by Elizabeth Campbell

I was alerted to a new-to-me website this morning – one that mentions the Red River Colony. So, naturally, I went in to have a look!

[McRae] Told me a Skin was wanting of the Number he gave me to put under me for a bed, they were in Captn. McDonell’s tent where I slept I told him I did not take it, nor had not it, & that it was surprising any person would go into Captn. McDonell’s tent to take it out, that perhaps he did not count them well that it must be among the others, upon which he said he did, I must pay for the one that is lost. I told him he spoke very peremptorily, & that stil a tryal ought to be made, but the word was I must pay for it. I then told him I would not that he gave them, & I did not reckon them, & as he gave them that he took them. That if he required so many from me, he ought as he was so particular to receive them, from my hands, & not take them himself. Upon this He told me go be damned. Upon which I told him but that I was a Clergyman I would kick him. He wanted me to box him. I told him I was no Blackguard, but that he was a Comissary had a sword & pistols & that if Captn. McDonnell would lend me either of his, I would try him at either. There was no Man on the ground I could depend on for arms but Capts. McDonell. I brought none myself, thinking I’d have no occasion for any, for which I was sorry & more so that I should be under the necessity of calling to Captn. McDonell for his, Captain McDonell was out at the time, when he came in I told him what happened, & that in McRea’s presence, & that I was sure McRea was no Gentleman, tho’ he had the arms of a Gentleman, sword & pistols. I guess’d from the Doctor & McReas being always with Hillier, that perhaps they were put up to this, & I was resolved to try what the best of them could do. In fact I heard some days after, that McRea went to Mr. Hillier & requested he would be is Friend in a day or two, when he would call on him But I understand Hillier gave no reply whatever, but changed colour.

Miles Macdonell and Mr. Hillier made two camps near York Factory over the winter of 1811/12, where the men who were to be the work crew for the Red River Settlement lived until moving south after break-up. Even from Macdonell’s journal, which is often somewhat brief and lacking detail in its daily record of events, it is clear that the winter was full of malcontent.

I have yet to find mention of the monetary value of a dog at Red River, but there is plenty of evidence that people placed a high value on their dogs.

There were other purposes for dogs. In August of 1812, Miles Macdonell writes about Fort Alexander that, although it was on a river (the Winnipeg) key to commerce, the river “was a scarce place for provisions. The Canadians killed two dogs for their supper.”
The winter of 1825-6 was a bitter winter. The Bison disappeared, and travel across the massive drifts of snow was nearly impossible. Dogs became a part of the diet of the starving colonists.

The working dogs of Red River pulled another type of vehicle in the winter, too – the carriole. The carriole was a miniature version of the vehicle of the same name used with horses, and as such was more decorative in appearance than the usual toboggan-like dog sledge.

I thought It would be interesting to follow this week in 1815, as seen through the eyes of Colin Robertson. Robertson took charge of the remaining settlers and the colony after the evacuation to Jack River in June of 1815 until the new Governor, Robert Semple, arrived to take the place of Miles Macdonell.

I’m just back from this year’s Annual Reunion. I think it was one of the best we’ve had in a long time! I think I’ll spend this week writing about it, because a number of interesting issues were raised.

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.

It rained hard in the night with lightening & thunder we all got completely drenched- the rain ceased and we set off, but it soon began again we continued going on in the rain till 11 o clock when we were forced to put up on South side opposite a Lopt Stick at the Sugar Loaf Hill.- It continued to rain for the rest of the day.