Monday 2nd.  three men preparing Sawpits, one setting the saw, the others preparing pickets which are to be erected within the fort.

Tuesday 3rd.  Two men have commenced sawing boards for the grate which is to be placed in the SW row of pickets, three in putting up a row of pickets extending from the corner of store to that of peoples house in front.  Two repairing boat and the rest in sawing and boring pickets.

Wednesday 4th.  One man squaring wood for sawpit and two have been sawing.  A roe of pickets erected from each corner of peoples house to W extending to pickets.  This enables them to exclude the Indians.  Another row connecting the NE corner of store with the pickets behind, thus there is a small court formed between the ends of the peoples house and store where the Indians can remain while waiting their turn to trade, without being able (if it is so wished) either to enter the main or corner court, or enter the peoples house.

Thursday 5th.  P. Charles with four men dispatched in the boat to Fort Langlay for a supply of goods and provisions, the Cadboro's coming being despaired of.  He was instructed to return if he met the vessel, and he (returned) tonight accompanied by some who say that the vessel is approaching and not too far distant.

One man (working) pit saws. 3 repairing bags and making (?) and the others preparing boat.

Friday 6th.  Boat manned by five men dispatched this morning to ascertain the correctness of the Indian report of yesterday.  Men employed in leveling the yard which some days ago was ploughed and harrowed, in clearing away the rubbish in the small court, and that lying immediately without the pickets.

Saturday 7th.  Work proceeding as yesterday, and in addition all the doors have been made within and the small gate by which the Indians enter to trade.  Boards have not yet been prepared for the large gate.

Sunday 8th.  the men returned today having met the vessel near Whidbys Island.  She has been delayed hitherto by foul winds and is still bearing against a contrary breeze.  I have received instructions from Mr. McLaughlin to proceed in the Cadboro to Sound.

Monday 9th.  The weather being still unfavorable for the vessel P. Charles was sent along with four men to bring up a boats cargo of the goods for this place.

Tuesday 10th.  Pitsaw at work, one man squaring logs for sawpit, one making stools and the others still clearing away rubbish etc.  Much trouble having been of late occasioned by the two stallions frequent wanderings they have been (herded) by a Klickitat Indian.

Wednesday 11th.  The boats arrived this morning loaded and the people were employed till nearly midday in carrying up the goods from beach.  The Vancouver men dispatched with Mr. Ogdens Private Letters.  The boat is to set out tomorrow for the remainder of the cargo for this place.  Tomorrow I am to join the Casboro in obedience to Mr. McLaughlins instructions.

Wm Fraser Tolmie

December 1833.  Thursday 12th.  Sent our boat with five men down to the Cadboro for the remainder of our goods by which conveyance Dr. Tolmie went on board with his baggage to proceed to his destination at Fort McLaughlin.  The men at the place employed at various necessary jobs.  Fine clear weather.

Friday 13th.  this morning our boat returned from the Cadboro with the remainder of our things, part of which got slightly wet owing to the roughness of the sea.  Having examined and stored everything in its proper place, I equipped Bt. Ouvrie with some trading goods, tools, and provisions and sent him off about noon with part of the same in a canoe, assisted by Indians to break ground at Whidbys Island with three men in hopes that a reinforcement would soon cast up as promised, from Fort Vancouver, for the purpose of commencing a new establishment then to answer for Fort Langley and this place.  And there being in Indians on this ground I thought it might probably be the best opportunity I would have of taking a run to Fort Langley to see how affairs were going on there: and I wished likewise to set our people agoing on Whidby Island, on my way thither, I therefore took five men, most of the things for Whidbys Island in our boat and started late in the evening with the tide.

We had not however gone far till, as night set in, we were overtaken by a gale of wind.  We however after several fruitless attempts at length got safe ashore where we remained until next morning.  The weather was still boisterous on the 14th, but being anxious to know how Ouvrie had fared in the gale of the preceding night and knowing he was not ahead I put back in search of him.  We continued the search until within a few miles of the fort when apprehending that we must either have missed him or that some misfortune had befallen him, I landed the cargo in consequence of our still shipping heavy seas and with one man remained in charge of it.  The rest of the people in the light boat then returned in search of Ouvrie. 

