LABRAJJOK JOUHNAL 17 



These ludiaus are the original inhabitants of 

 the island of Newfoundland, and although beyond 

 a doubt descendants from some of the tribes upon 

 the continent of America, and most probably from 

 the ^lountaineers of Labrador, yet it will be very 

 difficult to trace their origin. The}^ have been so 

 long separated from their ancient stock, as well 

 as from all mankind, that they differ widely in 

 many particulars from all other nations. In my 

 o])inion, they are the most forlorn of any of the 

 himian species which have yet come to my knowl- 

 edge, the Indians of Terra del Fogo excepted; for 

 these are not onlv excluded from all intercourse 

 with the rest of mankind, but are surrounded by 

 inveterate enemies, and not even possessed of the 

 useful services of a dog. 



As far as I can learn, there w^ere many Indians 

 on the island when it was first discovered by Eu- 

 ropeans, and there are still fishermen living, w^ho 

 remember them to have been in much greater 

 number than at present, and even to have fre- 

 quented most parts of the island. They are now 

 much diminished, and confine themselves chiefly 

 to the parts between Cape Freels and Cape John. 

 The reason, I presume, of their preferring that 

 district to any other is, because, wnthin it are sev- 

 ci-al deep, winding bays, with many islands in 

 tlicni, where tliey can more easily procure sub- 

 sistence, and with greater secm'ity hide them- 

 selves fv()^\\ nil I- fishermen. I am sorry to add, 

 that tin- latter ai-c iiiiicli greater savages than 

 the Indians themselves, for they seldom fail to 



