NORTH AMERICA. 
5^1 
his own private ftores are confumed ; to ferve as a 
furplus to fly to for fuccour ; to affift neigh- 
bouring towns, whofe crops may have failed ; ac- 
commodate ftrangers, or travellers ; afford provi- 
fions or fupplies, when they go forth on hoftile 
expeditions ; and for all other exigencies of the 
ftate : and this treafure is at the difpofal of the king 
or mico ; which is furely a royal attribute, to have 
an exclufive right an ability in a community to dif- 
tribute comfort and bleffings to the neceflitous. 
As to mechanic aits or manufactures, at prefent 
they have fcarcely any thing worth obfervation, 
fince they are fupplied with neceflaries, convenien- 
cies, and even mperfluities by the white traders. 
The men perform nothing except creeling their 
mean habitations, forming their canoes, {lone pipes, 
tambour, eagles tail or ftandard, and fome other 
trifling matters ; for war and hunting are their 
principal employments. The women are more vi- 
gilant, and turn their attention to various manual 
employments ; they make all their pottery or ear- 
then-ware, moccafms, fpin and weave the curious 
belts and diadems for men, fabricate lace, fringe^ 
embroider and decorate their apparel, &c. &c. 
CHAP, 
