I then pointed out to him that Mr.Wentzel, with whom they had long been accustomed to trade, had pledged the credit of his Company for the stipulated rewards to the party that accompanied us, and that the trading debts due by Akaitcho and his party had already been remitted, which was of itself a sufficient proof of our influence with the North-West Company.

I also reminded Akaitcho that our having caused the Esquimaux to be brought up at a great expense was evidence of our future intentions, and informed him that I should write to Mr.Smith, the senior trader in the department, on the subject when I had no doubt that a satisfactory explanation would be given.

The Indians retired from the conference apparently satisfied, but this business was in the end productive of much inconvenience to us, and proved very detrimental to the progress of the Expedition.

In conjunction also with other intelligence conveyed in Mr.
Back's letters respecting the disposition of the traders towards us, particularly a statement of Mr.Weeks that he had been desired not to assist us with supplies from his post, it was productive of much present uneasiness to me.
On the 28th St.Germain the interpreter set out with eight Canadian voyagers and four Indian hunters to bring up our stores from Fort Providence.

I wrote by him to Mr.Smith at Moose-Deer Island and Mr.
Keith at Chipewyan, both of the North-West Company, urging them in the strongest manner to comply with the requisition for stores which Mr.Back would present.