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RETURN TO NEW YORE. 375 
formerly practised on Long Island, killing 
every animal they meet, whether young’ or full 
grown. Notwithstanding; the strong injunc¬ 
tions laid upon them by the Canadian traders, 
to spare some few beavers at each dam, in 
order to perpetuate the breed, they still con- 
tinue to kill these animals wherever they find 
them, so that they are now entirely banished 
from places which used to abound with, and 
which are still in a state to harbour them, 
being far removed from the cultivated parts of 
the country. An annual deficiency of fifteen 
thousand has been observed in the number of 
beaver skins brought down to Montreal, for 
the last few years. 
From Long Island I returned to this city; 
which the hospitality and friendly civilities 
I have experienced, in common with other 
strangers, from its inhabitants, induce me to 
rank as the most agreeable place I have visited 
in the United States : nor am I singular in this 
opinion, there being scarcely any traveller I 
have conversed with, but what gives it the 
same preference. Whilst I continue in Ame¬ 
rica it shall be my place of residence : but my 
thoughts are solely bent upon returning to my 
native land, now dearer to me than ever; and 
provided that the ice, which threatens at pre~ 
sent to block up the harbour, does not cut off 
our communication with the Atlantic, I shall 
