File NLW MSS 21715-21716B [RESTRICTED ACCESS]. - Journals of William E. Logan,

Two journals of Sir William Edmond Logan, Canadian geologist, describing his travels as 'provincial geologist' and relating to work conducted in and around the Gaspé Peninsula in that part of the province of Quebec which lies south of the St Lawrence River. In addition to their geological value, the journals contain interesting observations on the people encountered on these journeys. Many of the entries were originally in pencil and afterwards rewritten in ink, and the volumes contain several pen-and-ink sketches. The first volume, 13 July-30 September 1843, records a voyage by canoe along both shores of Baie de Gaspé and as far as Cape Maquereau on the northern side of Baie des Chaleurs. The diarist was accompanied by a Mr Stevens and an Indian, John Basque. The second volume, 31 May-4 November 1844, with a dozen blank pages between 12 and 28 September, describes further explorations of the Gaspé Peninsula. Logan, accompanied by de Rottermond, Murray, Stevens and five Indians, proceeded by canoe from Gaspé up the St Lawrence River to Cape Chatte, then inland over the Shick Shock hills to Bay Chaleur. From around 6 September to 7 October, when they crossed the estuary to Dalhousie on the New Brunswick side, seems to have been spent on the northern shore of this bay, travelling as far east as Paspebiac. A recrossing of the Gaspé Peninsula along the Matapedia River was then undertaken, and afterwards the party followed the right bank of the St Lawrence River towards Quebec.