" No. 57 YF 1818
Journal
of
Lower Swan River
1818
? Garriock"
[cover]



" Journal of Occurrences during almost a year's residence at Lower Swan River house Commencing the 31st May 1817 and from thence continued till the arrival of the Boats at Norway House the 18th of June 1818. By William Garriock."

May 31 1817 Saturday
" Mr James Sutherland took his departure for Norway house accompanied by Mr Halcro, in two Boats, with 13 Men, loaded with Peltries &c. Mr Finlayson having been sent off two days ago with other two Boats loaded as before. My Men for the Summer are Robert Clouston, blacksmith. William Work, fisherman & who is now attending the Nets. & Peter Moar & Joseph Colen, labourers. Plowed a little of our Garden, sowed some Barley, Pease and Wheat a few onions Raddishes & Green Savoy. Very few fish."

June 2 1817 Monday
June 3 Tuesday
" Plowed some more of our Garden - planted some potatoes, Cuccumbers water Melons & Indian Corn. Two Men arrived from F. Hibernia."

June 4 Wednesday
" Robert Clouston made some rivets &c for the Upper house - others employed in the Garden plowing and planting some more potatoes."

June 5 Thursday
" Men as yesterday & cleaned some more of the new ground."

June 6 Friday
" Planted some more potatoes & small seeds? One of the men of 3rd Inst, Andrew Spence, returned to the Upper House, the other, Michael Kilcool, agreeable to Mr Sutherlands instructions remains with me."

June 7 Saturday
" Plowed the last of our old Garden & put the last of our Barley & potatoes in the ground. Cleared some more of the new ground."

June 8 Sunday
" Rain last Night. Wheat, Barley & Pease begin to make their appearance above ground. Four Canadians arrived from the Shoald River - say that Mr Sutherland with our Boats & the NWest Canoes are still Ice bound & that the Winnipeg ? is not broke in the least."

June 9 Monday
" Robert Clouston cutting wood to repair a fence with & unfortunately cut his own foot, which renders my best man an Invalid. Joe for fish, brot none, the other two Men clearing some more ground."

June 10 Tuesday
" Three Red Deer's River Indians arrived brot letters from Mr Sutherland & Notes for payment of the Furs, they gave him at the Shoald River . had much difficulty to satisfy them, our Stock of Goods being low made a shift to get them paid & off. Cloudy - Last of the enclosed new ground cleared & part of Fence repaired - no fish."

June 11 Wednesday
" Garden fence finished - no fish. Went down to the Grafsy Creek killed 5 Ducks & a Bittern?"

June 12 Thursday
" Two Men hoeing grafs out of the potatoes, Joe for fish - ? sent him & Peter Moar with Kenlogon? for meat."

June 13 Friday
" The two men sent for meat returned with a small supply - Kilcool working in the Garden."

June 14 Saturday
" Men still employed in the garden. Ordered Work home with the Nets."

June 15 Sunday
" River rose about 4 feet. this will prevent us from setting nets."

June 16 Monday
" Joe looking for horse to go in search of Indians with. others in the Garden Cutting out & burning roots. from this day till 19th almost continual rain. At intervals finished cleaning the Potatoes. 20th Cut some Wood for Coals - 21st Cut some more wood for Coals. brot a horse & Plowed some of the new ground."

June 22 Sunday
" Water rose much in the river - 23rd Plowed the last of our new ground. Cut out & burnt roots. Joe arrived with meat. Cannewit? with a few leather skins - 24th Engaged Canneesit? as Summer hunter. sowed our Turnips - 25th Sent Joe off with the hunter. Others to the Woods, for Sleepers & Cellar logs. - 26th Robert Clouston blocked an Axle tree for a Cart, the first work he has done since the 9th Inst. & still is very weak. Others as yesterday - 27th Men chopping building logs - 28th The Men employed as yesterday."

June 29 Sunday
" A Bungee & his Wife came down the River in a Canoe - 30th Peter Moar not well. Michael Gilcool choping logs - Wm Work hauling home sleepers on a Horse. Robert Clouston variously employed. Shawa & lons? arrived at the NW House."

July 1 1817
" Robert Clouston laying the floor in the Masters house, others chopping logs & Corner posts for a Cellar. Paid old Shawa for Meat brot by Joe, the 23rd Ult. - 2nd The Cellar logs brought home & part put in. Last of the sleepers laid & some more of the floor. Lent the Buck a horse to go a hunting with - 3rd The Cellar finished & part of partitions put up - 4th Partition finished, big Chimney pulled down & put out - 5th Dug a little in the Garden & transplanted 120 Early york Cabbages. laid part of floor in the big house - Buck arrived, unsuccefsful nothing to eat these few day but pounded meat."

July 6 Sunday
" Late last evening Joe arrived with a most seasonable supply of meat. 7th Robt. Clouston still at the floor - three others cutting Coal wood. Sent Joe back to the hunting Tent - Set a Net in the River - 8th Clouston finished the floor - One man hauling home Coal wood on a Cart & two others cutting. An Indian & his Wife who arrived from Red Deer's River yesterday, proceeded to the Elbow - 9th Three men taking roofing bark & one carting home wood. fine weather but no rain this long time, which gives our Gardens a very languishing appearance - 10th All hands taking bark - Otter &c arrived, traded ten pieces dry meat & received twenty in payment of Debt. Had a most refreshing shower of rain. 11th Two Men taking bark, two splitting & piling up the Coal wood. Buck arrived. got a little supply of fresh meat from him. James Gaddy from F. Hibernia with two horses for a supply of Trading Goods &c. fine day. - 12th Three Men weeding the Grafs out of the Poataoes in the new ground, which a severe frost last night, has froze, till they are black as ink, while those in the old ground quite contiguous; stand quite uninjured. One man hauling home the last of the Coal wood. Joe arrived with the flesh of a moose. Went to the Grafsy Creek & Concealed a Canoe I bought from the Indian who arrived the 7th Inst. Transplanted 120 Cabbage plants."

July 13 Sunday
" Nothing particular - 14th Two Men bringing home the roofing bark & two others building the Coal Kiln. Sent Joe back to the hunting tent. Steettrio? arrived."

July 15
" Sent two Men with Stealtree?, with three horses for Furs & Provisions & as Ja. Gaddy returns to F. Hibernia. have requested him to go with them as an Interpreter, as it will only detain him half a day longer. Coal Kiln covered & fire put to it. Part of the potatoes cleaned. Two Canadians arrived with a supply of Goods for our Neighbour. & we are now without almost every thing but ammunition. Fine day - Rain last night. - 16th Two Men cleaning the Potatoes. Transplanted 130 Cabbages. - 17th. The two Men of 15th Inst. arrived with 20 Beaver Skins. 1 Bear Skin &c. part in payment of Debts, & part to be paid for. also some provisions. Natat arrived for people to come to his tent. Cleaned some more of the potatoes. 18th Sent Michael Killcool & Wm Work off with Natat with three horses, two Canadians off before them afoot. Cleaned the last of the potatoes & transplanted 130 Cabbages. - 19th Dug some more ground & Transplanted 200 Cabbages. The two men of yesterday returned with four Beaver skins & some Provisions. (The Frenchmens trip was in vain tho' they had Spirits & Tobacco with them. two Articles I had it not in my power to give the Indian) Also a little fresh meat from Steeltree? in pafsing. Several showers of rain, & one in which there fell hail stones as large as musket Balls! Joe arrived with the meat of two Moose, part half dry."

