October 20, 1833
In the morning, beautifully bright sunshine, cold. At seven thirty, 24°F [−4.4°C] (6°F [sic] below freezing). An Assiniboine lodge had been set up behind the fort. In the dining room today they lit a colossal fire. Up to now [there had been none] at all, and today it was so terribly [huge] that the house could have been set afire with it. Beauchamp did it. About noon, the sun warmer, but [still] cold. At twelve o’clock the fort’s thermometer (that agreed mostly with mine) indicated 36°F [2.2°C]. I went through the journal of Fort Union, kept by Mr. Hamilton, and found some interesting notes, even though it was generally of little interest. Moncravie came back this morning from Fort William and said there were only three Assiniboine [tipis]. [We] expected several here in the evening. Beauchamp went with Deschamps and his sons after prairie foxes. In the afternoon the weather was very pleasant, even though a brisk wind was blowing. I went for a walk and saw Chardon and Moncravie leave with their rifles for Fort William. Some Assiniboines walked around in the fort. They were poorly dressed. One of them wore a robe painted with war trophy [symbols]. Several usually ride back and forth.