XXX 



INTRODUCTION. 



obtaining, at the Assiniboin colony, one of the most experienced pilots of the 

 settlement. And here it behooves me to acknowledge the aid and kindness we 

 received at the hands of the Governor and British officers at that post. 



Before starting on the expedition, I had obtained from Mr. John F. Cramp ton, of 

 the British legation at Washington, a letter commending me to the good offices of 

 the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company, and which procured for us a most hos- 

 pitable reception at the settlement. 



On our arrival at the mouth of the Assiniboin, Governor Christie, then acting 

 as Superintendent of Affairs of the Hudson Bay Company and Governor of the 

 Colony, invited us to make his house our home, during our stay on Red River, and 

 entertained us in the kindest manner. I have to acknowledge the attentions paid 

 to our party by the officers stationed both at the Upper and Lower Forts. 



Governor Christie aided us, by every means in his power, as well in procuring a 

 fresh supply of provisions, as in recommending to us the men best qualified to 

 manage a canoe, and to guide us over the difficult and dangerous return route upon 

 which we were about to enter. 



While detained at the Assiniboin Colony by these preparations for our return, I 

 had an opportunity of making a short visit, which pleased me much, to a settle- 

 ment of about five hundred Cree Indians, residing below the colony, at Prince 

 Rupert's Landing. They are decidedly the most civilized tribe which I have seen 

 or heard of in the North. These Indians support themselves mainly by the pro- 

 duce of their farms, which they cultivate with their own hands. They dwell in 

 comfortable, squared-log buildings, erected, thatched, and whitewashed by them- 

 selves. They are acquainted with the use of the simpler farming utensils, and the 

 mechanical operations necessary to keep their farms and houses in order. Each 

 family cultivates from five to ten acres of land, which is kept well fenced. They 

 mow their own hay, and feed their cattle on it in the winter. A few occasionally 

 hunt during a month or more in the summer, when their crops do not require 

 much attention ; but this is more for recreation than for support. Some of the 

 men occasionally contract with the Hudson Bay Company to transport their goods 

 to and from York Factory on Hudson's Bay. 



The remarkable change in the habits and customs of these Indians has been 

 wrought mainly through the force of example, by Mr. Smithhurst, who resides 

 among them as missionary, and who is thoroughly conversant with their language. 

 That gentleman is remarkable for his love of order and arrangement, and is devoted 

 to agriculture and horticulture. His house is situated in the midst of a delightful 

 little flower-garden, kept in beautiful order, with flourishing fields of grain and 

 meadows in the rear. The Indians, having continually before their eyes so pleasing 

 and practical an example of the comforts of a civilized life, as well as an illustra- 

 tion of the means by which, in a rigorous climate, they may be enabled to provide 



