316 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
been prepared for many days, I endeavoured to 
explain the objects of our mission in a manner 
best calculated to ensure his exertions in our ser- 
vice. With this view, I told him that we were 
sent out by the greatest chief in the world, who 
was the sovereign also of the trading companies 
in the country ; that he was the friend of peace, 
and had the interest of every nation at heart. 
Having learned that his children in the north, 
were much in want of articles of merchandise, in 
consequence of the extreme length and difficulty 
of the present route ; he had sent us to search for 
a passage by the sea, which if found, would en- 
able large vessels to transport great quantities of 
goods more easily to their lands. That we had 
not come for the purpose of traffic, but solely 
to make discoveries for their benefit, as well as 
that of every other people. That we had been 
directed to inquire into the nature of all the pro- 
ductions of the countries we might pass through, 
and particularly respecting their inhabitants. 
That we desired the assistance of the Indians in 
guiding us, and providing us with food ; finally, 
that we were most positively enjoined by the 
great chief to recommend that hostilities should 
cease throughout this country ; and especially. 
between the Indians and the Esquimaux, whom 
he considered his children, in common with other 
