In the way of living, the resources of the country scanty in this part of it -- the animal hunters both lazy and selfish however much we encourage with occasional load of Ammunition -- they annually work upon with the line and hook in the Bay and at a Barrier they have a short distance up the River, is not yet in any quantity arrived -- we however had one good fish from them this morning.

3rd.  Monday.  Indians come about to see us, but that is all.  No kind of trade going on.

4th.  Tuesday.  No ship.  Every thing else going on in as quickly and smoothly as could be wished.  Mr. Tolmie and myself took a ride round the vicinity of the plain for the space of 5 or 6 miles -- The country looks pleasing enough to the eye, but the plains as I formerly pronounced them are very dry and sterile and especially so at this time of the year.

5th.  Wednesday.  Self and friend again today set out in a small canoe with a couple of hands to examine the extensive flats and low ground on both sides the mouth of the Nisqually river expecting to hear something of Ryan by the time we returned from rumours brought up last night that Big Guns were heard not far off, but am disappointed: and now that the house above is ready for the covering and the provisions. 

Setting out in the morning with a canoe and 6 men to see if any tidings can be got of (Ryan) between this and point Partridge.

8th.  Saturday.  Having understood last night that Chiha the Soquamus Chief was in the vicinity after returning from a visit to Port Townsend for news about the expected vessel, we after breakfast bent our course upon the canal for a short distance and picked him up. -- Says there was no appearance of her within the Str. yesterday morning when he left Protection Island.  Encamped on the west shore opposite Whidbys Island and now feed our people on Dogs flesh which they are not at all sorry for in lieu of grain.  The natives take a few salmon here.

9th.  Sunday.  Rose camp about the usual time and made for Point Partride -- we soon had the satisfaction to learn beyond doubt that the Schooner was close by and another hours paddle brought us in full view of her standing in a few miles ahead of us.  --  Captain Ryan says they had nothing but calms every since they crossed the Columbia Bar. -- The Indians about the Straits came out to him with a good many skins in their usual way to trade: but found his Three beaver Tariff too high and would not close a bargain--

A good many Indians about us of course.  Weighed anchor early -- breeze hardly perceptible, still we finely glided along through the narrows of the sound, and before the flood tide was done had good fortune to bring our ship to anchor at 11 o'clock within a mile of the house.  The good luck however was not with out a reverse elsewhere -- intimation of which was conveyed to us about 8 o'clock by the following note from James Rendale.  "As Pierre Charles came down from the plain today to work at the store he unfortunately cut his foot very much with the axe, and is fainting -- I am afraid his life is in danger -- he wishes me to send for the Doctor as soon as possible as we cannot and know not what to do for him."

The doctor with our six men was instantly into the canoe and I am in hopes his prompt attendance and experience will be the means of saving the poor man's life. -- I understand that no later than yesterday he killed us three very fine elk and a Chevnneil⁽¹⁾  no small service when people are in want, and when there are but few others about you that can do it.  I am extremely sorry for his case, as the Indians who came down with the note say that is a dreadful cut.

11th.  Tuesday.  At an early hour the anchor was up, and all hands on shore to tow the Vessel up along a very fine gravelly beach.  In half an hours time she was up, and snugly laid within a few paces of the store door.  No time was lost in running the boards so as to get at the potatoe seed.  I am sorry to say that that part of the Cargo presented a discouraging appearance:  With the exception of 9a few) near the surface for a short distance, and a few neat (the) stones below all are literally a heap of rot.  Picked out the best to perhaps something the rest of course throw overboard. -- Pierre Charles (cut) is a very serious one.  -- the axe its full length (went into)  upper part of the left foot from the instep to (knee) and nearly half the edge passed through.  This being a cut of no ordinary description (it) will be the mean of obliging me to interfere with McLaughlins instructions and intentions respecting that of Dr. Tolmie for the present and especially as (he) himself conceives the case a very critical one -- much difficulty this morning in checking the hemorage when he examined the wound.

