XXII 



PREFACE. 



redeeming mercy, with the brilliancy and pathos, 

 which have characterised some of their speeches, 

 on the interests of their tribes, — with a brilliancy, 

 rendered more splendid by cultivation, and a pa- 

 thos, made doubly tender by the softening influ- 

 ence of the gospel, who would not listen to them 

 with admiration and with pleasure ? Might we 

 not hope that, by the blessing of God, they would 

 be made the honoured and happy instruments, of 

 turning many of their countrymen, from the errour 

 of their ways to the wisdom of the just. Could 

 numbers of them be brought to concert plans for 

 the extension of the gospel, in the North Wes- 

 tern wilds, with the skill, and to execute them 

 with the fortitude and perseverance, which they 

 display in warring upon each other, the happiest 

 results might be expected. 



Whether the suggestions here made deserve 

 consideration or not, I cheerfully submit to the 

 wisdom and benevolence of those, for whom they 

 were especially intended. Such has been my 

 own view of the importance of the subject here 

 presented, that I should have charged myself with 



