| Summary: | David Buchan (1780-1838?), a Royal Navy lieutenant and ultimately captain (promoted 1823), was an important figure in early-19th Century Newfoundland history. At various times in his career he served as acting governor, itinerant judge, and high sheriff of the colony. In addition, Buchan led an arctic exploration expedition, and is presumed to have died at sea while serving with the East India Company. He is probably best known, however, for his attempts to communicate with the Beothuk Indians who inhabited the Exploits River region in the island's interior. On orders from Governor John Thomas Duckworth and commanding the ship Adonis, Buchan led a January 1811 expedition westwards along the Exploits, reaching the Beothuk encampment on Red Indian Lake on the 24th. Despite friendly appearances, two of Buchan's men were murdered while left in their company. It is these events which are recorded here in Buchan's journal for 12-30 January 1811, and his concluding remarks written thereafter. A second attempt to establish contact in March found only traces of the Beothuks' presence. Buchan was also entrusted with the return of captured Beothuk woman Demasduwit's body to the Red Indian Lake area in 1819, and himself ordered the unsuccessful attempt to return another captive Beothuk woman, Shawnadithit, and her companions to their tribe in 1823. (William Kirwin, "Buchan, David," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 7) This copy is probably original since the paper is watermarked 1810. -- Alternative title from Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries cataloger's title.
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