Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-06-22
Northern Noyage Of DISCOVERY.
LONDON, April II

The following interesting account of the first
parley between the Navigators in the late Arctic
Expedition and of men discoveredin Baffin's
Bay, is extracted from narrative of the voyage
recently published by Captain Ross.
August lO--Lat. IS deg. SIS min.
N. long: SIS deg. 80 min W.-About 10
o'clock this day We were rejoiced to see
eight sledges driven by the natives, adj
vancing by circuitous route towards the
place where we lay.-They halted about
a mile from us, and the people alighted,
assembled small iceberg as if to recon-
noitre. After remaining in consultation
for nearly half an hour, four Of them de.
scended and came towards The flagstaff,
which, however, they did not venture to
approach. In the mean time, a white flag
was hoisted at the main 10 each ship, and
John Sacheuse despatched, bearing a
small white flag, with some presents, that
he might endeavour, if possible, to bring
them TO parley. This was service in
which he had most cheerfuily volunteered,
requested leave to go unattended and UNI
armed-a request TO which no objections
could be made, as the place chosen for
the meeting was within half mile of the
Isabella. 1t was equally advantageous TO
the natives, canal or small chasm in the
ice, not passable without plank, sepa-
rating the parties from each other, and
preventing any possibility of an attack
from these people, unless by darts.
Ia executing this service, Sacheuse
displayed no less address than courage.
Having placed his flag az some distance
from the canal, he advanced TO the edge
aud taking off his hat made friendly
signs for those opposite to approach, as he
did; this they partly complied with,
hating at distance of three hundred
yards, where they got out Of their sledges,
and set up loud Simultaneous baIloo,
which SaCheuse answered by initiating it.
They ventured to approach nearer, hav-
ing nothing in their hands but the whips
with which they guide their dogs and
after satisfying themselves that the canal
was impossible, one Of them in particu-
lar, seemed to acquire confidence. Shouts,
words, and gestures were exchanged for
some time to no purpose, though each par
ty seemed in some degree to recognize
each others language. Sacheuse, after a
time, thought he could discover that they
spoke the Humooke dialect, drawing out
their words, however, 20 az unusual
length. He Immediately adopted that d.
alect, and holding up the presents called
out to them, KGhkriie. "Come on! = to
which they answered, Naakrie, naakrieai-
platte, No, no; go away 7 and other
words which he made out to mean, that
they hoped We had not come to destroy
them. The boIdest then approached to
the edge of the canal, and drawing from
his boot knife represented in an en-
craving, repeated go away | can kill
YOU Sacheuse not inundated, told
them that he was also man and friend,
and at the same time threw across the ca.
nal some strings of beads, and checked
shirt; but these they beheld with great
distrust and apprehension, still calling,
{ Go away, don't kill u.s. Sacheuse now
threw them an English knife, saying, take
that On this they approached with
caution, picked up the knife, then shout
ed and pulled their noses. These actions
were initiated by Sacheuse, who in return
called out, Heigh yawr pulling his
nose with the same gesture. They now
pointed to the shirt demanding what it
was, and when told it was an article Of
clothing, asked of what skin il was made.
Sacheuse replied, it was made of the hair
of an animal which they had never seen
on which they picked it up with express
sions of surprize. They now began to
ask many questions; for by this time
they found the language spoken by them
selves and Sacheuse had sufficient resem-
blance to enable them to hold some com.
munication.
F" They first pointed to the ships, eager
Iy asking What great creatures those
were p DO they come from the sun or
the moon?' Do they give us light by
night and by day ? Sacheuse told them
that he was man, that he had father
and mother like themselves; and pointing
to the South, said that he came from a
distant country in that direction. To this
they answered, That cannot be, there is
nothing bnt ice there They again asked
What creatures these were 2 pointing tc
the ships; to which Sacheuse replied
that they were houses made OF wood
This they seemed still TO discredit, aus
wering, No, they are alive, we have
seen them move their wings.'-Sacbeuss
now enquired of them what they them
selves were; to which they replied, they
we're men, and lived in that direction
pointing to the north; that there wa
much water there; and that they hat
come here to fish for sea-unicorns. 1t wa
then agreed that Sacheuse should pass thu