July 20 Sunday
" No particular Occurrence. - 21st A great quantity of rain last night. Sent Robt Clouston & Wm Work to cut grafs. Went a little after to see what progrefs they were making & found the ground so wet that I took them home, went acrofs the river with them & found an excellent meadow. Michal Killcool Peter Moar & Joe Hoeing the potatoes. Frequent showers with thunder. - 22nd Sent Joe to the hunting tent. Others as before - 23rd Men at the house still the same. Finished the Potatoes. - 24th Michael Killcool sowed Turnips in the beds, in which we formerly put Carrots & Onions as none of them came up. hauled home some Roofing bark &c Peter Moar working in the hay & the other two still mowing. - 25th. Michael Killcool brought home the last of the roofing bark. & then afsisted the others at the hay. - 26th Heavy rain this morning, prevents our getting any thing done to the hay. took some Coals out of the Kiln. - 27th Rain at times. Joe brot a supply of fresh meat from Steeltrie? - 28th Sent Joe back to Steeltrie? Peter Moar with Robert Clouston making corn sickles for Fort Hibernia. Rain prevents any other work being done. - 29th Cloudy. Peter Moar afsisting Robt Clouston in making nails &c for F Hibernia. Others at the Potatoes. - 30th Fine day. All hands at the hay. Find it much hurt by the late rains. - 31st Part of the hay built & the rest put in corks?. - 1st All the hay built. Took a ride to the old house. Barley looks tolerable but the Wheat is hardly perceptible among the Grafs. - 2nd Took the Coal Kiln down & weeded some of the potatoes in the new ground."

Sunday Aug. 3 1817
" Joe arrived with a few Leather skins & a little provisions from Steeltrie?, Cannewit & five other Indians with a few pieces of dry meat & some leather skins. Two of the latter I was obliged to permit them to trade at the NW house for Tobacco, my Stock of that Article being out. - 4th The Indians of yesterday went off. Joe with them. Robert Clouston & Peter Moar putting up the unburnt wood that came out of the kiln, repairing hatchets &c. Wm Work & Michael Killcool squaring Corner posts for a house. Sent nails to F. Hibernia by a Canadian. - 5th Robt. Clouston attending the Coals &c. Peter Moar finished the potatoes in the new ground & then joined the other two men, who finished the corner posts early, in working at the potatoes in the old ground. - 6th Wm Work hauling home building logs. Robt Clouston & Michael Killcool getting beams. Peter Moar furring? potatoes. - 7th Robt Clouston greving? Posts. Wm Work hauling home Posts & logs. others furring? potatoes. - 8th Men employed nearly the same as yesterday. James Inkster with a Boy arrived from F Hibernia & about three hours after Jacko? la Violette & German Monjunes? from Jack River. the latter stops at the Grafsy Creek to take care of the Goods. Joe arrived with the flesh of a Red Deer. - 9th Sent a Cart for the Goods of yesterday. finished the potatoes. Built part of the new house & had some Iron work made for F. Hibernia."

Aug. 10 Sunday
" James Inkster & boy also Germain - departed for the Upper house, with a supply of Goods as pr Waste? Book. - 11th Jacko went to Red Deer's River to join his family. Says he is free. Have received no Instructions about him. Two men working at the house, which is almost up to the beams. Two chopping logs &c. Indians belonging to the NWt house got drunk & are very troublesome. had to sit up all night. & with little or no advantage to the Company as the Indians have very little but what was lodged in the NWt house, previous to their getting Rum."

Aug. 12
" Steeltrie? & Natat arrived, the former with 11 Beaver skins & 3 leather skins, the latter for a man to go with him for a little provisions. sent Work, who arrived late with one Beaver & two leather skins, a few pieces dog meat & a little Fat & pounded meat. A few logs for wall-plating Chop'd & got home. The Coal Kiln taken down &c. Joe arrived with fresh meat. - 13th Two Indians arrived from Red Deer's River, & two from above. The former brot a few leather skins, the latter nothing. The reach Pole & Wall plating put on the House, a few roofing sticks got &c. - 14th Men carrying clay up the Bank to build the chimneys. brought home the poles for it, set them up &c. - 15th All hands building the chimneys. Traded from Indians for Rum a few leather skins & a little provisions. - 16th Men as before. Rainy afternoon. Joe arrived with fresh meat."

Aug. 17 Sunday
" Two Soutaux arrived at the French house - drunk. - 18th All hands at the Chimneys. Joe returned to the hunting tent. - 19th Wm Work made an unsuccefsful search for a horse. Peter Moar weeding turnips. Robt Clouston & Michael Killcool finished the Gable end of the chimney. - 20th All hands at the chimneys. Joe came to the house with the hunter brot nothing. Four Men & one boy from F Hibernia with five carts loaded with provisions & leather skins. - 21st Sent Baptiste & German, two of the Men who arrived yesterday, off with a Canoe & four bags of Pimmican to meet the Boats incase they may be short of provisions. My? men as yesterday. Joe off seeking a horse, could not find him. - 22nd The other two Fort Hibernia men & boy returned. Sent Joe & the hunter off to look for the lost horse - both returned unsuccefsful. All hands still at the chimneys & brought part of the roofing sticks home. - 23rd Last of the roofing sticks & sleepers hauled home & the former barked ?, & put on the house."

Aug. 24 Sunday
" Hunter pitched off. - 25th Chimneys finished. Grafs cut for the roof. Part of do. mudded. Sleepers laid &c. A considerable quantity of Rain. - 26th Finished mudding the roof. Grafs brot home & put on. Couples? & poles brot home. Bark put on the roof & finished. - 27th Robt. Clouston & William Work brot home two pine logs. the other two men mudding the houses. - 28th Robt Clouston & Wm Work sawing flooring for the house. the other two cut & carted home some fire wood & mudded part of the house. - 29th As yesterday. - 30th Robt. Clouston edging & planing flooring boards, and put parchment in the windows. Michael Killcool & Peter Moar laid a hearth in the big room, mudwashed the house & hoed part of the cabbage &c. Much distant Thunder."

Aug. 31 Sunday
" Nothing particular."

Sept. 1 1817
" Robt Clouston & Wm Work employed about the floor. Michael Killcool & Peter Moar finished cleaning the Turnips. brot Clay from the Creek &c. Rainy day. - 2nd Men employed nearly the same as yesterday. - 3rd Sent Wm Work to look for Horses found one which he brot home. Others as before. - 4th Clouston putting in Windows &c. Work hauling & the other two cutting firewood &c. Rainy afternoon. Joe arrived with an unskin'd Beaver, but no other provisions. - 5th The smith making Sicles hinges &c for a door. Wm Work with him. the other two men repairing the chimney in the Men's house. Joe looking for a Mare, did not find her. - 6th Michael Killcool & Peter Moar mudding the Mens house. the other two Men sawing & finished the floor in the new house. Employed Natat to kill a few animals for us. Sent Joe off with him with two horses. Rain at times. - 7th Severe frost last night. - 8th Robert Clouston making a floor for the Mens house. Two men chopping & one hauling home a few sticks to repair the floor in the Men's house. - 9th Moar with the smith making nails &c. others cutting & hauling firewood. Put the horse out. - 10th Clouston finished the door of the new house. Mr Finlayson & John Turner arrived with Baptiste. German remains with the Boats. Sent Work for a horse to bring up the canoe load - found none. Several Soutaux arrived. - 11th Clouston making a bed. Work found a horse & brot up the Canoe load from the Creek. others as yesterday. - 12th Sent Baptiste & a Boy to Fort Hibernia with a supply of Goods. All the men as yesterday. Joe arrived with fresh meat from Natat. - 13th Rob. Clouston finished the bed & the other men their floor & Mudwashed part of the house. Cannewit arrived brot very little."

Sept. 14 Sunday
" Nothing remarkable, - 15th Had three horses brought home to be ready to cart up the Boats cargoes from the Dogs Knowles? as the water above that, is shallow. Clouston helved the Corn hooks &c. others variously employed. - 16th Peter Moar with the smith repairing Hatchets & Steel Traps for Red Deer's River. the other two reaping Barley."

