May

1860-05-20
SUNDAY
Rode my own horse to the Farm
with Dewdney & Newton – Met
Lee on the prairie – My stirup
broke & almost got a cropper
dined with Lee & return to the
Fort in the evening – offered Lee
$300 for his lot at Westminster
which he refused. Lee slept at
the Fort. [deletion] Mgoe’s wife
hung herself.

1860-05-21
MONDAY
Dewdney started at 7 A.M. for
Westminster – Rode to Langley
with Blinkensop & Lear. The horse
all but gave me a cropper just before
starting. Engaged Myoe & canoe for
with 5- Indians to take the Governors traps
to the Chilwahook. Went through the Court
house jail Church & Rectory – but could
not see the chairs I lent Crickmer.
Musquitoes troublesome in the evening

1860-05-22
TUESDAY
Beautiful morning – rode with
Blinkensop about 8 miles on
the Smass trail which is pretty
good – found Maao waiting on
my return with canoe & Indians
Wrote to Good & dispatched him
with it to Westminster. Played at
Cricket with Newton & Blinkensop
Musquitoes & sand flies in hundreds

1860-05-23
WEDNESDAY
Fine morning – Bought 92 lbs of
oats @ 4½ cts- – $4-14 – fr. H.B.C.
Brouse & Ross call on their way from
Smass to Westminster having completed
the trail, but report that the Chilwake
flooded Wrote to Good Rode boat
for a couple of hours.
Played at Cricket. Steamer
Col Moody arrived in route to
Douglas & Hope Mrs Charles & Miners
Gray on board. Lounch Landvoigt &
[overwritten text]
Hotchins. The
latter insisted on
standing. Two bottles
of Champagne on
the strength of
the appropriating
for the Boston
Bar trail.

1860-05-24
THURSDAY
Started in Canoe with Newton for
Westminster – at 7 – arrived just in
time to join the Governors Party to
the Pit lake – about 60 on board
including all the Bishop Col Moody
&c. Very pleasant day – Capital
Lounchen & dinner – & no end of
Champagne & speechefying – returned
to Westminster at 9 – Cards in the
Mess Room. Slept in Luards quarters.

1860-05-25
FRIDAY
Went to the Town with Lempriere to get
my watch & speak to Dewdney about
my lots. Walked back & found the Gov
ready to start. He Good & myself
got away at 11½ – Good found his dog
Friday on the bank of the fraser.
Visited Coquitlam & several other places
on the way. Stopped at Mansons & eat
fish – arrived at Langly at 7-. Parsons
Newton the Bishop & Sheepshanks arrived

1860-05-26
SATURDAY
Wet morning – The Bishop read prayers
walked with him to see the Church, & got
a canoe for him to go back to N.W.M.
The Gov decided on remaining at Langly
till Monday. Parsons ill & looking
exceedingly bad – walked about with
him. The Moody returned fr Hope &
arrived again at Langley on the way up
river at 9- Mail – Recd No 3- fr
Mamsey & one fr Humfrey. Heard of
[overwritten text]
Chaws Illness – how
I hope that next mail
may bring better news
Good started for the
Smaas Prairie in Canoe
Palmer went to W. M.

1860-05-27
SUNDAY
Fine morning Read – The Governor
Read prayers – Walked with him
about the Fort for about four hours
Parsons ill again in the evening
Spent most stupid day – could not
help thinking of home. I dont think I
shall ever get reconciled to remain
out here. Got things ready for our
start in the morning. Turned in
at 12-

1860-05-28
MONDAY
Up at 4 fine morning started
at 7 – Parsons the Gov – Brouse &
myself 2 Indians & pack horses
very fair trail, & as we got on the
land apparently good & required but
little clearing – stopped to breakfast at
11- on the edge of first Prairie.
(Matsqui) where Brouse has taken up a
beautiful claim. Crossed the Prairie & found
all the bridges afloat – horses got bogged
[overwritten text]
Carried Parsons
over the Rivers
after a good deal
of Knocking about
Camped on the
Prairie at 8 P.M.
Having been in the
saddle about 13 hours
Turned in at 11½

1860-05-29
TUESDAY
Up at 4- Bathed. Brouse reported
the trail to be impassable – succeeded
in getting a Canoe & sent the baggage
by water to the Matsqui Prairie, rode
back about 3 miles & breakfasted
Mayo Indians turned up just as
we were about to start, swam the
horses – Parsons & the Gov went on
in canoe to the Smass, returned
to Langley accompanied by Brouse
where we arrived at 6- P.M.
[overwritten text]
Learned from the
Indians that the
Prairies are called
1st Matsqui
2nd Coquak
3rd Smaas

1860-05-30
WEDNESDAY
Very tired – up at 8 A.M. Read, & walked
about with Blenkinsop – Talked about
joining him & Newton & buying out [illegible]
& taking up the Prairie – The matter left
to Blenkinsop to arrange. Played at
Cricket. Paid Newton for breaking
his bridle $3.50. Steamer Col
Moody arrived at 12 night – Col Moody
the Bishop & Palmer on board – My horse
fell into the river when trying to get
[overwritten text]
him over the
[Tram way]
Did not go
to bed at all

1860-05-31
THURSDAY
The Henrietta started at 1 AM
the Moody at 4 – Called at Chilwa
hook for the Gov – saw Parsons
picked the Gov & Good up at
Fargoes Bar – almost drifted against
the rocks at Mouth of Harrison
river. Arrived at Douglas at 6
Called on Gammage – Tea at
Gaggins – who is just as queer a
fellow as Ever. Grant rode in [front]
[overwritten text]
the [Carup]
Slept on
board