Miles Macdonell and the 1811 Work Crew are still at sea – in Hudson’s Bay now and heading south. In his journal, he records:

Very fine weather & favorable moderate winds & smooth water which has been the Case since entering the Bay.

Engage Lagimoniere to hunt &c for a twelvemonth at 30£ wages & an Equipment of clothes.

Engage likewise Charle Tranchesmontaini to fish for us…  – Miles McDonell’s Journal

“Party warned to be ready to-morrow by 4 O’Clock & not to Breakfast till 10- but still that it may be partly cooked to-night so as to detain us in the morning as little as possible.- The Rice, pease, Meat &c. can be cooked & made warm at Breakfast time.- In the morning gave every one of the party a pair of shoes & the Men had theirs worn out already.”  – Archibald Macdonald Journal

“…some of the people are planting the Corn bad, 20 or 30 Grains in a hill.”

Corn was a novelty to the first arrivals at Red River, and it was necessary to teach them how to plant it. Although Macdonell mentions his own party planted some on the 19th and 22nd, I can’t find reference to anyone teaching the Settlers how to plant it properly.

“I have sown a Bushel of Wheat this morning on good ground in order to assertain the return. the Settlers got 2 Bushels more potatoes, 1 Bushel Barley and teo Gallons of Wheat for each family, seem all very happy, they go on with their labour with an admirable degree of emulation, calculated to benefit themselves and give satisfaction to the people who hve them in charge.”  – Alexander Macdonell Journal

“The wheat I sowed last fall does not appear it was too late sown & had not time before the frost set in to vegetate.”  – Miles Macdonell Journal

“These poor Highlanders that aspired to nothing at home beyond a little oat meal and herrings must now have marrow Fat, to fry the finest fish in the world. O what a strange world this is-”  – Colin Robertson Journal

(reference: pages 17518 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

“Send a Canoe with 3 men for the Salt left about 25 miles up the river-”  – Miles Macdonell Journal

“…the plains are all on fire North side the Pembina- sent men burn round Heneys Fort- Our two Express men who went on the route to Brandon Ho. returned this evening- could not find their way on account of the smoke to one of them, the only guide we have who Knows the way is quite Knocked up- I am quite perplexed what to do.”  -Miles Macdonell Journal 1814

“Indians came with fresh Killed venison they went off very soon after getting payment…”  – Miles Macdonell Journal, 1812