﻿1848. SEND OFF DESPATCHES. 337 



order. I could there enjoy the luxury of a fire 

 while I was preparing despatches for the Admiralty 

 and writing my domestic letters, though the walls 

 not being as yet clayed, the snow drifted in between 

 every log. The 16th of September was employed in 

 writing, and on the 1 7th, being Sunday, we assem- 

 bled in the hall, where I read divine service and 

 returned thanks to the Almighty for our safety. 

 The fishermen who were stationed about five miles 

 from the house came in on this day, so that the 

 whole party were met together. The Canadians, 

 though Roman Catholics, were present on the oc- 

 casion ; and most of them regularly attended our 

 Sunday services in the winter. In addition to the 

 party from the coast, Mr. Bell had with him here 

 fourteen men, with three women and four children ; 

 so that we had in all forty-two souls to provide for, 

 exclusive of Indians coming casually on our store. 



On Monday, the 18th of September, the packet 

 of letters was placed in charge of Frangois Chartier 

 and Louis La Ronde, who were directed to carry it 

 on without delay to Isle a la Crosse, where the wife 

 of the latter resided. Henry Smith, Josephe Plante, 

 and Henry Wilson, Canadians, accompanied them 

 for the purpose of wintering at the fishery on Big 

 Island, Great Slave Lake ; and with them I sent the 

 following men of the English party, whose services 

 could be well dispensed with at our winter quarters : 



VOL. I. z 



