McKenzie, James. Journal, 1799-1800. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0016

Thursday 9th[.] Saurarda arrived & paid 72 Skins Beaver Credits between himself and 2 Sons[.] This Indian brought his Daughter who deserted in the Course of the winter from Morin at Slave Lake in order to be returned to her husband (Morin)[.] Mr Porter wrote me per Morins orders to sell her to the Highest bidder & debit Morin for the Amount[.] Two advantages may be reaped from this affair – the first is, that it will assist to discharge the Debts of a Man unable to do it by any other Means for he is neither good Middleman, foreman, Steersman, Interpreter, or Carpenter – the next is, that it may be the mean of tickling some lecherous Miser to part with Some of his Hoard[.] I therefore Kept the woman to be disposed of in the Season when the Peace River Bucks begin to rut most, I mean in the Month of May[.] Traded this day several Prsof old Rackettes from the Indians[.] It will not be amiss to tell in this Journal that our lately created Chief Marlin, has undertaken not only the reformation of the Chepewean Grievances at his own post but also that of Grievances of Chepeweans at other Posts. The present Complaint is that the Montagners of Slave Lake are too numerous for the quantity of Goods Sent there every fall[.] Then Marlin's Question was whether it would not be better to bring all the Montagners to winter between this Post and Grand Marrais – & to leave the Slave Lake for the Red Knives[.] My answer was that too many Goods were sent every fall to Slave Lake because the most of the Montagners there are Damned Rascals who run off wt their Credits to their Lands and that as for bringing such fellows here it would be mere nonsense for these who are here already never pay their Credits owing, as they alledge, to the scarcity of Beaver – and how much more scarce it would become would so many more Carcajoux be let loose among it[.]

Friday 10th[.] Jolie Le Compte, St André, and Cataras arrived from the Islands Bag & Baggage[.] Gave them a Dram[.] Offered Morin's wife (to take care of her till the arrival of Mr Finlay) first to Ettier, then to Dusablon and then to old Marciel but she refused them all three tour à tour & to Convince them how heartily she hated them all three she set up her pipes at the bare mention of their Names[.] As soon as they were gone she said that as it was her fate to be bound to a Benchulaigh Slini She should as soon have her former Benchulaigh Slini, Morin, as any other[.] She has a young Ojijauke on board her Frigate on its way to this world but how far advanced in the voyage I have not enquired[.]

Saturday 11th[.] This according to the frenchmen is Easter Sunday[.] My Computation and their's don't agree for my Saturday is always these Gentlemen's faite a Coup de pioche’s Sunday[.] Cadien Le Blanc's wife falling Sick in Land with the Indians was brought here the 2nd Instant on a Train and after Suffering very much before & Since her arrival here she expired this Evening[.] Dusablon though the plus Bete was ordained Priestre[.] By him the deceased woman was baptis'd and as he delivered the last word of this Ceremony she gave her last Gasp[.]

Sunday 12th[.] Cadien Blanc interred his wife on the Pointe de Sable along side of Labri[.] Before her Death she desired that no body might wear her Cloathes & accordingly Cadien burnt every thing belonging to her[.]

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L E G E N D :
 in red , modifications made by the editor(s).
 in lavender , modifications made by the assumed author(s).

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