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

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Sunday 1st March 1801[.] A Charming day, the Indians went off all except L'Homme qui se pose & Pivard[.] The people came home with the Meat, Collish Ducharm came home armes et baggage[.]

Monday 2nd[.] Fine weather[.] I Sent Bte Roy, & Girardin for the last loads of meat remaining at the Ducharms[.] Old Parrant is hauling ice & water for the Ice House, the men making horse Sledges to go down to the lower Fort[.] [I]n the evening, the old Bras court, Young Premier, & Mitchel's Step Son, (three Sauteaux) came here from the Montaigne du Porcupick, with the value of 20 Plues in Beaver, & Catts. L'Homme Qui se pose & Pivard went off[.]

Teusday 3d[.] A very boisterous day, Blows prodigiously[.] Some of the men at work making horse Sledges, others melting or Boiling back (Buffaloe) fat to put in the Pimican, all the women at work Sewing Bags to put the Pimican into[.] Roy, Girardin, & E. Ducharm came home with the last of the meat, & brought home the Lodge & now we have finished hauling meat, for this Season, we have now about eighty five Buffaloe Cows in the Meat house[.] Collin very busy making Kegs to put Grease into, old Parrant, making nails for the Sledges, & Plante hanging up the Meat & tongues he put in Salt ten days ago, to dry[.] The Indians (Sauteaux) tell me they mean to Sett off Tomorrow[.]

Wednessday 4th[.] I got the last Pounded meat we got made into Pimican, vizt 30 bags of 90lb so that we have now 62 Bags of that Species of provisions & of the above weight[.] I likewise got nine kegs filled with Grease, or Tallow rather each keg nett 70lb[,] the men finished their Horse Sledges. [I]n the evening two of Mr Perigne's men came here for loads to carry to Swan River[.] Old Bras Court, & young Premier Sett off; I gave them two Gall. mixed rum to drink at their Lodges[.] I likewise gave them a few Beaver's Credits[.] I weighed the few fur[s] I have here, in order to Send down a Pack with each man that goes down to Swan River[.] [T]he Men & Women danced till twelve oClock at night.

Thursday 5th[.] A Beautifull day, thaws prodigiously[.] [A]ll the men that have horses to lead down to Swan River Sett off vizt twelve men & twelve 13 horses & 13 Dogs Sledges, with 2 Pcs each & each horse Sledges four pieces[.] I Sent off old Chauvier to take care of my horses, as I told the men to leave them below [v]izt 5 in number[.]

Friday 6th[.] As fine a day as yesterday[.] I Sent off 4 Men (Six dog Sledges) 15 Pieces, along with Mr Harmon, to the Lower Fort[.] Le Mire came back about noon to tell me that the men a head being to heavily loaded had left four bags Pimican, not far from here which I Sent Girardin for with my Dogs So that there is now off with this convoy 58 Bags Pimican, 17 Packs, 14 Kegs Grease (89 Pieces)[.] The Petit Bled's Son came here in the evening with a few wolves & a little Grease[.] I Sent Cadotte to kill some Bulls to get Canoes made with the Skins, with old La V[.]

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