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iPublUbcio' maxh

THE STORY

Metlakahtla

HENRY S. WELLCOME

ILLUSTRATED

"Materials for another KvanRplinp."— A''. V. Sun,

" 'J'lii; casp is one of ureat interest and involves a story of peculiar cruelty."

— N. v. Hi raid.

"Tired of Hritish rule."— A^ )'. World.

" They have decided to try to ^et the protection of Uncle Sam."

' — jV. ) . rrihune,

" A slory of outra>,'e npun, and crurlty to, a civilized Indian community on
the part of the Dominion of 0.\\VM\i\..'"~rr(K'i<i,-iu< Journal.

"The community is on the point of disor^ani/ation, and the work of thirty
years is threatened with di'slruction."— .S/>/«.i,'y'<'''"' Kifullican.

"The victims have decided to ro to Alaska if they can be assured that under
\nieri<an laws ihey will be protected in what they produce."— A'. 1". I'lDifs.
At Columbia, on the coast of the Pacific, a practical missionary tjenius
'■(I William 1 )inican, has succeeded in civilizing i\ body of Indians, de^r.-uled
niiiilialisin, and, at his Mellakalula mission, stands at the head of a coin-
unity ol some thousand |)eisons, which has a larger church than is to be
loundl). iween lli<r<' ai.d San I'lancisco. Trsliniony to the value of the results
w.is bniiic in 187(1 by Lord DulTrrin, then (lovernor-tJeneral of Canada, who
declared that hetould hardly (ind words to express hia ustonishnieut ut what
he witnessed."— ii'«i.)'</('/rf<»'/(i JiritiiHhua,

lilil.lslll'l) IIV

SAXON .S: CO.

LONIJON AND NKW YORK
1887

CorvRir.iiTEii nv
HliNRY S. WELLCOME,

1887

ALL RIGHTS RUSttRVEU

HR
kr4^

rt(INtmU AND BOOKHINOINQ tllMI'ANV,
NSW VORIU

DEDICATED

TO THE CAUSE

JUSTICE, TRUTH, AND HUMANITY.

•' Onck in an ancient city, a brazen statue of Justice
Q Stood in the public siiuare, upholding the srali-s m its left hand,

And in its riglit .1 sword, as an eml)lem that justice presided
Over the laws of the land and tlie hearts and homes of the people.
Kven the birds had built their uests in the scales of the balance.
Having no fe.-ir of the sword that Hashed in the sunshine above tnom.
Hut in the course of time the laws of the land were corrupted ;
Might took the place of right, and the weak were oppressed, and the mighty
Ruled with an iron rod. 'Ihen it chanced in a nobleman's palace
That a necklace of pearls was lost, and ere long n suspicion
Fell on an orphan girt who lived as maid in the household.
She, after form of trial, condemned to die on the sc.'ifTi.ld.
Patiently n\et her doom at the foot of the statue of Justice.
As to her Father in heaven her innocent spirit ascended,
1.0 ! o'er the iity a tempest rose ; and the bolts of the thunder
Smote the statue of bronze, and hurled in wrath from its left hand
Down on the pavement below the clattering scales of the balance,
And in the hollow thereof was found the nest of a inagpi-j.
Into whoic clay-built walls the necklace of pearls was uiwovcn."

INTRODUCTION.

A CTVIMZKI) Christian coniiminity of native
British Columbians, is nowscckin^j refuse under tiie
American flag from gross, and mah'cious persecution,
of Churcii and vState. This people, only thirty
years since, consisted of some of tlie most ferocious
In(h"an tribes of tliis continent

, given up to constant

warfare, notorious for treachery, cannibalism, and
other hideous practices. Although incurring great
personal risk, and several times narrowly escaping
assassination, Mr. William Duncan, with rare forti-
tude, and genius, began single-handed a mission
among them : he educated them, and taught them
Christianity, in the simjilest |)ossible manner; at the
same time gradually introducing peaceful industries;
and by these means he wrought in a single gen-
oration a marvellous transformation. A work that
stands absolutely without parallel in the iiistory of
missions. Where l)lood had flowed continu.dly he

INTRODUCTION.

founded the model, self-supporting village of Met-
lakahtla, — now consisting of a community of one
thousand souls, — that will compare favorably with
almost any village of its size in England or Amer-
ica, for intelligence, morality, and industrial thrift.
There are also several thousai'd other civilized Ind-
ians, of nearly the same standard, in the outlying mis-
sions under his influence ; who, aggravated by simi-
lar causes, will doubtless follow the iMetlakahtlans.
This successful work is now threatene'l with
utter destruction. In sj^ite of Mr. !3uncan's pro-
tests, the Church of England Missionary Society
through its bigotetl Hishop, has attempted to force
these simple-minded Christians, to adopt its elabo-
rate rites, and ceremonies. The Indians resent this,
and reject the Hishop. The Society in its efforts
to destrt)y the independence of the Metlakahlhns,
and comi)el them to surreiuU-r to its dictation, has
through its represeiitativi-s resorted to all maimer
of intrigues, intimidations, and even schemes to
cripple them by impoverishment. Tailing to crush
them by tliese measures, the Society's emissarieH
through great (^liiirrh influenci", have; succeeded in
inducing the (iovennniiit to seize a portion of the
Met'aKahtlans'land without compensation, ortreaty,
and iiand it over to the Si>ciety.

INTRODUCTION.

All appeals of the Metlakahtlatis to the Domin-
ion and Provincial Governments, have been treated
with evasion or contempt. In contradiction to all
precedents in British and American usage, and the
repeated declarations of It)arl iJufferin, — while Gov-
ernor-Cieneral of Canada ; — the authorities Irive
proclaimed, that the Indians of British Columbia,
arc, but beijgars, and have no rights whatsoever to
the land, and that all their land belongs to the
Crown. Recently the government authorities have
sent men-of-war, and taken active coercive measures,
to enforce their decision to despoil the peaceful, and
law-abiding, ^^etlal^ahtlans ; and in consetpience of
urging their rights by simple protests, without vio-
lence, several of the Metlakahtlans have been
arrested, and conveyed like criminals, six hun-
<lred miles from tlieir homes, and thrown into
prison.

Despairing of justice in their own country, and
preferring a ))eaceful solution of their grievances,
rather than avenging themselves by warfare, they
liavc unanimously empowered Mr. Duncan, to treat
with the (iovcrnmcnt at Washington for homc-
Htead land in A|;iska (the boundary of which is
but th'?'' ...les distant from tlvir present alxule)
whence they may remove, and re-erect their build-

INTRODUCTION.

ings, re-establish their industries, and secure to
their children full ri^ht, and title, to their posses-
sions. These sorely oppressed pe<^ple, naturally turn
to the United States of America, which has ever
been lo()ked to as the refuse for all those who have
been j)ersecuted by Church or State. Mr. Dun-
can, comes to this country bearing the following'
letter, signed by several of the most distinguished
residents of British Columbia :

"Victoria, l\. C, November i6, 1886.

"To THE LovF-r- OF Civil y\Ni) Rklkiioits

LiHFKTV IN AmKRICA.

" The bearer, Mr. William Duncan, for thirty
years a devoted missionary of religion and civiliza-
tion, in North British America, and during the
whole (f that period well known to the under-
signed, is on his way to Washington, tleputed by
the native Christian brethren of Metlakahtla, to con-
fer with the United States authf)rities, on matters
affecting their interest and desires.

I-,ike the I'il^rim l''atiiersof oUl, this afflictetl but
prospering and thrifty flock seek a refuge from griev-
UH wrongs, and liope to find it uiyler the American

They prefer abandoning the home of their fa-

INTRODUCTION.

thers, and the precious fruits of their industry, to
submitting' to the violent seizure of their land, and
the intolerable stin,qs of religious greed, and inter-
ference.

"V\^e therefore, most respectfully commend Mr.
Duncan, and his mission, to such brothers and
friends in our sister country— the land of the free —
as may be disposed to use their influence, in aid of
the oppressed.

[Signed]

IWsiioi', K.F,.C. Resident since 1S54.

"B. VV. I'KARSK,

Koiiuerly Suiveyor (Jenornl, Vnii-
cduver Island ;;dso Cliiff Cum-
missioner Lands and Winks,
Urilisii Cnlmnliin; alsi) Resident
l'".iij;iiiccr, 1', \V. I)e|iarlin(nt,
Canada. Resident since 1S51.

"W. J. Macdonai.d,

I-ife Senator iif the |)uniinliin Par-
liament nf Canada fmni Miil-
M\ Cdlundiiu. ReHident since
1H50.

"TUKNKR, BkKION & Co.,
Meiehants, HiiliHli Culmnhia.

"J. II. rURNKK,"

Member I'lovincitti I'lulianicnt, Vlc«
toiin, H. C.

xii

INTRODUCTION.

The touching appeal of these people, ought to stir
the heart, of every liberty-loving American citizen.
And it is to be hoped that Congress will secure
to them the small area of homestead-land, which
they require, out of the many million wild eicres in
Alaska. Our Government would thereby gain sev-
eral thousand, industrious, self-supporting, thrifty
settlers, as a powerful civilizing nucleus, whose
influence upon the yet wild, and savage tribes of the
great Arctic State, would be most beneficial.

My first acquaintance with this subject, dates from
a visit to the North Pacific in 187S, when I learned
much of Mr. Duncan's remarkable civilizing work.
From that time, I have kept myself well informed
in regard to his progress, and the element of discord
which now so seriously threatens to destroy his
prosperous com m u n i ty.

In writing TiiK SioKV oK Mi/ri,AKAirri,A, I have
drawn information from olTicial and other reports
of the North I'acific, dating from the time of Cap-
tain Cook's voyages to the present. Many of the
facts have been recounted to me perstinally by re-
cent travellers and explorers.

1 have alsf) had access to the Metlakahtlans' cor-
respondence with the (lovermnents, and, with the
Church of I'Jigland Missionary Society ; and, to

INTRODUCTION.

Xill

various State documents bearing upon the sub-
ject.

The chief object of this volume, is not to panegy-
rize either Mr. Duncan, or the Metlakahtlans, or to
make a tirade upon imaginary foes ; but more is the
pity of it, it is, but, to place the story of the indubit-
able wrongs, of the Metlakahtlans before the Ameri-
can peoi)le, and enlist public sympathy. I have
assumed the task voluntarily, and solely, at my
own cost, and risk, and I hold myself responsible for
the statements I place before my readers ; and chal-
lenge refutation.

1 have no interest to serve, save that of humanity.
If the book should meet with sufficient success, to
yield a profit above the absolute cost of i)ublication,
and distribution of a certain number of free ccipies,
every penny of such net profit to me, shall go to the
public fund of the Metlakahtlan community.

In upholding the cause of the Metlakahtlans, I
have endeavored to urge upon my readers, a humane
consideration of all Aboriginal peoples; and I shall
feel more than repaid for my efforts, if my words
should in any measure, result in promoting a better
understanding of tlieir capacities, and a recognition
of what is due them as fellow-men.

To my critics, it is but just to myself to say, that

XIV

INTRODUCTION.

in holding the chief object of the book in view, I
have been compelled to subjugate literary effect too
often to the recordance of heterogeneous facts.

Mr. Duncan has not come to the United States
begging for money, but merely seeks to secure to
these people actual homesteads, with suitable fish-
ing and hunting grounds. However, it will cost
upwards of $50,000 to move their houses and ef-
fects, to a suitable location on the Alaskan coast.
Could some means be devised by which the bur-
then, of this heavy outlay could be lifted from their
shoulders, it would measurably relieve the Mctla-
kahtlans from one of the greatest hardships in being
forced to abandon the homes of their forefathers.

It rests with our country, with its " government
of the people — by the people, and for the people "
to save this stricken community from desperation,
and perhaps, from bloodshed.

IIenkv S. Wdllcome.

Lotos Cutii,
New York, Mny 10, 1887.

OBLIGATIONS.

To those to whom I am indebted for information, and for ilhis-
trations I extend my cordial appreciation and thanks. Amun^;
these I must particidarly mention :

Mr. William Duncan for having at my solicitation placed at my
disposal requisite evidences and documents.

Mr. Robert Gordon Ilardie for sketches from drawings, photo-
graphs and prints.

Dr. Sheldon Jackson for information and photographs, and also
for illustrations from his book ''Alaska ami the Missions of the
AWth Pacific Coast.'^

Col. Vincent Colyer for use of drawings made during his visit to
the North Pacific Coast.

Miss Alice Fletcher for valunl>le information on Indian laws and
legislation.

K. Kuhamah Scidmore for illustrations from '' Jotinicys in
Alaskay

Julia McNair Wriglit for an illustration from ".Iz/io/i;^ the Alas'

k,ins.''

Kcv. J. J. IIalcomI)e for an illustration from " Stratij,',-)- than
/•iifioii,'^

In (juoling from authors I have given credit in the text.

EXPLANATION.

Mctlakahtla is pronounced Mct-la-kaht-la.
Tsimshcan is pronounced T'sim-she-an.
CAPITALS and Italics in ([uotations, I have
frequently taken the liberty of using at my own

,. ,. H. S. \V.

discretion.

CONTENTS.

CIIAPTEK I.

Days ok Pkrii,,

CIIAI'TER TI
The Arcadian Vii.i.ac.e,

• •

CIIAITEK III.

Halcyon Days,

CHAPTER IV.

EaRI. DUI'KEUIN AND OTHERS TesTIKY, ,

The Savac.e, ,

The Crisis,

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VH

Coercion and 'I'urmoii., .

• •

CIIAI'TER VIll.

CASIINli THE Toll,,

PAGK
I

. 22

144

169

aiS

as*

xvin

APPENDIX.

CHAPTER IX.

The Land Question,

CHAPTER X.
Seeking Home and Freedom,

SUl'Pl-EMENTAL NoTE,

PAGR
, 283

. 339

. 377

APPENDIX.

SUGGESTED PLAN OF MISSION WORK,

. „.,■..•,, »«• Indian Commissioners,

Mr. DUNCAN'S ADDRESS HEI-URE INDIAN V.

ETC., • • • ■

Mr. DUNCAN'S REl'-UTATION, . • * ' '

TOMLINSON'S REFUTATION, . • ' * *

AN AVl'EAI., .

SERIOUS LOSS TO THE PROVINCE, . • ' '

. CoRRESroNOENCE IN BRITISH CuLUMUIAN JOURNALS, .

I'AGR

379

384
401
411
428

430
431

ILLUSTRATIONS.

rORTRAIT OF WiLLIAM DUNCAN,

. Facing Title Page.

Aboriginal House witm Carved Totem Tole,
Dog-Eaters' Religious Orgies,

FACING I'AGB
I

Legaic, Chief of all the Tsimshean Chiefs, attacking
Mr. Duncan, . . . . . .12

Gold and Silver Bracelets, . . . -so

Sea Voyage in Native Canoe, . , , .36

Legaic as a Simple Citizen and Carpenter, . . 40

A Native Belle, . . . . . .62

Burning the Dead, . • . . . .86

The Metlakahtla Church : Built Entirely hy the
Natives, . . . . . . .128

The Devil Dance, . . . , , .148

AnoRiGiNAL Stockade, ..... 154

Carved Medicine-rattles ; Cedar Tray ; Carved Pipe ;
Carved < >Mit, . . . . . .178

Chief lying in State, . . . . . 196

A Drummer of the Metlakahtla Brass-band, . . aio

A Native Violet, ...... 334

A Native Hopeful, .,•.., 350

ILLUSTRATK )NS.

An Infant Aerial Tomb,

(iRASS-WOKK UASKET, .

Leader Metlakaiiti-a nRASS-BANn,

A Native-woven Man iue, .

Carved To tem Toi-e,

Native WooD-cARViNC,

David LEASK, Secretary ok tuk Napivk Councii..

PAQR
. 264

. 276

. 298

. 310

• 33<>
. 344
. 362

PACE
264

276

298

310

344
362

NATIVK IIOIISI'. Willi CAIIVKI) TOIKM I'Ol.lt.

The Story of Metlakaiitla.

CIIMTKR 1.

DAYS OF rKKII-.

A civil, I/lNc; work without parallel, alike re-
markable for the ori^^inal tlioii^ht and genius clis-
playeil, and f(^r the heroic courage in execution; is
that conceived and carried out by William Duncan,
in liritish Columbia, on the North I'acific coast,
near Alaska.

Captain (now Admiral) IVevost, returning to
Knglaiul from a cruise in the North Pacific, excited
great public interest by his accouiit of the terrible
state of barbarism that prevailed there. Mr. Dvm-
can, sacrificed a highl\' lucrative position in a busi-
ness house and started out for this field under the
auspices of the Church Missionary Society, taking
passage in a I ludson's Hay ( 'oinpany's sailing vessel,
which rounded Cape Horn. On reaching Vancou-
ver Island, Sir James Douglas, then the governor
of ijje I ludson's 1 Jay Company, urgeil in the strong-

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

est possible terms the folly of his attempting to
civili/.e the murderous hordes of the North l*acific;
asserting that it would be a fruitless sacrifice of his
life. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Duncan, persisted
in his determination to go on. and he was taken to
Fort Simpson, a fortified trading post of the Hud-
son's Bay Company. This post was protected by
palisades of heavy timbers, massive gates, and
flanked by four basli(/ns, with galleries on which
cannon were mounted, and strongly garrisoned with
rillemen.' Sentinels kept watch night and day.
So fearful were the commanding officers of the
treachery of the natives, that o'lly two or three
were allowed to enter the stockade at a time; and
these were admitted only through a narrow angular
passage to the great store-room window, where they
might pass in their furs in baiter for store-goods ;
also, great care was taken not to display too many
fine goods, to excite their cupiility. Diu'ing a siege
it was sometimes necessary to keep the gates con-
stantly closeil and barricaded for months at a time.
The walls of the fort, ami roofs of the houses
within showed many marks of bullets of the Indi-
ans, fired while fighting among themselves or in at-
tacking the post. Fort Simpson was the centre of
an Indian settlement, consisting of nine Psimshe.m
tribes, notorious on the whole coast for their cruel,
bloodthirsty savagery -given up to dark supersti-
tionsand atrocious habits of cannibalism constantly
waging merciless war upon th<; neighboring tribcH.

