water's edo-e : some of them are more than 200 feet high. jThey are so high that they malce the passengers sncck quite tired by constantly looking up to the ^top of the mountain from the water's edge. Michipicoton ri\ er is found at th(* foot of a deep bay ; it is a beautiful j)lace for a fort. The whole ay or the mouth of the river is of thy sand. The iurrounding hills and mountains are barren rocks. After breakfast we again staitetl : wo had beau- iful calm weather. I know the men must have made iP':^,e than CO miles to-day. All the coast that Ave pass<Hl over to-day is barren. In tlie liills and valleys are found blue hueca berries, which are excellent for food : they are found in great abundaiu'c; but ofti'utimes 1i(>ars an^ to be c^)ntended with before the berries are taken aAvay, j for tliey claim the sole right of the berries, and I tlius they become latlicr dangerous customers if 8ny persons infringe on their rights. Sunday, 23rc?. — This morning, at half-past three o'clock, before we cor'd really iinish sjiying our prayei-s, the guide had his canoes already on the water, and so we had to start off. In the evening, Ave encamped at a ]ilace about one mile from Fort Pic. Our coast the whole day Avas of the same apjiearanco as the day before: there Avere nothing but barren rocks and mountains. In the evening, Ahtikoos, a young Indian, belonging to the Wosleyans, and avIio Avas for- merly a memlier of Rev.Thos. Hurlburt's Church, of this place, came to see me. I asked him if he was still a Wesleyan, or if he had joined the Roman Catliolics or not ; his ansAver Avas, that he was still a Wesleyan, and he intended never to be any but that. I therefore gave him a good exhortation to fear God and to love him, and if he did so, God woukl be gracious to him in his last days. He told me he liad not the least doubt that the Indians at this place Avould embrace Christianity if a missionaiy came to reside among them. I told him the day may come wlien % Missionary shall come to see you. Ahtikoot; could read the Indian traiislations he had with him, and the books the Roman Catholics use. The Priest oftered to Itaptize him, but he fiankly refused, saAing, he did not Avish to bo baptized again. Monday, 24//;. — At half-past three o'clock we Avere off again from Pic, after commending Ahti- koos to the care of God, and bidding liini fsire- AVell. We crossed two large tiwerses, the first was about 10 miles in wi<ith, and the second about 8 miles. We then brefikfasted, at a late hour, and after a delay of one hour Ave Avere off again. We made about 20 miles since avc started till we had breakfast. We passed a great manv islands. At one o'clock Ave dined on one of the islands, and after some delay, Ave went away again. In the evening Ave encamped fm an island : maile 60 miles to-day. The coast and the islands we passed are barren rocks. This is no place for farmers. Many excellent fish are caught along the coast, such as Avhitc fish, salmon trout, and sturgeon. The Indians catch tlx-ni at all seasons of the year Avith nets, hooks, and spears. Tuesday, 25th. — A fine calm day: the mem made very good progress. As \ e jiassed through one of the narrows this evening, we saw a house that belongeil to one of the Mining Comjiany'a men, who bad now left it. At 7 o'clock in the evening, we encamped on an island nearly oppo- site the Thunder Mountain. We made about GO miles to-day. 13 t I Wednesday, 26/A.— At half-past three o'clock we left the island, and coon went round the Thun- der Mountain. The roason that it is called Thun- der Mountain, or Ahnemekee W^acheo, according to Ihe Indiana, i.;, that the Indians originally believed that tliunder used to come and lay her eggs on this mountain and hatch them: for the Indians believe that thunder is a large bird, pos- sessing great power. Many of the Indians to this day believe this still. The reason they thought so, and do think still, is founded upon what is as follows : — When the canoes are passing and re- passing the large traverse, between the mountain and Fort William, there is generally thunder and fog upon the mountain. The Bay there is also called Thunder Bay. The Thunder Mountain is a long narrow mountain, more than 200 feet in height, that is, perpendicularly ; and there is no access to the top of the mountain, unless that he wlio wishes to go, goes a long way on the north- eastern side of the mountain, and then he can reach the top by a vale at the bottom of the mountain. There are many beautiful islands in this bay that have large, towering mountains. These would make strong fortifications that would have command o\'er the bay and the mouth of Fort William River. But the mountains are all barren rocks. W\i breakfiisted at one of the islands in the bay, and after breakfast, at 10 o'clock, we arrived at Fort William, at the mouth of Fort William River, where we were heartily received by Mr. and Mi-s. McKennie. We made 20 miles this morning. At diimer we lay to and bore hard on tlie beautiful white fish on the table. We arose from the tJible, remarking, tliat we had an excel- lent dinner. Mr. and Mrs. McKennie were indeed very kind to us, during the shoil time we weiv with tliem : and we were perfectly welcome to take anything in the way of provisions, if we only asked for it In the afternoon, young Mr. Taylor went off with 10 men in a light canoe to Red River. As Mr. Francis Ermatinger was to take charge of tliis Fort, ho remained here. 1 find Mr. Erma- ting(^r a very fine tra-.elling comjianion. There Ls no home sickness whore he is. We spent here a very i)l.'asjmt evening with Mr. McKennie. Fort William is situated on beautiful ground. Tliis fort was formerly one of the gi-eat forts of the North West Company. I Wiis told that in \h<i tini'' of its glorj-, it was not uiiconiiiion to find a tlioiisund men here belonging to the Com- pany. But its greatuesfi is now fast diminishing. Fish are caught hero in great abundance, at all the s/-;wni)s of the year. Fort William has a fine view of the bay and the moiuitains. The whole country is surrounded by barren, rocky mountains ; and not only thw part is rocky, but all the coast from Sault Ste. Mary. The canoe route from the Sault, in and out of the bays to Fort William, ia about 300 miles. Thursday, 21th.— At 10 o'clock we started from Fort William ; and a little way up the Fort William River there is a Roman Catholic mission, which we visited, where some of the Iroquois went, made signs of the cross, and said a few short prayers. The priest has gathered about 15 families of Indians; he speaks a little English and tolerably good Indian. He was busy in raising the frame of a chtpel, and will likely, in process of time, mr.ke a good mission of this ; though now newly established, but is getting on wonderfully, and the Indians are Uv- ing in their wgwams. Having staid here a few minutes we proceeded on our voyage up against a strong current, and made about 21 miles this afternoon. The banks on each side of the river are high. The soil ap- pears tolerably good, well wooded, with heavy birch, poplar, elm, and pine. I think a farmer might make a living by cultivating these wild lands. ThisevcTiing we bought Ici or lii small sturgeon from the Indians, and in the hurry and bustle some we paid for and sf>me not, as the In- dians were not satisfied with wliiit wo gave them, which was in Indian corn, from 1 to 1% pints per sturgeon, I dare say from one to two pence. At supper time the men had a regular blow out on the sturgeon. We met with an Indian Chief, who gave ua very bad news of some of the Lac Lapluio Indians starving to death this spring. This Chief, Ah De Goiise, is one of the fii-st In- dian orators in these parts, and can, without any apparent difficulty, speak for houj-s together. This same Chief delivered a s])eech to his Excel- lency Sir George Simpson, in the s])ring of 1841, when soine of the Officers and gentlemen accom- panying Sir George, admired the masterly man- ner of his address. Friday, 2Bth. — After an early breakfast, the men began to pole up against a stronc^ current or rapid, some where about 16 miles in length. The banks of the river are hisTh, dry and sandy. The princip.ll timber being birch, poplar, and small stinted pine. The north bank is inclining t<5 bo like a prarie, whore, in the month of July, an abundance of blue berries (wortleberncs) are to be found. I and eight men gotoutof thecauoesand walked on the north bank of the river for the distance of some miles, and then got into the canoes again ; after an hour's paddling, we caiiio to a pi ue where the men were obliged to jiiake a half portage by taking out part of the bagg;»go, 13 t all the coast oute from the >rt William, is ik we started way up the man Catholic some of the sross, and said has gathered s^Miaksa little an. He was .pel, and will good mission Wished, but is ndians are liv- \ we proceeded J current, and 1. The banks The soil ap- il, with heavy liink a Inrmer ing these wild LU or 15 amall the hurry and not, as the In- wo gave them, ;o l4- pints per vo pence. At X blow out on Indian Chief, no of the Lac Ih this spring, of the firet In- n, without any lOurs together. to his Excel- pringof 1841, itleuuiu acoom- masterly man- breakfast, the stronc; current liles in length. Iry and sandy, h, poplar, and uk is inclining month of J iily, leliorruw) are to fthccanoesand river for the got into tho lUing, we camo igod to make a ■ tiio baggage, tiio current being too strong, so that when the canoe is thus discharged, the men pulled them by I a cord line about 30 fathoma long. After another hour's pull we came to a dead water, that is where the current was strong, and appar- ently no current at all. This was about two miles in length, and at the upper end of this we I dined on a tine open space or plain cleared by [former fires. After this I and eight men crossed [over to the south side of the river, and followed an Indian trail or path for about three miles, rhich brought us to tho foot of the mountain ?ortage, and after waiting about 15 minutes the anoes arrived. Wo are now about 36 miles rom Fort William. The stone competing this lountain is of the slate appearance ; the portage Itself is about a mile in length. At this place is 3ne of the grandest falls of water to be seen at iiy in all the many noble rivers of America, and second in grandeur to the greatest of cataracts, lat of Niiigara. It is \Vl)rth the while of any me passing by this portage to go and take a view [)f these grand falls of water. Tho next portage .^ eing close at hand, and a little better than half % milo in length, and at the upper end of it we jlencamped for the night. Fort William River is acar(;oIy at sc.no places over a quarter of a mile in breadth, Saturday, 2Wi. — After an early breakfast we rtarted otf again, and during the forenoon we made three half portages, that is, tho men taking out part of tho luggage, and then pulled up the canoes by lines, or i>olo up the rapids with the Jialf-loaded canoes. The first regular portage we iDade to day was on an island, and about 500 yards abovo this is anotlter portage ; both are liery short, and while the men were carrying tho (Janoe over tho portiige one of the men fell down, 4id not break the canoe, but it falling upon him '^urt him very much. It is not an uncommon eident for men carrying canoes to meet with |iich an accident as this ; some times it has hap- pened that men have died by the hurt they re- eivod by fallinj^ lown with the canoe. After linner wo made two or three half portages, where lie men hauled up the canoes with lines ; and 1 the evening made ono regular portage, on an ^land, only about 15 rods long, and about half a mile from this made another \ mile long, and kere we encamped for tho night. Sunday, 90th. — Early this morning we were " again. Poor Christians we are ! In an hour's 5mo arrived at the dog portage ; here we met rith Mrs. Ermetinger with five men, one boy, and p woman. She is on her way down to Fort nViJliam to meet her husband, who ia now in charge of that Estiblishraent They left the por- tage as we entered it, and we made this splendid portage.in two hours' time, some say it is three miles long, and from the top of which you have a most splendid view of the surrounding countiy, and I think the height of this portage is jnore than 200 feet above water level. At the other end there is a fine lake called after the portage, and here we had breakfiist. The lands we passed from mountain jjortago to this are worth little or nothing for agricultural purposes, in fact they consist of hi^h and barren rocks, covered with a few stinted pme, birch and juniper ; and if it is not rocky it is swampy. We are now about 36 miles from the mountain portage. The Dog Lakejs a fine large lake; the part of it crossed by tlie canoes is about twelve miles, but the gi-eater part of it extends to the north- ward at a great length, and an abundance offish is found in it ; of course its shores are rocks, and barren rocks I We enter a narrow and serpentine river bear- ing the same name of tho lake and portage, well timbered on both sides with large and tall cypress; the soil is of a light quick-sand, and I think, in some places it would bear cultivation; might raise potatoes. Tho general appearance of the country through which the river runs, which is uji wards of 40 miles, is a dismal waste howling desert ; no hard-wood of any description whatever. In the evening we encamped at the firat little rapid in this river. Monday, 31st. — Early this morning we made the little portage, on which Ave encamped, and after a few more small portages we breakfasted. While the men were busy with their breakfast, I found a large new axe, which I made a present of to the voyagers. At these small rapids tho Indians make weirs and catch great quantities of fish, which they lay up for their winter provisions, very desirable at times, and after passing through a very narrow river, a little wider than'the canoe, and ha\ ing made two more little portages, came to the head waters of Lake Superior. At this place is a spring of cold water. We now come to a height of land, to a portage called the Prairie, which forms the dividing ridge between Canada and the Hudson's Bay Territories. This height of land is not, I dare say, much above GO Set above water level, and is one of the best portages that we have as yet come to, is fine, dry, and mostly plain, and about three miles long ; at the commencement of this portage there is a small pond of fine cold water, and here we dined. After dinner made this