IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // I 1.0 1.1 1.25 mm jm ns u 140 FholDgraphic Sdraices Corporation 23 WeST MAIN STRliT WMS:k:(,N.Y. 14SU> (716) •73-4503 v ,v >^ '^■t^% ;\ .^%^ 4 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microroproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas \ \ Technical and Bibliographic Notoa/Notaa tochniquaa at biblioflraphiqiiaa Tha Inatituta haa anamptad to obtain tha boat original copy availabia for filming. Paaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographicaliy uniqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may significantly ehanga tha usual mathod of filming, ara chaclcad balow. yi Colourad covara/ ^^J Couvartura da coulour rn Covers damaged/ D Couvartura andommagia Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture reataurAa et/ou pellieulie r~~\ Cover title miasing/ La titra da couverture manque rn Coloured mapa/ D Cartea gAographiquaa en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other then blue or black)/ Encre do couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire} pn Coloured plates and/or illuatrationa/ D D D D Ptanchea et/ou illuatrationa en couleur Bound with other material/ RalM avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauae shadowa or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serrte pout causer de I'ombre ou do la diatoraion la long da la marga inlAriaura Blank laavaa added during reatoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pagaa blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaiasant dana la teste, mala, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pagaa n'ont pea «ti filmias. Additional commenta:/ Commantairea suppiAmentairas; L'Inatltut a microfilm* le maiileur exemplaire qu'il lui a it* poasibia da se procurer. Les details de cot exemplaire qui sont peut 4tre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une "^ modification dans la mAthoda normele de filmaga sont indiquAs d-dessous. |~~{ Colourod pagaa/ Pagaa da couleur Pagaa damaged/ Pages andommagias □ Pages reatorod and/or laminated/ Pages restaur*es et/ou pellicuiies Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dAcolories, tachetAes ou piqu( Tha totJ Tha poai oft piquAes □ Pages detached/ Pages d«tach*es QShowthrough/ Transparence rn Quality of print varies/ Qualiti in^gala de rimpression Includes supplementary materiel/ Comprond du material suppUmentaire rn Only edition available/ D Seuie Mition disponibie Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refiimed to ensure the best possible image/ Ler/ pages totalement ou partieilement obscurcies par un feuiilet d'errata. une pelure, etc., ont tti filmies i nouvwau de faqon A obtenir la meiileure image possible. Orif bag tha SiOff othi firai slofi oril Tha TIN whi IMai difffi ba« righ raqi ntat This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est fiimi au taux de reduction indiqui ei-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X aox y 12X 16X aox 24X 28X 32X Th« eopy filmccl her* hM b««n r«produe«d tturnks to tiM aw w r oi lty of: SMiiiraryof Library L'oxamplairo filing fut roproduh grico i la g*n4ro«iti do: 8«miiMlrad«QullNe quality loglfaility tho Tho imagoo appoorlng horo aro ttio poaalblo conaMoHng tho condition of tho original copy and In kaaplnfl filming contract apoeiflcationa. Orl^nal coplaa In printad papar covaro aro fHmad baglnning with tha front eovor and anding on tho laat paga with a printad or iiluatratad impraa- ■Ion, or tha back cover whon appropr ia ta. All othar original copioa ara fHmad baglnning on tho firat paga with a printad or iiluatratad impraa- •lon. and anding on tho laat paga with a printad or iiluatratad impraaaion. Laa imagaa aulvantaa ant 4ti raproduitaa avao la plua grand aoin, eompto tonu do lo condition at da la nattati da I'axamplaira film*, at mt conformM avae laa eondltiona du contrat da fHmaga. Laa OKomplalraa originoux dont la oouvorturo on popior oat imprim4a aont fHmAa an common^ant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant toit par la daml^ r a paga qui comporto uno ampralnta dlmpraaalon ou dlHuatration. toit par la tacond plat, colon lo caa. Toua laa autroa axamplalraa originauji iont film4a an common^ant par la pra mM ko paga qui comporto uno ampralnta dlmpraaalon ou dlHuatration at an tarminant par la damiira paga qui comporto uno toUo ompralnta. Tha laat racordod frama on aach •haH contain tha symbol «< TINUED"). or tho symbol ▼ wMehovor appHaa. "CON- END"). Un daa aymboloa suivanta apparattra cur la damMra Imaga da chaquo mieroficho. colon lo caa: la aymbolo — ^ tignifio "A SUIVRE". lo ■ymbolo ▼ signlfio "RN". Mapa. plataa, charta. ate., may bo fHmod at d i ffarant raduetlon ratioo. Thoaa toe large to be entirely included in one ORpoeuro ere fHmod beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right and top to bottom, ee many f r a me e ee required. The foHowring diegreme Nlustrete tho method: Lea cartee. planehee. talileeux. etc., pouvont Atre fllm4e A dee taux da rMuetion d i f fe r enta. Lorequo lo document eat trap grand pour Atre reproduit en un eoui cHehA. ii cot fUmA A pertir do I'angle supAriour gauche, do gauche A droito. et do heut en bee, en prenent lo nombre d'imegea nAceeeoire. Lae diegremmeo ti^vanta IHuatrent lo mAthode. 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 REPORT ON THE INDIANS OF UPPER CANADA. The Sub-committee appointed to make a comprehensive inquiry into the state of the Aboriffines of British North America, present thereupon the first part of their general report. Ck>uiitriM in I. The countii'ss which fedl within the reference, ap- queMioD. p^Qj. to be as follows: the Canadas; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; Cape Breton; Newfoundland; Prince Edward's Island; Anticosti; Labrador; the Hudson's Bay, and North Westjj;^ Companies' territories, including certain posts and settlements on the Northern Pacific ; and Honduras. TribM. II. The tribes and classes of coloured men in question, are, Indians ; Esquimaux ; and descendants of Africans ; with a considerable number of individuals of mixed blood. Decay of III. The absence or defect of census of aborigines, is population. Qjjg ^f ijjjg g^jg requiring an immediate remedy in British North America in order that particular systems may be put to the test by its being seen, whether the native people increase, or diminish under their influence. But enough is known of their population in the most important places, both for times past, and at present to justify the conclusion, that they have long been de> clining in numbers, and that of late this diminution has been ad- vancing with great and increasing rapidity. IV. We propose limiting this first part of our report to Upper Canada. Amount of Without entering upon the interesting story of the na- P'*"''*^- tives of Canada under the French domination, it is suflS- cient for our present object to state that even at the conquest in 1759, 'powerful tribes of Abenaqua, Algonquin, Iroquois, M: sis. sagua, and Huron Indians^ occupied the country from below Quebec, to the furthest post then held by the French to protect their traders beyond Lake Erie. In 1721, Charlevoix, a high authority, estimated the population of some of Algonquin tribes at 6000 soids, but they were then diminishing daily under the in- fluence of spirituous liquors, diseases, and other causes. (Charlevoix, History of New France, vol. iii, p, 189.) Some of the tribes of the Iroquois, with whom the French had many disastrous wars, were then estimated at 60,000 souls. (lb. p. 203) ; and the Hu. rons who were settled in parts of Upper Canada, were extensive agriculturists, and a denser population. (lb. p. 198.) In 1759 the French colonists and traders amounted to about 60,000 souls, of whom a considerable number are believed to have been a mixed race, either illegitimate, or, in not unfrequent cases, sprung firom marriages of French with Indians. 2 The peculiar injuriet done to the Indians by both French and English exciting Uiem to take part in wars in which they had no interest^ but which ag^avated all their natural passions of a dangerous and warlike tendency, ceased in 1763. At the same time the Enclish had no longer motives to conciliate them, until the wars with the United States ; and our general system was at least as mischievous to the Indians as that of the French. The result is a reduction of the Indian population of the Canadas, to 43,000, at the highest estimate; M'Taqgart Three Years in Canada) viz. 15,000 for Lower Canada, and 28,000 4or Upper Canada ; whilst the white population has risen to more than 900,000 souls. The officially estimated native population of Lower Canada in 1831 , was 3437 souls in 687 families. {House of Com. mons Papers, 1834 no. 6l7 p. 95.) s The exact number of all the above mentioned tribes that received presents in Lower Canada, in 1828, was only 2922 souls, being the supposed mass of the Indian population ; in Upper Canada it was only 9457. (t6. p. 23.) Bights of V. Tlie rights of the Indians, &c., in their relations with the Indians. Q^^^ Britain dopend on the laws of nature and nations ; upon the injunctions of Christianity and upon treaties; and those rights are especially to be collected from two documents of high authority, which contain clear declarations of the duty of tlie Go. vernment respecting them. The first concerns them all; the second is limited in terms to the Indians of Canada; but its spirit is general also. The first document is part of an admirable body of instructions for the guidance of the Colonial Office of Charles 11.^ issued in 1670. The extract as to Indians is as follows : ''{FoTasmuch, it is there said, as most of our said colonies do border upon the Indians, and peace is not to be expected without the due ob- servance and preservation of justice to them, you are, in our name, to command all the governors, that they, at no time, give anv just pro- vocation to any of the said Indians that are at peace vrith us,' &c. Then, with respect to the Indians who desire to put themselves under our protection, that they '* be received." " And that the governors do by all ways seek firmly to oblige them. " And that they do employ some persons to learn the languages of (liem. " And that they do not only carefully protect and defend them from adversaries, but that they more especially take care that none of our own subjects, nor anv of their servants, do any way harm them. " And that if any shall dare to ofier any violence to them in their per- sons, goods or possessions, the said governors do severely punish the said injuries, agreeably to justice and ri^t. " And ;;^ou are to consider how the Indians and slaves may be best instructed in and invited to the christian religion, it being both for the honour of the Crown and of the Protestant religion itseu, that all per- sons within any of our territories, though never so remote, should be taught the knowledge of God, and be ma^e acquainted with the mysteries of salvation." The second document is part of the proclamation of 1763, issued by his Majesty George III., upon the conquest of Canada. The extract is as follows : inch and had no ins of a ;he same until the I at least of the '# Three ,OOCibr tore than >f Lower of Com- received )eing the a it was ions with nations ; nd those of high tlie Go. le second spirit is tractions in 1670. io border 3 due ob- name, to just pro- xc. temselves them. 9 of (hem. lem from 16 of our • beir per- i the said ' be best 1 for the all per- lould be nysteries 3, issued a. The And whereas it is just and reasonable, and essential to our interest and the security of our colonies, that the several nations or tribes of Indians with whom we are connected, and who live under our protection, should not be molested or disturbed in the possession of such parts of our do- minions and territories as not having been ceded to us are reserved to them, or any of them, as their huntmg grounds ; we do therefore with the advice of our privy council, deckure it to be our roval will and pleasure, that no governor or commander in chief in any or our colonics of Quebec, East Florida, or West Florida, do assume, upon any pretence whatever, to grant warrants of survey or pass any patents for lands beyond the bounds of their respective governments, as described in their commissions ; as also that no governor or commander in chief of our other colonies or plantations in America, do presume for the present, and until our furUier pleasure be known, to grant warrants of survey, or pass anjr patent for lands beyond the heads or sources of any of the rivers which &11 into the Atlantic ocean from the west or north-west; or upon any lands whatever which not having been ceded to or purduued by us as aforesaid^ are reserved to the said Indians^ or any of them. And we do Airther declare it to be our royal will and pleasure, for the present as aforesaid, to reserve under our sovereiffnty, protection, and dominion, for the use of the said Indians, all the land and territo- ries not included within the limits and territory granted to the Hudson's Bay Company; as also all the land and territories lyrag to the west- ward of the sources of the rivers which fall into the sea from the west and north-west as aforesaid : and we do hereby strictly forbid, on pain of our displeasure, all our loving subjects from making any purchases or settlements whatsoever, or taking possession of any of the lands above re- served, without our special leave and licence for that purpose first obtained. And we do further strictly enjoin and require all persons whatsoever, who have either wilfully or inadvertently seated themselves upon any lands within the countries above described, or upon any other lands which not having been ceded to or purchased by us, are still reserved to the said Indians as aforesaid, forthwith to remove themselves from such settlements. And wheifeas f^eX frauds and abuses have been committed in the purchasing lands of the Indians, to the ereat prejudice of our interests, and to the neat dissatisfaction of the said Indians : in order, therefore, to prevent such irregularities for the future, and to the end that the Indians may be convinced of our justice and determined resolution to remove all reasonable cause of discontent, we do, with the advice of our privy council, strictly enjoin and require, that no private person do presume to make any purchase from the said Indians of any lands rejeiyed to the said Indians within those parts of our colonies where we had thought proper to allow settlement ; but if at any time any of the said Indians should be inclined to dispose of the said lands, the same shall be pur- chased only for us, in our name, at some public meeting or assembly of the said Indians, to be held for that purpose by the governor or com- mander-in-chief of our colony respectively within which they shall lie ; and in case they shall lie within the limits of any proprietaries, con- formable to such directions and instructions as we or they shall think proper to give for that purpose : and we do, by the advice of our privy council, declare and enjoin, that the trade with the said Indians shall be free and open to all our subjects whatever : provided that every person who may incline to trade with the said Indians, do take out a licence for carrying on such trade, from the governor or commander in chief of any of our colonies respectively where such person shall reside, and also give security to observe such regulations as we shall at any time think fit, by ourselves or our commissaries, to be appointed for this pur- b2 Eose, to direct and appoint for the benefit of the said trade ; and we do ereby authorise, enjoin, and require the ffovemors and commanders in chief of all our colonies respectively, as well those under our immediate government, as those under the government and direction of proprietaries, to grant such licenses without fee or rewiird, and the security forfeited in case the person to whom the same is granted shall refuse or neglect to observe such regulations as we shall think proper to prescribe as aforesaid. And we do further expressly enjoin and require all officers whatever, as well military as thoce employed in the management and direction of the Indian affairs within the territories reserved, as aforesaid, for the use of the said Indians, to seize and apprehend all persons whatever who, standing charged with treason, misprision of treason, murder, or other felonies or misdemeanors, shall fly from justice, and take refuge in the said territoiT^, and to send them under a proper guard to the colony where the crime was committed of which they shiul stand accused, in order to take dieir trial for the same. Given at our Court at St. James's, the 7th day of October, 1763, in the third year of our reign.— God save the King. It is an important additional fact in regard to the light in which Indians of North America were once looked upon, that their rights are stipulated for in the treaty of Utrecht. But on the other hand, modern writers on the laws of nations seem inclined to exclude them from its benefits. And modern statesmen carry this theory further, so as to sacrifice them by positive injustice in practice. Sir Francis Bond Head recommended the discontinuance of pay- ments due by treaty to certain tribes, on the ground of those tnbes being at war with our present allies the people of the United States — a matter undoubtedly deserving grave consideration in reference to the point especially raised, viz., the supply of arms ; but which also involves a question of international rights, on this occasion much too summaruy disposed of by the Canadian Governor. Lord Olenelg hesitated to adopt his recommendation, but his lordship does not seem to have taken entirely a just view of the case. (Meuage of Sir Francis Bond Head to the Legislature of Upper Canada, 29 January, 1838.) WrangBof VI* It is Strictly within the limits of truth to say, that the indiant, neither Uie Home Government, nor the Colonial authori. ties have acted up to the injunctions of those two documents of 1670, and 1763, which are unquestionably binding to this day; and the extent to which those injunctions have been neglected, fully ac- counts to us for the ruin of the Indians. That extent is proved, 1st. By the unjust and improvident manner in which the land of the Indians has been dealt with by us, — their insecurity of title, —and their actual removal from it in late remarkable cases under an oppressive and fraudulent treaty, — and by unjust contracts. 