148 EXPEDITION TO THE 



lages mark the difference between their former tenants j 

 those of the Indians were designated by the name of the 

 fruit which grew abundantly on the spot, or of the ob- 

 ject which they coveted most ; while the French missionary 

 has placed his village under the patronage of the tutelar 

 saint in whom he reposed his utmost confidence. Near 

 to these we found two traders settled in the vicinity of 

 Indian lands, or as is believed by many, upon the reser- 

 vation itself; where they probably carry on a lucrative 

 trade, if, as we were informed by one of them, a skia 

 valued at one dollar was obtained for five gunflints, which 

 had cost him a cent a piece. This is, however, the least 

 evil; our objections to this ti'ade would be much lighter, if 

 the Indians were liable only to be defrauded of their dues ; but 

 great as is this injustice, it bears no comparison to the evils 

 growing out of the constant temptation of liquor to which 

 they are exposed, and which as is too well known it is impos- 

 sible for them to resist. It is really shocking to observe the 

 manner in which, notwithstanding the laws of the land, the 

 dictates of sound reason, and morality, and the active efforts 

 of the United States' agents, the traders persist in their 

 practice of offering liquor to the Indians, the effect of 

 which is to demoralize and to destroy them. 



There is in this neighbourhood an establishment which, 

 by the philanthopic views that have led to its establish- 

 ment and by the boundless charity with which it is admi- 

 nistered, compensates in a manner for the insult offered to 

 the laws of God and man by the traders. The reports 

 which we had received of the flattering success which had 

 attended the efforts of the Baptist missionaries on the St. 

 Joseph, induced us to deviate a little from our route to 

 visit their interesting establishment. The Carey mission- 

 house, so designated in honour of the late Mr. Carey, the 



