SIR ALEXANDER MACKENZIE
On my a Esq., of Que me strongly would recoi largely conc
In the co formed, star Gregory Mc
Band, in June
under an en; St, Ann’s c Voyageurs, i a box there, Sainte Anne ?
the people o Crew.
The brigadl named LaLo that time. I the Long Sault for Mr. Gregd can Pollock :
in the Post O
On my arrival in Canada, in september 1784, Peter Stuart, 1784. Esq., of Quebec, to whom I had a letter of introduction, advised me strongly to fix my mind on the Indian trade, and thathe would recommend me to his friends of Montreal, who were largely concerned in the commerce of the Indian territories.
In the course of the ensuing winter, a new company, lately formed, starting up business, friends of my uncle, viz : Messrs Gregory McLeod & Company agreed to take me into their service,
Band, in June 1789, I embarked at Sainte-Anne for the North West under an engagement of three years.
St. Ann’s church was the last church on our route, and the Voyageurs, in consequence, generally drop a piece of money into a box there, as an offering, to secure the protection of ‘ La Bonne Sainte Anne ” during their absence, and I, with a view Lo do as the people of Rome do, joined my mite to that of the rest of the Crew.
The brigade was in charge of a respectable middle aged man named LaLonde, a guide well known among the voyageurs of that time. In about two days, our brigade reached the head of the Long Sault, in the Ottawa, where the guide had orders to wait for Mr. Gregory who appeared with two gentlemen Mr. Duncan Pollock and Mr. James Finlay. The first has served his time in the Post Office of Quebec, but had lately been engaged in the
Blue Snekes.
trade among the Indians of Michilimakinac and, of course, was
understood to be learned in Indian affairs.
Mr. James Finlay was the son of Mr. James Finlay formallr of the North West, specially mentioned by Mr. MacKenzie à
having made money with which he returned to Montréal ani
soon became a notable there. The son was brother-in-law to
Mr. Gregory, and an accomplished young gentleman of about
my age, and on the same tooting as me in the service.
Though the country might be called an old country, there
was yet no farms nor houses to be seen from the Long Sault,
near Montréal, to the Sault Sainte-Marie, the discharge of Lake
Superior, so that ive had to perform the journey through a dearr
wilderness.
One evening, happening to encamp on a small island coverel
With brush wood, we odserved à bush of a blueish cast which M. Finlay amused himself tickling them with his cutlass, and in a few
we found to be caused by à coil of blue snakes.
moments the camp was swarming with them, to my great horror
and to that of many others. Mr. Finlay, on the contrary, de.
lighted in running after them, in handling them, and even in
putting some within his shirt, and allowing them to crawl around
his legs auïd body without the least fear.
These reptiles are
harmless, and in some parts of the North West, infest the houses
as rats and mice do in Canada, and the people think nothing of
it.
At the entrance of the Little River, we overtook a brigade 0 canoes bound for Michilimakinaw with which we continued to
The Vase, where Mr. McCrea, the proprietor, embarked with Mr
G’ -gory and left the brigade in charge of Mr Smith, his brother
in-law, a promissing young gentleman who, next day, in cross À ing Lake Nipisangue, lost his life in a storm with ten ofhis men, by the swamp'ng of his canoe at cable’s length from the short.
Eleven crosses, erected on the adjoining landing, mark their
Maving past the ]
Mold, belonged tc
co. at the age o
graves, and t
D Pointe des Noy When this brigade, he hi {Our guide, per and ordered t] ceed, desired t angry tone : , ne vOyez-VOUS p tents were dow ideluged in rain I did not hea Mr. Smith was by his intimate quai of Montres: Mistance nearly | At La Cloche, Bng of a tall, co an indian wom:
bne laced to an grec. In the lo jounting ornan
hen absent, T Milleneuve, a na
ery honest ; mu
At a point cal fcCrea and Jan
(1) To-day, Pointe a om its outlet,
7 (2) Terrebonne,
rse, Was
ormally enzie 4 réal and n-law to of about
ry, there ng Sault, Of Lake h a deary
A covered ast which M. Finlay in à few bat horror trary, de.
devenin vl arouni ptiles are he houses othing 0!
brigade of
with Mr s brother
fhis men, the short.
ark the
itinued to R
, in cros
graves, and the point has in consequence been called since
à Pointe des Noyés (1).
