APPENDIX, 581 



draught (wlicn it is witliin Ins reach) is not among the last reme- 

 dies to which he resorts, to produce a lethargy from which he is 

 never to recover. Were the friends of the sick man, even under 

 these circumstances, enabled to attend him, his sufferings might 

 be, at least, somewhat mitigated; but they too are, perhaps, in a 

 similar situation, and themselves without even a single person to 

 minister to their wants. Death comes to the poor invalid, and, 

 perhaps, even as a welcome guest, to rid him of his suffering. 



By a comparison of the number of Indians vaccinated upon 

 the borders of Lake Superior with the actual population, it will be 

 seen that the proportion who have passed through the vaccine 

 disease is so great as to secure them against any general pi^eva- 

 lence of the smallpox; and perhaps it is sufficient to prevent the 

 introduction of the disease to the bands beyond, through this 

 channel. But in the Folic Avoine country it is not so. Of the 

 large bands of Indians residing in that section of country, only a 

 small fraction have been vaccinated; while of other bands, not a 

 single person has passed through the disease. 



Their local situation undoubtedly renders it of the first import- 

 ance that the benefits of vaccination should be extended to them. 

 Their situation may be said to render them a connecting link 

 between the southern and northwestern bands of Chippewas ; 

 and while on the south they are liable to receive the virus of the 

 smallpox from the whites and Indians, the passage of the disease 

 through them to their more northern brethren would only be 

 prevented by their remaining, at that time, completely separated. 

 Every motive of humanity towards the suffering Indian, would 

 lead to extend to him this protection against a disease he holds in 

 constant dread, and of which he knows, by sad experience, the 

 fatal effects. The protection he will prize highly, and will give 

 in return the only boon a destitute man is capable of giving; the 

 deep-felt gratitude of an overflowing heart. 

 I have the honour to be, 



Very respectfully, sir. 



Your obedient servant, 



DOUGLASS HOUGHTON. 



Henry E. Schoolcraft, Esq., 



U. S. Ltd. Agt, Sault de Sle. Marie. 