DAYS OF PERIL.

Their warfare was carried on with revolting cruelty,
and in taking captives they enslaved the women,
and children, and beheaded the men. As they did
not take scalps, the heads of their victims served as
their trophies of war, which — after the manner of
our own highly civilized ancestors in the last cen-
tury — were borne home on the points of their
spears ; to afterward dandle from their girdles din*-
ing their hideous devil dances.

Despite their atrocious barbarity, these people
showed evidence of superior intellectual capacity.
Their language, abounding in metaphors, is copious
and expressive, and with few exceptions the sounds
a»*e soft, sweet, and flowing.

In front of every hut was erected a totem-pole,
elaborately carveil with the figures of birds, or ani-
mals, or other objects designating the crest of the
clan to which the occupant belonged. Sometimes
the entire front of the hut was carved and st'ined to
represent the head and face of an animal or bird,
the mouth or beak of which served as a door-way.
Every article, whether canoe, fish-spear, war-club, or
spoon, served as example» of their skill in carv-
ing.

Among their various occupations ; they wrought
ami ox(|uisitely engraved bracelets and other orna-
ments of gold, silver, and copper ; and made baskits
and pouches, of a peculiar grass so closely woven as
to hold water, all cmbellisheil with uni(|ue heraldic
tlesigns.

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

A Stranger on visiting a village, could always
claim, and was always certain, to receive entertain-
ment at the hands of those of his own clan.

Before white men's customs were adopted they
produced fire by friction, by twirling rapidly be-,
tween their hands a pointed stick resting on the
edge of a split, against which was heaped a pinch of
tinder-bark teased into a fibre. They also boiled
water and cooked their food in wooden bowls by
placing into them super-heated stones.

The sea, rivers, and forest supplied them with
food and raiment. Elk, deer, bear, mountain goat,
salmon, herring spawn, oolachan, clams, and clak-
kass, a ribbon-like seaweed similar to dulse pressed
into cakes, and berries; were their principal food.
The oolachan, or candle-fish, is rich in a butter-like
fat much prized and very nutritious ; this fish is so
inflammable when dried that when touched with a
flame it burns, and is used as a torch.

The coast is as rugged and fierc as the natives
who inhabit it. liattling the elements in their
struggle for life the savages actually seem to par-
take of the character of their surroundings. A warm
current from Japan setting in against their coast
moderates the temperature for a few leagues inland
— the season however is too short to ripen cereals.

The Tsimsheans' beliefs and superstitions, are
mainly based upon their rich fund of legendary

lore. They have a version
the flood ; they l)elievc in i

f th

e creation, anc

I of

I good atui evil genius,

DAYS OF PERIL.

and in special deities who control the sea, the
storms, etc. They believe that the world was once
wrapped in utter darkness and inhabited only by
frogs. The frogs refusing to supply the devil with
oolachan, to be avenged he sneaked into heaven
and stole daylight, which was kept there in the
form of a ball, and broke it ovci their heads, and,
thus gave light to the world. The devil's chief
traits were lying and stealing. The world was at
one time very close to heaven, so very close, that,
the people in heaven, could hear the voices of those
on the earth, and, the people on earth, could hear
the voices of those in heaven ; — the children of the
earth made such a clamour, that they disturbed the
great Shimanyet Lakkah, and he shoved the earth
a long way off. In the next world the good will
have the best quality of fish and game, while the
wicked will receive only that caught out of season
and of poorest tjuality.

The medicine-man, claiming direct intercourse
with the spirit-world, held great influence over the
people, lie arranged himself, in the skin of a bear
or wolf, the iiead and muzzle of which formed a
helmet, the tushes falling about his temples; and a
hideously carved mask covered his face, armlets and
anklets of repulsive design encircled his shrivelled
limbs. To adtl to the ferocity of his appearance, the
exposed parts of his body were daubed with red and
black paint, and he was covered with pending charms,
such as dried skunk-skins, distended fi^h-bladders,

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

tails of animals, feathers, rare shells, highly polished
little horns, eagles' claws, engraved bones and teeth,
which dangled about him as he advanced into the
room with a series of postures and jerks. Armed
with a mystic wand and a huge wooden rattle,
fashioned in the form of an eagle, with a demon
carved on its back pulling out a man's tongue with
its teeth, he proceeds aggressively, to overpower
and frighten away the evil spirit by giving vent to
a series of unearthly wailing and guttural sounds,
vehemently brandishing and marking time with the
rattle. However, if not successful in frightening
away the evil one by these noises, he begins to hack
the ailing part and suck or burn it out. The Sha-
man received a liberal retainer, in view of securing
his cleverest arts, in exorcising the invading demon.
This evil spirit was supposed lO be sent by some
designing enemy; who if discovered was killed by
relatives of the afflicted. If the patient recovered
the Shaman received an additional fee, but, if he
died the fees must be forthwith returned, and some-
times, he also suffered death as u penalty for his
" had vu'dicinc ! "

One of the most marked characteristics of these
people is their inordinate personal pride and van-
ity — in fact, this is true of all the North Pacific
tribes. Hecause of a slight taunt or insult a man
will sometimes kill a slave or destroy all his prop-
erty, believing thereby he wipes out the disgrace.
Some years ago an officer in charge of a division of

"-, /

. ->.<>^ C^J^'-' -*•-'■ - - "^

r^A^

I)()0-KATKKS' KI'.I.UJIOUS (iRC.lKS.

DAYS OF PERIL.

an Arctic search expedition ; indiscreetly gave out
that he was about to send for a certain prominent
chief. Word of which reached the ears of the chief
in question, who was in the habit of being ivaited
upon, or the honor of his presence requested, so,
when tlie officer's emissaries arrived, they were
carved, and grilled, and eaten by the affronted chief
and his council — this to wipe out the insult.

It was the ambition of every Indian to accumu-*
late as much property as possible. Even depriving
himself and his family for many years, of the ordi-
nary comforts of life in his hoarding, in order some
day to hold a great feast which should outrival in
display those given by his neighbors. On such an
occasion he gave away all his property, consisting
mainly of blankets — a common form of currency.
In doing this, he secured recognition as being a
great man in his tribe and thenceforth, took a cer-
tain prominent rank.

It is their custom to confine for one month in
an isolated cabin girls when attaining the age of
puberty, usually their thirteenth year. No one is
allowed to see them during this time, and it is
supposed that they are away on a voyage to the
moon, or to some other celestial abode ; and at
the end of the month they return to their people
amid great feasting and rejoicing. It is on the oc-
casion of a feast accompanying the Potlach, or giv-
ing away, or destroying of i)roperty ; or, the return
of a maiden, or the initiating of youth into the

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

mysteries of Shamanism, that dog-eating and canni-
balism^ devil-dancing and other wild revelries, occur.

Shortly after Mr. Duncan's arrival he witnessed,
while standing on the gallery of one of the bast-
ions, a most sickening sight : a party of hideously
painted and bedecked cannibals, tearing limb from
limb, the body of a woman who had just been
foully murdered by a chief, each struggling for a
morsel of the human flesh, which they devoured,
accompanying their fiendish orgies with unearthly
howls, and weird beat of their medicine-drums.
Bespattered with the blood of their victim, mad-
dened with rum, frenzied by their hysterical en-
thusiasm in these superstitious rites, they wrought
themselves into a wild and furious delirium, imi-
tating ravenous wolves in their ferocity. These
ceremonies continued during the night, and were
followed by debaucheries lasting for several days,
during which most terrible atrocities were perpe-
trated, several of their number being slain, just
without the gates of the fort.

Such scenes as those v ell might quail the stout-
est heart — but, on the CMitrary, to Mr. Duncan, they
proved a stimulus to iiis intrepid determination to
rescue them, from their benighted state.

In one of his letters he writes : — " To attempt to
describe their condition would be but to produce a
dark, revolting picture of human depravity. The
dark mantle of degrading superstition envelopes
them all, and their savage spirits, swayed by pride,

DAYS OF PERIL.

jealousy, and revenge, were ever hurrying them on to
deeds of blood. Their history is little else than a
chapter of crime and misery." Without a moment's
delay he secured the services of Clah, one of the
most intelligent Tsimshean natives, to assist him in
learning their language in his quarters within the
walls of the fort. No white man having yet mas-
tered their tongue, all intercourse with these people
had been through the medium of the Chinook jar-
gon, and, a sign language common to the coast.
The jargon, however, was too incomplete for teach-
ing purposes, hence, Mr. Duncan, saw that to reach
the inner life of the people, he must gain a thorough
knowledge of the language, in which they formu-
lated their thoughts.

With great patience and rare ingenuity, by means
of signs, gestures, and objects, Mr. Duncan soon
secured from Clah a fair vocabulary of Tsimshean
words, which he wrote down phonetically, and as
soon as possible began to construct sentences. At
the end of several months he was able to write out
a simple address, explanatory of his mission among
tlicm. However, in the meantime, through Clah, he
had already conveyed to the Indians, the information
that a white man had come, not, to barter, or get
gain, but to bring them a message from the white
man's God, and to teach them the knowledge of
those things in which the white man, was superior
to the red man. This naturally excited the curi-
osity of the Indians, and finally, when Mr. Duncan,

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

ventured out among them, in spite of the warning
of the ofificers of the fort, lie was warmly received
by the cliiefs and people, who regarded him, as some
supernatural being.

In deference to their tribal customs, Mr. Duncan,
found it necessary to speaU to the people of each
of the nine Tsimshean tribes, at the houses of their
respective chiefs, during ihe same day. In some
instances, when Mr. Duncan, saw that the people
gave mo;e attei.'ion to his buttons, or the cut of
his garments, than to his words; he repeated his
address until they did listen and comprehend his
message.

Mr. Duncan, had not ventured to address ♦hem
until he felt certain he could make himself cleariy
ujidi'istood. IIw had made it a special stuily to
•icqui.e their picturescjue and expressive figures of
speech. Literal translations into Indian tongues
are V(.ry barren, and often extremely droll. One
dignitary of the Church, who hcgan his address to
a coast tribe — ** Children of the forest " — was not a
little contused when he fv)und that his interpreter
could only render it, in the Chinook jargon, '/\in<iss
man cuf^ah liyyu stick — signifying, little men among
many sticks or stumps.

In the simplest possible manner, after their own
method framing his ipeech in that peculiar figura-
tive; language that appealed most directly to their
understanding, Mr. Duncan, told them the story of
the Uible, ami ihe Saviour, Jesus Christ ; and

DAYS OF PERIL.

pointed out to them the grave sin of taking human
life; and the abomination of their present heathen-
ish practices ; and pictured to them.the benefits of a
true Christian life.

Mr. Duncan, opened a school at the house of one
of the chiefs. This school was eagerly attended
both by children and adults. r''inding the Indians
so responsive, he, with the assistance of a few of
his most zealous followers, crjctod a log school-
house. In this new building his work prospered.
Soon he had an attendance t)f about two hundred
])upil'., including children and ailults, among the
latter being numbered sevenil chiefs. 'I'here was evi-
dently a general desire for instruction, and a strong
feeling prevailed that the white man, possessed
some grand secret about eternal things which, even
if it involveil the overthrow of tlieir most cherished
superstitions, they were intensely anxious to know.

\iy fre(]uent visitation to tlio houses of tlie people
of all classes, and !)y searching out and ministering
to the sick, he gaineil a fair insight into their lives,
familiarized himself with their customs, and un-
iocketl a special entrance to their hearts.

t<.

■• lie who would ({iiin

A (onil, full lienn

SlmuM nnck it wluMi '(U aorc, nlliiy iU pain,
Willi italiii liy pity prcsl i 'tis all dis own mi luld."

The Shamans, or mcdiclnc-chlefs, saw in Mr.
Ihmcan's teachings the utter destruction ol tiieir

TIM', STORY OF MK TLAKAI I TLA.

craft, for with education and enlightenment ultimate-
ly the people would cease to believe in their empty
sorceries ; therefore, they determined to thwart him.
One day he received notice from Legale, the head
chief oi all the tribes, to stoj) his school for a month
during the season of the Medicine Feast. Recog-
nizing that compliance would be regarded as a sur-
render, he firmly refused to close his school so long
as pupils came to be taught. Legale threatened the
lives of Mr. Duncan uul his pupils if he diil r :t
yield.

Mr. Duncan, fi'arlessly continued his work-, and
that day struck the steel which served as a bell to
call the children together as usual. I'^inding he
was not to be intimidated by threats, Legtiic, fol-
lowed by a party of meilicine-men, all hideously
painted, and decked in feathers and charms, rushed
into the school, i'he scholars fled from fear, but
Mr. Duncan, met Legale face to face, and believing
that they opected tt) overcome him by their num-
bers and frightful appearance, he spoke in a calm
and conciliatory lone ; pointing out the evil of their
ways, urging them lo accept liis teachings— ai the
same time aswuring them (hat their threats would
be witiiout avail. Legale, who was fued with drink,
and in a furious passion savagely gesticulating, re-
plied that he iiimself, and iiis companions were
murderers, and the white ma'^'s te.ichings 'nild do
them no gooii. Mr. Duncan, continued to aodn'ss
them pacifically. At one moment, Legale, .ippearetl

)Mt

in-
line
u'ir
\\\c

illcl
ink,
re-
ive re
1 do
IrcsH
aird

DAYS OK TERIL.

to weaken, but one of his confederates taunted him ;
and demanded, if he had valor, then, to cut off the
white man's head, and he would kick it on the beach.
Legaic's pride was stung by this and he drew his
knife, and was about to make a thrust, when sud-
denly his arm fell as if smitten with paralysis, and
he cowed and slunk away.

Unknown to Mr. Duncan, Clah, his faithful pupil-
teacher, — who had himself been a murderer previous
to his conversion, — heari. of Legaic's designs, had
armed himself with a revolver and crept quietly into
the school-house ; just at the moment Legale lifted
his knife to strike, Clah stepped l)ehind Mr. Duncan,
and it was the sight of this defender that repulsed
the would-be assassin.

One day while addressing his congregation, Mr.
Duncan, noticed that the renowned warrit)r Cush-
waht, suddenly rose, gave him a fierce look, and
dashed out of the iiouse as if in a rage. After, the
service he learned that Cushwaht, was mortally
offended at a portion of his sermon, and was "Aa//'-
///(,'■ /W" saying ; that Mr. Duncan, had told ail the
jieople about /lis l)ad ways. In reality Mr. Duncan,
liad only been enumerating and condemning the
wrong-doings of ^r// those who still continued tlieir
heathen practices. Cushwaht's own pricked con-
science had accv'pted the moral challenge.

It was tliis savage warrior who liad incited Legale,
by his demand for Mr. Duncan's head, and later on
had sought to kill Mr. Dtmcan, and failing in his

THE STORY OF MKTI.AKAIITLA.

attempt, he vented his wrath by .wantonly smashing
all the windows of the school-house. While on a
tradin{,T trip to Victoria he committed some violent
deed, for which he was publicly whipped, and then
imprisoned. Mr. Duncan, being in Victoria at the
time, Cushwaht sent entreating him to come to
him. The clement man went, and found the des-
perado in a cell, pale and haggard ; com()letely
crushed now, contritely suing for his intercession —
he said : —

" You did not punish me, when I attempted your
life, and did you great wrongs; but, God has pun-
ished me bitterly: — forgive me : —and I will be
good : — you have great induence with the white
chief: — pity mc : — ask him to free me: — let me go
home: — the white chief, will surely d(; what you
ask."

Mr. I^uncan pleaded for the release of this pen-
itent miscreant, and vouched for his de[)ortment.
The government acceded immediately; placing him
in the custody of Mr. Duncan, who sent him forth-
with to I'ort Simpson ; where after living a bet-
ter life, for some months he was stricken down
with small-pox. The contagiousness of his malady,
necessitated his se(iuestration ; and he was shellercd
in a lent on the beach. As the fear of contagion,
wnulil prevent the celebration of hisdiath, with the
usual pomp and ceremony for one of his distinction ;
it was his (\y\n[!; recpiest that iiis death should be
markeil by the firing of a cannon ; and, the hoisting

DAYS OF PKRTL.

of a flag over his tent. The Tsimsheans faithfully
carried out the behest, of this once cruel and merci-
less warrior, whose name had been a terror in all
that region.

During the first few years of Mr, Duncan's work
among the Tsimsheans, he witnessed many scenes
of violence and bloodshed : their recounting would
alone fill a volume; however, it is not my purpose
to chronicle these events, only insomuch as they go
to illustrate the character of the people, and the dan-
gers he encountered. On several occasions he nar-
rowly escaped assassination, but by his fearlessness
and earnest, unselfish devotion to their welfare, he
gradually won their confidence and drew about him
a goodly band of faithful f'^Uo'.wrs.

In striving to induce these people to abandon
their barbarous customs, Mr. Duncan, perceived he
must show them evidence of material advantages
to be gained in ado^jting the new life. He recog-
nized a fact which has, unfortunately, been so little
ajijireciated in the past by those attempting to civ-
ilize heathen people ; hence, the comparatfvely few
marked successes.

Mr. Henry M. Stanley, one of the greatest stu-
dents (11 the savage mind, and one whose vast iiracti-
cal experience enables him to speak with authority,
is fully alive to this point. In his book " Tliroui^h
the Dark Contiucut^' he says: —

" It Is strange how Ikitish philanthropists, cleri-
cal and lay, persist in the ilelusion that the Africans

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

can be satisfied with spiritual improvement only.
They should endeavor to impress themselves with
the undeniable fact that man — white, yellow, red or
black — has also material wants which crave to be
understood and supplied. A barbarous man is a
pure materialist. He is full of cravings for posses-
sing something that he cannot describe. He is like
a child which has not yet acquired the faculty of
articulation. The missionary discovers the barbar-
ian almost stupefied with brutish ignorance with the
instincts of the man in him, but yet living the life
of a beast. Instead of attcmjiting to develop the
qualities of this practical human being, he instantly
attempts his transformation by expounding to him
the dogmas of the Christian faith, the doctrine of
transubstantiation, and other difficult subjects, be-
fore the barbarian has had time to articulate his
necessities and to explain to him that he is a frail
creature, requiring to be fed with bread, and not
with a stone.

