Travels in North Jmerica^ 479,- 



LETTER XVII. 



Various Remarks an the CharaSler^ Cuflomsy and Gonjernment th§ 

 Savages, 



Madam, Detroit f/^^ Strait), June i/^* 



AFTER I had clofed my laft Letter, and given it to ^ 

 Perfon who was going down to ^ebecy I prepared myfelf 

 to continue my Journey, and in Faél, I embarked the next Day» 

 but I did not go far, and by the Want of Precaution in my Con* 

 dudors, I am returned here to Fort Pontcbartrainy where I fear I 

 fliall be obliged to ftay yet feveral Days. Thefe are Difappoint- 

 ments which we muft expeét with the Canadian Travellers, they 

 ^re never in Hafte, and are very negligent in taking their Mea-* 

 fures. But as we muft make the beft of every Thing, I fhall 

 take Advantage of this Delay, to begin to entertain you with the 

 Government of the Savages, and of their Behaviour in public Af* 

 fairs. By this Knowledge you will be better able to judge of 

 what I fiiaH have Qccafion to fay to you hereafter; but I fhall 

 not fpeak very largely on this Subjed : Firft, becaufe the Whole 

 is not very interefting : Secondly, becaufe I will write nothing 

 to you but v/hat is fupported by good Teftimony, and it is not 

 eafy to find Perfons whofe Sincerity is entirely unfufpeéled, at 

 leaft of Exaggeration ; or who may not be fufpedled of having 

 given Credit too lightly to all they heard ; or who havç Difcern- 

 ment enough to take Things in a right View, which requires a 

 long Acquaintance with the Country, and the Inhabitants, I 

 fhall fay nothing of my own on this Article, and this will pre- 

 vent me from following a regular Series in what I fhall fay. But 

 it will not be difficult for you to colled and make a pretty re*-: 

 gular Whole of the Remarks which I fhall interfperfe in my 

 Letters, according as I receive them. 



It muft be acknowledged. Madam, that the nearer View we 

 o r ^*ke of our Savages, the more we difcover in 



The Savages of ^^^^ fome valuable Qualities. The chief 

 Canada are more p^^^ Principles by which they regu. 



eaftly to be convert^ late their Condud, the general Maxims by 

 ed than the more ct^ which they govern themfelvcs, and the Bot- 

 ^iliTLed Nations. ^^^j^ Charader, have nothing which 



appears barbarous. Furthermore, the Ideas, though quite con- 

 fufed, which they have retained of a firft Being ; the Traces, tho* 

 almoft effaced, of à religious Worfhip, which they appear to 



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