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

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Monday 6th April 1801[.] Cold & blowing hard[.] [T]he people are some cutting fire wood others hauling, some for Gum & others working at the Batteau[.] Severals of the people are ill with severe Colds[.] One of the Shell river men having brought his Violin with him the people danced all night.

Teusday 7th[.] Not so cold as usual, Blew fresh, a good deal of the Snow thawed today[.] Lambert & Beaulieu went off, I wrote Messrs McGillis, Harrison, & Nolin by them[.] I Sent 15 Steel Traps, Two horses & a Catt, a Short gun, with some other articles to River à la Biche[.] Cadotte killed a Swan today[.]

Wednessday 8th[.] Far from being a warm day[.] Most of the People are ill with bad colds[.] [T]he Batteau was finished today[.] Jacques & & the two Le Fevres arrived from the Lower Fort with the men's horses & my black Horse[.] La Verdure Sent up both his Horses for his boy & some dryed Meat as they catch no fish, they have already eat half a Bag Pimican[.] Mr Harmon writes me he found every thing in good order below[.] [T]he Snow about here I believe is determined to remain with us, whilest all the Country round us has not a Single Spot remaining[.] Some of the men & women danced this evening[.]

Thursday 9th[.] Thaws a great deal[.] [T]he Red River men went away. I wrote Messrs McDonell & Chaboillez, I Sent the former 13 ½ Qts. High wines altho' I have not much more remaining, rained in the evening[.] I Saw Some geese today for the time this Season[,] Swans are very numerous about the Place, the Colds still rage in the Fort.

Friday 10th[.] A fine day, nothing either material, or new, reserve two of the men having fought a battle (L'orient, & N. Ducharme), on account of the later's having played an inocent tricke with the former, who had the worst of the Battle[.]

Saturday 11th[.] A very fine day[.] Old, & Young Le Fevre went off, the former took a piece weight of Salt Meat, & a bag Pimican with his horse[,] the later took 360lb of dryed meat with La Verdures Horses for themselves to eat at the lower Fort to prevent their eating any more of the Pimitigan, young Le Fevre took La Verdure's little Boy down with him[.] [T]he people covered & plaistered the ice House[.] [T]here is a great deal of water on the Ice in the river. I gave Fallardeau (the free man) two Parchement Skins to make a Canoe with to drive down the Red River[.] I had Lemire getting ready wood to get two made for myself, to lighten the Batteau[.] I likewise sent 9 Skins by old LeFevre to Mr Perigné to get a Canoe Made to go down the Swan River. Collin is very ill with the tooth ache[.]

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