" My experience and study of the pagan proves
to me, however, that if the missionary can show the
poor materialist that religion is allied with substan-
tial benefits and improvements of his degraded
condition, the task to which he is about to devote
himself will be rendered comparatively easy. For
the African once brought in contact with the Euro-
pean becomes docile enough ; he is aweil by a con-
sciousness of his own immense infetiority, and im-
bued with a vague hope tliat he iiuiy also rise in

DAYS OF PERIL.

time to the level of this superior being who has so
challenged his admiration. It is the story of Caliban
and Stefano over again. He comes to him with a
desire to be taught, and seized with an ambition to
aspire to a higher life, becomes docile and tractable ;
but to his surprise, he perceives himself mocked by
this being, who talks to him about matters that he
despairs of ever understanding, and therefore, with
abashed face and a still deeper sense of his inferior-
ity, he retires to his den, cavern, or hut, with a dog-
ged determination to be contented with the brutish
life he was born in.

" It is not the mere preacher that is wanted here.
The Hishops of Great Britain, collected with all the
classic youth of Oxford and Cambridge, would
effect nothing, by mere talk with the intelligent
people of Uganda. It is the practical Christian
tutor who can teacl) peoi)le how to become Chris-
tians, cure their diseases, construct dwellings, under-
stand and exemplify agriculture, and turn his hand
to anything, like a sailor — this is the man who is
wanted. Such an one, if he can be found, would be-
come the saviour of Africa. He must be tied to no
church or sect, but profess (rod and his Son and
the moral law, and live a blameless Christian, in-
sj)ired by liberal principles, charity to all men and
devout faith in I leaven. He must belong to no
nation in particular, but to the entire white race."

Of the missionaries who went to Central Africa,
disrL'g.irding Mr. Stanley's warnings, several have

TflE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA,

been brutally murdered, and others are now held
captive, while nations ripe for practical mission-
ary work, first, became confused by the theogonies
which, were injudiciously urged upon them by mis-
sionaries of rival sects, and of rival nations ; then,
out of this discord was bred suspicion, which has
developed into absolute hostility.

The plan which Mr. Stanley, recommended for
Central Africa is practically the same as that inau-
gurated by Mr. Duncan, in 1857 among the Tsim-
sheans.

Mr. Duncan, found these people extremely filthy
in their persons and in their homes. With the ivcll-
known precept in view, he secured an abatement in
the price of soap, and, after removal to Metlakahtla,
he taught them the art of soap-making — Formerly
they had been obliged to pay one mink-skin, valued
at about one dollar, for a piece of common bar-soap
the thickness of one finger; whereas, he produced a
whole large bar for a sixpence. This little industry,
though very simple, had a marked effect upon the
minds of the people. However, this was but the
beginning of the introduction of many other peace-
ful industries, for i^. was evident to Mr. Duncan,
that in elevating these people and introducing civil-
ized habits of life he was imposing increased ex-
penditures, and in consecpience they must find new
sources of income; furlhermore, lie realized that
idleness was always a source of danger.

However, the Hudson's liay Company, saw in

DAYS OF PERIL.

these industries an interference with their traffic
with the Indians, and began to offer opposition.

At the end of four years Mr. Duncan, found, as
the result of his devoted labors, that he could mus-
ter a fair number of sincere converts; but these
were subject to the temptations incident to a trad-
ing post, especially as regards drunkenness. Also,
he deplored the retrograding influence of constant
intercourse with those natives who continued their
heathenish rites, and who sought in every possible
way to destroy the work of the Christian white man.
It is not fair to presuppose that these Indians, with
their immature intellects, would be less susceptible
to temptations than their more enlightened white
brethren.

One of the most serious difficulties in reforming
the women lay in the practice of the parents sell-
ing their daughters, and that the men hired out
their wives and slaves to white men for prostitu-
tion. In holding slaves as their concubines, not
unfrequently the white traders left children of their
own blood in slavery.

In consideration of these obstacles Mr. Duncan, re-
solved to remove his followers from their pernicious
surroundings, and establish an isolated model co!>'>
niuiiity. I le selected for this purpose a place called
Mctlakahtla, about twenty miles from Fort Simj)-
son, the site of one of the ancient Tsimshean villages,
which had been abandoned by the natives some
years before, to join the trading settlement at Fort

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Simpson. Metlakahtia presented the advantages
of good and convenient fishing and hunting grounds,
a good harbor, and a suitable soil for gardening —
besides. Nature had modelled its surroundings on
a plan of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

For more than a year before the time fixed upon
for removing to the new location Mr. Duncan, cir-
culated among the people a set of rules, announc-
ing that he should require all those who joined
him to subscribe to them.

These rules are as follows :

1. To give up their " Ahlied," or Indian deviltry.

2. To cease calling in " Shamans," or medicin
men, when sick.

3. To cease gambling.

4. To cease giving away their property for dis-
play.

5. To cease painting their faces.

6. To cease indulging in intoxicating drinks.

7. To rest on the Sabbath.

8. To attend religious instruction.

9. To send their children to school.

10. To be cleanly.

11. To be industrious.

12. To be peaceful.

13. To be liberal and honest in trade.

14. To build neat houses.

15. To pay the village tax.

On the day appointed for the removal, fifty
souls — men, women, and children — were ready to

DAYS OF PERIL.

start, and othe.s promised soon to follow. Mr.
Duncan, had pulled down his school-house, and
formed the materials into a raft to be navigated to
Metlakahtla harbor. He, describes as extremely
solemn and impressive the embarkation of his little
flock in their six canoes, freighted with their be-
longings, while the whole population turned out to
witness their departure and say farewells. Some
earnest in their protestations that they too would
soon join them, others faltering with indecision,
many predicting failure and return, and not a few,
headed by the Shamans, were openly hostile to the
movement.

Thus, firm in their adherence to the leadership
of their good master, they set sail for their New
Iloinc.

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

CHAPTER II.

THE ARCADIAN Vn,I.Af)K.

On landinj^ at Motlakahtla, Mr. Duncan, ar.d his
Indian converts bc^faii ininicdiatoly to erect huts
and a school-house, whicli also served as a church.

Mr. Duncan, was greatly encoura}^ed anil stren^^th-
cned in his dierished project ; v^'hen within a week
i'fter their arrival, a fleet of thirty canoes came from
Fort Simpson; liriii^in^ recruils to the number of
nearly three humlred, including two chiefs,

The difllculties experienced in ortjani/.inj; and
|(overnin^ a new community, composed of sucli
crude material, were very ^;reat. Mr. Dimcan, . Iso-
\y hcLjaii by placing; upon the people themselve."*
mucl\ of the resi)onsibility. So closely was their
purity and integrity j^'-iarded, lliat every candidate
for niend)ership to the community, must l)e accept-
able t(> all, and stibscribe to the rules in public assem-
bly, lie organized a villi^^e council of twelve in-
cludin;; three chiefs who had joined him; and, a
native constabulary ft)rce.

The council was consulted on all lmi>ortant mat-
ters rt'latin^; to the welfare of the village, however,
Mr. Duncan, sonietlmcs fouiul it mressary to act

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

nrbitrarily and disregard their opinions, as their clan-
nish prejudices, inconsistencies, and obiicpie ideas
of justice, often made their sitting in judgment very
anomalous, especially in passing ui)on the offences
of their own peoi)le. VVitli time and experience,
under the careful guichuice of so just a man ; tliey
gradually imbibed ideas of ecpiity, and as tiieir sense
of justice expanded greater reliance was reposed in
them.

Vari()us public works were required and conse-
quently a tax was necessary. 'J'his was fixed at one
blanket, valued at $2.50, for each male adult, and
one shirt, valued at $l, for such as were approaching
manhood. The first assessment yielded to the ex-
liequer the following unicpie returns: — One green,
»Mie blue, anil ninety-four white blankets; one pair
white trousi'rs, one dressed elk-skin, seventeen siiirts,
and seven dollars.

Their public works consisted in <h*gging drains,
making roads, fixing rests and sliiles for their canoes
to serve all tides; erecting two large houses for the
ncconnnodation of strange Indi.ms who came to
trailc, thus avoiding too intimate mingling of hiii
po(»ple with their uncleansed and barbarous visitors.
They tlug wells ami fornieil a publu common and
play-ground.

Their instructor seemed mindful of all their nat-
ural wants, regarding evil as freipuntly but nature
perverted, hence in displacing gambling and other
objectionable games, which had previously served

TIIK STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

as .1 pastime amon^ thcni, he introduced and en-
couraijed cheerful and rational amusements, espe-
cially amonj.^ the youn^, such as games of foot-ball,
marbles, gymnastic-bars, swings, etc.

In carrying out the public works Mr. Duncan,
had in view not only the material comforts of his
people, but also the necessity to occupy their
minds and energies, as well as to develop in them a
desire to imi)rove their condition. With the same
object he introduced new trades, encouraged and
facilitated their ancient industries of hunting, fish-
ing, and gathering berries, and arranged for the
expt)rtati<)n of their various products, such as salt
and smoked fish, fish-oil, dried fruits, anil furs.

Owing to the want of capital, civilization tended
to impoverishment of the Indians, by calling for an
increased outlay in their expenses, without aug-
menting their inc(»me. Notwithstanding, an earru'st
desire for progress and enlightenmiM\t ; the native
mind was not fertile in conciMving fresh and perma-
nent modes of industry; then-fore, it became neces-
sary for thiir leader ti) think out for tluin, new
sources of revenue.

All did not run smoothly in Mr. Duncan's aggres-
sive movements to wrest the iuathen from the
thraldom of their abommations ; at every step in
tlu' beginning, he encountered insidious resistance.

Slavery with attendant horrors almost indescrib-
able, wan common thntughout the entire N(»rth I'a-
cific country, tin Mr. I )uncan's arrival.

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

From the time of the earliest voyafjers to this
region, exi)lorers and travellers have recorded the
most revolting cruelties practised upon the slaves.
Mears in his " / 'oytf^t^'-is /o the Northxocst Coast of
America " writes : —

" The number of Macpiilla's slaves were very con-
siderable, not only at Nootka, but in other parts
of his territories. And wiien the fatal day arrived
which was to be celebrated by the feast of a human
victim, a certain number of these slaves, were as-
sembled in the house of the sovereign chief, who
selecteil the object to be eaten by him and his
guests, in the following curious manner: — the in-
ferior chiefs were invited to partake of the cere-
monies which were api)oiiUed to precede it : —these
consisted of singing the war song, dancing round
the fire, and fomenting the fl,inie« by throwing
oil into them. A baiulago is t tied over the

eyes of Ma(iuilla, who iu this bliii .i Ht.itc id to
seize a slave. I lis activit)' in the pmsuii, with the
dread and exertions of these unhapi)y wretciicM in
avoiding it, forn\ another part of this inhuman busi-
ness. Hut it is seldom a work of delay, — some one of
tjjese slavi;s is soon caught ; death instantly follow
— tile devoted carc.iss is immediately cut in piecen,
and its reeking portions distributed to the gui-sts:
when an universal shout of tliose who have escapeil
• ledares tlie joy of their lU'liverance."

It has been tile custom of many tribes up t<»
our day, to sacrifice, the life of a slave ti) wipe out

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

an insult, or on the grave of his master that he
should go to the other world attended, as became
his dii;nity.

Chiefs and other important men often celebrated
the erection of their houses, by planting the four
posts, on the bleeding bodies of slaves slaughtered
for the occasion. Slaves were marked by having
their hair cropped short. They were subjected to
all manner of abuse, sold and hired out for prostitu-
tion, and at death their bodies were cast into the
sea, or were feasted upon by cannibals.

Even within close proximity to the white settle-
ments the vile traffic in human beings was open, and
common. Touching this topic Whymper writes, of
Victoria, H. C : —

"These Indian slaves scpialling in considerable
numbers in the Inish, for what purpose it is not
difficult to imagine, and the extent to which the
nefarious practices referred to are encouraged i)y the
crews of her Majesty's ships, is a disgrace to the
service they represent, and a scandal to the country.
Hundreds of dissipated wiiite men, moreover, live
in open ct)ncubina;.;r with these wrelciied creatures.
So unl)lushin|;ly is thistraffic carrieil on.that I have
Hfcn the iuisband and wife of a native family, can-
vuiising from one miner's shanty to another with
a view of making assignations for ti\e cloUchman
(HCjuaws) in tiieir possession. On one occasion 1
saw nn Indian woman offering t > (h'<p<»se of her
own child, the offspring of the guilty allit.nce with

THK ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

a white man, for $31, at the door of a respectable
white dwelling." — " Travels in Alaska^ London,
186H.

D. G. F. McDonald, C.E., writes : — " These
wretched slaves are horribly abused. They are
made to do all the filthy work under the torture of
the lash, which their fellow-savage lays on unmerri-
fiiily. Should such enormities be perj)etrated, or
their continuance be allowed, in a British colony?
Surely slavery is a curse so intolerable and degraded
that it ought not to be suffered to exist, even for a
single hour."

lIl)on the matter of slavery the Bishop of Colum-
bia writes : — •' Slavery has increased. T'emale slaves
are in demand. Distant tribes make war upon each
other, and bring their female slaves to the market.
You will hardly credit it, but it is strictly true,
women are jjurchased as slaves to let them out for
immoral purposes. A female slave has been known
recently to be purchased for $200 (^40)." — '* Jiritish
Co/iiiiihid.'" London, 1H62.

While at l''ort Simpson, Mr. Duncan, found It
impossible to do more, than urge upon the people
the initpiity and injustice, of holding their fellow-
men in servile bondage. But, as soon as he was
I'lnnly «'stablishcil at Metlakahtia, he devoted him-
Sill arduously to freeing all slaves who came with-
in his range of pt>wer, and also, harbored fugitives,
until they could be restored t<» the native tribes
from whicli liiuy, or their ancestors had been seized,

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

As may be expected this called down upon him the
retaliatory fury of many powerful chiefs, among
whom was the treacherous Sebassah who ultimately
was convicted for the murder of two white men.
He and his confederates confessed the crime, he
was condemned to death, but on the recommenda-
tion of Mr. Duncan, this sentence was commuted to
five years' surveillance at Metlakahtla.

For his determined rescue of slaves Mr. Duncan's
life was many times endangered, but he was heartily
supported by the Metlakahtlans, and he continued
his humane work in defiance of all threats. Finally
Metlakahtla became known as an asylum of emanci-
pation, and slaves from all parts of British Colum-
bia and Alaska, sought a refuge within its sheltering
precincts. y\s the result of the bold onslaught upon
slavery begun by Mr. Duncan, to-day the practice
has greatly diminished, and is now I believe only
common among the inland tribes of British Colum-
bia and Alaska.

One of the most serious difficultiea to be dealt
with was the sale of intoxicating litpiors. White
men trading along the coast in small sailing vessels
matle licpior selling their principal business. Some
lndia!)s also etigaged in this tralVic by means of their
canoes. Their visits to Indian camps were invariably
followed by l)rutal outrages, usually with murder and
not unfriMpiently intertribal wars. By strictly pro-
liibiting indulgence or traflic in intoxicating li(|uors,
within his own precincts, Mr. Duncan, at onco

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

brought himself into collision with these traders,
and earned their eternal hatred. Being vested by
the government with the powers of a magistrate,
he found it necessary to exercise his functions, by
fining and imprisoning several of the liquor traders ;
and finally, as an example, seized the vessel of one
who defied his authority and burned it on the beach.
The owner, on returning to Victoria, in fitting out
a new liquor-selling vessel, out of spite named it
" The Duncan."

One of the white traders imjjrisoned at Metla-
kahtla was singularly enough converted during his
term of imi)ris()nment, by the Indian guard, whose
exemplary Christian life so impressed him, that
he abandoned the nefarious traffic and became a
Christian. However, some of these traders even
went so far as to threaten Mr. Duncan's life, and
did kill one of his constables and wound several
others while attempting to make arrests. On one
occasion a party of Kilahmaht Indians landed a
(|uantity of li(|uor : Mr. Dmican, at once caused it
to be seized. The Kitahmahts, out of revenge for
this, stole a little boy belonging to Metlakahtlu,
while lie was on a fishing expedition with his par-
ents. I le was worried to death, and literally torn
to pieces and devoured by these cannibals I

To this was added tiie hostility (.. the Hudson's
Hay C^)mpany's agents, who regarded Mr. Duncan's
introduction of the trades and industries of civiliza-
tion iis unilerminJMg their close monopoly. They

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

would no longer bring his supplies in their vessels.
From this time forth the Hudson's Bay Company's
agent and the coast traders lost no opportunity to
revile him, charging that his mission was simply a
private money-ma^-ing scheme ; therefore, he had as
his sworn enemies not only the slave-traders and the
Shamans and chiefs, who saw him destroying their
power and influence ; but also the white traders of
the coast, who were plotting for his overthrow and
that of his mission.

Just at this time there fell upon the coast a fear-
ful plague of small-pox, destroying thousands of
lives, and spreading universal destitution and terror.
Five hundred Tsimsheans alone succumbed to its
ravages. Thanks to the wise sanitary precautions
taken by Mr. Duncan, who vaccinated all who came
to him, only five deaths occurred among his original
settlers who came with him from Fort Simpson, and
several of these contracted the fatal malady while
caring for outside sufferers.

But the ravages of this scourge along the coast
caused frightful misery and suffering. Seeing so
many fellow-creatures stricken down on all sides
about them, the Inilians were so demoralized with
terror that they could hardly be induced, during its
depressing reign, to continue their avocations; and
trading between the tribes was almost wholly sus-
pended. Mr. Duncan, humanely sent succor far
and near, and numbers flocked to him for assistance ;
l»e ministered to them as far as possible, always

(i(>

II) AND SILVI'.K IlKAil'l ETS.

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

guarding the welfare and safety of his own people
as his prime duty. His heroic conduct and indefat-
igable devotion during this trying ordeal, was not
lost upon the Indians.

These were certainly grave difficulties to be met
single-handed by a lone white man, with an infant
community of but half-enlightened savages. But
the brave man who had not feared to face death, in
the performance of the work to which he had so
nobly dedicated himself, did not falter.

