The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-12-06
q NORTHWEST PASSAGE.
Further Dispatches from Capt. Mcclul
\er Maicsty's discovery ship investigator, }
OIL Gnna Raihursi pnlnr Sea Ann 20 Z

1
- oTCape Bathurst, Polar Sea Aug. 30
1850, in lat 40 80 NJ, long I27 81 wy
Sir,-IIaving closed my dispatch of the cath,
with an intimaton that it would bo loft near
Point Warren with tho natives observed from,
the ship. in accordance with that intention l
proceeded to the shore. Why it was SO left, l
shall, n,continuaton of my narrative relate
From the contiguity of tho tribe Mackenzie. l
was naturally led to imagine that their trade
was with tho Hudson's Bay Company. Great
therefore, was my surprise upon approaching
the beach to find, instead of being greeted with
the usual friendly signs, that two savages, with
| gesticulations the most mcnacing, bonded bows
with arrows on their strings, and ono with u
large knife, waved us off.
Taking no head to these hostile demonsira-
tions, we pulled in: they retreaed yelling fu-
riousy: upon our reaching tho full OF the beaclt
We made the same signs of friendship which
wo had used with tho exquimaux further West.
but without any effect until joined by the inter-
prefer who was in full native costume; this
gave them confidence, and upon his explain
ing our friendly intention. they approached.
dut when within about 30 yards rcmarking
some muskets which the boats crew had, their
fury revived; to pacify them they wero laid up
on tho ground, where they became tho objects
of cautions examination; still unsatisfed, they
beckoned to take them to to boat; seeing that
nothing short of this would allow of any COM
muncaton, sent them away. when they ap-
preached and permitted us to examine their
| bows and arrows.
| Mr.. Mcrtsching informed mo that we had
been observed at o'clock in the morning: tho
whole tribe had Immediately taken to their
baiders with their most valuable skins, and left
| the settlement, with the exception ofthe chief
and his son, who NAMED to defend their prop
crty, as it would have been undignified To re-
tire when danger was apprehended. A sick
son and his mother, seeing our friendly disp
| sition, soon joined u.s. DIR. Armstrong exam;
ined the poor lads foot; it was in a frightful
state of modification The chief stated that
they were at war with tho neighboring tribes,
and had occasional skirmshes with tho in In
dans; that they had no communication with
any person belonging to the Great River Mac
kenze,) nor had they seen any white people
before: but when the sea freezes (the Inter
end of the next month) tho whole tribe pro-
ceed west and trade with tho Exquinaux whom
we have met near Jones Island,
| The Interpreter told him that ho had found
a brother in the chief Of one of these tribes,
whose name was Autauwas tho old chiefs clap
ped his hands and saiJ he know him we'll, that
that ho was the great chief he traded with,
and their reason for 90 ng such distance, in
preference to the Mackenzie, was that tho whito
which had killed many and made others fool
ish (drunI } and that they would not have any
such water; from this it evidently appears that
tho company ose annually many valuable
skins which find their way TO the Colville, in
stead of tho Mackence.
Observing all old fiat button suspended from
the ear of the chief, he said It was taken from
wbto man who had been killed by one of his
vessel was seen; the white man belonged TO a
party who had landed at Point Warren, and
there built house, nobody knew how he como
as they had no boat, but that they went inland;
tho man killed had strsyed from the party. and
that no and his son buried him upon hill at a
little distance. Tho only answer that VIC could
obtain as TO the probable time when this trans
action took place was, ''that it might be last
year, or when was child" To examine tho
grave was very anxious, but was prevented
by the state of weather, becoming foggy with
fresh breezos which compelled our immediate
return to tho slip; so, making them few pros
ents, we parted on vcry amicable terms. This
intelligence appeared ofso important nature,
with respect to tho white men on tho point
that determined to remain until it became
sufficiently clear to land and examine the house
which might possibly contain somo indication
of mission expedition-this detained mo Is
hours, but to have left with doubt would havo
Dccn u bUtJcct VI perpetual regret.
At Il. m, on the following morning 25th,
we reached the point, the weather being toler-
ably clear. The interpreter. Df. Armstrong,
and myself, went on shore In eager expectation
of discovering some clue that would lead to y
knowledge of tho parties; but in this we were
miserably disappointed; two huts indeed were
to excite hopes but upon approaching them we
found tho woodwork to be perfectly rotten and
of very old date, without any description Of
mark to yield TO the slightest information
The general appearance of the country about
the point was low and marshy, covered wiilt
grass, moss and flowers, tho elder duck and
every species of wild flowers; we also observed
the fooimarks of the fox and rein deer; so fer
tile landscaDe l could not anticipate upon
the shores of the Polar Seas
The interpreter, from his knowledge Of the
customs of the Esquimaux, is of opinion that
tho story of the white man is traditionary-
probably somc of the early discoveries had
been engaged in some affray with tho ancest-
ors of the present chief and ono of them had
been killed. The present generation inherit
the honor, and so identify themselves with
their forefahers, speaking Of tho transaction
in tho first person as if they themselves wero
the actors: which is very likely from tho vague
definition of the tmc-"it might be last year
on when l was child;' so the history of the
white man will still continue mystery. We
a lso heard hat last year two boats came from
the Westward and landed at Point Warren and
then returned. l cannot mag inc what boats
these could be, unless they were Of Lieut..
Pullen, who in thick weather, might have miss
ID tho Mackenzie and, by signs obtained at
he point discovered his error. They had not
een any this year. ~
Aug 10-Wind from tho Northward, with
;lcar weather. Observing a mark on tho beach
ipon the island of Maitland Point, in Liver
'ool-bay. sent Mr. Sainsbury (maio) to exam
30 it, and to leave notice of our passing
Jpon his return he reported an Exquimsux
'ncampmcnt had recently broken up, the traces
# their tents and footmarks being quite dis
met. We observed from tho ship, several
eindeer, which were not secn by the party on
hore. In standing along the coast observing
atives, | ran in 10 forward this dispatch, trust
me- it might reach tho Iludson's Bay Company
his year, which is probable, If they are not