Fort Chippeweyan was, in the time of the North-West Company, next in importance to Fort William.  Besides having several detached posts depending immediately upon itself, and carrying on a very extensive trade with the Chippeweyans, (the best hunters in the Indian country,) it served as depot for the districts of McKenzie’s River, and Peace River.

The trade of this district, although it bears no comparison to that of former times, is yet pretty extensive.  It is still the depot for Peace River, and commands the trade with the Chippeweyans.  Trade is carried on in this quarter solely by barter, which secures the Company from loss, and is apparently attended with no inconvenience to the natives, who used formerly to take their supplies on credit.

Beaver is the standard according to which all other furs are rated; so many martens, so many foxes, &c., equal to one beaver.  The trader, on receiving the Indian’s hunt, proceeds to reckon it up according to this rule, giving the Indian a quill for each beaver; these quills are again exchanged at the counter for whatever articles he wants.  The people of this post subsist entirely on the produce of the country, fish, flesh, and fowl, of which there is the greatest abundance.  Both soil and climate are said to be unfavourable to the cultivation of grain or vegetables; the attempt is made, however, and sometimes with success.

I took my departure from Athabasca on the 24th of August, accompanied by Mr. Charles Ross, who had passed the summer there as locum tenens, and was now proceeding to assume the charge of his own post, Fort Vermillion, where we arrived on the 1st of September.

This post is agreeably situated on the right bank of Peace River, having the river in front, and boundless prairies in the rear.  The Indians attached to it are designated Beaver Indians, and their language is said to have some affinity to the Chippeweyan.  This is, however, the only point of resemblance between them.  The Beavers are a more diminutive race than the Chippeweyans, and their features bear a greater resemblance to those of the Crees.  They are allowed to be generous, hospitable and brave; and are distinguished for their strict adherence to truth.

Most Indians boast of the murder of white men as a glorious exploit; these, on the contrary, glory in never having shed the blood of one, although they often imbrue their hands in the blood of their kindred; being very apt to quarrel among themselves, chiefly on account of their gallantry.  When an illicit amour is detected, the consequence is frequently fatal to one of the parties; but the unmarried youth, of both sexes, are generally under no restraint whatever.