2nd. By the neglect of obvious means of securing justice to Indians in courts of law, in their participation of civil rights ; and in just regulations of trading with them. And 3rd. By the small provision of direct means of improving the Indians, in missions, in schools, and other institutions. Unquestionably the various benefits contemplated by the royal instructions of 1670, have not been conferred : and the frauds and nd \T0 do landers in mtnedialo prietarics, >rfeitcd in lefflect to aforesaid, whatever, irection of >r the use ever who, or other ce in the 10 colony icused, in r, 1763, in in which eir rights her hand, exclude is theory practice. of pay- ose tnbes e United ration in of arms ; , on this Governor. but his !W of the \lature of say, that 1 authori- J of 1670, ; and the fully ac- jroved, I the land Y of title, sea under "acts, ustice to I rights; mproving the royal 'auds and ubttMt mentioned in the proclamation of 1763, have been re. peated down to a very late period by the Government itaelf, instead of being repressed. We shall prove the unworthiness of this course of neglect and injustice by producing incontrovertible evidence of the capacity of the Indians to become civilised, and of their desire to accept the elements of civilisation at our hands, as well to be graduidly incorporated with the colonists. We shall also show that numerous colonists are anxious to pro- mote the civilization of the Indians. gii^^^^i^, VII. The undue acquisition of the Indians' land, and oMiit on In- encroachments upon it, are not new ; and the personal *"" '*°^' appeals of their delegates to the crown have been frequent. More than thirty years ago such a delegate, John Norton, had the countenance of the late Mr. Wilberforce. (£i/e of WiUter/orcef VoL III.) In 1B22., the younger Brant and Colonel Kerr, came to London on such a mission for the six nations. Subsequently the Rev. Peter Jones has come over more than once for the Mississaguas of the River Credit, on the like errand. And the visit of Heshton- a-quet has shown the Indians of the River St. Clair to be in the same danger. Other examples might be cited ; and it is believed that none have produced proper results. The case however of the River Credit Indians, nas some favourable aspects ; and it will be men. tioned fully. But these visits have exhibited Indians to the impartial English public most {avourably ; and they in that respect, as well as in some others to be mentioned hereafter, deserve particular attention. We pass by the earlier cases of alienation of land from the Indians of Upper Canada, amounting for example in the years 1818. 1819, and 1820, to 4,680,000 acres acquired by the Govern, ment for annuities of £3512. {Martins North America, Vol. III. p. 261.) The sum due annually to these Indians from the Crown for lands acquired firom them, was stated in the Parliamentary Pa. pers of 1834, at £5106 Currency, or £4426 Sterling. {House of Commons Papers^ 1834, No. 617, />. 54.) Those earher cases, appear to be more remarkable for general neglect of a proper system of treatment of the Indians, than for any extreme oppression and injustice in the bargains made. They did not invol/e the REMOVAL of the Indians from the unim- proved land sold, and still less the alienation of their improvements and farms. On the contrary, in the year 1823, a general reform of the old system was very seriously contemplated by the Secre- tary of State of that time. Earl Bathurst. One of your Sub- Committee was in fact employed by the Secretary of State in 1 823, to draw up a general plan for that reform, which had the appro- bation of the late Bishop of Quebec, the Honourable Dr. Stuart. But it was not acted upon. Beform of VIII. Before 1828, however, a reform was begun by the syston. Government in addition to what had been long doing h 6 usefully by the Moravians, the New England Company, and other Rooieties. It was pursued during ei^ht or nine years with ffreat success, although tne plan was defective in several material p tion and instruction in nusbandry, as circumstances may from time to time require. 3d. To afford them such assistance in building^ their houses, rations, and in procuring such seed and agricultural implements as may be necessary, commuting, when practicable, a portion of their presents for the latter. 4th. To provide active and aiealotu missionaries for the Indians at the Bay of Qumt6 and Gwillimburg ; and to send Wesleyan missionaries from England to counteract the antipathy to the established church, and other objectionable principles which the Methodist missionaries from the United States are supposed to instil into the minds of their Indian converts. I have &o. (signed) Jambs Kbmpt. In the same year Bishop Stuart reported to the Governor of Canada as follows on the subject. Quebec, 22d April, 1829. The first step towards the improvement of the Indians is to settle them in villages ; to make them stationary on the lands during part of the year, without which they cannot attend to a^culture, have any of the comforts or good habits of domestic life, or cultivate religion or educa- tion. It will be most profitable in the first place to attendjto the tribes who are in a measure settled, having villages where they reride the greater part of the year, and where the women and children remain all the year. Some of the nations have funds of their own in the hands <^ Oovem- ment, arising from the sale of lands. It would be very advantageous to themselves could they be induced to solicit the application of these funds to building houses in their viUaores, and a good school-house, which might serve as a place of worship tm a church could be built. When they have not funds of their own, and in all cases probably these would be found deficient, it would be desirable that Qovemment should assist them in accomplishing these objects. It would also be of great benefit to them that a blacksmith and carpenter should be stationed among them to aid in providing the necessary articles to carry on their agricultural pursuits ; and as two persons ought to be acconuno- dated with farms on the spot, their appointment would not occasion much expense. With a simikur view, it would be advisable to furnish them to a certain extent with seeds and instruments of husbandry, to enable them to till and crop their land. It would be expedient, at first at least, to allow the men to go on hunting excursions, and perhaps fishing parties, during^ part of the year ; out it will be desirable to diminish the time of their absence from home, and to occupy them on their farms as much as possible. In summing up this part of the subject, I have no hesitation in stating that the appomtment of a religious instructor, a resident minister, amongst them, is a primary step towards the accomphshment of the great object of their civilization and improvement. Attendance at school ought not to supersede the bringing up the children to agricultural labour as soon as they are old enough tor it. School in^ruction oueht in general (in a good measure at least) to precede tnat age, and when they are advanced to i\, education and 10 labour taaaht in some d^iree so on toffethec Here it if to be obfexved, thai placmg or boarding Indian chilwen in the fiunilies of white people is verjr expensive, and cannot be extensively^ useful ; neither neea it be contemplmd in the case of the Indians being formed into viUages, and it wiU be recollected that this is represented as a first and indis- pensable step towards their civilization. The schools at present established amongst the Indians in Upper Canada are, one in the Bay of Quints supported by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel m Foreign Parts ; another on the Grand River was formeily supported by the same sooietyi but this last school ia super- seded by tnose lately established by the New England Company of London. This company has recently turned its attention to the civili- zation of the Indians in Upper Canada. In 1827 they stationed a clergy- man of the church of England, the Rev. R. Lugger, on the Grand River. They have expended considerable sums of money in instituting schools, putting the church in good condition, and in contributing to the erection of a parsonage, besides promising a further application of their fimds in that quarter. They have supported a good school in the Bay of <^uint6 for several years, and they nave two or three schools commenced m the vicinity of York ; the^ are about to send a missionary to reside in that neighl>ourhood. Their schoolmasters teach the children in English, and it istcertainly a preferable system, circumstanced as the Indians are in Canada, to that of instructmg them in their own tongue. The Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts have allowed a salanr to a catechist, an Indian of very good character, in the Bay of Quint^ since the year 1810 ; they have al^ a catechist, an Indian, who is master of the Indian language, on the Grand River. Their mission- aries, resident in the neighbourhood of these two settlements of In- dians, have always been in the practice of visiting them and performing clerical duties among them. In 1826 the society established a minister among them on the Grand ^ver, but in consequence of a feeble state of health which had been of some continuance, he has returned to Englimd, and the society is now disposed to relinquish the field to the New England Company, and to apply tneir own resources elsewhere. Mr. Campbell, the society's missionary in the neighbourhood of the Mohawks in the Bay of Quints, continues assiduous in his visits and attention to the religious wants of the Indians of that settiement. The Methodist society support several schools among the Indians in Upper Canada, and their preachers minister to them in seveml parts of the country. They have been veiy successful in converting a great portion of the Mississagua tribe from heathen ignorance ana immoral habits to. christian faith and practice, and this improvement has been so great and rapid within these few years, that the hand of God seems to be visible in it, and it must be acknowledged that they have done much in the work of their civilization. An extraordinary reformation and conver- sion to Christianity has taken place in this tribe within a few years. It commenced on the river Credit, and has extended to various settlements of the nation to a considerable distance. A great ^ proportion of the tribe have become sober and industrious in their habitus, well clad as to their person, and religious in their life and conversation. The first and principu instruments in the reformation were two brothers of the name of Jones, who are of the reliffious denomination just mentioned; their father came from Wales, but tneir mother being a Mississagua Indism, they were well acquainted with the language of that nation; this circum- stance accounts in a great degree for their personal influence with them, and for the success oi the religious society to which they belong. Who- ever were the instruments, the eflfect must be a source of satisfaction, and it is ardently to be hoped that their services and those of other sGenenl Sir John Colbome, the following propositions for the amelioration of the condition of the Indians, and for their gradual amalgamation with the other inhabitants of the country, are confined. The finst measure to be adopted in the prosecution of these^ objects is to apprize the diflferent tribes, through the medium of their grand councils, of the conditions on which they may settle, and to ascertain, by those means^ the number of Indians who may be disposed to do so. Those conditions ought to be most distinctly and unreservedly ex- plained to them, to prevent them from hereafter upbraiding the Govern- ment with any violation of £Euth. In may also be advisable to intimate to them, that on the expiration of a limited period, the encouragement offered to Indian settlers will be with- drawn,, and that as the forest no longer affords them the means of exist- ence, self-preservation renders it incumbent upon them to settle, and to undertake the culture of the soiL The tribes which inhabit Lower Canada are seven in number ; namely, Huroos, A^nquins, Nipissingues, Amalacites, Iroquois, Abenaquis, and wandering Mic Macs. They are estimated at 3,437 souls, which, computing each family on an average to consist of five persons, gives a total of 6§J families. Many of the Indians speak French; a considerable number also speak English, and it does not appear that they show any preference to the former when uninfluenced by their priests. The rooted aversion entertained by the Indians to intermix with the white population, and with other Indian tribes, renders it necessary that they should be located in small bodies, comprising about 100 &miUes of the same tribe, in the vicinity of other tribes and of white settlers. By these means they will have examples to euide them in their farming ; their antipathy to associate with other people, it is hoped, will be grad- ually overcome ; and the amalgamation with the mass of the popula- tion be most efllciently promoted. With a view to lesson the expenses of opening communications with the Indian settlements, and of conveyinsp to them the assistance which it may be necessary to afford, those setuemeats should be established as near to each other as circumstances mny permit. One hundred acres of land should be granted to each family ; and though ^ou may considei* this a laiee portion to bestow upon such set- lers, yet in this cold climate, where the winter prevails for six months in the year, where 50 acres, of lots of this description, are necessarily re- served for fuel, building, fencing, &c., 25 maintained in pasture, and the remaining 25 only allotted for general cultivation, the proportion sug- gested will be found by no means to exceed the wants of the Indiui settler, and to afford the experiment a fidr chance of success. From the best information I have been enabled to procure, I am dispo- sed to believe that the object of attaching the Incuans to their farms, and of weaning them from their baneful habits of wandering idleness and dissipation, will be much more efficaciously obtidned by locating them upon country lots, than by assemblTng them in villages. The general terras upon which I propose that these lots should be gran- ted, are, — 1. That they shall be, in the first instance, granted upon location tickets. 2. That on receiving these tickets, the settlers shall take the oath of allegiance. 4||. 18 ' 3. That the terms upon which a final title to those lots shall be con- ferred, be distinctly expressed upon those tickets, namely, that two acres of kund shall be cleared and cultivated within one year from the date of the ticket ; that an additional quantity of three acres diall be, in like manner, cleared and cultivated at the end of the second year : and three more hy the end of the third year, making in all eight acres. 4. That within eighteen months from the date of the ticket, a dwell- ing-house, of dimensions not less than 20 feet hv Iff, be erected upon the lot, and that on all those conditions being duly fulfilled, a grant in free and common soccave shall be made of the lot. ff. That those lots shall be inalienable, without the consent of His Majesty's representative, and only bequeathable hj^ will to the wife, children, or relations, of the grantee, in failure of which they shall revert to the Crown. 6. On infraction of any of these terms, the lots ipso faeto to revert to the Crown. The Indian chiefs are elective, and are occasionally degraded by the grand councils of their tribes, with which therefore they cannot be sup- posed to possess any hereditary influence. I am nevertheless of opinion, that increasing the lots of the present chiefs to 150 or 200 acres each, will materially tend to ensure their co-operation in promoting the settlement of their tnbes. A lot of 300 acres should be nanted or reserved for each priobt, and 200 for each schoolmaster, from the rent of which their salaries may be in procpress of time defrayed. In tnose settlements the sale of all intoxicating liquors must be, as far as possible^ most strictly prohibited. The rations and agricultural aid with the Indian settlers will require are detailed in No. 2, page 98, but I imagme the expense of those rations may be occasionally reduced by the issue of fish, or other less expensive articles of food. Some expense will also be necessarily incurred on the orinnal location of the Indians, in surveying their lands, formin? roads, bridges, and schoolhouses, which may likewise for a time be used as churches, and also in affording such superintendence, religious in- straction, and education, as maybe found to exceed the means of the In- dian department. A memorandum of the probable amount of those ex- penses, so £Eir as it admits of calculation, is given in No. 3, page 99. A person duly qualified should reside with the Indian settlers, to issue their rations, presents, and such seeds and implements of husbandry as may be given to them; he should if possible be conversant with their habits, possess their confidence, and be capable of instructing them in the rudiments of rural economy. It would be also desirable that carpenters and blacksmiths should be induced to establish themselves in the Indian settlements, to make and repair their agricultural implements, ^ to teach the Indians to con- struct their houses, &c., and to instruct a few young Indians in those trades ; a portion of land might be granted to those carpenters and blacksmiths ; but as their time shoitld be for some years devoted to their business, they ought not to be permitted to undertake the culture of their lots, until their service as tradesmen can be dispensed with ; and as the Indians will have no means of paying for their work for the first year, its expense will, I apprehend, during wat period, devolve in a great mea- sure upon the Crown. The small portion of Indian lands now under cultivation by the different tribes are held in common, and the agricultural labours entirely devolve on the women and old men ; their husbandry is of the rudest description, and the produce of the laud very inconsiderable. '* The Indians are generally desirous of learning to read and write, but 1» fimhi thie faiadepoUiUog lohooImMten to educate the Indian In 1831, Sir John Golborne i^ain wrote as foUowa : *' If the Lieutenant Ooyemor of Upper Canada if enabled to proceed vrith measures which have been foUowed on the Thtynes, and on Lake Hmona and ffimcoe, I have no doubt that the Indiana residinff in this frovince may be ci^^lbed* and becone sood agri«mlturists, and, whilst am here, I shall be most happy to asmt in piomoting their welfiue and in securing Uiidr attadunent to Ilia ^ddlh^Goiwnment.