" 1800 NR?
Journal
by Jn Sutherland
Osnaburgh House"
[cover]


" Journal from Osnaburgh House to the Indian Elbow Commencing July 16th 1799
By Mr John Sutherland"

---

July 16 1799
" Tuesday I set of from Osnaburgh House accompanied by 10 Men and 2 boats load with trading goods and Provisions"

July 17
" Wednesday Encamped at the Carrying place head of Osnaburgh Lake. Plenty of water in the Creek."

July 18
" 18 19-20-and 21- nothing occured worthy of notice."

July 22
" Monday meet a few Ind. at Lake Saul traded a few furs and Provisions from them."

July 23
" 23-24-25-and 26 nothing Occured worthy of notice."

July 27
" Past Wepinaban House - I left 15 3/4 MBeaver with James Anderson at the above Place."

July 28
" 28-29-30-and 31 nothing remarkable occured."

Aug. 1 1799
" 1-2-3-4 and 5 nothing remarkable occured."

Aug. 6
" arrived at point Aufuter - Mr Miller informes me that they are a great number of Canads gon past to their Wintering ground already."

Aug. 7
" We set of from point Aufuter - I left 44 3/4 MBeaver with Mr Miller."

Aug. 8
" We Crofsed Winnipuk Lake and went about 10 miles up the red River."

Aug. 9
" nothing remarkable occured."

Aug. 10
" Past the fork meet Ind. - the Canads had made them drunk before we came - which obliged me to give them some Brandy and Tobacco for nothing."

Aug. 11
" Sunday meet a Band of Ind. traded a few furs & Provisions from them. I gave them some Brandy and Tob."

Aug. 12
" Meet another gang of Ind. who was realy Like to devour us for Brandy and Tob. - I was obliged to give them a great deal for very little."

Aug. 13
" nothing remarkable occured."

Aug. 14
" meet a few Ind. traded a few furs from them. the water are very shallow in the Rivers this year."

Aug. 15
" 15-16 and 17 nothing remarkable occured."

Aug. 18
" meet a gang of Ind at the Portage whom I traded about 60 MBeaver from - I was obliged to give them a deal of Brandy & Tobacco."

Aug. 19
" 19-20 and 21 nothing remarkable occured."

Aug. 22
" meet 2 Ind. with 5 Beaver skins. traded them."

Aug. 23
" Indians brought me a few furs."

Aug. 24
" nothing worthy of notice."

Aug. 25
" meet Ind. traded some Moose flesh from them."

Aug. 26
" 26-27-28-and 29 nothing worthy of notice."

Aug. 30
" Ind. brought me a little Rice which I traded from them"

Aug. 31
" self and one Man went over land to Brandon House found Mr Prince and all with him well - Mr Prince informs me that the Ind. had put in the House a deal of Provisions which they would take out and trade with the Canads if I did not give him some Brandy and Tob. to trade it - I told him that I had brought 6 rundlets of spirits of Brandon House Cargo he might broatch 1 of them if he Pleased - and I would let him have some Tobacco when the Boats arrived."

Sept. 3 1799
" Tuesday the Men and Boats arrived at Brandon House"

Sept. 7
" sent 10 Men and two boats of above Brandon house."

Sept. 9
" self set of from Brandon House left with Mr Prince 101 1/2 MBeaver."

Sept. 10
" self joined the boats."

Sept. 15
" Past Mountain La Bofs where they were a very great number of Ind. tenting - the N.W. Companys People are making a settlement at the above Place."

Sept. 22
" Past the River Quiappelle - we have not seen a Buffalo since we left Brandon House."

Sept. 28
" Past Shell River - traded a Mare and some Partchment from Ind. the day."

Sept. 29
"Sunday I Left the Boats accompanied by 2 Men to go overland to the Ind. Elbow."

Oct. 1 1799
" the first we Past Mr Grants old station."

Oct. 3
" came to the Ind. Elbow - found my old House Demolished to the ground. the Ind. inform me that it was the Canads that Destroyed it - do it who will. Wo to their malicious disposition that will hurt their neighbour without doing themselves any good. but it is somes predominant inclination to do hurt - it will no doubt put me to a deal of trouble and Expences, but at the same time it will do them no good."

