July 18, 1793. My Hospitable Friend.

July 18, 1793.

Daily excerpts from the journals of Alexander MacKenzie, 227 years ago, To-day.

     “At five in the morning I awoke, and found that the natives had lighted a fire for us, and were sitting by it. My hospitable friend immediately brought me some berries and roasted salmon, and his companions soon followed his example. The former, which consisted among many others, of gooseberries, hurtleberries, and raspberries, were of the finest I ever saw or tasted, of their respective kinds. They also brought the dried roes of fish to eat with the berries.”

Picture 1. B.C. Huckleberries (Hurtleberries)

     “Salmon is so abundant in this river, that these people have a constant and plentiful supply of that excellent fish. To take them with more facility, they had, with great labour, formed an embankment or weir across the river, for the purpose of placing their fishing-machines, which they disposed both above and below it...into which the salmon fall when they attempt to leap over.”

Picture 2. Old photo of a fishing weir. Puyallup, WA

     “As we were still at some distance from the sea, I made application to my friend to procure us a canoe or two, with people to conduct us thither...After he had made various excuses, I was at length comprehended that his only objection was to the embarking venison in a canoe on their river, as the fish would instantly smell it and abandon them, so that he, his friends, and relations, must starve.”

     They are very protective regarding the salmon and the river, as it is their lifeblood. “These people indulge an extreme superstition respecting their fish, as it is apparently their only animal food.”

     “At eight this morning, fifteen men armed, the friends and relations of these people, arrived by land...in consequence of notice sent them in the night…”

     MacKenzie in his journal goes on to describe some of the attributes of these Nuxalk people, and his colourful descriptions and observations make good reading for those interested in learning more about that encounter. 

     “I presented my friend with several articles, and also distributed some among others of the natives who had been attentive to us. One of my guides had been very serviceable in procuring canoes for us to proceed on our expedition....”

     Finally the march is over and the voyageurs will be back in canoes, where they belong. Reaching the Pacific coast is now within their grasp. 

     “At noon I had an observation which gave 52.28.11. North latitude.”