portage, and cailie to a small marshy pond, crossing this we came to anotlier portage of about a mile in length, to 14 another lake again, tbiee miles long, then cntei-ed into a small cruek, and camo to the 8wan.ij>y or savan portage. This is one of the worst {portages on the whole water, it is a complete miry pjace, go down to the kneea in mud, and I was obliged to pull oflf my shoes and walk over this abomina- ble portage barefooted; it is about two miles and a half long, at other end of m hich we encamped. The portage ought to be \Mved, as it was in the time of the West Comjjany, and it would per- hap cost some where about £W. The men finished making this pitjigo at a late hour, and all very tired, so much so that some of them laid down and slept, without taking thek suppers, and grumbled a good deal June, Isl, — The men having been wearit'd by the previous evening's struggle through the mud, we did not start till aft*!r bieakfjist, and descended the Savan River which is about ;J0 miles long, and now we aie in the watei-s which flow down to the Hudson's Bay. To day we dined on one of the points of the lake called Tliousuid Island Lake, and the length of the lake passed by the canoes is about 25 miles, though the gri;ater part lies on one side of the country. On leaving the lake we enter a portiige which is a little over a mile in length, and this ought to he called the Thousand Island Lake Portiigc. The distance from the prairie or the height of land, U> this, is about 63 miles. I wonld here say that this is my sixth trip through this wild n^uto, so that I can very well calculate the distjinccs of these lakes, rivers, and poi-Uiges. Wednesdar/, 2nd. — At three o'clock this morning we again started for our encampment, and passed through two small lakes, the length of both about 12 miles — came to a portage of about three quar- ters of a mile long, which is line, and dry. We then came into a creek little wider than the breadth of the canoe ; thence, entered and passed through a narrow lake of about three miles long, when we again entered a creek of ab< )Ut a mile in length ; we then came to another narrow lake eight miles long, at the end of this lake we breakfasted. This lake is called by the Indians Win de goo oea dc gouun. (The Cannibal's Head). After breakfast we passed through a chain of small lakes, varying from two to four miles in length, and we ran one short rapid in passing these lakt^ We then c^me to the French portage, which is three miles long ; but the water being high in the creek we avoided the portage by going down in this small, but long, and tediously-long creek, called the French River, and made only one small portage, &c^ in the creek, and is about seven miles long. At the outlet of this creek we dined. After diimer we passed through two small lakes, and then we i came to the O gahse gab ning, (the Pickerel | fishery) so called, the pickerel being very numer- ous here in the spring. The length of this lake | is 16 miles, and after ptissing about two-thirds of! its length o encamped on an island. The appear- ance of the country we passed to-day is nothing I woi-se nor better than the other parts already de- scribed, consisting of barren rocky hills, the hollows 1 or valleys of dry sand, but bearing be..utiful large i white and Norway pines, which could answer finely for building, such pine as I have seen in ilj Canada, made into boards and frames of houses. Thursday. Srd, — During past night it was rather cold, and during ibis voyage we sutl'ered a good deal from the cold weather, which generally hajipens when there is no appearance of rain. ' However we started at 3 o'clock, and in an hour I and a half came to a*lx)rtiige which is a mile I long, and ends into another lake about 4 miles ' in length, and at tlie otlier end of this lake we made another ix)rtage a mile in length, when we breakfasted. I bore shot four partridges, and made our brcakfiist of them. After breakfast wo crossed a lake about a mile long, and then went into a river of two miles in length, which brought us into a long narrow lake of about l-l miles long, at the end of which the men ran down very heavy rapids with lightening the canoes, and within a few hundred yard from tliis another portage, where the men took out ])art of the luggage, and then ran down the rapids. It is wonderful how well tluvso men manage to run down heavy rapids with their frail bark canoes. After this our way lay in a large river with a strong current, and many small rapids, which were in our favour. Wo dined at the outlet of this river; after this we passed a lake of seven miles long, and came to a portage, where the men ran their canoes j, down these rapids. Thtjse are the rapids where! John Tanner was shot by an Indian, who wasj hired by his wife to kill him. Tanner, in the! act of hauling up his canoe these rapidn, wius shot' from a bush hiu-d by, j'nd fell into the water, and ^ was then left for dead ; but Ts days were not yet numbered, became to, and fortunately, the next day, a Montreal canoe pa.%d and picked | him up. The same John Tanner was oj yearsl among the Indians, he had been taken by them! when quite » child, a captive. The people of* the civilized world are acquainted with the narra- tive), published some ten or fifteen years ago, at New York, where he narrates the various inci- dents of his thirty years captivity ; the work a i very interesting. 15 fter dinner we and then we (the Pickerel g vt'ry numer- tti of this lake I t two-thirds of j 1. Theappear- day is nothing irts already de- [ ills, tho hollows I be..utiful large \ could answer I have seen in mes of houseSi ' The river on wbioli wc are now going c^pwn is about ten miles long, with strong curnmt, much to our advantage ; afler having gone about two- thirds of this river, we made a portage on an island, called the Island Portage, about a quar- ter of a mile long. From the Thousand Island Lake Portage to this, is, I think, rightly calculat- ing the distances from one place to another, about 131 miles, which will be observed isrnt^ r under tbe proper, or what may be called the real dis- tance. Late this afternoon came to a lake called 1 by the Indians, She gonno go que ming, (Pine iLake) and then went on this lake for about eight miles, and then encamped for the night. arance and in an hour ■hich is a mile about 4 miles )f this lake we ingtli, when we partridges, and After breakfast long, and then 1 length, which nke of about l-l tlie men ran lightening the 1 yard from tliis wk out i>art of the rapids. It manage to run lil bark canoes. rge river with a 1 rapids, which river; after this ong, and came an their canocs. xe rapids where dian, who was Tanner, in the rapi<-lfl, wjis shot x> tne water, and days were not fortunately, the sed and picked er was bi> years taken by them The people of i with the narra- en years t^o, at the various inci- ;ty ; th« work if :. n t night it was J Friday, Uh June.— We again suffered ' •ewe suffered a I from the cold during the past night, though which generally Jit is now the 4th June. At three o'clock, we came arance of rain. ■ off again from the encampment ; aftei- paddling about six miles through this lake, we entered the Macan River. The banks of the lake we have just pa«sed are covered with large and tall white and Nomay pines ; the same kind of timber has been seen plentiful during the tv.'o previous days' , voyage. This country produces fuw and skins Ifor the traders, of the richest sort. i After entering the river, about two miles dis- tant*, we came to a portage a quarter of a mile in length. We then descended a wide ri>er, and strong current favouring us. Having gone three miles further, we came to another portage, quarter of a mile in length, and after we had fone on miles' more, avo bn-akfasted. After rcakfast, and having gone about four miles, we «ame to a portage, quarter of a mile in length ; ve then defended this river, whose strong cur- rent, carried us on with a good speed for about $ miles, and then arrived at rapids about a mile long. The men ran these rapids, and three miles fuither down this river, we came to another rtage or rapids, about a mile long. These are e rapids which are called by the Indians, Nah- aguun, where the Indians catch sturgeon and bite fish in great abundance during the summer n. To-day saw the first Indian that I have on while travelling through this vast wilderness, e was a good distance off, so did not speak ith him, and seven miles down this river we itered Nabmaguun lake; as regards the soil long this river, there is nothing but rocks, and little timber of any kind that is valuable. — e islands on the Namaguun possess good soil, cultivation, and some of th'? Indian families ave raised a good quantity of potatoes, which ey barter to the traders for goods. Afler paa- 14 miles on this lake, we arrived at the two rtages ; these two portages are, each, half a mile ng, and a half a mile apart The water being high, the men had no trouble in making these portages. They had only to hand over the canoes a few paces of ground, on one of them, but the other w.^ all under water, and passed over the ground where formerly the road w.is. 1 have never seen the water so high, before, and here we dined, and the men gummed their canoes, being now to voyage on open water all the way to the Company's Establishment, at Lac la Pluie. I dare say, ou rough guessing, it is about 70 miles from this to that EstablLshment. After passing down the river, wo soon came to the Kettle Rapids, so called, I suppose from the whirl-pools in these rapids ; here the Indians catch white flsh in great abundance, by scooping them up from the eddies and whirlpools in these rapids. Tliis they do during the M'holo summer season. This evening, at a very late hour, we reached the narrows of the Lac la Pluie, called by the Indiana Wahbahsgahndugaung, and here we encamped for the night. Saturday^ 5ih June, — Eaily, at three o'clock, we again left our encampment, and after pad- dling till eight o'clock, Ave breakfasted at a i)laco called the (rrind Stone Narrows. After break- fast Ave proceeded on our Avay, about one o'clock we entered th3 Lac la Pluie River. The Lac la Pluie is a large lake, and runs from. N. West to a S. East direction, containing many islands Avell wooded with white and Noi-way pines, and bounded Avith rocky and barren shores, but white pine of no large size. At one o'clock Ave entered the Lac la Pluio riA'er, and soon amved at the Company's Fort ; being, a.s I think, one of the finest and the largest establishments the Hudson's Bay Company has, in this part of the country ; it is beautifully situ- ated below a large fall of waters, whose continu- ous din is ever heard by the people living here, and beloAv the Fort : there is a fine view a long way down the river, and about a mile from the Company's present establishment, is to be seen some fcAV vestiges of an old estjiblishment, occu- pied in former days by the North Wert Company. There is not a building remains standing ; the traveller is only reminded that there was once such a Company in oxisteno?, and that this place was occtfpied by them, — but their glory and the glory of their place is totally departed. The river Avhich floAvs before the door of the present establishment, forms tlie boundary line which separates the possessions of John Bull, from these of his brother Jonathan. Sunday, 6th. — ^There are not many people at the Fort at present Mr. Pether, a yowig clerk in charge, and two women. Remaining here over f; r 10 Sabbatli, I am soi'i'y to say I had no congrega- tion to preach, to, but in the evening I baptized one Httle girl. The gontleman of llie District had already gone with all his men in boats down to York Factory, so that the ostablis^hinent looked rather bolitary. A person entering the stores of this Fort can see in fifteen minutes time more rich furs such as sable, silver, and black foxes, &,c. than he would in 20 yeare time in Canada. Young Mr. Pether was very kind to me while I remain- ed here. ' ' ' » Monday, 7/A.— At 4 o'clock we commenced our voyage down this beautiful river, which is estimated to be TO miles long. In the forenoon to-day passed three rivers flowing into this from the south, and at the junction of these rivora are spots of ground, which, I think, would be fine situations for mission stations, the soil being rich and climate favourable, and therefore could raise wheat, barley and potatoes; wood for building purposes at hand, and there is also scrubby white oak to be found at these places. We met with a good many canoes of Crce men who reside about the Company's Foil, and Indians, and not a f«w of them expressed sorrow that I had not come to rcmaiii, and hoped that I would some day come again. About 12 o'clock we arrived at the Manito Rapids, where we found numerous tents of Indians who are now engaged in the sturgeon fishery, about 300 souls in all. These Indians are tall, strong, and well built ; as a community, they are good and handsome look- ing; some of them who are good hunters, dress very well, their foces well painted with rod and other colours, feathers on their heads, silver ringlets about their arms, and earrings and other b-inkets. The women also are well dressed, something corresponding with the dress of their lords, excepting the feathoi-s, but tliey wear alwut their necks brass wire which they consider a oreat ornament. Taking them a-^ a community, they look well ; and of coui-se, as in all communi- ties, there are some poor who arc almost in a state of nudity. About the Manito Rapids would ' 3 a grand situation for a Mission Station, where Mr. Mason and myself once thought of establish- ing ; and the Indians and others opposing the project which, they said would entirely rum the sturgeon fUbery here. And taking other things into consideration, though the place itself is good as can be found anywhere, but being far away from any sea port, or the civilized world, whence things necessary could be liad,^ and the expense that would be mcreased in getting these things would be great, ww the cause of our abau- doning tlie project. SinAs I was among this people, it appears a gwxl many have dioil ; a few by natural death but most by starvation in the winter; for instance, a family seven in number wove found dead just as thev were sitting around their fire near (Jhaa- tellaiu 8 Post, at the Lac du dois Blanc. After distributing some tobacco among these Indians, and the men having taken as muoli stur- geon, fresh and dried, as they wanted, we pushed oft" from them, and dined near the Long Sault. , After dinner we put ashore again at the Long*, Sault, where tliere were some more Indians, but, not so many as at the other place. Here also i gave some tobacco. On going oftj it was as much as I could do to prevent Es qua gesig, one of the principal Indians belonging to the river, from jumping into the canoe, that ho might have som© convei-sation with me, and to make me promise to come back again and be a missionary among them. I wjis forcibly reminded of that passage of scripture, — ",0 hadst thou known even thou things which belong to thy peace ; but now they are hid from thine eyes !" I did not receive him into the cjuioe. I may here remark that the Long iSault is one of those places on which I had my eyes when I was here before, to have a mission station, .and this place is far better than even the ilauito. This is upwards of a mile in extent; good laud; and further down the river, for at l«ast two miles, are ready cleared lands, rich soil, hay and grjisa for cattle. At night we encamped at the Rajiid River, so 'called from its ha\ ing a fall of consider- able height as it enters the main river. Tuesday, B(k. — Head wind all day, and there- fore did not budge an inch from our encampment Wednesday, dth. — At peep of day we were off and breakfa!