178 



RED RIVER EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 



there were twenty-seven more European or Canadian 

 families than there were at Eed Eiver in May, 1856. 

 These numbers show that in place of an introduction of 

 emigrants of a character likely to refine and elevate the 

 rough natures of the natives, endowed as they are with 

 many peculiar and valuable qualities, those who have 

 been from their youth familiar with the advantages and 

 blessings of civilisation have gradually left the settlement 

 and sought a home elsewhere. The increase of poverty, 

 or incapability of supporting families, is seen by the 

 average number of individuals belonging to each family. 



In 1849 the average of each family was gig. 



In 1856 „ „ „ 6^. 



The difference in the whole population of 1856 and 

 1849 being 1232 souls, while the difference in the 

 number of families was 28 only. This very extra- 

 ordinary discrepancy was stated by Mr. Smith, under 

 whose direction the census was taken, to arise from the 

 generally depressed circumstances in which many families 

 found themselves. Numbers were unable to live in 

 separate houses, and it now happens that two, and some- 

 times three families, formerly occupying distinct houses, 

 and cultivating distinct farms, are crowded together in 

 one house for the sake of economy. In 1849 there were 

 137 more males than females in the settlements ; in 1856 

 there were 73 more females than males. The reason of 

 this remarkable change in the relative numbers of males 

 and females in so small a community, and in such a short 

 period of time, was stated to arise from the circumstance 

 that during the past five or six years, many young men 

 have gone to seek recompence for industry in the United 

 States, which the district of Assinniboia has not yet offered 

 to them. 



The term " native," distinguishing the half-breeds from 



