THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
381 
return, never have given to the more inland Indians any of 1778. 
their fea-otter fkins; which would certainly have been feen, v May> , 
fome time or other, about Hudfon’s Bay. But, as far as I 
know, that is not the cafe; and the only method of ac¬ 
counting for this, muft be by taking into conlideration the 
very great diftance; which, though it might not prevent 
European goods coming fo far, as being fo uncommon, 
might prevent the fkins, which are a common article, from 
palling through more than two or three different tribes, 
who might ufe them for their own clothing; and fend 
others, which they efteemed lefs valuable, as being of their 
own animals, Eaftward, till they reach the traders from 
Europe. 
/ 
CHAP. 
