The Snow is disappearing about the Fort, but going off very slowly. Wed.y. 15 Cloudy cold weather. The men employed cutting firewood. Thursday 16 Heavy rain in the night some time in the morning, which has diminished the snow considerably, the valley round the fort is nearly all bare except patches here and there but in the woods and higher ground snow still lies pretty thick & is wasting very tardily.--Mild, soft foggy weather, & the first spring like day we have had this season.-- The men employed cutting firewood in the forepart of the day, afterwards arranging and separating the furs & property to be sent off to the forks on Saturday, in all 60 loads.--The Indians were engaged to furnish sixty horses on that day, for the trip.-- Pere de Jolie Fille was also engaged to cross the (Schuihoo) portage for the property that remains there, he is to go as soon as the road is passable through the snow, which he expects will be in two or three days. Friday 17. Raw cold weather in the morning, mild afterwards.-- Had provisions &c., tied up for the party going off tomorrow.--The Indians collecting their horses. Saturday 18th Cloudy, snow & sleet the forepart of the day, snowed in the night, the snow in the morning was nearly 2 inches deep, but it had nearly all disappeared during the day, on the low ground, but on the high ground that faces the north, the snow still remains. On account of the bad weather the departure of the horses with the property was deferred until tomorrow. The water in the river has risen considerably, these few days past. Sunday 19. Frost in the night & fine weather in the forepart of the day but disagreeable weather with rain and sleet afterwards. Three men and ten Indians, with the Interpreter Rivit,[277] were sent off to the Forks with 62 horses loaded with Furs, Provisions & Sundries. The after part of the day turned out very unfavorable which was not expected in the morning as the weather was fine.--There is very little property of any kind now remaining.[144]--The women and children also went off today.-- Monday 20 Overcast fair weather in the morning some light showers during the day.-- Tuesday 21 Rain and sleet in the night, but fair weather during the day. The River continues much the same, the water is rising very little. The Blacksmith & cook, the only two men we have now here, employed collecting all the iron about the place, stripping hinges off doors[278] &c. The Indians much regret our going off, and frequently complain that they will be pitiful when the whites leave them.[279] The Indians are getting a few trout and suckers in their barrier, a part of which they give us. Wed.y. 22 Light showers.-- The men employed as yesterday. Thursday 23. Sleet & rain showers, rained hard in the night. The greater part of the Men and Indians that went to the Forks on Sunday last, returned. Notwithstanding the bad weather their property got down safe.-- Friday 24.