|
| |||||
|
|
| Journal Thomsons River August 1842 [Journal kept by Chieft Trader John Tod. Tod was officially in charge of Alexandria in the New Caledonia District, 1839-1842 outfits.]
August I C.T. John Tod conformably to instructions from C.F. Ogden despatched from Okanagan left Alexandria on the 31 July and arrived with a small party at Thomsons River for the purpose of taking charge thereof, on the 5th Aug.t found an immence concourse of Indians at the Fort. Lolo however had collected few furs not above a pack in all, but in other respects the Indians been remarkably quiet and had exerted themselves during the summer in giving every assistance to raft down the wood for the new Fort Information received of M.r Ogden with his own & the Thomsons River Brigade_ A number of the Indians went off on horse back to meet them & shortly after I had the pleasure of seeing him and M.r Cameron arrive preceded by The Rev.d M.r Demerse a Catholic Priest who is come to convert the natives of this & N. Caledonia. Had the Thomsons River crossed over to the Fort and examined forthwith. Weather extremely warm. At Mid day M.r C.F. Ogden with the N. Caledonians accompanied thank God, with M.r Demerse started for their winter quarters The object of the Missionaries is no doubt good & praiseworthy, but their endeavours to convert the natives has hitherto produced no good effect, nor while they pursue their present system will they ever succeed in making them either christains or useful members of Society Weather excessively warm. with the exception of Lolo & Mountiny, all hands under the direction of M.r Cameron commenced work with the wood for the New Fort The men under the direction of M.r Cameron proceeded to resume work at the wood for the new Fort. Mountiny disabled by a wounded hand_ Lolo arranging the goods in the Store Excessively hot, with a dead calm. The men with M.r Cameron as yesterday_ No change in the weather. The men occupied on the other side sorting the wood for the new establishment. The Indians took no Salmon last night. The wood for the new building is now found to be far short of the quantity required or said to have been Squared last winter. M.r Cameron States that there is a deficiency of not less than 400 wall logs, & about 40 posts. J. Swanson, who was one of those employed last winter Squaring and also the person to whom M.r Manson usually gave his order, asserts that the several orders in respect to the number of pieces, were always completed, and Lefleure as resolutely maintains that he hauled the whole out of the woods to be rafted down -- but with whomsoever the mistake lays is now of little consequence, as the knowlege of it would not forward our work and there being no other resource but to square the wood, the men were despatched for that purpose up the north river with provisions for seven days_ A clear hot sun shine with a light breeze S.W. The neighbouring hills all on fire, which have a splendid appearance during the darkness of night Weather the same_ Lefleure who with the cook is detained at the Fort was sent to look after the horses. As the place on which M.r Manson intended to erect the New Fort was thought to be too far from the Forks, and otherwise inconvenient for the Salmon fisheries, it was deemed more eligiable to remove it down to the point on the opposite Side_ accordingly a spot was chosen by M.r Cameron & myself_ Very warm_ nothing particular Lefleure hauling the timber with a horse to the water side for the purpose of its being rafted down to the spot now chosen for the Fort_ a few Salmon caught The ground frames for the new buildings are found to be too heavy for us to manage, and it will be impossible to get them taken up the bank without assistance from Indians, a sufficient number of whom cannot be got here at present, they being now busy at their fisheries_ Lefleure as yesterday Weather cloudy_ Sent a messenger to the other end of the Lake to request the Indians there to come & assist us_ A heavy shower on the preceding night, but clear & dry on the day Lefleure as usual hauling up wood from the water side to the place on which we intend building the Fort Clear & warm on the day_ the nights however begin to get cool. In the evening the Indians say ten, arrived from the other end of the lake to assist tomorrow taking up the heavy pieces of ground frame._ Overcast_ The Ind.ns & Lefleure with M.r Cameron early at work with the heavy timber & by the afternoon the whole which had been previously rafted down, was got up the bank, The horses it is expected will do the rest - The Ind.ns were therefore paid for their labour and discharged_ Twenty fresh Salmon brought this morning to the water side, by Ind.ns who are camped on the opposite sides_ Very warm_ Lefleure with two horses employed on the opposite side hauling the wood for building to the spot on which it is intended to erect the Fort_ Sent M. Ogden off to Nicala's lodge in search of E. Mountignie who in consequence of a quarrel with his wife asked permission to go there, as he said, only for a few days in order to get the better of his chagrin, but promised to return as soon as sent for, and it is for this purpose Michel is now dispatched after him. Weather continues excessively hot_ no salmon from the fishermen this morning_ One of the sows had a litter of seven pigs last night_ Affairs go on as usual_ M.r Cameron Lefleure & Fallerdo went up the river this morning to bring down a raft of squared wood, with which it is expected they will arrive tomorrowThompson River Post |
 |
||
 |
Copyright © Royal
BC Museum |
|