When this melancholy accident occured to Mr. McCrea’s brigade, he himself was with us at the entrance of Lake Huron.
& Our guide, perceiving the impending gale, hastened to the shore,
and ordered the men to unload. Mr. Gregory, wishing Lo proceed, desired the guide to continue, but he declined saying in an angry tone : Allez si vous voulez, sacrédié ! pour moije n'irai pas; ne voyez-vous pas le danger ? and in less than half an hour, our tents were down about our ears and our baggage in a moment ideluged in rain.
I did not hear of ‘he Nipisangue misfortune till the year after. Mr. Smith was one of the best swimmers in Montreal. I was told by his intimate friends that he could, with ease, swim from the quai of Montreal to the Island of St. Helen’s and back again, a
Mistance early as large as the Hellespont.
. At La Cloche, we found an indian lodge, the temporary dwell- Bng of a tall, coarse looking Canadian who had under his care an indian woman, surrounded by several children beside a little pne laced to an ornamented board suspended from the arm of a ree, In the lodge, I observed a very long fowling piece, the wunting ornamented with silver instead of brass, which, I was old, belonged to the master, a Monsieur Constant, an indian trader hen absent. The tall canadian’s name, I learned since, was lilleneuve, a native of this place who died here (2), a few days go. at the age of eighty. He was very indolent, very poor, but ery honest; much of an Indian, whichis not to be wondered at, Raving past the best part of his life among them.
At a point called Tessalon in Lake Huron, Messrs Gregory, {Crea and James Finlay left us for Michilimakinaw, where
(1) To-day, Pointe aux Croix, on south shore of Lake Nipissing, at about 10 miles Pom its outlet,
3 (2) Terrebonne.
Pointe des noyés.
EE
Poillock an and myself preters wei
Messrs. P ordinary di seldom call
the British government intended at one time to build fortification in lieu of making them at St. Joseph. Mr. Pollock, who hu been a long time among the Indians of Michilimakinaw, assume] as senior, Mr. Gregory’s place. His conduct was often ver unpleasant at least to me and at length brought on an explam tion which placed us on a good footing for the rest of tk voyage, if not for ever after.
privilege, n At The Pic, on Lake Superior, we found Mr. Duc grumbl Cameron from Montreal, en route for Nepigon with goods fx Mr. Shaw by whom he was employed as clerk. He afterwark became a partner in the North West Company. D For Athabas Kenzie; For #lock. Sever gout and cutr
| The Gran ‘Anulau, w
as s0 hanc Dut as he kn io supply tl nder his co poses of the
@Y Iowever,
uot extensiv
Atthe Tonnerre or Pays Plat we met Mr. Pangman (1) from th Grand Portage, a proprietor in the concern. He was anxious fn our arrival on account of the season, and had come on the loi out. He accompanied us to his new establishment, which co sisted of one hangard or store warmly put together, and su: ciently spacious for the purpose of the season. (2) He and
Ross, another partner, who left Montreal with him early in tk Spring, had this building erected after their arrival.
A few days after, Mr. Gregory, Sir Alexander MacKenzie an Mr. James Finlay arrived from their visit to Michilimakina Now, all the members of the new concern were assembledil their Head Quarters, viz. : Messrs John Gregory, Peter Pangma John Ross, A. MacKenzie, partners ; Mr. Normand McLeod, be only a dormant partner, remaineû in Montreal; Messrs Duntl
RRREEEE NET STE
The “ 5]d f4 espectable ol ssistant to M
mrought up at :} ell as the In
(1) Mr. Peter Pangman was once of the earliest North-West fur traders after a. He anc Cession. He left the North-West Company in 1793 and purchased the seigniory nd separated Mascouche where he settied. His son, the Hon. John Pangman, inherited of à L seigniory, and one of the latter’s daughters was married to Mr. Justice Casault Quebec. D (1) Mr. Laurent iss Esther Loisel| 1831 in the Legi arried Mr. Moce
(2) On the North side of Pigeon River, Rivière aux Tourtes, and opposite the “ik fort ?’ occupied by their opponents.
ortification Poilock and Laurent Leroux, (1) were clerks, M. James Finlay k, who hai and myself apprentice clerks. The guides, commis-men and interpreters were few in number and not of the first quality.
