INDIAN MARRIAGES. 



51 



April 1. — Last Friday I married several 

 couples, at the Company's Post ; nearly all the 

 English half-breeds were assembled on the 

 occasion, and so passionately fond are they 

 of dancing, that they continued to dance 

 almost incessantly from two o'clock on Friday 

 afternoon, till late on Saturday night. This 

 morning the Colony Fort was nearly thronged 

 with them to attend divine service ; and it was 

 my endeavour to address them, with plainness, 

 simplicity, and fidelity. There was much 

 attention; but, I fear, from their talking, 

 principally, their mother tongue, the Indian 

 language, that they did not comprehend a 

 great deal of my discourse. This is the 

 case also, with a few of the Scotch Highland 

 settlers, who speak generally the Gaelic 

 language. 



Marriage, I would enforce upon all, who 

 are living with, and have children by half- 

 caste, or Indian women. The apostolic in- 

 junction is clear and decisive against the too 

 common practice of the country, in putting 

 them away, after enjoying the morning of 

 their days ; or deserting them to be taken by 

 the Indians with their children, when the 

 parties, who have cohabited with them, leave 



E 2 