*ted at the mouth of the river. As I have said befure, the banks of this river are good, and capable of being cultivated ; but it has this drawback, — that a ridge of good land of the breadth of quarter of a mile extends along the | length of the river, and further back are swamps. The wind still blowing, and direct ahehd, we only came to the sbu-ting place of the Grand Travei-se of the Lake of the woods, and dined there. It is a kind of a strait, and about six miles across, and in windy weather it has generally a very rough sea from the circumstance of ita being shoal. It has been known, in former days, in the time of the North West Company, when bark canoes i were the only crafts m use, that people have * thrown overboard their cargoes to save them- selves from perishing in the water. At night we reached the painted stone, so called, the Indians having panted a stone here. The Lake of the , U appcara a lutui'al duuth ; fur instance, .ind duail just ii'ti near Cuaa- anc. aiuung tbeae as niuoli stur- sd, wo pushed B Long Sault. , at tbo Long*. B Indians, but. Here also i t was as much Big, one of the le river, from rbt have some u me promise ionary among f that passage ivn even thou but now they ot receive bim g Sault is one y eyes when I 1 station, and t the Llauito. it; good laud; Bast two miles, bay and gniss I at the Rapid all of consider- ivcr. ay, nnd tbero- r cueampment ay wo were off 10 river. As I river are good but it has this II land of the ends along tbo ;k are swamps. aboUd, we only Jrand Travei"8e id tliere. It is iles across, and a very rough ;ing shoal. It in the time of 1 bark canoes »t people have to save them- At night we ;d, the Indians le Lake of the It woods oontiiins many Islands that njight bo culti- vated, but ita main shores aro rocks and swamps. Tlio Indians on a small scale raiso Indian corn, pumpkins and iX)tatocs. At the eiustern extremity [of the lake wild rice is to bo found in great abun- lance. Thursday/, lOlh. — Fine calm day ; at balf- ^last three o'dtwk we reached the Hat Portage. Jriie length of the Lake of the woods, from the 1 louth of Lake la Pluio to Rat Portage, which is ■i)nsidcred the extremity of the Lake, is more than I '1 miles. The Rat Portage itself is about half a ilo long, and from the other end of it we could "0 one of the out-posts of the Company, and on '•iving there, found Mr. James McKenzio in Inarge of the place, who gave us some notatoos, K)r which we thanked him, proceeded on our royage, and encamped at Birch Point. Friday^ Wtk — Early this morning we started tf with a strong current in our favour, and soon me to and ran down the Dalles. Here the men ught some sturgeon from the Indians. I also lought a young porcupine for my own breakfast. gave a little tobacco for it. The flesh of this fnimal is excellent, and I shared it among a few <rf my choice fiiends, iho Iro(iuoi8. After breakfast the wind being strong and fair, and the cuirent ■^leing strong, all in our favour, we hoisted sail, >nd soon pjissed through a chain of lakes; and at alf-past 10 o'clock arri\ ed at the Grand discharge, be commencement of a succession of short porta- ;es, the three principal of which aro a quarter of mile in length, and two or three more smaller ines, and all these lay within four miles of each her. At one o'clock, p. m., wo arrived at the hite Dog, where I met with Mr. Kennedy, who in charge of a newly established Mission Sta- ion of the Church of England, and here we took dinner. I here had a long convereation with o Indians on religious subjects. I wiis especially lesirous to impress their minds on the happy re- •Its of becoming christians in earnest, bringing a proof of my remarks, the happy condition the Indians in Canada, who aro christians, and e rapidly advancing in civilization. I told them at I had been over the great waters to England, d had seen the Oreat Female Chi'f eight s during my last visit They enquired how e looked, I told them that she was very hand- me, that she lived in house or castles like raoun- lins, was surrounded by many great men, sol- 'ers, and great guns, so that none who intends ivil to the great female Chief, can come near her. told them also that England was a wonderful nd a very rich country, everything wonderful as there to be found, — ateam boatK and car- riages, which go by steam, running very fast on iron roads, ami the whole land is tilled with people like the multitudes of mosquitoes in their own country. On leaving tlioni I distributed among them some tobacco and fish-hooks, as I have done among the other Indians I met with on my journey in these Territories. I had a large supply of fish-hooks given mo by a young lady at Hr()oklyii, in New York, for to give away to the Indians, and may that young lady ever live before the Lord. The soil about the mission establishment is most excellent for cultivation, the climate being the same as the li«d River settlement, and within the same latitude, and capable of raising wheat, barley, oats, and Indian corn, potatoes and other vegetables. This spot of good land con- tains about 400 or more acres, but the surround- ing country, as well as that we passed, is notliing but barren rocks and swamps. The distance from Rat Portage to this place (White Dog) is about 50 miles. The wind still fair, so we hoisted sail, and having passed many a long turn in the river and lake wo came to the Island Portage, and, Avithout ever stopping, we went down these fearful rapids, and in spite of what the men could do, the canoes were carried to the middle of the rapids and were whirled round for some minutes in the whirlpools, and every one thought our day was come, the men turned pale as death. I must say I was not a little frightened, away and over the panic, there men close to me, they gave Lord for our deliverance from danger, and I secretly responded amen to what they said. After the men bailed out the water fron^ the canoes which we shipped in the rapids, we hoisted sail again and sailed till dusk, and passed the Crook Lake, called by the Indians, the Grand Turn. Having had fair wind and strong current in our favour during the whole of the day, I dare say we have made somewhere about 80 miles. Saturday, 12<A.— Started at our usual hour, 3 . o'clock, we soon arrived at the Chats du Jaque, 3 of^ 4 hundred yards long, and without delaying in making this poiiage, we soon came to the two portages, called Portage du Bois. The first of these is a quarter of a mile Jong, and the other shorter, and another in sight which is only a few 100 yards long, at the lower end of which we breakfasted. About 10 o'clock we arrived at the Slave Falls. The name of these originated from two Indian slaves escaping from their cruel masters, went down these falls, and there perish- After we got were two Irish- thanks to the such imminent t8 1^ ed. Tlio porUigo in Dually half a niilo long, after which wo itusseJ through a river with a strong current, and psissoj oiio small lake, antl tluiucanio to tho tails called JJarrier, ami soon paKted this, and on we went with n good speed and jjassed two little lakes, and dineil near the Grand Rapids, and having passed two or throo more little rapids, we came to tho district of jiortages, 7 in numboi", and all lay within seven miles of each other, and none exceeding a tpiarter of a mile in length, and they are most dangerous to approach either by a cauoe or boat. Having passed these safely, we came to the Uliite Jiiver, and here wo encamped for the night. We had made about 60 miles to-day. Sunday, \^th. We descended the Wliito River, whose current is strong and swift, and passing down, came to the Lake de Bonnet, afttir which we made two.portages close together, and arrived at the Portage de J5onnet. Here also is a spot of all jut 200 acres of oak laud, fine grass growing for cattle, but the surrounding land is worthless 80 far as agricultural purjioses are t;oncerncd. — There may be a few fur-boaring animals found in it The portage itself is more than a mile long, and a small distance below this, is anotluir portage one quarter of a mile long ; and pjuaing tliis, we descended tho river for about four miles, and arrived at the portage called tho White Clay Portage. This is a very fine portage, a few oak trees about it, and having made another four miks down the river, wo came to the Silver Falls, with two portages over a quarter of a mile in length, and somewhere about 800 yards from each other. At the lower end of the last portage we dined, and after dinner we went on and leaving many ripples and rapids wo arrived at tho l;wt portage in tho Winipeg River, which is about a half mile long; and going down in a strong current, and before coming in sight of the Com- pany's Fort, we came to a strong rapids called by the Indians Manito Rtipids, and tho piacf, ^vllere they genersilly hold their manilo feasts; and 1 dare say, by the number of tents at a point close by, there were about 100 Indians assembled, and evidently by their dress, paints about their per- sons, and feathers about their heads, they weie at the annual ceremonies of their heathen worship. We were in sight of Fort Alexander, when the people of the Fort saw us they hoisted up a flag, as they have done at the other Forts we passed, in honour of the gentleman whom they suppose to be a passenger in the canoes. Wo landed at the Fort at four o'clock, at the rate we came we must have made about fifty miles to-day. I was very respectfully received by Mr. James Isbester, a Post Master, in charge of this Establishment. — Hcrelalwo met with Roderick McKenzio Ewi., a chief factor in the servic(( of tho Hudsttn s Ray (.\>mpany, with his intelligent family. As the g(!ntlemeii and ladies of this Fort, undeiutand the Ojibw.'iy tongue, 1 therefore prayed and preached in that hmgunge, and during my stay luTc 1 had prayei-8 with people. On Monday morning early, tho canoo» in which I came thus far, went olf for Norway House. I remained here for a couple of days, in order to get a pnssjige to tho Red River settle- ment, to see my son, who is at the collegiate \ school in that settlement. In former days, Fort Alexander was a consi- derable establisliment, especially in the great object of its foimders, namely, the getting of furs and shins, and it had also a large farm attached to it, or vestige of a large farm. Tho people here may raise any (piantity of wheat, barley, or any kind of grain and vegetables. The soil on both sides of the river being very good, and the climate being also favourable, any where about the j^recincts of this place, would bo a line place for a Mission Station, as there are Intlians always about tho place, and 1 also found the Indians^ more favourable towards Christianity than they '% were when 1 used to be travelling up and down among them. During my short stay here, Mr. McKenzie, kindly invited me i;> partake of the good thingsj of his own table, which was loaded down withj what w;i9 good. Wednesday, Wth. Early this morning 11 started off a in small canoe which I had hired onl my own {)rivate account. The distance from Fort Alexander to the up)»er Fort Garry, is about 1 00 miles, which makes in all from Lac la Pluit to the upper Fort (iarry over 400 miles. At 12 o'clock to-day, arrived at the iron wood! point, which is a sort of a harbour for canoes toi I'un into in bad weather, and had to remaiui here during tho whole afternoon, being wind! bound. Thursday, llth. At 10 this morning, thel wind abated, and at one o'clock reached the Bigl Stone Point. Here unexpectedly, I met my soiT Peter, in a small canoe on his way to Fort Alex] ander to meet me. I thank the Lord for 8j)aring the life of my son and mine, and permitted u»| once more to nuwt each other. Our meetingl was therefore a joyful one. My son and hijj crew consisted of one young Mr. MeKenzio andl three Indian boys ; their provisions, a piece ofl ham, lialf a loaf of bread, half pound tea, one I pound f kettle, 1 for thei by then hero, an to a poi mouth < Mont whore n Mr. and while w Went pruvisioi could n( at the < before h biscuit li I would when th times in cannot j voyage. ho woul assured any thin my jou 'factor) of butto gave m< of butte thanks him, wli ment of tho Loi At I pleasure f Cockraii I dinner I with tlu 1 his prin( I Having I start anc I River. \: 10 cKenzio Em tlio Hudson's family. Ab it, undei'stand prayed and iriiig my stay ;Lo canoe» in for Norway [tie of days, in . River settle- the collegiate )r waa a consi- in the great letthif/ of furs t farm attached | The people J leat, barley, or The soil on goo<l, and the where about! w a fine place M [ndiaiis always ^1 d the Indians" ity than they up and down Jr. MeKenzie, le good things I ed down with I 19 morning I had hired on' distance from Garry, is about j in Lac la PluieS miles. ' t the iron wood ■ for canoes to lad to remaiuj being wind! i morning, th«| sached the ] 'j I met my soi y to Fort Alex] jord. for sparing I permitted uii Our nieetingl y son and hiij MeKenzie and! ions, a piece ofl pound tea, one I Eournl sugar, each had a tin cup, they had a small ettlo, but no plate nor knife, and it w:w well for them that they had not to .spend a night by themselves. They of course returned from hero, and jtassed the Broken Head lliver, came to a point of marsh in the nieighboihood