HISTORY OF VERMONT. 201 



preservation and protection of their property ; 

 the safety and the lives of their wives, children, 

 and fathers ; the existence, the independence, 

 and the freedom of their country. The coun- 

 cils of civilized nations may be employed upon 

 objects of a much greater extent ; but they 

 never can contemplate objects of more impor- 

 tance, of greater value, or of a higher nature. 

 In attending to them the mind of the savage be- 

 came composed, sedate, grave, and serious. He 

 had no private interest to corrupt him ; no 

 broken fortune to be repaired ; nothing to be 

 expected from the misfortunes of his country ; 

 from lucrative jobs, posts of honour and profit ; 

 from the management of the public wealth ; or 

 from the weakness, prejudice, and favourite 

 passions of a prince. No emoluments or ad- 

 vantages could accrue to him, but those of the 

 public good. In such a situation, corruptioa 

 Vv^ould not enter into the councils of the savages. 

 There was nothing to be gained by intrigue, 

 dissimulation, or knavery. All the advantages 

 that could ai'ise to individuals, must arise from 

 the general good of the tribe. And where there 

 was nothing to be gained by corruption, there 

 was nothing left for their counsellors, but to dis- 

 play their greatest wisdom, integrity, and public 

 virtue. 



The nature of their government and councils 

 was also favourable to eloquence^ and the art of 

 public speaking. This seems to have been the 

 only art, in v»'hich the Indian rose to any emin- 

 ence. Unable to remember an irregular uncon- 

 nected discourse, the Indian was extremely fond 

 of regularity and method. When he spoke, 