Sept. 17
" Men employed as yesterday. Joe arrived with fresh meat. - 18th Sent Robt. Clouston with John Turner to meet the Boats with a supply of provisions, as they are taking more time than we expected - Work & Killcool to the lower Garden, commonly called the Old house to reap & thrash the Barley. Pulled up the largest of the Turnips (60 Gallons) Joe returned to bring home part of the meat he left. - 19th Joe arrived with the meat he went for, also the two Men of yesterday with 4 Kegs of Barley. - 20th The Boats arrived. Carted up their Cargoes from the Dogs Knowles. Joe returned to the Tents."

Sept. 21 Sunday
" Gave out Rum to the Indians & laid by an afsortment of Goods for Fort Hibernia. Joe arrived with meat. - 22nd Sent 7 Men off to Ft Hibernia with 4 Carts loaded with Trading Goods &c as pr Day Book. One Man & three Boys arrived with four Carts from Ft Hib. with Dry meat & Fat as pr provision Book. Indians still drunk. - 23rd Laid out an afsortment of Goods for Red Deer's River. Gave the Buck Debt. Paid our hunter the Balance due him - both pitched off - Wm Work & Michael Killcool reaping barley. the Smith making Awls for Red Deers River. As I had appointed Donald McDonald to go to Red Deers River, ordered him to afsist in packing up the Outfit for that place, which order he pofsitively refused, as he is determined not to Winter there. - 24th Gave Debts to several Indians, also with Mr Finlayson gave the Goods indented for by the Summer Men last Spring. James Morwick & Robert Rendal sawing. Wm Heddle? 2nd afsisting in the Forges. - Bremner & - Brafs grinding hatchets. Robt. Harvey laying part of an upper floor &c &c - 25th John Turner with four men (viz. George Sinclair, Wm Heddle 1st, Donald Matheson? & James Flett) embarked in a Boat with Trading Goods &c as pr Day Book, for Red Deer's River. Men at the house nearly the same as yesterday. Took up the last of the Turnips. 4 kegs. - 26th Indians pitched off. - Ja. Morwick making shelves in the Store? Robt. Rendal& Michael Killcool thrashing barley & winnowed it 11 Kegs - Heddle 2nd with the Smith - Robt. Harvey still at the floor. Bremner & - McDonald cutting wood. others seeking horses &. Mr Heron late of the HB Company arrived at the NWt House. - 27th Laid out a quantity of Goods for Ft. H. &c."

Sept. 28 Sunday
" Nothing worth remarking. - 29th The Men of the 22nd returned to Ft. Hib. Sent the Smith & Robt. Harvy? with them (as these two men by Mr Sutherland's order are to Winter at F Hibernia) with Cargoes as pr Day Book. - Morwick laying part of the floor, which - harvy left unfinished. Wm Work making nets. others digging up Potatoes, only 17 kegs today! - 30th Mr Finlayson with Tom Taylor set off on horse back for Ft Hibernia. Men as yesterday. from the Garden 15 kegs of Potatoes."

Oct. 1 1817
" Men still the same - 12 kegs of Potatoes. Joe arrived in company with some Indians, with fresh meat. fine warm day. - 2nd After digging for a considerable time in the new ground, we got only about 4 Gallons of potatoes, not much large than peas. ordered the Men to leave it off & bring some firewood in the Boat. Advanced Natat some Debt. Indians drunk. - 3rd Ja. Morwick still planing & plowing? the flooring. Four others cutting firewood - Work still at the nets &c. Indians went off. - 4th Robt Rendal & Alex Bremner chopping logs. Others as before."

Oct. 5 Sunday
" Much rain last night. Cloudy. - 6th Morwick making a ladder. Work still at the nets, others putting bark on the roof of the Mens house, bringing home couples &c. Three Men arrived from Ft Hib. with as many light carts. also Donald McDonald, who went off the 29th Ultimo without any orders, or permifsion. - 7th Sent the Ft Hibernia Men of yesterday back with two Carts loaded as pr Day Book. Morwick putting in Windows, all the others except Work, who is always at the nets, mudding the houses. Rather cold. Sent Joe to Apapues? band for his Son Kentagen to come to the house. - 8th The ground thinly covered with snow. Morwick laying the floor, some cutting cord wood & others mudding the houses. - 9th Last of the boards we have laid in the floor. Work backing the Nets & 5 others cutting Cordwood. Joe arrived with a Red Deer. Kentagen is gone to the Upper Tent, but is to come the house when he returns. - 10th Morwick mudding his own house. Rendal & Moar, thrashing barley. Work finished backing the nets. 4 others Cutting wood &c. - 11th Rendal & Work thrashing - Morwick repairing a Canoe for fishing with. Moar & Joe taking home some wood in the Boat. others cutting Cordwood."

Oct. 12 Sunday
" Strong North wind. - 13th The Otter & Kentagen arrived engaged the latter as hunter for the Winter. Rendal & - Work finished thrashing & winnowing the barley, 300 Gallons in all, but a great part of it not ripe. Others cutting wood. - 14th The Indians of yesterday went off - Rendal hauling home wood on a Cart broke one of the shafts, & put another to in its place. 5 Men cutting wood. - 15th Sent Wm Work & Peter Moar to the Shoald river to fish. Joe looking for horses found none. others as before. Measured the distance to our Cord wood, the nearest is 5 Furlongs, 124 yds. the farthest 1 Mile 2 fur. 78 yards. - 16th Men at home as yesterday. Sent Joe to the hunter. Several Freemen arrived on the Plantation. are going the Plains."

Oct. 17
" Sent two Men to the Shoald river with Dogs, four men cutting wood. Andrew Spence & Hugh Fraser from Ft Hibernia, brot some provisions & a few robes. - 18th The two men of yesterday returned to Ft Hibernia with Goods as pr Day Book. sent Michael Killcool with them. three men cutting wood."

Oct. 19 Sunday
" The two Men of 17th Inst. Returned. Two Canadians arrived from Point O'foutre, which they left the 6th Ulto. in a Canoe with Goods for our Opponents. - 20th Five men cutting wood. The two Canadians of yesterday wtih Mr James Heron proceeded to their upper Fort with one cart load of sundries. - 21st Men as yesterday. - 22nd Men as before. The river bordered with ice this morning, the first we have seen this season. - 23rd Three men cutting wood, two looking for horse, found none. With the afsistance of our Neighbours & Freemen got the Boats hauled up out of the River. - 24th Three men cutting wood. Rendal went for & brot the horse which yesterday - Bremner could not find. Cold. - 25th One man hauling home wood in lengths & three cutting. Joe arrived, brought nothing, says the hunter is starving. on account of the drynefs of the Season which renders approaching to Animals difficult if not impofsible, as the dry leaves make such a noise when walking on them, that it alarms the Moose. The River fast except in strong Current."

Oct. 26 Sunday
" Snowing & blowing all day. - 27th Morwick & McDonald looking for Birch for slades, found it. - Rendal & - Bremner cleaning out the forge & cutting a Window out in it &c. - Wm Heddle the 2nd hauling wood. Joe brought home a horse. - 25th Two Men falling Birch sticks. - Bremner chopping logs. - Heddle as before. Sent Rendal & Joe off with two days provisions to look for a Mare of the Company's. - 29th Sent Morwick & Bremner to square logs. finished one! & brot it home. Donald McDonald cutting wood in lengths & Heddle hauling it home. - 30th Morwick & McDonald sawing - Bremner cutting wood in lengths & Heddle hauling. - 31st Morwick & Donald as yesterday, finshed the Log, went with them with a slade of Dogs, & with much difficulty got a Birch stick home, as there is so little snow. Heddle as before. Bremner getting sleepers for a house &c. - 1st Morwick & Donald sawing Birch - Heddle repairing the wood sledge Bremner working at the house. Rendal & Joe arrived did not fine the mare - brot meat from the Hunter on two horse - 7 moose at the tent. Three men arrived from the Lake Winnipeggushish, where they were set fast, & Mr Sutherland remains with three more. Fine day."

