{ 19 ) 
11 —JVotice of the Attempts to recicli the Sea by 
3Iacken{zie's River, since the Eocpedition of Sir 
Alexander Mackenzie. 
{Read llth November 18S1.) 
J HE North-West Company first established a fur-post 
on the banks of Mackenzie"'s River in the year 1795, and 
have ever since maintained a greater or smaller number of 
establishments on various parts of its course. At present, 
the lowest or most northerly post is Fort Good-Hope, 
situate about 100 or 1^0 miles below the influx of Great 
Bear-Island Lake River, and, as is supposed, about three 
days"* voyage in a light canoe from the sea, which, with 
the current of such a river, is usually estimated at from 50 
to 80 miles per day. From the summit of a small hill be- 
hind the Fort, the upper limb of the sun is just visible at 
midnight, on the 21st of June. 
In the immediate vicinity of Fort Good-Hope, and on 
the east side of the river, the Hare Indians reside ; and 
their lands, to the northward of the very extensive piece of 
water which is named Great Bear-Island Lake, and which 
is said to be inferior in size to Lake Superior alone, borders 
upon the Eskimaux grounds, which skirt the sea-coast. 
The Fort is also visited by the Loucheux, or Squint-eyes, 
who inhabit the west bank of the river, and who are sepa- 
rated from the Eskimaux by the Vermihon River, about 
2 J days' voyage below Fort Good-Hope. At this bound- 
ary, they often trade with the Eskimaux, and obtain, at a 
high price, certain smooth sea-shells, to be inserted as orna- 
ments into the septum of the nose. They have also ob- 
tained at these friendly meetings, strips of whalebone, and 
B 2 