* In the lame year 1831, Peter J<|iMk wai in England; and after ahow&ig to the Secretary of State, that the Indiana of tipper Canada bad of late much improyed in civiliaation, he oondudea in the following terms : — ''As our people are gtowing iMMer, they are much pleased- that our great &ther is taking a new way with us, and giving us usefiil things as presents, and that the firewateis is no more giten us. " I wisb also to say something about our lands. My Indian brethrra feel much in their hearts on this subject. We see that the countiy is getting fttU of the white pe<»ple, and that the huntinff will soon be destroyed. We wish our great ifuther to save a sufficient quantity of land for ourselves and our chUdren to live upon and cultivate. It is our desire that whatever lands may be marked out for us, to keep the rjg^t and title ourselvies, and not be permitted to sell them, not to let any white man live on them luless ne is recommended by our council, and gets a licence froin our father the governor. But we wish to feel that we stand on ovt ovrn lands that our &thers left us. I speak these words, because I have heard since I have been in this country, that the lands een graciously pleased to approve them. His Majesty, however, directs me to commend these tribes in the strongest pos- sible terms to your continued care, and to signify his express injunction that no measure shall be contemplated whicn may afford a reasonable prospect of rescuing this remnant of the aboriginal race from the calami- tous fate which has so often befallen uncivilized man, where brought into inimediate contact with the natives of Europe or their descendants. Whatever intelligence or suggestions it niaybe in your power to convey, respecting the condition of these people, and the prospect of their being reclaimed from the habits of savage life, and being enabled to share in the blessings of christian knowledge and social improvement, will] at all times be received by his Majesty with the highest interest. Sir Francis B. Head to Lord Gleneig. 20 November, 1836. Whenever and wherever the two races come in contact, it is sure to prove fetal to the Red man. However bravely for a short time he may resist our bayonets and fire arms, sooner or later he is called upon 19 by death to lubmit to hlf decree. If we itietoh forth the hand of firiend- ■hip, the liquid fire it ofibn him to drink, provet still more deatructive than our wrath ; and laatlj, if we attempt to christianize the Indians, and for that sacred object congregate them in villages of substantial log houses, lovely and beautiftil as such a theory appears, it is an undeniable fact, to which unhesitatingly I add my humble testimony, that as soon as the hunting season commences, the men (ftom warm clothes and warm houses having lost their hardihood), perish or rather rot in numbers by consumption ; whilst as regards their women, it is imjpossible for any accurate observer to reflrain fry white men and the Indian settle- menta, is the facility which such an arrangement might offer in the incul- cation, by properly qualifl«d teachers, of^ the doctrines and precepts of Christianity, without interference with the ordinary habits of life hitherto pursued by the Indians, and apart from the detenorating in6uence of a general intercourse with another race of men. The eflM XI. The dates of these despatches demand the grave^U of ninovai. Mention of the Committee ; the first being Avritten in Canada, in August, 1836, and the last in Downing Street, in January, 1837; so rapidly was the important measure of removing the Indiana settled. The effect on them is stated as follows, by an individual who had the best means of becoming acquainted with the truth : — " So distatu/ied were the Indians generally throughout Canafla at Sir F. Head's measage and despatches with respect to them, that it tvaa a matter of doubt /or tome short time whether they would turn out in defence of Government on the breaking out of the inaurreetion. But their loyalty to their Great White Father across the Salt Lake prevailed over their indignation. Memorial to XII. Against this policy a Memorial was addressed to iSdnuSS^^^^ Olenelg, in February, 1837, by upwards of eighty prqiect of Gentlemen in London, in behalf of the Saueeeng Inmans m Upper Canada. To the Right Hon. Lord Glenelo, Secretary qf State for the Colonies» ^ The attention of the undersigned memorialists has been arrested by a circumstance stated in the late address of the Governor of Upper Canada, Sir F. B. Head. They have learnt with regret from that address, as well as from other sources, that the territories of the Aboriginal pos- sessors of the soil have been still further reduced by the concession which they have been persuaded to make of a very large and important tract of very valuable land. The tract of land so cedeais not solely inhabited by wandcrin|^ and uncivilized Indians; but it comprehends within its limits a thriving and highly interesting Weslej^n Missionary Settlement, in which 200 Indians liave embraced Christianity, and applied them- selves with success to the arts of civilized life. Sixty of their children are receiving regular instruction in the Missionarj^ school ; and it is stated the eflTect of their example has been such as to induce many neighbour- ing Indians to join them. Your memorialists are far from wishing to impeach the character of Sir Francis Head, whose conduct on other occasions has evinced a desire to promote the welfare of his fellow crea- tures, They do not accuse him of adding to the British dominions by an act of violent spoliation of the kind by which many of our Colonies have been founded and extended ; they are willing to admit that his object has been to benefit the poor Indians, by obtaining for them a tract of fer- tile land, to which they may be induced to emigrate with advantage. Much as your memorialists desire to see the Aborigmes of North America advanced in civilization, and secured against the loss of their remaining territory, either by violence or persuasion, the object of this petition is, not that the treaty of Sir. F. B. Head should be annulled, but that the Secretary of the Colonial Department, who has already distinguished himself so much by the protection which he has afforded to the Aborigines of Southern Africa, will take the case of the Christian Indians in the r^Mi before mentioned settlement under his serious attention, and afford them his fatherly protection. It appears to your memorialists that those Indians who have cleared the land, ploughed and sowed fields, erected houses, homes, and places of worship upon it, have rendered themselves possessors of the soil by a stronger title than that by which their wander- mg brethren have held other pcnrtions of districts as common hunting grounds. And your memorialists implore that these Indians may not be considered as bound by the treaty, and compelled to remove, but that they may be allowed, and even encouraged to retain a portion of land adequate to the necessities of the settlement, with privileges and advantages equivalent to those enjoyed by pauper emigrants from this country, who nave yet to make the land their own by labour bestowed upon it. It is notorious that it has been extremely difficult to introduce civiliza- tion amongst the North American Indians. Again and again, after unwearied exertion has caused it to take root amongst them, it has been suppressed by removals, to make way for white settlers. Your memo- riahsts are induced to hope that the measure which they implore, and which justice and humanity unequivocally demand, will not only rescue the settlement alluded to from the fate of its predecessors, and allow civilization to advance there, but that the protection shown to it will produce a salutary effect on other Indian tribes, by exhibiting to them the advantages of civilization, and by teaching them that it is the only effectual means by which they can secure the undisturbed possession of their soil. Interview XIII. Subsequently in 1837, the Society deputed two Gieaeig!''* ^^ **^ members to communicate with Lord Glenelg on the subject of the removal of the Indians. Though his lordship appeared to the deputation not fully informed of the facts of the case, yet he seemed to have had a general idea of the ques- tion. It appeared from this interview, that his Lordship's conclu- sions might be influenced unfavourably by three errors which the deputation endeavoured to confute. They were, 1 . That the In- dians removed voluntarily, and that therefore no injury was done them. 2. That the Manitoulin Islands are really Jit for them^ SUPPOSING THEM TO BECOME CIVILIZED CULTIVATORS OF THE GROUND. 3. That the Indians are so certainly contaminated by contact with the white people, that nothing but removal out of their reach can prevent it. Aborigines XIV. The Aborigines Committee of the House of Com- committee. ^Q^g ^vas at this time sitting ; but it is to be regretted that its report mnde in 1837 expressly referred the case of the Indians of Canada to the colonial office, where their hopes were so feeble, and their peril so great. Memorial ^^* ^^ the Spring of 1838, when Lord Durham's mis- to Lord sion was settled, this Society presented a memorial to his Lordship, in the following terms :— . To the Right Honourable the Earl of Durham, High Commissioner of Her Majesty's Provinces in North America. The Humble Memorial of the Committee of the Aborigines Protection Society, established in London, respectfully sets forth — That in common with a large portion of their fellow subjects, the Committee of the Aborigines Protection Society cherish a most lively in- terest m the objects proposed by your lordship's mission to the Canada* ; and afford s that those ilds, erected themselves leir wander- ion hunting ns maj not remove, but I portion of ivileges and ts from this It bestowed lice civiliza- ig-ain, after it has been our memo- oplore, and only rescue , and allow a to it will ig to them is the only ossession of puted two rlenelg on ^hoiigh his f the facts F the ques- p*8 conclu- which the at the In. r was done for them, 3 OP THE linated by rAL out of e of Corn- regretted ase of the opes were am's mis- rial to his nmissioner Protection yects, the t lively in- Canadas ; that they regntd with unfeigned pleasure your lordship's appointment to that responsible office, and that they entertain a profound respect for that well merited reputation as the friend of freedom and of justice, which have procured for your lordship the confidence of her Majesty, and the hopes of the country. While the Committee earnestly desire that your lordship's talents, energy, and wisdom, may be made the means under Divine providence, of healing the wounds inflicted by war and insurrection, of allaying irri- tation, remedying grievances, and preventing party strifes, they beg most respectfully to commend to your lordship's attention, the claims and suf- ferings of the Canadian Indians — a class of the population committed to your lordship's management, whose rights are the most ancient and sacred, and yet whose grievances are the most afflictive and unmerited. It is not a question of privilege and prerogative which forms the ground of expostulation, on behalf of the ill-fated Aborigines of our Canadian pro- vinces. It is their very existence which is at stake. It is threatened annihilation rapidly advancing, and almost consummated, which has raised the voice of the Committee, imploring the interposition of the British government, whose faith has been repeatedly pledged to those sufferers, and who have not even a semblance of a complaint to urge against them. The Committee beg to submit to your lordship's recollection that the whole of those vast tracts which now constitute our rich and valuable North American possessions, were once the undisputed property of free and independent tribes of Indians. A large portion of that territory has been absolutely taken from them, and the remainder has been acquired by purchase or concession, on terms of more than questionable character. Many of the calamities of modern colonization have fallen heavily on the red tribes of North America. Resistance to unjust invasion provoked hostilities, and outrages created endless retaliations — the causes of those innumerable wars, perfidious alliances, and designing treaties, which have ultimately dispossessed the Aborig'ines of their territory. The once nu- merous and contented tribes of Indians, the rightful owners of the soil of Canada, are quickly disappearing by the sure progress of extermination. Numerous artifices have been practised to debase the character of the Indian, as well as to alienate the lands, while little has been attempted to reclaim him from the life of the savage, to improve his condition, or educate his mind. Intestine feuds have been fomented, tribe arrayed against tribe, mutual animosities and jealousies engendered, and deadly weapons introduced to make destruction more speedy and sure. The white man's intercourse has demoralized them, his traffic has de- frauded them, his alliances have betrayed them, and his wars have de- stroyed them. They have thus lost the virtues of the savage without ac- quiring those of the Christian. However upright may have been the intention of legislators, the ful- filment of their treaties has too often been left to the direction of men having a direct interest iu violating or evading them. In every transac- tion, pacific or warlike, the poor Indian has ever been the sufferer and his remonstrance is as vain as his resistance is hopeless. The overwhelm- ing tide of white intruders still rolls on. The heroic Indian falls before the pioneer of the wilderness, the avaricious speculator in land. In our commerce with the Indian, we settle the equivalent, and we gain the ad- vantage while he has no redress for direct outrage or fraudulent dealing. His evidence is not received in our courts, and justice is thus denied for wrongs inflicted with impunity. The Aborigines have diminished wherever they have come in contact with civilization. They- have perished by the violence and injustice of men professing the name of Christianity, and not by a law of the human 24 race, as asserted by a false philosophy, which charges upon a bountiftil Providence the consequences of the evil deeds of men. A very general prejudice has been acted upon, that the Aborigines are an inferior race of men, and scarcely entitled to the ri^ht of humanity. It has been conve- nient to contemplate civilization as impracticable, because it has seldom been properly undertaken. It is to the zeal and exertions of Christian missions alone, that a few Indians owe their preservation from the ruinous effects of vices, diseases, and consequent misery. It cannot be surprising that the efforts to convert them should have nad such limited success, or that a strong aversion should be manifested by the Indians to the ac- ceptance of a religion whose professors have invaded, plundered, and murdered them. Although the Indians have been represented as remarkable for their cruelty and ferocity in war, many years have elapsed since they have offered any violence to British subjects. Although perfectly sensible of the fatal change in their affairs, occasioned by the encroachments of the whites, they have been exemplary for their unshaken fidelity to the British government. Nor in urging their claims, can the Committee omit reference to that almost unanimoiis testimony in favour of their generous hospitality and unbounded confidence towards the European, borne by those who have had the opportunity of making personal observations on their dispositions and character. The Committee cannot illustrate this more forcibly than by quoting the language of Sir Francis Head, in one of his despatches to Lord Glenelg : *' Tlie fate of the red inhabitants of America, the real proprietors of the soil, is without any exception the most sinful story recorded in the history of the human race, and when once reflected upon, the anguish they have suffered from our hand, and the craelty and injustice they have endured, the mind accustomed to its own vices, is lost in utter astonishment at finding that in the red man's hearty there exists no sentiment of animosity against us — no feeling of revenge, — On the contrary, that our appearance at the humble portal of his wigwam is to this hour a subject of unusual joy. If the white man is lost m the forest, his cry of distress will call the most eager hunter from his game, and among the tribe there is not only pleasure but pride Li contending with each other who shall be the first to render assistance and good.'' The Committee avail themselves with great satisfaction of this testimony of the late Governor of Upper Canada, because it furnishes one among the many cogent reasons that might be urgent against that very policy which Sir Francis has laboured to advo- cate, and which it