Oct. 4
" Looking for a Place to build another House."

Oct. 5
" removed to the Place where we are to build - which will be 5 or 6 miles overland farther up the River then my old House and I supose 15 miles by the River."

Oct. 6
" self and 2 Men building a store House."

Oct. 7
" we was Employed the same as yesterday - - in the evening 2 Men came from the boats to inform me that the River ? set so fast so that they could not Proceed on their Journey."

Oct. 8
" sent 4 Men with horse to the boats - with whom I sent orders to the People to proceed on their Journey if the River opened - and to send 2 Men and horse back with goods to Me."

Oct. 9
" Wednesday nothing remarkable occured."

Oct. 10
" my hunter killed four Deer I have no person to send for them altho starving with hunger."

Oct. 11
" nothing remarkable occured."

Oct. 12
" two men and horse with goods arrived from the boats who tell me the men with the boats is Proceeding on their Journey as the River is opened again."

Oct. 13
" sent 2 Men with horse for meat."

Oct. 14
" self & Men building."

Oct. 15
" We were Employed the same as yesterday."

Oct. 16
" six Men came from the boats who acquaint me that they cannot Proceed any farther the River being shallow and a deal of Ice driveing in the River so that it has hurt the boats and their Legs very much."

Oct. 17
" sent three Men for goods - 2 Men with the goods - 5 Men building."

Oct. 18
" three Men returned with goods the others as befor."

Oct. 19
" sent three Men for goods the others as befor - Ind. came in with Provisions."

Oct. 20
" Indian of yesterday went of gave them debt - Men with the horse returned with goods - the others as befor - snowy day."

Oct. 21
" 2 Men with the goods the others variously Employed - bad day."

Oct. 22
" sent three Men for goods - 2 Men for meat. the others as befor."

Oct. 23
" Men and horse returned with goods the others building."

Oct. 24
" sent 2 Men for meat. it snowed and rained so very hard so that the Men at home could do no thing."

Oct. 25
" People building - Ind. came in for debt."

Oct. 26
" gave the Ind. of yesterday debt. sent 2 Men for goods - 2 Men with the goods - 6 Men building a Chimney - Indians came in with Provisions which realy costes Dear this year here."

Oct. 27
" Sunday four at the goods - 6 Men building a Chimney."

Oct. 28
" sent four Men for meat - 2 Men and horse returned with goods - 2 Men at the goods - 2 Men at the pit saw."

Oct. 29
" four Men returned with meat - 2 at the pit saw - 2 with the goods - 2 Men building."

Oct. 30
" two Men at the pit saw - 6 Men building - 2 Men with the goods Indians came in brough a little Provisions - gave them Debt."

Oct. 31
" People were Employ as yesterday."

Nov. 1 1799
" Friday People were Employed the same as yesterday."

Nov. 2
" People as befor."

Nov. 3
" sent three Men and horse for goods - the others loaming the House."

Nov. 4
" five Men at the goods - the others as befor."

Nov. 5
" five Men returned with the Last of the goods - the others were Employed as above."

Nov. 6
" People Loaming the House - and building the Mens Chimney. Ind. came in brought a few furs and a little Provisions."

Nov. 7
" People were Employed as yesterday - gave debt to the Indians of yesterday - other Ind. came in brought a few furs."

Nov. 8
" sent three Men with Ind. - the others as befor."

Nov. 9
" three Men with the Ind. - the other Men building a trading Room."

Nov. 10
" People as befor."

Nov. 11
" People as befor."

Nov. 12
" People as befor."

Nov. 13
" People as befor."

Nov. 14
" three Men returned with Ind. - they brought a few furs - Leather and some dry Moose flesh - I am apprehensive that they will not much Trade be Collected here this year as the Ind. are no moveing to the Plains."

Nov. 15
" gave Debt to the Ind. of yesterday and they went off - People Loaming the trading Room and Provisions House."

Nov. 16
" People as befor."

Nov. 17
" Sunday kept the day Religiously - which is the first they have not been at Work since the 28 of May when we Left Albany Factory."

