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Page 3
For several years a correspondence had taken place between the
Missionaries in Labrador and the Brethren's Society for the Furtherance
of the Gospel, established in London, relating to the manner in which
the voyage should be performed. Opinions were various on the subject;
but it was at length determined, that a steady intelligent Christian
Esquimaux, possessing a shallop, with two masts, and of sufficient
dimensions, should be appointed to accompany one or two Missionaries,
for a liberal recompence; and that the travellers should spend the
winter at Okkak, to be ready to proceed on the voyage, without loss of
time, as soon as the state of the ice would permit of it. Brother
Kohlmeister proposed, in this view, the Esquimaux Jonathan, of Hopedale,
and the brig employed to convey the annual supply of necessaries to the
three settlements, was ordered to proceed first to Hopedale, partly with
a view to this negociation. She arrived safe with Brother Kohlmeister at
this place, on the 22d July, 1810. On the same day, he proposed to
Jonathan the intended expedition, laid before him the whole plan, with
all its difficulties and advantages, and found him immediately willing
to undertake the voyage, and to forward its object by every means in his
power.
This was no small sacrifice on the part of Jonathan. An Esquimaux is
naturally attached to the place of his birth; and, though he spends the
summer, and indeed great part of the year, necessarily, and from
inclination, in roving from one place to another in quest of food; yet
in winter he settles, if possible, upon his native spot, where he is
esteemed and beloved. This was eminently the case with Jonathan. He was
a man of superior understanding and skill, possessed of uncommon
presence of mind in difficulties and dangers, and at Hopedale considered
as the principal person, or chief of his nation. But he was now ready to
forsake all, and to go and reside at OKKAK, among strangers, having no
authority or pre-eminence, and to undertake a voyage of unknown length
and peril, from whence he could not be sure of a safe or speedy return,
before the ice might set in, and confine him upon an unknown shore,
during the whole of a second winter. There was, however, one
consideration which outweighed every other in his mind, and made him,
according to his own declaration, forget all difficulties and dangers.
He hoped that the proposed voyage to visit his countrymen in the north
would, in time, be a means of their becoming acquainted with the gospel
of Christ, and partakers of the same blessings which he now enjoyed.
This made him willing to accept of the call without any hesitation. Nor
did he ever, during the whole voyage, forsake that generous principle,
by which he was at first influenced, but his cheerful, firm, and
faithful conduct proved, under all circumstances, most honourable to the
character of a true convert to Christianity.
Brother KOHLMEISTER being, after seventeen years residence in Labrador,
complete master of the Esquimaux language, and deservedly beloved and
respected both by Christians and heathens, and possessing an invincible
zeal to promote their temporal and spiritual welfare, was a man
eminently qualified to undertake the commission, and to conciliate the
affections of unknown heathen. He had also previously made himself
acquainted with the use of the quadrant, and with other branches of
science, useful on such an occasion.
Brother KMOCH, his companion, joined to other essential qualifications,
great cheerfulness and intrepidity.
All the parties having met at Okkak, in the autumn of 1810, the winter
was partly spent in preparations for the intended expedition, and
Jonathan's boat put into the best possible state of repair.
CHAPTER I.
_Outfit. Opinions of the Esquimaux respecting the Voyage.
Description of the Company. Departure from Okkak. Arrival at
Nungorome._
June 16, 1811.--The ice began to loosen in the bay of OKKAK, and to
drive out to sea. On the 17th, the bay was quite cleared of it; but on
the 18th, it returned, and seemed to preclude all possibility of setting
out so soon as we intended. On the 19th, however, it left us entirely.
20th. We were employed in hauling the boat to the edge of the water, and
being floated by the tide, she came to anchor at six, P.M. She had been
purchased by Jonathan, at Chateau-bay, and was about 45 feet long,
twelve broad, and five deep, with two masts. We had furnished her with a
complete deck, and divided her into three parts. The centre was our own
cabin, into which all our baggage was stowed: the two other divisions
were occupied by the Esquimaux. A small boat, brought from Lewis, was
taken in tow.
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