OF THE POLAR SEA. 211 
morning of our being in the country, we found 
him prepared to receive us with great kindness, 
and ready to afford every information and assist- 
ance, agreeably to the desire conveyed in Mr. 
Simon M‘Gillivray’s circular letter. This gen- 
tleman has twice traversed this continent, and 
reached the Pacific by the Columbia River ; he 
was, therefore, fully conversant with the different 
modes of travelling, and with the obstacles that 
may be expected in passing through unfrequented 
countries. His suggestions and advice were con- 
Sequently very valuable to us. Not having been 
to the northward of the Great Slave Lake, he had 
no e of that line of country, except what 
he had gained from the reports of Indians. He 
was of opinion, however, that positive informa- 
tion, on which our course of proceedings may 
safely be determined, might be procured from the 
Indians,that frequent the north side of the lake, 
but not before the spring when they come to the 
forts. He recommended my writing to the partner 
_ in charge of that department, requesting him to 
collect all the intelligence he could, and to pro- 
vide guides and hunters from the tribe which is 
best acquainted with the country through which 
we proposed to travel. 
To our great regret, Mr. Stuart expressed 
much doubt as to our prevailing upon any expe- 
P2 
