RK-804

Youkon Jan 7th

1861

My Dear Paternal

The packet men will be off as soon as I finish this. Tis near nine oclock next morning - for we have been up writing all night. Lockhart is writing to Pany! at my request.

I've written three letters to The Grove besides this one to major, one to the girls and one to mother - I write also to Woodworth and The Boyden - if she is The Boyden still; I hope not. I write to Prof Baird & Lucy Baird Gov Simpson and Mr Mactavish But to no one else outside of the District.

I had hoped to write you a long letter about the Youkon but it cant be done now. You must forgive me next this time and

[page turned] OLIVE

and I'll do better next packet.

I leave here next August and will remain at La Riennes House till the first snow, then cross to Reels River where Ill stay till about Dec 15th to 20th when Gaudet and I are to go to Good Hope. But if Gaudet is not going Ill leave Reels River in November. I will have a train of dogs from which I'm going to buy from the Indians here (I can get what the voyageurs call "high flyers") and will be independant of the regular Expresses - Can always hire Indian guides. From Good Hope I'll cross to the Ander son directly after our new years day's jollification.

If I find my legs "stiff" and my dogs good I have some little idea of going to Frt Simpsons to meet the Spring packet in March, and returning to the Anderson in april

April. This would enable me to answer my letters by the Spring packet, and to settle all future operations in the district. But I've only just thought of the plan and can not tell yet whether April and march can be shared from my time on the Anderson. That is I must learn what oppert opertunities for collecting there may be in that tie.

Anticipating the chance that I may not stay a fourth winter I have asked permission to go out in the fall of /62 in case I cannot stay till the summer of /63. I could leave the Anderson in August 62 about July 25th 1862 and still, very likely, reach Red River by open water - carrying on in a canoe from Slave Lake - Or if stopped by ice I could com plete the voyage on foot.

But I think I shall stay the fourth winter if it can possibly be done - In that event Ill go [to?] Frt Hallsett[?] in the

the fall boat, leaving Ft Simpson about Sept 1st, and then spend the winter at the various posts in Chamin[?] to Athabas ca[?] where I would arrive in April and remain collecting during the best part of the season - that is till the middle of July when I'd go out with Mr Ross' brigade to the Portage and gratter for home.

I wold thus have a pretty thorough overhauling of the best points in this region for Zoological operations.

It would not be right for me to go home sooner if I can stay till 1863. Last summer and next I will have labored under the disadvantage of poor equipment but after that Ill have good supplies doubtless.

I think I will have a full supply of all necessary articles with what youve you & Prof Baird will have already [page worn] off for me by the time

2

time you get this.

But if any light articles can be sent by the packets.

I shall make another desperate effort at a Journal this winter - or at getting up detailed notes. But I shall send nothing home for publication. I dont care for transient popularity and If I publish anything outside of Zoology, it must be some work that will be reliable and long lived.

But I'll try hard at the "notes" whatever. But I beg that you will consider this private information. I've had quite enough of the newspaper notices, and am sore on the subject.

I'm glad to find you at work on your book.- I'm sure