Messrs. Pollock and Leroux did not seem ta like doing the ordinary drudgeiy attending the general rendez-vous, and were seldom called upon to do it, so that I, who could yet claim no privilege, necessarily became the fag of the whole ; but 1 did not grumble, though I often made the comptoir my pillow.
However, the busy time did not last long ; the outfits, being not extensive, were soon despatched to their destination, viz : M For Athabasca, in charge of Mr. Ross ; English River, Mr. Mac- Skeuzie; Fort des Prairies, Mr. Pangman; Red River, Mr. Pol- Alock. Several other outfits of smaller importance were made out and cutrusted to subalterns.
The Grand Portage was given in charge to a Mr. Pierre ‘Anuiau, who had been for many vears in that country, and as so handy that he was considered a ‘“ jack of all trades ” ; but as he knew ni ‘ A” ni B” I was left with him, I suppose,
W, assume often ver an explan rest of the
Mr. Duncu ; th goods in e afterwari
à (1) from te s anxious Î e on the loi t, which co her, and sui
He and Ît n early in tk facKenzie ail ichilimakint
o supply that deficiency. Eighteen voyageurs were placed nder his command for erecting the buildings and for the purposes of the traite... fiston fees satééss
ter Pangmäll McLeod, bei essrs Dunti
espectable old man. Mr. Givins, that year from Montreal, was ssistant to Mr. Cloutier as I was to Mr. Lanniau. He had been Brought up at Detroit, spoke the principal Indian languages as Well as the Indians themselves, and was a very pleasant young Lraders after RNA. He and I, though in opposition, were always together rade | ! L J ed the seignio74 , inherited ft Justice Casault
nd separated, in the Spring, good friends. He soon after left
() Mr. Laurent Leroux, on his return from the North-West, in 1796, married a 4 ss Esther Loiselle, He settled at l’Assomption, represented the county of Leinster opposite the" 1831 in the Legislative Assembly, and died in 1855, aged 97, leaving a daughter who
arried Mr. Moï:e Raymond in 1815 and who still lives in Montreal.
Drinking match, une boisson.
the country to reside in Upper Canada, where he was appoint Superintendant of Indian affairs and still lives there, great}; advanced in age and enjoying a confortable pension.
In the Fall, when the Indians were about the place, the young men and I became great friends, which, on their return with their hunt in the spring, they did not forget.
In the Spring, one of the [ndians had à difliculty with Ar Lanniau, whom I had now superseded ; I interposed ; he wx turned out of the fort, his knife taken away from him and he wx severely hurt in the scufle.
Some days after, when he wa y ) $
more in his senses, he called for his knife, which was given him
and he turned to me with an angry look, “ When the leaves groy
large in the Portage, I will remember you ”.
That evening the Indians had à drinking match,
They wer
yelling, quarrelling, fighting and making such a dreadful racket
that one m'eht believe that all the Furies of Hell were let loow
in the camp, but our gates were of course secured.
In the morning, one of the young men came and informed w that five indians were dead, ‘ One of them I killed, said he, he
tunity ” (1).
was your ennemy and meant to kill you on the first oppor
During the Spring, the Indians gave a great entertainment h
also had an invitation.
which all the lodges in the camp were invited to partake. | When all were assembled and seate in the Grand Lodge prepared for the purpose, each guest wa served with a small bundle, neatly tied, of orignal dried meat if the best quality ; but my appetite could not do justice to th
() The Indians were in the habit of collecting around the forts with their famili in tbe Spring of the year, to barter their furs ; they wore, however, never allowedit
portant occasions.
rs, ant t'ey always refused
rgies which very often ended in murder.
numbors within the stockades, the doors of which were always closed during the drink ing match ‘boissons ’’, which the traders, at that time, invariably gave on allir Close competition had rendered the Indians very exacting on th to do business unless allowed #0 indulge im th«
Buun Lo you o1
whole of.
barrassme The festin This spr were Mr. ] wintered i of the oppt and was w My occu same as th to embark his departn River, he w route. Thes me is as fol
“ De:
} “I perus
uneasiness,
and hope th.
side of you, give you an self. I met i jand gave t} promise to fi Bill require you that thex fraid of the lations this hem with yo “IST can s
js appointeu re, greatly
>, the young return will
y with Ar sed ; he wa n and he wa hen he wa
as given hin à
e leaves grow
They wer sadful racket vere let Loos
informed 1
d, said he, lt e first oppor
ertainment | to partake. [ bd and seatel ch guest wa dried meat(!
justice to the
ith their familit , never allowed i k during the drink ly gave on ali y exacting on ti indulge im th Bin to you on the first ice.
whole ot my portion. A friend close by me, observing my embarrassment, asked the rest saying “T shall manage it for you ”. The festin was a festin ‘ à tout manger ”.
