"2792. statistical notices of N. America. 89 
part of the history of human nature, it appears to me 
an object that merits the attention of literary societies, 
not lefs than the discovery of new islands and seas. 
Hitherto the Indians have been observed, chiefly 
within the compafs of the United States, and by 
traders or soldiers, who had objects very different 
from philosophy in their view. ‘The character of 
: the observers has necefsarily confined their obserya- 
tions, ina great measure, to that ‘part of the Indian 
tribes that has been corrupted by our interests, or 
intimidated by our injuries. Sensible men, how- 
-ever, have been able, from the observations that 
have been made upon these people in different atti- 
tudes, to trace with considerable accuracy, their ge- 
-neral character and state. But I conceive it would 
not be unworthy of societies establithed for extend- 
ing human knowledge, to employ good philosophers, 
who thould be hardy enough for the undertaking, to 
“travel among their remotest nations, which have never 
had any intercourse with Europeans; to reside among 
them on a familiar footing; drefs-and live as they do; 
_ and to observe them when they fhould be under no 
bias or constraint. We -fhould then see whether 
‘there be any efsential difference between them and 
*the tribes with which we are already acquainted. 
We fhould discover, inthe comparison of their lan- 
“guages, their different degrees of improvement; their 
affinity with one another; and, at the same-time, the 
objects with which each has chiefly conversed, that 
have occasioned a variety in their terms and phra- 
_ ses. But above’ all, we fhould discover the nature 
and extent of their religious ideas, which have been 
VOL, Xil. M + 
