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| Journal Thomsons River April 1842 [Journal kept by Chief Trader John Tod]
Fine with a fresh breeze from South Indians numerous and am happy to find they continue to behave themselves well trade however is extremely dull and has been so for some time back_ Cloudy but fine, though still cold for this season in consequence of the greater portion of the wood for the New Establishment being still up the north branch, sent M.r Cameron with a Party of eight men to raft it down, two men employd Employed cutting Pickets, two Ploughing Potatoe ground, and looking after the Horses & the others at various jobs about the Fort._ about noon a Party of north River Indians arrived, but have brought little for trade. in the evening Nicola who has been here for some time back, took his departure for the Lake where he passes the Summer_ Weather as yesterday wind fresh from E. during the past night four men with two rafts arrived from M.r Camerons Party, sent them off again early this morning. in the evening traded afew Skins from the North River Chief & Party, made another attempt to day Plough the piece of Ground intended for Potatoes, but from the wretched description of Plough we have, together with the hardness of the ground, we completely failed, I am therefore very reluctantly compelled to abandon the Idea of rafting any more of our wood down this spring so that all hands may be employed at the Potatoe field and other jobs absolutely required ere we take our departure for the Depot. Still fine weather with a light breeze from S.E. at 9 A.M. M.r Cameron arrived from the rafting Parties up the North branch, and as the men are now required at the Establishment, sent him up again immediately in order to bring down all hands. Lolo with about twenty Indians employed all day in carrying up the timber from the rafts to the spot intended to build upon, he says they exerted themselves well the price promised them is a Skin each for two Two days work and to be paid in ammunition or any other small articles such as Beads, Knives or Tobacco. Men at the Fort employed hoeing the Potatoe field. Weather still beautiful wind N. In the afternoon M.r Cameron returned and shortly after the men arrived also, with two rafts Louis & Ignace who had one of the rafts in charge having however left some of the timber on the way down alleging their rafts having drawn two much water for the present state of the river, which was not the case, were immediately dispatched to bring down the remainder, the others were employed at Potatoe field in hoeing and erecting the fences_ Lolo with the same band of Indians employed as yesterday and in justice to him & them I must certainly say I never saw Indians work so well before. In the evening paid them for their two days labour at the rate of a Skin each, Still fine, indeed a little rain would now be beneficial to the ground as it is now much too dry even for Potatoes, Men employed as yesterday. in the evening Ignace & Louis returned with the wood they were sent for yesterday, and immediately after were put to the Hoe along with the others_ Edward Montingny employed erecting a Pond for catching the Horses on the South Side of the River_ Fine wind S.W. Men employed as yesterday.
Thompson River Post |
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BC Museum |
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