MAEEIED WOMEN. 231 



Amongst the thousands of squaws that I have seen I never 

 yet saw one with the mark of a man's hand on her. I 

 most sincerely wish I could say the same regarding my 

 countrywomen. To the scandal of religion, to civilisation's 

 dishonour, to the disgrace of manhood, and to England's 

 shame / cannot ! 



I verily believe there are more wives struck or kicked by 

 their husbands each and every night in the metropolis 

 of London, than there have been squaws struck by their 

 savage husbands since the landing of Columbus to the 

 present time. I make this statement with shame and 

 reluctance. But I do make it, because I wish to denounce 

 such a crying evil. It is only by bringing it as prominently 

 before society as he can, that any individual can hope to do 

 something towards wiping such a stain from his country's 

 escutcheon. 



The testimony I have given in favour of Indian charac- 

 ter is not that of a partial witness. There is no love lost 

 between me and the American savage. Some of my best 

 friends have been foully murdered by them with every 

 instance of aggravated treachery and cruelty. Many of my 

 old comrades and companions have fallen before their rifles 

 and arrows. I have myself once been utterly and completely 

 ruined by them. I retired to rest a well-to-do man, worth 

 considerable property, considered to be on the high-road to 

 speedy wealth. In a few short hours, thanks to them, I was 

 worth nothing in the wide world except the clothes I stood 

 in, and the arms in my hands; my prospects gone, and heavy 

 odds against my getting away with life. But I will give the 

 devils their due. 