Nov. 2 1817 Sunday
" Sent John Favel & Thomas Setter, two of the men who arrived yesterday off with the Packet to Fort Hibernia. Have wrote Mr Finlayson agreeable to Mr Sutherland's orders to send down Men Dogs Slades & provisions to be forwared to meet the Boat, who is still behind & it is probable at a great distance off. Sent Robt Rendal & two Boys with 4 slades & Dogs to meet Mr Sutherland, also sent orders for Peter Moar to go with them from the Shoald River. Snow all disolving. - 3rd Joe & McDonald off with three horses for meat - Heddle hauling & Bremner cutting wood. Morwick planeing slade boards. River opening in many places. - 4th Morwick turning slades. Others as before. - 5th Morwick sewing a Slade. Others still as before. The two Men of 3rd Inst arrived with the meat of three Moose. weight only 565 lb!! Weather very fine. - 6th & 7th Morwick Bremner & Donald cutting wood & Heddle hauling. Snowing & thawing. Late in the evening of the 7th had the pleasure of Mr Sutherlands arrival, with three Men, also those I sent to meet him the 2nd Inst. - 8th Three Men sent to the Shoald river for fish. Two to make a saw pit &c."

Nov. 9 Sunday
" The men of yesterday returned with fish & two Rolls of Tobacco left by Mr Sutherland. - 10th Morwick & Rendal sawing birch for slades. Joe seeking horses found none - Peter Henderson sewing slades. McDonald & Bremner afsisting the sawyers to carry in the Birch to the pit. The two Men sent to F. Hib. the 2nd Inst returned with two others with two Carts, loaded with provisions. Snowing. - 11th Sent two men to haul the birch Boards home. Sawyers the same - others variously employed. 12th Morwick plaining slade boards. - James Wishart with Rendal at the saw. Heddle hauling wood & others preparing to start several ?. Our Hunter & Natat arrived. - 13th John Favel sent with Natat for Meat, & Joe with the Hunter. Tom Setter cutting wood. Lamier & Goultier, two Canadians who arrived with Mr Sutherland, Sent to the Shoald River to make salt. Others variously employed.. - 14th Alex Bremner, Peter Henderson, Donald McDonlad & Angus McAulay sent to Jack River for Tobacco, & with provisions to meet the Fall people. Rendal & Wishart sawing birch. Morwick turning birch slades. Setter cutting & Heddle hauling wood. - 15th Men the same as before. two or three Canadians arrived at the NW house, from the partridge Crop?, where we are told Mr John McDonald and party are set fast. These Men are come for horses to convey the Goods to Ft Alexandria, the Post in Opposistion to Ft Hibernia at the Indian Elbow. - 16th Peter Moar with a Boy arrived from the Shoald River, with some Goods left by Mr Sutherland. See Day Book."

Nov. 17
" Morwick planing slade boards - Wishart & Rendal sawing. Heddle & Tom Setter getting firewood. Moar returned to the Shoald River. - 18th Men as yesterday. John Favel arrived with provisions Snowing a little, all day. - 19th Sawyers finished the birch, others as before, except Joe & - Favel sewing slades. Wm Heddle the 1st arrived from Red Deer's River.- 20th Joe & - Favel afsisting those at the slades, others cutting & hauling wood. Two Boys sent for fish. Work the fisherman arrived with a load. - 21st Three Men cutting wood - one hauling. - Morwick & - Favel as before - Work brot home some birch boards from the saw pit. Moar arrived with the boys of yesterday with fish. Packed Goods for Red Deer's River. - 22nd Four men at the Slades. Four Men & a Boy sent to the hunting tent. - Joe is to remain with the hunter. Wm Heddle 2nd returned to Red Deer's River, with Goods as pr Day Book. Peter Moar also sent to remain there. Goultier from the Shoald River, not well."

Nov. 22 Sunday
" The Men sent for meat yesterday returned with loads. - 24th Wishart & Setter brot home the last of the birch & chopped some of the slabs. Others various. Warm day. - 25th Three Men & a Boy sent for fish. Goultier returned to Lamier. Rendal making horse shafts for flat slades. - Favel chopping Carry all timbers. &c. fine day. - 26th - Favel afsisting Morwick at the Slades. - Rendal cutting & Heddle hauling wood. Two Men & an Indian arrived at the NWt house. - 27th Men at the house as before. those sent for fish returned. The Canadians of yesterday went off again accompanied by another Man. It seems they came with a supply of Goods from where McDonald is set fast & return for other loads. - 25th Two Men cutting & one hauling wood. One seeking horse. Two triming slades &c. fine day. - 29th - Work seeking horse. found none. Morwick repairing a Cart. Others variously employed. - Mr Sutherland took his departure for F. Hibernia with four Men & two Carts loaded with Sundries as pr Day Book."

Dec. 1 1817
" 1st Ja. Morwick finished mending the Cart. Robt. Rendal brot a horse home. Wm Work mending the nets. Late Joe arrived with a little fresh meat. Cold & snowing a little. - 2nd Morwick & a Boy off with Joe for meat. Rendal hauling wood - Work & John Stewart setting nets in the river. Goultier arrived from the Shoald river, says Lamier has made no salt yet, that he is keeping his bed & so swelled that his clothes will hardly go round him. - 3rd Two men cutting & one hauling home wood. - 4th Morwick & boy arrived with meat. Work at the nets. Stewart cutting wood. Rendal mending the sledge. Francis Martin arrived from the Plains, met Mr Sutherland at the Thunder hill. Two Frenchmen arrived with load slades from McDonald. - 5th Sent Work & a boy to the Shoald River for the Tent, they had living in, & with Provisions to Lamier. Morwick turning slades. Stewart cutting & Rendal hauling wood. snowing a little. - 6th Work & the Boy of yesterday returned with Goultier & Lamier, the latter on a slade, being unable to walk. Morwick sewed a Slade, others as before."

Dec. 7 Sunday
" A Considerable fall off snow. - 5th Sent three men to get from logs after having felled one large tree & chopped? part of it, found it rotten in the heart, of course uselefs. Work mending nets. Rendal as before - Apapue arrived. - 9th Two Men setting nets - Two chopping logs. Rendal still the same. - 10th Two Men cutting wood Morwick sewing a slade. Work mending nets. - 11th Near a foot of snow fell last night. Men nearly as before. - 12th Cleared the snow from before the house &c. - 13th Morwick sewing a slade. Rendal hauling wood - Work at the nets. After Dayset Mr John McDonald & a Clark arrived at the NW house?"

Dec. 14 Sunday
" Joe arrived with fresh meat. About 10 PM two men from Ft Hibernia with dry provisions - 15th Sent two Men to the hunting tent. Morwick sewing a Slade. Rendal hauling wood. Work at the nets, could not take all the fish home with him. 16th Morwick hauling wood. The two men who arrived from F. Hib. sewing slades for themselves. Sent Rendal to the hunting tent. Work & Joe to seek a horse - could not find him. Cotte? a NWt Clark, with two men went to Red Deer's River with Sleds load with their own & Co. property. & I have Indian information that McDonald has already, from where he was set fast. sent four men with loaded slades, to the same place. also Six Men to the Partridge Crop, where Mr Cummings is, whose family is sent by this Conveyance. - 17th The two Men of 15th Inst returned with meat. Others variously employed. - 18th James Mowat, one of the men who arrived the 14th Inst. returned to F. Hib. have sent Joe with him as Michael Killcool is by Mr Sutherlands orders to remain here. Goultier & Stewart took the potatoes out of the Cellar in the Big room & put them in the cellar in my room, No fire being kept in the former Room. Work mending a net. - Killcool cutting wood. Morwick hauling wood. - 19th Sent two Men & a boy to the Shoald River for fish. Work at the nets & Goultier cutting wood. - 20th Work mending a net &c others as before. those of yesterday returned with Fish."

