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.

"On the day after, twenty-six men arrived, and requested me once more
to pay them a visit before my departure. I begged the Captain to lend
me his boat, which he readily did, as he wished to go along with me;
the pilot, surgeon, and six sailors, all well armed, accompanied me.
The captain had dressed himself in his most gaudy apparel, but of this
the Esquimaux took no notice. They asked me if I really intended to
come again next year? I said, Yes, if they did not murder me as they
had my countrymen some years before--they startled, looked to the
ground, and remained silent. I continued, 'I believe you did it
through ignorance, but now that I can speak to you, I hope you will
never do the like again.' They promised unanimously that no one should
ever receive the least injury from them again. I said farther, 'When I
come back I shall tell you things of the greatest importance, of the
God that created you, and that redeemed you; and if