170 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
East Main Coast. Our Vessel is becalmed within Sight of all these 
Lands which have a most desolate, dreary Appearance; high, bold Rocks, 
600 or 700 feet, and covered with eternal snow. In these dreary Regions, 
so desolate in Appearance we were agreeably surprized by the Sight of 
four Esquimaux Canoes making towards our Ship from Nottingham. 
This is so unusual at this Season of the Year that Capt. Davison only met 
them once on his Return, and this was after having wintered at Moose, 
though he has made 33 Voyages. It was a singular Instance of good 
Fortune and was particularly interesting to me. Nottingham at the 
Moment was about four Leagues distant. In about an Hour and a half 
they were alongside. The Party consisted of 4 Men. On Approaching 
the Vessel they appeared quite elated, raising their Paddles and appear- 
ing delighted to see us and holloaing “ Chemoo, Chemoo,”? which is 
“ Barter.” They were good looking Men with agreeable Features, black 
Hair, olive Complexions but not darker than a dark European. They 
had Mustachios on the upper Lip and a Tuft of Hair on their Chins à 
la Vandyke. They were dressed in Seal Skins with the Fur turned 
inwards. Their Canoes were about 21 feet in Length and 20 Inches in 
Breadth, a Frame Work of Wood within, covered with Seal Skin. The 
Paddle is about six Feet in Length, the Sides covered with Ivory from 
the Sea Unicorn. They use the Paddle across the Canoe, inclining first 
one Side and then the other. They were very fat, and, I understand, the 
Women are as plump, arising from the Food they live on, Blubber and 
Oil. They had few Things to barter, a few Curiosities, and Implements 
for fishing in the making of which they are very ingenious. It is to be 
regretted that so little is known of these interesting People. The Hud- 
son’s Bay Company should direct an Esquimaux to be sent over who 
could learn English and a most beneficial Trade might be established. 
Captain Davison considers they were coming from the North on their 
Way to the East Main Coast where he thinks they winter. But this is 
all Conjecture. Captain Davison is fearful they are Cannibals, having 
about three Years since when on Shore at the Saddleback found a 
Woman’s Hand near a Fire. If this is the Fact their Countenances 
must be very deceitful. We have made each of them a Present of a 
Hatchet, a Kettle, two Spoons and Iron Hoops. The Moment they 
received them they put them to their Tongue. 
Tuesday the 25th Sept. Almost calm. Yesterday the Sun passed 
the Line but no Equinoctial Gales. Therm. 29. Miles 49. Lat. 63.20, 
Lon. 76. 


1 So written in diary. Meant, I suppose, for some part of the verb tchimmer- 
toark, to barter. 