Dec. 21 Sunday
" Rendal arrived from the hunting tent with fresh meat. Donald McDonald from River accompanied by one of our Canadians from the Great Rapid. Brot Goods, without any Account, as pr Day Book. - 22nd Sent Rendal & Killcool to F Hibernia with the Packet to Mr Sutherland. Two Men to the hunting tent - Morwick to look for Birch. Stewart to haul wood. Work at the nets. - 23rd Morwick & Donald brot home a birch stick for slades. Work mending a net. - 24th The two men of the 22nd came home with meat. Morwick & Donald sawing. Goultier cutting wood &c. - 25th Holy day - 26th Morwick & Donald sawing - Goultier cutting wood - Work at the nets. Gro', the Canadian who came from the Big fall, the 21st Inst. making traces. - 27th Sent Donald & Goultier to meet the men from Jack River, with fish for their dogs, which fish is left at the Shoald river for that purpose. Morwick planing slade boards. - Work mending a net. Gro' cutting wood."

Dec. 28 Sunday
" Donald & Goultier returned, say that Frenchmen & Wolves have taken & destroyed the fish. - 29th Sent Stewart Gro' & a boy to the hunting tent where I am informed by the Otter's Son, who arrived to day there is two Canadians. - Morwick planed some slade boards & put them in soak. - Work at the nets - 30th Sent Morwick & Donald off with the Indians of yesterday for the few skins they have. Goultier cutting wood & Work hauling. Since Christsmafs the Weather has been very fine. - 31st Work at the nets. Goultier cutting wood &c. The men of 29th arrived with meat. Also the hunter who has given a Moose to the French to pay for a former debt he had from them. - Bremner, McAulay Henderson & Tom Firth? arrived from Norway house with loads as pr Day Book. Several men arrived at the NWt House - Rainy day."

Jan. 1 1818
" Holy day. - 2nd Hunter returned to his tent, little or no work done to day. soft weather. - 3rd Work at the nets. Goultier cutting & Stewart hauling wood. Bremner sawing a slade. Sent Gro' to the hunting tent. - 4th Three of the men who arrived the 31st Ulto. proceeded to F. Hibernia with Goods as pr Day Book. About 4 PM two men arrived from Cumberland house with an exprefs. - 5th At 4 AM sent Bremner off with the exprefs of yesterday to Mr Sutherland. Work & a Boy for Meat. Goultier to the nets. Stewart constantly the same. hauling wood home. - 6th Those of yesterday returned with a Moose. Goultier cutting wood. - 7th Work at the nets. others as before - sharp day. - 8th The two men of the 30th Ult. arrived brot 42 Beaver skins 9 Otters. - 40 Martins & two of the Indians came with them, who of course are drunk. Work & Goultier setting a net. - 9th Donald Matheson & Wm Heddle the 1st from Red Deer's River. Work mending nets, Goultier cutting dry wood. Gro' from the hunting tent with meat, says our Hunter has pitched off With all the Rest of the Indians to attend a General afsembly at the Thunder hill; conveened by his Excellency, the rascal Mr Rattle Snake. This unlucky affair will distrefs us as our stock of provisions is small. & a long time of the best hunting season will be lost. - 10th Work at the nets. Goultier cutting wood &c. Indians of the 8th went off."

Jan. 11 Sunday
" Nothing particular. - 12th Sent the Red Deer's River Men back with Goods as pr Day Book. Goultier & Gro' cutting wood. Morwick and Donald turning slades. two men setting a net. fishing fails? fast? the ice in the river gets so thick that the water is quite shallow - 13th work mending a Net. Goultier & Gro' cutting wood &c. - 14th Sent Morwick & Donald to F Hibernia for provisions who returned in the evening (agreeable to the instructions I had given them) with three others. they met coming from that place with provisions, also a Letter from Mr Sutherland to Mr McDonald which I delivered according to order. Two men cutting wood & two at the nets. - 15th Sent the two Cumberland House Men off - with letters for the Governor &c also sent Gro' with them to the Shoald river to bring the Gun & Kettles which Lamier had from Mr Sutherland in the Fall, as he is given up to Mr McDonald but he absolutely refuses to go, saying he is under no agreement to the NW or indebted to them on the contrary that they are due him above £ 100. However I took Robert Rendal, Thomas Setter, & Donald McDonald, Witnefses (Antwoine Gro' Interpreter) that I had told him as directed by Mr Sutherland & that he was from that moment free to go to - McDonald who claimed him, but that in the state he was in (he has hardly moved from his bed since the 6th of last September, with a swelling on his belly) I would not turn him out. he said if I did he would go with the Indians, but would never Join the NWt. Men variously employed. fine day. - 16th Sent Donald McDonald & Goultier to F Hib. with Goods as pr Day Book. Morwick made a Slade. Bremner, Rendal & Tom Setter Railed round the hay. Work mended a Net. Cold. - 17th Gro'arrived with Lamiers Gun & Kettles, others variously employed. Mr McDonald & four men off with slades. We suppose to the Plains. Cold."

Jan. 18 Sunday
" Extremely cold. - 19th Two men at the Nets. Others cutting dry wood. - 20th Work mended a net. Others sewing slades. Snowing all day. - 21st Two Men at the Nets - four cutting dry wood. - 22nd Sent Bremner & Gro' to see if the hunter is returned. Rendal & Tho. Setter repairing the Mens chimney. Morwick chopping Snow Shoe frames. Work always employed about the Nets. - 23rd The two men of yesterday returned. say the hunter is not yet arrived. Work as before - others unwell with a cold. - 24th Rendal pounding barley, others cutting firewood &c."

Jan. 25 Sunday
" Nothing particular. - 26th Morwick putting up temporary shelves in the house to lay the dry Garden. Bremner sewing a Slade. Others cutting firewood. Two of the Red Deer's River men, George Sinclair & Jn. Flett who have been at an Indians in the Winnipeggushish arrived with 11 Otters - 73 Martins - 69 Rats 1 damaged Red Fox 1 Mink - 1 fisher & 2 Leather skins. - 27th Sent Morwick & Bremner to look for the hunter with orders that if they do not find him, or if the businefs of the Afsembly is still unfinished to proceed to F Hibernia. The Red Deer's River Men have also taken that Route to return by. Some wood cut &c. - 28th - Gro' Pounding barley. Work at the nets. others various. - 29th Rendal Pounding barley, others cutting wood &c. Cold so intense last night that some of our potatoes got froze in the cellar. Jacko la violett arrived at the NW house. - 30th Work at the nets. others cutting wood &c weather milder. - 31st Men as yesterday. - Snowing."

Feb. 1 Sunday 1818
" The two Men of 27th Ult. arrived with Natat, who, as they have seen nothing of the hunter, I am under the necefsity of employing to hunt for the house, at a considerable expence, as for several days past we have been reduced to 1/2 lb Fat a day pr Man with Barley & Potatoes. These Men brot near a Moose with them & some dry meat. - 2nd Sent three men off with Natat who at his desire? returned with him as he has not yet recovered his last nights intoxication. Work at the nets - fishing improves as the two last times we got 34 each time, whereas it only used to be 3, 4 or 5 for a considerable time back. - Natat went off in the evening - 3rd Sent three Men off after Natat, one of them to remain with him. the others to come home with the first meat he may kill. Two men setting a net. Snowing. - 4th Two Men cutting wood one at the nets. - 5th The two Men of 16th Ult. arrived with provisions. - Tom Setter from the hunting tent without meat. Blowing Snowing & drifting. - 6th Two Men at the nets. two cutting down birch for slades. Weather much worse than yesterday. - 7th Three men off with Slades for a load of Birch. Goultier cutting wood &c. very cold."

