I05 



dominion affumed by man over the brutes, is that the ftroke which de- 

 prives them of exigence, is neither painfully anticipated nor long the- 

 fubjeft of furviving regret. It is far dilFerent with the Indian, his an- 

 VoL. IX. O ticispations 



If we take the Delawares for an example, unhoufed by what is called compafl, we fliall 

 find one miferable band hiding their misfortunes among the Senekas ; another has found 

 flielter among the Mohawks ; a ihird has taken refuge among the diftant Miamis 

 of the lakes ; while a fourth has been compelled to feek out a home on the weftern 

 banks of the Miffifipi. Little more than a century ago, the fertile territory of Pennfyl- 

 vania, was their undifputed inheritance. I do not mean to arraign the juflice, or the 

 fovereignty of cultivators ; nor to impede the aflertion of their prerogative claims. From 

 the mode of that aflertion, however, the extinction of the native tribes without an a8i<ve 

 interference is become inevitable. From what quarter can we expeft this neceflary aid 

 more naturally, than from the generofity of Great Britain ? from the humanity of that 

 younger nation of Britifh origin, which has divided her refponfibility in the weft .' from 

 tlie juftice 'of the high minded relenting Spaniard, at length liftening to the voice of 

 nature ? With a view to relief, there are two clafles of Indians to be confidered, thofe 

 who touch upon the European fettlements, and thofe who are more remote. With refpeft 

 to the firfl: of thofe clafFes, the evils to be confidered are, i It, the neceflary fcarcity of 

 peltry, and venifon, that is to fay, of food and clothing, from the reftrifted hunting 

 grounds, and the etfefl of a neighbouring unimparted cultivation, zdly, the private ag- 

 greffions and unwarrantable ufurpations of Indian territory, and that whole detail of 

 reciprocated crimes, praflifed between corrupted Indians, and unprincipled adventurers, 

 that harrafs the frontier. 3dly, the internal diforders, murders, and depopulation, which 

 arife from intoxicating poifons fupplied to the Indians. 4thly, the defedlive powers of 

 the chiefs and fathers of the tribes, to rellrain crimes and irregularities, which a cor- 

 ruption of morals has introduced or augmented ; 5thly, the dreadful ravages of con- 

 tagious fmall-pox, fatal to the Indian nations beyond any former examples. To diminilh 

 thefe evils, requires much patient confideraiion^ and in executing the plans, a humane 

 attention muft be paid to Indian prejudices and culloms. To me it feems obvious that 

 the efFeaual introdualon of the plow, the fcythe, the (heepfold, the hardy living hog, 

 are with refpeft to fome of thefe tribes of primary neceflity. Inoculation -praflifed by a 

 few young and aflive phyficians, -chofen with humane hearts, a fpirit of enterprize, .a 

 contempt of luxury, and a capacity to acquire Indian languages might eafily be taught to 

 the Indian doflors, who are often men of talents and difcernment, and would foon be- 

 come hallowed as aji Indian rite. As a fecondary objecft could there be a more efFeftual 

 mode of acquiring a knowledge of Indian remedies, indifputably valuable ? and extend- 

 ing the empire of the natural hiftorian J In aid of the execution of wholefome laws, for 

 preventing a corrupting or j)redatoty intercourfe between the white and red calls, and 



the 