of the mouth of litid River, and eneanipetl for the night. Mondatf, 28/A June. — Left the (irand Rapids', whore my son and I boarded in a private house. Mr. and Mrs. M. our hosts were very ki.id to us while we staid with them. Wont then to Stone Fort, for my voyaging provisions, I was not a little disappointed when I could not got a ]>ound of butter. I was grieved at the conduct of one, a Mr. Lane, a clerk; before ho came into the shop, I had got some biscuit and a ham, and evidently by his behaviour I would not ha\o got these, had he been by when they were put down. I cannot believe that times in Red River are so hard jus that a passer-by cannot get to purchiiso a poimd of butter, for his voyage. I am sure had J. Black, P^si[., been here, ho would have given every thing necessary ; he assured mo on last Saturday that 1 would get any thing which I required at the Stone Fort, for ray journey. When Mr. Ross, (a retired cliief factor) heai'd that I had been refused a pound of butter, he cheerfully, with his usual kindness, gave me two or three |X)und8 from his own stO(;k of butter, gratis. I owe this gentleman many thanks for kindness shown me and family by him, when 1 w;i9 at Rossville, at the commence- ment of that mission. May he ever live before the Lord. At one o'clock we went down and had the [pleasure of dinning with the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. jCockran, at the Indian Mission Station. After (dinner I parted with ray son, who is engaged ' with the Bishop of Rupeit's Land to teach one of I {lis principal schools, during the coming year. I Having hired two men and a canoe, I made a j start and only went to the mouth of the Red I River. Tuesday, 2Qth. — At day-break some unknown [evil minded Indian fired a gun through my tent ith shot, the report of the gun made me jump from my bed, and I asked my bowsman, if ho |had killed a duck or a goose, supposing that ho oust have fired at something of the kind ; but ho skod if 1 had killed anything by firing, he tliink- _ I wa3 the person who had fired the gun so near the tent, as he was, like myself, asleep, but I only awakened by the report of the gun. jBut on examination I found that five grains of (shot had passed through my tent. I suppose that tlie unknown oneiny fired at the tent to frighten us away from our encampment, so that j in the hurry of departing we might leave sonie- j thing for him to pick up. I could not imagine 1 that he intemled to kill any of us, as he did not ' know who we were, not having seen any one iluring the previous evening. ' Wednesdai/, 30th. — All day tho wind being contrary we did not budge. ; T/ntrsdin/, 1st of Juhj. — Fine and calm I weather, made and i)assed the CJrassy Narrows, and eucam}ied near the Grind Stone Point, and I must have made over 50 miles to day. A great deal of the coiist we passed to day has good soil which might be cultivated ; but no timber which may be used for building. Friday, 2nd, — We sailed to the Grind Stone Point, here stopped an hour. Tho Point takes its name from the quality of stono found about it; for miles along this coast are (piarries of excellent grind, and lime stone, wliicli may answer for buildings, and I wonder that tho inhabitants of Red River do not make use of it for their stone buildings, as it is open water all the way, and may be boated to any part of the settlement. Having staid here an hour, we sailed across the grand traverse of Lake Wenipeg, and landed on the north eastern coast. The coast extending from Fort Alexander to the end of the lake is a mere desert. The points of bare granite rock, and now and then you see a bay with a sandy beach, and its stinted timber and the general appearance of the country, tell tho sum- mer traveller that the winteis in these regions of country must be awfully severe. The lake itself has an abundance of fish of excellent qua- lity, — white fish and sturgeon. Tho white fish are the staple food of the inhabitants of these out-of-the-way regions. The sturgeon of this lake are superior to any which may be found in any part of tho world. There are fur-bearing animals to be found in its wild woods, both of a common and rich sort. This evening we en- camped at tho Dog's Head. Saturday, Zrd. — Reached the Rabbit Point, in tho forenoon, and were detained during the rest of the day by contrary wind, and rain. Sunday, 4th. — Being calm and fine, we went on and arrived at Berere's River at 10 o'clock, wdicre I was kindly received by Mr. Curaminga, a Post Master in charge. At 4 o'clock, we met together for religious worship, when I was about giving out my text to preach, I asked Mr. Cum- to U minfif in what laiiQiu.'injc tlicv wished tlie wM'inon to bi'(It'hvero<i, he said in Imliaii. Tint pi'dph* paid very >fiK»\ attt-iition to my diswinw, and thero won) a jjoodly minilicrot' th<' paijari Indians pn'scnt, nnd I sonu'liincs ainn-d at thi-ir .•<ii]'<'isti- tiouH ncitioiis. Thoy also paiil itdihI atti'iitimi. My men prcfi'mnL; slccpimi; out, we wont out i>f tlio bay and slept on a roeky inland, on leavinij the house Mr. Cummintifs lie, likea ijjood ehristian, ;;ave ns a !j;ood largo sturgeon, and fome butter. May the go(xl man never want butter in his flays. Mondaif, Mh. — Wo are now about 150 miles from the Hod Kivor, and we are yet to niako UK) to reaili Hossville, and tho lake itself is considered something over 200 miles. This evening wo oneampeil at the Poplar Point, a long day'rt voy- age to day. Tuesday, 6th — Head wind all day, and did not stir from our oiieampmeut. it is sickening to be 80 often wind-l>ound. Wednadaij, 1th. — Calm this morning, and in the afternoon fair wind getting up we soon hoisted sail and reaehed the Spider Islands, but too Into to proeeed oti to the outdel of the Winripog, thougii it wjLs witiiin view. Thursday, 8/A.— Tlie wind being still fair, but rather too strong for our frail bark ; we however ventured ami sailed over a verj* rough sea, our canoe now and then shipped some water, an<l one of us was constantly cmployod in bailing it out as fast as it came in. It reijuired no small degree of courag*; to sail in such a craft as ours, no gentleman would risk any valuable property in these small cano<'S of birch bark, much less his life. On this voyage I hail the management of the sail, teing accustomed to voyage in the small canoes, knowing when to furl and unfurl the sail, and knowing too what a small canoe can bear. We at last entered a harbour, went ashore and got our breakfast The men were now praising the canoe, how bravely it navigated the boisterous Winepeg. But lifting up my hand to heaven, saying, there is our guide and preserver I "the two men, being christians, understood my 'meaning, said nothing. Coming through the lake I killed many ducks and two geese, one was very fat, and while we were at breakfa'. . •there were many pelicans flying about us and some were feeding in the bays, but having no caps for my gim, they escaped unmolested. Be- ing now calm, we proceeded through the Play Green Lake, and entered a river which brought -VB to Rossville, The appearance of the country is most dismal, though tlie summer has already set in, still the eoiinlry is not divested of (he oilects of the intense cold winter, which generally con- tuiues eight or nine nKMiths in this niiserablo re- gion. Uarren n-cks, hero and there n small clus ter of trees, willows, and a few stinted pine or tir dwarl'ted by the cold, which ever prevails here, and nothing to relieve the evi.' from the cheerles*! view before; it. Nolle but the worldling whoso object is gain an accumulation of wealth, could be a wilhiif; inhabitant of this inhospitable region, or ho whose object is more exalted, and more noble than thf former, namely the salvation of the aboriginal inhabitants of this waste howling ilesert, by thf j)reaching of the (Jospol to thoni. At 5 o'clock, arrived at Norway House. This is one of the ])rineipal establishments of thi Hudson's Hay t'ompay, in those ))arts being central, and an inland depot, where all tbt brigades of the Northern Department, (except McKenzie's River,) meet on their way down t' York Factory. (r. Harnston, Esip, a Chief Factor, is in charge, who kindly received me on my ariival, auii in\ ited mo to tea, which I rea<lily acce])ted, and aft<'r which procwded down to the UossvilL Mission Statioji, which is about one and a hal: miles bel<iw, where I found Mr. and Mrs. Masoi and family all well. I, just coming from Europ and through Canada, they of course, expects oNory information relative to the civilized aiii., christian world, and iis a matter of course, cheerfully gave them such information as I pes- 8<!ssed concerning men, with iiuitters and thing? Friday, 9/A. — After breakfast and prayer, M: Mason and I went out to tiko a view of the Mis sion buildings and premises, and also the Indiai J houses. The appearance of the whole Mission, (^ very pleasing. The Church is .30 x 60 feet long, with a 8te('| pie arid bell, it has lately been weather boardecf and painted, both in and outside, as well as thl pews and free seats. It has a beautiful appeail ance fiom a distance, and taking it all in all, i think it would not disgrace any country towi in Canada. Leaving the Church, we went into tbT largo school house, well filled with day scholanl heard some of the leading classes say their lessoul who said them very well, and they sing well ; > am informed by the school-master, that wbc they nil attend, he has 14 boys and girls; ther| were about 60 present, the others being awa;! with their parents in quest of food in these har; times. The next mission building we visited w« what Mr. Mason calls the Printing Office. Tbij IS a goo( being w( with a s cd a\m, good w snow. 'I feet lonji sohool-n business Mason n departm tttTorts t( among < country, have pr Catcchii the Sun Wosleyf The do tliey art as fast a not boiii civilized other m: busines.s printing gone in mission! Res| 1 years st roofing almost creases all the roofed, roofs at degree 1 viewed Indian eleven \ and in I to bo ill havo be their st< been mi street ai The belongi doubt \ kind ca being t( Afte went in at this ; school it is nat good cr standi i tt er linn alrond} m1 (if tlh- clit'ctV j^eiii'i'iilly cou- rt iiiisciablo rc- i-(> a Hiimll clu8' iiti'il piiic or fir • |>itniiil« licrt'J Ml tlui fluiorli's,*! objt'ct iH gftinJ Id bo n w'i]lii)J on, or lio whoHi| noble tlian tlu- tlu) uboriginni, desert, by tbci yf House. Thisi biiuiiits of th(| w! parts beingj wlicre all tbJ rtiiK'ui, (exceptj ir way down t' or, is in obargf.l ly anival, aiiii y at'oe])ted, and > tbo RossvilL one and a bal! nd Mrs. Masoi igfrom Europi ourHC, expeck'i. civilized atii.., Kr of course, ation as I pes-* tera and tbing;^ and prayer, M: iew of tiie Mi* also tbo Indiai : rtbole Mission,! ;, witb a stef| ^eatbcr boardeil as well aa tLi dutiful appearl I it all in country tov we went into til th day scholani say their lessonl ley sing well ; iter, that wh« and girls; srs being awa'; )d in these '. ia a good house for the mission family to live in, being well built, weather boardotl and painted, with UHliingle roof, and inside is lined a.ul paint- ed also, anilin every respect well adapted for a good winter house in these regitjns of ice and snow. The size of this house is 20 ft. wide by ;t6 I feet long, one of the rooms is occupied Ijy the school-master; one part is used for the printitig business ; and I must say, that the Rev. Mr. Mason and liis colleague, Mr. Steinhauer, in this department, deserve commendation for their [efforts to promote the knowledge of Christianity I among the benighted, ignorant heathen of this I country, througli the medium of the books they have printed. They have printed the Wesleyan Catechism, No. 1., an edition of hymns, part of the Sunday service of the Metbotlitts, also the Wesleyan Di.scipline, and the Oospel of St. John The demand for these books, is so great, that tliey are not able to comi>ly with those demands as fast as th.'y could wisli, their printing operations not being carried on so rapidly as those of the civilized world, for want of a better press, and other materials reouiaite, in order to carry on the business successfully, though bimdieds of their printing have been issued, and these works lir vo gone into thos«^ parts of the country where the missionary can never have access. Respecting the Mission House, that after eleven years stan ling, it now rcrpiires a few repairs; the roofing being made of bark, wnich requires almost annual repair, which not a little in- creases the expenses of those missions, and were all the mission buildings weather boarded and roofed, then the expense of renewing the bark roofs and mudding the walls Avould in sr)me degree lessen the expense incurred. After having viewed the Mission premises, wo went to see the Indian bouses, which I superintended in building cloven v<'ars ago; some of them are still standing and inliabited by the same peopb; ; they appear to bo in tolerable good order yet ; but others havo been pulled down anfl better houses built in their stead. 