Me determined to purchase a vessel, and thereby
secure independent transportation. For this pur-
pose he obtained subscriptions from his Indians in
sums of five dollars to ten dollars, paid in their prod-
ucts ; in total amounting to an equivalent of four
hundred dollars ; then, appealing to the government,
he secured a contribution of five hundred dollars
(this latter sum being afterward apportionately re-
funded), and added the deficit of six hundred dol-
lars from his own private funds, and purchased a
schooner costing fifteen hundred dollars.

During the first voyage this schooner made tlown
the coast to Victoria Mr. Duncan, was obliged to
navigate the vessel himself. It proved a highly re-
munerative investment, carrying their own products
down the coast, and bringing up various goods to
supply their own wants, antl for traffic with the
neighboring tribes.

At the end of a few moiiliis a handsome divi-
dend was declared on each share. This part of the

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

proceedings somewhat puzzled the Indians, who,
when the money was paid to them, imagined that
they must necessarily be parting with their inter-
est in the vessel. As soon, however, as the mat-
ter was made clear to them, they evinced their ap-
preciation by calling it " Kahah," or " Slave," signi-
fying that // did all the work, and that they reaped
all the profit. His own share of the profits Mr. Dun-
can, devoted entirely to the objects of his mission.

An important step in these commercial develop-
ments, was, the establishment of a village store on
the plan of a co-operative stock company, in which
each villager held at least one share. This insti-
tution also served as a savings-bank. Blankets,
furs, etc., were received, and the value credited as
a deposit, upon which a yearly interest of ten per
cent, was allowed. On the payment of the first
year's interest some of the Indians were surprised,
for they imagined that they ought instead, to pay
for the safe-keeping of their treasures. It was, in-
deed, a revelation when they found that their ten
blankets had " swollen " (to use their quaint expres-
sion) to eleven ! It was their first idea of usury.
Formerly, in storing up their furs and blankets in
their own huts, they became injured and depreciateil
by mildew and insects.

After a time, prosperity began to smile upon this
novel Arcadian community. The untiring zeal and
energy of their leader, enabled them to override the
many obstacles which had threatened their [)rogress.

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

The minds of the people exhibited signs of develop-
mcn*;, and their benefactor was alive to the require-
ments of their advancing intellects ; he delivered
simple lectures, illustrated by maps and a stcre-
opticon ; on history, geography, astronomy, natural
history, and morals. He was at one and the same
time pastor, missionary, secretary, treasurer, magis-
trate, school-master, physician, carpenter, builder,
chief-trader, friend and adviser.

The growing exigencies, demanded modifications
in the form and organization of the village govern-
ment, also new and modified laws. The native
council was increased in numbers and was made an
elective body, without compensation ; they were
allowed to wear a badf • of office on special occa-
sions. The constabulary force was also increased,
and free uniforms were supplied; the constables re-
ceived a small remuneration when on duty. The
entire male population was divided into ten com-
panies, each having an equal number of councilmen
and constables, who acted as monitors; and, in order
to enlist the younger men in the public weal, a fire
brigade was organized of six companies, ten men in
each company.

At one of these elections a little incident occurred
that would amuse some politicians. The ballot in
favor of a candidate for the council must be unani-
mous, in order to secure election. On one occasion
a black ball was cast, and as the nominee enjoyed
an excellent reputation, Mr. Duncan, gave out that

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

he would like to sec the dissenter privately. Early
the next morning the individual called, and ex-
plained that on a certain day, the candidate had
i)een ^iven one dollar too much change at a store,
and had asked him if he ()U|4ht to kcjp it —

" lie ou^ht to have known himself that he ou^ht
to be honest without asking me! That, is why 1
thouL^ht he ou^ht not to be a councillor."

These people, just wrested from dark supersti-
tions and vicious habits, and liable to the natiu'al
weaknesses of mankind, reciuiroil the tnost anxious
watch-care. And, as was to be expected, some
transgressions (^f the rules occurreil. Those i^uilty
of offences of a {^rave character such as threatening;
or attempting' blooilshed, after beiii}; adjudged by
Mr. Duncan, and the outicil, and condemned, were
publicly whippeil l)y Mr. Duncan. This was tlie
severest form of punishment inHicted, which oc-
curred only four or five times and one much dreaded ;
for the inherent pride and vanity of the people
caused them to re^^ard it as a stinjjin^ disj^race.
nam'shmcnt, was also resorted to, in the cases of
some incorrij;iI)le malefactors. A very novel mode
of dealm^j with a certain class of offences was the
hoistinj; of a black lla^ over the prison ; whenever
this fla^ was raised the Mople in(|uired of each
other, *'\\'ho is the olfender ? " and soon public
opinion made it so warm for him, that hi* was (ob-
liged to make ample amends or luit tite villa^je.

To l.cep pace with Ihc general moral and mental

TEIE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

progress, and funiisli them with the comforts and
conveniences of modern civilization, it was necessary
to improve the dwellings, and, it was decided to
j)ull dt)wn all the old houses and erect new ones.
The new town v/as laid out in lots of 60 by 120
feet, on each to be erected a double house. i\s the
new dwellings were to be substantial and commo-
dious, and somewhat beyond their means, Mr.
Duncan, pledged himself to assist them m lumber to
the amount of $60 for each double house. A new
church, seating i,joo people, a town-hall, dispensary,
reading-room, market-house, blacksmith, carpenter,
cooper, and tin shops; work-sheds, and a soa[)-fac-
tory were built. And not the least important un-
dertaking, was the building of a massive sea-wall to
protect the village. In order to carry out the pro-
posed improvements, it was necessary to erect a
water-power saw-mill. One old Indian who hearil
that Mr. Duncan inteniled to make water saw wood,
said : —

" If it is true that Mr. Duncan, can make water
saw wood, I will .see it and then die I"

And thus prosperity continueti. 'i'he public im-
provements were largely the result of the profits ac-
cruing from the schooner, tiie store, and the trading
expeditions of the villagers, but were a.ssisted by
the contributions t)f friends of the mission and Mr.
Duncan's private funds. Ah time passeil on, one
practical tr.ide and industry after another wuH
added— tlic people were kept busy and happy. Mr.

Tin: STORY OF MKI'LAKAinLA.

Duncan, paid a flying visit to England in 1870,
during whicli he procured macliincry and learned
various trades, such as weavinj,^ rope-niakin;j[, twine-
spinnin;^, brush-makinfr, etc. During' liis stay he
learned tlie ^amut of several instruments, and on Ids
return to Mcthd<ahthi; gratified the musical tastes
of the peop'i •, by ori;ani/.in<^^ a brass band of twenty-
one instruments, which has lon^^ since gained ^'reat
renown on the coast. 7\nd an or^Mn was placed in
tile church.

Had Mr. Duncan, at any time doubted the Ind-
ians' appreciation of his labors, every vestige of this
must haveluen dis])elled; when on ids return from
Miujiand, the population of ids i<leal mission paitl
liim all tile lionors that they could iiave accorded
to a l<in^;. I lis brief .ibsence iiad .seemed to tliem
an a^o. The touchinij incidents of tlii.s ^rcctiny
arc best recnunicd in ids own moiiest words: —

" Tlie news of my arrival travelled to Metlakahtla,
and on tiie following morning a lar^^e canoe arrived
from there t«> fetch nu; home. The happy crew,
wiiose lu'arts seemed brimful of joy at .seeing mo
l)aek', ^javc me a very warm welcome. I at once
decided to leave tiie steamer and proceeil at once
to Mi'tlakalitla with tny Indian friends, wiio aB-
sured me th.it tiie village was in a j^reat state of ex-
citement at tiie prospect of my return. We were
favored witli a stron(.j, fair wind, and with two sails
up, we dasiied alon;.{ merrily tlirou;.;ii a boiling sea.
I now felt I was indeed inMiiewanl bounil. My

Its

I/)

TIIK ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

happy friends, liaviii^ nothini; to do but to watch
the sails and sit still, could i^mvc free vent to their
lon^-pent-up feelings, and so they poured out one
piece of news after another in rapid succession, and
witliout any regard to order, or tlie changes their
reports produced ui)on my feelinj^s ; thus we liad
j^ood and bad, solemn and frivolous news, all mixeil
iniliscriminately.

"On sij^hlin^ the village, in accordance with a
preconcerted arran^fement, a fla^ was hoisted over
our canoe, as a signal to tiie villagers tiiat I was on
board. Very soon we could disc /n (juite a number
of fla^^s n)'in;4over tlie villaj^^e, and Indians hurrying
toward the place of landing'. Before we reached
the beach lar^je crowds had assembK;d to ^reet nii;,
On my stepping out of the canoe, ban^ went a can-
non, and when fairly on my feet ban^ went another.
Tlien some of the principal i)eople stepped away
from the ^;roups and came forward, hats off, anil
saluted me warmly. On my advancing, the corps
of constables discharged their muskets, then all
hats were doffed, and a^;eneral rush to seize my haiul
ensued. I was now hennne<l in with the crowds of
Holenm faces, many exhibiting intense emotion,
and oycH ^jlistenin^j with tears of joy. In struj{-
j;lin^ my way to the mission-house, I hail nearly
overlooked the school children. The dear little
ones had been posted in order on one side, and were
standing; in mute expectation of a recognition. I
patted .» few on the head, and then with my feci-

THE STORY OF METLAKAITTLA.

ings almost overcome, I pressed m}"- way to my
liouse. How sweet it was to find myself aijaiii in
my own little room ; and sweeter still to thank God
for all His preservinj^ care over me. As numbers
of the people were pressing iiilo and crowdinj^ my
house, I ordered the church bell to be rung. At
once they hurried to the church, and when I en-
tered it wasfiUed. Such a sight I After a minute's
silence we joined in thanksgiving to God, after
which 1 addressed the assembly for about twenty
minutes. This conchuled, I set off, accompanied by
several leading Christian men, to visit the sick and
very aged, whom I was told were anxiously begging
to sec me. The scenes that followed were very af-
Cecting. Many assured me that they had constantly
prayeil to (rod to be spared to .see me once again,
and Crod had answered their i)rayers and revived
their hearts after much weeping. On finishing my
visit I made up doses of medicine for several of the
sick, and then sat down for a little refreshment.
Again my house becoming crowiied, I sat down with
about fifty for a general talk. I gave them the
special messages from Christian friends which I had
down in my note-book, told them how much we
were prayed for by many C'hristians in ICngland,
and scanned over the principal events of my voyage
and doings in l*)ngland. We sat till midnight, but
even then the village was lighted u|), and the people
all waiting to hear from the favored fifty, what I
had c<)mmnnica1cd. Many did not g<> to bed at

THE ARCADIAN VIM-ACJR.

all, but sat up all niyht talking over what they had
heard.

" Such is a brief account of my reception at Met-
lakahtla. 1 could but reflect how different this to
the reception J had amonj^ the same people in 1H57.
Then they were all superstitiously afraid of me,
and rejT.irded with dread suspicion my every act.
It was with feelin<jjs of fear or ct)ntempt they ap-
proached me to hear God's word, and when I
prayed amon^ them I prayed alone ; none under-
stood, none respomled. Now how thing's have
chant^ed 1 Love has taken the place of fear, and
li;.jht the place of darkness, and hundreds are in-
telligently able and devoutly willing to join me in
prayer and praise to Almighty Gotl. To (iod be all
the praise and glory."

It was not long after the founding of Metlakahtla;
that, the example of its inhabitants began to pro-
duce a marked impression, upon the surrounding
tribes, ami even far in the interior, and up and down
the coast.

Among the c«)nverts had been numbered the
chiefs Ixgaic, Neachshlakah-Noosh, Leeipineesh,
and (juthr.iy, the leader of the cannibal feast wit-
nesseil by Mr. Du'Han, on his fust arrival.

It wa.H op' I hard stru^jglc that the fierce

barbariaii Le» 'led, and saciificed his proud

and powerful • .(ion as chief of all the chiefs of
the TsimsheauH. This brutal murderer, who boasted
of the number of lives he had taken -was at length

TEIK STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

humbled and led like a lamb. He had once, as I
had previously shown, attempted to assassinate Mr.
Duncan, and had never ceased to persecute and
harass him and his followers, until now, like Saul
when stricken, he was transformed into a faithful
disciple of him whom he had bitterly reviled, and
had mercilessly pursued. Likewise, as Saul, when
baptized he chose the name I'aul. He became a
simple citizen of Metlakahtla, an industrious carpen-
ter and cabinet-maker, a truly e\'emi)lary Christian.
While he was away on an ex[)edition to some tribes
in the Nass River Country, he was taken with a
fatal illness, and feeling that he was approaching
death, he sent pleadini^ letters to Mr. Duncan to
come to his bedsiile; but to his ^reat sorrow, cir-
cumstances rendered this impossible, and Mr. Dun-
can, could only send comforting messaL,es.

Le^aic's last words to Mr. Duncan, written down
by his own daughter, were as follows :

*• I want to seti you. I always remember you in
my mind. I shall be very sorry if I shall not sec
you before I ^'o away, because you showed me the
ladder that reaches to iieaven, and f am on the
top of that ladder now. I have nothing; to trouble
me; I only want to see you." Then he passed
peacefully away.

'J'hus died the once haughty chieftain LoLjaic.

Mr. Duncan, had visited many outside tribes, but
most of his lime was occupied with his work at
Metlakahtla.

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

Remembering how the wliitc Christian, who with
so much self-sacrifice had come among them, to
bring them out of darkness; the Indians of Metla-
kahtla felt it to be incumbent upon themselves, as
soon as they had sufficient light, that they should
carry the knowledge to their less privileged breth-
ren. Native missionaries went out at their own ex-
pense. These men gave their message in a simple,
figurative language, yet with an earnestness and
directness of purpose that carried conviction. The
following is an example which will serve to illus-
trate their method of thought :

" Brothers, sisters, you know the way of the
eagle? The eagle flies high, and the eagK rests
high ! He rests on the highest branch of the high-
est tree, then, he is free from fear of all beneath
him! — Brothers, sisters, Jesus, to us is the highest
branch of the highest tree! Let us rest on Him,
then, we too need not fear, all our enemies are be-
neath us."

Nor were the regular native missionaries the only
workers; the hunters and fishermen in mingling
with the people of other villages, tol<l them of the
changes wrought by the new life; and the trading
parties who jt)urneyed far inland, or voyaged along
the coast in their canoes bartering for furs, each did
his mission work. Nor was it in their words alone
that they gave evidence. These men, who had for-
merly been a terror to the whole coast and only
received with suspicion, were, to the* contrary,

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

now mild and peaceful. What had wrought this
change ?

After a visitation of the Metlakahtla voyagers, a
chief and several of the head men of the Chilkats, a
fierce tribe living some five or six hundred miles north
on the Alaskan coast, ventured to pay a visit to Metla-
kahtla, of which they had heard such wonderful
stories. Just before landing they, as usual on visiting
a settlement, arrayed themselves in all their magnif-
icence of barbaric finery, intending to impress the
people with their greatness and importance. As they
approached in solemn state, Mr. Duncan, was notified
of their coming and urged to attire himself in his
Sunday best, because the savages were in gorgeous
trappings and would despise him if he was poorly
dressed. I le had on his common work clothes, and
was in the midst of some important work, which he
could not drop at the moment.

As the Chilkats' superb canoes kissed the beach
they leaped out and were cordially received by the
Metlakahtlans. They were struck with utter amaze-
ment at the sight of the buildings, the manner in
which the people were clothed, and the general ap-
pearance of thrift and civilization on every hand.
They were impatient to see the great master, who
had wrought all these wonders.

Mr. Duncan, had not dressed up, — at all times he
sought to discourage the assumption of pomp and
foolish display, which he found so wefted in these
naturally vainglorious people. When the Chilkats

THE ARCADIAN VILLAGE.

were escorted to him, and he was pointed out as the
benefactor, they looked over and beyond him, say-
ing that they could not see him, but when this
modest, plainly clad little man greeted them, and
his personality was made clear, they preserved their
countenances in stolid rigor to maintain their own
great dignity, never uttering a word, save, the cere-
monies of a formal greeting.

Despite their ':;fforts to conceal their thoughts,
they betrayed great astonishment ; it was evident
that they suspected some deception was being prac-
tised upon them. Mr. Duncan, evincing great cor-
diality conducted them to his house, and gave them
the customary seats of honor for distinguished guests.
They continued to look at him in utter silence for
some time, when finally they could restrain them-
selves no longer they broke out, saying :

" Surely you cannot be the man ! Why, we ex-
pected to see a great and powerful giant, gifted in
magic, with enormous eyes that could look right
through us and read our thoughts ! No, it is im-
possible ! How could yoji^ tame the wild and fero-
cious 'J\simshcans, who were always waging war, and
were feared throughout the whole coast ? It is only
a few years ago that all this country was a streak of
blood, now we sec nothing but white eaglc's-down
(their emblem of peace and amity) ! We can hardly
believe our own eyes, when we see these fine houses
and find the Tsimsheans iiave become wise like
white men ! Tluy tell us that you have God's I Jook,

THE STORY OF METI.AKAHTLA.

and tliat you have tauglit them to read it ; we wish
to see it."

On tile Bil)lc bein^jj piaceti before them, and on
beino- told that it was by following' the teachin,i;s of
tills Bool<, that tlie Metlal<a'illans li.id become en-
li^ditened, each one touclied it reverently witli tlie
tip of his finger and said, ** Ahm, ahin " — It is good,
it is good.

(rifts were exchanged, and bartering went on, and
the visitors tarried for several days, during which
time, they mai veiled at every new wonder of civil-
ization which they beheld. Mr. Duncan, seized
every opportunity to impress upon them, the funda-
mental truths, which had brought about this change.
He showed them, that tlie prosperity, and material
benefits, which they witnessed, were but the reward
of th' adojjtion of the new life. 'IMiis lesson was not
lost upon them; they returned to their homes re-
solved to ailopt the Christian white man's ways.
And thus, came many from afar to view the wonders
of civilization, all to rL-turn, and proclaim to iluMr
people, that, the Christian white man's w.iys were
good.

