Report of Mr. W. E. Cormack's journey in search of the Red Indians in Newfoundland

In the winter of 1828 a learned society gathered in St. John’s, determined to open a dialogue with the little‑known Red Indians of Newfoundland and to record their language, customs, and the island’s rugged ecology. The president of the meeting, a determined explorer, pledged to bring back observations that could help bridge the gap between European scholars and the island’s native peoples. His brief outline promises a wealth of material, from natural history to cultural detail, that will enrich understanding of a remote corner of the British world.

Setting out with three indigenous companions—a skilled Abenaki, an elderly Labrador mountaineer, and a spirited island native—the expedition entered the wild interior at the mouth of the River Exploits. Over eight days they trekked through dense forest and hilly terrain, noting fresh canoe rests, ochre‑stained spear shafts, and birch bark stripped for food. These early discoveries hint at a society intricately adapted to its harsh surroundings, inviting listeners to follow the journey as it unfolds.