196 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
The Indians who trade to Churchill are the Southern or Crees or Knis- 
tenaux, the Northern or Chipiwyan, and the Esquimaux. The two first are 
much addicted to the Drinking of Spirits, to the Esquimaux it is unknown. 
Plurality of Wives is allowed amongst the three Tribes. The Cap of the two 
first is simply a Yard of Cloth which being doubled one Side is sewn and fhe 
Top. The Cap is afterwards ornamented with Beads, Tape, &c., and worn 
entirely loose on the Head. 
For Stockings or Leggings they take half a Yard of Cloth which they cut 
in Halves—each Half they double and sew up the open Side which finishes 
the Stocking. When the Stocking is put on the lower Part comes down to 
the Ancle and extends upwards above the knee. The Rest of their Dress 
consists in a Sort of Robe of dressed Deer Skin. 
Their Complexion is copper coloured; very dark Hair which they wear 
long and tied in a Queue. 
It appears the American Government prohibit the Sale of Spirits to the 
Indians. This prohibition is however evaded as at the Sault S. Marys the 
Traders sell a Sort of Whiskey—a Decoction from Barley and Oats—to the 
Sauteux or Chipewyans. 
Wanitoo the Sieux Chief who professes great Friendship for the Red River 
Colony is very powerful and commands 400 Lodges. Mr. Bourke describes 
him to be a drunken bad Character. 
APPENDIX [H]. 
TRADE. 
Whale Fishery from Churchill. 
The Whale Fishery from which good Returns might be naturally expected 
cannot at all Times be depended on, as it is very liable to decrease or fail 
from various Causes, as late Seasons, Stormy Weather and more than all 
this Uncertainty of the Esquimaux resorting to the place for the «urpose of 
procuring Oil, nevertheless it is my Opinion that by proper Attention it may 
be much improved from what it is at present. In the Event of the Esquimaux 
reaching Churchill with the Sledges it is easy to detain them for the Purpose 
of killing Seals and Whales most of the Season, because they have their 
Families with them. On the Contrary if a few Men only arrive by Water in 
their Canoes it is very difficult to get them to kill Whales at all and then only 
for a few Days. Should a good Party say from 25 to 30 arrive and he 
employed from the ist of June to the End of August, while at the same time 
our own two Whaling Boats are constantly employed in the Churchill River 
20 to 30 Tons of Oil might be procured to the utmost. I wish even th.s Quan- 
tity may be, but if it should not no Loss will be incurred because the Men 
required for the Factory can perform this Duty and nothing is wanting to 
prevent our attending to the Esquimaux at Seal River next Summer but a 
Boat, which I hope we shall have before that Time. Whereas should a 
separate Business of it be made allowing we should attempt to extend it 
further much Expense will be incurred—as it will require a great Outfit of a 
Vessel, Men, and Lines, which I am confident would never be covered by the 
Oil they would procure any way to the North both by their own Exertions 
RE ee 