is a principal object of this memorial to oppose and counteract. The Committee beg to assure your lordship of the cordial concurrence in the sentiments contained in many of the communications made from the Colonial Office to the Canadian Governors and others, charged with the administration of the Indian department, as well as with several of the despatches and documents which those officers have sent to the Co- lonial Office, which papers are printed among the evidence furnished to the select committee of the House of Commons, on the state of the Abori- gines in our colonies. To save your lordship the trouble of reference, some extracts from them arc given in the Appendix to this memorial. The Committee are aware that the expenses of the Indian department have been considerable ; the friends of humanity and of the country ge- nerally, may well inquire why greater results have not been obtained. A careful review of the items of expenditure, will show that a compRratively small portion of the amount has been applied in a manner calculated to promote civilization, and consequently to advance the real interests of the Indians ; in fact, as stated in the evidence before referred to, the paym( secure of aui gratifj them even' suppli fence. less Ho whic the fo 25 ultimate object \vbich has been aimed at in these grants^ whether made a payment for land, or in consideration of service performed, has been to secure their allegiance, and to retain them under our control as a body of auxiliary troops. Our presents have therefore been such as would gratify their savage tastes or minister to their immediate wants, or enable them to pursue their original mode of life, as wandering hunters, without even the exercise of their own rude arts, bv which their forefathers were supphed with articles of clothing, and the instruments of hunting and de- fence. With increasing difficulties they have become increasingly help- less and dependent. However great might have been the injustice attending the process by which the territories of the Indians have been alienated from them where the formalities of treaty have been observed, the representatives of the original possessors no longer exist, and the lands have passed into the hands of those by whom tliey are now innocently, quietly, and profitably held. Restitution is out of the question, but honour, justice, and human- ity, aljke demand that every article in the treaties should be faithfully observed, by which any advantage has been promised to the Indian. That this has not been, is proved by official documents. Not only in succes- sive treaties with our officers, has the greater part of their land been taken from them for inadequate considerations, but under the ej'es of British authorities, as stated by General Darling, designing persons have in- veigled the Indians into the alienation of considerable portions of their valuable reservations. Even where they have shown no inclination to surrender their lands, they have found their tenure difficult and uncer- tain, in consequence of tne imperfect manner in which the terms of trea- ties, and the descriptions of territory, have been preserved on our part. The validity of the claims has been disputed, although their accuracy and fidelity in such matters are notorious and admirable. Sir Francis Head says, " An Indian's word when it is formally pledged^ is one of the strongest moral securities on earth. Like the rainbow it beams unbroken, when all beneath is threatened with annihilation. The most solemn form in which an Indian pledges his word, is by the deli- very of a wampum belt of shells, and when the purport of this symbol is once declared, it is remembered and handed down to father and son, with an accuracy and retention of memory which is quite extraordinary. Whenever this belt is produced, every minute circumstance which at- tended its delivery, seems instantly to be brought to life. It is not sur- prising then with this accurate knowledge of nieir reserved rights, they should be astonished to find that we are ignorant and hesitating respect- ing them, and delay the recognition of claims which we have no record to invalidate." These evils have till lately presented themselves at difierent times amongst the Indians of various tribes. But in the policy of Sir Francis Head, we observe, notwithstanding the tone of benevolence which he assumes, the avowed intention forthwith to deprive them at one fell swoop, of all their remaining reservations, taking a million and a half of the richest land in all Canada from one tribe, six square miles of fertile land from another, a like quantity from a third, besides various other pas- tures. Nor is this land wholly neglected and unoccupied by the In- dians, or such as they have held as hunting-grounds, but it includes so many infant settlements, in which, with much labour, and after re- {)eated disappointments, the germs of Christianity and civilization have at ength taken root with fair promise of fruitfulness. It includes cultivated lands appropriated by individuals, as well as houses, schools, and churches. At the very time at which the affairs of the Aborigines within the province seemed to have reached the point of their lowest decline, when the contraction of their borders and the extinction of theur game 26 appear to bave brought the absolute necessity of a new mode of subsis- tence, to second the gentle persuasions of the Missionaries, alluring them to the industrious and peaceful habits of civilized life, they are called upon to abandon the advantages which they are just beginniriff to enjoy, and are to be banished to the 28,000 rocks of granite, dignified by the name of Manitoulin Islands. On these islands, from ancient motives of veneration, calculated to render permanent their native superstitions, but perfectly useless as Sir Francis admits, for ever^ purpose of civilized life, the Indians flattered with the prospect of retaining their national charac- ter, and of finding the enjoyments which their foreiathers possessed, when they had the range of the whole country, are doomed to live on berries yielded by the few shrubs which can take root between the crevices of the rocks, and on the fish which frequent the shallow waters. It is obvious that they must invade the territories of other tribes, and engage in wars, serving the purpose of depopulating the country in readi- ness for the next advance of the whites. The Indians have hitherto been in the actual receipt of clothing, arms, and agricultural implements, with other manufactured articles from the British government, but these have been gradually reduced for many years past. From 1816 to 1829, the value of articles thus furnished, is stated to have been lowered from ^117,000 per annum to £19,000 per annum. Sir Jas. Kempt, Sir John Colborne, and other excellent officers practically ac- (][uainted with Canadian affairs, strongly urge the injustice as well as the impolicy of withholding these payments to the Indians, which treaties and long-established custom have sanctioned. Lord Goderich, in a com- munication to Earl Dalhousie, dated July 14, 1827, describe the stores distributed, as either subsidies to the tribes being independent, or as re- wards for past services, or as retaining fees in the nature of half-pay to those who have been employed in arms ; or lastly in the payment of land ceded to his Majesty's government. And yet m the same' despatch Lord Goderich suggests the ascertaining the amount of the stores distri- buted to the Indians with a view of mtimately withdrawing them. In conformity with this disposition to reduce, it appears that a tribe, of Chippewa Indians located on the river Credit, havmg ceded in 1818 the greater part of their lands to the crown, were zflssured the annual payment of £622 10s, which having been correctly paid for two years, has since been uniformly reduced to £472 10s., making a total deduction of £850, independently of interest. It is understood that a similar re- duction has been made in the case of all the other tribes. The Rev. Peter Jones, a Canadian, and connected with the Wesleyan Missionary Society, is at present in this country, seeking redress in this matter, on behalf of the tribe of which he is a chief. The mode in which the presents and annuities have been distributed, has also been such as to render them injurious rather than beneficial, al- though it n ay have been well suited to gratify the taste of the Indians. Every individual man, woman, and child, having any claim, however small to make, has been required to attend at the appointed pi? of distribution. Many families having had hundreds of miles to travel to reach this spot. No expedient could be more aptly devised to perpetuate the habits of unsettled life. As the wilds in which they are collected, do not afford subsistence for such a multitude, they feed on rations supplied by our government, and causing a useless expense to both us and them. The rum which forms a part of these rations, together with that furnished by traders, who attend on these occasions, gratifies and encourages the taste for intoxicating liquors, in which on such festive occasions, they are prone to indulge. No wonder that they plunge into the most profligate excesses, and are ready individually and collectively, to become the 27 easy dupes of the most disadvantageous proposals. No wonder that be- fore they can return to their own homes, they are constrained by ab- solute want to part with the whole or greater part of that which they have received to procure food for the journey. Hence it is that no incon- siderable part of the articles which we distribute to :he Indians, go to fur- nish the stores of the nearest American towns. In conclusion the Committee would venture to suggest that the Indians having hitherto taken a part in military service disproportioned to their number, in the province; and the character of their mode of warfare bein^ at once disgraceful to their allies, and irritating and horrible to their enemies, it would be alike expedient for us and tor them, either neatly to limit or wholly to abolish their employment on military duty for the future. Whatever fame may accrue to Lord Durham for extinguishing the prejudices of party, calming the turbulence of passion and softening the as{>erities of opposing factions at Canada, he will receive the rich reward of internal satisfaction no less solid and lasting from having rescued from annihilation protected and elevated the North American Aborigines and thereby set a new and noble example for the imitation of the civilized world. On behalf of the Committee (Signed) J. J. Freeman. J. H. Tredgolo. London, 3 April, 1838. > Hon. Sees. SUGGESTIONS. Your memorialists would not presume to dictate the precise mode in which the objects they have at heart may be attained ; yet they would take the liberty of offering some suggestions with reference to them ; sanctioned as tifiey conceive by careful attention to the subject, and by Jtast experience in cases somewhat similar as well as in the most sucess- ul attempts which have been made in favour of the Indians themselves. 1st. That all proceedings for the purpose of alien&tine from the Indians the whole or any part of their reservations, either by the British Govern- ment or by other parties with or without Government sanctions, should be absolutely put a stop to and that this measure should apply to all the cases of removal stipulated for in Sir Francis Head's treaties. It is not intended that this principle should interfere with such arrange- ments as may be made by such just exchange of land within the province as may be found expedient to render the Indian reservations defined and conducive to their comfort and advancement in civilization, by affording the requisites of water and soil, and adequate facilities for access and egress for themselves and the articles which they either receive or dis- pose of. The extent and limits of the Indian territory being fixed, the most secure and evident title ought, we believe, to be promptly given to them, and whilst they are put in the wajj of making proper appropriation amongst themsellves, they should be tied up from otherwise alienating any portion either by lease or by sale. The Indians' reserves thus defined and secured might, we submit, be recognized as distinct countries of townships, forming integral parts of the province in which they are situated. On such spots, the Indians might be perpetuated in Canada, as the Welsh have been in this coimtry, the Basques in Spain and France, the Fugitives from Epims in Calabria, and Sicily and many other reduced and feeble portions of the human race in different sifuations. 2. To all the Indians residing within the boundaries of our provinces, the fullest and most complete participation in the rights of British sub- jects should be distinctly and unreservedly granted ; and means should be taken to make them promptly aware of the fact as well as of the value of the boon and of the mode of taking advantage of it. Their present ignorance in these respects, though an impediment to their at once derivmg the full benefit, and a valid argument for their hav- ing the temporary assistance of well selected guardians, does not seem to present any reason for delaying the measure which it would be scarcely possible for them to abuse, but wnich would prove grateful to their feel- ings and a stimulus to their exertions. 3. The introduction of civilized habits and bona fide conversion to Christianity having mutually promoted each other, and proved the best security against rapid diminution in numbers, and tne baneful and demoralizing influence of profligate whites ; it is obvious that these ob- jects so often recommended m official documents both here and in the colonies, should be promoted by those means which have hitherto been the most successful. Every encouragement should therefore be given to existing missionary settlements, and the formation of new ones should be recommended and assisted. 4. All the payments due to the Indians whether for land, past services or for presents, which usage has sanctioned and taught them to expect as a right, should with their consent be so applied as respects the articles given, and the times and places of distribution, as may be most con- ducive to their real advantage and improvement. 5. The expences of the Indian department have been often noticed, past reductions may be followed up by farther diminution, and the grants themselves being in many instances limited to a specified term of years, it becomes a matter of first rate importance, that the payments whilst they are continued, should be administered with the most rigid economy. It is a point of obvious importance, demonstrated by past experience, that the different religious bodies should be advised to avoid clashing in their operations. Though they may advantageously combine for the discussion and arrangement of measures, designed for the general benefit, they should in practice each be recommended to confine themselves to distinct fields for labour, upon which they may exhibit a generous emula- tion to excel in promoting the advancement of their pupils. By such a course, the Romish Priests who are generally represented as hostile to the introduction of education, might be stimulated to encourage efficient teachers of their own persuasion. Of the Tribes of Indians situated on Territories regarded as British, but beyond the limits of our provinces, and not as yet settled or colonized. These Indians with little, if any exception, are universally described as having rapidly and greatly diminished in numbers v."der the influence of intercourse with white men. They appear also '^ h&ve been fearfully demoralized, to have been greatly dependent, and to be in some cas<;s, reduced to the extremity of physical degradation. These Indians may be divided into two classes, which however ire not well defined since there are some tribes which unite both characters. The first consists of those who live near our own frontiers, and also freely communicate with those of the United States. The allegiance of such Indians has been judged a matter of great importance to the Military Service of the Province whenever war has been in existence or its proba- bility has been contemplated. The character of our intercourse with them, and the nature of the presents which they have received, have been such as to blend the encournffement of their warlike character, with that of their attachment to us. They are exposed to similar influence from American agents, and they are a prey to the demoralizing practices of the border men and rival traders of both nations. In the state of peace which at present happily exists between Britain and America, it is the operation of these two last causes which is chiefly to be dreaded ; yet as respects these Indians as the means of securing the permanence of our frontier it must be well worth the attention of the Government to convert them from a wandering, uncertain and dwindling people into one which is settled and fixed and progressively advancing in intelligence and power. The reputation of a noble minded and magnanimous character, which some of these tribes seem still deservedly to retain, not only strengthens their claims but should encourage us to admit them. The second class comprehends those Indians who are engaged in hunt- ing for the benefit of the fur trade. Nearly all the Indians to the North and West are included in this class. Although many of the accessary evils to which they have been exposed, have, by the union of the two great trading companies, been abolished, there can be no doubt that the fur trade as it at present exists, is essentially a vast demoralizing and exterminating agent. From Labrador almost to California, and from Lake Huron to the Russian settlements in the North West, we are encouraging a system of human sacrifices at the accursed shrine of avarice. The fur trade though exhibiting itself in a less conspicuous form, is the own Sister of the African Slave Trade. We do not doubt but many who are connected