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| Journal Thomsons River January 1842 [Journal kept by Chief Trader John Tod]
Mild and cloudy with snow in the evening Several of the principal Indians in the vicinity of the Establishment paid us a visit, and past greatest part of the day in the Hall enjoying themselves with their Pipes_ Weather extremely mild for the season traded a few Beavers & Martens from a small party of Okanagan Indians who arrived here yesterday evening, & as they were anxious to take their departure, I diverted from my general practise by trading with them on Sunday Still cloudy and mild, with light wind Sent La Fleure across the River for two horses (carters) for the purpose of hauling out to the river all the wood now Squared, the other two men employed procuring fuel for the Fort, in the evening La Fleure returned having only found one of the carters, Weather continues mild and foggy, sent La Fleure off again this morning in quest of the missing Horse the other men employed as yesterday. but in the evening Lafleure returned with the horse, snowing thick. Weather somewhat colder, Sent La Fleure off with the two carte horses with instructions to commence hauling out the squared wood to the most convenient place for rafting in the Spring. The other two men procuring fuel. Cold foggy weather with a heavy fall of snow during the past night. men at the Establishment employed as usual. weather continues extremely cold and the quantity of snow now on the ground is (I am given to understand) quite unusual, there being at least two feet, and should there be an equal proportion in the mountainous portion of the route from this to Alexandria I am afraid it will not be practicable for Horses. Trade I am concerned to say is, and has been, completely at a stand for some time past, and I am of opinion that our returns will be very very trifling this season. No change in the weather, more Snow during the past night in the evening, La Fleure & Trudeau arrived from the wood Squarers all well there. sent an Indian with the usual supply of a week's provisions to them. Still cloudy and cold, wind N.E. no particular occurrence. in the evening La Fleure & Trudeau returned to their Station Still little change in the weather_ men employed as usual_ Weather still disagreeably cold wind north no occurrence of any importance. Mild weather throughout the past night so much so, the Snow was all melted on the roofs of the houses and came pouring down in torrents not a dry spot in any of the buildings, such wretched habitations in Shape of Houses I never til now beheld. About 9 A.M. one of the Companys servants (Marino) accompanied by an Indian, arrived from Alexandria and handed me letters from M.r Chief Factor Ogden from which I was most happy to learn that himself and all in that quarter were then well. Men of the place as usual. Weather promises a speedy disappearance of the snow, so much the better on account of our Horses. Fine mild weather with a slight thaw sent Marino, the New Caledonia man who arrived yesterday, in search of the Horses belong[ing] to that District and who are now here in the evening he returned having only found a few, Men employed as usual. late in the evening three Indians from the vicinity of Frasers River arrived with nothing however but a few Salmon, tomorrow I presume we Shall know the purport of their visit. Weather as yesterday, snow disappearing fast. The Indians mentioned yesterday have brought, in addition to a few Salmon, two or three very fine Foxes and some other small Furs, for all of which they were paid in the usual way, they have brought a story that some misunderstanding has taken place betwixt the Whites and the Indians at Fort Langley but I do not think it is true. in the evening Marino returned having found the Horses he was in search of_ Weather still continues extremely mild, the snow on the low ground has nearly all disappeared sent Baptiste one of our men who has been laid up for the last ten days, in consequence of having frost-bitten his feet on a voyage to Okanagan, off to the wood squarers with their rations for the ensuing week. he is to remain and work with them until further orders. Another day and no M.r Cameron, I now feel most anxious and if he does not make his appearance shortly I must send some one to see what can be the matter. Charming weather wind westerly, towards evening some Indians made their appearance from the Lake up Thompsons River what they may have brought I yet do not Know Weather somewhat colder than yesterday wind N. at 9 A.M. M.r Chief Trader Tod took his departure for New Caledonia in order to resume the charge at Fort Alexandria, in the afternoon traded afew small Furs from the Indians who arrived yesterday after which they took their departure. Beautiful weather for the Season, wind