1 fouml also that another street biis 1 been made since, and of course the houses in this j street are lately and better finished. The Mission potatoe fi<'lds as well aa those belonginii to the Indians, are looking well, and no doubt will reap a good crop; but no grain of any kind can grow to any maturity here, dio climate being tf)o vigorous. After ]i!ussing and repassing tho village wo went into the house wherein I lived when I kvas at this station, which may now bo culled tho school master's licuse, (should ho havo a f niily) it is natura' and inviting to me, and is in a very gO(^d condition yet, notwithstanding eleven years standing. Snmlnif 1 IM. — At 1 o'clock this morning, Mr. Abison b gan reading the sunday service of the MetliodislN, an<l a few of tho Indians responded, after tlu' lessons, colloets, and prayers, he then read a sermon translated into the Indian v.ritten in tho syllabic eharactei-s. He performed the. whole of the service well, and reail bis siMmon well; but 1 am not a competent judge of this mixed language of Ojibway — Creo and Swampy. Tho Cree and Swampy are nearer kin to each other, than either to the noblo and majestic Ojib- way; and that is the language I profess to understimd. Wc Went o\ or to the Company's Fort, wliere Mr. Mason read the Knglisli service, and atler which I preached in English to a respectable congregation, who paid juarketl attention to my discourse. I trust some good has been done to th(! edification of some of my hearers. Tho ser- vice being over, Mr. Bannton kindly invited us to dine with him. I find this gentleman is of high and polished education, and tho best of all is, that he loves and feaw God. At three o'clock this afternoon, we hold another service in the mission church, which was quite full, as many of the Fort people came down to join our afternoon woi'ship. Mr. Mason read the h)inns in the dree. I ])niyed, and had a tolerablt! good time in preaching to my native brethren. Once or twice I reminded tho con- gregation of the nifiny ])recious seasons wo had together in the honso of (iod, eleven years ago, and some of tho old members caught the spirit of this, and I ha\ o reason to thank (lod that they were encoiuaged to go on their way rejoicing, and that they were edific I. The men and women of this congregation were respectably clad, and sang W"ll. The church, at both morning and afte:noon service was well rtttonded; and lam iHf)rmeil by Mr. Masson, that when the men belonging to this villngc, and passing brigades, stopping for the Sabbath, tho chui-ch rt such times is crowded to overflowing, as it occuiTed again on the following Sunday. At seven o'clock we had a prayer-meoting in the church, and many of those who prayed, refer- red to the good things they had heard during this Sabbath day. This is tho process of Sunday labour whicli Mr. Masson has to go through every Sabbath day when there is no one to assist him. On reviewing the labours of this Sabbath, the u]>pearance of the church and the congrega- tion of this mission alone, tho zeal they manifested in tho house of God their Saviour, how I wisheil that some of the sujtporters of the cause of missions wore eye-witnesses. I verily think that they would say they have not thrown away their money in vain, and would be impelled more 99 '•i 3 t .1 than ever to do more for tho interest of the mis- sions in those torritorios. On incjiiiry, I learned t'le numlvjr of members in society is 120, and 10 on trial for metnboi-ship. Tho whole number of jieoplo attached to this station is about 300. Wednesday, \Uh. — IIn\iiig remained lioro to this day, and thinkiiicf that it w.-is tiino for mo to proceed on myjouincy, I bou^lit a small canoe and provisions, and hired two men for my vojago down to Oxford Mission Station, and to York Factory. This oveniiifc I again preached to tho congregation assembled for religious worship. During my st;iy at tliis station, Mr. Masson and I had some consultation on thosidv'U't of the Sascatcliwan Mission, read soma lettei-s received from tho Indians in that quarter, who jiressingly call for a missionary ami teacher. Wc concluded, the loiist that can be done for the ])res<nit, was to (X;cupy that station for two yeai-s longer, thinking that, in the moan time, something will bo done for that and the other mission stations belonging to the Wo-sleyan Missionary Society in tlie Hud- son's Bay Territories. Benjamin Sinclair, a local preacher, with his family, agreetl to go and occupy that station for the siiid term of two years, strictly instructing him not to incur any unn»>cossary expcMise. He luv? be"n there alivady, ar.d inquiring of him Jis to the number of Indians who were desirous of being instructed in Christianity, he said " too many for me to tell you." I saiil that is well said, wo will leave it there. This st.iion is situnfi'd in a rich country of wild animals, such as burt'alo, moose, deer, beai-s ; ducks, ami geese, and fish in abundance. In fm't everything con- cerning that station is favourable. The soil and climate are such as will raise any kind of grain which any one may wish to raise. Thiirxdoi/, I5(h. — After ' .oakfast, loaded our canoe. The men r.nd women of the viil;igiM\aine and bid me a farewt'll at my departui'e. Mr. Mason and men accompanied me for a eoiisiiler- able distaiic^e down tlie lake, and we dined to- gether; and, at\er we had a word of jtravei', we parted. H« went back *o his station, an«i I pro- ceeded on to ,Taeks(in's Bay Mission Station. Having pii«sed through rivei's, l;ik<>s, and nine portages, we met with about 30 freiuhtint; iioats from York F.actory ; among thom wen* the boats nf my old accjuaintaneo, \Vm. Sinclair, Esi|Mire. The Sribhath came as wo entered the Oxford Lake, an 1 laid by for the day. At 12 o'l'loek ve had prayers: as there were onlv three of us, we disnensc'd with the rontineaf a rt'ifular service. The country we pa-sid diu'ing the three days' voyage, is the same, on\\ a little woi-se in appear- ance — rocks ajid swamps — but they Mid it was the country for furs and skins, to enrich thecoffcis of the fur irn^o. Monday, VMh. — At eight o'clock, arrived at the Jm'kson's Bay Mission Station, where I was welc:omly recei\ed by Mr. Steinhauer in charge of the station, wlio, with the people of his charge, were anxiously waiting for my arrival, but were quite disappointed when I informed them that I h.ad not come to sUiy. I found the mission premises, which have been hurriedly put up, in such a state as wo\dd require not less than £.50 to put them in a habibiblo and comfortable order. The evening after I arrived, I baptized an infant, which was suj)posod to be dying, but, since then, tho infimt has been doing well. Theie arc^ but a few Indians at the station at present. Their men are employed in boating for tho Company, and their families are at the Fort, where they are fed. Of course they will always be there on these conditions. One Indian house has been put up, und some more have cut and squared their tind)er ready for building their house's. When more houses are built, they will the mission staticm quite an iinproved ap- pearance. I find my friend, Mr. Steiidiauor, who is Labouring amo;ig this people under soiiit; disad- vantagc^s; though I have not the least doubt that he is doing all in his power to promote tlie good cause here, and that there is some fruit of his labour, lie is leaching the school ; ]ircaches to the people in their own language, (he is an Ojibway by birth,) and also preaches at tho Company's Fort, in English, for the benefit of the people in that establishment; and lie is also enixaged in the work of translating the Seriplures into the Cree, I say, therefore, that he is fully ((ualitied, as far as tliesc> things go; nor can I doubt of other and higher <pialifications indi.spe.i- s;il>ly necessary for being fully nirolled in tho ordv r of tli(» ministry. The jieople of his charge see the necessity of luiving among them an or- dained missiniiary, who may have authority to % marry, baptize them and their childnMi. To further Mr. Steinliauer's usefulness, he ought to be fidly set apart for the good vnrk, and be ordain h|, which would enhance! the ])rosperity of this mi.ssin,: st;ition so long as he may be here. I ho]ie. therefore, the day is not far distant when he will be fully set apart for tho work of the ministry. Sundtn/, 25///. — Another Sabbath day has come, and wc! cheeifully commence(l our work. At eight o'clock, tlicM-e was a Sundry School. try, hey Mid it wn« nricli the coffeis oolv, arrived at n, where I was nuer in charge of Ijis cliarge, rrival, but were cd them that I hich have been i woul<I require 1 habibiblo and after I arrived, w])|ioMod to be has btH3n doing t tlie station at I in boatinpj for ire at tlie Fort, ey will always Indian house ' havo out and building their built, they will iinprove<l ap- liauor, who is LT soiiii; disad- loast doubt o jiromoto the SOI 110 fruit of iiool ; ]ireache8 ipo, (1)0 is an eaclics at the tlio bonefit of and lie is also the Scriptures lat he is fully jo; nor can I iti<ins iudispea- rollcil in the e of his ohargp f tlicin an or- 3 authority to ohildiiMi. To *S ho ought to V oik, and be i> ])ros|p(!rity of ay Inj hero. I % ' distant when ^ work of the Imlh (lay has iccil our work, uidry School. 23 Though the nun:ber of soholai* was but few, yet it was pietising to see how well they said their lessons, and repeated the greater part of tho Wesleyan (Jatechisi^i, Nc. 1 ; and tliey sang well. At 11 o'clock, wo assombloi together. Mr. Steinhauer read the Sunday service of the Mcth- odisis and the lesson for the day, and I pi-oaehed with considerable freedom. The small congroga- tion were deeply attentive, and 1 trust that some good has been effected, which will appear here- after. At three o'clock, Mr. Steinhauer proach(>d ; and in the evening we had a prayer-meeting, when some of the Indians prayed. The little potatoe-fiolds of this mission station are looking very well. The Oxfoi'd, or Holy Lake, as it is called in the map, is a fine large lake, clear water. Fine trout are to bo found in its waters, and the finest white fish in the country. It is interspersed with numerous islands, >.oll wooded with good timl)er. Its main shores are high and rocky, and in some of its deep bays is p. dy good soil to be found, but the climate being too severe for raising any kind of grain; but jiotatoes may be matured at some seasons. These parts being what they call the lower coun- try, are rocky, but mostly swampy. However, about this lake there is a good deal of timber, the while or silvor piuo, which is sawn into boards, (tc, for building. Fridaij Morning, ^Olh Jiih/. — At four o'ckxik 1 loft tli(! Jackson's Hay Mission Station, where I remained nearly two weeks, and have had ocular observation of what is going on at this mission station. The distauco from the station to the Company's Kstablishinont is full twenty miles, which is one of the rjisadvantages atten- dant upon this station, too far fvorii tlu* l*'ort. At about twelve o'clock, arrived at Oxford House, vthere I was reeoived by Mr. Robertson, a Pi^st Jhister, in charge of this place. The Sabbath being t.io dose at hand, we determined toroinain till Monday. Tliei'^ voro a good number of Indians, and some having expressed their desire to lia''e their children baptized, so when Sunday came there was a good congregation, when Mr. Mason ]ireaclied in '.he moriiiiij:';, and baptize<l four children of a once most noted conjuror; and in the atlernoi>n wo had another Si.'i'vico, when the conjure , his wife, and oldest son came and otlered themselves for tli<! rite of baptism to bo administered to them, and ton eliildron besides, po thatsonietliing has been done to-day, and may (jod add his blessiiii'! Amen. SJo)iiI(V/ ^fnrni1l(|, 2n<l Axiju.tt, — Wo started from York Factory. Tlu; gi\>ater ]iart of the day we were going down in a circuitous river; ran many rapids f>r ripples of water, and only once lifted the canoes over a portage of about CO yards long, called the Trout Fall, and soon aft3r this, entorer' Rice Lake, wliicli u between forty and fifty miles, and passing the lake again, entered many portages and running places, and came to the Swampy Lake, about twelve miles long; at the end of which is the begin- ning of rapids and portages Lo the Hill, from which the river takes its name, and ptasing the Hill, we came to the jiart of the river called the Still Water, which continues for a considerable distance, till within a short distance of the liock — the last of the rajiids are falls and portages, in the Hill River, whence commences a continuous rapid g'^'.g at the rate of eight or ten miles per hour. From the Ro<'k to York Facttory is 100 miles, making, in all, from Norway House to the Fac- tory, 4;>() miles. Meeting with no remarkable incid<Mit on the voyage down tlie Hill River, and going down lightly in a small canoo, we of course went expeditii^usly ; and, soon passing the Hill Riv(.>r, camo to the junction with the Foxes River. Here the Ri\er iKKMmes wider and deeper, and the current is somewhat smoother, but equally strong as the. Hill River. After a few hours' piLssjigo down the Foxes River, we came to whore it joins with a largo river, which they called Street River. Hero the riv-r is still wider at some ])lac<;s, a (piartc'r or half a mile wide. It looks fine to a stranger. Its high clay bank, white as snow from a distance, a Ktrangor would think that the laud on the top of the banks was good; but no. It is one continuous swamp as far as the eye can rench — all barren — only here and there a small cluster of stunted pine, and a few withered juniper, and, withal, this is the country of mosquitoes. The only plea.snre whicli a traveller experiences a'ong these rivers, through this swampy country, is to preserve himself, as b"st lie can, from being eaten up by these flies. ,11 former days this was the country for the rein- deer; but they are very scarce now-a-days, so also are ftir-boaring animals. The Steel River brought us to the end of our jonrney in this miserable country, and from wlieiico I am to return. The country from Ox- ford House is muel) the same as other parts already described, but. perha])s, much worse for its dismal and doKort-likc apjtearance — swamps, lakes, crooks, and rivers; in fact there is more water than dry land: hence the multitude of mosquitoes, which increase the miseries of travel- lini; in thiscountiy. On o'lr Olli day from O.vford House, we ar- rived at the general do]i6t, York Factory. Here are extensive warediouses, wherein English goods S4 are stored, imported from England, antl are in- tended for the whole of the Northern Department of the Hudson's Bay Territories; not that theie is a factory at York where g<X)d8 are manufac- tured, as people would naturally think by the word factory. At the time the shij) arrives from England, the place is quite lively, like some seaports in the civilized world. At York Factory there are numerous small white whales, which come up the river to wharfs of the establishments, and the people kill them to feed their dogs upon. Seals also are found here. The Polar beara are also very plentiful, and walruses along thf coast from either of the Fac- tories. In the seasons of spring and autumn, it is said geese and ducks are very numerous, and the Company send out hunters in those seasons who kill them by hundreds, and then salt them, which they serve out as rations to their people. I have not seen any of the Esquimaux here, but they are at Church Hill, where they trade. This is an out port of York Factory, in the northern direction from the Factory. The Esquimeaux are of a white complexion, and in their mode of living, they are exceedingly filthy. None of this people trade at the Factory. On the aiTival of Mr. Mason rnd niyseh' at York Factory, we were kindly received by W. MeTavish, Esq., the Governor of the Fort. We Btaid there a fortnight, and baptized over thirty persons; which number added to those baptized at Oxford Mission, make over sixty. Let the friei'ds of Missions rejoice ! even in the Hudson Bay Territories, where the cause hivs to contend with opposing influences, existing, perhaps, no where else, it is progressing. How attentive to the spoken word are the Indians of these Terri- tories. Ill the congregations there is no cough- ing, no going out and in, no sneezing with a whoop that in the woods would make an Indian dodge behind a tree and k)o!