That day and the following night having passed and the boat not returning I took my passage to the fort in an Indian canoe early in the morning on the 15th to learn whether anything had been heard of Ouvrie, as well as to see how things were going on: but to my great surprise I found on my return that I had been sadly deceived i regard to Pierre Charles whom I had left in charge and who was the only man I had whom I could at all think of entrusting the plan to. 

In short (without entering into the particulars) I found things in such a bad state that I could not, from a sense of duty, or any degree of propriety, think of leaving the place any longer in his charge, and having no fitter person I determined on relinquishing my intended voyage to Fort Langley until I had competent person to leave in my stead.  And as it would, perhaps, be useless (from the example I had of P. Charles conduct) to trust only common men with the selection of the site of a new establishment, I also thought it (all things considered) most advisable to give over my intentions in regard to beginning the fort at Whidbys Island until myself or some other Gentlemen would head the party that might be sent for that purpose.  I therefore sent off a man in a small canoe with an Indian to order our people back with all the things.

Monday 16th.  This morning the people sent in search of Ouvrie whom they yesterday overtook safe and brought back, returned with all the property in the boat, which was once more safely lodged in the store without having received much damage nothing having been injured except a few bags of corn, notwithstanding the rough sea we encountered.  Ouvrie learned that the Cadboro proceeded on her voyage early Saturday Morning.

Tuesday 17th.  Set all hands to work to put a part of the dwelling house in some kind of habitable order for the winter.  The weather continues boisterous.

Wednesday 18th.  The men employed as yesterday.  Weather somewhat more settled.  Only some chance straggling Indians make their appearance, and these bring but little to trade.

Thursday 19th.  The men employed as during the forging part of the week.  some Indians from down the Sound, arrived with a few beaver to trade, but are still much disinclined to give two for a blanket.  weather frosty.

Sunday  22nd.  Cold frosty weather - several Indians families came in as usual to get some religious instruction I began to give them some instructions soon after my arrival which they treated with much indifference, but I have at length succeeded in altering their savage natures so far, that they not only listen with attention to what I tell them but actually practice it.

December 1833.  Monday 23rd.  Set all hands to work to collect firewood.  A few Indians around but brought only two beaver to trade.  Weather very cold-froze intensely all night and thawed none during the day.

Tuesday 24th.  The men employed as yesterday.  Nothing done in the way of trade.  Weather still frosty.

Wednesday 25th.  This being Christmas day I gave the me a liberal Regale of eatables and drinkables, to make up in some measure for the bad living they have had all year here, and they enjoyed the feast as might be expected men would do who lived solely on Soup since they came here.  Weather still very cold.

Thursday 26th.  The men allowed to rest from their labors today as they are rather gaffed after yesterdays indulgence.  A hurricane or whirl-wind passed and broke down the largest trees in its way like straws.

Friday 27th.  Set all hands to work to square oak wood for making two bastions of 12 sqr. each, either for this place or Whidbys Island, as they may be required.  Rainy weather.

Saturday 28th.  The men employed as yesterday.  Trade 6 beaver skins and 3 otter.  Weather rainy.

Sunday 29th.  Weather as yesterday.  Held forth for about an hour on religious subjects to the Indians who as usual collected for edification.

Monday 30th.  The men employed as yesterday.  Froze intensely during the last twenty four hours.  Many Indians have collected about the place who have a good many beaver etc.  They are very anxious to obtain supplies but are reluctant to give two beaver per blanket.  To say the least of it, it was the most blind policy to begin the trade here in the spring at one beaver per blanket when there were no opposition on the coast with the intention of afterw3ards raising the price to two.  Circumstanced s we have been here it has been no agreeable job to raise the price to two as it exposed us to constant jawings with the natives who are still in bad humor on that account.  The reducing of prices is an easy business, but to raise them a difficult one at all times and ought never to be done but in cases of absolute necessity.