Various hindrances had prevented the formation of a fourth settlement, and during this interval, the tongue of slander had not been silent.  Mercenary traders had represented to the British authorities, the brethren’s conduct as hostile to the interest of the colony and their traffic with the natives:  but fortunately the authorities were not disposed to receive implicitly these reports, and the governor of Newfoundland, Sir Charles Hamilton, dispatched a sloop of war, the Clinker, Captain William Martin, to examine the coast of Labrador, and with an express direction to visit the different Moravian stations.  He arrived a few days after the celebration of the jubilee, and the missionaries, in their diary, give the following account of his visit: 

“August 15th, in the afternoon, we received a letter from William Martin, Esq., commander of a British ship of war, which lay at anchor four hours from this, informing us that the governor of Newfoundland had ordered him to take a survey of that part of the coast of Labrador where the brethren’s settlements were situated, and to visit the settlements.  On hearing this, the Captain (Fraser) of the mission vessel, at present lying at anchor here, sent the pilot in a boat, to bring the Clinker into the harbour, and at three o’clock P.M. a ship of war, with three masts and fourteen cannon, anchored in our harbour, not far from us.  Immediately two of us, with Captain Fraser, went on board to welcome the commander, who repeated his commission, and conversed with us in the most friendly manner.  We expressed our happiness at his arrival, and invited him on shore to examine minutely into every thing of which he wished to obtain information.  He accordingly landed in the evening, and came to the mission-house.

“Soon after his arrival, our usual meeting was held with the Esquimaux, whose good conduct, quietness, and piety, seemed to strike him; and he afterwards confessed his expectation in this respect had been greatly exceeded.  He asked us several questions—­First, What means we had used to civilize such rude and savage men?  We answered that whatever good he observed in the Esquimaux, was entirely to be ascribed to the power of the gospel, the preaching of which was the only purpose of our being here; besides this, we possessed no other power, nor did we believe any other could deliver savage men, accustomed to murder, and given up to every vice, from their detestable habits, and introduce them into the circle of social order.  Nothing but the operation of the Spirit of God on their hearts, convincing them of the truth of the gospel, and the happiness of true Christians, could induce them to deny their evil propensities, and incline them to receive instruction, and walk according to the commandments of Jesus; it is this, we said, that causes them to live in peaceful and happy society together.