OF THE POLAR SEA. 



203 



sent us to search for a passage by the sea, which if 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 that 

 of every other people. That we had been directed to inquire into the 

 nature of all the productions of the countries we might pass through, 

 and particularly respecting their inhabitants. That we desired the 

 assistance 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 

 especially between the Indians and the Esquimaux, whom he consi- 

 dered his children, in common with other natives ; and by way of 

 enforcing the latter point more strongly, I assured him that a for- 

 feiture of all the advantages which might be anticipated from the 

 expedition would be a certain consequence, if any quarrel arose 

 between his party and the Esquimaux. I also communicated to him 

 that owing to the distance we had travelled, we had now few more 

 stores than were necessary for the use of our own party, a part of 

 these, however, should be forthwith presented to him ; on his return 

 he and his party should be remunerated with cloth, ammunition, 

 tobacco, and some useful iron materials, besides having their debts 

 to the North- West Company discharged. 



The chief, whose name is Akaitcho or Big-foot, replied by a 

 renewal of his assurances, that he and his party would attend us to 

 the end of our journey, and that they would do their utmost to 

 provide us with the means of subsistence. He admitted that his 

 tribe had made war upon the Esquimaux, but said they were now 

 desirous of peace, and unanimous in their opinion as to the neces- 

 sity of all who accompanied us abstaining from every act of enmity 

 against that nation. He added, however, that the Esquimaux were 

 very treacherous, and therefore recommended that we should ad- 

 vance towards them with caution. 



2 D 2 