< tv.i his gun ; but every one is as quiet and still, as they would wish those to be to whom they themselves were speak- ing. Were gold as plenty as lead, a guinea would be of the same worth as a bullet, did it weigh as much. The people of Canada do not, nor the people of England, value the preached word as they should. Did they, as the Indians of Hud- sou's Bay, hear a preacher, perhaps, only once a year, tlu^y would be quiet and still enough during sei'vice. After anxiously waiting for the i.^rival of the Hudson Bay Conipain's annual ship, the Prince Rupert, it arrived on the 15th of August, on Sabbath, after morning service. Wo expected the Rev. .Tohn Byersoii, and wore much disappointed at not meeting him. I received a l(!tter from hin'i, per ship, in which he gave his reasons for not coming. 1 felt sorry that circumstances assumed such a fi>rm as to |»revent him from following up the Society's plans. 5 those baptized sixty. Let the 1 in the Hudson hiw to contend injr, perhaps, no I [ow attentive to I of these Terri- jre is no cough- neezing with a I make an Indian [ to his gun ; hut they would wish Ives were speak- a guinea would did it weigh as do not, nor the eached word as ndians of Hud- fips, only once a enough during } jwrfval of the Inp, the Pritice of August, on Vo expectod the u'h disappointed k'ttor from liini, reasons for not tanoos assumed n following up JOURNAL, &c, -RETURNING. [The following, the remainder of the Journal of my journey from the Hudson Bay Territories, is written from memory, as the original papen were lost in Lake VViuipeg. .« ■',> ■I On Monday,tho 10th, the Hudson's Bay Com- J)any's Express Canoe left for Canada. I applied or a jiassagc, hut wjis refused ; consequently had ,to gul a jiiivj'te conveyance. I was, however, aftered a passage to England in the Friace tupert. I had made arrangements with Mr. Mason, who Ihad given his canoe and men, to convey Mr. ""yerson, at our own charge, to Norway 1 1 ase and lied River; but those arrangements had to be set aside ; and procuring provisions, tfec, with till haste, in my own single canoe, and with two [lien, I turned my face homeward. Even at the ifar end of a long journey there is pleasure in roinji home. On the lOth, with the evening tide, which rises here ten ck twelve feet, we left York Fac- "v. The tide bore us along over twelve miles. [That night we slej>t on the beach. The night ins colli, and accustomed, for some time past, to variu bed-rooms, I did not slee]i much. 1 will describe our mode of travelling up York liver. The men alternately towed the canoe by ithhly fathom cod line. The tow-path is uot a planked one; rocks, stones, sand, and sonietinies Iwator breast high. Thus, for about a hundred [miles, and with a strong current pulling the (caiioe the other way, we travelled u[> York Hiver. [I walked nearly all the way, and tired enough I was when we got to the " Hock," which crosses the river like a mill-dam. A.t Fox River we came upon a flock of young wild geese. The geese could fly but a little, and we had a '' wila goose chase." Every man to his goose ; in water and out of watei', through brush, over b'ier, heads up, heels u]\ every man to his goose ! The banks of the River at this place are forty or fifty feet high, and in going down the River at this same place, in company with Mr. Mason, we killeil twenty geese. He was too stout to roll about the banks and bushes in chase, but perhaps did as iiv" ' service to the common good, with a canoe in tJie river, by piokinf;' up the dead as they I'olled down the steep bniik. The proceeds of this chase were six geese in ex- cellent condition. The chase being ended, we were ready for lunch ; so we set about it. A friend at the Fort had given nie three bottles of ginger beer; and as I ft'lt somewhat thirsty from the excitement of the chase, my cook, John, set about drawing the cork of one of the bottles. He apjicared to do it awkwai'dly, and as I was dubious of an explosion, I slopped him, saying, " Take care, John. Give it to me : Take care ! !" Pulling a cork— that was nothing; John could do that; perhaps had done it too often : but John and my hows-man, an ' elderly man, now were good mcndiers of Norway House Mission, and showed themselves, during the time they were with me, to be consistent Christians. What made the drawing of this cork dangerous, John wished to know ? His curiosity 30 \ \ ] . : was oxcitofl ; and, as I proceeded, he stood, with oi>on eyes and nioutli, looking over my shoulder. For, as much as I laughed during the goose chase, when I observed John, I felt inclined to laugh a little more. The confint'd JJeer- Spirit in the bot- tle began to hiss, a thought crossed me, when away wont the cork, with a jiistol repoit, missing John's tact' by about an inch; but the beer, it went right in. Poor John, was as frightened as the geese w(>re a few minutes beff)re, blinded and roaring, attempted, with wide-spread fingei-s, to stop the current; and, not much accustomed to handling the bottle, either of beer or else, by the time I got my hand on its mouth, the con- tents were gone. John would not venture to the canoe, where the remaining bottles were, until ho saw them carefully covered; and ever after avoided their corks jiresented, as he would the mizzle of a loaded ritle. As I have said before, the face of the country liereabouts is hilly, covered with marsh, and here and there, with low evergreens. This is the dominion of the rein-deer. Here begins an extensive beaver settlement. It continues up this river for alM)ut sixty miles. When travelling with a row-boat, the noise frightens the beaver, and they dive under water; but, as we had a light canoe, we saw them at evening and at day-bi'eak, going to and returning from their work on shore. They sleep during day, and chop, or gnaw during night. They cut from wands up to puli-s foiu' inches through, and from one to two ffifhnms long. A large beaver will carry a stick I would not like to shoulder, for two or three hundred yards to the water, and then float it oti" to where he wants to take it. The kimlrf of tree used are willow and poplar; the long leaf anil the round Iciif, prefer- ing the ].»tt<'r. The Canada beaNOi-s, where the pojjlir is larger, lumber on a larger scaK'. They cut trees over a f^ot through; but, in that case, ot'iV the limbs are used. About tv.o cords of "i.'ood serve Mr. Boaxcr and his family for the winter; but it is closer piled than the wood I have seen sold to some of our citizens at five dol- lars a cord. A beaver's house is largo enough to allow two men a comfort^ible sleeping room, and is very eliaii. It is built of sticks, stone>^, and mud ; and is well pkistered outside and in. The trovtel the beaver uses in plastering is his tail; a1 the lal)le it is considered a great delicacy. Tli'ir beds are made of chips, split as fine as the bru-h of a wooden broom, and is put in one cor- ner, and kept clean and dry. After the lark is stripped — the only jiart the beaver uses iis food— the >tii'k is carried off a distance from the house. Many of our good housewives might be nothing the w<.)i-se of readinsr a little about the beaver. The beaver in large rivers and lakes make do dams; they have wrter enough without; but in small creeks they dam up, and make a better stop water than is done by many of our millere. The jilace where they build their Jams is the most labour-saving sj)ot in the valley, and where the work will stand best. The dam finished — not a | drop of water escapes. This country abounds with beaver, and an Indian will kill upwards of j three hundred in a season. The skin of the I beaver is not worth as much now as it used to be, but their flesh is one of the main articles of food. We shot three in this settlement; and, as every voyager knows their flesh is good to eat, with the geese and the beaver wo fared well. A few evenings after we left the " Rock," while the men were on before me " tracking," that is, towing the canoe as before described, I observed behind a rock in the river that which I took to be a black fox. I stole upon it as quietly as possible, hoping to get a shot, but the animal saw me, and wading ti3 the shore, it tuined out to be a bear, who had been a fishing. The bear is a great fish- erman. His mode of fishing is rather curious. He wades into a current, and seating himself on his hams upright, the wiiter c<iming up to about his shoiddei-s, ho patiently waits until the little fishes come along, and, mistaking his black shaggy sides for a stone, rub themselves against him. He immediately seizes them, gives them a nip, and with his left paw tosses tht^m over his left shoulder on to the shore. His left paw is the one always used for the tossiug-ashore pjirt of his fishing. It is feeling he uses, not sight. The Indians say he catches sturgeon when spawning in shoal water — sometimes so shoal that their tails stick out; but the only fish I know of his being in the habit of catching are suckei's: tiiese in April and May, their R])awning s<\asc)ns, the bear m;»ke his daily food; breakfasting about eight, a.m., and making dinner and supper of one meal, about four, p. m. About thirty or forty suckei's serve him. In the spawning months he can catch that number in a few minutes. As s(X)n as he has caught a sufHcient number, he retires to the beach, and regahis himself on the most delicate part of the fish, that ])art immedi- ately behind the gills, throwing the rest away. The Indians freipiently shoot him •■'<en engageii in fishing. We now " made" as many portages as possible; that is, got over them with all speed. The por- tages on this route, are fiom a quarter of a mile to a mile, and over. Crossing a portage is a .serious aflhir. Some of my readttrs may not know wh.'it a portage is. A portage is the land that i divides lakes from lakes, and rivers from rivers, or ' the neck of a iieninsula formed by the bend of ' 1 lakes make no without; but in lake a better stop lur jnillere. The lams is the most , ami where the finished — not a 'ountry abounds kill upwards of ho skin of the i' as it used to be, 1 articles of food, t; and, as every i to eat, with the ^ell. 10 " Rock," while acking," that is, ibed, I ob^served liich I took to be lietly as possible, nal sjiw me, and )ut to ho, a bear, ir is aj^reat fish- 5 rather curious, itiiig himself on ling up to about s until the little his black sliaggy es against him. vos thorn a nip, im over his left left paw is the shore part of his not sight. Tlio ivhen spawning hoal tliat their . I know of his e snckere: these ng s«\'»st>ns, the nkfasting about d supper of one . thirty or forty ling months he V minutes. As lit number, he himself on the 'it ])art immedi- the lest a\\n\. I ■' 'leii engaged iges as possible ; lecd. The jior- artcr of a mile a j)ortagt' is a * may not know 5 tlk' land that s fi'om rivers, or by the bend of I 97 a river, or the sweep of a lake, and the circuits voyagers have to make to avoid waterfalls and rapids. To save time, canoe and every thing else are carried on our shoulders across these. A man is not required to caiTy more than ninety pounds doubled. Ninely pounds weight is called a " piece." Over every portage I carried my two " pieces", and some notion of the toil may be had, when I say that the portages are crossed (tenerally barefooted, and the paths are none of the smoothest. We are forced to go barefooted, bo- cause our feet are so frequently wet, that, did we wear boots, we would soon get so galled, that we probably would get so bad as to be unable to proceed. The clam-shells on the beach wound the feet more than any thing else does. At Knee Lake the portages are nearly all over, and it gave us great pleasure to sec its blue waters stretching out before us. In this lake we met thirty or forty of the Red River boats, going their last trip this season, for their fall goods, brought out by the Prince Rupert. We spoke those we passed in day-light ; but, as we pulled night and day, we passed many at night. T^re is pleasure in meeting with follow creatures in the wilderness, even to those who have passed much of their lives there alone. At Oxford House, Mr, Robertson, the gentle- mar in charge, received us kindly, and offered me any thing I wanted ; but as I was well supplied sJready, I thanked him and accepted nothing. Wo feared head winds more than any thing else, and when weather served, or the sky wore a threatening appearance, wo pulletl all night: always next day we felt wearied and stupid. Tims wo got to the head of Oxford Lake. We did not call at Jackson's Bay Mission for the sake of time ; it was late in the season, and we were going home. We pulled hard during the remain- der of the week, that we might reach Norway House Mission to spend the Sabbath there. Saturday night came, and we expected to have got to the Mission for moniing service, but we could not. We then attempted to got, in time for evening service, but the winds would not let us cross the lake ; and although, for the greater part of the day we were within sight of the Mis- sion, wo could not get there until ten o'cl(x;k, p.m. Mrs. Mason was in bed, and, not wishing to disturb her, I went up to my own old habitation, stand- ing omptj-, and kindling a fire, lay down until morning. In the midst of friends I slept alone. I felt dopro8so<l ; there was a sadness, a foding of coming ovil upon me, and to pass the night alone in my old hmiso, whore every thing spoke of those now l';ii', far from me, was my choice, for it accorded with my own feelings. 