Immediately on the opening of the navigation I started for Esquimaux
Bay, with two Indians, in a small canoe, and without any of the
usual conveniences. Mr. Erlandson having been ordered to the southern
department, followed in another canoe.

Arrived at the post, we were gratified by the receipt of despatches
just come to hand by the ship. The Governor's letter apprized me
that a vessel would be sent round to Ungava every alternate year; and
strictly enjoined me to have no further communication with Esquimaux
Bay _overland_, "as much unnecessary expense was incurred by these
journeys." Thus were we consigned to our fate for a period of two
years with as little feeling as if we had been so many cattle, and
debarred from all communication with our friends, by word or letter,
merely to save a trifling expense!

Could the Honourable Company be swayed by so paltry a consideration in
subjecting us to so grievous an inconvenience? Surely not; a body of
men so respectable could neither have authorized nor sanctioned such
sordid parsimony. The generous proposition originated with Mr. Simpson
alone, and to him be the honour ascribed.

Being fully persuaded in my own mind of the utter hopelessness of the
Ungava adventure, I transmitted a report to the Governor and Committee
on the subject; recommending the abandonment of the settlement
altogether, as the enormous expense of supplying us by sea precluded
the idea of any profit being ever realised; while it was quite evident
the Company's benevolent views toward the Esquimaux could not be
carried into effect. The extreme poverty and barrenness of their
country, and their pertinacious adherence to their seal-skin dresses,
which no argument of ours could induce them to exchange for the