12th.  Wednesday.  Our store this evening is covered.  --  all the goods landed and under lock and key -- the potatoes are cutting and some of some of them in the ground, and better still a good few Beaver on the beach ready to enter the trading shop.

13th.  Thursday.  The ploughman with his oxen fairly at work on the potatoes at an early hour this morning -- they are simply plough'd in under the green sod in a chosen piece of ground, and I have no doubt done, so at an earlier season over good seed the work would give satisfaction. After breakfast commenced trade upon nearly the usual tariff, giving our customers however to understand that the blanket ought to cost them Two Beaver, and that it will absolutely do so in a few months -- They will therefore have no excuse when they come in again for saying that they, as Trader among the Beaver killers, paid a blanket for each skin themselves.  We have got about 90 skins from them, principally for Woolens.  Guns they don't bid high for and I am as well pleased for traps they apply - but will not (buy) up to the Three Skins, consequently they go without.  The few articles of clothing bought for them are not exposed at all as everyone now is a Chief and expects to be rewarded like the rest of his neighbors without (regard) to the quantity of Beaver.  Indeed there are few of them now that can lay claim to any marked distinction.

Ship getting in ballast and water.  Today it was necessary to com to a decision respecting the professional attendance of Dr. Tolmie, and upon the dangerous state of his patient, There can be no hesitation on the subject.  His baggage is therefore landed and he remains her for the summer.  This circumstance authorizes me to keep at Nisqually - all the goods and stores intended for the plan, without, as was intended reshipping any of them for Fort Langly by way of security from the few hands that would be at the plain after I left it for the Columbia.  A good deal of stir about the little establishment this afternoon.  Canoes arriving by the sea, - dozens of horses and riders by land -- two ploughs at work in an endless plain and a ship riding at anchor before the camp, is a scene I venture to say not very common in the Indian country, far less at a new settlement.  Trade upwards of 80 of which one of my Clallam customers in spring - Old Quinquastin -- gave about one-half.  The riders are from the vicinity of Mt. Renneir and seem under the sway of a very fine looking Indian called "Ancha" - A light breese of fair wind for the schooner spring up and I hope Ryan will be under way with her tomorrow.

15th.  Saturday.  The crew of the Vancouver at work on shore early this morning after firewood and spars.  Much about the same time we commenced business with Ancha - himself and followers had got about 10 skins - one half of which traded for ammunition at the rate of 15 per Beaver.

Wrote to Mr. C. F. Finlayson and also addressed a few (words) to Mr. Yale with the peoples private orders, which that is on board the Vancouver for Fort Langley - a few trifling stores.  That which is landed here is not much - say Blankets, a piece Duffle - three of strouds Baize, 10 traps - to guns - Ammun. and Tobacco Grain and stores.

At 2 he (Ryan) was under sail when if practicable he will receive the Langley "Annanuskin," one of our men here has taken passage with him and immediately on touching there will proceed with timely notice to Mr. Yale.  This man is forwarded as cooper in the room of Rendale as considerable work in that way is likely to be going on in canning salmon.

16th.  Sunday.  Trade about 50 skins this morning again from a few Indians who hung about after the vessel sailed, and this I apprehend will be the bulk of our trade for the present.  The natives are rather disappointed in the few good things landed from a ship which they conceived was to spread over them all a profusion of everything - Rum, Brass and Molasses, in their eye - is a great desideratum: and the total absence of clothing - hats and feathers for the Chiefs is to them an unaccountable ommission - perhaps some of them will with a few skins follow the schooner to Langley at all events this more than likely that those of them about Whidbys Island who have not been her at all, will wait until the return trusting to something more than they have hitherto seen given - Pierre Charles very uneasy those two last two days.  Got another salmon from the miserable Indians who are too lazy to exert themselves much though a state of starvation might in time to come be successful way of taking them.  Had a good deal of rain today tho it did not penetrate far into the ground.

