two barrels of gunpowder, a keg of spirits, and two pieces of tobacco, with pemmican for sixteen days. The crews of the canoes were not completed before the 11th of June; and a heavy storm of wind and rain prevented Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood from leaving Cumberland House till the 13th, on which day they entered the mouth of the Sturgeon river, on their route to Isle à la Crosse and Fort Chipewyan. Their arrival at the latter post is thus noticed by Lieutenant Franklin:
“July 13th. – This morning Mr. Back and I had the sincere gratification of welcoming our long separated friends, who arrived in perfect health, with two canoes, having made a very expeditions journey from Cumberland, notwithstanding they were detained near three days in consequence of the melancholy loss of one of their bow-men, by the upsetting of a canoe in a strong rapid. The zeal and talent displayed by Dr. Richardson and Mr. Hood, in the discharge of their several duties, since my separation from then), drew forth my highest approbation. The Canadians whom they brought were most desirous of continuing with us, and we felt great pleasure in being able to keep men who were so zealous in the cause, and who had given proofs of their activity on their recent passage to this place, by discharging those men who wore less willing to undertake the journey.
“July 18th – The stores were distributed to the three canoes. Our stock of provision unfortunately did not amount to more than sufficient for one day’s consumption, exclusive of two barrels of flour, three cases of preserved meat, some chocolate, arrow-root, and portable soup, which we had brought from England, and intended to reserve for our journey to the coast next season. It was gratifying, however, to perceive that this scarcity of food did not depress the spirits of our Canadian companions, who cheerfully loaded their canoes, and embarked in high glee, after receiving the customary dram.”
On the 29th of July, Lieutenant Franklin and his party reached Fort Providence, in lat. 62° 17' 19" N., long. 114° 9' 28" W., which was the last station of the N.W. Company, and exclusively occupied by them; the Hudson’s Bay Company having no settlement to the northward of Moose-Deer-Island, where the expedition had halted for two days, and obtained a small supply of dried meat.
On the 1st of August, the Indian guides set out for the mouth of the Yellow Knife River, where they were joined, on the 3d, by Lieutenant Franklin and his companions, all
