"2 1 4 On the peopling of America. 



part, must be improved by t'le progress nf knowledge. We soon 

 discover that all pennanent liappiness depends on sentiment and 

 reflection.- The consciousness of giving protection and comfort 

 to tho^e n-ho place themselves under our care : to those who are 

 weaker aid need our assistance, is the solace and reward of 

 nien who feel and reason ; it is the source of their grcatc-t hap- 

 piness. The pleasure that arises from domestic attachments, 

 from the constant exercise of kindness to a wife and chil- 

 dren, cannot be equalled by all the other enjoyments in life. 

 The greater part of our species, in the old world, have not dis- 

 covered this truth. Idle and indolent, governed by passion and 

 not by reason, they remain inexorable tyrants. If a separate 

 race of men had been formed for America, in which animals are 

 said to be less fierce, or less savage, it is probable that the man 

 of America would have been less cruel to his female tiian the 

 tyrc:nt of the old worid ; but his manners, on this head, give an 

 additional proof that he is of the old family. 



After stating the great resemblance that is found between tlie 

 American savage and his savage biolher in other parts of the 

 world, it can liardly be necess;iry to give many other proofs that 

 they are too much alike. The American Indians are described 

 as men who are passionately fond of strong drink. On this head 

 they perfectly resemble the savage and half savage of the old 

 continent. The Tartar gets drunk with fermented mare's milk : 

 the Mahometan, with opium and tlie smoke of tobacco : the an- 

 cient Scythians intoxicated themselves Vi'itb the fumes of hemp- 

 seed : the Celtic and Teutonic nations, with ale and mead : the 

 African gets drunk with brandy. We say nothing of the modern 

 nations that are more civilized, who, to the reproach of ration- 

 ality, seem to have a pleasure in resembling beasts. Weary of 

 decent deportment, and fatigued with the trouble of thinking, 

 tliey deliberately sit down to deprive themselves of reason. The 

 American savage is equally attached to drinking and gambling 

 with his European brother. 



The nations of America have been represented as men of little 

 strength ; but as they are known to be at least equal in size to 

 those of the other continent, tliey may also be presumed to be 

 their equals in strength, when they are fed in the same manner, 

 and equally accustomed to labour. Such of them as, have been 

 em])loyed, from Nantucket, in whaling, can hardly be matclied 

 at an oar. Activity, combined with strength, renders them ex- 

 cellent seamen. 



The courage of the American savage has been mentioned, 

 like his other qualities, in terms of reproach ; he is said to be 

 " plus craintif et plus lache *," more timid and more cowardly. 



* Buflon. 



The 



