INDIANS. 



233 



erally treated by Europeans, since they first 

 invaded their forests and usurped their soil. 

 ' Society/ says Washington Irving, c has ad- 

 vanced upon them like a many-headed monster, 

 breathing every variety of misery. Before it 

 went forth pestilence, famine, and the sword ; 

 and in its train came the slow but exterminating 

 curse of trade : what the former did not sweep 

 away, the latter has gradually blighted.' 



But we would turn from the sad review of 

 what has passed in the history of these long 

 injured aboriginal tribes, and indulge the hope 

 that a just sympathy has at length been 

 awakened towards those who remain, as claim- 

 ing not only the commiseration, but the moral 

 and religious care of Great Britain and America. 

 The partial success which has indeed followed 

 the occasional efforts of the American govern- 

 ment for the civilization of the Indians, de- 

 monstrates the fact, and confirms to the utmost, 

 that it is practicable to civilize, and evangelize 

 this, hitherto, generally neglected, and suffer- 

 ing portion of our fellow-men. Let spirituous 

 liquors be prohibited from deluging their 

 country in the prosecution of an unequal 

 traffic. Let their tomahawk and scalping 

 knife never again be pressed into any contest 

 whatever on the part of professed Christians. 

 Let them be met with brotherly kindness, and 



