C H2 ] 
Received Nov. 12, 1772* 
XVII. Extracts of fame Letters , from 
Sir William Johnfon Bart, to Arthur 
Lee, M. D. F. R. S. on the Cufo?ns , 
Manners , and Language of the Northern 
Indians of America. 
Read Jan. 28,JN all enquiries of this fort, we fhould 
I//3 ' diftinguifh between the more remote 
tribes, and thofe Indians, who, from their having 
been next to our fettlements for feveral years, and 
relying folely on oral tradition for the fupport of 
their antient ufages, have loft great part of them, 
and have blended fome with our cuftoms, fo as to 
render it extremely difficult, if not impoffible, to 
trace their cuftoms to their origin. 
The Indians did certainly live under more or- 
der and government formerly, than at prefent. 
This may feem odd, but it is true; for, their in- 
tercourfe being with the lower clafs of our traders, 
they learn little from us but our vices; and- their 
long wars, together with the immoderate ufe of 
fpirituous liquors, have fo reduced them, as to ren- 
der that order, which was firft inrtituted among 
them, unneceflary and impracticable. 
They 
/ 
