-4 A General History of the Tur Trade* 



■much to their comforts ; while it gives them a sense of 

 property, and of lasting possession, instead of the uncertain 

 hopes of the chase, and the fugitive produce of uncultivated 

 wilds. Such were the means by which the forests of Para- 

 guay were converted into a scene of abundant cultivation, 

 and its savage inhabitants introduced to all the advantages 

 ©f a civilized life. 



The Canadian missionaries should have been contented 

 to improve the morals of their own countrymen, so that 

 by meliorating their character and conduct, they would have 

 given a striking example of the effect of religion in promot- 

 ing the comforts of life to the surrounding savages ; and 

 might by degrees have extended its benign influence to the 

 remotest regions of that country, which was the object, 

 and intended to be the scene, of their evangelic labours. 

 But by bearing the light of the Gospel at once to the distance 

 of two thousand live hundred miles from the civilized part 

 of the colonies, it was soon obscured by the cloud of ig- 

 norance that darkened the human mind in those distant re- 

 gions. 



The whole of their long route I have often travelled, and 

 the recollection of such a people as the missionaries having 

 been there, was confined to a few superannuated Canadians, 

 who had not left that country since the cession to the Eng- 

 lish, in 1763, and who particularly mentioned the death of 

 some, and the distressing situation of them all. But if these 

 religious men did not attain the objects of their persevering 

 piety, they were, during their mission, of great service to 

 the commanders who engaged in those distant expeditions, 

 and spread the fur trade as far West as the banks of the 

 Saskatchiwtne river, in 53 North latitude, and longitude 

 102 West. 



At an early period of their intercourse with the savages, 

 a custom was introduced of a very excellent tendency, but 

 is n©w unfortunately discontinued, of not selling any spi- 

 rituous liquors to the natives. This admirable regulation 

 was for some time observed, with all the respect due to the 

 religion by which it was sanctioned, and whose severest 

 censures followed the violation of it. A painful penance 

 •could alone restore the offender to the suspended rites of 

 the sacrament. The casuistry of trade, however, disco- 

 vered a way to gratify the Indians with their favourite cor- 

 dial, without incurring the ecclesiastical penalties, by giving, 

 instead of selling it to them. 



