162 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



and other western tribes ; and the Iroquois were domi- 

 nant over all Upper Canada, and all the northern part of 

 New York and Ohio. All this occurred without the in- 

 tervention of the white man ; and there has been no dis- 

 appearance of a savage race since, from the diseases and 

 vices which civilization brings in its train, which has sur- 

 passed, even if it has equalled in completeness and rapidity, 

 the desolation which the conquering Iroquois spread around 

 them. They, too, have now nearly vanished from the scene 

 of their former power under other influences, and may 

 sood, like the Eries and Hurons, be remembered only by 

 a name ; but when we find such extraordinary vicissitudes 

 occurring during the brief space, of which we have any 

 certain record, we cease to be so much surprised at the 

 total disappearance of the mound builders and other pre- 

 historic races." 



The Mandans and Assinniboines who hunt on both 

 American and British soil, and who are essentially prairie 

 Indians, were estimated in 1783 to be capable of sending 

 into the field 25,000 and 40,000 fighting men respec- 

 tively. In 1786 the small-pox, coming north from the 

 Mexican provinces, almost depopulated the country. In 

 1838 the same disease swept off at least one half of the 

 prairie tribes. Five-and-twenty years ago, before this 

 epidemic, aided by constant wars, had reduced the Plain 

 Crees to one-sixth or eighth of their former numbers, 

 Fort Ellice was often the scene of exciting Indian display. 

 The officer in charge in July 1858, remembers the time 

 when the entire tribe who now hunt on the Qu'appelle 

 and South Branch would approach the Fort to receive their 

 supplies, preceded by 800 mounted warriors, singing their 

 war songs. Twenty-five years ago the tribe numbered 

 4000, in 500 tents ; at the present day they do not ex- 

 ceed 120 tents, which represent a population of 960 or 

 1000 souk 



