242 



INDIANS. 



profession of the Roman Catholic religion. Far 

 better had it been, however, that the Indians 

 had never known the French, than ardent 

 spirits should have been introduced, as a me- 

 dium of barter in the fur trade. It was no 

 sooner tasted by the natives, than they became 

 passionately fond of it, and spirituous liquors 

 were found to be the most pernicious and des- 

 tructive article that the old world ever shipped 

 for the new. It appeared impossible for them 

 to use it with moderation ; and when intoxicated, 

 it awakened every savage disposition, that led 

 to quarrels, which frequently terminated in the 

 murder of husbands, wives, and children. The 

 French, prompted by avarice, extended this 

 evil, as they afterwards took possession of, and 

 planted trading posts, in the Canadas, for the 

 prosecution of the fur trade. Others followed, 

 and engaged in the same traffic ; and the bane- 

 ful effects of bartering in spirituous liquors, is 

 seen in the track of the fur trader, as he opened 

 a communication with the Indians, through 

 successive periods, far into the interior, and 

 immense wildernesses of North America. 



The present Indians of Nova Scotia, are all 

 one nation, known by the name of Micmacs, 

 and were among other natives the original in- 

 habitants of the country. They are by no means 