N. in the evening Wm Swanson one of the wood squarers made his appearance with his Axe completely worn out it was only an old worn out stump when he got it, and now there being no more Steel on it, is useless gave him one of those axes received by last conveyance from N. Caledonia, and sent him Him back again immediately. The two men at the Fort employed as usual in procuring fuel_ Still no appearance of M.r Cameron or Party, I am truly anxious about them and unless here tomorrow or next day I shall be under the necessity of sending someone to see what is the cause of his delay. Hoar frost during the past night, clear mild weather during the day, Sent Lolo up the small River behind the Fort to try and find wood for bed posts and table legs in the evening he returned having found the latter._ Still no M.r Cameron. Weather as above, light air of wind from N.E. in the evening La Fleure returned from the wood Squarers having finished his job of hauling out all the squared timber, sent him back immediately with orders to prepare a Sawpit for the purpose of Sawing plank to roof the houses in the intended New Fort._ From La Fleurs account of the wood Squared by M.r Tods men last autumn M.r T. must have been deceived by them, as in stead of 160 Pieces which they told him they had Squared, there is actually only 90, thirty of which they squared in a hole which it will be impossible for us to get them out off so that in reality, the Scoundrels only Squared 60 Pieces of 10 feet in 18 days altho' seven of them were employed all the time, yet they had audacity to inform their Master that they had squared one hundred and Sixty! What punishment does such conduct deserve. Weather extremely mild, wind W. Sent an Indian with two Horses and a supply of 100 Salmon off to meet M.r Cameron, and told him should he not meet that Gentleman previously, to continue his route until he reaches Okanagan,_ Snowing best part of the day, wind S.E. In the afternoon Beaudoin one of of the Squarers made his appearance for the purpose of carrying up their weekly rations, and with which he again returned in the evening. Weather extremely mild, wind Sutherly no occurrence of any importance, In the evening Lafleure arrived from the Squarers, being in want of something out of his Box, ret.d again immediately. Heavy fall of Snow during the day weather very mild Wind S.E. about 2 PM Lafleure again made his appearance and I was sorry to learn that he, on his way back to the squarers, had severely injured his leg by his horse having fallen upon it, indeed so much so, that he had to crawl into the Fort on all fours I shall miss his Services very much as he is one of the only two Sawyers we have_ Gave him some vinegar mixed with water and told him he must keep a cloth wet in the mixture constantly on the Sprain until the swelling subsides. He says McKay & Swanson were just on the eve of commencing work with the Saw when he left the place I sincerely hope they may succeed. Fine mild clear weather, Wind South, no particular occurrences_ Still no appearance of M.r Camerons party from Colvile, I wish they may be all well. Cloudy and extremely mild, with a fresh breeze from the Southward, received a visit from one of Nicola's Sons who came to acquaint us that he was just going to start for his Fathers tent and that he expected we Should give him the usual present of tobacco, told Lolo to give the fellow two or three inches, which I think is quite sufficient, I am however informed this family never were presented with less than a foot at a time and this whenever they thought proper to demand it. No change in wind or weather from yesterday Lafleure is still on the sick list, as in all probability he will continue for some time to come, as his ankle is still much swollen, and he cannot leave his bed without crutches,_ wood choppers employed as usual, procuring fuel. Weather still continues remarkably fine calm throughout., Thompsons River climate, as far as I have yet seen, is decidedly the finest I ever wintered in_ Still no word of M.r Cameron, "God grant he may be safe and well," Late in the evening the upper Lake Chief arrived with two or three of his followers, what is the object of their visit I have not yet learnt. Fine, wind southerly, The Indians mentioned yesterday have brought about thirty skins but have not yet disposed of them_ About noon Lacourse, one of the Squarers arrived, all well there, in the latter part of the afternoon he returned with the ensuing weeks rations for the party_ Keen cold weather, wind N.E. No particular occurrence. No appearance of M.r Cameron. Mild with a strong gale of wind from the S.E. traded a few Beaver and other small furs, say in all about 15 Skins, from the Old chief and his band. about noon they took their departure._
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