By the old Kettle Falls chief I sent a note to be handed to the Gentlemen coming in with the Express.--It was intended that some one would, in compliance with the Governors orders, would have gone up the Pedent Oreille River to examine it. Mr Dears was to have gone, but his having to go to Nezperces prevented it. Mr Kittson in consequence of a hurt in the foot received by a fall last winter of which he is not yet thoroughly recovered & which prevents him from undertaking any journey on foot of any extent he was incapable of going, moreover it was considered necessary that for the more safe conveyance of the property to WallaWalla & the safe return of the people who have to come back, that he should (mak) (an effort to?) accompany the party. Mr. Birnie declared himself totally incapable of embarking in a small Indian canoe & could not undertake the trip but in a large canoe with at least four men, from the press of business at present, & a great deal of work being absolutely necessary to be done before winter commences it is impossible to spare the men, the examining the River must, therefore be deferred until next season. I am sorry it is out of our power to execute the Govrs instructions[175], though as we are at present situated, not having been able to remove the Fort, the trade can sustain no injury by the river not being examined this season, for even were the River navigable, the old rout would be preferable. Satd.y. 8 Cloudy cold weather. Some of the men employed finished the sawpit & getting everything in readiness to commence sawing on Monday.--The others cutting firewood. Sunday 9 Weather as yesterday, some rain in the night.-- Monday 10 Cloudy cold weather, showers of rain & hail, rain in the night. Men employed as follows.--Two sawing wood for boats, 2 seeking stem and stern posts, and six cutting wood for coals. The sawyers got on pretty well. The wood for stem & stern posts was also found. Tuesday 11 Cold showery weather. Sent off 4 men with 6 horses to seek cedar for boat timber. 4 were employed cutting wood for coals & 2 sawing. Wed.y. 12 Heavy rain the greater part of the day. Men employed as yesterday, but on account of the bad weather, both the wood cutters and sawyers were stopped a considerable time.--A sufficiency of wood is cut for the coals, but they have yet to build it into a pit or furnace. Thursday 13 Heavy rain the greater part of the day. The rain kept the people idle a considerable part of the day. With this unfavourable weather the work is getting on very slowly. Friday 14th Cloudy fair weather.