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vilized nations, where too many at the 

 altar, in the mod: folemn manner, impi- 

 oufly enter into engagements, without 

 intending to fulfil them ; a crime fo 

 common, that its frequency is abfurd- 

 ly urged . as an excufe for its com- 

 miffion. But with the Indians, Na- 

 ture is their only law to love, and con- 

 ftancy is Nature's dictate. This, how- 

 ever, is the cafe only with thofe who 

 live at a diftance from, and are uncor- 

 rupted by, the Europeans ; thofe In- 

 dians, who have a nearer and more con- 

 ftant intercourfe with the Whites, be- 

 ing encouraged in their natural pro- 

 penfity to intemperance, that the de- 

 bauchery of their wives may be effected 

 with more facility. There is no injury, 

 however, of which the Indians are more 

 fenfible, or which they oftener revenge ; 

 but this they never attempt on the 

 Whites, for whom they have no fmall 

 veneration. But though chaftity after 



marriage 



