McLeod, Norman. Journal, Alexandria, 1800-1801. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0028

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Friday 30th January 1801[.] Collin came back with 3 Good Sledges loaded of very good fat Meat, the people went off for meat[.] Roy & 3 Men arrived from Red Deers River[,] they brought me letters from Mr McGillis wherin he asks for Goods, Rum, & Guns[.] I am informed the Beaver is getting very scarce there[.] Roy behaved no better than usual while there, nor ever will I am afraid[.] Collin brought home the account of the Small Pox being among the Blood Indians, &c.[,] this was told him by an Indian he saw from the Punk hills, Who had been (as we imagine) at Upper Fort des Prairies to Steel horses[.] The Miroire & a Young Stone Indian came here late in the evening, they are come from the East end of the Punk Hills, where there are 30 tents of them, & he is come to ask me to Send out people to trade with them.

Saturday 31st[.] A fine day[.] [T]he people came home with meat, the Dutchman, A. Gibault went off[.] I wrote Jacco & Sent him a number of Small articles which he wrote me for[.] [R]ather colder than usual.

Sunday 1st February 1801[.] I Sent off Mr Harmon & Collin with eight Sledges & Rum & goods to the amount of 240 Sks. along with the Miroire[.] Snowed a little, & got colder weather blew very high[.] Ettienne Ducharm came here in the evening to inform me there are Six tents of Crees where they are who have got a great many Sledges load of provisions & a good many Skins[.] [T]he Buffaloe are by no means numerous where they are owing to the mildness of the weather they (the Buffaloe) retreat back to the plains[.]

Monday 2d[.] Sent off, Roy, Girardin, Dannis, & Plante with 120 Sks. value of Goods, Rum, &c. to trade with the Indians that are along wt the Ducharms[.] [T]he three Riveire à la Biche men went off[.] I Sent Mr McGillis a keg of High wines & near two bales Goods, with three Guns[.] It realy is a terrible bad day, Snowing, Blowing, & of consequence drifting, & Cold; the people that went off cannot be gone far owing to the extreme badness of the Day[.]

Teusday 3d[.] A Clear day, but colder than usual[.] Etienne went off, I gave him amunition & Tobacco for the time he is to be absent[.]

Wednessday 4th[.] This is Still a worse day than the Day before yesterday, Snowing, Blowing, Drifting & Cold[,] nearly a foot of snow has fallen between these two Days[.]

Thursday 5th[.] A Serene Cold day[.] I am seriously & grivously alarmed at Cadottes long absence[.]

Friday 6th[.] A very boisterous day, Cold, Snowy, Blowing & Drifting furiously[.] Roy, Girardin, Plante, & Dannis came back with four Sledges loads of Dryed Meat & grease[.] [T]he Rieuse & Tonnerre came to the fort, I gave them a few Pints of Rum to drink[,] I traded 3 Beavers & a Bear Skin with the former[.] [T]he roads are excessively bad owing the great fall of Snow lately[.]

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