In the A relic /•'■ Ft L07 



been prepared for many days, I endeavored to explain 

 the objects of our mission in a manner besl calculated 

 to ensure his exertions in our service. With this vi 



1 told liim that we were sent out by the greatest chi< f 

 in the world, who was the sovereign also of the trad- 

 ing companies in i ho country ; thai he was the friend 

 of peace, and had the interest of every nation at heart. 

 Bavins learned that his children in the north, were 

 much in want of articles of merchandize, in conse- 

 quence of tli>' extreme Length and difficulty of th i 



tit route : he had sent us to search for a past 

 by the Bea, which, it found, would enable 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 thai of every otlnr people. That we had 



been directed to inquire into the nature of all the pro- 

 ductions of the countries we mighl pass through, and 

 particularly respecting their inhabitants. That we 

 desired the assistance of the Indians in guiding us, 

 and providing us with food j finally, thai we w 

 mosi positively enjoined by the greal chief to recom- 

 mend that hostilities should cease throughout this 

 country ; and especially between the Indians and 1 

 quimaux, whom he considered his children, in o 

 mon with other Datives; and by way of enfon 

 the latter point more strongly, I assured him that u 