CHAPTER J if.

HALCYON DAYS.

An era of prosperity now shone upon Mr. Dun-
can's civili/.ecl Indian coninuinity, however, in tlie
ac([uirement of tiiose thinj^s essential to luinian com-
fort and refinement ; tlie material, was neve; allowed
to crowd the spiritual ; the material was only the
means to a spiritual end. With tluse people it
was, as it has ever been, in ileaiiu}; with the ijifant-
mind of the savage, necessary to hold uj) the bene-
fits of civilization as the guerdon of a better life.

No better evidence, of tlu" drpth, ami inte^:[rity,
of the conversion of these recently ^;ropin^ sav.i|;es,
could be ri'ipiired, than the attistation of those dis-
tin^Miished dij^mitaries of the Church who visited
them, and obseived th«^ practices of their daily life,
and after thorousj;hly testin^j the c.mdidales, admin-
istered the rites of baptism.

This chapter I shall devote to S(m .t d such eita-
tioiH for a twofold purpose, whi li will discover
ilsilf in tlu- progress of tiiis volur.c.

The Hishop of ColiMnl)ia's P.st visit to Metla-
kahtla, was during' the ot)lichar fishinj^ season, l86v
lie cuuie with the special pu' pose of baptizing those

TIIK STORY OF MKTLAKAII I LA.

whoso probation indicated their wortliincss to re-
ceive that rite. His own niirative vividly pictures
the incidents of his arrival :

" The Christian Indian settlement of Metlakahtia
lies retired upon a recess of a bay, and is marked by
a row of substantial wooden houses. An octagon
building is the school, and a fla'^^staff stands near,
upon which ascemled the national lla|.( when we
hove in sij^ht, and fired the {.jun t«> announce our
approach. We could soon distin<(uish a canoe put-
ting off to us, and presently it ap|)r«>.iched, flying a
flag. It was a large canoe, which had a warlike
app«\irance, manned by ten Inilians, and in it was
seat«d Mr. i )uncan, the missionary of Metlakahtia.
There was placed, too, by his sidi-, a murderer, who
had last year comnntted a ct)ld-bl(M)(U;d murder
upon an Knglishman, and who hail given himself up
ajjainst the coming of the man-of-war."

According to the Bishop of Columbia's account,
the man-of-war •* Dnuistntion " had in vain directed
her guns against the village of this man's tribe,
threatening it with annihilation if they did not give
him up. VUv Indians defied the man-of-war, but
aftei its ilepartme the murderer, knowing Mr. Dun-
can's renown for justice and clemel^cy, surrendered
himself at Metl.ikahtla, saying to Mr. Duncan,
" Whatever you tell me to do I will do. if you say
I am to go on boar<l the [;im-ship when she comt s
again, I will go."

I'he Bishop continues: " I'or six months he had

HALCYON DAYS.

been there at lar^^c, and when our fjun sounded he
mij^dit have escaped ; but he said, ' What am I to
do ? ' and the answer was ' Vou must come with me
a prisoner.' I le was accordinj^ly handed over to us
a prisonei, to be taken to New Westminster to be
tried for his life. The scene w.is touciiin^ when his
wife and cliildren came to bid him farewell, and she
earnestly besought Mr. Duncan, the captain, and
myself to say some one word which might j^ive her
a ray of hope. Thus we see th.il what the ship of
war with its ^juns and threats could not do for civil-
ization, fur protection of life, for justice, the simple
character and iiilluence of one missionary could ac-
complisii for all tlu)se import uous objects. . . .

" Amon'^f the crew in Mr. Duncan's canoe was one
man who had been a noted drunkard and a violent
ciiief, a slau^^hterer of tnany himian victims in his
day— indeed, the head man of the I'simshean tribes
— wlio had j^iven up all evil ways, and was now as
a littU; child, a carulidate for baptism. . . .

" We were met," lie w ritis, *' by the whole village,
wh<* stood on the bank iu a lon^; line, as fine a set
of men, well-dressed, as could anywhere be seen
where men live by their liaily toil ; certainly, no
couiUry villa^je in En^;land would turn out so well-
d id an .Lssrmbl.i^;e. . . .

*' I addressed the assembly, atiil was interpreted
l)y Mr. Duncan, who madi- himself, also, an earnest
and tellinj.', discourse. I'his <//r/ //!,'•»• is the nsu/f of
Jour and a luilj ymrs of his ^ aithjitl ami earnest

THK STORY OF METLAKAHTI-A.

luork as a catccJiist. Ihyond the expectation of all
persons acquainted with Indians, success and blcssiui:^
have attended his labors^ , , .

The MctlakalUlans arc very depeiulent upon the
catch i)f fish durin;^ the season, but many of them
made great sacrifice of their time to receive the ordi-
nance of bai)tisni. The Hishoj) of Q)hmibia, dwells
very particularly upon their strict observance of the
Sabbath while so strongly tempted to seek a store
of food.

'* But what did the Christian Indi.ms do when
Sunday came? The first Sunday of their first
fishinj^-season, as Christians, althou^li the fish had
coino up in greater abundance than ever, and the
season was so short, the Christians said, * We cannot
go and fish.' 'I'he 1u athen wen- full of excitement,
gathering in the spoil; but the (^hristians said, 'No,
we aie CickI's people ; (iod w ill proviile for us, and
wc will spend His day as I Ii« tells us to do.' And
ihry ke'^t holy each Lord's Day in the midst of the
fishin. -season!^ An example wliicli a later Hishop
would hav«; done well to copy.

"(iot to tiic mission-house at eight to breakfast.
Afterward engaged the wliole day seeing catechu-
mens till one o'clock next morning. One after
another the poor Indians pressed on to be examined.
They had been under trai;iing for periods, varying
Irom eight njonths, to thne )ears. They had been
long looking for a minister to admit them ti) bap-
tism. It was a strange yet intensely intetes'ing

HALCYON IWYS.

sight in that log cabin, by the dim glimmer of a
small lamp, to see just the countenance of the In-
dian, ;omel.imes with uplifted eyes, as he spoke of
the blessedness of prayer ; at other times, with down-
cast melancholy, as he ^mote upon his breast in the
recital of his penitence. The tawny face, the high
cheek-bone, the glossy jet-black (lowing hair, the
dark, glassy eye, the maidy brow, were a picture
worth)' the pencil of the artist. I'he night was cold
— I had occaiionally to rise and "alk about for
warmtii -yet there were nore. The Inilian usually
retires as he rises, with the sun, biit now lie would
turn night into day, if he ndght only be allowed to
' have the sign,' and be fixed in the good ways of
Clod. . . .

" C\)nverts from heathenism can fully icali/.e re-
nunciati(»n of the world, the llesh, and tiie ilevil.
/hf/onii' //it'sr //u/id/is pomp of display^ the lyin^>!^
craft of nialidons f/iaj^nCf as well as all sifis of tlw
Jltsli, arc particularly }:^larin}!;y and closely connected
ivith heathenisnt. So are the truths of the Creed in
stron^^est contrast to the dark and miserable fables
of their forefathers, and heartily can they pledge
themselves to keep the holy will of (iod,allthe
days of their life, seeing Ilim a loving ami true
l''atlu'r, of whom now so lately, but so gladly, they
iiave learnt to know."

The Bishop of (^»lumbii^ rontlniics: " I first drew
forth iheir vii-ws of the nece^nity of upeutance, its
details, and tluir ou n personal ac(|uainlanci' with

TIIK STORY OK METLAKAIITLA.

it. I then questioned them as to the Three Per-
sons of the Trinity, and the special work of cacli,
with allusion to the Judpjnient, and the state of the
soul hereafter, inquiring into their private devotion,
to learn their personal application of repentance
and faith. I questioned their anxiety for baptism,
and deuiamlcd proof of their resolution to keep the
will of Ciod for their {^uide, to speak of Crod, and to
labor ft)r (iod's wa)', all their life Ion;;-. I sou,L;ht
to lind out the circumstances under which they first
became seriously inclined, and to trace their steps
of trial and ^race. Admittin<^ them to the promise
of baptism, I exhorted them to prayer and devotion,
as a si)ecial preparation until the time came."

The following i.-xtracts from the iJishop of
Columbia's report convey a most convlncin*^ testi-
mony to the honesty, and dci)th, of conversion of
these recently reclaimed savaj^es.

The simplicity, and apparent sincerity of the
answers, will biar a thoughtful lomparisou, with
those rendered in our houie churches. I beg my
readers will bear this I'xaminalioM in un'iul while
readitig the reference I shall make to the leport of
the Soci(;ty's l)eputation in Chapter V'll. of this
volume.

MALES.

Cl.Aii, uged 3$.— .4ir/fi««* .'— 1 luivc madr nj) luy niii)il
tn live a Chrittinn. Must try to put awuy all uur »u\h. 1
hrliivc in Jtsun Chrini, ilu' Son "( (ioti, wlu) tliid for our
siiii. (iiid is i;t»od lu u'^. .mil in.ulv- uii. <>)kI <;iv«.'s us His

HALCYON DAYS.

Spirit to make us clean and happy. I pray to God to clean
my heart, and wipe out my sin from God's book. It will be
worse fur us if we fall away after we have begun. I repent
I was not baptized a year and a half ago.

Li'XiAic (principal chieO, aged 40. — Answers : — We must
put away all our evil ways. 1 want to take hold of God. I
believe in God the Father, who made all things, and in
Jesus Christ. I constantly cry for my sins when I remem-
ber them. 1 believe the good will sit near to God after
de.ilh. Am anxious to walk in Ciod's ways all my life. If I
turn back it will be more bitter for me than before. I pray
God to wipe out my sins ; strengthen me to do right ; i)ity
me, My prayers are from my heart. I think sometimes
God drjcs not hear me, because I do not give up .ill my sins.
My sins are too heavy. I think we have ni ' stren^jlh of
ourselves.

lifttiark's. — Under instruction about 'dne months. On two
occasions before attended for a slurt lii;' ■. but fell away.
Mr. Duuean s.iys this man has made greater sacrifices than
any other in the vUlage. Is the princip.il cliu f, and has left
his tribe and all greatness. lias been a nvtst savage and
desperate man ; committed all crimes. Had the ofler of
forty blankets to return to his tribe. He now bears <he rid-
icule of his foiiier friends. Vet his temprr, formerly fero-
cious, bears it patiently, and he returns kin Incss, so that
%( mo have melted and air re.\dy (o conu" with him.

I.K.K-gi»-NKKSH (a chief), ngcd yc),~. Answer s ! When
young was brought up in uln. No one ever told me the
Rood news. C annot tell how great a sinner I am. I be-
lieve in God, and cannot turn back to anv of my old ways.
The great Kathci Almighty, Maker ol iht e.vrih. J<>sus
Christ, the only Son of God, diitl for our sins that God
might pity us on that account. God is a Spirit, full of love
and goodness ; but we must pray for God's Holy Spiiit. We
inubt all :<I.Mi<l befiiit God. (iod wdl know who are i;uod

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

and bad. By-and-by I shall know if God hears me. My
heart is dark ; I cannot clearly tell now. A long time I
felt it was contrary to God, and when I heard the good news
1 gave up evil ways.

Nfeash-i.akah-NOOSh (called '* the Lame Chief;" he
is blind also of an eye ; fine old man) ; aged 70. — An-
swcrs : — When asked if he wished to become a Christian,
said — Kor that object I came here with my people. I have
put away all lying ways, which I had long followed. I have
trusted in God. We want the Spirit of God. Jesus came
to save us. He compensated for our sins. Our Father
made us, and loved us because we are His work. He
wishes to see us with Him because He loves us. Wlicn
cisked about the judgment, said, The blood of Jesus vvill free
those who believe from condemnation.

Remark's. — Under regular instruction for a year, and be-
fore that for some time by his dau^'hter. Is most consist-
ent, trying to do simply what is right. Recently lie was be-
nighted on a Saturday, on his way to spend the Sunday at
Meilakatlllo, seven miles off. Would not come on, nor let
his people gather lKMring-s|)awn, clo-^e under their feet ; he
rested the Lord's Day according to the ronimamlment.

Yll.MAUK.sii, aged 22. — AHsWits : — I ])elieve in Jesu3
as my Saviour, who died to compensate for my sins to God.

Kittmrks. -Appears very earnest ; speaks devoutly and
freely. Long time under Nerious impressions. Brought
Oiji from heathenism three of his relations. Light months
under special instruction.

Leu I", aged 2s- — An\wt'ts: I leel my unworlhiness, but
trust It) Cod's pity. We must pray '(instantly to God. I
have not two hearts ; have given mys If to lli>(|.

A'«7//<i/'/{'.v. Was in tin- •' Carib »" steaillsliip when
blown up; tiirneil hi God then. 'I lufe years under in-
Htrui tion. Sim oi a (liiel. Miuh tem|ited lo go to heathen
fcusln, but has Hteadil) ielu:ied.

HALCYON DAYS.

Kangisl, aged 22. — Answers :—l am striving against my
sins, determined to follow God's way. God's way good and
right, without doubt. Our way full of mistakes. Christ
searched out (exposed) man's way and showed God's way,
and then was punished to make satisfaction for our sins. I
pray for a gooil heart and for pardon from my sins.

A'l-marA's. — Four or five years ago under instruction ; fell
away. A year preparing for magic ; a year and a half earnest.

ShkaH'CLAH, aged 35. — /Inswrrs ; — I have not long
come forward for baptism, but have long been wishing to
be fixed in God's way, and have been struggling against my
sins. God punishes the wicked who persevere in their sins.
1 must pray for God's Spirit. God teaches us humility,
and to love one another. I pray for God to pardon my
sins, and to dress me in His righteousness.

Remarks. — Confesses he has been very wicked. Lately
his child died. As it lay dying, with tears he toucheil it,
and said, "This is for my sins." Was moved strongly to
turn to God by the death of his child. Ik-longs to a leail-
ing family. His brother, a heathen chief, tells him he will
be nobody if he becomes a Christian.

I.Ai'lMCir KUMLKK, aged 30. — Answers :'\ have given
uj) the lucrative position of sorcerer. \\c\:w offeretl bribes
to |)ractiae my art secretly. I have left all my mistaken
ways. My eyes h.ive l)een boreil (enlightened). 1 cry
every night when I remember my sins. The great Father
Almighty sees everything. If I go up to the mountains He
sees me. Jesus died for our sins upon the cross to carry
(Hir sins iuvay.

Remarks. — Dates his change from seeing a convert read-
ing a book, and he fell ashamed that he knew nothing, and
he determined to learn, and soon ho found his own system
false. One case, when his spirit said there would be recov-
ery, death came ; and another, when he fureluld death, life
remained.

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Cow-AL-LAH, aged 30. — Answers: — A Christian must
put away sin, lies, drunkenness. I had wished to come
forward at the hist baptism, but was held back by those
a.ound. I have now lirokon away, and am ready to give
myself to God. God is the maker of heaven and earth.
God pitied our sins, and sent Jesus to save us. The Spirit
helps our weakness. If we follow God here we shall find
God after death. All must stand before God and receive
according to their works. Was struck at the dark death of
many of his relations. He and they knew nothing about
the future. So when Mr. Duncan came and spoke about
those things, he gladly heard, and determined to follow
him.

QuiL-AH-SHKAHKS, aged 25. — Ans7ucrs : — I have put
away my sins. I have long sinned against Goil. I am afraid
of my sins. God sees me. Jesus has opened the door of
heaven to us. God sends His good Spirit to help us. (iod
will measure our ways when we die. So long as I live I will
try to give the news of (iod to others. The wortl of God
has taught us to hope. In the summer saw the jjeople die
from small-pox. Saw the hand of God, and trembled and
resolved to turn to God. We are not strong to resist the
hand of (iod.

Nr.EASi[-All-POOTK, aged 35. — Answers :—\ have long
followed sins which made God angry. I have put away sin,
but if I am ever so ignorant in my endeavors I will per-
severe. Used to be a great drunkard. Have given uj)
magic and display of properly, l-'elt (iod last sumnicr. We
have turned back to our great I'ather. He sees all; His
Spirit is with us. The blood of Jesus cleanselh us from all
sin. How happy the angels will be to see us good, and how
they will cry if we are sinful ! At the last (iod will divide
us. Lost ten relatives by the small-pox last year, and it
opene<l my eyes lu my sins. God's hand was strong to cut
down sinners.

HALCYON DAYS.

KsHlN-KEE-AlKS, .igccl 36. — Ans7Vcrs:—\ will fight against
my sins, and continually cry to find God. I will endeavor
not to retaliate when ridiculed. I believe in the Lord in
heaven, who made the earth and heaven, and us, and the
food we eat. Jesus the only Son of God died to save us
from our sins. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us to
contend against the evil spirits who come against us. If we
are sinful when we die, God's face will be against us.
Wherever I go my mind is fixed to serve God. At the last
God will divide the good from the bad. Used to hear God's
Word, and always went back to my sin. Ikit at last came
away with the others, and was fixed then.

Kow-KAYTH, aged 18. — Answers: — We must leave all
sinful ways, and take hold of (iod's ways. I have long car-
ried sin, i)ut must not carry sin to God. God is a great
Spirit. Made earth and heaven. Jesus died in our stead.
The Spirit of God ever with us ; the hand of (iod ever near.
If we carry our sin till we die, God will punish us. We
must all meet (Jod when we die. God will show us our
ways. My fithcr was cut down in his sins. I purpose to
ill) ilifferenlly.

Kahli', aged 35. — Answers: — I shall fight against my
sins. My heart truly says I will turn from sin to (Jod. God
is perfectly rit?hl in I lis ways. Sees all, good and evil. God
made all things —heaven and earth and us. The Son of
God our Saviour, Jesus. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth
us from sin. God does not withhold His Spirit when we cry
for it. Whosoever believes in God, the Spirit of God lives
• n his heart. Those who die in their sin go to darkness and
to fire. I will fear God as long as I live. I pray fi)r God's
Spirit ant' light \o lead my owns|)irit along the path to Him-
self when i die, Was a slave ; was poor in spirit, and was
drawn to cry to God to take my heart.

h'rmtirfcs.- Answers fri'ely. He was taken slave by the
Hydahs ; brought back anil sold to his old chief, and was

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THE STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

some years a slave. The chiefs son sold him to his own
friends, who set him free.

