Blood River Journal John Best
Oct. 21 1794
" Peter Burston Cut of one of his toes I set it on again but I am doubtful it Will not grow"

Dec. 18 1794
" Peter Burston has been lame ever since the fall With his toe that he Cut of but it is got Whole again and is as well as the rest only not quit so strong as yet."
1M16 B.254/a/1

Blood River John Best
Feb. 20 1795 Friday
..." in the evening 2 Canadians Came from Mr. Shivelee with a letter to Calvee to try to get 3 of my best Indians away to him"

Feb. 22
..." this morning Calvee and one Indian Came in from the Indian tent brought 12 MB of furs and the flesh of 4 Beaver"

Feb. 23 1795
..." the Canadians of friday set of home again they had not eat any victuals for three days when they came here"...

Apr. 30 1795
..." I heard that Calvee was a great deal in debt to Mr. Cameron. I said that if it was true I would deliver him up but as soon as he heard of it he went to the Indians to stay."
1M16 B.254/a/1

Blood River John Best
Apr. 8 1795
..." the Bad Governor and his gang Came in they brought 40 Beaver in martens. I am obliged to take them all 2 as one Beaver as the Canadians takes them all that Way - or otherways get non of them"
1M16 B.254/a/1

Brandon House Journal Donald MacKay
Oct. 23 1793
..." at 2 PM a Gang of Canadians came to cut wood within twenty yards of my house property? said? the Company? I challenged Them and ask'd them what makes them come so near us. They said That if they choosed They would bring it from my Door etc. etc. I said should they attempt that, that they would return with broken bones. one of them advanced as if he meant to make a blow at me with a hatchet. I drew? one of my pistles and told him and all the rest should they attempt to strick me with such a Barbarous Instrument that I would that moment in self defense Kill the first man who advanced an Inch farther. one James Moar one of the Companys servants I took with me to look on, he run away and left me by myself among them they were fifteen in number. at last they went of & left me, when I returned to my tent I gave James Moar a good beating for his Cowardice."
1M16 B.22/a/1

Brandon House Journal Donald MacKay
Jan. 11 1794
" sent off the Indians with what they wanted and self went a hunting. I have seen Three Indians going to the Canadians when I went off, on my returning home, I was informed that one of those Indians fired through our Boats. I considered this as an insult, and should I let it go unnoticed that they would do perhaps worse another time, and as some of our men was away on the road that those Vagabonds was going, Therefore I thought proper for myself and six men to go in pursuit of them and to take their Guns from them till they would promise faithfully to us that they would behave themselves for the future.
" at 7 PM I ordered James Brown, Louis Jollycoeur, William Loutit, James Slatter, Robert Taylor & Magnus Yorston to make ready and come with me to see if we could come up with those Villians & they all said they would not risk themselves to go after such Bad Indians, I three times ask'd if they would go or not they peremtorilly refused it. this sheweth what Cowards they are when hyed?, I cannot believe Umphreville's fine representation in their favour when the Forts was taken [in 1782?], he says that the men would fight if the governors would Allow them, I have to say that it is false, The Governor knew well what sort of men he had to depend on & that was their reason for giving up so easily."

Jan. 12
" set of this morning at six AM in pursuit of those villians, and came to the place where they went off the Track of our men, I followed the Indians track about three Miles and looking behind me, I saw an Indian coming after me, I stopt to see who he was, he was a Brother to Cameron's hunter (I desired? John Easter who was the only man that consented to go with me) to ask the Indian where he was going, he said that he was going after the Indians for a gun that they promised him yesterday. I considered this as an Excuse for I was sure he was going to inform them that I was in pursuit of them for firing at the Boats. I turned off another road & Killed three Cows came home at eight oClock Afternoon much fatigued"

Brandon House Donald Mackay
Jan. 20 1794
" at midnight last came the Father of this Vagabond Indian who fired at our boat with his youngest son and three Women, brought ten Beaver skins to make peace between me and his son for firing at our boats etc. I asked what was his reason for doing so, he said that he was Drunk & did not know what he was doing. I told him that that was no excuse for doing Mischief. I took the furrs & paid him for it and put out his son till he would make it good the Damage he has done"...
1M16 B.22/a/1

Brandon House Donald Mackay
Feb. 4 1794
" geting ready the men with shous & snow Shous etc. at night after every thing was ready I gave the men a treat. it would puzzle the greatest Philosopher of this Age to hummour those men for realy They are a set of Loons - with out Life or Spirit the best of them, fine weather.'
1M16 B.22/a/1

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