with the trade, may plead entire ignorance of their participation in such a system, and not a few may lay claim to those principles of benevolence and Christianity, to which such a system is utterly repugnant ; but a careful examination of the principles upon which the fur trade is conducted, must inevitably bring the impartial in- quirer to the painful conclusion which we have advanced, and the few facts which are permitted to reach us from that remote and obscure re^on unequivocally attest the accuracy of the inference. We would not willingly reduce or limit the gains, which consistently with justice and humanity, may be made by those who are engaged in any department of British commerce, and whilst we regard the correction of these abuses, as a legitimate exercise of the authority of Government, and on which the integrity of our national character demands, we firmly believe, that, not only the Indians but that the interest of the fur trade themselves would be greatly promoted by a complete reform in the system. It would surely be more profitable for us as a commercial nation, to supply the wants of a numerous and civilized people, than to furnish the few articles required by the habits of savage life to a thinly scattered^ wasting and miserable population. We would therefore recommend, not only that care should for the future be taken to exclude abandoned and profligate individuals from the service of the fur company, and that the introduction of pernicious articles should be prohibited, but that every possible encouragement should be given to the tribes of Indians in question to adopt the habits of settled and civilized life, with the necessary organization to give stability to an improved order of society. For the attainment of these objects we believe that a few well selected and able missionaries, aided by native teachers chosen from amongst the Indians within the provinces, and train- ed in the best situations of which advantage ran be taken, would consti- tute tlie most economical as well as the most efficient agents. By inviting the native population, as soon as they can be thus reduced to organized departments, to participate the privilege of British Law, the integrity of our frontier, as well as their preservation and advancement, would be efiectually secured. Tlie immediate and obvious change in the business of fur hunting, would be that instead of family migrations made and directed by the wanderings of the game, in which the old, the young and the in- firm, finding it impossible to keep up with the active, are exposed to every species of fatigue, misery and privation, are frequently left to perish, Hunting parties consisting of suitable and able persons only, would set out well equipped for the service, leaving their families in com- fortable settlements te enjoy plenty in the absence and ready to welcome them with joy on their return. XVI. The memorial was graciously acknowledged by Lord Dur- ham. But there is reason to apprehend, that his stay in Canada was too brief to permit the case of the removal of the Indians, and a proper system for their future government, being then duly con- sidered. Report of In a report, however, of Mr. C. BuUer, Commissioner Mr.c.Buiier. q£ Lands under Lord Durham, printed this Session by the House of Commons, it is declared that, "In the return of granted lands accompanying this Report f No. 13,^ are included appropriations miide shortly after the termination of tne American war, (o Indians of the Six Nations, who had abandoned the old seats of their tribe to establish themselves in the Province under the protection of the English Crown, as well as some smaller blocks of land which were reserved lor the Indians of other tribes out of the cessions made by them of the land which they had formerly occupied. The land appropriated for the use of the Six Nations' Indians, consisted chiefly of 670,000 acres of fertile and advantageously selected land lying on each side of the Grand River, from its mouth to its source. At the present time, according to the statement of Mr. Jarvis, agent for the Indians, thev do not possess in round numbers, more than about 200,000 acres ; I beueve the precise . mount is 187,000 acres. Of the manner in which the large Eortion they nave alienated was acquired by the individuals into whose ands, as is stated by Mr. Radenhurst, it passed with the sanction of the Government of the colony, and nearly the whole of whom were con- nected with that Government, I coula not obtain any testimony upon which I could feel myself justified in relying. It is, however, certain that the consideration paid for it was for the most part of merely tem- porary benefit to them. The Government, under whose guardianship the Indians were settled, and whose duty it should have been to provide efiicient securities against any improvident grants, by which a provision, intended to be permanent, might be disposed of for inadequate or tern" porary returns, would seem, in these instances, to have neglected or violated its implied trust. To the extent of this alienation the objects of the original grant, so far as the advantage of the Indians was concerned, would appear to have been frustrated, by the same authority, and almost by the same individuals that made the grant. I have noticed this subject here for the purpose of showing that the Government of the colony was not more careful in its capacity of trustee of these lands, than it was in its general administration of the lands of the Province." The same report states, that very recently 3,000,000 of acres of fertile land have been got from the Indians by the Government. It also shows that some Indian lands so obtained from them by the Government have been resold for a price which seems to have risen more than £3 per acre, from their Indian improvements. ▼Ste^offhe ^^^I* "^^^ interests, however, of the Indians have Indians. not been deserted by their white friends in Upper Canada at this cJ public pj the comi fo business of [and directed and the in- exposed to ptiy left to >Mons onlj, |uies in com- ' to welcome (Lord Diir- in Canada fdians, and duly con- missioner Session by ^o- 13,} are 5 American >Id seats of protection 'nich were e by them Propriated ►f 570,000 3h side of sent time, Sj they do i believe the Jai^e 'to whose 'on of the '^ere con- >ny upon f> certain 'el;y tem- provide rovision, or tem- icted or y'ects of cemed, ' ahnost subject colony than It ' acres nent. ^ythe risen have inadft at this crisis. Two witnesses have made written declarations in the public papers in their favour ; and we earnestly call the attention of the committee to the following extracts from both these appeals : Extract of a Letter to Lord Qlenelg, relative to Sir Francis Head's despatches on the affairs of the Indians. I have recently read Sir F. Head's despatches to your Lordship on the affairs of t,he Indians. I claim, my Lord, to know something ot the habits and character of the "red man" of this province, and the pro- gress and effects of what Sir Francis sneerinely calls *' Christianizing and civilizing process " among them. I was the first stationed missionary at the river Credit, and was permitted to be the first instrument of introducing Christianity among the Lake Simcoe tribes of Indians. — I have ate and slept in their wigwams ; I have toiled day after day, and month after^ month, in instructing them in religion, horticulture, agriculture, domestic economy, &c. ; have attentively and with anxious solicitude watched the progress of Christianity and civilization among them from the beginning. 1 believe I am individually as " disinterested in their conversion as Sir Francis himself, I have had better opportuni- ties of observation, though T cannot pretend to that acuteness which he arrogates to himself ; and I do most unequivocally assure your Lordship, that every one of his statements (in the sense which he evidently wishes them to be understood) is incorrect, except his description of the Munedoolin Islands in Lake Huron, and his admission of the nobleness of the Indian heart, and the injury he has sustained at the hands of the white man. I here make the broad assertion. The subject will be fully investigated at the approaching annual meeting of our ministers, and the result will be transmitted to your Lordship. It is also probable, that petitions will be addressed to the House of Assembly at its next session, praying for a parliamentary investigation of the whole question. I numbly hope that your Lordship will therefore suspend your judgment upon these most extraordinary of all state documents, until the truth, and the whoh truth, shall have been stated. In the meantime, as specimens, to apprise your Lordship on one or two all-important points, 1 will just refer to Su Francis' statement, that the Indians readily consented to surrender the Saugeeng Territory, and to remove to the Munedoolin Islands. I can now state, upon the authority of the Rev. Mr. Stinson, (agent of the Wesleyan Missionary Committee in London, and one of the Methodist missionaries to whom Sir Francis refers, as being present on the occasion,) that the facts of Sir Francis' negociations with the Saugeeng Indians on tliose subjects, are substantially and in brief as follow. Sir Fraacis wished the Indians to surrender the whole of that territory to him ; they declined ; he endeavoured to persuade them, and even threat- ened them, by telling them that he could not keep the white people from taking possession of their land, that they (the Indians) had no right to it only as a hunting ground, &c. But the Indians were inflexible. They told Iiim they couM not live on the Munedoolin Islands, that they would not go there, that they wanted lands they could call their own, and live like the white people, and have their chil(uen taught to read. The council of the Saugeeng Islands separated. About an hour or two after. Sir Francis called them together again, renewed his proposals, persuasiois, and ^threats. The Indians refused. Sir Francis then proposed, that if they would surrender to him the territory adjoining the Canada Com- pany's Huron Tract, he would secure to them and their children the territory north of Owen's Sound, (which your Lordship will find men- tioned in his agreement with them,) and build them houses on it from the I> 82 proceeds of the sales of the territory adjoining the Canda Company's land. (The territory north of Owen's Sound is from fifty to sixty miles in extent; contains much excellent land, and is skirted with pfood fisheries.) To thig proposal, I am informed, the poor Indians did readily accede, with tears in their eyes : their hopes revived, and their countenances beamed with joy. Tliis was what they wanted — land secured to them, from which they could not be removed, where they could have help to build houses and settle their families, and where they could at length rest their bones. Such was the substance of what transpired between Sir F. Head and the Saugeeng Indians ; from which your Lordship will perceive that they entirely refused to comply with Sir Francis' /r«< proposal; that they never did,and do not now, intend to remove to the Munedoolin Islands, any more than Sir Francis himself intends to remove there, and that thev surrendered to him a part of their territory with a view of getting the other part secured to them, and assistance to settle on it. Such is the understand- ing, and intention, and expectation of the Saugeeng Indians to this day. I will notice but one other point in Sir F.'s statements. He represents to your Lordship that great mortality attends the civilization of the Indians. It is admitted, that Christianity does not impart to the Indian a new body, although it implants within him a new heart ; and therefore constitutions impaired by intemperance, vice, and exposure, may become a prey to consumption and otner diseases, after the Christian conversion and reformation of the Indians, as well as before. But is this mortality increased or lessened by the " Christianizing and civilizing process }" 1 will take the oldest Indian mission we have as an example, and the one the most unfavourably situated, according to Sir Francis' theory,^the river Credit mission, a mission within sixteen miles of Toronto, surrounded by a white population, embracing a tract of only 3000 acres of land, the Indian owners c' Tvhich were drunkards to a man, woman, and child, with one, and ohiy one, (female) exception. When I entered upon this mission, in 182V, there were 210 souls m the tribe, most of whom had been converted some months before, at the Grand River ; now there are 246. Some have removed to the village faom other places, others have removed to other places from this mission I am unable to sav w hich class of removals are the most numerous. The council of the tribe was called a few days since, in order to ascertain the comparative number of deaths during the last ten years, and during the ten years previous to their conversion. The deaths in every family during these two periods were ascertained as accurately as the memories of the older branches of each family would permit. The old chief stated the result as nearly as they could learn, that during the ten years immediately preceding their conversion, there were 300 deaths in his tribe; during the last ten years there had been from 60 to 60. This difference in the number of deaths during each of these two periods, the old chief feelingly ascribed to their becoming Christians. He said the Indians used to get drunk, some of them would fall into the fire and get burnt to death, some would freeze to death, some would starve to death, some would get killed in fighting with each other, some would die of consumption, from exposure to the hot and cold, many of the children would die of neglect, for want of food, and from the cold. Previous to the conversion of this tribe, they did not cultivate an acre of land ; since their conversion, they have cleared from the forest, brought under cultivation and enclosed 820 acres of land ; have grown the kst year nearly 900 bushels of wheat and corn, nearly 1100 bushels of pota- toes, 84 tons of hay, besides garden vegetables of various descriptions. They have 63 head of horn cattle, 110 pigs, 10 horses, 2 saw-mills, 200 shares in the Credit Harbour Company, have built several barns, and 30 houses, since the building of the first twenty houses for them by Sir 83 ly's land, h extent; ide, with I beamed •m which Id houses ir bones, eud and ;hat they ley never .anymore rendered -her part Icrstand- Jhis day. ^presents 1 of the ; to the irt; and sxposure. Christian ■ , But is civilizing- example, Francis' miles of ; of only rds to a cception. >ls in the t at the 5 village mission IS. The iscertain 1 during ^ family as the .. The n'ng the ' deaths 0. This )eriods, 1e said he fire starve would of the ' cold. a acre fought le kst I)ota- >tions. s, 200 h and 7 3ir John Colbomc, and more acres of land arc sown for t'ue next season tlum they have ever had before. Bemaiki on the late surrender of the Saugeeng Territory, and the ^noral treatment of the Christian Indians, under the administration of Sir F. B. Head, Bart, K.C.H., fcc. ice. be., Lieut. Qovemor of Upper Canada. No. IV. My three preceding numbers were prineipally confined to the eir- oumstanoes oonneotea with the surrender of the Saugeeng Territory ; this wUl be more general in its character, and present mots which, however widely they may be at variance with the offioiallv communi- cated opinions of Sir F. B. Head, are strictly true, — ^not bemg founded on mere supposition, hasty observation, or doubtful authority. It is due, however, to Sir F. B. Head to state, that the " Indian settle- ment " from which I write, is one of those " one or two trifling excep- tions " whic2i escaped the observation of his Excellency, when on his "inspectorial tour of the province." It is therefore to be regretted, that he had not availed himself of an opportunity to give us a call before he made up so hasty, and as I submit, so incorrect a judgment. The facts here made public may tend to disabuse the public mind and that of Lord Olenelg on the statements of Sir Francis, about the success which has attended the Christianizing and civilizing Uie Indians, fhey will show that one " Indian settlement," at least, does not present those fruits of the " accursed process ot oivih'zation " which his Excllency elsewhere beheld with his " own eyes ;" and I am confident that the most respecta- ble testimony will be furnished from other settlements in due tirae : proving, beyond doubt, that the character of the Indians has been slander- ed, the success of missions misrepresented, the extent of civilization and improvement underrated, and a deadlv stab aimed at those thrice- holy and exalting principles to the introduction of which we owe all our refinement and our superiority over our savage neighbours, and which are ''the power of Ood unto salvation to every one that believeth." The attempt to make fiirmers of the red men has not, as it respects this settlement, been a ''complete fiiilure ;" as the following facts may testify. Not quite four years have elapsed since the first in thi« tribe renounced while drunkenness, and murder, and adultery, and every evil work abounded, one, who could with stoical vanity have declared himself "disinterested in their conversion," might have exclaimed with F. B. Head, " We have only to bear patiently wit'a them for a short time, and with a few exceptions, principally half castes, their unhappy race, beyond the power of redemption, will be extinct.' Since that period, two hundred and fifty have been admitted by baptism into the Christian church. Of these one hundred and seventy-seven were adults. After dedacting deaths, removals, &c., we have at present one hundred and sixty-one members of society. It may here be remarked, that many who have in this frontier station embraced the Christian faith are those who, although during the last war they bore arms under the British flag, have since that period generally remained in the State of Michigan, so that