5 At day-light the Class-Leaders came to welcome me, and, wliilo breakfivst was getting r(>ady, we had a good Prayei- meeting. Mrs, Mason paid us every attention. The whole of Monday, the 30th of August was spent in preparing for our voyage up Lake Wini- peg; gumming canoe, washing linen, (fee. On Tuesday, ten o'clock, a. m., the p'oople as- sembled at our canoe, and we had a Prayer-meet- ing. Then parting with Mi's. Mason, and friends, we proceeded to Norway House, which is in sight of the Mission, and dined with the gentleman in charge. He was very kind to us, and gave me some things for the voyage. The afteiiioon was calm and beautiful, and, a; e had ha<l a good rest, and Avere apiu-ehensive of head a\ iiids, we pulled all that night. At sunrise next morning we attempted to land and breakfast, but the water was so shoal we could not, without having to wade a distance. The beach was of bright sand, and the sun was alx/at two hours up when I saw an object moving on shore ; it appeared to be a man ; and as we neared it, it appeared to make gestures 'to us. We were wearied and hungry, but, never- theless, thinking the stranger was in danger, or suft'ering, we pulled on towards liim. Judge of our surprise when we found him to be an enor- mous boar. He was seated on his hams; and Avhat wo thought his gestures, were his motions in raising himself on his hind l<'gs to pull lierries from a high bush, and with both his paws filled, sitting down again. Thus he continued, daintily enjoying his fresh fruit, in the position some of our lady's lap dogs are taught to assume, when asking a morsel from their mistioss. On we pulled, and forgot our hunger and ■.voariness. The bear still continued breakfasting. We got as close in shore as the shoal wat(!r would permit, and John tiiking my gun, a ddlible-barrol, leaped into the water and gained the beach. Some dead brush-wood lav between John and tin; boar, hidincf the bear from b.is sight. From our pcxsition off shore, we could see both ,Tohn and the lK\<ir. Ho now discovered us, and advanced towni(J us ; and John, not seeing him for the dead brush, ran along the boach towards him. The weaiinoss from pulling all night, and being so long without break- f;ist, and the reaction produced at seeing I'/ie bear, probably destroyed my presence of m'lid, for I remombo.'ed, only now, *hat the gun was loaded with heavj duck-shot onh", and you might as well with p.as meet a bear. John was in danger, and we strained at our i)ai'idlos; but as tin; boar was a very largo one, and wo had no other fire-arms than the gun John had, we would have 1 icon but poor help to John in the hug of a wouiide*^ bear. The bear was at tlio other side of the dry brush on the beach. John heard the drv bianches cracking bcfoio tho bruto, and lie doJgi'd into a hollow, iiniler a thick bush. Tho boar passed tho drv brush, and was ooursinti; aloiiij tho sand, but as ho piussed by where John lay, bang ! wont tho gun. Tho boar avhs struck. We saw him loap Uirough tho suioko on to the vory 8])()t where we saw John kist. We hold our bioath ; but, instead of tho cry of agony we OApcctcd, bang ! went tho gun agair .' John is not yet caught! Ourcanoo rushed through tho water. "We might yet be in time ; but my i>addle fell from my hand as I saw John pop head and shoulders al>ove a bush, and with a shout, point to the side of the log he stood upon. " There ho lies— dead enough !" Wo were indeed thankful to the Preserver ! The man who was somewhat scnred at a corked bottle of gingor-bocr could meet alone, with duck-shot only, a large, old boar, and kill bin), too. Here I learned, for the fii-st time, how to pro- serve meat, without salt, for a month, and have it then good and fresh as when killed. The men having to return to Norway House, their home, dug a hole in the swamp, about two and a hidf feet deep, put in the bottom a few dry boughs, then, putting in the bear's skin and about half the moa^ covered all up. When they returned they would take it home with them. We took about half the boar along with us — all the canoe would carry. We wore now in Lake Wiuij>og. None of us will ever forgot it. Again and again wore we wind-bound at its many points '"id several times were we nearly swami)ed. My department of tJie labour was bailing; this I jieiformed with a small kettle. No accident had e\er occurred to me on the water, and approhensivo of delay per- mitting the frost from the north to overtake us, we wore, porha]is„too venturesome. During the Cthand 7ih'<.)f September, we were wind-bound. On the 8th tho wind abated, and we again put out to the lake. Tho waves were high, but as tho wind hail gone down, we thought they also would fall. It was morning; we had not jus yet taken breakfast, and were about an hour and a half from our encamimicnt, doubling a point, when a wave t^truck us and half filled the canoe. We ran into the bay, bailed out, and again tinned to tlie Like. A ]ioint lay about a mile ami a half ahead. Piouiid this point and th<^ wind would b-^ almost fair. On we pulled, wet and cold. )w uncertain is the future ! We were nearly ■ -o milfts from shore when a wave struck us and : :' wo w ent. When I rose to the sui-face, I found the canoe bottom up, anil John astride on its stern. I struck for the stern, and grasping it in my arms hung on. The old man, my bows- man, hung on somewhere iiT)out the midships. Ho had the woret bold cf us throe, and, from his being more frequently under tho waves than John \ or I, he would be tho first to give out. I sjiid to | John, " Wo dio now." " Yes, Jolm replied, " we certainly ^^io now." I advised tho men not to j attempt swimming to shore, as tho water was so cold they would get faint and drown, but to hold on to tho canoo and we would drift ashore some | time. They promised to do so. I now saw that tho bowa-man was getting ex- 1 hausted ; his offoiia to resist and rise with the I heave of the wave, appeared to bo more and more > feeble. I asked iiim if ho were i)ropared to meet his God ? lie said, " I have prayed to him long, long ago." f lo was ready to dio. Both tho men were good Christians, members of iho Norway House Mission. The old man's eyes were closing when John reached forward his hand, and taking i him l)y tlio hair, at the risk of loosing his own [ hold, placed the old man's chin upon his knee, and kept it there, thus keeping his mouth out of j tho water. Wo thought that the old man was dead; but John, a hero, would not let his head drop, determined if w(^hould get to shore to bury his companion on tm; beach. I now felt getting weak, and that all hopo was over. I committed my soul and my family to God. I told John that I felt I was drowning, and that he must, if ho'could, save his own life. He replied that ho had no wish to live; if we] were drowned that ho would drown too. The I poor fellow's heart was like to burst, not for him- self, but for the old man and me. When I thought i of home, and the wants of the work, 1 did wish to Hvo. If my work was done I would dio, if \ not, all the water in the lake could not drown me. God's will be done. I was perfectly re'signed. I prayed, and as 1 prayed, suddeidy hojie of being i saved, hithei-to lost, filled my mind. I felt by an irrosistablo impression that we would not drown, | that we woidd jdl be saved. Nothing, that I saw, : had occurred to cause this, but I felt assured of its truth. The wind blew, the wa\es heaved, and we, like floating leaves, were tossed about as the j sti)rm willed. It was He who rules the winds, ' tho waves, and the hearts and strength of men — from him did we get our hope, and our strength. I felt so much revived that 1 began to paddle with my arm, and just as tho waves threw a paddle almost into John's hand, tho bows-man's eyes opened. I now felt merry, not that I could '; laugh, but very, very hajipy — thankfulness to God being the upmost feeling. We neared tho shore, and several times T let my feet drop to sound ; but no bottom. Still we neared the shore, and again and again did I sound, and at last found the bottom, but a few yards from the beach. fS^i 39 Tlie old iTiiin wns ouv fii-sl care — lio ooiiUl not wnlk iijuight. John and I loturiietl to save tli(! canoe, and on turning it up, found of all we Lad only my bedding. God was 'iidotMl good to us in this, for wo would have nutfored murli frojn (X)ld during night, had tho bedding not been re«tore<l to us. We knelt down on the beach and returned Him thanks. We now felt ourselves so much exhausted that we had to lay down on tlx; beflch, wet and a)ld as wo were, and rest. Wo picked up a few things that came ashore, among others a bag of biscuit, and about four pounds of ]ienecan. Our misfortune lost to mo my double-barreled gun, all my clothing, money and the goods I had to pay my voyagers, amount- ing to over £80 sterling. We continued our voyage. The allowance of tlie three men wore about two bites of penecan per day, and a little mush, which liad once been biscuit ; but I could eat nothing — my losses, and tlie shock I recei\ed from our danger, destroyed all sensation of hunger. In tliree days wo anived at Fort Alexander. The men did ample justice to whatever was set before them ; and, to confess tha truth, the sym- pathy of kind friends, and ]ilenty, brouglit back my own appetite witli an edge I'fuund ditliculty in turning. We were kindly received by Mr. Isbistor, the person in charge. I cannot say too much of the liitidnoss of Mrs. W. Sinclair. Mr. W. Sinclair had a good stock, and his benevolent lady ])res.«ed me to take, without ])rice, all that I needed for the remainder of my journey. I had often heard of her kindness; but never proved it imti' now. I accejjted tw(j shirts, one neck 'kerchief, and a few other things, and had to refuse her many, many ofters, as I couM not conscientiously take what I really did not want. Here I paid to John and the bows-man their losses, caused by the upsetting of the ea-joe; and after prayer we parted. 1 might here siiy, that we had daily prayer through all the journey, and with tli(! families of the various forts we called a'. I felt sorry to part with the men who hud served me so faithfully, and so long. Here we J.,"! ted ; they to their homes, and me to my home. Home, though it is a bark wigwam, is a place to love ! I *i T WKSLEYAN MISSION AT llOSS-VILLE HUDSON'S DAY TERRITORIES. i -^i Tlio Mi-siou Villngv of Ro.ssvillr, in the IIiiJ- soil's J?iiy Ten iturios is Htiialcd ul'uiit tliia; luiliv. from Norwiiy-llouse, one of tho j)riiici|)a! trading eatiibliyliiiicnts of tho lludaon's liny Company, at the iioilliern oinl of Lake Winipej;, Tlie Station wiis commeiieed in S»'|jtoiiilior, 1H4U, hy tlio hito Ki'V. ,lainc.-j Kvaiis. Having wieetod a sito for tlio cifctiou of Miasion-prcmises and dwoHinirdiouses for thi> native eonviTts, he found the s[)iit thirldy covered with jxtphirs and uiuler- wood ; but, witli the iiel|' of Peter Jacohs, tlie Native Teaeher, aided by the Indians C(jnnected with tlie post, he s(jon succeeded in clearing the wilderni'ss ; and bel'ore the winter set in, ten com- fortable house** liad been laised, to which a mis- sion house was added \>y the Honourable Com- pany, The Indian'; f<v whose benetit the Station was espe(Mally designed, are a ])artof the S\vam])y Cree tribe ; wme of whom find i)crmaiu'nt em- ployment JL-* iishcrnicn, boatmen, and labourers, m the service of tho Company, while others pro- cure tticir subsistence by hunting tho fur-bearing animals with which the country abounds, the skins of which they sell ti> the Company's agents. Four months jireviously to tho commencemont of the Station, the Rev. R. T. Rundle had ai'iived at the Norway- House on his way to the Sascat- chewan district ; and while awaiting the arrival of Mr. Kvans, to take charge of the Mission, ho opened his commission, by preaching in English to the Cuni])a!iy'soflicersand clerks, and address- ed the Indians through tlie medium of an inter- preter. On the first occasion of bis proclaiming the Gospel to tho Indians, about one htindred 1 were present, who manifested gioat attention whilst he unfolded to them the]ilan of redeeming love. On that very day some of them applied to him for baptism ; but wishing to instruct them ^ further in the things of God, he declined comply- ing with their request for a season. Tho Indians j appeared to be a peojde jMepareil of the Lord. Donald Ross, J]sf|., tlio Company's oflicor, the 1 gentleman after whom the village received its name, J had taken great pains in endeavors to civilize them ; and ho had been evidently rendered very useful in preparing them to receive the word of j truth. Before Mr. Evans reached tho post, seve- j ral of the Indians wore under deep co;icern for I the salvation of their immortal souls, and one, a female, had been made a happy believer in Jesus, The Indians now came from a distam-o to hear the word ; and it was no uncommon sight to ;| see groups of penitents, of every age, weeping under the subduing influence of the Spirit's power. Being united in Church fellowship, the'" steadily advanced in Christian knowledge and ]iiety, and demonstrated to those around, that the grace of (Jod can change the savage into aj saint. Simultaneously with liislaboui's in the! formation of the village, the eflbrts of Mr. Evans g wore diiected to the adoption of measures for the still further diffusion of Divine truth. Having | invented syllabic characters, by which the reading | of the Cree language might be greatly facilitated, he succeeded, after encountering many ditticulties, in cutting punches, casting type, and printing, 31 it one handled great attention all tji' rodeeiiiing f them appUed to histruct them ecliiied comply- TIio Indians of the Lord, ly's otlicer, the eoeivedibiiiaTne, OPS to civilize y rendered verj' va the word of the post, seve- 'eji concern for Mils, and one, a ii'ver in Jesus, islain'o to hear imon sight to age, weeping the Spirit's illowsliip, the*" nowlcdgo and around, that ><avage into aj abotim in the of Mr. Evans leasuves for the uth. Having ich the reading atly facilitated, any ditliculties, and printing, i)f with hia own hand, losson-books, hymns, and^por- tions of the holy Scriptures, «fec. Many of tlie Indians and children (juickly acquired the art of reading, and learned to sing with fluency our beautiful hymns. The summer of 1842 was unfavourable to agricultural improvements ; but the religious I state of the mission was encouraging. The num- I ber of residents on the station increaseil ; and the 8ch(K)l was in a prosperous state; the average I attendance being tifiy-five. The Company I erected a school-house at the village, and the 1 foundation for a chapel was commenced. I The Ilossville settlement consisted in the au- Itumn of 1844 of thirty dwelling-houses, a chapel [ill course of erection, a school-house, and work- shop. Industry arlvanced under the influence of Christianity ; the cultivation carried on by the inhabitants gave promise of a productive harvest ; of barley, turnips and potatoes, tlie only crops which the rigour of the climate perinitt*.'d them i to cultivate. The Mission-gardeu couuneiiced in I the spring, atibrded a constant 8Ui)ply of fresh vegetables for the families of the Missionaries during the summer, tvs well as store-potatoes for the long winter, andseedforthe following spring. The gardens of the children in the school, Mr. Mason stated in a communication to the Commit- tee, looked well, as also the giuxlens and tields of barley throughout the settlement. But, what was infinitely more important, the people ad- vanced in spiritual attainments. Their regular attendance on the means of grace, their consistent behaviour, and the ardent tlesiro they manifested for the salvation of their fellow-countrymen still in heathen darkness, showed them to be j)osse8sed , of those sacred principles which had made them I new creatures in Christ Jesus. The church, erected by the Jiasistance of the Company, wiis opened for divine service in 1846, I ami impro\ed the appearance of the village, as well as greatly ])r<jmoted the comfort of the Min- isters !ind worshippers. Being anxious to estab- I lish a Manuel-Labour School, Mr. Evans procured from the Red River settlement, a female teacher , to instruct the girls in spinning ; and Ilis Excel- ilency, Sir (Jeorge Simpson, the Governor of the ' Company's Territories, generously supplied eight- ty-eight pounds of wool, the fli'st ever spun at Kossville. The summer and fall of this year were very favourable for the gardens, which produced nearly one thousand bushels of potatoes. They ini|)roved much in civilization. They were clean and neat in their ptreons, and their houses exhibited an air of comfort. When assembled in the house of Ood on the Sabbath, the Missionary rei)orted, their deportment and a))pearance are 8uch that it would have been diflicult to decide whether it was an asseiiilly of whites, oxce]»tiiig for the deep brown colour of their skin. The power and presence of God were fell in tin; pub- lic miniHtrations of the sanctuary, as well as at l»rayer-meetings and more ptivatc means of grace ; and the church-members progressed in knowledge and holiness. The schools were in a flourishing state, and j)romi8ed, at no distant jieiiod, to fur- nish native agents for employment < n the Mis- sion, yiom Donald Ros.