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[[underlined]] must [[/underlined]] occupy the regions [[strikethrough]] f [[/strikethrough]] along upper Pelly and Dease from which they have been starved & driven by Indians - and they will be glad enough to give us provisions and the few men I'll need in return for the chance they will have to trade furs at our stations.

I trust Col Bulkley will be back here tonight and that we will start for Sitka immediately - I fear another cursed delay there.

I understand that I am to ascend the Youkon as soon as we arrive at Mortons Sound - I shall be neither rash nor timid. If Col Bulkley will allow me a decent outfit and will let me lay my own plans I can still effect this winter all he asked me to do in the summer. - that is pass through the country. - I hope to do more however - If I can reach Ft Youkon with good & provisions by open water my party will be safe - If I find ourselves starving I shall take to the woods with the Indians see my men safely provided for an push through alone on with one or two of the best - In any event I shall try very hard to ^[[walk over the whole [[?month]] &]] reach San Francisco in [[strikethrough]] spring [//strikethrough]] Feb or March. - This will give time to