the houses which were erected under the direction of Sir John Colbome, the Indians' friend, (whose administration will be long remem- bered by the red man, btit with very different feelings from those with which they contemplate that of Sir Francis,) were only sixteen in num- ber; and when the number of families is compared with the improve- ttrat made, the public will be able to determine whether we ought to give up io despair our efibrtf to make the aboriginea an agricultural people. Tliere hare been cleared, and were under fence laat aeaaon, not leM than one hundred and forty acres of land which was heavily wooded. The rails were split, drawn, and laid up into fence b^ the Indians, with very little, if any, assistance or instruction from wtute men. And althouirh the season was unfavourable to their com and potatoe crops, and Uie late disturbances prevented them from providing as they otherwise might have done, yet there are some who have Indian com and potatoes on hand to supply their families ; and they consequently consider themselves better oft than they would have been in their former "simple-minded" state, when living on the "berries on which those Indians feed," who " have been in the habit of living in theb canoes " amonff the "granite islands " of Lake Huron, or " further to the North and West.'' They are fallv persuaded that their present location is pre- ferable, inasmuch as it a£Eords fishing, hunting, bird-shooting, and frait, and also excellent com, potatoes, oats, ana vegetables in abundance. The Indians own several black cattle and twelve horses. One of them killed five good hogs last autumn, and some othen one or more each. Several barrels of fish, which were packed last autumn, have been sold to the merchants and others during the winter. Some who, when they became Christians were from one to two hundred dollars in debt, now " owe no man any thing ;" while their clean and decent appearance, and their sober conduct, declare most emphatically that our triendship and philanthropy have not altogether failed. Whether " congregating the Indians in villages of substantial log- houses " may be considered a " lovely or beautiful theory/' or whether what Sir F. B. Head declares to be an " undeniable fact," to which he so ** unhesitatinglj^' adds his " humble testimony, that as soon as the hunting season eommences the men perish, or rather rot in numbera by consumption," and that Christianity " haslmore than decimated itsftdlow- ers !" may be determined by a pemsal of the following statement of the number of deaths which took place respectively during the four years preceding, and about the same period since, the introduction of Christianity among this tribe. Number of Death* during four yean prwhu* to etniraeing Chrittianity. Natural deaths, hastened in most cases by drunkenness and other vices . . IS Died drank ......*. 9 Killed hy being stabbed, bruised, or otberwised injured by their associates, and in sevenl instances by their own relations, in drunken quarrels . 14 Burned to death by fiilling in the fire when drunk . . . S Drowned when drunk ...... .2 Poisoned by the Conjurors or Meedai, (persons frequently employed by the Pagans to avenge real or supposed injuries) . . .4 Insane through continued drunkenness, and eaten by wolves • . 1 Killed by accident when drunk .... .1 Killed by accident when sober ..... .1 Died in childhood ..... . .1 Total . ,47 Number of Deaths tince embracing Chrittianity. Natural deaths . . . . . . . .3 Total 3 In preparing this statement, I have been careful to obtain the name of every individual ; and should the almost incredible contrast lead any one L wo ought jpioultanU ii not leu wooded. Indiant, •«n, And oe crops, . M they dian corn sequentlj eir former ich those ciinoes " the North 9n is pre- and fruit, randanee. i of them ore each, >een sold hen they lebt, now pearance, riendship itial lof(~ whether which he >n as the nbers by ts follow- ement of the four uction of \Hittnity. B . iates. bjr It 9 14 t 2 » 3 ame of nyone lo qumtion ttf comotniM, I can ftimish a list with the nMnei of the peiioos, and the plaeea where the deaths ocenrred. With this state- ment before him, no person would doubt the truth of 0ir F. B. Head's assertion, had it been applied to the jMyan Indians, that they << wither, droop, and vanish before us, (like the grass of the forest in flames. But who can for one moment aoauiesoe in the opinion of the same per- sonage, when he publishes in tiie ear of the noble Secretary of State for the Colonies, that "Hel/Vxaf ion, producing deaths by consumption, has more than decimated its foUowers." The verv extraordinary sentence in Sir F. B. Head'a " Menorandum," in which he so ingenuously connects the missionaries and the women, I cannot allow to pass without a few remarlu. He sayi, "while ias regards the women, it is impossible for any accurate observer to refrua froni remarking, that civilization, in spite of the pure^ honest, and nn- remittinff zeal of our missionaries, by some acouned process, has blanched their babies' faces." The most obtuse intellect will perceive the tendency of this santenoe to induce a certain class of impure minded enemies of religion to ehuekle ovcr^ this double entendre. In the most &vourable light in which it can be viewed, it exposes its author to the charge of either irony or sarcasm, or both, in praising those women he intended to condemn, who, ''under the pretence of eradicating from theyimto/e heart the errors of a pagan's creed," have " implanted m their stead the 'f^rms of Christian guilt ;" or otherwise, to a highly censurable want of ciroumspeetion, in touching on a subject so delicate in its nature, in a manner pamfuUy indicative m a vitiated taste. Were the character of the Christian Indian females assuled from some other quarters, I should not deem it necessary to offer one defensive re- mark ; but when it has been attacked by the representative of the crown in this province, the ease assumes a senous aspect^ and demands a serious examination. The chaatity and reserved deportment, eveno f (hose converted fbmales whose former habits were loose and dissolute, are so striking, that the fact is not only the subject of gratifying remarks among those who acknowledge themselves "interested m their conversion, but as one of the Inoians once observed, " the wicked men swear at the mission- aries because our wcmien reftise to run vnld like the deer in the forest." Why did not Sir F. B. Head inform Lord Glenelg, in order to "the subject of the Indians in Umper Canada" beinr ''fiiirly o.^nsidered," that many of the adulte are oi mixed blood, and that consequently, *' in spite of the pure, honest, and unremitting zeal of our missionaries," this circumstance, vrithout any "aceureea proceee, has blanched their babies' faces. " IPad he really made himself ** acquainted with the Indian character," h< "^ould know too that "babies' fkces** being "blanched*' is no just criterion on which to ground the serious charge of adultery as a cliaracteristic of the effects of civilization. An intimation, at least, might have been given that all are not implicated in this crime ; but the unUmited phrase,. " while at regards their women" leads to the conclusion that adultery is the universal mark of degradation which accompanies the "accursed process of civilization." " It is impossible for any accurate observer to refrain from remarking" that " babies feces" are in all eases, even where the character is above suspicion and the blood pure, many shades lighter than their parents ; and that several months expire, unless they are much exposed by travelling, before they assume the distinctive hue of their race. This is known to all who are conversant with the Indians ; and could Sir F. B. Head, or any other such "accurate observer," meet those "blanched babies" in a year or two hence, the niddy counte- nance, the Umk black hair, the high cheek-bone, and the dark piercing d2 86 eye, would either compel him to retract liis opinion, or to give practical proof of the truth of the couplet — " Slander lirei upon succession ; For ever bousea when it once gets possession." To these statements we desire only to add our belief that both of these writers deserve implicit confidence; but that without strenuous support from England they will fiail. The Deia. X V III. We proceed to two other cases. The case of the wuM' MM. Delawares and other tribes, with whom the Moravian mis. sipnaries have laboured for nearly a century in the old colonies, and since 1783 in Upper Canada, is most remarkable on this headi Their station is at Fairfield, on the river Thames. At the end of 1836 the congregation of converted Indians was 282 in number ; and it was increasing ;* but of these, many began to think of emigration to the United States,f under which are mysterious.^ In June 1838, about 200 of these people actually emigrated beyond the Missouri. The considerable progress of many Indians in civilization, under the care of the Moravians, is unquestiomible. An author of credit on the history of Canada, Bouchette, (vol. i., p. 94, 1831,) said of these in particular, that the ''peaceable conduct and general de- meanour of the Indian converts showed some of the benefits de. rived from civilization. Their viUage was surrounded by thriving corn-fields, and tillage had made considerable progress in its neigh, bourhood." The adberenoe of this particular body to the British government in 1783, after having persevered from a much earlier period, in the old colonies, in a course of religious instruction and gradual improvement, against the most frightful obstacles of every kind, is matter of history. The extensive breaking up of this mission, in its place of refuge in Canada, is, we think, mainly attributable to what the directors of the United Brethren most cor. rectly call ** the precarioiu position in which the Indian tribes have been placed."§ The last act of the governor of Upper Canada is a strong illus.; tration of the system which has been pursued by our authorities against the interests of Indians who left the United States in 1783, to come to a British colony, and who have been at length driven, in 1838, to emigrate again from that colony to the United States. The act alluded to is a bargain made in 1836 by Sir F. B. Head with a small majority of these Indians, against the will of a large minority, and without having their old protectors, the Moravian ni.\3sionarie8, present at the contract. We believe the price given for this land, viz., an annuity of £1 50 per six miles square of " rich black" soil was much below its value, and that the whole transac- tion was an abuse of the influence of the governor, and ought to be reviewed. • Periodical Accounts, vol. xiv. p. 151, 289. t lb. p. «00, 351, 513, 518. t House of Commons Papers, 1834, No. 617, and Periodical Accouc*', vol. xiv. $ Periodical Accounts, toI. xiv,, p. 513. March, 18S9. willv practical that both without se of the t'ian mis- lies, and lis hea^ fans was *y began "lich are actually ') under »f credit said of [eral de- -fits de- thriving 'S neigh. ; British a earlier traction acles of ? up of mainly ost cor- es have r illus- lorities ites in length United Head large •avian given 'rich nsac- to be 18. St We have reason to believe that memorials in the colonial office will verify this statement. The River XIX. The case of the Indians on the river Credit is *'■**** ""^ another that deserves a more minute investigation thaii we have means of giving. Such has been their disquiet respect- ing their lands, that they have more than once sent an express mes- senger to London for security. The progress of these Indians has been set forth in the docu. inents already cited. His misrepresentation of the state of the Indians of tipper Canada has been illustrated in the forogoing account of the river Credit people^ taken from' the parliamentary papers. In 1837 they sent a special messenger, P. Jones, to England, to appeal on this and other subjects. This appeal produced the following despatch : Lord Glenelg to Sir George Arthur, Lieut.-Govemor of the Province of Upper Canada, &c. &c. » Downing Street, 27th March, 1838. Sir, — Tho Indian Missionary, Mr. Peter Jones, and the Secretary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, Mr. Alder, have lately been in com* munication ^ith me, relative to the application preferred by the former on behalf of certain of the Indian tribes in Upper Canada, for title-deed* of the lands which they now hold under the crown. I enclose herewith, for your information, copies of the letters which they have addressed to me. I need scarcely state that, in considering these letters, I have not failed to advert to the opinions expressed m Sir Francis Head's des- patches of the 18th October and 8th November last. I am of course sensible how much weight is due to Sir F. Head's opinion on such a subject; and with my present information, I should much doubt the expediency of adopting to th<) letter the propositions contained in the accompanying letter. Yet I must think that some measure may be taken for removing the uneasiness which is said to exist among the Indians in regard to their land. With this view I should propose that, at the first general meeting of the Indians, an assurance should be con- veyed to them, in the most formal and solemn manner, that her Ma- jesty's government will protect their interests, and respect their rights, m regard to the land on which thej are settled. It might be explained to them, that for the sake of themselves and their posterity, it would not be advisable to deliver into their hands the title-deeds of their property ; but that those title-deeds should be drawn up in writing, and recorded in the office of the commissioner of crown lands, of the fact of which record any person or persons deputed on their behalf may convince themselves by inspection ; that these title- deeds, so recorded, should be considered by the government as equally binding with any other similar documents; and that if the Indians, or any other individual among them, should at any time desire to sell or exchange their land, the government would be ready to Usten to their applications, and to take such measures as should be most consistent with their welfare and feelings. It appears to me that if a measure of this nature were adopted, any reasonable apprehension in the minds of the Indians would be allayed, while the danger of their becoming the victims of deception would be avoided. It would also tend to draw closer the connexion which unites 88 ihcm with the executive government, and to cherish those feelings of affec- tion with which they regard the sovereign of the British dominions. I am aware, however, that there may be impediments to such a course which have not occurred to me ; and I do not therefore desire you to consider the foregoing instructions as imperative. But I should be anxious that, if not the precise measure which I have suggested, some other of a similar description should be forthwith . « opted. In furnishing me with a report of the steps which you noay take in this matter, I request that you will advert to the statement in Mr. Jones's letter, respecting the annuity granted to the river Credit Indians in return for their lands ; and that you will supplv me wiih an explanation of the alleged reduction of > the sum which naa been agreed on as a permanent payment. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Olenelo. The confidence of the Wesleyan Missionary Society in the efficacy of this despatch was strong, and announced in the Watch, man newspaper of the 27th of June, 1838, in the following terms : Lieutenant-Golonel Sir Augustus d'Este, and the Rev. Robert Alder, had an interview with Lord Glenelg at the colonial office on Saturday last, for the purpose, as we underst^d, of communicating with bis lord- ship on the subject of the Indian reserves in the province of Upper Canada. The treaty which was entered into by Sir F. B. Head with a portion of the Saugeeng Indians, for the relinqmshment, on' their part, to the crown, of their territory in the Huron tract, comprising a million and a half of acres of the finest land in the province, in connexion with other measures adopted by the executive towards that deeply injured race, produced a degree of distrust and apprehension in the minds of the Christian Indians at the different mission station? in Upper Canada, under the care of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, which greatly inter* Tupted their progress in the path of improvement, and have been the means of breaking up one or two of those settlements. Under these circumstances, the committee of that society have on various occasions brought this very important affiiir under the consideration of her Ma- jesty s principal Secretary of State for the colonies, and it is due to the noble lord who fills that high station, to add that we have been in- formed that he has manifested the utmost willingness to listen to their representation, and to redress the wrongs of the poor Indian. It will afibrd great satisfaction to the friends of missions, and especi- ally to those who take a deep interest in the progress of scriptural Christianity amongst the red men of the west, to learn that a despatch has been addressed by Lord Glenelg to the present excellent Lieutenant- Governor of Upper Canada, on the subject of Indian title-deeds, which will secure to the evangelized Indians and their posterity the possession in perpetuity of the lands on which they are located, and which they have to some extent improved and cultivated. The settlement of this question is of incalculable advantage to the Indians, and the announce- ment of it t:o them will contribute to bind them still more closely to the mother country, an object of great national importance in the prcr sent critical state of the Canadas. Soon afterward further efforts were thought needful to secure the land; and in September, 1838, Peter Jones, the envoy of the Indians of the river Credit, presented a petition from them to the queen in person, praying that the land on which they are settled, and which they have to a considerable extent cultivated and improved, might be secured to them and to their posterity. B^ 'affec- such a |e desire lould be pi* some in this [Jones's return of the lanent CO. Alder, turday lord! >per With a »rt, to nillioQ I with ijured ids of uiada, inteiw n the these isioos Ma. le to 1 in- their >eci- ural Itch mt- lich ion lej his ce- ihe le le :o e d To this petition were attached sev *al jstrings of white wampum, and a few of black ; the white to signify peace and good.will, the black expressive of sorrow, and trouble, and war. By sending-buth the petitioners intended to inform the queen that, while they love her as their head, and rejoice in their connexion with the English nation, they nevertheless have cause of sorrow in the in- secure manner in which they hold their small reserves of land, which land they fear will in some future period be taken from them." The petition was graciously received by her Majesty, and re- instructions were sent out by Lord Glenelg respecting the Indian rights. Since which incident unsatisfactory intelligence has arrived from Canada; and we conclude generally that better guarantees than any now existing are indispensable, in regard to lands improved by In« dians, and also to secure the due disposal of the price given them for the tracts which they have alienated. Want of XX. In a subsequent part of this report it will be shown, ftmda. that the expense of various establishments essential to the improvement of the Indian, it is a great obstacle to their progress. But it appears probable that, if their land and its proceeds be duly administered, all difficulty on this head may be removed ; and the report of A&. Charles Buller to the Earl of Durham upon land, already quoted, has opened the way to a sufficient augmentation of those proceeds. Petition The sub-committee therefore repeat the recommen* I'Mommen- dation that the committee will procure numerous signa- ^^ tures to petitions to the Queen and to Parliament, to stay the removal project, and to improve the systems at present ex- isting for protecting and instructing the Indians. For the present, it seems sufficient to justify such recommendation upon the recent experience of Sir John Colborne and others, in fa. vour of the good effect of certain efforts to settle and civilize the Indians. IP Civil rigiitg. XXI. Our second point concerns the neglect of means of securing justice to Indians in courts of law, in their partfc^'pation of civil rights, and in just regulations of trade with them. The government has neglected the obvious means of securing justice to Indians in courts of law. The report, already quoted, of the Commissioners of Inquiry upon the Indians of the Canadas, declares, that they are disabled by the colonial laws to appear in courts of justice either singly or as tribes, which alone would go far to prevent an uncivilized people in contact with us, ever becoming civilized. It is not easy to conceive how a barbarous people can accommo.. date themselves to the usages of a civilized community, when they are studiously excluded from sharing in its laws. The Indians of Canada cannot be witnesses, if they happen not to be Christians, They have no vote; and extraordinary obstacles have been thrown in the way of their holding land in severalty. On these, and the like disabilities, they ought to be forthwith relieved. , It is a remarkable fact, and one that redounds little to our ere-., 40 dit/that in a declaration of independence, signed Robert Nelson, which was promulgated in Canada last year, the 3rd article was to the effect, that Indians should no longer be under any civil dis- qualifications, but shall enjoy the same right as all other citizens. It has even been asserted in print in Upper Canada, that pending the late proceedings as to their removal » bodies of the Indians were prohibited coming to the seat ef government, to lay their remon. strances before the Lieut-Governor, Sir F. B. Head. By imparting civil and political rights to the Indians, we shall give them a lasting hold upon civilized life, as by now doing them a signal act of justice in regard to their lands, we shaU give civilized society a strong hold upon their confidence and affections ; whilst by furnishing them through various institutions with the means of improvement, we shall rapidly qualify them for every station. The Indian XXII. In regard to the Indian trade, we propose to tesde. confine ourselves, in this report, to a few generau remarks. The case of the Hudson's Bay Company is the most important on this branch of the subject ; and we reserve it for future considera- tion. There is, however, a considerable trade carrying on with the Aborigines within the limits of Canada, and in the British North American possessions. Almost the earliest communications of Europeans with the Indians were commercial ; and it was soon seen that their ignorance exposed them to fraud and oppression on the part of traders. Various devices have been resorted to in order to check fraud and improve such dealing, and although no sufficiently good method of reforming past errors on this head has been suggested ; various expedients have been attended with a certain degree of success ; and it seems probable that with due care the Indian trade might be put on a satis&ctory footing. Old evils are, 1st, the supply of spirituous li(][Uor8 as barter to the Indians. 2ndly. The low price given them for their goods. 3rdly. Direct frauds, by which in particular cases, Indians are oppressed. Whatever may be done by positive laws to prevent the first of these evils, the other two will give way, ft is feared, only to ad« vancement in civilization. It has been attempted in various ways to protect the Indians from direct oppression. The proclamation of 1763, above quoted, directs a licence system for that purpose. In Nova Scotia the government once established a system of barter at houses and with goods of it>} own, for the same purpose ; and prohibited private trade, even with licences. Both courses have failed. Monopolies of trade in any form seem to be in all respects injur, ious to the Aborigines ; and they have proved especially injurious in the colder countries, where freedom alone, commercial as well I as ci^ allclasse improvei landers, fSsquima way Greenlai is proba wiUbe posts be wrong from dii violent I of lome ex ploivn. Then those w ing objf own liv holdth< domain! peremp having and in • cases, blood,' cause, illustre l«dgec "A Bherin] of the ■was o inserle was ei guage to am hast tl fromt good, not oi told I Hen< he in lande an ol of thi as if verse Inada meant prove insti 41 [Nelson, was to ^il dis- Mtizens. ending 18 were iremon. \e shall them m give bions ; |th the every as ci^ and political, is indispensable to that degree of prosperity of all classes which is calculated to afford the best foundation for the improvement of the more ignorant. It is certain, that the Lap. landers, whose condition much resembles that of Uie Indians and fLsquimauxs, were deeply injurc-d by the monopoly granted in Nor- way. It is equally certain, that the remarkable old colonies in Greenland were ruined in consequence of a similar system, and it is probable that a free trade in all the countries of the Indians will be the most beneficial to them, provided a good police at distant posts be established against particular wrongs, and the conduct of wrong doers be properly inquired into and punished on their return from distant expeditions. violent acta XXIII. The Same police and justice should be applied of tome ex- to the violent acts sometimes done by travellers and ex- piorew. plorers. There are two classes of travellers in new countries ; namely, those who consider that the discovery of a river, or other interest, ing object, may justly be promoted at any sacrifice not only of their own lives, but also of those of the people they visit ; and those who hold the duties of humanity to be superior to the enlargement of the domains of science. We recommend strongly that a stop be put peremptorily to the career of the former class. Precautions in having competent interpreters; in a proper liberality as to presents, and in approaching new tribes with some intermediary in all possible cases, will probably prevent the killing of the natives and the blood, which rashness and illiberality of explorers now too <^en cause. The following narrative, by an Indian traveller, will illustrate our meaning on the two important points, as to the know. l«dge of the language, and as to introductions. ''A civilized Indian of Canada, named Moncarhtape, travelled t Bhering's Straits, in order to gratify his curiosity, and get information of the country whence the North American nations came. His narrative^ was obtained from his own mouth by M. Le Page du Praty ; and it is inserted in the Modern Universal History. (Vol. xxxix. p. 897-) He was eight years on the journey, halting where necessary to learn the lan- guage tmderstood by the tribes he had to pass. I came one day, says he, to a nation whose chief bluntly demanded, who art thou ? what business hast thou here with thy short hairs ? I told him my name, that I came from the nation of Loutses, that though my hair was short my heart was good, and then hinted the design of my journey. He replied, I was not one of that nation, and wondered at my speaking the language. I told him that I had learned it of an old man, whose name was Salt-tear. He no sooner heard the name, which was that of one of his friends,' than he invited me to t^ttiy in bis village as long as I would. Upon this I landed from my canoe, and told him, that Salt-tear had directed me to an old man named the Great Roebuck. This happened to be the father of this chief. He ordered him to be called, and the old man received me as if I had been his own son, and led me to his cottage." — Modern Uni- versal History, voL xxxix. p. 399. inadequato^^ Qur third point was the small provision of means of im- provement. proving the Indians by missions, by schools, and other institutions. BtlttiDI IDMIU proving » XXV. One of tbe last appeals made by Pete? ^es in piovinfth?* England last Autumn, was for help to found a Manual Natives. labour School at the River Credit; the appeal was made in vain. The government seems to leave this whole subject in a great measure, either to voluntary societies, such as the Colo- nial Missionary Society, the Colonial Infant School Society, the Moravians, the Baptists, the Church of England, and above all, the Wesieyan Missionary Society ; or to such a body as the New England Corporation. The operations of the forui-jr Societies are well known to the Committee. They are highly useful, but the superior claims of more populous parts of the world, deprive the Canadas of a sufficient supply of missionaries &om them. The New England Corporation is less known. It originated in a subscription from parish to parish, in 1654, which raised £7000, and its funds were afterwards increased by the gift of landed eis-' tates. The income at present varies from £2000 to £15,000 a year, according to the value of timber cut from time to time. The usefulness of its establishments for instructing Indians, is recog- nized in the parliamentary documents above quoted, but no report of its proceedings is published. The Society of Friends does not support any establishment for them in Canada ; but they warmly advocate their cause ; and when the Earl of Durham went thither, they presented to him an address in their behalf. In the year 1806, the Duke of Northumberland and others, proposed to form a society to belter the condition of the Mohawks. The private Roman Catholic establishments for the benefit of Indians in Upper Canada, are also believed to have been eminently useful. * All these societies would do more, if they had more funds. But it is quite plain to us that the government ought to make a complete provision on these heads, for which purpose not only is the experience of these societies important to be consulted, — but they may in many cases be properly made the administrators of the funds to be devoted to objects resembling theirs. In fact it is impos. sible to deny that Great Britain ought to provide at once all the funds needed for all proper institutions, calculated to protect and improve the Indians. This country holds an enormous fund in the lands acquired from them ; and the Earl of Durham's commission has produced new proof, that the system of deriving an inexhaustible revenue from the sales of land is applicable to Canada. The indiani XXVI. The foregoing extracts, which have exhibited wish to be the advancement of Indians in many points of civiliza. civilized. ^Jqjj^ sufficiently indicate a disposition on their part to become civilized. But the policy of the several Governors of Canada, by which the efforts leading to that good result, origina. ted in some degree in inquiries which produced direct evidence of that disposition being strong, and clearly pronounced. At a solemn meeting of Indians in a remote part in 1827> a speaker appointed by the whole band, addressed the commanding officer in the fol. lowing terms : «« Fatbei ^scourse. "Fathe ment of a children o the same on paper, do ; we h our great "Fathe tell us, th 5 teat drui :he Grea I am sure misery ai beloved c happy. "FatlH cut up th how they " Fath instructe you wou hands, ai know ou theyhav work; v use then Christiat and ma^ making i « Fail trust thj dig witl At a Chippe "Ou avail oi of sucl "Fa ■ "It our fo becom whites «F settle* of ag the pi tiamt Th purp" "] T I ^fohen in Manual eal was subject fhe Colo- f ety, the Jbove aU, pe New Bties are [but the prive the ated in £7000, ided eis.^ 5,000 a e. The recog. report >ent for id when address others, lawks. lefit of inently • make a mly is » — but of the nipos. funds prove lands n has Btible bited iliza. rt to rs of ;ina. Jeof emn ited fol. 43 ^ " Father, wc thank you for assemblin^j^ your officers to listen to our discourse. " Father, we have observed with some decree of jealousy the establish- ment of a place at Michilimackinac, at which (missionary school) the children ofour great father (Indians) are taueht the means of living; in the same way the whites do, where they also learn to mark their thoughts on paper, and to think the news from Imki (to read and write) as you do; we have heard too, my father, something which gives us hopes that our great father will give us the means to live as the white people do. "Father, our young men who carried your papers to York last winter, tell us, that our brethren about that place, who, like ourselves, were great drunkards, and bad people, are now become sober and industrious. The Great Spirit favoiurs them because they know how to ask his blessing. I am sure if our fathers at York and at Quebec were acauainted with the misery and hardships we undergo, they would teacn us how to be beloved of the Great Spirit (to become civilized), and we would be more happy. "Fa *atlier, our great father at York has given our brethren the means to cut up the ground, (plough), and has taught them to cultivate the land ; how they are favored; we wish he would favor us in the same way. " Father, we might send our children to Mackinac, to get sense, ^be instructed) but we are not big knives, (Americans) therefore we wish you would deliver this our parole to our father at York, with your own hands, and tell him our wants. You have been a long time with us, and know our misery. Tell him we want such a house and good people as they have at Michilimackinac, to teach us to read and write, and to work ; we have arms, as well as the whites, but we do not know how to use them. Our hearts are dark, we want them made white (become Christians) ; how we should laugh to see our daughters milking cows, and making dresses for us, and to see the young men beating iron, and making shoes for each other. "Father, tell our father that we squeeze him hard by the hand, and trust that he will assist us ; tell him we want some hoes and spades to dig with ; don't leave our father until you get him to say yes.'' At another meeting in the same year, another speaks for th« Chippeways : " Our native brothers are desirous of forming a settlement, and we avail ourselves of this opportunity to address our great father on a subject of such deep interest to our tribe, " Father, listen to your children. " It is our desbe to come together ; many of us have thrown aside our former habits, and wish to adopt the habits of civilized life, to become Christians, and to worship that God which is known to the whites in the Good Book. [Delivers two strings of white wampum.] "Father, should our great father agree, we are desirous of being settled together, we shall then be enabled to pursue a rc^fular system of agriculture, and greater facilities will be afforded us in following the precepts of our religious teachers. Those that have embraced Chris- tianity akeady feel its happy effects. The Yellow head delivered an address for the women to the same purport. [Two strings white wampum,"] " He also delivered an address for the children to the same effect." These sentiments are consistent with our experience of many In- 44 dians^ during more than three centuries, from the days of Henry VII., when some of them adopted English usages in a very Temarkable way after a short residence in London, to our own times, when we have seen Brandt, and Peter Jones, and Heshtona- quet, making earnest efforts to bring civilization within reach of their respective tribes. The indiani XXVII. Nor has this desire been vain. It was the re- ^ng d^ mark of a secretary at war of the United States, General liied. Knox, that the opinion was more convenient than just, that thelndianicouldnotbecivitized; a remark which is even more^^orrect than the severe observation of Sir George Murray, when Secretary of State for the colonies in 1830, that ''if on the one hand there existed adisposition in the Indians to cling to their original habits, there was a pronenest alto in the new occupants of America to regard the natives as an irreclaimable race, and as inconvenient neighbours, whom it was desirable ultimately to remove." — House of Commons' Papers. 