APPENDIX L> 

 POVERTY OF THE PEOPLE 



TO gauge as accurately as possible the condition 

 of the people, we prepared as full a census of 

 them of their belongings, their families, and their 

 accomplishments as we could. In this, during three 

 years, I have had the assistance of four medical men 

 besides myself, of the resident missionaries on the 

 coast, and of the Moravian brethren further north. 



We find the people, as a rule, very poor, often 

 reduced to the verge of starvation. The causes we 

 believe to be (i) depletion of fisheries and fur-bear- 

 ing animals, and bad seasons. (2) Inability to re- 

 plenish traps, guns, nets, boats, etc., when worn out. 

 (3) Inability to secure proper clothing and supplies 

 of food when once they become overwhelmed in debt. 

 These causes have led to (4) loss of energy, apathy, 

 and even despair. 



There are some families still comfortably off, but 

 these are impoverished by their own generosity, 

 which impels them continually to assist their poorer 

 brethren. Where they are still well off, it is gener- 

 ally because they have a number of grown-up un- 

 married sons, or are in some harbour well separated 



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