Nov. 18
" People variously Employed - Indians came in brought a few furs and some Provisions."

Nov. 19
" sent four Men for meat - four Men for birch to make Sleds of - 2 Men at home Collecting firewood."

Nov. 20
" four Men for birch - the others Collecting firewood."

Nov. 21
" People as befor."

Nov. 22
" People as befor."

Nov. 23
" People as befor."

Nov. 24
" four Men returned with birch boards for to make sleds of - the others doing nothing."

Nov. 25
" sent four Men for meat - 2 Makeing sleds - four Men Collecting firewood."

Nov. 26
" two Men making sleds - four Men Collecting firewood. 4 Men returned with Provisions - which costes Dear indeed."

Nov. 27
" two Men making Sleds. the others Collecting firewood."

Nov. 28
" People as befor."

Nov. 29
" People as befor."

Nov. 30
" People as befor.
It has been the mildest Weather this Month Past I ever seed in Hudsons Bay - which is the cause that they are no Buffalo come as yet and I am apprehensive that they will not be many this year which will make Provisions both scarce and Dear. they are no Trade to be Collected here as yet."

Dec. 1 1799
" Sunday kept the day Religiously mild Weather."

Dec. 2
" Ind. came in brought a few Beaver skins - sent 5 Men for meat the others Collecting firewood."

Dec. 3
" five Men returned with meat - the others as befor."

Dec. 4
" People Collecting firewood."

Dec. 5
" People as befor - two Men arrived from Brandon House. Mr Goodwin informs me that he has but poor Expectations of Either furs or Provisions this year; as they have been no Ind. in at Brandon House since his arrival in the fall. I expected Mr Goodwin would have sent me Hugh Linklater or John Lyons as one of them and Jolly Cour was appointed by the Governor to go with me - I have no person with me to send to the Ind. that understands them; which is a great hurt to me. as the Canads and Mr Longmoor has gon 15 or 16 miles farther to the Westward right in the way of the Ind."

Dec. 6
" sent one Man to Mr Longmoore with Letters. 2 Men to Ind. 2 at the pit saw - 5 Collecting firewood - 2 Men resting themselves."

Dec. 7
" People variously Employed."

Dec. 8
" Sunday kept the Day Religiously."

Dec. 9
" two Men at the pit saw. the other Collecting firewood."

Dec. 10
" People were Employed the same as yesterday."

Dec. 11
" People as befor."

Dec. 12
" sent four Men to Brandon House with whom I sent the following Letter -
Mr Robert Goodwin Master at Brandon House
Dear Sir
Yours dated Brandon House Nov. 23d came safe to hand. glad to hear of Your welfare and safe arrival at Brandon Houe - I am very sorry that I have nothing to inform you of from this Place but what is bad - for they are neither furs nor Provisions to be Collected here and the little we do get I am obliged to Pay three prices for it - we have seen very few Ind. since our arrival here our hunters Excepted which is hard to please indeed - the reason is they see I have not got Hugh Linklater with me this year - who they know to be a good hunter.

The Gen'l Charge you have sent me is right a few articles Excepted - Particularly a ten gallon Rundlet of spirits, which you have Charged more then I had which can be proved by the Bills of Lading and every person that went from osnaburgh with me - Enclosed you will find a List of what you have Charged more or Lefs.

My old House being burned the Last Summer obliged me to get another built which is 4 or 5 miles farther over land then my old station which has Cost a deal of trouble and Expences, haveing our goods to Carry at the same time above 20 miles over land.

With regard to People staying all summer here I know it will be of advanage to the service - but at the same time it will be necefsary for 2 or 3 Men and a master to stay Especially if they are a deal of Remains.

Haveing no person to send to the Ind. that understands them obliges me to detain Jolly Cour - with wishing you a Plentyful Winter a good Trade - I remain
Dear Sir
Your Obedient Humble Servant
John Sutherland "

Dec. 13
" Sent 2 Men for meat - six Men variously Employed - my hunter burst one of my new guns - was obliged to give him another."

