Notes of a Twenty-Five Years' Service in the Hudson's Bay Territory Volume II.   By: John McLean (1799-1890)

NOTES

OF A

TWENTY FIVE YEARS' SERVICE

IN THE

HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY.

BY JOHN M'LEAN.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,

PUBLISHER IN ORDINARY TO HER MAJESTY.

1849.

CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Journey to Norway House 9

CHAPTER II.

Arrival at York Factory Its Situation Climate Natives Rein Deer Voyage to Ungava Incidents of the Voyage Arrival at Ungava Situation and Aspect 16

CHAPTER III.

Exploring Expedition through the Interior of Labrador Difficulties Deer Hunt Indian Gluttony Description of the Country Provisions run short Influenza 32

CHAPTER IV.

Distressing Bereavement Exploring Party their Report Arrival at Esquimaux Establish Posts Pounding Rein Deer Expedition up George's River Its Difficulties Hamilton River Discover a stupendous Cataract Return by George's River to the Sea Sudden Storm and miraculous Escape 60

CHAPTER V.

Esquimaux arrive from the North Shore of Hudson's Strait on a Raft Despatch from the Governor Distress of the Esquimaux Forward Provisions to Mr. E . Return of the Party Their deplorable Condition 81

CHAPTER VI.

Trip to Esquimaux Bay Governor's Instructions My Report to the Committee Recommend the Abandonment of Ungava Settlement Success of the Arctic Expedition conducted by Messrs. Dease and Simpson Return by Sea to Fort Chimo Narrowly escape Shipwreck in the Ungava River Impolitic Measure of the Governor Consequent Distress at the Post 88

CHAPTER VII.

Another exploring Expedition My Promotion Winter at Chimo Obtain permission to visit Britain Ungava abandoned 98

CHAPTER VIII.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Climate of Ungava Aurora Borealis Soil Vegetable Productions Animals Birds Fish Geological Features 102

CHAPTER IX.

The Nascopies Their Religion Manners and Customs Clothing Marriage Community of Goods 118

CHAPTER X.

The Esquimaux Probable Origin Identity of Language from Labrador to Behring's Straits Their Amours Marriages Religion Treatment of Parents Anecdote Mode of Preserving Meat Amusements Dress The Igloe, or Snow House Their Cuisine Dogs The Sledge Caiak, or Canoe Ouimiàk, or Boat Implements Stature 131

CHAPTER XI.

Labrador Esquimaux Half Breeds Moravian Brethren European Inhabitants Their Virtues Climate Anecdote 155

CHAPTER XII.

Voyage to England Arrival at Plymouth Reflections Arrive at the place of my Nativity Changes Depopulation London The Thames Liverpool Embark for New York Arrival The Americans English and American Tourists England and America New York 167

CHAPTER XIII.

Passage from New York to Albany by Steamer The Passengers Arrival at Albany Journey to Montreal 187

CHAPTER XIV.

Embark for the North Passengers Arrive at Fort William Despatch from Governor Appointed to McKenzie's River District Portage La Loche Adventure on Great Slave Lake Arrive at Fort Simpson Productions of the Post 193

CHAPTER XV.

Statements in the Edinburgh Cabinet Library Alleged Kindness of the Hudson's Bay Company to the Indians And Generosity Support of Missionaries Support withdrawn Preference of Roman Catholics The North West Company Conduct of a British Peer Rivalry of the Companies Coalition Charges against the North West Company refuted 207

CHAPTER XVI.

Arrival of Mr. Lefroy Voyage to the Lower Posts of the McKenzie Avalanche Incidents of the Voyage Voyage to Portage La Loche Arbitrary and unjust Conduct of the Governor Despotism My Reply to the Governor 228

CHAPTER XVII.