200 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



and indeed up to the present year, they have been more 

 or less dependent upon the Company for supplies of every 

 description ; now, however, that goods can be conveyed 

 very cheaply by the American steamers on Eed Eiver 

 from Minnesota, the time appears to have arrived when 

 the stations south of the Saskatchewan should be no 

 longer dependent upon the Company. The establishment 

 of a general store at Eed Eiver under the supervision of 

 the Bishop for the exclusive use of non-resident mission- 

 aries south of the Saskatchewan, would be of immense 

 assistance. The store should be placed under the charge 

 of an experienced business man, and be limited in its 

 operation to the outposts, or to missions having an ex- 

 clusive Indian population. An annual sum should also 

 be at the disposal of the Bishop, to enable him to obtain 

 at all times the means of sending supplies to distant 

 stations. 



The want of a general familiarity with the native lan- 

 guage is severely felt ; interpreters are dangerous, nor 

 do they always rightly understand or render the words of 

 the missionary. The present time is eminently favour- 

 able for the selection of permanent village sites, sur- 

 rounded by a sufficient area of arable and pasture land to 

 provide for the future independence of the Indians who 

 may be induced to settle. In the organization of a new 

 colony, the native races will doubtless not be forgotten. 

 The examples furnished by Canada show how much may 

 be done under judicious management if an early beginning 

 is made, and how much may be lost to these thoughtless 

 people if they are not placed under proper supervision 

 and protected by special laws. 



In different parts of the narrative I have adverted to 

 the character of missionary labour in the wilderness, as 

 exemplified by the patient, self-denying constancy of the 