Skuli.oh, aged 30. — Answers: — From my birth I have
hecn a sinner. I eannot understand tlie si/.e of niy sinful-
ness. Cannot of myself give up my sins, hut (lod will help
me. Jesus our Saviour came from heaven ; that is the rea-
son why we can be saved. I feel Ood sees and understands
all we do, and think, and speak. Am not afraid of the judg-
ment, forCiod is full of love and mercy, and the Son ofCicjd has
made our peace. I pray God to prepare my heart to see 11 im.

Ki'marks. — Was in a canoe with a child, who fired a gun
by carelessness. A portion of the boat turned the shot from
going into his back, lie was led to think why a little piece
of woo 1 should thus save his life; he became thoughtful;
heard Mr. Duncan was to come to speak about God, and at
once joined.

OoHiii-NKKYAM-NAY, aged 24.— ////.fTfVT.v .•— I will try to
take hold of God's ways, and leave sin. When I remcml)er
my sin my lu-art cries. 1 believe in God, who made heaven
and earth, and who is almighty. Our sins were the death
of Jesus. The blooil of Jesus cleanseth us from sin. We
must pray to |>ut our hearts to Him. Ji-sus will dress us in
Mis gooilness. God sends His Spirit to make tis good. I
am not afraid of the judgment, for I hope my lu-art will be
right to see God before I die. If our hearts are not right to
see God, lie will cast us into darkness.

KisiiKKso, ngcd 16, — Answers: — A duty to give up ih-
ways of the Tsishseans. Was very wicked when cpiito
young. Will try to put away my sin. I cannot eat a);a;n
what I have vomited. God is almighty. Jesus the Son of
God, our Saviour. God will hear me if I cry to Him. We
must seek God first befoie any «»ther thing. My father and
mother still in heathenism, but I cannot go back to them,
I rather cry when I think of ihem. I pray night and morn-
ing for God to pity and to pardon me,

TIATXYON DAYS.

Remarks. — Came by himself in .1 tiny canoe, ncross the
sc:i, a\v;iy from hoir.e, to join the Christian people.

Tiirak-SIIA-KaVVN (sorcerer), aj^ctl 50. — Answers :—\
wish to give up all wicked ways. Have been a medicine-man,
and know the lies of heathmism. I believe in the great
leather who made us, in Jesus who died on the cross (hat
(iod would pity us. I want the Spirit of Clod to touch my
heart. We must all stand before (iod. Cod will measure
our ways. No one to be his master but Cod. I will not
keep .ny eyes on the ground any more, but will look up to
heaven all my life.

A'rmarks. — \\v has had to bear much scorn, and to go
through much struggle.

QU-Ti,-NOH, aged 19. — Answers : — I wish to j)ut away all
sin, lies, drunkenness. Have erred in following man. Must
now try to follow Cod. 1 believe in Jesus Christ, who died
for our sin. Cod's .Spirit prepares us for baptism. We shall
rise from (he dead and see Cod's face, if we are Cod's chil-
dren. I atn wibhful lu serve Gud as lung as 1 live.

FKMAI.KS.

WAlli'lir, (wife of l-egaic), aged .\o. — Answers: — I wish
to put away evil and have a clean heart. Keel the pain of
the remembrance of sin so bad I woidd sonii'times like to
die. I want to seik Cod's face, but feel little hope; still I
determine to persevere, though miserable. Loss of relatives,
and liuding no pe.ice and rest, and feeling in darkness, led
me to look to Coil. 1 know that (lOiX sent liin Sou Jesus to
die for our sins.

A'eniitris. -About nine months under regular Instruction.
She is evidently anxious for her soul ; knows the truth, but
her sins are a burden th.it she ha<i not found peace. .Sho
has been anxious her husband should go forwards in good.

I.oosi. (widow of the cannibal chief who died penitent),

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

aged 25. — Answrrs : — I know how blind I have been. Was
first turned to God by the news of the Saviour. Was struck
that He came down amongst us. God is a Spirit full of love.
Christ came to carry away our sins. \Vc must pray for the
Spirit to help us. I confess my sins to God and cry for pity.
I pray formy friends. After death the judgment. Wenuist
stand before God. Jesus will answer for those who trust in
Ilim.

Ki'inarks. — Upheld her husband in his wickedness. Was
turned by his turning at his death.

Shoodaiisl (wife of Clah), aged 30. — Answers: — We
must give up all sin. (lod sees anil knows us all through.
Jesus died in our stead because we were bad. Hy the Spirit
of Jesus we must learn to walk u» the good way. I feel
struggle in my mind, but persevere. 1 pray for pardon.
Will do all I can to keej) Ciod's way. God's own Word
))romisi's that lie will hear.

NisilAll-KKill (chieftainess of the Nishkahs), aged 45.—
////J7l'<7•.y.• — 1 must leave all evil ways. 1 feel myself a sinner
in God's sight. I belnxe in God the l''alher Almighty, and
in Jesus Christ, who dud for our sins. God sends down His
Spirit to make us good. Jesus is in heaven, and is writing
our names in God's book. We musl stand before God and
be Judged oy Ilim. I feel God's Word istruth. Have been
for some time accustomed regularly to pray.

Ki'uhifks, — Two years ago she was found giving Christian
instruction to a sick and tlying person. Her husband tells
nR- she p.isscd much time in devotion. When she lirst heard
the Word of God her sorrow was great, and her penilei\ce
nu)ri' than she could bear. Some live years she has been
earnestly seeking (lod,

NAYAllK.aged 30. — Answers : — I have been n great sin-
ner, but God h.is opened my heart lo see good, and 1 am
resolved by His help to put aw.iy all I'vil and live to God.
I pray fur pardon and Gud's iluly Spirit. 1 fcul unhuppU

HALCYON DAYS.

ncs3 now amongst my heathen friends, and have pleasure
only with God's penple.

Remarks. — Her liusband has been sent away. She re-
mained, although at the cost of much privation to herself;
hut she would not go back to heathenism. Replied well as
to the special work of each Person of the Trinity.

Nayahk (wife of Lapplighcumlce. ^ sorcerer), aged 25.
— Answers: — Answers well and clearly upon the separate
work of each Person of the Trinity. Prays for pardon — for
the Holy Spirit.

Remarks. — Suffered much ftom the mockery of her hus-
band. At her earnest demand he gave up devilry. Under
eighteen months' regular instruction. Ik'en consistent in
the midst of opposition ; adhered to the Mission when
many were against. Has been a blessing to her family, all
(^f whom have renounced heallu'nisni. Her husband, the
sorcerer, laments his past life, and would be the first to put
his foot upon the evil system.

Al)-l)AH"Kll'l'l (wife of a Christian Indian), aged 25. —
Answers : — \ must put away sin. I know I have been mak-
ing (lod angry, but must put away all my old ways, lies,
and the evil of my fathers. God gave us comujandmenls.
(iotl would not hear us till wc.put away our sins, Jesus
would make peace for us and add His spirit. Am resolved
to endeavour to live to God all my life. Was much moved
last fishing at my sinfulness, and then repented strongly,
and resolved to walk with God. I pray morning, not)n, and
night for p.irdon -md (iod's Spirit.

Remarks, Had opposed her liusband, who is a Christian.

Waii-TKK-iioo, aged i6. — Answers ; — Have been sorely
tempted. Jesus came down from Heaven to save sinners,
and to make our peace with God. Jesus shed His lilood for
our sins. Jesus will be as a ladder for us to heaven when
wcdie. We must stand before God. We must cry to Gotl be-
fore we die, and not put ulf. I pray for a clean heart to ( iud.

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Remarks. — Made a touching confession of her sins, when
applying for baptism.

Paiek (wife of SUiUoh), aged 25. — Ans7vcrs : — Want to
find God. I repent of tny sins. First led to think by the
shock of my father being shot in the house bv another
Indian. Sought peace and came to Metla-katla. (iod is
almighty, full of goodness, and truth, and love. Jesus, the
Son of God, died for our sins. Asked what we should ask
God for. She said, light. The good will dwell with God
for ever, the bad be cast away.

Lahsi-, aged 22. — Ans7c>crs : — I wish to be a Christian.
Must put away all sin. I believe in our Lord Jesus Christ,
who takes away my sin. The Spirit is almighty ; strengthens
my breath. We must all stand before (»od. We must try
to be good. Knowing this, I pray to God morning and
evening. Death in the family first led me to think. I have
been mad i bad by my people, but have now turned to God.

Kcmarks : — Eighteen months under instruction. Heen
affiicted, and shown great constancy.

Ahk-YAIK, aged 22. — Answrrs : — My sins I must leave.
1 pray to God for pardon. Helieve in ("lod who made us,
and heaven and earth. Jesus Christ the son of God, our
Lord. lie came down frcvm heaven to our world to save
sinners. God is a great spirit. God will measure our ways.
I have struggled against my friends who wish to get mc
nway from here.

Rt'inarks : — About ten months under instruction.

SllYir-l.lciuiK.N (wife of Kow-al-ah), agi'd 2-^.- /Iptswrrs :
— I have a miserable heart when I think nf my sins. Jesus
had compassion, and died on the cross for our sins, that wo
might live after His ilealh. God sends down Ilis Spirit to
make us good. After death God will show us our sins and
diviile us. 1 jjray when I wake in the night. If only my
tongue speaks, my prayers do not go to God ; but if iny
heart speaks, God hears my prayers.

HALCYON DAYS.

Tah-tiks, aged 24. — Answers: — I must give up all my
old ways. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins. We
shall be happy with the angels if we are good here The
people of heaven and earth will be brethren. God will be
to us a brother. Long time .ago 1 knew good, but it died in
my heart, and I followed sin ; but I had an illness, and de-
termined to do differently, and when the move here was
made, I followed. Did follow evil, but am changed.

C)()-AII (wife of Thrak-sha-kaun), aged 38. — Ans^urrs : —
I wish to be a Christian. Was long time in sin, but now
hope to give up every sin. Jesus died for our sins. Our
Father made us and all things. The spirit helps us. Wc
shall find God when we die, having lost our sins. Those
who remain in their sins will be curried away. I prayed to
God for salvation.

Who can read these simple childlike professions
of faith, witliout beinj; impressed with the mighty
cliange, from the vicious, defiant, bravado which
many of the self-same men and women, had exhibit-
ed wlien Mr. Duncan, began to show them " the
way."

On the day appointed, fifty-six, accepted candi-
f' ites for baptism, assembled in the church, and,
i.mged themselves in a large circle, in the midst of
wliich tile ceremony was to !)e i)erformed.

The Uishop of Columbia thus describes the
scene : —

" The impressivene«s of tlu; occasioti was mani-
fest ill the ilevout and reverent manner of all pres-

ent.

ere

ere no external aids — sometimesi

thought necessary for the savage mind — tt» proihico

THE STORY OK MK ILAKAHTLA.

or itivcrcasc the solemnity of tlic scene. The build-
ing is a bare and unfinished octagon of logs and
spars- -a mere barn — sixty feet by sixty, capable of
containing seven hundred persons. The roof was
partly open at the top ; and, though the weather
was still cold, there was no fire. A simple table,
covered with a white cloth, upon which stood three
hand-basins of water, served fortlie font, and I offi-
ciated in a sur[)lice. Thus there was nothing to im-
press the senses, no colour, or ornamcMit, or church
decoration, or music. The solemnity of the scene
was produced by the earnest sincerity and serious
purpose with which these children of the Far West
were prei)ared to offer themselves to (j(hI, and to
renounce forever the hateful sins and cruel deeds
of their heathenism ; and the solemn scillness was
broken only by the jjreath of prayer. The responses
were made with earnestness and decision. Not an
individual was tliere, whose lips did not utter in
their own expressive tongue, their hearty readiness
to lielieve, and to serve, Clod." . . .

On the following day, the Hishop.was called upon
to unite in marriage three native coup.les.

•* Nothing could be more pleasing, than tlie man-
ner in wliich the young people conducted them-
selves. The service evidently impressed both them
and their friends who came to witness tlie ceremony.
The custom of the wediling-ring was tpiite novi-l to
them, in coimection \vith marriage. Rings they have
in abuuilance generall)'. I havi-iounti'd thirty on a

ild-

:ind
.-of
was
her
blc,
I roc
)fri-
im-
ich
one

OIIS

to
cds
was

ISL'S

an
■ in

less

an-

.Mll-

etn

to
ivo

A NATIVE IIEI.I.E.

)t1 a

HALCYON DAYS.

single pair of hands. All rings were, however, ab-
sent on this occasion, except the third finger had on
a gold ring. There vasno confusion ; all evidently
were properly impressed. Two of the young ladies
had white dresses. I presented e.ach of the couples
with a fifty-pound bag of flour and five pounds of

sugar.

" It is customary amongst Indians for the newly
married pair to give presents to their friends, some-
times to their own impoverishment. We desire to
establish rather the more healthful practice of en-
couraging the new home by substantial help."

On the same day fourteen children were also bap-
tized.

" It was pleasing to see the strong desire of the
Christians for the admission of their children to the
same privilege of union with Christ's Church as
themselves. They all took places — parents, spon-
sors, and children — in the same ring as the adults
of yesterday, and came up, leading the little ones
between two, and, on returning, reverently knelt
down, remaining in private devotion for a while, as
was the case with the adults. Several questions
were necessary to bedecidetl which are not incidental
to old-established countries. Parents, still unbai)-
ti/.ed, sought baptism for their children ; prudence
prevented this. Children, of one parent Christian,
the other heathen, were admitted. Two parents,
still unbai)tised, came to say they hat! given their
child lo a si.sler who was a Christian, ami who had

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

adopted it for her own, that it might be baptised
and trained as a Christian. This I allowed. Chil-
dren over seven I did not admit, considering they
might be imbued with heathen ideas, and should
undergo training in Christianity as a preparation for
baptism, though to be baptised as infants. It was
interesting to see, afterwards, children brought by
their parents, and coming of their own accord to
have their names set down for preparation."

Before his departure, the Bishop gave a feast of
rice and molasses to all ^hc village.

*' They assembled in the octagon. Cloths were
laid ; all brought tlieir own dishes and spoons.
There were three tables, at each of which one of the
chiefs presided. Their custom is to cat little at the
time, but take away the principal part of the allotted
portion : all rise before and after the meal, for grace.
Singing was then introduced, and excellent, cer-
tainly, were the strains of harmony poured forth in
the English tongue. Several well-known rounds
were capitally sung. First, a boat-song; then —

* When a weary task you fintl it,
Persevere, and never mind it.'

*Comc tell nic now, sweet little bird,
Who decked thy wings witli gold ? '

'See our oars, witli feather'd spray ; '

and last, ' Clod save the Queen.' In this they were
as c^uick and lively us any cliildrcn in the world tiic

HALCYON DAYS,

by
to

men joining, too, in good time, voices soft and sweet.
Mr. Duncan afterwards addressed them in an ear-
nest speech."

The Bishop of Columbia, reporting upon another
visit to Metlakahtla, about three years later,vvrites :

" Groups of well-dressed Indians were waiting to
receive us. With many of them I shook hands,
having baptised most of them. The gr^j' octagon
was well filled. It was a thankful sight \.n behold
the clean, neat, and orderly flock gathered with a
devotional object to the Christian house of prayer.
In a liont row were ten young girls, all with Eng-
lish Bibles in their hands, as modest and devout as
could be seen in any village church ot Old England.
I was glad to see so many children, and never have
I seen better behaved ones anywhere. The first
hymn was in English, * How sweet the name of
Jesus sounds ! ' I then said some ^jrayers, and Mr.
Duncan said the Litany in Tsimshean, after which
a hymn in that language was sung; I then gave an
address. It was pleasing to hear the fervent Amens,
both in English and Tsimshean prayers, and also
the responses to the Litany universally made."

The Bishop visited the attractive island-gardens
of the mission lying in the bay opposite the vil-
lage; he was particularly struck by the intelligent
methods of agriculture, and the industry of men,
women, and children.

The Queen's birthday occurred during the Bish-
op's sojourn, and the officers and men of H. M. S.

TIIK STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

'■'' Sparroiv-liawk^'' anchored off the village, partici-
pated in the celebration. This holiday was the
one always most observed, for they had been taught
to worship God, and honor their Queen. The fol-
lowing account of this day's festivities, I (juotc
from Dr. Ilalcombe's report :

" At an early hour a party from the ship landed,
to help decorate the mission-house, and bastion,
with ;; festoon of flags of various nations. The day
was delightful ; the sun shone bright, and all the
beautiful scenery of the islands, placid sea, and dis-
tant mountains contributed to the charm.

"The proceedings of the day commenced in the
house of God, where seventeen children were bap-
tized. * It was pleasing,' writes the Hishop of
Columbia, who orficiated, 'to witness the devout
manner of the sijonsors, and to hear their audible
responses. None anywhere couUl behave better, or
show more appreciation of this sacrament of the
Gospel.'

" A distribution of gifts then took place. First
came 140 children, as orderly, ami nicely dressed, as
the chiklren of the best village school in I'Jigland.
After singing '(niil Save the Queen' in liinglish,
they were each presented with a biscuit. Next
came 120 elderly men and women, to whom a few
leaves of tol)acco were an acceptable token of
friendly feeling; tlu; sick, too, were remembered;
and last, not least, the councilmen and constables.

" Precisely at twelve o'clock, a royal salute (»f

HALCYON DAYS.

twenty-one guns boomed forth from the ship, to
the trrcat satisfaction and some astonishment of the
groups of Indirjis, who, in their Sunday-best, had
gathered to the village square, to join in the festiv-
ities, which now commenced in earnest. Children
playing at ball, and taking turns at a merry-go-
round ; young men competing at gymnastic bars ;
the eighteen policemen of the village in regi-
mentals, ready for review ; and the elders walking
about comparing tlie old time and the new, made
up a scene which for interest, and enjoyment, could
not well be surpassed.

