Henry Kelsey Reaches the Land of the Buffalo

Manitoba Pageant, January 1958, Volume 3, Number 2

This article was published originally in Manitoba Pageant by the Manitoba Historical Society on the above date. We make this online version available as a free, public service. As an historical document, the article may contain language and views that are no longer in common use and may be culturally sensitive in nature. Please direct inquiries to webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Help us keep history alive!

This excerpt from Henry Kelsey's journal (1690-91) is reprinted in the form used in the Dominion Archives Publication. If you have difficulty understanding what is said see a version printed in modern type. How many differences can you find?

In sixteen hundred and ninetieth year
I set forth as plainly may appear,
Through God's assistance for to understand
The natives language, and to see their land.
And for my masters' interest I did soon
Set from the house on the twelfth of June.

August the 19^th (1961)
Barren then it used to be, the Indians having seen a great store of Buffalo, but killed none. By estimation 12 miles. (Kelsey usually ended his daily entry in the journal by stating the number of miles travelled during that day.)

August the 20^th
Today we pitched at the outermost edge of the woods. This plain affords nothing but short grass and Buffalo and a great sort of bear which is bigger than any white bear, and is neither white nor black but silver haired like our English rabbit. The Buffalo likewise is not like those to the northward there.

August the 23^rd
This instant (today) the Indians going a hunting killed a great store of buffalo. Now the manner of their hunting these beasts on the barren ground is (that) when they see a great parcel (number) of them together, they surround them with men, which done, they gather themselves into a smaller compass (circle), keeping the beasts still in the middle, and so shooting them till they break out at some place or other and so get away from them. Our women likewise pitching (camp) according to order. Distance 12 miles.

Page revised: 30 June 2009