Nov. 23, 1857.] BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN EXPEDITION. 
51 
Rocky Mountains for about 180 miles from the Kootonais Pass to that between 
Mounts Brown and Marker. 1 appeal to geographers whether there is a range 
of mountains in this earth which has no practicable pass in 180 miles ? I have 
no knowledge of such a range, and I again appeal to the geographers present, 
and ask whether there is such a range, except it be the Rocky Mountains ? I 
feel sure, therefore, that Mr. Palliser will find one ; but if he does not ascertain 
the character of the country between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, he 
will come back without his laurels. For myself I think that the most im- 
portant object of the expedition. And I venture to add that Government 
should be urged to extend the expedition to the mouth of Fraser’s River, in 
the Gulf of Georgia, as it would be a most desirable thing both for the ends of 
science and for the interests of the country at large. 
[Here was read an extract of a letter from Mr. Sullivan, in which the word 
sceptre occurred.] 
Col. Lefroy, f.r.g.s. — I must venture to express a little doubt as to the 
fidelity of the report of Mr. Palliser’s conference with the Indians. His inter- 
preter must have taken some little liberty with the subject, for I doubt 
whether any American Indian ever talked of his sceptre or of his subjects. 
The government among the natives is not a monarchical one, nor are the 
people in the position of subjects towards their chiefs. However, that is little 
to the purpose. With regard to the state of distress among the Indians, it 
arises from causes not within the control of the Hudson Bay Company. It 
arises from the unproductiveness of the country. It is not frequented by any 
large animals, but almost entirely by rabbits. The Indians live principally 
on rabbits, and clothe themselves in rabbit skins. They also partly subsist 
on sturgeon, which they catch at times in the lakes. Sometimes they are well 
fed and sometimes they are in a state of lingering starvation ; but this does 
not imply neglect on the part of those who are the temporary guardians of 
that territory. A considerable amount of agriculture has been practised 
among the Indians on the Rainy Lake. Wherever they have perseverance 
and diligence enough to devote themselves to garden culture they succeed ; 
they grow potatoes, herbs, and other produce to some extent. But as a general 
rule, as everybody knows, they are very destitute, because they will not 
labour. They prefer starvation to work. I say this to turn the edge of what 
might seem an imputation on the rulers of those regions. With regard to 
Captain Palliser’s account it must not be supposed that ice on Lake Superior 
on the 12th of June is a common thing. The last was an unusually severe 
winter. Generally speaking, the lake is free from iee in May. The ascent of the 
White Fish River is highly interesting, because if a navigable communication 
with Lake a la Crosse can be established by that stream it will shorten the 
present distance 40 or 50 miles. Looking, however, to its very short course, 
it can scarcely be navigable any distance : the Kakebeka itself, with numerous 
feeders and draining a comparatively large area, being frequently so low as to 
occasion many difficulties to the canoes. I hope I shall not be considered to 
have impugned Mr? Palliser’s fidelity or veracity. That little point struck me, 
and it occurred to me that the imagination of his interpreter rather ran away 
with him. That the address is given with substantial accuracy I do not for a 
moment doubt. 
Dr. Hodgkin, f.r.g.s. — Though I agree with Colonel Lefroy that the 
Indians are not ruled with sceptres, yet I think the whole of the speech could 
not have been an invention on the part of the interpreter. It speaks of Indians 
having resided for several generations on that spot, therefore I think it must be 
more than merely a rabbit warren. The fact that the “long-knives,” the 
Americans, are creeping up and settling on the territory shows that it must be 
habitable. I am much inclined to believe that the natives have very much 
suffered in consequence of what has been going on, perhaps very naturally. 
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