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Fort Fairfield, Apr. 11, 1839.

Thursday 11th. All men employed on block house,

Mr. Bartlett returned from [River] De Chute, he reported that, he arrived at De Chute on the 10th at noon where he hired seven horses & eight men whom he found engaged in the timber business, his object then was to bring them back with him to the Fort - a distance of about ten miles on the line, all of which he would have had to swamp this idea he did not entertain for a moment, his only chance then was to ascertain the least possible distance to Smiths camp on the Houlton &Aroostook road & to swamp through to that, the two men he sent out for this returned and reported that with our small force it would be impossible. He then proposed to the owners of the horses to let them remain in charge of a guard man whom he found with them, provided they would give a bond to the Land agent for their delivery at Fort Fairfield or to pay the value say 400$ which they readily assented to.

As one of our Prisoners had effected his escape from the two volunteers whom he sent to explore he was apprehensive of an attack or surprise before he could retreat beyond their reach. In this he was not deceived. At half past five o'clock A. M., they arrived numbering twenty eight with [fouling?] pieces & muskets and demanded of him the horses & prisoners which of course he protested against but was not strong enough to prevent a rescue his 10 men being armed with but a horse pistol each --

The mob was headed by the commissary of the drafted men in the Province of N.B.

Friday 12th. All men employed as yesterday, river nearly clear of ice below piers

Messrs Harvey & Kearney gave a bond for delivery of horses etc and were allowed to go as by agreement with Mr. Bartlett.

The boom irons arrived today, finished ironing the boom, began to make [coal?] for Blacksmith and finished the cellar to block house at boom and sent six men on the ridge to make sugar

Saturday 13th. Four red coats from Tobique settlement were here today. Mess. [?] Babcock, Buck & Morrill left here for Presque Isle to build boats. Also Buffam, Powers & Badger went on an exploring expedition to the River De Chute, discharged Geo. A. Stevens a rifleman, not able or to lazy to work.