Dec. 14
" Sent 2 Men to stay with the hunter the others variously Employed."

Dec. 15
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Dec. 16
" two Men came home with meat from the hunter the others geting firewood."

Dec. 17
" Sent 2 Men to stay with the Hunter the others doing small jobs."

Dec. 18
" two Men with the hunter the other 6 Men variously Employed."

Dec. 19
"two Men came home with meat the others as befor."

Dec. 20
" sent 2 Men for meat the others 8 Men as befor."

Dec. 21
" two Men came home with meat; the others as befor."

Dec. 22
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Dec. 23
" People Collecting firewood"

Dec. 24
" two Men came home with meat. the others as befor - served 8 Men 1/4 of a Gallon of English Brandy."

Dec. 25
" People Enjoying themselves. served 8 Men one Gallon of Brandy."

Dec. 26
" People as befor."

Dec. 27
" People as befor."

Dec. 28
" People as befor."

Dec. 29
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Dec. 30
" People geting firewood - I received a Letter from Mr Goodwin by a Canad who informs me that they are no Ind. been at Brandon House since the fall - I am sorry to say that they have none been here except vagabonds wanting Debt to thieve - god only knows what has got the Indians this yeare."

Dec. 31
" Sent 2 Men to our hunter to know if he was hunting or not - they returned in the Evening and acquaints me, that he has runaway owing to some misunderstanding between him and his father in Law when Drunk - there is nothing to be meet with here this year but Lose and Disappointment."

Jan. 1 1800
" Wednesday People injoying themselves."

Jan. 2
" self and three Men hunting got 6 Pheasants - 6 Men haleing home firewood."

Jan. 3
" Sent 6 Men out a hunting caught one Rabbit and four pheasants the other 2 geting firewood."

Jan. 4
" People as befor. - caught 7 Rabbits and four pheasants."

Jan. 5
" People as befor caught 13 Rabbits and four pheasants - We cannot keep the day Religiously - haveing very little Provisions - and no Ind. come in I hear they are starving with hunger themselves - their Expectations of the Buffalo coming are vanished as well as ours."

Jan. 6
" People hunting and doing other necefsary jobs. caught four Rabbits and 6 peasants."

Jan. 7
" People as befor. caught 7 Rabbits and 3 pheasants - the Canads this day told me that they had nothing to Eat but Parchment few would imagine People to be in such distrefs at red River for Provisions but those that feels and Experiences it knows it to be truth. - I can not agree with the Poit when he says -
We to ourselves may all our wishes grant
nothing coveting we nothing want
We want Proviions but I do not think it is covetousnefs to want it as it is necefsary to suport Life."

Jan. 8
" People hunting and doing other necefsary jobs - caught 10 Rabbits."

Jan. 9
" sent 2 Men to Ind. for meat. the others as befor. got 11 Rabbits."

Jan. 10
" two men returned with meat the others as befor. got 16 Rabbits."

Jan. 11
" sent 2 Men to Ind. for Meat the others as befor. got 12 Rabbits."

Jan. 12
" two Men returned with meat the others as befor. got 6 Rabbits."

Jan. 13
" sent 2 Men in search of food to the plains - sent 2 Men for meat the others hunting caught 6 Rabbits and 3 pheasants."

Jan. 14
" two Men returned with meat - 2 Men in the plains. the others as befor - caught 12 Rabbits."

Jan. 15
" two Men returned from the plains. found no food. the others hunting. caught 10 Rabbits."

Jan. 16
" People hunting caught 16 Rabbits."

Jan. 17
" People as befor caught 12 Rabbits."

Jan. 18
" People as befor. 11 Rabbits."

Jan. 19
" People as befor. caught 22 Rabbits - the half of which I caught myself."

Jan. 20
" sent 2 Men to the plains in search of Ind. - the others bunting. caught 11 Rabbits."

Jan. 21
" two Men in search of Ind. - the others hunting caught 3 Rabbits."

Jan. 22
" People as befor caught 12 Rabbits."

