128 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



seem in general to find it easier to descend 

 to the Indian customs and modes of think- 

 ing, particularly with respect to women, 

 than to attempt to raise the Indians to theirs. 

 Indeed, such a lamentable want of morality- 

 has, been displayed by the white traders in 

 their contests for the interests of their 

 respective companies, that it would require 

 a long series of good conduct to efface from 

 the minds of the native population the ideas 

 they have formed of the white character. 

 Notwithstanding the frequent violations of 

 the rights of property they have witnessed, 

 and but too often experienced in their own 

 persons, these savages, as they are termed, 

 remain strictly honest. During their visits 

 to a post, they are suffered to enter every 

 apartment in the house without the least 

 restraint, and although articles of value to 

 them are scattered about, nothing is ever 

 missed. They scrupulously avoid moving 

 anything from its place, although they are 



ment of the natives and half-breed Indians, which 

 have been more particularly referred to in the introduc- 

 tion. 



