THE WESTERN COUNTRY 281 



life, or modes of livelihood of their neighbors. 

 Whether there was lacking in them a natural spirit 

 of imitation and ability to discriminate between better 

 and worse, or whether they were restrained by the 

 peculiar pride which they possess in no small degree, 

 I will not attempt to say. Whatever the reason, they 

 sought everywhere to maintain their independence in 

 all ways, and so fled from every closer bond of asso- 

 ciation with Europeans, so soon as they began to fear 

 the slightest inconvenience or restraint. But with all 

 their unpliableness, their moral character is not so 

 black as it is painted in America ; and it appears that 

 native Europeans who have had opportunity to know 

 them intimately are willing to do them more justice in 

 this regard than Americans born, who on all occasions 

 manifest for them an inherited and bitter hatred. 

 They possess and practice virtues for which, in their 

 meagre language, they themselves have no name. They 

 are hospitable and courteous and show respect for 

 every man who conducts himself conformably in their 

 regard ; they are grateful and sensible, and if they seem 

 not to be so, it is merely because they set a worth dif- 

 ferent from ours on complaisances and gifts ; they are 

 stedfast and trustworthy friends and are true to their 

 promises. It would not be difficult to support all that 

 has been said by examples, if I cared to assemble anec- 

 dotes. They can hardly be reproached with ever hav- 

 ing broken treaties voluntarily and unprovoked, at 

 least in no way less conscienceless than what is cus- 

 tomary with other and civilized nations. But once 

 aroused, their desire for vengeance and blood knows 

 no bounds, until they believe themselves indemnified 

 for wrong suffered. 