Feb. 8 Sunday
" Nothing worth noting. - 9th Morwick chopping logs with Bremner. Setter at the Nets with Work. Donald pounding barley. Appointed Goultier to cut wood as he has no dogs. Gro' came home with meat. - 10th Sent Morwick & Bremner to F. Hibernia with Loads as pr Day Book. Donald & Setter for meat. Gro' with Work at the nets. - 11th The two men sent for meat returned with loads. two at the nets. Gro' not well. Helenapame? arrived with the information that his Brother our hunter has come to the tent. - 12th Setter & Gro' for meat. Goultier not well others various. - 13th Gro' came home with meat. Setter remains with the hunter. Sent Donald to remain at the tent Goultier still unwell - Lamier with a sore belly. Three out of 5 Men at the house - 3 are Invalids but all of them able to eat up their allowance of 7 lb fresh meat a day pr man. Setter arrived with meat."

Feb. 15 Sunday
" Nothing worth remarking. - 16th Two men for meat. One to the nets. - 17th Two men at the nets - fine day. - 18th One Man cutting dry wood. One pounding barley. - 19th Arrived the two men of 16th & Rendal, with loads, also Natat with them. Donald from our other hunter with the good news of 11 Moose being killed. Goultier at the nets. - 20th Sent Donald Back with two others who are to afsist him in taking the meat to the tent & then came home with Loads. Work mending nets. Goultier cutting wood. the two men of 10th Inst. arrived with provisions as pr provision book. Natat still Drunk from last night - 21st Natat returned to his tent. kept Rendal to look for a horse. found him? Goultier set a net with Work - very few fish."

Feb. 22 Sunday
" Two Moose Lake Indians arrived, the one to the NWt House the other, a boy, to us. both came for a supply of ammunition. - 23rd Sent Bremner & Goultier with the Indian of yesterday for the few skins he has, on Moose Lake account. Sent a little Spirits & ammunition to trade provisions. Two of the NWt Men also went. Work at the nets - Morwick to the hunting tent. Gro' arrived with meat accompanied by the hunter - fine day. - 24th Gro' cutting wood. Morwick arrived arrived with meat. The two Men of yesterday with 13 Martins on Moose lake Account. also 2 Martins 1 Fox & some dry provisions traded from the NWt Indians. - 25th Sent two Men for meat. Work at the nets. Only 1 Succor. Lamier mending his Kettles to make salt in. - 26th The two men of yesterday with Tom Setter arrived with meat. Goultier cutting wood. Work brought the nets home & not one fish.. Birch for slades brot. by Bremner. soft day - 27th Lamier & Goultier, off to make salt, Tom Setter & Gro' with their provisions Kettles &c. Morwick & Work sawing birch. Bremner cutting dry wood. - 28th Had the unexpected pleasure of Mr Sutherlands arrival, with 3 men from F Hibernia - Setter from the Shoald River Rendal from the hunting tent with meat. soft day."

Mar. 1 1818 Sunday
" No new occurence. - 2nd Four men sent for meat. Work to tent with Natat as Rendal is kept home to go to Jack River about dayset Gro' arrived. - 3rd Mr Sutherland departed for Cumberland house by the way of Red Deer's River. Robert Rendal & Gro' sent to Jack river, the latter, a man of very little consequence to the Company is to remain at the Big fall, from where we got him, & another to accompany Rendal to Jack River. The four men of yesterday arrived with meat. Packed some Goods fort Hibernia. fine day till evening when it blowed hard & snowed. - 4th Two men for meat, two repairing slades. fine day. - 5th James Morwick & Thomas Setter sent to Fort Hibernia with Loads as pr Waste Book. work from Natat, nothing killed. The two men of yesterday arrived with meat. - 6th Sent Work & Killcool to the Shoald River with provisions to the Salt makers & to bring up what is made. Bremner for meat. Natat & family arrived. - snow soft. - 7th Arrived Bremner with meat. - Donald for a slade, the two men of yesterday from the Shoald River with little more than 1 keg of fatt!! Natal went off - a general thaw."

Mar. 8 Sunday
" Weather continues warm. after Sun set Donald returned to the hunting tent. Work & a Boy with him for meat. - 9th Sent Bremner to Natats tent. returned in the evening, with the unpleasant news that he refuses to hunt any more for us. being so intimidated by Mr McDonalds threats to Beat him if he continues with the English that he is now to change his Blouse? & take shelter under the French Flag. tho' it must be confefsed he has always, till Winter of 1816 & 17 been a Nor'west trader. Killcool snow blind. much rain after dayset. - 10th Froze little or none last night. Bremner falling sticks for Bars. Killcool with Stewart hauling home the hay. Work & the Boy arrived with meat. soft day. - 11th Bremner making a slade for himself. Work gathering the froze potatoes out of the Cellar &c. Killcool cutting wood - Cold. - 12th Work & Bremner to the hunting tent. Killcool with Stewart taking home the hay &c. Snowing a little. - 13th Killcool cutting dry wood. Morwick with two Men arrived from F Hibernia with provisions. Also the Otters Son for a Man to go to their tent. Cold. - 14th The two men of yesterday returned to F Hibernia with loads as pr Day Book. Bremner & Work came home with meat. Donald with them also the Hunter with his Father & younger brother. Killcool cutting wood &c. Indians drunk. Cold."

Mar. 15 Sunday
" Sent Morwick with the Otters Son for their provisions. - 16th Indians of the 14th went off. Work & Donald to the Shoald river for fatt - Bremner sewing a Slade. Killcool cutting wood. - 17th Sent Bremner to remain at the hunting tent, & ordered him if no meat is to bring out of the Woods, to come home with the few skins the Indians have. Morwick returned with 30 pieces dry meat. Work & Donald with 2 1/2 Kegs of fat. Killcool taking the potatoes out of the Cellar - many of them froze. - only 11? Kegs now remains. fine day. - 18th Sent Donald & Work to F Hibernia with 374? lb? of Salt, which is all I have received as yet. Killcool cutting wood & it is with difficulty that we can now get any home for want of Snow. - 19th Sent Morwick to chop Oars - Killcool to cut wood in the sugar camp. snowing a little. - 20th Morwick to the hunting tent. Killcool as before. - 21st Killcool with Stewart bringing home hay - Morwick arrived with meat. says there is 4 Moose killed at the hunting tent. Eahques? arrived with 1 Chocolate Bear 1 Cat & 2 Beaver Skins, of all which he says, three Canadians he Met, had nearly Robbed him. Snowy afternoon. Indian drunk."

Mar. 22 Sunday
" A great quantity of snow since last night. Killcool & a Boy for meat. - Indians of yesterday went off. - 23rd The two sent for meat yesterday arrived. Bremner arrived with a load. Morwick planing slade boards &c. - 25th Bremner with Morwick at the ? Killcool & the Boy arrived with the last of the meat. - 26th Morwick chopping birch slabs? Killcool cutting wood in the Sugar Camp. Bremner lame of one hand. The two Men of 18th Inst. with two others arrived from F Hibernia with provisions. Had the pleasure of Mr Sutherland's return from Cumberland House, accompanied by Mr Cook from Moose Lake. Robert Rendal & Bill McKay from Jack River with Loads as pr Day Book. - 27th Sent the two F Hibernia men back with loads as pr Day Book. Bremner to the hunting tent. Morwick & Donald sawing birch. Work cutting wood. Killcool cooking. Otter arrived with furs. Gave him some Rum to drink at his tent. - 28th Afsafsue & youngest Son arrived - brot a few skins. Gave them Rum. Arrived with a letter from Mr Halcro, a Canadian, accompanied by two to the NWt house. Bremner arrived - no meat. Goultier from the Shoald River - others as before. fine day. Several Indians drunk at the NWt House & ?."

