Harmon's journal. 49 



people, whose fort is but a few rods from ours. 

 Mr. Miller, the gentleman who has charge of it, 

 informed me, that they obtain their goods from Al- 

 bany Factory; that, in going down with their bar- 

 ges, they are generally about forty days 5 but, that 

 they are nearly twice that time in returning, in 

 consequence of the current. The Factory lies to 

 the north east from this. 



Wednesday, 6. This morning Mr. M c Donell, 

 whom we passed a few days since, overtook, and 

 informed us, that one of his canoes broke, in com- 

 ing down the rapids, that one of the men was 

 drowned, and most of the property on board was 

 lost. 



Friday, 8. This evening, Mons. Mayotte took 

 a woman of this country for a wife, or rather con- 

 cubine. All the ceremonies attending such an 

 event, are the following. When a person is desi- 

 rous of taking one of the daughters of the Natives, 

 as a companion, he makes a present to the parents 

 of the damsel, of such articles as he supposes will 

 be most acceptable ; and, among them, rum is in- 

 dispensable ; for of that all the savages are fond, 

 to excess. Should the parents accept the articles 

 offered, the girl remains at the fort with her 

 suitor, and is clothed in the Canadian fashion. 

 The greater part of these young women, as I am 

 informed, are better pleased to remain with the 

 7 



