Collated below are interesting excerpts from Franklin’s journals, and those of his companions who returned to North America in succeeding decades. Presented in no particular order, the quotes provide fascinating insight into the mindset of the officers and their interactions with and feelings for the people and land they encountered in their travels. Please note that the language of their time is retained.

An Act of Pity

One day a gentleman, long resident in this country, espied five young beavers sporting in…

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Dread Winter

The unusual earliness of this winter became manifest to us from the state of things…

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Hideous Beards

The Indians set about everything with an activity that amazed us. Indeed contrasted with our…

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Salvation

We set out before day, though, in fact, we were all much fitter to remain,…

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The Law Giver

The Strong-bows, and Rocky-Mountain Indians, have a tradition in common with the Dog-ribs, that they…

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