[ 3 ®° ] 
called the escopics. We know not much of this 
people : and beyond them, are the Hudfon Bay 
Indians, with whom the world is but little better 
acquainted. There are, doubtlefs, in fuch a vaft traCt 
of land, a great number of other nations ; but of 
whom we have not the lead; information. 
We are ignorant as yet, why thefe poor people 
bear each other fuch implacable hatred ; but it feems 
a melancholy reflection, that, in fo large a country, 
and withal fo badly inhabited, the few there are 
fhould be eternally folicitous to extirpate one ano- 
ther: though, perhaps, multiplying the fpecies 
would augment the natural fcarcity of provifions, 
and only ferve to render them all more miferable. 
The Mountaineers are efteemed an induftrious 
tribe j and, for many years, had been known to the 
French traders. Their chief employment is to catch 
fur, and procure the neceflaries of life. They are 
extremely illiterate, but generally good-natured j and 
are reckoned to be lefs ferocious than any other of 
the Indians. This foftnefs of their manners is owing 
to their long intercourfe with Europeans 3 and the 
other nations will doubtlefs lofe their favage difpo- 
fition, in proportion as they imbibe ourcufloms. 
They come every year to trade with the Canadian 
merchants, who have feal-fifheries on the fouthern 
part of the coaft, and have the character of juft 
dealers. They are immoderately fond of fpirits* 
for which, blanketing, fire-arms, (in the ule of 
which they are remarkably dexterous), and ammuni- 
tion, they truck the greateftpart of their furs. 
Their canoes are covered with the rind of birch ; 
and, though fo light as to be eaftly carried, yetfuffici- 
4 ently 
