July 4th.. Thursday 1805.
a clear beautiful morning. the most of the men employed
putting the Sections of the Iron boat together &c. &c. one
of the hunters went on bear Island and killed an Elk and a
beaver. we finished putting the Iron boat together and
turned hir up to dry. towards evening our officers gave the
party the last of the ardent Spirits except a little reserved for
Sickness. we all amused ourselves dancing untill 10 oClock
in the evening, at which time we had a light Shower of rain.
the party all in good Spirits keeping up the 4th.. of July &c as
Independence.
