INTRODUCTION. 
dined to adopt the European modes of civil fociety ? 
Whether fuch a reformation could be obtained^ 
without ufing coercive or violent means ? And laftly, 
whether fuch a revolution would be productive of 
real benefit to them, and confequently beneficial to 
the public ? I was fatisfled in difcovering that they 
were defirous of becoming united with us, in civil 
and religious fociety. 
It may, therefore, not be foreign to the fubject, 
to point out the propriety of fending men of ability 
and virtue, under the authority of government, as 
friendly vifitors, into their towns : let thefe men be 
inftructed to learn perfectly their languages, and by 
a liberal and friendly intimacy become acquainted 
with their cuftoms and ufages, religious and civil ; 
their fyftem of legiflation and police, as well as their 
moft ancient and prefent traditions and hiftory. 
Thefe men thus enlightened and inftructed would be 
qualified to judge equitably, and when returned to 
us, to make true and jufl reports, which might 
aflift the legifiature of the United States to form, 
and offer to them, a judicious plan for their civili- 
zation and union with us. 
But I prefume not to dictate in thefe high concerns 
of government, and I am fully convinced that fuch 
important matters are far above my ability ; the 
duty sftrd refpecl we owe to religion and rectitude, 
the moft acceptable incenfe we offer to the Almighty, 
as an atonement for our negligence in the care of 
the prefent and future well being of our Indian bre- 
thren, induce me to mention this matter, though 
perhaps of greater concernment than we generally 
are aware, 
\ 
TRAVELS 
