OF THE POLAR SEA. 



145 



the productions of the countries we might 

 pass through, and particularly respecting 

 their inhabitants. That we desired the as- 

 sistance of the Indians in guiding us, and 

 providing us with food; finally, that we 

 were most positively enjoined by the great 

 chief to recommend that hostilities should 

 cease throughout this country; and espe- 

 cially between the Indians and the Esqui- 

 maux, whom he considered his children, in 

 common with other natives; and by way 

 of enforcing the latter point more strongly, 

 I assured him that a forfeiture of all the 

 advantages which might be anticipated from 

 the expedition w T ould be a certain conse- 

 quence if any quarrel arose between his 

 party and the Esquimaux. I also commu- 

 nicated to him that owing to the distance 

 we had travelled, we had now few more 

 stores than was necessary for the use of our 

 own party, a part of these, however, should 

 be forthwith presented to him; on his re- 

 turn, he and his party should be remuner- 

 ated with cloth, ammunition, tobacco, and 

 some useful iron materials, besides having 



VOL. II. L 



