“The pilot and a sailor who put me ashore, remained in the boat, and pushed off a little way from the land to see what would become of me.  I was immediately surrounded, and every one seemed anxious to show me his family.  I gave every boy two fish-hooks, and every woman two or three sewing needles; and after conversing about two hours, left them, with a promise of soon being with them again.  In the afternoon I returned with the pilot, who wished to trade with them.  I begged them to remain in this place during the night, but not to steal any thing from our people, and showed the danger of doing this.  They said the Europeans steal also.  I answered, if they do so, let me know, and they shall be punished.  I seized every opportunity to say something about the Saviour, to which they listened with great attention.  I then invited them to visit me next morning, and took leave.

“Next morning accordingly, eighteen Esquimaux came in their boats.  I went out to sea to meet them, and as the French Captain was frightened at the sight of such a crowd, I only allowed six of them to come ashore with me, and directed the others to land somewhere else.  I now informed them of Commodore Palliser’s proclamation, and of the kind intentions of the British government towards them, assuring them, that in future no one should be allowed to do them the least injury, so long as they themselves behaved properly and peaceably—­to all which they listened with great attention; but when I offered them the written declaration, which I had received from the Commodore, they shrunk back terrified, and would not be persuaded to touch it—­for they supposed it a living creature, having seen me speak words from it.  I then got into a boat and went with them again to their families, who received me as before, with the greatest show of kindness.  In the evening, three French and one English boat arrived full of Esquimaux—­the men came immediately to see me, and requested I would visit them in their tents.  I read to them a letter written by the missionary John Beck, in name of the Greenlanders; and as I spoke to them of the Saviour’s death, they appeared struck with terror—­probably supposing that they were upbraided with some of their former murders.  On which I showed them that he was a great friend to mankind—­but they had no understanding of spiritual things.

“To my astonishment I spoke to them with much more ease than I supposed I could have done, and they expressed great affection for me, insisting always upon my being present at all their trading transactions with the sailors, to adjust matters between them; ‘for,’ said they, ‘you are our friend.’  When retiring, they entreated me to come again, and bring my brethren with me.