THE VICIOUS INFLUENCE OF THE WHITES, 121 
lose by a misuse, or the careless use of that 
weapon ? 
Third — The frauds and cruelties practiced 
by traders from enlightened countries, have 
done much to increase the wickedness of 
the people. New ways of sinning have 
been taught them, and new temptations 
have been placed before them. All know 
how wicked and designing men wrong their 
fellows in this country, and how trying it 
is to the better and finer feelings of our 
nature to be imposed upon, and cheated. 
We may conceive how easily advantage 
may be taken of the ignorance and weakness 
of a superstitious people ; and that the most 
shameful frauds may be practiced upon 
them. Numerous cases might be given to 
show that this has been done, but we shall 
dismiss the subject by saying, that up to 
this time, though there is more competition 
now than ever before, and the people have 
more knowledge of the value of all articles 
taken there in exchange for their produce 
than at any former period, yet on some 
articles the trader makes a profit of fifteen 
hundred per cent ! 
