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 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 would be a certain consequence
if any quarrel arose between his party and the Esquimanx. I also
communicated 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 return he and his party should be remunerated with
cloth, ammunition, tobacco, and some usefid 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 necessity 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 advance
towards them with caution.
The communications which the chief and the guides then gave
respecting the route to the Copper-Mine Biver, and its course to the
sea, coincided in every material point with the statements which
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