" Hut the most exciting part of the programme
for the day was the regatta. The course was about
two miles, round tlie islaml. In the first race, five
canoes, manned by forty-one young men in their
prime, were engaged. The canoes flew through the
waves, throwing the white foam on every side; and
right gallantly were the efforts sustained until the
goal was reached. Three canoes, nnved by women,
also contendiHJ for a ()ri/.e.

"Next, came foot-races, running in sacks, blind-
man's buff, and such like amusements. It so hap-
pened that on this day a large body of yuocjuolt
Indiaiiis came to Mctlakahtla. As they 1 uuled
fr(»m tlv'ir fleet of IJella IJella canoes, the CJ^ntrast
which .hey presented to the well-dressed .md re-
sp(;ctab'e Metlakahtlans, was very striking. They
were clothed in tattered l)Iankets which scarcely
covered their nakeilness. Their faces were painted

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

black and red, and their hair was matted and dis-
hevelled. Not a little astonished at all they saw
around them, they eventually retired, as though
wishing to hide themselves from observation.
Their chief, a stately personage, alone remained as
the guest of Lcgaic. The evening was devoted to
a public meeting, and a magic-lantern entertain-
ment.

** At the meeting several of the officiirs from ihc
' .S/<7r/vw-//^KC'/' ' addressed the Indians. Some of
the chief men replied ; Mr. Duncan, acting as inter-
preter for both sides. The time being short, the
speakers were limited to a few minutes each. Two
or three quotations will serve to give some iilea of
the general line of the addresses, and the highly
figurative language peculiar to Inilian oratory :"

AiiKAHAM Kkmskaii. — *• Chiefs, I will say a
little. How were we to hear, when we wore
young, what we now hear? And being old, and
long fixed in sin, how are we to obey ? We are like
the canoe going against the tide which is too strong
for it ; wc struggle, but, in spite of our efforts, wc
are carried out to sea. Again, we are like a youth
watching a skilled artisan at work : he strives to
imitate his work, but fails; so we ; we try to fol-
low God's way, but how far wc fall short I Still
we arc encouraged to persevere. We feel we are
Hearing the shore ; we are coming nearer the iiand
t)f (iod. near piace. Wi- must look neither to the
right n M' left, but look straight on and persevere."

HALCYON DAYS.

Peter Simpson ( Thrak-shah-kawn—oncc a sor-
cerer). — '* Chiefs, I will speak. As my brothers
before have entreated, so do ye. Why have you
left your country and come to us ? One thing lias
brought you here: one thing was the cause, lo
teach us the way of God, and help us to walk in it.
Our forefathers were wicked and (hirk ; they taught
us evil, they taught us ahlied (sorcery). My eyes
have swollen. Three nigiits I have not slept ; I
have crept to the corner of my house to cry, reflect-
ing on God's pity to us in sending you at this time.
You are not acting from your own hearts : God has
sent you. I am liappy to see so many of my
brothers and sisters newly born to God. God lias
s[Kiken to us : ' let us hear.' "

RiCliAKi) VVii.soN. — "Chiefs, as wc have now
heard, so do ye. Indeed, father " (addressing Mr.
I )uncan), *• we are sinners before you ; wc often make
your voice bad in calling us , we must persevere, wc
must try, tliough we are bad ; wc are like the wedge
used in splitting the trees ; we arc making tlie way
for our children : they will be better than we are.
'i'lic sun dojs not come out in full strength in early
morn ; the gray light at first spreads itself over the
earth ; as it rises the light ii'creases, and, by-and-
by, is the mid-day sun. We shall die before we
have reached much, but we shall die expecting our
children to pass on beyond us, and reach the
wished for-goal."

Daniei .vUEK {^Nciash-ah-pootk).—'' Chiefs, I

THE STOKY OF METLAKAIITLA.

am foolish, I am bad, bad in your sight. What can
our hearts say ? VVliat sliall wc do ? Wc can only
pray and persevere. We will not listen to voices
on this side or that, but follow on till wc reach our
Father in heaven."

CllKKVOST [Jacob). — *• Chiefs, we have heard
you. Why should we try to mistake the way you
teach us ? rather we must try to follow on ; though
our feet often slip, we must still try; we have rocks
all round us ; our sins are like the rocks, but the
rudder of our canoe is being held. She will not
drift away. We are all assisting to hold the rudder
and keep her in her course. What would she be
without the rudder? — Soon a wreck upon the rocks.
So we must cry to G -d for help to follow on. We
must beg Ood's I loly Spirit to strengthen us and
to guide us. Chiefs, do you but speak, and wc will
obey."

WooDKKMKKSIl (.SV///(W/).— " I will speak to my
brethren. What h.is (iocl done to us? What
does lie see in us that lie should be working for
us? We are like the fallen tree buried in tlu- un-
dergrowth. W'hat do these chiefs gain by coming
to us? Dill we call them? Do wc know from
whence they are, or did we see the way they hail
come? Yet they have arrived tons. They have
torn away the undegrowth ; tiiey have found us;
and they have lifted up «»ur hands and our eyes to
(ioil, and showed us the w.iy to heaven."

Tu those men who now in attempting to destroy

HALCYON DAYS.

the Native Christian Church in Metlakahtla declare
— that Mr. Duncan's work is superficial — '* he is too
much of a trader" — " he is a niisieader" — " incites
them to lawlessness" — " he influences them for evil "
etc., I commend the followin^^ expressions of the
JJishop of Columbia ; and, the Bishop spoke with a
knowledge, and with a personal experience ; and
after watchin^^ the development of this little
oasis : —

*' All former ivork^ varied, ixnd interesting, and im-
pressive as ministerial life is, seems insignifieant,
before this manifest poiver of the Spirit of God,
toiiehing the heart and enlightening the understand-
ing of so many reeently buried in the darkness and
misery of ignorant and cruel superstition.

•* To a "a'orthy, aealous, and gifted lay brother^ is
this reward of his loving and patient labors. Few
would belie7>e what Mr. Dunean has gone through
during the past four years and a half, lahorinj^
alone among the heathen. Truly is the result an
encourai^cment to us all."

Speaking of Legaic's reformation, the iJishop
says : —

'• He is industrious, and gains a good liveli-
".ood, and lives in a comfortable house of his own
building, with good glass windowH and a veranda.
Chairs were set for visitors, and we had much talk
about the Mission, anil the work, ami the tribe.
I lis only, child Sa'ah is one of the most promising
girls of the Mission-house."

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Rev. R. Dundcis also writing at about the same
time alludes, to Lcgaic's family : —

" He and his wife have one child only, a young
girl of fourteen. She was a modest-looking, i)leas-
ing child, very intelligent; one of the first class in
the school. She did not look like one who had
been * possessed with a devil ' ; and yet this is the
child whom three years ago her teacher saw naked
in the midst of a howling band, tearing and devour-
ing a bleeding dog. How changed I She who
' had the unclean spirit sits now at the feet of
Jesus, clothed and in her right mind.'"

The Bishop of Columbia, was very much im-
pressed by the methods, and results, of Mr. Dun-
can's instruction, of the youth, and says, —

" I had obs'^rved on Sunday a row of well-be-
haved and devout young girls with Bibles in their
hands. As 1 gave out my text they found the pas-
sage. On Sunday nrnintj- I heard thcni read the
lUbh\ and they sani^ ehants and hynins^ some in
/ini;/i.\h^ and some in 7'simshean. To-day I exam-
ined several of them in readini^, and was much
pleased by the aeeurate, and devout manner^ in ivhieh
they read the Word of (lod.^

•* These were to be the future mothers of a new
generation. Already has he seen one set go forth
from the Institution, well, and respecttibly married

• CDiiipnrc this with TK-pntntloim Stnlcmcnt Clinplcr VII. thli
volume.

HALCYON DAYS.

to young men, who had proved worthy of the
Christian profession.

" Those now in the Institution are the second set,
several of whom are about to be married, and there
are others, waiting to come and supply their place.
So great is Mr. Duncan's influence, that none are
married without his consent, and he is entirely
trusted by the parents. Constantly is he applied to
by the many young men who desire this, or, that
one, for a partner ; and not a little interesting, if not
amusing, are the accounts he can relate, of the care
and watchfulness with which he guards the tender
plants from too early or ill-advised exposure to the
blasts and storms of the voyage of life."

In his charges to newly-wedded couples, Mr.
Duncan impressed upon both bride and groom, the
necessity of unity of heart, unity of thought, and
unity of purpose. On one occasion, to illustrate
the folly of antagonism, he ai)tly related the inci-
dent of a man and wife, who, when seeking advice
as Ivnv to combat each, the other's obstinacy, were
hidden to throw a rope over the roof of their house,
and each to pull an end on opposite sides, with
their might, and see which should pull it over;
they did so and pulled in vain; then, they were
told to both take hold of one end and pull t<igether ;
then it was drawn over without resistance, or assist-
ance. They saw the point, and profited.

The Rev. R. Dundas visited Metlakahtla about
a year after the Mishop of Columbia's first visit.

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

During his stay arrangements, were made for the
baptism of a considerable number of converts who
had shown themselves worthy of that sacrament.

The Rev. Mr. Dundas depicts the mission, and
the incidents of his visit : —

" It was a pretty sight to see the whole popula-
tion, old and young, at the sound of the bell,
thronging to worship God. No need to lock
doors, for there is no one to enter the empty
houses. Every soul is assembled in the one place,
and for one purpose. As they entered, the men
took the right and the women the left hand of the
great circular hall. I was surprised to learn from
Mr. Duncan afterward that he had never bidden
them to do this; they seemed to have adopted the
arrangement instinctively. Service began with a
hymn in Tsimshean. He led with his concertina.
The air was very plaintive and beautiful — sung by
some 200 voices, men, women, and children — it
thrilled through me. Then followed prayers in Tsim-
shean, at the close of which all joined in the Lord's
Prayer in English. Then followed a chant ; one
of the Psalms he had translated and taught them,
to a fine old Gregorian. I lis address, or sermon,
of nearly an hour, was upon the story of Martha and
Mary. His manner and gesticulation were ani-
mated and striking, very much after their own style.
Their attention never seemed to flag throughout.
lie asked me to address them, which I did, shortly,
upon their present light as comi)are(i with their

HALCYON DAYS.

past darkness, and the difficulties they must expect
in their new cause of Christian discipleship. Mr.
Duncan interpreted for me. Before separating they
san<^ again in Tsimshean a sort of sacred air, which
seemed familiar to me, and was exquisitely beauti-
ful. I found afterward it was the anthem, 'I will
arise, and go to my Father,' somewhat altered, and
made more Indian in its character. It suited their
voices admirably. I closed with a short prayer in
English, and pronounced the Benediction.

'* The service was most striking. // zuas hard to
realize that three years ago these had all been sunk
in the deepest heathenism, ivith all its horrible prac-
tiees. What hours, what whole nights of wrestling
in prayer, have been spent by this single-minded
faithful servant of God, in humble supplieation that
he might ' see of the travail of his soul,' andhoiu has
he been ansioered I There is nothing too hard for
the Lord.

" I went on shore in the afternoon, to take up my
quarters with Mr. Duncan. About four o'clock the
bell was rung, and the whole village assembled at
the school-house, when Mr. Duncan told tiiem that
on the following Sunday, those who desired it, and
also on examination approved themselves, would be
admitted to Holy Bai)tism. Candidates were to
assemble that evening at seven, to give in their
names. In his address to them he was very pointed
and stringent -fencing in, as he afterward told me,

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the door of admission. He told them the strict, un-
compromising requirements in those who thus sought
to join themselves to Christ and His service. Better
that they should postpone so solemn and azvful a step
than come to it unprepared. At the hour appointed
the candidates were assembled. Fifty-five gave in
their names. Several were absent who would have
come forward had they been there ; but, as my
coming was not anticipated, at least 150 to 200 were
away for their last hunting and fishing excursions
before the winter, and would not be back for some
weeks. . . .

'* / was strongly impressed ivith the real earnest-
ness and devotion of those who came forward, and
ivith their acquaintance with the simple^ saving
truths of the Gospel message.

" A few answers may interest."

" COMKAHGWUM, agcd about twenty-five, a fine young
man — to the inquiry, what lecl him first to think of Christ —
said, * It was the winter before last. The new school was built
nt Fort Simpson. Mr. Duncan asked all the Indians one
Sunday to come to church. I had never been. I went then.
He told us of our evil ways, and of God who loved us. It
was good to my heart ; I was dttpin the ground then ; but
now, when I heard tliis, I wanted to be free, and to love
God : that was the first time 1 thought of him.'

** In answer to the inquiry about God's viewof sin, and His
feeling toward siimers, he said, * (jod's heart is against sin,
He is angry with it. IJut He pitied us. It was all for Jesus'
sake.' (What did Jesus Christ do for us?) 'Jesus came
down from His Father to die for our sins on the Cross.

HALCYON DAYS.

(Is He dead still ?) ' Oh, no ! He rose up from death. He
is in heaven now. He is working for us there. He is sprink-
ling us with His blood to make us clean.' (What must we
leave and do to be Christians ?) ' We must leave our sinful
ways ; we must have new hearts ; our old hearts are bad.
We must believe in our Lord.' (Who will help you ?) * Je-
sus sends down His Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts :
we must keep praying for His good Spirit.' (Do you pray
for it ?) * I am always working in prayer for God to pity me.*
(If you are tempted, what will you do ?) * I will fight my
sins. God will help me to fight.' This poor man has been
a murderer in his heathen state. Three years ago he was
provoked by another of the tribe, and wronged in the same
way. He watched him out of the village at Fort Simpson,
and then shot him dead. It weighs much upon his mind

JIOW.

" Here are some puswers of an elderly woman : * I want
to iake hold of the hand of God. He is willing to pity me ;
our sins killed Jesus ; but His blood saves us. I must leave
all my sins, for Jesuj suffered for them. We shall stand be-
fore God ; we must see God's righteousness. He will give
His hand to the good, but He will put the wicked away from
Him.' This woman, who cannot be less than fifty, has had
no instruction, save what she has heard in church. It has
come chietly from her own daughter of fifteen, who is "^^e
of the Mission-house iimiates, and has been with Mr. Dun-
can for four years, his best and most promising young con-
vert. She has been baptized by the liishop, and has now
been the instructress of her parents, both of whom will be
baptized by me to-morrow.

" From two, or three elderly men, I got of course
answers less full. It is hard for them to remember
truths so as to give definite answers in words. They

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

feel, and know, more than they can explain. In a
few cases Mr. Duncan said, if I would allow him, he
would not put any questions to them formally, but
would leave them to tell in their own way why they
sought for baptism. And very touching it was even
to listen to them, though I could not understand
them. One, with tears streaming down, said he was
very old, and must soon die; but he wanted to be
at peace with God. He knew his ways had been
bad all his life ; but he had had no light ; and now
he wanted to belong to Jesus, for he knew Jesus
loved him and died for him.

" All Saints' Day. To-day T was privileged to
perform the most interesting scene I have ever taken
part in since I left England. Fifty-two souls have
been baptized with water and the Spirit, and added
to the Church of Christ, most of whom were walk-
ing a few years ago in the darkness that might be
felt of degraded heathenism.

" After service on board, Lieutenant Verney ac-
companied me 0)1 shore. The Bai)tismal Service
was arranged to take place at two, for adults, of
whom there were thirty-nine. A second service was
fixed for the infants of some of the Christians, thir-
teen in number, at five o'clock. A large number
of the sailors from the gun-boat were {present, and
seemed greatly interested in the solemn rite. A
small table was arranged on a low platform at one
side of the great circular Mission-house. On it
were placed four silver dishes containing water,

VS^maim^m

HALCYON DAYS.

which Lieutenant Verney lent for the occasion ;
they were the best substitute we could obtain for a
font.

" The service of course had to be gone through
twice : after each prayer and exhortation, in the
adult form, had been offered or spoken by me in
English, Mr. Duncan repeated it in Tsimshean.
The candidates were arranged in rows — the men
behind, the women in front. On either side of them,
all round the hall, were the rest of the congregation,
Indians and sailors. At the proper point in the
service, one by one, the candidates stepped forward
in ^' nt of the assembled congregation. Mr. Dun-
can .ailed up each by his heathen name. In answer
to my request, ' Name this person,' he gave the new
Christian name, and by it I baptized the candidate.

" As I held the hand of each, while receiving him
or her into the Church of Christ, and signing him
with the sign of the Cross, T could often feel that they
trembled with deep emotion. On re urning one by
one to thei«- places, each knelt down iii silent prayer.
The Baptism being ended, I offered up the two
concluding prayers, all joining in the Lord's Prayer
in English. I then addressed the newly baptized.

" In describing his departure he said, ' Up anchor,
and started at seven. Mr. Duncan came off in his
canoe to say good-by. The Indians ran the British
ensign up as we passed the flag-staff, which Lieuten-
ant Verney acknowledged by hoisting all his colors
— red, white, and blue — at main, fore, and mizzen.

THE STORY OV METLAKAIlTLiV.

And so I bid good-by to this most interesting place.
// ta/iYs its position now as one of the civili::cd towns
or villa i!i;cs of British Columbia. But it is more than
that : it is the cuduriuij; witness of the faith and
patienee and love of one unaided Christian teaeher^
whose sole reward {the only one he has ever eoveted)
is the souls he has been the honored instrument of
briui^iui^ from darkness to lii^ht. ' / have seen Mis-
sions in various parts of the world before now' {said
Lieutenant \ 'erney to me), * but nowhere one that has
so impressed me with the "■-ality of what has been
aeeomplished.' "

Bisliop Cridgc, then, (Dean of Victoria), gives the
following pictiiresciue account of his inspection of
Mr. Duncan's school,* and of an evening gathering.

" Iixaniined the writing exercises of the first class
of girls. The words ' whale,' ' shark,' * salmon,'
'seal,' were written on the black-board, and, each
girl wrote a short theme in connection with each
word. Some of the exercises were as gootl as in an
English school in respect to composition, spellijig,
and i)enmanship.

** In the evening, the girls sang some of their na-
tive nursery rhymes. Some were very pretty, some
ludicrous, some patlu'tic. Among tlu* latter is that
of the little slave-child, who is told by her captors

*It in wortliy of lucntlon tlint Mr. Diiiicnn frmn (lie nnt, In liii
lii(K'f(AliRnl)li' (levdtinn t«> llic proRrcmi of liin pcopli', rcnlifinj» tlio
iicccsHity u( their daily toil, held iiiKht-Hchool for the ndullti.

