PREFACE. 



XU1 



shall not be overlooked. They are not a race 

 abandoned by God, to inevitable destruction ; 

 though the idea has, strangely, gotten possession of 

 some minds. In proportion to the efforts which 

 have been made, perhaps no missions to the hea- 

 then have been crowned with greater success, 

 than those to the American Aborigines. To this 

 fact, the fruit of the labours of Elliott, of the 

 Mayhews, of Brainerd, of the Moravians, and, es- 

 pecially, of the recent establishment among the 

 Cherokees, will bear abundant witness. 



The Indian tribes, whose condition is unfolded 

 in this work, have claims upon christian compas- 

 sion; and some facts, which the authour has dis- 

 closed to me, have led me to suppose, that a mis- 

 sionary establishment might be made, with ref- 

 erence to their instruction, with a fair prospect 

 of success, and with less expense, than ordinarily 

 attends such operations. 



In the numerous establishments of the North 

 West Company, there are from twelve to fifteen 

 hundred women and children, who are wholly, or 

 in part, of Indian extraction. Women have, from 

 time to time, been taken from among the Natives. 



