LETTER FROM MR. RAE. 133 



Fort Confidence long before the snow begins to melt. I 

 will thank you to furnish them with five or six memo- 

 randa in waterproof cases, with directions to plant them in 

 conspicuous places at the mouth of the Kendall, Flett's 

 Station, Fort Confidence, and elsewhere. 



" These precautions may prove to be unnecessary, as 

 Ross's party will most likely, early in their march, discover 

 some of your landmarks, and learn, by the notes you have 

 left, your intention of quitting Fort Confidence this season, 

 and thereupon turn back to the ship. But, at a small ex- 

 pense, if the Indians carry their instructions out fully, they 

 will save the party, should it come on, from having to make 

 the long journey round Bear Lake without assistance. 



" I remain, &c. 

 (Signed) "John Richardson. 



"P.S. Mr. M'Pherson recommends Tecon-ne-betah for 

 this service." 



Extract of a Letter from Mr. Rae to Sir John Richardson. 



"Portage La Loche (Methy P.) 

 July 30. 1850. 



" When the winter packet arrived and I received your 

 instructions respecting the establishment of an Indian 

 party on the Coppermine, the Martin Lake Chief Tecon- 

 ne-betah was at Fort Simpson, and I had no difficulty in 

 engaging him to pass the summer at certain stations on 

 the route between the Kendall and Bear Lake. He 

 received three notes which were to be delivered to any 

 Europeans he might meet, in which the strangers were 

 requested to put themselves wholly in the hands of the 

 Indians, who would guide them by the best road and feed 

 them by the way. In the event of his not seeing any 



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