On Saturday, August 12, we left Moose Factory at 12.30. For one week we were engaged with the strong rapids of the Moose and Abitibi rivers, and did not reach New Post, our next point of call, until 12.30 on Saturday, the 19th. New Post is a small and comparatively unimportant post of the Hudson's Bay Company. It is situated on a beautiful bend of the Abitibi river, and commands an excellent hunting country. The post is in charge of Mr. S. B. Barrett, and nowhere was the commission received with greater consideration and hospitality than at a this place. The New Post Indians, although few in number, are of excellent character and disposition. They met us with great friendliness. The treaty was concluded on Monday, the 21st, and the Indians were at once paid. The reserve question was also discussed, and the location finally fixed as shown by the schedule of reserves. One of the leading Indians, Esau Omakess, was absent from the reserve during the negotiations. He, however, arrived during the time the payments were being made, and signified his approval of the action taken by his fellow Indians. He was subsequently chosen unanimously as chief of the band.

We started for Abitibi on Tuesday morning, August 22. On the previous evening the chief had announced to the commissioners his intention of accompanying the party, with five companions, to assist in passing the difficult series of portages which lie immediately above New Post. One unacquainted with the methods of travel in these regions will not perhaps realize the great assistance this was to the party. At a moderate estimate, it saved one day's travel; and this great assistance was to be rendered, the chief said, without any desire for reward or even for maintenance on the route (they were to bring their own supplies with them), but simply to show their good-will to the commissioner and their thankfulness to the King and the government for the treatment which had been accorded them. They remained with us until the most difficult portages were passed, and left on the evening of August 24, with mutual expressions of good-will. As we ascended the Abitibi evidences of approaching civilization and of the activity in railway construction and surveying, which had rendered the making of the treaty necessary, were constantly met with. Surveying parties of the Transcontinental railway, the Timiskaming and Northern Ontario railway and Ontario township surveyors were constantly met with.