Mar. 29 Sunday
" Mr Cook returned to Moose Lake, with Joe Colen, the Man who came with him, remains here, being snow blind. Indians still drunk & troublesome. Two of them quarrelled when the one, Natat, gave the other, Can te oo te ne u, four terrible Cuts in the head & neck with a hatchet. The sufferer's wife also got one severe blow on the head. The perpetrator is a quiet Indian, the other quite the reverse. whenever he drinks a quarrel is the result; but in all human probability this will prove his last. He formerly killed a Canadian whose dead body he treated with savage barbarity. tho' still it fell short of the outrages committed by the human & Christian NWt Company, in the Mafsacre at Red River, on the remains of our much regretted friends & Countrymen. - 30th Morwick & Bill McKay chopping Oars. Rendal & Bremner searching for a Sugar Camp for the Company. Work mending nets. Goultier, & Ja. Taylor, the Moose lake Man, snow blind. Laid out Loads for three slades, for F Hibernia. - 31st Bremner Donald & Killcool sent to F. Hib. with Loads as pr Day Book Mr Halcro's Man Returned. Others as before."

Apr. 1 1818
" 1st Men taking birchrind for sugar rogans, making Spirits &c. - 2nd Mr Sutherland took his departure for Fort Hibernia with Bill McKay & John Favel. Men variously employed. - 3rd Goultier & Stewart for Birchrind. - Taylor to the Nets - no fish. Brot home A Canoe on his slade - sent him for another. Morwick chopping Oars. - 4th Morwick & Taylor ? home the Oars. Rendal & Work who were sent off the 2nd to look for a Mare, returned - could not find her. Others various. Rained a little in the evening."

Apr. 5 Sunday
" Three Men for Birchrind - two for a trough. Can te oo te ne u, the Indian who was wounded the 29th Ult., died & was buried - McDonald? our Neighbour Gave out Rum on the occasion to his Indians, which puts me to a little expence also. - 6th Stewart carting home wood. Morwick mending Kettles. - Taylor laid up with the Gravel. others making rogans & brot home the last of the Oars. - 7th Morwick & Goultier brot home the nets, as the ice is getting weak. Work & Stewart pitched to a sugar Camp. Rendal employed in another. River rose considerably last night. saw some Geese & Ducks. - 8th Sent Morwick & Goultier to the Shoald River with Kegs to put the Salt in. They proceeded about half way down the Grafsy Creek & returned - say there is too much water on the Ground. Taylor with Rendal at the Sugar Camp. In the evening a Canadian with his wife arrived from Ft. Dauphine to the NWt house. Ice breaking in the river. - 9th Foggy morning. Two NWt Canadians arrived from the Upper Fort with Dogs & Slades!! Montreu, a freeman, & Son from Red Deer's River. Fine day. Men variously employed. Ice making partial movements in the river - 10th Morwick chopping Canoe Oars. hard frost this morning, succeeded by a fine day - Mapple begins to bud. - 11th Froze none last night, consequently the Mapple does not run. Morwick as yesterday, both days has chopped five!! Taylor pounding barley."

Apr. 12 Sunday
" Main body of the ice past. Lamier arrived has got he says 10 kegs of salt at the Shoald River. The Otter came for the presents which he gets annually at this season, viz. a Coat Hat &c. Gave him & Companion their spring? ?. from weather, but no sugar made as it did not freeze last night. Heard Frogs. - 13th Froze some last night. Cloudy with a few drops of rain. Alex? finished chopping the Oars. Rendal cut & hauled some wood home. Taylor pounded a little barley - but is still unwell. George Sinclair & an Indian arrived from Red Deer's River. - 14th Very sharp frost last night - Mapple runs well. About Noon Cloudy & Rain which terminated in a great fall of snow. Morwick seeking a horse - not found. Taylor as before. Rendal not well. Bremner, Killcool & Robert Harvey from F Hib. with Horses & provisions. - 15th The Man & Indian of 13th Inst. returned to Red Deer's River with Goods as pr day Book. Men variously employed. Lamier gone to make a little sugar for himself - 16th Bremner & Killcool getting a little wood home. Four men preparing to be off tomorrow. Robert Harvey begun to work at the Boat, (which with the oars will be his constant emploment till it is all finished) getting the tools in order &c. - 17th Froze hard last night, but not warm enough to day to make the Mapple run. Sent 4 men to F. Hibernia with two Carts loaded with 6 Kegs of Potatoes, 2 Kegs of Barley &c. Two of these Men, Ja. Morwick & Rob. Rendal are to go down Red River with Mr Sutherland in the Boat, the other two John Stewart & James Taylor are to return here with horses. Sent a Canoe up to the crofsing place to crofs the Horses & Carts with. - 18th Bremner & Killcool afsisting the Carpenter to pick Oakum. Mr Duncan Campbell & two men arrived from JRiver?. Wm Dunnett with Joe. Colen from Moose Lake with a packet from Cumberland House. Fine day."

Apr. 19 Sunday
" Mr Campbell proceeded with his men to Fort Hibernia. Sent Joe with him with a horse, to go as far as the Upper Crofsing place. where, if they overtake the Men sent off the 17th have ordered Joe to return with the horse, others are to proceed to the house. Fine sugar day. Sent Bremner & Killcool to afsist at the sugar camps, instead of the two Men who Mr Sutherlands orders obliged me to send up. - 20th Bad sugar day. - 21st Froze a little last night - fine day. - 22nd Fine day - Mapple runs little - Goulter brought home a Keg of bad sugar. Wm Dunnett making horse home. - 23rd No frost last night. Cloudy & blowing. the sugar season seems to be over. - Dunnett pounding barley. - 24th Froze last night & freezing all day. Goultier came home, brot a little burnt syrrup. - 25th Cold. All the Men home from the Sugar Camps as nothing is doing at them. Work according to my orders has collected all his rogans. Mild evening - Mapple runs. How tantalizing. Harvey finished caulking the Boat & pitched the seams. Bremner cut & bored some prefs mallets. Dunnett pounding Barley."

Apr. 26 Sunday
" Sent Goultier & Killcool to the camp where the rogans are still standing, to put them right & to collect what water there is. - 27th Harvy begun to the oars. Bremner at the prefs mallets. Dunnett pounding barley? Work putting the Plow &c in order. Set a net in the river. 7 fish. Goultier & Killcool at the camp. - 28th Bremner repaired the Harrow. Work & Killcool sowed some onion seed & transplanted some from last year, repaired part of the Garden fence &c. Dunnett pounding barley. - 29th Ground covered with snow this morning. Snowing a little all day & pretty hard towards evening. Men variously employed but not much work done - All the Kettles brought home. - 30th Bremner & Dunnett sifted the Pounded meat. Goultier pounded Barley. Killcool boiling soap - Work working with the Nets. Cold."

May 1 1818
" 1st Bremner & Goultier making ? nails. Work & Dunnett set a net. Others various. - Cloudy & Cold. - 2nd Bremner & Dunnett repairing the Garden fence. Work & Dunnett digging roots out of the Garden &c. Continues Cloudy & Cold & snowing at times."