Jan. 23
" sent two Men to Brandon House with whom I sent the following Letter

" Mr Robert Goodwin Master at Brandon House
Dear Sir
Being in the utmost distrefs for Provisions obliges me to send down these 2 Men to inform you of our present condition - I sincerely beg the favour of you to send me Hugh Linklater or any of the Ind. Lads as soon as pofsible you can to hunt for us.
I have many things to relate but shall Postpone it at present and only write what in my humble opinion my? befor the immediate benefits of the service - if you have not procured Provisions sufficient for the Summer it will be necefsary if you Please to sent to Mountain La Bofs - as they are very little Expectations of Procuring any here.
Should you be in want of any aricle of Goods that I have you will please to Victual the men up and down that you send for it. - God knows that I never was in such Distrefs for Provisions befor.
You will Please to let it be as late as Pofsible in the Spring when you send the Men to bring Down the boats - but at the same time be Pleased to send me a hunters as soon as Pofsible You can - I wish you health and better succefs then I have this year as yet - and remain

Dear Sir - Your obedient Humble servant
John Sutherland"

Jan. 24
" two Men in search of Ind. 2 Men geting fire wood - 2 Men hunting caught 6 Rabbits."

Jan. 25
" People as befor - caught 7 Rabbits."

Jan. 26
" Sunday Ind. came in brought about 30 or 40 MBeaver in Cats and Beaver skins."

Jan. 27
" Ind. of yesterday went of - 2 Men with Ind. the others hunting and doing other necefsary jobs."

Jan. 28
" sent 2 Men to Ind. for meat - 2 Men with Ind. - 2 hunting caught 10 Rabbits."

Jan. 29
" Ind. came in with a few furs - 2 Men returned with meat - 2 Men with Ind. - 2 Men hunting caught 5 Rabits."

Jan. 30
" two Men returned from the Ind. brough a little meat the Canads had taken the Ind. furs from them - it is a great Lose to me this year that I have no person with me that understands the natives properly."

Jan. 31
" Mr Goodwin sent 2 Men here with 12 small Rundlets and a Camp kettle - People hunting caught 3 Rabbits."

Feb. 1 1800
" Saturday sent 5 Men to Indians - 3 Men hunting got 8 Rabbits."

Feb. 2
" Sunday five Men with Ind. - 3 Men hunting caught 2 Rabbits."

Feb. 3
" Monday People as befor caught 3 Rabbits."

Feb. 4
" Tuesday 5 Men with Ind. - 3 Men hunting caught 6 Rabbits."

Feb. 5
" People as befor caught 1 Rabbit."

Feb. 6
" People as befor caught 3 Rabbits."

Feb. 7
" four Men and Ind. came from the Plains - brought Wolves some fatt and Dry meat."

Feb. 8
" Trading with the Indians of yesterday."

Feb. 9
" Sent four Men with the Ind. to the Plains - the others doing little jobs - altho Sunday."

Feb. 10
" five Men with Ind. - 3 Men hunting caught 4 Rabbits."

Feb. 11
" People as befor no succefs in hunting the day."

Feb. 12
" People as befor no succefs."

Feb. 13
" five Men with Ind. - sent 3 Men with Ind. for meat."

Feb. 14
" three Men returned with meat - 5 Men with Indians."

Feb. 15
" two Men came from the Ind. brought a few Wolves - and a little Dried meat - 3 Men variously Employed."

Feb. 16
" Ind. came in brough a few Wolves - and fatt."

Feb. 17
" three Men with Ind. - 5 Men variously Employed."

Feb. 18
" Ind. went of - People as befor caught 4 Rabbits."

Feb. 19
" three Men with Ind. - 3 Men hunting - got 3 Rabbits 2 Men at home geting firewood."

Feb. 20
" People as befor caught 4 Rabbits."

Feb. 21
" three Men and Ind. came from the plains brought fatt and a few Wolves."

Feb. 22
" Trading with the Ind. of yesterday."

Feb. 23
" sent 5 Men with Ind. to the plains - Men at home doing nothing."

Feb. 24
" five Men with Ind. 3 Men hunting caught 2 Rabbits."

Feb. 25
" sent three Men with Ind. for meat. 5 Men with Ind."

