24 CAPTAIN M'CLUKe's DESPATCHES. 



nor had they the sUghtest article of European manufacture ahout them ; 

 the use and sight of iron was perfectly new, all their implements being; 

 copper — their spears and arrows barbed with the same. The coppw 

 ore is remarkably fine (but, not observing any when at the tents, tlie 

 specimen being given me by one of our men some time after quitting 

 them), unfortunately, we lost the opportunity of inquiring where it 

 was procured ; but 1 am inclined to think that it comes from the south- 

 east tribes, in their bartering transactions, as the few and simple orna- 

 ments which they possessed were of that metal, and obtained thence. 

 These are a kind, simple, and purely pastoral tribe, devoid of the 

 knavish propensities which so strongly characterise those upon the 

 Mackenzie and Colville, where intercourse with civilized man has 

 demoralized the savage. Upon displaying the presents brought for 

 them, the utmost propriety was observed ; although, doubtless, all were 

 anxious to participate in these treasures, there was not that eagerness to 

 seize, which rendered our interchange with the other Esquimaux so 

 troublesome ; so far was it from these to do so, that it was with diffi- 

 culty we could persuade them to accept them without our receiving an 

 equivalent, they inquiring of the interpreter, after each article was given 

 them, what we wanted for it. A piece of scarlet cloth, which I tied 

 round a girl's neck, remfiined there until we were going away, when she 

 ran up to Mr. Miertsching to ask what she was to give in exchange, 

 and, when assured it was a gift from the chief, she gracefully acknow- 

 ledged it with a smile. No weapons were observed among them, except 

 for the chase ; their whole demeanour bespoke peace. They live near 

 their present locality the whole year, not going any further to the 

 TQorthward, nor do they believe that there are any others in that direc- 

 tion ; but to the S.E., along Victoria and Wollaston Land, the coast is 

 thickly populated. It appears very extraordinary that they do 

 not even possess traditionary legends of their ancestors having 

 been north, where the numerous traces which we meet with upon both 

 sides of the Straits, as well as on the large Princess Royal Island, show 

 that at one period the whole of this coast must have been densely 

 populated. Their language, Mr. Miertsching observes, is identical 

 with that spoken upon the Labrador coast. At half-past 9 o'clock we 

 left this interesting people on our return to the ship, whicli we reached 

 at 7 p.m. of the 5th, exceedingly gratincd by the result of our pleasant 

 excursion, our only misfortune being Cornelius Hullott, my coxswain, 

 having both feet badly frost-nipped. At 5 a.m. of the 7th, Mr. 

 Wynniatt (mate) returned with his party, having been fifty days under 

 the tent. From his exploration of a portion of the south-eastern shores 

 of Barrow's Strait, as far as lat. 72" G' N., long. 107" 42' W. (D 11 ), 

 whence the land was observed for about IT) miles, trending to theN.E., 

 after rounding Point Peel, lat. 73" 21' N., long 1 12" 30' W., the nortli- 

 west point of Prince Albert's Land, he reports it to be in all respects, 

 as to formation, the same as in this vicinity, for the distance of about 

 40 miles, when, upon crossing a deep inlet, the land assumed a north- 

 west aspect, and became high, precipitous, and barren. No drift-wood 

 of any description was met with, but the ice lay against its base in 

 heavy and unl)roken masses. Further to the eastward a lesser one was 

 circumambulated, having in it several small islands, with its southern 

 shore formed of stratified cliff, having an elevation of about .SOO feet. 

 TJ[)on the lOth, at 7.15 a.m.. Lieutenant Cresswell and party, having 



