1830.] [ 633 ] 



NEWFOUNDLAND ADVENTURES. 



DURING the time I was engaged in the Newfoundland fishery, I hap- 

 pened to accompany the admiral of the station in one of his usual coasting 

 voyages of surveillance, which, in his capacity of governor of the island, 

 he performs at stated periods. 



It was about the end of July that we cast anchor at the isle of Tou- 

 linguet, on the northern coast, where we heard that a considerable 

 sensation had been created by the unprovoked murder of a planter, * 

 and plunder of his stock of cod, as it lay drying on the scaffolds, by the 

 Esquimaux, during one of their flying visits from the mainland. 



These Esquimaux are a very singular people. They are truly savages. 

 Every attempt on the part of the settlers to conciliate and civilize them 

 has hitherto proved abortive. Distrust seems to be a constitutional cha- 

 racteristic of the race, to an extent unknown amongst other North Ame- 

 rican Indians. They also possess a full share of the love of war and the 

 love of theft, unmitigated by any feelings of pity for the pains they inflict, 

 and undisturbed by any metaphysical considerations of the difference 

 between meum and tuum. 



" For why ? because the good old rule 



Suffices them, the simple plan, 

 That they should take who have the power, 

 And they should kill who can !" 



In common with other Esquimaux tribes, hunting and fishing are 

 their only means of subsistence. Indeed, the soil and climate offer few 

 temptations to engage in agriculture ; especially to a people who never 

 remain a week in one place if they can help it, and to whom the restric- 

 tion of a settled residence would be felt an intolerable evil. In short, 

 they present as complete a specimen of savage life as could be found in 

 any quarter of the globe. 



The constant feeling of insecurity of life and property, which the 

 settlers on the coast endured from these people's vindictive and pre- 

 datory habits, tended much to retard attempts to improve the interior. 

 At last, the local government determined to take measures to lessen the 

 evil. The most effectual seemed to be, the civilization of a few natives 

 to an extent that would render them capable of communicating between 

 their countrymen and the European settlers, to interpret the desire of the 

 latter to open regular trading houses for their accommodation, and render 

 them every assistance they might require, in the hope of ultimately esta- 

 blishing a friendly intercourse. 



The murder of the planter seemed a very inauspicious prelude to this 

 project, but the admiral did not despair. He summoned a meeting of 

 the neighbouring inhabitants, and went on shore himself to see what 

 could be done. As I had always a great curiosity to learn any thing 

 relating to these Arabs of the snows, I begged leave to accompany 

 him. 



The meeting took place at the house of Mr. English, episcopal mini- 

 ster of the islands of Fogo and Toulinguet. He was an intelligent, well- 

 educated young man, evidently much respected by the admiral and the 

 assembled company. He was very anxious that a party should be 



* A resident on shore, employed in curing and packing fish, &c. 



M. M. New Series. VOL. IX. No. 54. 4 M 



