unconnected with the Hudson's Bay Company, Messrs Nisbet, Grace and
Bell, fitted out a vessel for the coast of Labrador, to trade in oil
and whale fins, and engaged Erhardt, then at Zeist, to act as
supercargo, who, on account of his knowledge of the north seas, of the
trade, and of the language, they judged well qualified for that
office; but they also wished to make some preparation for a missionary
settlement, and four brethren, Golkowsky, Kunz, Post, and Krumm,
volunteered to remain in the country to learn the language, and
endeavour the conversion of the heathen; for this purpose they took
with them a wooden house ready to set up, a boat, various articles of
furniture, and some kitchen garden-seeds.

Count Zinzendorff, who, from former experience, was opposed to mixing
trading transactions with the work of a Christian mission, was not
without doubts as to the issue of this undertaking, he did not however
attempt to prevent it. The vessel on board of which this small society
embarked, named the Hope, reached the south-east coast of Labrador on
the 11th July 1752. The whole is precipitous, and skirted with
numerous barren rocky islands; among these they had to steer their way
under many difficulties, and with the greatest caution, without any
proper chart, in misty weather, and with the sounding line constantly
in their hands. At length they landed, and proceeded in search of the
Esquimaux in order to traffic with them. On the 29th July they made
their first appearance in five kaiaks, which they managed with great
dexterity, and seemed highly delighted with Erhardt, who, from his
knowledge of the Greenlandish, could make himself understood by them.
They exchanged some whale fins for knives. July 31 they came to anchor
55 deg. 31 m. N.L. in a beautiful harbour, surrounded by a wooded high
land, and bounded by meadow grounds, to which, from respect to the
chief owner of the ship, they gave the name of Nisbet's Harbour.