The Moravians in Labrador | Page 7

the pretext of
trading with the Europeans, contrived, either by stratagem or open

violence, to rob them to an extent far beyond the value of what they
pretended to barter; this succeeding for a while, they were joined by
others from various quarters, till they were able to equip a fleet of boats
amounting to eighteen. In 1763, they so infested the straits of Bellisle,
that it was not safe for a fishing vessel to enter them alone. And so
successful were these pirates, that they supplied the whole coast, not
only with iron utensils and European arms, but likewise with boats,
sails, anchors, cords and nets; and boats in particular were in such
plenty, that a good one could have been got for a few skins, twelve
whale-fins, or two or three dogs. The excesses and cruelties with which
these depredations were accompanied, filled the Europeans and
colonists with such extraordinary terror, that if but the cry of a bird was
heard in the night, every one trembled, and made ready to flee.
The savages preferred stratagem, and to accomplish their purpose did
not hesitate to employ the most insidious treachery. When they
approached Cape Charles, they never ventured farther, till they
reconnoitred during the dark in their kaiaks, and ascertained whether
there were any Europeans on the north side of Chateau Bay; if they
found none, they advanced in the night, or in foggy weather, to the
three islands that lie in the mouth of the bay, whence they, under cloud
of night, examined the bay itself. If they found there only a few
Europeans, whom they supposed they could easily master, they
approached softly so near, that they could stare them in the face, and
then raised a most frightful yell, which commonly terrified the
Europeans thus taken by surprise, and threw them into such confusion,
that they left all, and were glad if they escaped with their lives. If,
however, the Europeans did not allow themselves to be frightened by
the unexpected cry, but received them in a friendly manner, and made
offer to trade, the Esquimaux would agree with seeming cordiality; and
having sent off their boats and families, the men returned in their
kaiaks bringing a few whale-fins to sell, and entered upon a very
amicable-like traffic. This kind of intercourse they would continue for
some days, till, having gained the confidence of the strangers and
thrown them off their guard, then the most resolute and strongest of the
Esquimaux, concealing their long knives in a secret sheath in their left
sleeve, would enter upon a bargain for some more fins, and while

adjusting it with the greatest show of friendship, each would seize the
trader with whom he was dealing, as if he meant to embrace him, and
on a given sign by their leader, would plunge his knife into his heart. In
this manner the whole were cut off, and their property became the prey
of the savages, who, when they had fairly cleaned Chateau Bay, would
set sail to renew their depredations in other quarters, and if dark and
misty weather favoured, and their force was sufficient, they would even
scour the straits of Bellisle, or roam during the night in search of booty
through the neighbouring islands. Such was the character of the savages
the Moravians were desirous to civilize; how they succeeded, the
following pages will show.

THE MORAVIANS IN LABRADOR
CHAPTER I.
Hudson's Bay Company first settle among the Esquimaux.--J.C.
Erhardt suggests a mission--his letter to the Moravian Bishop.--M.
Stach consulted.--London merchants undertake the scheme--engage
Erhardt--its fatal conclusion.--Jans Haven employed by the Brethren,
encouraged by the British Government, sets out on a voyage of
discovery--his providential arrival at Quirpont--first meeting with the
Esquimaux--his interesting intercourse--returns to England.--His
second expedition, accompanied by Drachart and other
missionaries--their proceedings.--Drachart's remarkable conversation
with the natives--influence of the missionaries in preserving
peace--their religious communications with the savages--the curiosity
of the latter--their thievish tricks--their kindness to the missionaries--a
dreadful storm.--Drachart and Haven entertained by an Angekok--his
incantations--their parting addresses to each other--the missionaries
return to London.
When the original Hudson's Bay Company was formed, 1688, for the
purpose of trading in furs with the natives, the instructions they sent to
their factors breathed the most liberal and benevolent principles. They
directed them to use every means in their power to reclaim the heathen

from a state of barbarism, and instil into their minds the pure lessons of
Christianity; and at the same time admonished them to trade equitably,
and take no advantage of their untutored simplicity. It does not appear
that much attention was paid to either of these injunctions, or if there
was, the efforts proved as abortive as those they made to discover the
western passage. The moral wilderness still remains around their
settlements