run IMI.V\K\ OBSERVATKllffl 31 



pleasant sheet of water of tome ten milet in extent, receives a 

 small but narrow crock at its head, noted for its helices, which 

 is ■sc en de d to a small lake terminating a tew hundred yards 

 seal of the Little Winnipec Lake of the Mississippi. The portage 

 i* through a fine forest By taking this route the circuitous 

 -tuth bend of the Mississippi, at the entrance of the LeechUke 

 branch, was avoided, and the better part ofadoy's travel saved. 

 Day light was Still undiminished, when the j> rty Peached the 



minor trading post of Winnipec House, where they encamped. 

 The following queries were put to the Clerk in charge of this 



post. rcs]>cctin£r the opposition trade, and the traffic in ardent 

 spirits. 



1st. Do the Hudson's Bay Clerks cross the American lines 

 from the post of Rainy Lake, for the purposes of trade I Ans. 

 No. They furnish goods to Indians who go trading into the 

 American territories. 



2d; Do the Partners, or Clerks of the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany, present fla^s and medals to Indians? An<. F< 3. 



Sd. Do they irivc such flags and medals to Indians living 

 within the American lines I Ans, No. I have heard that they 

 took awav an American flag niven to an Indian on the United 

 States' borders of Rainy Lake, tore it. and burnt it, and gave 

 him a British flag instead. 



lth. Was the Hudson's Bay Company's post on Rainy Lake, 

 supplied with ardent spirits last season J (i. e. 1831 and 189 

 Ans. It was. Thev had about sixtv kc<rs of liiirhwines, which 

 were shewn to some of our Indians, who went there, and Mr. 

 Cameron, the person in charge of the post, said to them, that 

 although their streams were high, from the melting of the snow ^. 

 th<y should swim as high with liquor if the Indians required it. 



5th. What is the usual strength of the hiffhwines ? An-. 

 One keg a reduced to four. 



6th. Have the Indiana sent on derwm by the Hudson's Bay 

 1 :npany, approached near to your post I Ans. They have 



