Harmon's journal. 



59 



Thursday, 23. Alexandria. We arrived here 

 in the afternoon ; and I am happy to find myself, 

 at length, at the end of my journey, and where I 

 hope to pass a few months, at least, in quietness. 

 The fort is built on a small rise of ground, on the 

 bank of the Assiniboine, or Upper Red River, 

 that separates it from a beautiful prairie, about 

 ten miles long, and from one to four broad, which 

 is as level as the floor of a house. At a little 

 distance behind the fort, are small groves of 

 birch, poplar, aspin and pine. On the whole, 

 the scenery around it, is delightful. The fort is 

 sixteen rods in length, by twelve in breadth ; 

 the houses, stores, &c, are well built, are plaister- 

 ed on the inside and outside, and are washed over 

 with a white earth, which answers nearly as well 

 as lime, for white washing. This earth is found, 

 in certain places, in all parts of this country. — 

 Here horses are to be bought of the Natives 

 for a mere trifle. They are well built, strong, and 

 tolerably fleet. 



This place lies in Latitude 52° north, and in 

 103° west Longitude. Mr. M c Leod is now gone 

 to fort Dauphine, on horse back, which lies only 

 four days' march from this, overland; yet it is 

 nearly two months, since I passed there in a 

 canoe. 



