SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS. 57 



industry, and every summer there is accordingly an 

 extensive movement to the plains to dry bison meat 

 for winter use. 



As to the effect of the colony on the neighbour- 

 ing natives, Mr. Simpson, who from his residence in 

 the settlement had an opportunity of becoming ac- 

 quainted with the facts, speaks as follows. " Nothing 

 can overcome the insatiable desire of the Indian 

 tribes for intoxicating liquors ; and though they are 

 interdicted from the use of spirits, and the settlers 

 are fined when detected in supplying them with ale, 

 yet, from the great extent of the colony, they too 

 often contrive to gratify that debasing inclination, 

 to which they are ready to sacrifice everything they 

 possess. They feel no gratitude to their benefac- 

 tors or spiritual teachers ; and while they lose the 

 haughty independence of savage life, they acquire 

 at once all the bad qualities of the white man, but 

 are slow indeed in imitating his industry and 

 virtues." It appears from this testimony that the 

 Chippeways have not the friendly feelings towards 

 their instructors which the 'Tinne, according to 

 Monsieur La Fleche, manifest ; but Mr. Simpson 

 speaks more favourably of the Crees, who are in 

 general better disposed than the Chippeways. 



Goods for the use of the colonists are imported 

 both by the Company and by individual store- 

 keepers in the ships that come annually to York 



