NORTHERN OCEAN 123 



of these people are few, and easily supplied ; a hatchet, an 1771- 



. ,,1- • ^ 11 March. 



ice-chissel, a file, and a knife, are all that is required to enable 

 them, with a little industry, to procure a comfortable liveli- 

 hood ; and those who endeavour to possess more, are always 

 the most unhappy, and may, in fact, be said to be only slaves 

 and carriers to the rest, whose ambition never leads them to any 

 thing beyond the means of procuring food [82] and clothing. 

 It is true, the carriers pride themselves much on the respect 

 which is shewn to them at the Factory ; to obtain which they 

 frequently run great risques of being starved to death in their 

 way thither and back ; and all that they can possibly get there 

 for the furrs they procure after a year's toil, seldom amounts 

 to more than is sufficient to yield a bare subsistence, and a few 

 furrs for the ensuing year's market ; while those whom they 

 call indolent and mean-spirited live generally in a state of 

 plenty, without trouble or risque ; and consequently must be 

 the most happy, and, in truth, the most independent also. 

 It must be allowed that they are by far the greatest philoso- 

 phers, as they never give themselves the trouble to acquire 

 what they can do well enough without. The deer they kill, 

 furnishes them with food, and a variety of warm and com- 

 fortable clothing, either with or without the hair, according 

 as the seasons require ; and it must be very hard indeed, 

 if they cannot get furrs enough in the course of two or three 

 years, to purchase a hatchet, and such other edge-tools as are 

 necessary for their purpose. Indeed, those who take no concern 

 at all about procuring furrs, have generally an opportunity of 

 providing themselves with all their real wants from their more 

 industrious countrymen, in exchange for provisions, and ready- 

 dressed skins for clothing. 



It is undoubtedly the duty of every one of the Company's 

 servants to encourage a spirit of industry among [83] the 

 natives, and to use every means in their power to induce them 

 to procure furrs and other commodities for trade, by assuring 

 them of a ready purchase and good payment for every thing 



