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St. Michaels R. A.
12th July 1866

Lieut W. H. Ennis
Commdg R. A. Tel. Expl. Expd. Pro. tem.

Sir
In accordance with instructions given me by the late Major Robert Kennicott previous to his death I took command of the Party deputed to explore the Youcon River from Nulato to the English Post on the Youcon River.

On the 25th of May, the river being clear of ice, I sent Messrs Pease, Adams and Smith in the skin boat with the remains of the late commander, with orders to report at this point, and on the 26th in company with LeBarge and Lukene in a three hole bidark, and two Indians, in a large canoe, containing our provisions. I commenced the ascent [[marginalia]](10)[[/marginalia]] of the Youcon River.

We saw comparatively but little floating ice, but a great deal of drift wood. The Factor of the Post of Nulato, Ivan Panoloff, accompanied me in a large baidarra (skin boat) going for the purpose of trading for the Russian Fur Compy. as far as Nuklukayette as distance of two hundred and sixty miles from the former place. The large canoe, containing our provisions, got severely injured by drift wood, the first day out, so as to be unfit for service and I was compelled to send it back to Nulato. The Factor Panoloff kindly offered me room in his boat for the storage of my provisions, suggesting that on our way up: "I should be able [[marginalia]](20)[[/marginalia]] to procure a new and good canoe"; which I accordingly