108 



harmon's journal. 



bad. Neither company will convey to the other 

 the least intelligence, that at all concerns their af- 

 fairs in this country. The North West Company 

 lock upon the X. Y. Company as encroachers upon 

 their territories ; and, I think, with some reason, 

 since the former company first led the way into 

 this savage country ; while the latter people think, 

 that the former have no more right to trade in this 

 part of the world, than themselves. This jarring 

 of interests, keeps up continual misunderstandings, 

 and occasions frequent broils between the contend- 

 ing parties ; and to such a height has their enmity 

 risen, that it has, in several instances, occasioned 

 blood shed. But here the murderer escapes with- 

 out punishment ; for the civil law does not extend 

 its protection, so far into the wilderness. I under- 

 stand, however, that measures are in contempla- 

 tion in England, which will remedy this evil. If 

 something should not be done soon, I fear many of 

 us may lose our lives ! 



Wednesday, 19. About six inches of snow have 

 fallen. Mr. M f Gillies and company arrived from 

 the Grand Portage, and delivered me letters from 

 my friends in the United States ; and I rejoiced to 

 hear that they were in health and prosperity. 



Saturday, 22. This afternoon, one of ourmei^ 

 an Iroquois, died ; and it is thought the founda- 

 tion was laid for his death, by too great an exer- 



