News Letter Excerpts

From the private collection of Lorraine Freeman
Translation by: Yvon Allard

In the presence of the notaries of the Province of Lower-Canada, in Montreal, there resident, undersigned; being present Louis Fleurie de Maskinonge lower than the church living with his father Francois Fleurie voluntarily enlists and enlists in the presence of Misters William McGillvary, Archibald Norman Mcleod, Thomas Thain, John McTavish and Henry Mackenzie of Montreal, Principals and Associates, under the name of McTavish, McGillivarys and Company.

The signer of the contract being present accepts at their request, departure from Montreal, in the duty of Oarsmen in one of our canoes, to make the voyage, and to winter during three consecutive years in the service of the North-West Territories of Upper-Canada.

Pass by Michilimakinac, if it is required, work six days of statute labor, (one week) make two voyages to Fort William to Portage de la Montagne, or in place of work six days a week in other work in option by the foreman, help in portaging canoes (three men canoes) in the voyage, to take good care of during the trip, and to deliver the merchandise, provisions, pelts, utilities and all things necessary for the trip, serve, obey, and execute sincerely, all the instructions of Master Bourgeois and his representatives; to conduct the work with honesty; to make profit; avoid damage to the goods, and to generally conduct oneself in a manner proper to a good employee, not to do any damaging act; not to be absent, not to quit, under the penalty of lost wages. This contract thus made is for the sum of Seven Hundred pounds, the currency of this province, that promises and is obliged to pay the sum to the contractee one month after his return to Montreal, and have for his equipment: one blanket of three points, one blanket of two and one half points, six aune of cotton, one pair of leather boots and one leather collar, for the first year and the security and the conditions of the post where he will winter for the others.

Having recognized that I have received an advance of the amount of $12.00 He agrees to contribute 1% of his wages for the Voyageur Fund.

Written and agreed in Montreal, by the instructions of the Notaries undersigned in the year Eighteen 18 the 2nd of May, and have signed, with exception of the contracted, who after reading the document, will sign the document.