The Moravians in Labrador. UnknownЧитать онлайн книгу.
was awake, appear startled when he came near him, as often as he laid his hand on his face he kissed him. He then lay still for a while as if dead—after a little began to moan, and at last raised himself up, and requested that they would kiss him, as that gave him some relief, after which he sat down and began to sing. The brethren told him they would sing something better, and accordingly sung some Greenland hymns—to these the Esquimaux were very attentive, and repeated every word, observing, "We know only a little of what you say."
Wearied and restless, the brethren lay down, but could not sleep; they therefore frequently arose and went out of the tent: but Segulliak, who appeared to view their motions with suspicion, always took care to go out along with them: in the morning, at his desire, they divided among his people glass-beads, fish-hooks, sewing needles, &c. as payment for their night's lodging. At parting, Segulliak addressed them, "You may tell your countrymen in the east that you have slept a night with me in safety—you are the first foreigners that ever remained a night in my tent—yet you are not foreigners but men, our friends, with whom all dread is at an end, for we know each other." Drachart being taken ill, it was not till the 21st September that the brethren were able to take their final departure, on which occasion Jans Haven, when bidding the natives farewell, made them promise that they would not forget what Drachart had spoken to them. "We shall now," said he, "see you no more this year; but remember your Creator and Redeemer, and when we come again next year we shall be happy with each other—The Saviour be gracious unto you and bless you, Amen!" On the 30th September the four brethren returned to Newfoundland, and after a friendly interview with the governor, embarked on board the Niger, Nov 5th, for England, being again granted a free passage by government. On the 25th they landed at Plymouth, and reached London on the 3d of the same month.
CHAPTER II
Contests between the Colonists and Savages revive—Murderous skirmish.—Mikak.—Karpik, his conversion and death.—The Moravians receive a grant of land on the coast of Labrador—resolve to renew the mission—voyage to explore the land.—Jans Haven, Drachart, &c., arrive at Labrador—their interview with the natives—meet Mikak and Tuglavina—their kindness.—Segulliak the sorcerer.—Anxiety of the Esquimaux for their remaining among them—ground purchased for a settlement—manner of bargaining with the Esquimaux—sail for Esquimaux bay—the natives troublesome—the Captain's method of checking them—conduct of the missionaries—they preach on shore.—Conversation with the Esquimaux—search out a place for a settlement—purchase it of the natives—ceremonies used on the occasion—take formal possession.—Deputation return to England.
Various impediments prevented any further negociations with the government of Great Britain, in regard to establishing a mission among the Esquimaux, for nearly five years. During this period the English merchants and the natives on the coast of Labrador were anew involved in strife and bloodshed. With the missionaries all confidence had left the country; the colonists had no check, and the savages had no friend. The mercenary views of the traders were ever leading them to cheat and deceive these poor untutored unprotected beings, who in return, deemed retaliation no crime; nor in balancing the amount of guilt would it be easy to settle which of the parties were most deeply implicated; the one who gave trifles, or worse—beads or brandy, for articles of real value; or the other, who secretly pilfered some useless toys or iron implements, for which in fact they had greatly overpaid. Both were rogues in their dealings, only the Europeans had the advantage of superior knowledge, which enabled them to rob with superior dexterity, and to cloak their knavery under the name of barter.
But at this date—1766-9—the Esquimaux, from their intercourse with their civilized neighbours, had learned to estimate the value of European arms and vessels, and they stuck at no method by which they might possess themselves of them, while the murders which the whites committed with impunity, led them on every occasion that offered, eagerly to gratify their cupidity and revenge. They accordingly watched their opportunity; and in 1768, when the Europeans were off their guard, killed three men and stole two boats. A battle was the consequence, when twenty of the savages were left dead on the field, and four women, two boys and three girls were taken prisoners, and brought to Newfoundland. Among the women prisoners were Mikak; one of the boys was her son; the other, Karpik, about fifteen years of age, had previously lost his mother, and his father fell in the engagement. Their own story forms a remarkable episode in the history of the mission. These three were sent to England, where they were treated with much kindness.
Mikak, who seems to have been a person of very superior understanding, was noticed by many of the nobility, and particularly by the Princess Dowager of Wales, mother to George III; but nothing could overcome her love for her native land, or erase from her mind the deep sense she entertained of the sufferings of her kindred. We are not furnished with the facts of the case, but it appears sufficiently plain, that from all she saw in England, and during the time of her captivity, that she discerned and appreciated the immense superiority of the Europeans over the Esquimaux, and was extremely anxious to return home, and, if possible, carry with her the means of their amelioration. Providentially Jans Haven came to England in 1769 for the purpose of endeavouring to renew the mission, and meeting with Mikak, she immediately recognised him as an old acquaintance, who had formerly lodged in her tent, and expressed the most unbounded joy at meeting with a friend by whom her language was understood. Her first and constant theme was the condition of her countrymen; and she incessantly entreated Haven to return to Labrador and endeavour to do something for their relief. Besides, now that she had a medium of communication, she never ceased to urge her prayer among those distinguished personages, by whom she had been patronized, and her applications had no small influence in paving the way for a renewal of the mission. Soon after she was sent home in a King's ship, and rendered essential service to the brethren who followed.
By the especial direction of Sir Hugh Palliser, Karpik was consigned to the care of Jans Haven for the purpose of being properly educated, that he might afterwards be employed in the important service of introducing Christianity, and the peaceful arts of civilized life, into the savage and inhospitable coasts of Labrador—the Governor being deeply impressed with a sense of the great benefits to be derived from a well conducted mission among the wild tribes in the neighbourhood of the colony, with whom they meant to carry on a safe or a gainful traffic. Naturally ferocious and untractable, Karpik was very averse to restraint; and it was not till after the most unwearied display of disinterested kindness, that Jans succeeded in gaining the affections of this stubborn boy, and persuading him willingly to accompany him to his dwelling.
Here, perhaps, the good man's most trying labours began. Karpik inherited the prejudices of his nation: he had a high opinion of himself, and despised all others; and when told that God the Creator of the world desired to make him happy, received the information as a matter of course, replying to his teacher with a comfortable self-complacency, "That is right, for I am a good karaler!" The filthiness of his skin had superinduced a cutaneous disorder, which, when the care and attention of Haven had got removed, he expressed high delight, but he soon became dissatisfied with the clean plain clothing in which he was dressed; boys of any rank at that time being absurdly decorated with ruffles and lace, and such like trumpery; and as if human folly had wished to caricature its own ridiculous extravagance, some of the children were even introduced into company with cocked hats and swords.
Poor Karpik, it seems, caught the infection, and conceived a violent passion for a hat and coat bedizzened with embroidery; and it is amusing to remark his wayward ingenuity, when insisting upon being gratified. On one occasion Jans had remonstrated with him upon the uselessness of finery, and exhorted him to apply himself to useful learning; and above all, to seek to know the Lord who dwells in heaven—"Poor clothes," retorted he instantly, "will not teach me that! my countrymen, who have poor clothes, die and know nothing of God. The king has fine clothes, and knows God as well as you, and why should not I? give me fine clothes, I can still know God and love him!" Haven told him he had no money to buy him fine clothes—"Then go to the king," said Karpik, "and get money from him." "Well," replied the missionary, "we will go; but if the king asks, what has Karpik learned? can he read, or write, or is he acquainted with the God in heaven? what shall I say? If I am forced to answer, He has learned nothing; the king will say, Take him on board the man of war, let him serve my officers and clean their shoes for seven years, till he has learned something.—You know