NORTHERN OCEAN. 
poor and diftrefled people. For fome time patt, 
however, thofe Efquimaux who trade with our 
floops at Knapp’s Bay, Navel’s Bay, and Whale 
Cove, are in perfect peace and friendfhip with the 
Northern Indians; which is entirely owing tot he 
protection they have for feveral years paft receiv- 
ed from the Chiefs at the Company’s Fort at 
Churchill River*. But thofe of that tribe who 
Z 2 live 
* In the Summer of 1456, a pasty of Nosthern Indians lay in wait at 
Knapp’s Bay till the floop had failed out of the harbour, when they fell on 
the poor Efquimaux, and kilied every foul. Mr. John Bean, then Matter 
ofthe floop, and fince Matter of the Trinity yacht, with all his crew, 
heard the guns very plain; but did not know the meaning or reafon of it 
till the Summer following, when he found-the fhocking remains of more 
than forty Efquimaux, who had been murdered in that cowardly manner; 
and for no other reafon but becaufe two principal Northern Indians had 
died in the preceding Winter. 
No Efquimaux were feen at Knapp’s Bay for feveral years after; and 
thofe who trade there at prefent have undoubtedly been drawn from the 
Northward, fince the above unhappy tranfaGtion; for the convenience of 
being nearer the woods, as well as being in the way of trading with the 
floop that calls there annually. It is to be hoped that the meafures taken 
by the Governors at Prince of Wales’s Fort of late years, will effe€tually 
prevent any fuch calamities happening in future, and by degrees be the 
means of bringing about a lafting, friendly, and reciprocal intereft between 
the two nations. 
Notwithftanding the pacific and friendly terms which begin to dawn 
between thofe two tribes at Knapp’s Bay, Navel’s Bay, and Whale Cove, 
farther North hoftilities continue, and moft barbarous murders are per- 
petrated: and the only protetion the Efquimaux have from the fury of 
their enemies, is their remote fituation in the Winter, and: their refiding 
chiefly on iflands and peninfulas in Summer, which renders them lef liable 
to be furprifed during that feafon. But even this fecluded life does not 
prevent the Northern Indians from haraffing them greatly, and at times 
they are fo clofely purfued as to be obliged to leave moft of their goods, 
and utenfils to be deftroyed by their enemy ; which muft be a great lofs, 
as thefe cannot be replaced but at the expence of much time and labour ; 
and the want of them in the main time mu(t create much diftrefs both to 
them- 
339 
