HISTORY OF VERMONT, 21? 



favourable to increase, they have become equal- 

 ly prolific as the descendants of Europe, Seve- 

 ral of tlie traders amoiig the Indian tribes, have 

 married with their women ; When the Indian 

 womciT have been thus provided with comfort- 

 able food, raiment, and places of abode, and re- 

 lieved from the fatigues and distresses of the 

 savage state, they have raised up as large and 

 numerous families, as are found in the houses 

 of the white people. And among themselves, 

 when a tribe was situated on the bank of a riv- 

 er abounding with fish, or in a spot where the 

 game was plenty, and they remained undisturb- 

 ed by their enemies ; their numbers soon in- 

 creased, their women became more valued and 

 esteemed, and population assumed a greater 

 force and vigour. 



In some parts of America, the Indians had 

 advanced beyond the savage state, and acquired 

 some of the arts and conveniences of the civil 

 state. In such places, the same increase of 

 numbers took place among them, that is seem 

 among other nations. The intercourse between 

 the sexes approached nearer to delicacy and re- 

 finement. Greater attention was paid to the 

 women. The men became sensible, how much 

 their happiness might be promoted, by the at- 

 tachment and tenderness of the female. In the 

 empires of Peru and Mexico, the Indians had 

 made considerable advances to such a state : 

 And their population had beceme vigorous and 

 rapid. Their numbers resembled the appear- 

 ance of things in Europe ; and their cities a- 

 bounded with inhabitants. Sixty thousand 

 fvimilies, were said by Cortez, to be contained 



