Having obtained the adhesion of the Indians at the Dog Head, and at Berens River, our duties as Joint Commissioners under your instructions ceased....
We were fortunate enough to secure the services of the Rev. Henry Cochrane, who kindly acted as interpreter. Being in the Province on a visit from his mission at the Pas, and desirous of returning, Mr. Howard gave him a passage in his boat, and he rendered us the most valuable assistance throughout.
Having thus referred to the different matters connected with our mission
while acting together, and assuring you that our aim and desire was to fulfill it to your entire satisfaction, which we trust we have done,
We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servants,
THOS. HOWARD,
J. LESTOCK REID,
Commissioners.
B.
WINNIPEG, October 10th, 1876.
TO THE HONORABLE ALEXANDER MORRIS,
Lieutenant-Governor, Fort Garry.
Sir,--I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with your instructions, a copy of which I hereunto annex, I proceeded, accompanied by Mr. Reid, to the Dog Head and Berens River on Lake Winnipeg, and there successfully secured the adhesion of the Island and Grand Rapids of Berens River Bands of Indians to Treaty Number Five, and, having paid the annuities to the Berens River Indians, returned to the Stone Fort. As mentioned in the joint report submitted to you by Mr. Reid and myself, I had the greatest difficulty in procuring a boat to take me on my mission, and only through the kindness of Mr. Flett, of the Hudson's Bay Company, at the Stone Fort, was I able to obtain even the loan of one as far as Berens River, from where I had to return it....