168 HISTORY or 



skins than formerly; beaver, indeed, is not of late so 

 much used in Europe, and therefore does not give so 

 good a price, and we deal but very little in that 

 commodity. But deer-skins sell very well amongst us, 

 and I shall always take care that the Indians be not 

 wronged, but expect other measures be taken to regulate 

 the Indian trade every where ; the common mxCthods used 

 in trade will still be followed, and eveiy man must take 

 care of himself, for thus I must do myself, when I buy 

 any thmg from our own people, if I do not give them 

 their price, they*Avill keep it, for we are a free people. — 

 But if you have any further proposals to make about 

 these affairs, I am willing to hear and consider them, 

 for it is my desire that the trade be well regulated to 

 yom- content. 



I am sensible rum is very hurtful to the Indians ; we 

 have made laws that none should be carried amongst 

 them, or if any were, that it should be staved and thrown 

 upon the ground; and the Indians have been ordered to 

 destroy all the rum that comes in their way; but they 

 will not do it, they will have rmii, and when we refuse 

 it, they will travel to the neighboring provinces and 

 fetch it; their own women go to purchase it, and then 

 sell it amongst their own people at excessive rates. I 

 would gladly make any laws to prevent this that could 

 be effectual, but the counlf y is so wide, the woods are so 

 dark and private, and so far out of my sight, that if the 

 Indians themselves do not prohibit their own people, 

 there is no other way to prevent it; for my part, I shall 

 readily join in any measures that can be proposed for so 

 good a purpose. 



I have now, my friends and brothers, said all 

 that I think can be of any service at this time, and I 

 ^ive you these things here laid before you to confirm my 



