![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
4 of Cumberland Sound where they have come in contact with the Esquimaux is confirmed in the opinion that White men can live with the Esquimaux- [[underline]] It has been done time + again.[[/underline]] My authority is Capt. Sidney O. [[underline]] Buddington [[/underline]], Capt. J.T. [[underline]] Ingle [[/underline]] Capt Christopher B. [[underline]] Chapel [[/underline]] Capt. Geo [[underline]] Tyson [[/underline]] Wm Strong + 9 others of New London Ct + Groton Ct.- & Norwich, Ct. [[underline]] Invaritably these men declare to me that they do not think all of Franklin's companions dead! [[/underline]] Capt. Tyson^[[formerly 1st Mate Capt. Ingle]] communicated [[strikethrough]] to me [[/strikethrough]] a fact unknown to me before. The seal by means of its flippers works a hole [[end page]] [[start page]] 5 [[strikethrough]] through [[/strikethrough]] in the ice of sufficient size to admit its passage up through, for the purpose of "pupping". This ice or Seal-hole cannot however [[strikethrough]] bee [[/strikethrough]] be seen [[strikethrough]] however [[/strikethrough]] by the Natives or any body else, even by dogs or the Polar bear because over-arching it, is generally a Drift of snow 2,3,4 & sometimes 10 feet deep. After the seal has made its passage onto the ice beneath said drift it produces a little lodge or House. This is to be the natural Home ^[[of]] the prospective seal. Baby-Seal at length is ushered into the World - another member is added to the great family of Phoca Barbata The ^[[plain, blunt]] out-spoken whalers call this ^[[newborn]] - a "pup" ! I have said the Seal-hole could not be seen, even by the dogs or bear. But it so happens that Nature has gifted many of its "children" with their senses, thank sight. [[underline]] "The Esquimaux dog "smell" (!) [[/underline]] so the ^[[American]] Arctic Whalers say - Taking advantage of this [[underline]] virtue [[/underline]], the natives train their dogs to ^[[the]] Seal-hunt, wh. consists in scenting out the aforesaid Lodges or [[underline]] nurseries [[/underline]] of the "[[strikethrough]] & baby [[/strikethrough]] ^ youthful seals. The dog is made fast to the Esquimaux by a leading-string. Thus the Seal hunters are ready for the sport. The unseen citadel made of