denio] THE ASSIXIBOIN 595 



Even those who were not indebted bought supplies at such enormous 

 rates as with difficulty to support themselves. In order, therefore, 

 to reform these proceedings they assembled in council at various 

 places, sent runners to all the camps in the two nations, and decided 

 to convene at the Hudson Bay Co.'s fort and make known to them 

 their determination, which was to hunt no more at such prices, or if 

 th<y did hunt, to seek some other market for their furs on the Missis- 

 sippi or Missouri. The company being aware of their proceedings 

 and knowing the inexpedience of being forced into measures, besides 

 (heading the effect such a large body of discontented Indians might 

 have on the settlers and property, sent their half-breed runners to 

 the different camps on the advance toward the fort with orders to 

 turn them back with stories that the smallpox had appeared in the 

 settlement. The fear of this terrible infection disbanded the expedi- 

 tion, the Indians traveling in haste the contrary direction, which 

 gave the company time to alter in detail their manner of dealing with 

 them, apparently of their own accord. Things of this kind prove 

 the Indians to be capable of looking into their own interests, also of 

 acting in a body when they are concerned, in cases where rank is not 

 interfered with nor subordination required, while gain is the object 

 and public opinion unanimous. 



On subjects in which their actual experience and observation are 

 at fault, even if supported with good arguments, they are suspicious 

 and incredulous. They listen, doubt, but say little. On all such 

 topics their minds receive a bias from their superstitions and lack 

 of appreciation of motive. They can not conceive of any efforts 

 made through motives of charity, benevolence, or pity, nor realize 

 any other disinterested action, even if it be for their benefit, because 

 all they do is in expectation of reward, and being destitute of the 

 above principles of actions are disposed to attribute interested views 

 to everyone else. In reviewing such subjects with them, and support- 

 ing the moral principle by argument, they are silenced, though not 

 convinced; they do not grasp it, but will not contradict, for the 

 thing may be so. Hence their thought fulness and apparent apathy, 

 also their uninterrupted deliberations in councils and conversa- 

 tion, all arising from a desire to hear the subject in all its bearings, 

 either with the view of forming an opinion or of the propriety of 

 expressing it. 



Regarding their temperament, it is peculiar and general. We see 

 none of those great differences in disposition observed among the 

 European races. 



There appears to be a uniformity of individual feeling and action 

 among them. Being all the same on like occasions, it would seem a 

 national and natural feature, calling forth corresponding feelings 



