134 TRANSACTIONS OF THK CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. I. 



Soon after the departure of the Indians, His Excellency, Mr. Cowan, and 

 the gentlemen of his party embarked in one of Cowan's large canoes, 

 worked by five Canadians, (leaving the rangers, &c., at the encampment) 

 intending to visit Penetanguashin, a place supposed to be a good harbour 

 for vessels. The wind blew so fresh that we could not effect our purpose, 

 especially as we had a wide traverse to make. We, however, landed upon 

 an island called by Mr. Cowan, " Place la Traverse." We got to a point 

 opposite to it, and had an ample view of it, and from its appearance and 

 the account Mr. Cowati gave of the depth of water, I believe His Excellency 

 was satisfied with its suflSciency for the reception of vessels of eighty or 

 ninety tons. To judge from the wood, the land about it seemed to be very 

 good. It lays about six miles within Matchetache Bay, and nearly nine 

 miles from Mr. Cowans'. We walked a mile and a half or two miles further, 

 and had a fine view of Lake Huron, then returned to the canoe and dined- 

 After dinner reembarked, the wind beieg fair, hoisted sail and arrived at 

 our encampment about an hour after sunset. 



6th. — Between nine and ten o'clock left our encampment, launched our 

 canoes, and set off on our return home. Put in at the point where we had 

 met the Indians on the morning of the 4th instant, and His Excellency 

 gave them the keg of rum agreeable to his promise. After some little 

 ceremony on their part in wishing us favorable weather and a clear day, &c., 

 we pushed off from shore, upon which they saluted as they did the day we 

 arrived in the bay, and we answered as before with three cheers. Paddled 

 on and soon arrived at the carrying place ; brought everything across and 

 without halting pursued our journey, went about five or six miles further 

 on, and landed upon an island. One of our Indians getting sick, Mr, Givens, 

 with a white man and the other two Indians, returned to the point to bring 

 back the sick man and get another in his place ; but before they got down, 

 the Indians on the point had paid their devoirs so very attentively to the 

 rum keg that th(;y had not the use of their limbs or reason. Finding that 

 none would come with him, and expostulation being vain, he put the sick 

 man on shore, pushed off, and joined us in the evening. Finding it too 

 late to proceed after Mr. Givens' return we encamped where we were. 



7th. — Got everything on board before sunrise. In consequence of our 

 losing an Indian the preceding day, the one that was in my canoe was 

 removed to the Governor's, and one of the rangers sent in to mine in lieu. 

 Paddled up the river and got over two carrying places, upon the second of 

 which we breakfasted, the same on which we dined on the 3rd. After 

 breakfast His Excellency and the gentlemen of the party crossed to the 

 opposite side of the river to view a fall which could not be seen from that 

 we were upon. Having satisfied our curiosity we recrossed, embarked 