This spring, the first arrivals after the opening of the navigation 1786. were Mr. Robert Grant and Mr. William McGillivray, who had wintered in the Red River department. These gentlemen were of the opposition and strangers to me, but [ called upon them and was well pleased with my reception.
My occupations this summer at Grand Portage were the same as the preceding summer. In due season, I was directed to embark with Mr. A. MacKenzie, one of the proprietors, for his department, the English River. At the entrance of English River, he went ahead and occasionnally left me a line along the route. These lines, Tfind, are now missing, but his first letter to me is as follows :
« Last Portage, 22 Sept. 1786.
Dear Roderic,
“ I peruseà the first of yours, per Constantineau, with some uneasiness, but was happy to find that the Indians became calm and hope they will remain so. Should opponents come along side of you, you must do as they do. It is impossible for me to give you any directions ; therefore I leave it entirely to yourself. I met the bearer and his three companions here last night,
fand gave them some credits and presents, and made them
promise to find you and remain with you till the Spring. You
will require to give them many presents, as they will often tell you that they will get more at Small's forts. They are much
fraid of the Crees, as they think they killed some of their elations this summer, which will be a good pretence to keep hem with you.
“ IST can spare Lacerte, you may depend upon it, I shall send You may perhaps see Petit Bœuf
and several of his people. He is very troublesome at times, so that you must take care of yourself, though he was not so with me; but as he will see you with so few men, he may take advantage of it. Ifhe remains quiet and does not molest other Indians, endeavour to retain him with you, as he is an excel. lent hunter.
“ You never met with so troublesome Indians as the Chippe.
weans, continually asking things for nothing ; but they will not be much displeased at your refusal. I wish you a quiet winter
and remain | Dear Roderic,
‘“ Your sincere friend,
t* ALEX. MACKENZIE” “To Mr. Roderic McKenzie,
# Where he is to be found.
I forgot to give the men a dran ; give them one for me ani
give them what advances they may want. The Bearer is a BR favorite, you must pay him a little more attention than to th: RR
others, as he is really aitached to us ?.
Le Joii jeune hor me (the Bearer) Dr.
| blanket ...…. sie cesse 8 SKiNS 1 blanket TS Te LA L'irench ICO > AL 1 cotillon..… sara ass 1 fathom tobacco................ 4 1 Beaver coat Pd & marked... 4 32 skins.
Accass Dr.
L'AL rascsrsemenassniets 3 skins 1 pr sleeves Sms iaes Rs TOOût: PE Sevres 4 AUD D rudes 2
lodat, 1 el... need
Ai to the Beavei
Ste (4) Mr, Toussai
Le
De:
“| wrote T'hope you ]
| Found some
à I gave then M waited sever “As soon Bvhich set o of you. Ishk DS Ly after ther & fellow is alm Éncws from M “ {sent off
H famous Lesie the sick, and
ms {
(1) Beaver skin (2) Le à la Cro
: (3) In order to credits were often
ï. of the Winnipeg R
, tiines, 50 ot so with may take olest other an exccel
he Chippe.
ey will not uiet winter
ENZIE
, for me ani Bearer is à than to th: à
Watjess 1'DT SIBEVES sise 2 L'COMNOM inner L'DIANKEE insiste ses-0 1 Coût, 14 elle 9
——— 17 skins.
Le Boucan L'hr'leggins rc." sin 1 cout, marked and Pd......…... 4 70 (1)
‘# Dear Roderic,
“ [ wrote you some time ago pr Le Joli jeune homme—which Thope you have received. TI arrived here (2) safe on the 24 u!t. Found some Indians waiting my arrival to take credits, whici I gave them, an acct of which you have enclosed (3}—they
M waited seven days for me.
“As soon as Bibeau arrived, Mr. Small got two canoes ready
Svhich set off next morning ; I suppose they are now alongside
of you. Ishould have despatched the bearer, Lacerte, immediately after them, but he expected his wife from Athabasca, as the fellow is almost mad for her, and Ï am anxious, having had no
à news from Mr. Ross.
