[GARRY] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 139 
from Fears which the Calamity had produced on his Mind than from any 
grounded Reason. The Grasshopper had nearly left and it is known 
that they do not deposit their Eggs for 17 Days and they have been seen 
in great Numbers at the Rainy Lake Post nearly 500 Miles distant to 
the South East. They have been much less numerous this Year, many 
of the Fields have escaped entirely and many have suffered partially, 
that is the ears have been half eaten. Two female Buffaloes and a 
young Bull were in the Fields. The female Buffalo had produced a 
young one to an English Bull, which is a remarkable Fact in natural 
History and was not before believed. I understand the Offspring is 
sent over to Mr. Colville. Mr. Laidlaw had been to the Sources of the 
Mississippi to meet 150 Head of Cattle which are coming from the 
United States. He was in much Danger from the many War Parties 
they met, the Sieux and Sauteux. The Stone Indians or Assiniboins 
are the Allies of the latter. I saw 4 little Indian Boys who have been 
educated by Mr. West and who speak very good English. Many of the 
Indians would gladly give their Children. From Mr. Laidlaws we rode 
through what is called the German Street, the Houses very comfortable 
and clean, the Crops excellent where the Grasshopper had not been, 
nothing in the World could be finer. The Soil is excellent, fine black 
Earth. Nothing can be finer than the Verdure and Luxuriance of the 
Grass. Spoke to the Meurons,! who are chiefly Germans. Complain 
that they have no Wives, want farming Utensils, but the Cause and 
Origin of all their Complaints is the Grasshopper. Dined at the Hud- 
sons Bay Fort, Colonel Dickson, Mr. Pritchard, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Thomas, 
Mr. Laidlaw, Mr. Logan, Mr. Picard, Mr. Bird. Catfish for Dinner. 
Tuesday the 5th August. Mr. Alley, the Brother-in-Law of Mr. 
McDonell, breakfasted with me. After Breakfast rode with him to Fort 
Douglas built by Lord Selkirk. Rode over the most beautiful Meadows, 
great Quantity of wild Hops, Spinage, Hemp, and Flax. The Weeds 
have a most rich Appearance proving the Excellence of the Soil. Passed 
the Spot where the English Church is to be built. The Frame Work 
of a House for a School commenced.? The Site of the Church in a beau- 
tiful Situation near the Banks of the River. Excellent Soil, most 
luxuriant Meadows, the Verdure not finer even in England, not a Stone 
or Piece of Gravel. Passed Governor Semple’s Burial Place. It is 

1 Men of a regiment of German and Swiss mercenaries raised in the Napoleonic 
wars under the name of Col. de Meuron. They were taken to Canada during the 
war between England and America, and were disbanded in 1816. Lord Selkirk took 
140 of them to his colony in 1818. 
? The church and school were completed in 1823, when Long visited the spot. 
They were supported by the London Bible Society. » 