May 3 Sunday
" Still cloudy. - 4th Clear. Sent Work & Goultier to the sugar camp with a few Kettles. brought a small quantity of syrrup. Bremner & Dunnett digging out roots. Killcool still at the soap. - 5th Work & Goultier as before & with worse succefs. Bremner & Dunnett looking for a Canoe - not found. Killcool boiling the syrrup to a thicker consistince. - 6th Killcool & Goultier collected the rogans in the camp & cut some roots in the Garden with Dunnett. Work & Bremner plowing. Cold day. - 7th Work & Bremner as before & sowed 7 pints of wheat all I have, & 1/2 keg Barley. Killcool & Dunnett made a hot bed for & sowed some Cabbage seeds. Goultier digging roots. - 8th Sent 4 Men down to the lower Garden to plow & plant potatoes, who returned in the evening. Dunnett digging out roots - Boat finished, launched her. Warm. - 9th Dunnett as before. Sent the 4 men of yesterday with more seed, 3 1/2 kegs in all, to finish the Garden & fence it. Returned in the evening. Cloudy day, fine rainy evening."

May 10 Sunday
" Fine day. - 11th Part of the Garden plowed - potatoes cut roots dug out of the ground &c. - 12th Lamier embarked for the Salt making. Sent Goultier with him to collect pitch at the Shoald River. planted two kegs of Potatoes after the plow. The two men of 17th Ult. arrived, also James Stewart with 6 Horses & 2 Carts with some provisions. fine day. a little rain in the evening succeeded by hail, which lasted till past 10 PM. - 13th Ground covered of snow. hard frost. tied up our Furs. - 14th Hard frost in the morning - fine day. Plowed & planted the last of our potatoes. 6 1/2 Kegs in all. Made 7 bags for Pimmican for the pafsage. Harvey finished the Oars. - 15th Stewart with Work at the plow. Taylor & Mowat digging & planted a few forty-day potatoes. Killcool boiling soap Dunnett & Bremner pitching a Canoe. Harvey under physic. sowed near a keg of barley. - 16th Finished plowing & sowed the last of our barley, 2 kegs in all. packed our Furs in the Wedge prefs &c &c."

May 17 Sunday
" Nothing particular. - 18th Bremner & Work sowed some peas? in drills - others preparing for embarkation. Took Account of the remains, old stores & every thing down to the old hinges that is on the Doors. - 19th Took our departure from Swan River with a Boat manned with 5 Men loaded with above 20 pieces of sundries as pr Invoice & two horses. myself in a small Canoe with one man. Wm Work left in charge till John Turner arrives. Bremner left with him, who as soon as John Turner arrives is to embark in a small canoe with his Wife & follow us with all pofsible expedition. Slept at the Duck carrying place - 20th Proceeded to the Shoald River which is extremely shallow. had to put the horses out & a Man with them along shore all the way, through a most disagreeable road, Mires? & thickets. Also left 6 pieces above the Pelican fall. - 21st Brought the pieces left yesterday & proceeded to the salt creek, along which we walked up, I suppose 2 miles. saw nothing of Lamier & Goultier, brot the Salt to the Boat & proceeded to the bottom of the river. Here we found Lamier & Goultier, who say they only arrived here yesterday. having been detained on the Swan Lake by wind. Blowing a Gale. Measured the Salt. 9 kegs & 3 Gallons. Set a net, caught nothing. - 22nd Blowing fresh first part of the day - fine afternoon & a quite favourable occasion to proceed through the Lake, but my instructions from Mr Sutherland obliges me to remain here till John Turner comes from Red Deer's River. - 23rd Windy morning - 28 fish from the net, principally pike."

May 24 Sunday
" & 25th Blowing very hard, almost constant rain & at intervals snow. Our Situation at present is no enviable one, not a Tent to shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather. - 26th Took the net up, full of Grafs & some dead fish - put it down again in the evening. - 27th Blowing hard with frequent showers of rain. - 28th Rainy morning & blowing hard. favourable towards the afternoon. Eleven fish from the net. - 29th About 4 PM John Turner in company with the NW Canoes arrived. Had his boat unload at once, Marked the Red Deer's River packs, took account of remains Copied off the Indian Debts outstanding, Arranged the Cargoes load the Boats & made all ready for a Start tomorrow morning. One of John's Men he was obliged to leave behind being out with Indians, has spoke to some, who had arrived at the house previous to his embarkation, to come to Swan River with him. This Man, Peter Moar, is to be one of the Summer men at Swan River. - 30th Took my farewell of John Turner, who is, with the afsistance of Indians, to proceed to Swan River with two small Canoes & one Man, John Flett, with his remains &c. On his arrival he is to take charge till Mr Joseph Cook comes from Moose Lake. Bremner (with his Wife) in a small canoe to be sent after us immediately. Proceeded against a stiff breeze to the big pine Island & Slept."

May 31 Sunday
" Proceeded to the Island where Mr Sutherland was set fast last Fall. Gave his wooden canoe a slight repair & brot her with us to the Long Carrying place."

June 1st 1818
" 1st With an old Freeman & family's afsistance got the Boats up the hill. Killcool put the horses acrofs no grafs being on this side. - 2nd About 6 AM went to see how the Men were coming on with the Boats (as I expected they would not be able to accomplish taking them acrofs, the Boats being large & only 10 Men) found they had given in & told me they were not able to proceed took Killcool with me & went to bring the Horse, to try if they would afsist us. & left orders for the others to be carrying the Cargoes till we returned. - Could not find the horse. left Killcool & came back found nothing carried, asked the reason, & was told that incase the horses would not haul, they would have to carry all back again & go out by the Manitobah track. Sent George Sinclair to look for the horse with Killcool. others to make Horse Harnafs. about day set the two Men arrived with the horse's. - 3rd & 4th Got the horses to haul the Boats acrofs with the men. quite hot & Sultry in the woods. - 5th Cargoes carried part way & the Wooden Canoe brought acrofs. Bremner arrived. - 6th Robert Harvey mending the canoe, others carrying."

June 7 Sunday
" Robert Harvey finished the Canoe. Others still the same. A Severe Storm with rain hail Thunder & lightning. - 8th Harvey & Dunnett repaired One of the Boats which has got several holes in it, in hauling acrofs. Others as before, got all over. Boats in the water & Cargoes divided. Blowing a Gale. - 9th Almost Storm cannot get off. - 10th Blowing fresh, put off early; A Gale came on & separated us. Dunnett made for the Shore with the horse. George Sinclair got to the long point & Myself in the Wooden Canoe reached A small Island. Fine evening got to the narrow of the Cedar Lake, found George had arrived just before me, & about 9 PM, much to my satisfaction, the other boat also. about half an hour after 15 French Canoes with six & seven men in each. - 11th Put off early & came down the Rapids, without any accident, found 3 of the french Canoes (all of them had started before us) remaining behind to dry their Furs, which was all scattered about, They broke a Canoe. - Slept at the discharge of the Grand Rapid into Lake Winnipeg - 12th Blowing hard from sea. Fine evening, left the two Boats as the men were seeking the horse, & came on in the Canoe, till near midnight when I put ashore. - 13th Favourable weather. slept at the first carrying place, a place so called, on the Shore of the Winnipeg."

June 14 Sunday
" Start early, but were obliged to put ashore about 11 AM. put off again about 7 PM as the wind was rather lefs, about 10 PM were drove in again, short of the Mofsy point. - 15th Blowing a Gale prevents our getting off. - 16th A little favourable, put off, an almost instantaneous Storm, that made the water fly like drift in Winter made us take the shore with all speed, here I left the Canoe & walked along the shore a distance of at least 12 Miles to Norway house where I arrived about midday & had the pleasure of paying my respects to the Governor, Mr Thomas, & other Gentlemen - 17th My Canoe arrived about 4 AM - 18th The two Boats I left behind arrived, also a light Canoe from Montreal."



B.213/a/7

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