>i, Es<|., the Missionaries received unremitting kindness ; and the interests of the people were promoted by that gentleman to the utmost of his ability. A Mission-press was sent from England at the close nfiluj year, much to the joy of the Mis-^^iunaries, who had long and anxiously looked for such a menus of carrying the light of the Gospel to the dark places surrounding them on every hand. The Indians on the Statitjii W(.'ie reported, in 1846, to be persevering, generally in the paths of piety, and the w(irk of (n>(l piospeie'd. The school was in a promising state, and the j)it)giess of the youths and chiMieii was satisfaehjiy to the Missionary, and did credit to the Teachers. The young females Avere advancing in the know- ledge of domestic duties. Tlu' lemale Teacher engaged during the i)re\ious ye.-ir had succeeded in teaching several of the girls to sjiin, and to knit stockings, gloves, and mittens, and to make straw hats and bonnets. Space does not permit that we should continue the history of the Station through succes-sive years; but its gratilying state at the present time ia shown in the following extract of a comniunica- tion from the liev. William Mtison ; who writes under date of August 19th, 1852 : — Never were our Missions more prospoi'ous, and never were our circumstances more calculated to inspire hope. We all feel encouiage'd, and, with renewed faith and trust in God our Saviuur, are we determined to prosecute our woilc of mercy ; for the progress of our Missions is truly encour- aging. There is a gradual iinprovenit'iit going on in the experience and knowledge of Divine things in the members of Society. Their up- right and consistent conduct, their stcadlastness and diligent attention to religious, and (onscien- tious discharge of relative duties, both at home and when hunting, cannot fail in gi\ ing witisfac- tion and encouragement to all who tjike an inter- est in the spiritual and temporal v.elfyre of the poor aborigines of these extensive Territories. Heathenism has received its death blow, and falls before the power and influence of the Gospel. Priestly incantations and Indian juggling have ceased : the conjurora themselves are asking for baptism at the hands of the Missionaiies. The •.V day bcforo tlio nrrival of the Rev. Peter Jacol)8, 1 ! ablo Cdinpany'r' oHicci-s, — a list of whioli I now iitliiiittc(l into tlu' visible church of ChriHt five forward you fur due insertion. (The transfeiy will ajipear in the CoMi[)anyV account next year.) Our ciperatiouH in the jtrintitifij department have be»>n soniewhat retanleil bv the want of a ehil(hen of the Chief «if a few ninaining I'agans of iNorway House. At Jackson Hay and Oxford- House wo baptised thnty -four souls.* We have one hunilred and twenty in Society at Ross-Vilie, and ten on trial : tlios'liool is also prospering. Since the arrival t)f Mr. James Isbister, fi'om Neison-Uiver, (wlioso diligent and iK-njevering application to the duties of his ollice I cannot but commend,) the children have made rapid pro- gress. There are seventy-four scholars, divided iuto ten classes, who ar<^ taught reiding, writing, arithtnetic, and singing. Many of the children love the school, and beg to remain at the village, when necessity compels their jtarents to leave, that they may go to school. Their g(K)d conduct and regular !lttendance are truly iiloasing, and wo have every reason to hi>po that they will be a blessing to the laud of their birth ; certain it is, tliey will be nmch more intelligent than their fathers ; but we never forget that grace alone can renew tlie heart, and make them new creatures in Christ Jesus. Our church has undergone repaiis. During tlie winter we sawed timber for weather board- ing, which was jilaned in tlie spring, and put up. The building now k)ok8 very well, and will last for years, as it hv, been painted both inside and out. Towards defraying the expenses incurred, I am glad to acknowledge the liberal contribu- tion of George Hamston, Esq., of .£5 ; and also £2 for prizes to tlu; school-children. The Chris- tian Indians gave three days' work each, and some are becoming (piite expert joiners. A great stitmdus was given to the children's progress in learning, and to the; mission generally, by the interest which George Harnston, Esq., hiis taken in the i>rosperity of our caus<.% and by the very liberal contributions of some of tlie Honour- • Morctimn eight hundred bnptlsitu nre rrKistrred on this Ptntion since the commencercnt oliUic Mission in the year printer and an ink-ball ; }et notwithstanding, wi' managed to take otf an eilition of St. .lohn'H Gospel, six copies of which 1 now forward you. This will be a great blessing to our Indians, especially when far away from their hcmies and the appointed means of grace, endeavouring to obtain food, and clothing for their families by the only means these cold and desolate regions atlbrd, namely, liunting. Our Indiatis are fond of reading, and highly v.'due the books printed in the syllabic characters, a knowledge of which they soon ac(juire. This adilitional piiblicatioii will bo to them a rich mine of spiritual wealth, imparting light to their mtnds, consolation to their hearts, and will lead them to hope anil prepare for a better and brighter world above. VVo need help in this department; for we are quite out of our Hymn- Books, Prayer-Books, Catechisms, translations of which works are ready for a second and third edition. My own proper work, thank (lod, I have been enabled to perform during the pjist year without ! intenriission : preaching once in English to the "^ residents of the Company's Fort, Norway-Hous«\, and twice in Indian at Ross-Ville, every Sabbatlu In both places the congregations are good, and! the people give great attention to the word of I life. Our school examination, conducted by f George Barnston, Es*]., was a very interesting iKcasion ; .£10 in goods and provisions wercj distiibuted ; and truly sorry we were that Mr.i Jacobs ImC not arrived to enjoy the scone. I forward you, also, by this opportunity, two ' letters from the Sascatchewan, one from Jamcx '| Hope, and the other from Batosh ; the earnest j nnd touching appeal for lielp I hope will be met by our Conference in Canada. Another priest ^ has gone up there this summer. i 1=31=' OMiSSiON. rfhi^ followiilg was omitted in printing; the forc^oinK Journnl. It thniild hnvc been inantcd on the lUlh page. I Tile umisaioii is there indicated liy thi- tiiarH. \Vli(jii wo came t^ the nioutli ot'tlic river, wo Lil lo |)flA8 through niarahcs ubnut (3 Piilcn l'>iig, V'l'orn wo arrivod at the real banks ot' t\n'. riviT. )iulis arovcry niiiiu'rouH here <luriiij^ tho Huinmer i-iiwin. (it'cxo arc only seen hero in the spring lar^io bandn. About H niilnH from tho nioiitli ' tht' rivor coinmetKH'!* tho Indian Sottlenicnt, hich was founded by tho lio\. Williuni (kn-h- jif, Olio of tho Missionaries sent out to this coun- by the Cliurcli Missionary Soiicty. Tho liole, Indian Settlement is about four miles in kiif^tli, tho up|ier part of whicli is sotthfd by the luscaigoes, and tho lower part by tho ('hippo- iiVB. Tile Miis<;aig(Mis occu])y most of tiie ground, lid their Mission and (!hurcli look most beauti- Tin! hmises are built on both »id<'» of the jver. From the mouth of tho river to tho upper Ind of tho Indian S<.'ttlemeiit, there an- 12 niilos, [nil from this to tho Lower Fort Garry, are 6 Viiles. This Fort belongs to the Hudson's Bay uinpany. All tho houses are l>uilt of stone, id they are fortified by a stono wall around them, ihieh is about 9 feet high. This would not stand veil against a well disciplined army with cannon, i>r they could ou«ily throw up temporary ladders lind scale the walls. The banks w\wn) this Fort situateil, aro the highest in tho settlement, so is no fear of a flood overtlowing the banks, i'roni this Fort, to the White Horse Plain, which about 48 miles distant, houses aro to be seen along the rivor, especially on the west side, — Ine farms and excelletit laud aro to be seen all le way. The farmers here do not manure their aelds; they say that if they would manure them le wheat would grow up into stalks, without any piim. This plainly shows tho great richness of {lie S(.>il. The soil of tho whole country is of a lark looray clay. On the west side of the river kre prairies, extending many miles bsick, with lery few trees imd a little scrubby oak and poplar. The ])rairie8 appear to tho traveller's eye as an imcns^^ ocean. There is nothing to attract the Attention of the eye. I believe that the whole rio country for hundreds of miles towards tho cky Mountains, is excellent soil and rich coun- try. In tliese jn-airies of the western world there |s room fur a million or more of farmers — I mean Uo whole prairie country on tho east side of the locky Mountains, where thousands of buft'aloes ^0 on the British Territories, and more so on ^he American Territories. Mut there is no tim- to bo found in the plains, and therefore if aen would settle hero, they would have to build ieir houses of brick. On the flat.s of ]\amI Rivor, from the Lower Fort |(iarryand upwards, grow largo elm trees; this is [the only hard timber worth speaking of. Tho [distance boLweiiU tho Lower Fort Garry and the Upper Fort Garry is 18 miles. This Uj)per I Fort Garry is situated on tho banks of tho Assi- nibonie River, which falls into the. Rod River, and is a much stronger fort than the other. A.11 [the houses are built of wood, except two, which built of stone. In the sumraer season the iutiful. There are four Clmrches in the whole sottle- meiit, belonging to the (Jlmrch of England, tho largest of which is St. Andrews, at tho Grand Kajdds. 'J'his is a beautiful building of stone. Another idiiirch is about to be built by the Church MiKsioiiary Six-iety on tho Assinibonio River; and juvjiarations aro made I y tho Pros byterian community for erecting a church at the Frog Plain, wliich is jibout five miles below the Upper l''()rt (larry. Mr. Black, the Presbyterian clergyman, is an excellent man. It is not quite a year since he came to the settiement from Caiiad.'i. There are five clergymen ol' the Church of England and a Bishop named David Ander- son, wlio is a very giXHl and kin<I iian. He is doing all lie can for the Indians. There is also a Roman Catholic Bishop and three or four Priests. When I camo to the settlement, I found tliat th«ire had been a flood this spring in the settle- ment. Nearly every day during the lloixl, houses, barns, «kc. were seen floating down the river from the upper part of the settlement. T le sight was really awful. The settlers wore obliged to leave their houses and property and tent out on the hills and mountains around them. Very much property was lost on the whole; but only one life was lost, and this was the servant of the Bishop. It will be long before the inhabitant ; of the set- tlement are in the same condition as formerly. 'J'imber is now ver' scarce, and it mu^t be brought down from the Pen bina, wliich is 60 miles from tho settlement, before any houses are built. It is a great pity tliat the inhabitants of this place make not their houses of brick inst( ad of woodj for they would stand much longer, and they would bo nearly as cheap as wood ho ises. Many of the inhabitants, however, on the lower pai-t of the settlement, are now building itone houses. There aro 17 wind mills and 2 water mills^ There ;iro 7 or 8 schools in the setthraent. Tha gentlemen and ladies that come to church, come in high style — that is, with their he ises, and car- ri.igcs and buggies of the London make : and many of them caine on horseback. Most of those gentlemen are those who retired from the service of iho Hon. Hudsou^s Bay C jmpany, for- merly called Chief Factors and Chief Traders* The Company have two largo store J in tho set- tlement, one at the Upper Fort and one at the Lower Fort, where they have warehouses filled with all sorts of merchandise, and liquors of dif- ferent sorts. The wines are c^ the superior kind. The gentlemen of tho Company have everything pretty much their own way. Formerly wild buffliloes used to be found in the woods at the mouth of ^ " Rive-, and on the prairies along the River, but none are now to be found within 20 days' journey of the S. W. side of the Settlement, :t's tiw.y have been driven away and killed ; but moose and reindeer are still to be found in the woods at the mouth of Red River. They are also pretty numerous in Lac La Pluie District. I