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

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Sunday 12th April 1801[.] A Beautifully fine day, very little Snow remainin[g.] Being the Lord's day the people were not at work.

Monday 13th[.] As charming a day as yesterday[.] Carron & La Rose caulking the boat[.] Frisé made two kegs of Gum today[.] The Jour d'Enfant & old wife came here with a few bladders grease & a little piece & pounded meat, I gave him a qt. mixed rum, which was all he drunk, as he wishes to trade powder & Ball with his Grease &c.

Teusday 14th[.] Raining & Blowing fresh, so that the people could not go on with their work[.] A large band of Crees & a few Stone Indians came here, vizt Frêne, Sauteau, North wind, South wind, Tabo, Jacco, &c. &c. in Short the people of 60 Lodges[.] They got drunk, & we had a few disputes with one or two but all ended well[.] [A] number of Indians from Fort des Prairies were along with them who say, Mr King told them to come on these lands, by Mr McDonald's orders as otherwise they should run the risk of being cut off by a large war party of Fall Indians who are on the look out for the Crees; the Same Indians tell me that Mr Belleau was oblidged to abandon his Fort, & that Mr McDonell was in a manner besieged by them & expressed to Mr King in his letter to him great apprehension of his being pillaged & perhaps murthered by the Fall Indians[.] The Poor Old Chef des Canards was brought here on a Sledge he being sick for this long time past, he is quite emaciated. Boisterous cold night, I watched all night[.]

Wednessday 15th[.] All the Indians still drunk, we had a quarrel with the North wind owing to his having endeavoured to Stab one of my men[.] Mauvais mâle Sett off with his things to the Elbow, as he generally trades with the english[.] Payet, & La Plante came here from Fort Dauphin, they brought me a letter from Mitchel & Ferguson the Sent the bearers with 2 horses for Stds. & Blkts[,] they inform me that Cardain has not more than 40 Beavers at Fort Dauphin & only 80 at Turtle River including the Nipisang's hunt[.] I put a Stop to the drinking match about twelve oClock A.M. A Raw boisterous day, raining & snowing by intervals. The Day child went off.

Thursday 16th[.] A Cold, ugly day[.] [T]he Indians began to trade in the Shop, it's Surprising the quantity of Tobacco they trade. The river is quite free from ice here & the water seems to be high.

Friday 17th[.] Raining & blowing[.] Most off the Indians went off. La Couture arrived here from the River Qui Appelle, Mr McDonell sent him for Tobco of which article he writes me he has not Six pounds in his house[.] [T]he Mauvais Mâle came back with all his Skins from the Elbow, as Sutherland told him he had neither Tobacco or Rum altho' he found him self quite drunk he traded all his furs here[.] Two of the Bras Courts young Sons came here early in the morning, one of them has lately come from River à la Biche[,] he brought me a letter from Mr McGillis, but no news. I Sent LaComble & Roy off a horse back imediately, along with the boys to go for the old man's Skins & those of the young Premier, I Sent them 2½ qts high wines[.]

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