Feb. 26
" three Men returned meat - 5 Men with Ind."

Feb. 27
" three Men hunting no succefs 5 Men with Ind."

Feb. 28
" Friday five Men with Indians - 3 Men hunting no succefs - this has been the mildest Winter here that evere was known. it is Pleasanter weather here now then in Summer."

Mar. 1 1800
" Saturday five Men with Indians - three Men hunting no succefs."

Mar. 2
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Mar. 3
" five Men with Ind. - three Men hunting caught 3 Rabbits."

Mar. 4
" People as befor. - caught 2 Rabbits."

Mar. 5
" People as befor. - caught 6 Rabbits."

Mar. 6
" three Men returned from the plains with Ind. - brought a few Wolves and some dry meat and fatt."

Mar. 7
" Traded wi the Ind. of yesterday and they went away - 2 Men with Ind. - 2 Men geting firewood - four Men hunting had no succefs."

Mar. 8
" People as befor."

Mar. 9
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Mar. 10
" three Men hunting no succefs. I find our Rabbit hunt is over for this season. - 2 Men with Indians three Men doing little jobs about the House."

Mar. 11
" People as befor no succefs."

Mar. 12
" People as befor no succefs."

Mar. 13
" People as befor no succefs."

Mar. 14
" two Men with the Indians variously Employed."

Mar. 15
" People as befor."

Mar. 16
" Sunday kept the day Religiously - NB Geese cme here."?

Mar. 17
" two Men with Indians - the doing necefsary jobs."

Mar. 18
" two Men and Ind. arrived they brought a few? Wolves and some Dry meat and fatt."

Mar. 19
" Trading with the Indians of yesterday."

Mar. 20
" The Ind. went away - People falling Palisades."

Mar. 21
" People were imployed the same as yesterday."

Mar. 22
" People as before."

Mar. 23
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Mar. 24
" The People falling Palisades"

Mar. 25
" The People as befor."

Mar. 26
" sent the People to bring up the boats as far as Pofsible. am afraid that some malicious person might hurt them."

Mar. 27
" Three Men came from the boats who tells me the River is fast where the Boats is altho open in many Places here. sent 2 Men to Mr Longmoors house to watch for Ind. my debtors in case they went to the Canads as Mr Longmoors gon Pastt? Swan River - in the Evening 2 Men arrived from Brandon House to Afsist in bring down the Boats. Mr Goodwin acquaints me that he has Collected about 3400 MBeaver."

Mar. 28
" two Men at Mr Longmors - 2 Men with the Boats. 2 Men resting themselves - the others variously Employed."

Mar. 29
" Saturday People Employ'd as before."

Mar. 30
" Sunday - kept the day Religiously."

Mar. 31
" Monday two Men at Mr Longmoors old house. 2 Men with the boats 6 Men Collecting Palisades."

Apr. 1 1800
" Tuesday People Employed as befor."

Apr. 2
" Wednesday People Employed as befor."

Apr. 3
" Thursday People Employed as befor."

Apr. 4
" Friday People Employed as befor."

Apr. 5
" Saturday two Men at Mr Longmoors old station 2 Men with the boats. - 6 Men Collecting Palisades."

Apr. 6
" Sunday kept the day Religiously."

Apr. 7
" Monday sent 8 Men to bring up the boats - 2 Men at the pit saw."

Apr. 8
" Tuesday People Employed as Yesterday."

Apr. 9
" Wednesday People as befor."

Apr. 10
" Thursday 2 Men at the pit saw - in the evening the Men returned from the boats - who tells me that they can not get them further up then my old station at the Elbow - for want of Water."

Apr. 11
" Friday People and horse Carrying the little trade that I have Collected to the boats - two Ind. men came in brought two Bears skins - some Bears flesh and 9 Geese."

Apr. 12
" Saturday People Employed as Yesterday."

Apr. 13
" Kept the day Religiously - Peopl and Boats all ready to set off for Brandon House to Morrow.
I conclude with wishing Succefs to Your Honours affairs While I remain

Honble Sirs

Your dutiful obedient
& Humble Servant
John Sutherland."



B.159/a/5

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