1834. No. 617- 688. The forgoing experiments of Sir Peregrine Maitland, Sir John Colborne, and others, in Upper Canada, immediately before Gover- nor Head's time, appear to us to afford abundant proofs, that per- severance will overcome the difficulties hitherto thrown in the way of their civilization by our vacillation and injustice. The following extracts, from books of good authority, and by no means written to promote the interests of the Indians, or devoted to missionary objects. In the Practical Notes on Canada by Adam Ferguson, an advo- cate of Edinburgh, published in 1833, it is stated, (p. 134) that in Brandford, belonging to the Mohawks, many of the Indians, by steady progress in acquiring knowledge, and in managing their farms, afford sufficient evidence of their capacity to be weaned from dissolute habits. Another witness to the fact that Indians are capable of being civilized, Mrs. Jameson, is the more trustworthy, inasmuch as her narrative directly contradicts the theory as to their incapacity of civi- lization, which she.unwisely admits, notwithstanding that her own experience of the recent date of 1836 and 1837, amply confirms the proof long and abundantly accumulated in their favour. The charming family scene among improved Indians mingled with the whites, introduced to the English reader by this clever writer, give an earnest of what the mass of them would soon become if their good tendencies were duly fostered. Mrs. Jameson was singularly fortunate in her opportunities of observing the Indians. At setting out she became personally acquainted with a remarkable member of a remarkable native family, into which she was ultimately adopted after the Indian fashion. This was the wife of a missionary of the Church of England, Mr. M'Murray, by whose attention another member of their family, Mrs. M'Murray's sister, married to the well-known and scientific American, Schoolcraft, was prepared to receive Mrs. Jameson, with a refined hospitality, justly repaid by our traveller's warm acknowledgments. 'The two sisters, and their children, to Mrs. But it is brated fo ties, inhc 8tory-tel Some duced in Mrs. tween la and her the read govemc that des This fur-trad given 1 wife, a Johnsto him for four dj 1812, At the States to thei ston, M talents mind, woinei in spil from 1 veneri Th with «C stronj two! had 1 arac *?.? ClVUl squa resp' me. law, the lool ven lab din she 45 |>f Henry a very I our own Feshtona. I reach of the re- General bust, that re correct retary of N existed ^re was a te natives whom it Papers. Sir John 5 Gover- hat per. the way ollowing ritten to ssionary >n advo. ) that in lians, by ig their ed from f being I as her of civi- er own ms the The ith the '♦give ■ their Tzlarly etting ber of opted >f the other the »d to id by their children, their brother^ the interpreter, are charming Indian studies to Mrs.^ Jameson, to which a general reference only can be made. But it is impossible to pass by lightly their mother, who is " cele. brated for her traditional lore, and her poetical and inventive facul* ties, inherited from her father, Waub-Oieeg, the greatest poet and story-teller, as well as the greatest warrior, of h?» l?ibe,* Some of the traditions of this tribe, the Chippeways, are intro. duced into the narrative, from Mrs. Schoolcraft's translation. Mrs. Jameson visited that tribe at the rapids of St. Mary, be- tween lakes Huron and Superior, with Mr. and Mrs. Schoolcraft ; and her description of what she witnessed, cannot fail of iinpressing the reader with the conviction, that it is sad blundering in Christian governments to subject such a race to a system of management, that destroys these elements of civilization. This respectable mother of the family, was the widow of ad Irish fur-trader, Mr. Johnston, to whom her father, Waub-Ojeeg, had given her " after making him swear that he would take her as his wife, according to the law of the white man, till death.'* Mr. Johnston was prosperous ; and his Indian wife lived happily with him for thirty-six years, till he died in 1828, leaving four sons and four daughters. He adhered to the English in the last war of 1812, and lost much property without obtaining any indemnity. At the peace we made over the country of this tribe to the United States ; and recently, the Chippeways ceded an immense country to their government ; but a large tract is reserved to Mrs. John- ston, who makes more than SOOOlbs. of sugar in a year. " Her talents," says Mrs. Jameson, ** her energy, activity, and strength of mind, and her skill in all the domestic avocations of the Indian women, have maintained comfort and plenty within her dwelling, in spite of the losses sustained by her husband ; while her descent from the blood of their ancient chiefs, renders her an object of great veneration among the Indians." The following extract presents Mrs. Jameson's first interviews with these untame^ble people. t( One of the gratifications I had anticipated in coming hither— my strongest inducement perha])S — was an introduction to the mother of my two xriends, of whom ner children so delighted to speak, and of whom I had heard much from other sources. A woman of pure Indian blood, of a race celebrated in these regions as warriors and chiefs from generation to generation, who had never resided within the pale of what we call civmzed Ufe, whose habits and manners were those of a genuine Indian squaw, and whose talents and domestic virtues commanded the highest respect, was, as you may suppose, an object of the deepest interest to me. I observed, that not only her own children, but her two sons-in- law, Mr. M'Murray and Mr. Schoolcraft, both educated in good society, the one a clergyman, and the other a man of science and literature, looked up to this remarkable woman with sentiments of afiection and veneration. " As soon, then, as I was a little refreshed after my two nights on the lake, and my battles with the musquitoes, we paddled over tne liver to dine with Mrs. Johnston : she resides in a large log-house close upon the shore; there is a little portico in front with seats, and the interior is most 46 comfortable. The old lady lierself is rather large in peraon, with the strongest marked ladian features, a countenance open, benevolent, and intelligent, and a manner perfectly eai^— simple, yet with something of motherly dignity, becoming the head of ^ her large family. She received me most affectionately, and we entered into conversation ; Mrs. School- craft, who looked all animation and happiness, acting as interpreter. Mrs. Johnston speaks no English, but can understand it a little, and the Cana- dian French still better; but in her own language she is eloquent, and her voice, like that of her people, low and musical ; many kind words were exchanged, and when I said any thing that pleased her, she laughed softly like a child. I was not well, and much fevered, and I remember she took me in her arms, laid me down on a couch, and began to rub my feet, soothing and caressing me. She called me Nindannis, daughter, and I called her Neengai, mother, (though how different from my own fair mother, I thought, as I looked up gratefully in her dark Indian face!) She set before us the best dressed and best served dinner I had seen since I left iToronto, and presided at her table, and did the honours of her house with unembarrassed, unaffected propriety. My attempts to speak Indian, caused, of course, considerable amusement ; if I do not make progress, it will not be for want of teaching and teachers. *' After dinner, we took a walk to visit Mrs. Johnston's brother, Wa- yish,ky, whose wigwam is at a little distance, on the verge of the burial- g round. The lodge is of the genuine Chippewa form, like an egg cut in alf lengthways. It is formed of poles stuck in the ground, and bent over at top, strengthened with a few wattles and boards ; the whole is covered over with mats, birch-bark, and skins; a large blanket formed the door, or curtain, which was not ungracefully looped aside. Wayish,ky, beinff a great man, has also a smaller lodge hard by, which serves as a storenouse and kitchen. Rude as was the exterior of Wayish,ky's hut, the interior presented every appearance of comfort, and even elegance, according to the Indian notions of both. It formed a ^ood-sized room : a raised couch ran all round like a Turkish divan, serving both for seats and beds, and covered with very soft and beautiful matting, of various colours and patterns. The chests and baskets of birch-bark, containing the family wardrobe and property; the rifles, the hunting and fishing tackle, were stowed away all round very tidily ; I observed a coffee-mul nailed up to one of Uie posts or stakes ; the noor was trodden down hard and perfectly clean, and there was a place for a fire in the mid(Ue; there was no window, but quite sufficient light and air were admitted through the door, and through an aperture in the roof. There was no disagreeable smell, and everything looked neat and clean. We found Wayish,ky and his wife, and three of their children, seated in t^e lodge, ana, as it was Sunday, and they are all Christians, no work was going forward. They received me witn ge - nuine and simple politeness, each taking my hand with a gentle inclina- tion of the head, and some words of welcome murmured in their own soft language. We then sat down. The conversation became very lively; and, if I might judge from looks and tones, very affectionate. I sported my last new words and phrases with great effect, and when I had exhausted my vocabulary, which was very soon, I amused niyself with looking and listening. '* Mrs. Wayish,ky (I forget her proper name) must have been a very beautiful woman. Tiiough now no longer young, and the mother of twelve children, she is one of the handsomest Indian women I have yet The number of her children is remarkable, for in general there are seen. few large families among the Indians. Her daughter, Zah,gah,see,ga,quay, (the sunbeams breaking through a cloud,) ^s a very beautiful girl, with eyes that arc a warrant for her poeticid name^sne is about sixteen. WayUih,Vyt that his eldei his fomily, ai sent to a col the white m( by Mrs. Jan Ooudwlll of lome colo- 1 nlttt to In- dian!. '^ Canada. £ the imputi alluded to The CI A missiont that embi Toronto, i dious trie even so I a missioi plans foi on the mate of is obvit if the i and &c1 well-difi wannn* effect Bav«BM « diieaie among Ii dians. inittee mittce notori small- Buttl tutior diseaj Amei Tl abov< hosp] acoot men frigl tribi Ii trib 47 |itli the >f* and Ihing of ?ceived Bcfaool- Mn. Cana- it> and worda lughed lember lb my ightet, iy own facel) ^Q since of her speak make (r, Wa- burial- . cut in id bent ^hole is jformed wh,k7, ^esas a esented Indian ran all overed htterns. rdiobe I towed one of clean, ^, but rough 'thing ree of y are hge- ilina- tsoft ooks 'ases was rery t of yet are ith en. Goodwill of lome colo- nliu to In* diani. Wayishfkv himself, is a grave, dignified man, about fifty. He told me, that his eldest son had gone down to the Manitoolin Island, to represent his fkmily, and receive nis quota of presents. His voungest son he had sent to a college in the United States, to be educated in the learning of the white men." — Winter Studiet and Summer Ramblu in Upper Canada by Mrs. Jameton. Vol. iii., pp. 87. 183. 211. XXVIII. It was a glaring instance of error in Oovernor Head, to suppose that his project of removing the Indians would have the universal approval of the colonists of Upper Canada. Some of these colonists, speedily, as has been seen, rejected the imputations implied in that part of the Governor's despatch alluded to. The Christian Guardian ahove quoted, and which may be called a missionary journal, is not at present the only Canadian newspaper that embraces the Indian cause. The Palladium published also io Toronto, designates the removal treaty of Sir F. B. flead, as " perfi. dious trickery," and his bargain for the land as " infomous ; and even so long ago as in 1821, when Dr. Morse went to Canada upon a mission nom the Government of the United States, to form plans for benefiting the Indians, and he found warm co-operators on the province. The importance of forming a correct esti- mate of tne real disposition of colonists towards the Aborigines, is obvious; and it may, we think, be safely conjectured that if the Government were compelled to be just and considerate, and active as in their favour, a powerful support from the well-disposed might be relied upon, whilst the errors, the luke- warmness, and mse views of the Government, have the pemicioui effect of even increasing the influence of their enemies. Ravages of XXIX. The ravages of diseases among the lndians,in con. amo^^n- sequenceof communication with Europeans, are undeniable, diana. In addition to the evidence offered to the Aborigines Com. mittee of the House of Commons, by two members of your sub-com. mittee on that head, it will be sufficient to refer in this report, to the notorious facts, that this people are generally healthy, and that the small-pox in particular, is often introduced by us with fatal effects. But the foregoing testimony as to the Indians of the Missionary Insti- tution of the Credit, now shows that with due care, this and other diseases may be greatly lessened among the Aborigines of North America. The tribes have all their medicine men; and will appreciate above almost all other things, the aid that we can affg^ them in hospitals, and by medical instruction and advice. The fbllovnng account of the ravages of disease apparently introduced by white men, refers to the tribes connected with the United States, but the frightful picture, which is of recent fetcts, is strictly applicable to our tribes, within our borders. SMALL POX AMONG THE INDIANS. St. Louis, Feb. 27, 1838. It appears that the effects of the small-pox among most of the Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri surpass all former scourges, and that 48 the country through tvhich it hns pnased is Utorallv depopulated, and converted into on* great grave-yard. The Mandans, consisting of 1,600 souls, had been reduced by the 1st of October last, to thirty- one persons. The Oroe Ventre*, or Minetarees, a tribe about 1,000 strong, took the disease a month later than their neighbours, the Man- dans. One-half had perished, and the disease was still raging. They, no doubt, shared the same fiate with the Mandans. The Ricarns, who had recently joined the last-named tribes, and numbered about three thou- sand, were most of them out on a hunting excursion when the disease broke out among the Mandans, and consequently received it something later. One halrof them had fallen, and the disease was raging with una- bated fury, not more than one out of fifty recovering from it. " Most of those that survived subsequently committed suicide, despair- ing, I suppose, at the loss of friends and the changes wrought by the disease in their persons — some by shooting, others by stabbing, and some by throwing themselves from the high precipices along the Missouri. The great band of Assinneboins, say 10,00^ strong, and the Crees, number- ing about 3,000, have been almost annihilated ; and, notwithstanding all the precaution used by the gentlemen engased in the trade in that remote re- ^on to prevent it, tne disease had reachea theBlackfeet of the Rocky Moun- tains ; a band of 1,000 lodges had been swept off, and the disease was rapidly spreading among the different bands of that great tribe, num- bering, I think, about 60,000 souls. I have no doubt but the predictions contained in my letter of the 27th ultimo, will be fully realized, and all the Indians on the Columbia river as far as the Pacific ocean, will share the fate of those before alluded to. ''This is a melancholy statement. We take from the red men tlieir fertile lands, and give them in exchange rum and the small-pox — the two most abhorrent scourges of the human race. But so it must be. Civilization will run its course, and the evils it carries in its train must have their victims. We may grieve, but we cannot hinder it. Tliat it was by the agency of white men the Indians received the disease, is shown b^ the following statement, from the St. Louis Commercial bulletin. The circumstances under which the disease was introduced are these : In the latter part of April last, Messrs. Pratte, Chouteau, and Co. started their steamboat, the St. Peters, with supplies for their various trading posts on the Upper Missouri, and she was destined to Fort Union, about 2000 miles above St. Louis, having on board, at the same time, the annuity ffoods due from the Government to a number of tribes on that river. When the boat arrived at the Black Snake HUls, a trading post sixty miles above Fort Leavenworth, and about 600 miles above SL Louis, there was a mulatto man on board, who became affected with what was then supposed to be the measles, but by the time the boat reached the agency for Council Bluffs, where the annuities for several tribes were de- livemble, it was ascertained to be a case of small pox, and, as a matter of course, had been communicated to others on board, though they bad not vet experienced its effects. The boat was then far advanced into the Indian country, had passed several tribes, with whom it was not practicable, under the circumstances, to prevent an intercourse, some of whom had no doubt taken the disease; and it must be obvious to every individual at all acquainted with the situation and wandering habits of all the Indians in that region, that no human efforts could have checked the progress of the disease, or prevent it from being communicated from the difiwrent bands, when once intro- duced among a single tribe. ^ It is, we apprehend, needless to observe, that all responsible precau- tions were used by the whites to prevent such a calamity. The agents of government were on board, ana independent of humane motives, both the interest dered such Mttlement of l)oun