( 20 3 ) 



fbmewhat of the Afiatic genius in their difcourfe, 

 which gives a figurative turn and expreftion to 

 things, and which is what has probably made fome 

 conclude that they are of Afiatic extraction, which 

 is moreover probable enough in other refpedls. 



Not only the nations of the Huron language have 

 -always occupied themfelves more than the other In- 

 dians in husbandry and cultivation of their lands ; 

 they have alfo been lefs difperfed, which has produ- 

 ced two effects \ for firft, they are better fettled, 

 lodged and fortified, but have alfo always been un- 

 der a better fort of police, and a more diftinct and 

 regular form of government. The quality of chief, 

 at lead among the true Hurons who are Tionnon- 

 tatez, is always hereditary. In the fecond place, 

 till the wars of the Iroquois, of which we have been 

 witneffes, their country was the moft populous, tho' 

 polygamy never was in ufe in it. They have alfo 

 the character of being the moft induftrious, moft 

 laborious, moft expert in the management of their 

 affairs, and moft prudent in their conduct, which 

 can be attributed to nothing but to that fpirit of fo- 

 ciety which they have better retained than the 

 others. This is in a fpecial manner remarked of 

 the Hurons, who forming at prefent but one nation 

 or people, and being reduced to two middling vil- 

 lages very remote from each other, are, notwith- 

 itanding the foul of all their councils in all matters 

 regarding the community, 'lis true that notwith- 

 ftanding this difference, which is not to be difco- 

 yered at firft glance, there is aftrong refemblance in 

 the genius, manners, and cuftoms of all the Indians 

 of Canada ; but this is owing to the mutual com- 

 merce they have carried on with each other for 

 jiiany ages, 



This 



V 