Monday.  We still pick up a few skins and of those obtained today - three of them were for a trap.  The breeze since her departure has been very favorable for the vessel and has probably got to the mouth of the river today.  All our potatoes now in the ground and have commenced ploughing a small patch for a trial with a couple bushels of peas notwithstanding the lateness of the season.  We have also turned up a little ground with the plough for transplanting cabbages left here in the spring - The two kegs potatoes brought across the portage at same time were so horribly ill planted after my departure that I cannot say much of them - The carrots-radishes, turnips look better -- We have 4 or 5 hand preparing wood for lodging for our people

18th.  Tuesday.  Have not above 10 skins today.  Weather still soft and so far favorable for the ground.  Have got one piece sowed and harrowed and now we have a little corn under way - The oxen that for some time gave us much trouble inkeep0ing them at hand now begin to get more reconciled to their state of banishment.

19th.  Wednesday.  Two or three of our neighbors again with about 40 very fine beaver - all for blankets - A couple of men today putting up a barrier along the river as an obstruction against the passage of oxen and horses - another of them harrowing the potatoe ground - four about the new building and Ouvrie and Rendale making the Beaver up into packs of 50 each.  In the evening has a visit form some of the portage Indians.  One of them lately from Chinook says that Ganymede (crossed) the bar for the Coast 12 days ago, and that there is plenty (of fish) in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers - Pierre easy for the last tow day.

20th.  Thursday.  Trade about 25 skins - on half is from the bucks from the southward, for which (they) got if anything less than we usually give Indians.  With this day I mean for the present (to leave) my share of the business at Nisqually.

I was by appointment with Mr. McLaughlin (to have) been at Fort Vancouver: but unwilling to leave plan until most of the skins were got in and the pressing part of the work got over.  I prolonged my stay for a few days, it could not well be otherwise owing to the late arrival of the Schooner - Pierre now is also in a more favorable state.  On my departure Doctor Tolmie takes charge assisted by James Rendale, T. Be Ouvrie and 4 other effective men agreeable to my letter of this date to him.  Gilbert Powers and 2 Islanders accompany me to the Columbia with the furs now amounting to about 380 skins.

(Signed) Arch McDonald, C. T.

(Editors note:  The following lines were written by Dr. Tolmie.)

21st.  Friday.  Trade 2 beaver.  A party with some skins arrived this evening from the Payallipaw River.  Mr. McDonald departed after breakfast, it was settled that about the beginning of September, a man should be dispatched to Fort Vancouver to report the state of things here.  Gave Chihalueum: the Soquamis Chief a capot and pair of trousers, as a reward for his services and general good conduct.  Told him to visit the Klalums, and invite the Chief hither to trade their skins which he promised to undertake.

22nd.  Saturday.  Trade 15 skins in all from the Payallipas, and some pretty Indians from the neighborhood of House.  One of the horses amissing since last night and a fruitless search has been made for him.  Have put the store into some degree of order.

23rd.  Sunday.  An Indian from near the Shoots, with 8 skins offered 5 for a gun this morning, and returned frequently during the day, endeavoring to come to terms.

24th.  Monday.  Trade 12 beaver of which the Indians mentioned yesterday gave 9 woolens.  He was more importunate for presents than any others, but was dealt with in the usual manner.

25th.  Tuesday.  No trade.  The oxen continuing their daily wanderings and requiring the almost constant attendance of a man, the experiment was tried yesterday of yoking them together while feeding and proved an effective preventive to their cross the Coe, although somewhat objectionable in other respects.  No accounts of the horse, the suspected thief being still absent.

26th.  Wednesday.  Trade 10 skins chiefly from a party of Klalums of little note.  Horse brought back today.

27th.  Thursday.  Trade 19 skins from the Portage Indians.  Mr. Chief Trader Heron arrived from the Columbia to assume the charge at this establishment.

(Pages containing record from June 28th to July 10th, both inclusive torn out and gone.)

1.  Chevreau - goat.