The Letters and Journals of Simon Fraser, 1806-1808 by W. Kaye Lamb

Author:W. Kaye Lamb
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781550029246
Publisher: Dundurn Press

BACKGROUND OF THE GREAT JOURNEY

FIRST JOURNAL OF SIMON FRASER FROM APRIL 12TH TO JULY 18TH 1806

[As in the case of the Second Journal, the surviving text of this earlier journal is incomplete and begins in the middle of a sentence. A remark in a letter written by Fraser in February 1807, suggests that the original manuscript began with an entry dated April 5, 1806.]

At Rocky Mountain Portage

Saturday, April 12, 1806. … but as it is here now we will find use for it. We cannot be too well stocked with provisions. About mid-night sent off three men to return to Dunvegan. As it snows too much to walk the whole day, they will march in the night.1 Gave them as provisions 94 pounds fresh meat.

Sunday, April 13. Fine mild weather. Mr. [John] Stuart and I having wrote to Mr. [Archibald Norman] McLeod, after dark when it began to frease [I] sent off two men with the letters. Gave them 160 pounds fresh meat on account of their having had twelve days [i.e., their being allowed twelve days for the journey, this being the time] that Mr. Stuart had [taken] to bring up himself and baggage [from Dunvegan].

The other two men Bazile and Gervais Rivard remain here, they being intended for the expedition, and were hired for that purpose below, that is if there was not a sufficient number otherwise hired at this place. If there were, they were to go down. But there are only three as yet hired so we will have occasion for them, and they were sent to the Little Head [the Indian chief] to bring home whatever he may have.

Monday, April 14. Brissère arrived from the Little Head and etc. He brought two Coté de Bouff [côte de bouef, meaning here a buffalo-skin bag] full of pounded meat [pemmican] and says the Indians killed 14 [buffalo] cows and are bussy reducing them into Pd. [pounded] meat, and that the Little Head asks some tobacco. Beyson sprained his hand so much that he is not able to make use of it. La Londe arrived from the Beaver Lake [Moberly Lake?]2 and [says] that La Rammée got there only yesterday.

Tuesday, April 15. Made up five bales [of] goods to be sent over the [Rocky Mountain] Portage immediately on the snow.3 Fine weather.

Wednesday, April 16. Fine mild weather. Early in the morning Beyson and La Londe were sent to the upper end of the Portage. The latter had a piece4 and the former about one half on account of his having the road to beat and a sore hand besides. After this trip each man will be able to take two pieces.

About 9 A.M. Mr. John McKenvin arrived from the Meadow Indians,5 after an absence of seventy odd days. He informs us of his having starved much at different times. He accompanied the Indians far off in search of Beaver but though they saw many Beaver Lodges they killed but few on account of the depth of snow, which is from five to six feet deep in the Beaver country.

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