HALCYON DAYS.

that her mother is gone getting clams ; and tlic
little thing lisps,

' Raven, have you seen my mother ?
Sea-gull, have you seen my mother?'

After this, one of the party commenced the le-
j^cnd of ' The Chief's Proud Daughter ; ' but the
night advancing, we were obliged to defer the con-
clusion.

" On Tuesday Mr Duncan gave the girls a merry
evening with the galvanic battery, intrixlucing the
bucket of water and the silver coin, which none
succeeded in getting. Mr. Duncan has great art
in keeping them cheerful, telling them humorous
stories, the point of which they alwa)'s remember;
c.^if., * A man with a wry neck fell and hurt himself;
a friendly by-stander picked him up, and began to
set him generally to rights, and among the rest to
straiglUeti h.s neck. The man, terrified, cried out,
''Hold h.ucl there! Morn so, born sol'" One
evening some one made a remark on their Indian
gait, which Mr. Dune ui interpreted to the girls, to
theirgreal amu.'^'ment ; and one of them exclaimed,
in l^nglish, ' Horn so !' which was immediately taken
up by the rest, some of them jmnping up and cari-
caturing their own piiuliarities ; u\nn\ which Mr.
i )imcan, explained to us the allusion.

•• This evening M*'. Duncan, showed inc a letter,
just received from one of the girls whom he had
occasion to repr«>ve in tlir niorning. In broken

THE srORY OF METI.AKAHTLA.

English she bewailed her in^nititudo and hard heart,
asked his forgiveness, and entreated his prayers that
she might be a better girl."

A letter written by one of Mr. Duncan's first set
of scholars, illustrates, how efficaciously he had cul-
tivated in them, the affectionate ties of brothers and
sisters. It was a uart of his j)lan, to create in them
a love of home, .I'ul a love of each other, and purity
of relationship.

This letter was sent to a sister who was leading
an evil life in Victoria. li^liza had already succeetled
in rescuing one of her sisters from a life of shame.
Many are the Magdaleiis whom Mr. Duncan has
fully 1 ;claimed from degradation.

" MKri,AW .HI I. A.

*'Mv Dear Sis ri;R : I send this little news to
you. I very much wish to see you, my sister. I
tell you sometimes I very much cry because I re-
member your way not right. I want you to hear
what I speak to you. Come now, my sister, I hope
you ^vill return and live in vour own place. Do uttt
persevere to follow bad ways. N'oii must try to for-
sake your way; rei)ent from your heart. \'ou hear
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Cast .ill )'oin' bad ways
on Jesus. 1 le know to save us when we die. I
very li.ippy because I see my brother and sister
come again. I thank (lod because ile liear ahvay.s

cry about you.

• I am )'otM" er\ iug sister,

*' I'il.l/A I'ai.kv."

HAIX'YON DAYS.

Tf letter-writing be any gauge of progress, it may
be worthy of note that in 1866 the iMetlakahtlans
posted about 200 letters, each voyage of their
schooner.

liishop Criclgc in writing of the store and schooner
says : —

" No step of a temporal nature was, pcrhajis, so
loudly demanded, or has conferred such important
benefits on the people of Mellakahtla, in conducing
to their comfort, and contentment in their new home.
Instead of having to go seventeen miles for supplies
to a lieathen camp, they can procure them at their
own doors at a cheaper rate. I'ersons who come
iiither to trade, carr}^ away some word or impression
to affect their countrymen at home. During my
sojourn at Mellak.dula, there has not been a single
Sunday, in which there have not Iuxmi hearers of this
descrii)tion, attendant on the word of life. This is
one of those branches of the work taken up b}' Mr.
Duncan, simply because it was pressed upon him
l)y the force of circumstances, as necessary to his
entire success.

•• A striking benefit of the trade is the dispr^sition
of the profits, for with a view to transferring it,
when possible, to otlu-r parties, lie has always con-
duited it on l)usiness principles, in order that the
parties so assuming it might be able to live by it.
I litherto the profits reali/eil on this principle, al)-
sorbed by no personal benefits, have been expended
on objects conducive to liic public JKni.fil, in llir

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAHTLA.

erection of public buildings, in subsidici5to the peo-
ple, in aid of improving the roads, and wharves for
canoes, in charity to the poor, and even in the re-
demption of slaves. The sum of £600, has already
been expended on such objects, and ;^400, are in hand
ready to be applied to similar uses. In fact, the ouly
person ivho suffers is Mr. Duncan himself^ who has
sacrificed his comfort, his repose, and almost his
health, for the sole benefit of the peojjlc but has been
more than compensated by tlie rich reward of feeling
that (lod has owned and blessed the sacrifice. He-
sides this, the trade affords industrial occu.i)ation
for the people, and thus aids them in a more steady
advancement in the comforts of civilizeil life. It is
quite a lively scene to witness the various parties
of laborers engaged, some in bringing tlie rough
timber in rafts from the forest, others in sawing it
into planks, others planing, others cutting tlu^
sliingles, others with nail and hammer erecting the
buihling -all devoting tiu'mselves to thi'ir daily
task, rather with the constancy »>f the I'jiglish
laborer, than, with the fitful disposition of the sav-
age."

In reference to tlie emancipation of slaves, men-
tioned by Bishop Oidgc, the following passage
from a letter of Mr. Duncan's dated March, 1H76,
has interest as a touching illustration, of the repu-
tation of Metlakahtla, as a refuge, for the suffering,
and oppressed;

HALCYON DAYS.

"A poor slave woman, still young in years, who
had been stolen away when a child, and carried to
distant tribes in Alaska Territory, where she had
suffered many cruelties, fled from her oppressors
last summer, and though ill at the time, took to
the sea in a canoe all alone, and determined to
reach Metlakahtla or perish in the attempt. On
her way (and she had upwards of one hundred and
fifty miles to travel, she was seen and taken by a
party of Fort Sim[)son Indians, who would no doubt
have been glad to hand her back to her pursuers
for gain, but on hearing of her case, I demanded
her freedom, and finally she was received into a
C'iiiistian family here, and tenderly cared for.
lioth the man and his wife who received her into
lliis home had themselves been slaves years ago.
They understood her language, symi)athi/ed deeply
with her, and laboured hard to impart to her the
knowledge of the Saviour of sinners. After tliree
months her cruel master with his party came here
to recapture her, but they had to return home un-
successful. In three months more her strength
succumbed to the disease which had been brought
on by cruelty ami hardsliip. She was a great suf-
ferer during the last few weeks of her life, but she
dieil expressing her faith in the Saviour, and rejoic-
ing that she had been led here to end her days."

Archdeacon Woods -rector of the Holy Trinity
Church, New Westminster, iJrilish Columbia —

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

visited Mctlakalitla in 187 1 for the purpose of bap-
tizing converts. He recounts his approach to the
village as follows : —

'• 1 left Will-a-claw (at the mouth of the Skeena
River) about 9 A.M. by canoe, being paddled b}- an
Indian and his wife. ...

" As we drew near to AFetlakahtla the sound of
the church-bell over the still waters of the bay-
could be heard for a considerable time before we
reached the village. The man called my atten-
ti')n to it, and said it meant \^c/ioo/ ;^ the woman,
however, promptly coriected him, saying it meant
^ death : ' of course my own ear liad told me tliat this
was its meaning, and now we could see the funeral
procession passing in canoes from the villages to a
small islanil, which has l)een set apart as a grave-
yard ; so thai when I actually reached the laniling-
place, 1 learned, as I expected, that Mr. Duncan
was away at the funeral."

The iMetlakahtlans now inter their dead af*^er tlie
manner of Christian burial. When the old hrath-
enish customs were in vogue tliey dis[)oscd of their
deail l)y earth, water, aerial ami canoe burials,
and by burning. All of these customs prevailed
along the coast ; none were peculiar to any one
tribe, and some individual tribes practised all.
The ceremonies of burning were the most liide-
ous, being made the occasion for frightful religious
orgies ; in sonic cases tlie widow or slaves, were
burned on the pyre, 'JMie mt)sl i)ictures(pie was the

car

OIK

crc

ov
pr

nc
us
ur

of
hi

tc
h.

t;
1;
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HALCYON DAYS.

canoe burial. Julia McNair Wright thus describes
one : —

*' The canoe — often a very handsome one — cov-
ered with pictures and thirty feet long, is suspended
between poles. The dead lies in this canoe, and
over the body a smaller canoe is turned, affording
protection from birds or from the weather.

" These canoe burial-places — in the solemn still-
ness and darkness of the spruce and cedar woods, and
usually on the bank of some wide stream — are pict-
uresque and touching. The bowls, the cups, the
weapons of the dead one, suggest the occupations
of his life, and also the blackness that brooded over
his future when he drifted into another world, ut-
terly unknown, that all his life had bounded his
horizon with a wall of darkness."

Chieftains and Shamans were laid out in state
mid great ceremony — and were arrayed in all the
splendors their people could ct)mmand.

Archdeacon Woods, visited the Niskah Mission
Station on the Naas River some seventy miles dis-
tant, before performing the rites of baptism at Met-
lakahtla, lie records an incident, of the journey,
which very forcibly illustrates, how consistently the
Mellakahtlans lived their religion.

*' Having paddled from daylight till dark with a
brief rest of about an hour, wo reached the only
available camping-ground on the coast, v 'lere we
rested for the night under such sheltiT as the canoe
sail stretched across the mast could afford ; and hav-

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

ing lighted a fire, prepared supper. Mr. Duncan,
having provided me with food already cooked, my
supper was soon made, and I laid down to rest,
wearied with sitting all day in the canoe. The In-
dians cooked their venison and salmon Indian
fashion, and then, all reverently taking off their
caps, one said grace v.ith every appearance of de-
votion. After supper I was amused at the evident
fun that was going on amongst them ; for though
I could not understand their language, a laugh is
understood all over the world ; and certainly, if
laughter be an evidence of jokes and fun, they were
rich in merriment., notwithstanding the discomfort
of camping out on wet ground and under heavy rain.
By-and-by, as I was dropping asleep, I was roused
by their sudden stillness. My first impression was
that they were getting wearied ; but it was not so,
they were only calming down before retiring to rest,
and soon I observed them all, with heads uncovered
and reverently bowed, kneel round the camp fire
while one said prayers for all. And as the Lord's
Prayer (for I could recognize it in the strange lan-
guage in which it was clothed) ascended from be-
neath the shades of the forest from lips which only
lately had acquired the right to say * Our Father,*
and as I doubt not from hearts which tru'y felt the
mighty privilege which holy baptism had conferred,
I could not fail to realize how grandly catholic is
that prayer which He Himself gave to those to
whom alone He gives the right to use it.

HALCYON DAYS.

" The miners and traders reach Skeena mouth
by steamer for Victoria, but thence to the mines the
transit is made for a considerable distance up river
in a canoe. Consequently in the spring and autumn
(the seasons for going to and returning from the
mines), there is considerable traffic up and down the
river, and those Indians who choose to put their
canoes on the river command good wages and con-
stant employment. The Metlakahtla Indians freely
avail themselves of this means of earning money,
and in connection with this valuable testimony of
the sincerity of their profession came under my no-
tice from the miners who took passage down to
Victoria on the return trip of the ' Otter' All agreed
in witnessing to the honesty, the self-denial, and the
determination to resist temptation of the Metla-
kahtla Indians. * TJicy zvoiCt work on Sunday, they
won't drink, they ivon't lend themselves in any ivay,
to any, kind of inunorality.' The truth of the first
part of this statement I observed for myself during
the time of my stay at Metlakahtla. I noticed how
the Indians flocked home on Saturday nights, some
of them from long distances, many of them from
Skeena mouth, to enjoy the Sunday jjcace and ciuiet
of their own village, and to avail themselves 01 those
* means of grace ' which the Sunday Church ser-
vices and Sunday-schools afforded."

Returning to Metlakahtla the Archdeacon exam-
ined the candidates for baptism. The cerenH)nies
that ensued are best expressed in his own words: —

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" Sundaj^ the 12th of November, is a day to be
remembered by me. / Jiave had in the course of a
ministry of over twenty years many solemn experi-
ences, and zuitnessed many touching scenes, bnt never
since the day of my own ordination as a priest in
the Church of Christ, have I felt anything like the
solemnity of that day, when I saw before me a
crowded congregation of Christians — of heathen
seeking after Christ, and of the little band of fifty-
nine about to be received through holy baptism
into the ark of Christ's Church.

" Holy Baptism, at all times a most solemn rite,
seemed to me specially so at this time, when I was
called upon to administer that Holy Sacrament to
men and women who, of their choice, yet influ-
enced, as I fully believed, by the power of the
Holy Ghost, came forward to renounce heathenism
— to give up in more than one instance all that was
dear to them in this world, and to enlist in the
army of Christ. Oh, may the merciful God grant
that they may have power and st'-'.-ngth to have
victory and to triumph against the dcvil^ the world,
and the flesh !

*' In the evening, accompanied by Mr. Duncan, I
visited several houses in the village and baptized
five adults, who, through sickness or the infirmilies
of age, were prevented attending the service in
church, making a total of eighty-four persons
baptized at Mellakahtla, which, with the twenty-
two baptized at Kincoulith, gives a grand total

HALCYON DAYS.

of 106 persons added to the Church on this oc-
casion."

In alluding to the industries at Metlakahtla Arch-
deacon Woods says : —

"A marked and important feature of the Met-
lakahtla Mission is the aspect imparted to it by the
fostering and utilizing of native industry ; at present
there are carried on a lumber-mill, the manufacture
of soap, the dressing of skins, and blacksmithing,
while preparations are being actively urged forward
for weaving, rope-making, and shoe-making, the
materials for weaving and rope-making being found
in abundance in the immediate neighbourhood.
T/icsr, in combination with tJic trading store in the
'-,'i//agi\ have a very practicahh' bearing on the well-
being of the Afissiofi, quite apart from the mere
money gain, though this too is a matter of con-
siderable importance to the success and prosperity
of the Mission.

" The trade store in the village brings to the In-
dians all the necessaries of life beyond what their
own labour can provide, and takes from them in
exchange the skins and oil which are the chief re-
sults of thoir hunting and fishing, so that they
have withii the limits of their own village the
means of exchanging the produce of their labour
for necessaries and luxuries beyond their own
ability to procure, and this without bringing them
in contact with the temptations which must neces-
sarily beset them if compelled to carry their skins,

TIIK STORY OF MKTLAK AIITI.A.

oil, etc., to the trading-posts outside their own re-
serve."

In the winter of i.S;; and i87(S, the Bisho,) of
Athabasca, visited ATethd-cahtla. It w-'is, at a very-
critical moment, in the liistory of the Mission, as
Mr. Duncan had resigned, and had left the settle-
ment but a short time previously, to make way for
an ordained Church of I^ngland clergy man ; who,
through various indiscretions soon threw tlie mis-
sion into confusion, and neces'-'itated Mr. Duncan's
return. lie liad barely succeeded in restoring
(M'der in the village, vb.en the Hishoj) of Athabasca
arrived. T give his account of the Christmas fes-
tivities in his own words.

" The festivities of the season C(<mmenced here
on Clu■il^.nlas Eve, when a paity of about twent)'-
five of the elder school girls were invited t<) meet
us at tea. A'ter tea we were all eiitertai ned by
Mr. Duncan, with ihc exhibition of a gab'anic bat-
t(Ty and other amus^Miietits. This party having
dispiM'sed lo their homes in g( od time, at a later
liour came together the .ingers who wvw appointed
to sing Christmas carols durmg the night along the
village street, led by the sclioolmaster. After their
singing they returned to supper at the Mission be-
fore retiring to rest.

"On dnistmas morning the first sight which
greeted us was that of the constables ; Icngtluning
to its full lieight the flag-staff on the watch house,
to hoist the iuig for Clirislmas, and all the village

HALCYON DAYS.

street was soon gaily dressed with flags. The con-
stables then marched about the village to different
houses to shake hands and make Christmas, — peace
with all whom they had been called to Interfere
with in the cou-se of the year. At eleven o'clock
the church bell rang, and the large church was
thronged with a well-dressed and attentive con-
gregation.

" After service all the villagers, to the number of
about six hundred, had to come and pass through
the Mission-house to shake hands with all the in-
mates. In doing this they so crowded the veran-
dah that the boanls actually gave way beneath
them, but the ground being only about two feet
below no injury resulted. After all the shaking of
hands was over, the villagers returned home to
their own private entertainments, and most of us at
the Mission enjoyed a (juiet Christmas evem'ng to-
gether ; but Mr. Duncan entertained at tea a party
of th J chiefs and principal persons of the village,
whom we did not join, from inability to converse
in the Tsimshean tongue.

•'The day after Christinas was a gay one. The
constal)les, twenty-five in number, paraded and ex-
ercised on the green witli banners ami music, and
about fifty volunteers, ii' neat white uniforms, with
drums and fifes and banners (lying, went tlnough
creditable evolutions and exercises. All the stran-
gers wlio liad come from neiglibouring villages to
Hpend CJjristm.is at MellaUalitla were c<»llecttd by

THE STORY OF METI-AKAIITLA.

Mr. Duncan, in the Mission Mall, and, after a suit-
able address, all of them received presents of soap,
apples, su^ar, tobacco, etc. In the evenin;^ the usu-
al week-day service was held in the school-room,
always crowded.

"The followinj^ day all the children were assem-
bled by Mr. Duncan at his house, first the i;irls ami
tiien the boys, about two hundred in all ; and, after
beinij amused by him, were treated to .'.ugar-i)lums
and apples, and each one receiveil some article of
clothing; (cap or cape, etc.), so as to be sent away to
their homes rejoiciu}^.

"Next day all the men in the villaL-jc, about 300,
were assembled in the market-house to be addressed
by Mr. Duncan. After he had ^iven them the best
advice he could their Christmas presents were dis-
tributed to them in the i)resence of all the Mission
l).irty. These c«)nsisted of one-half pound suj^ar,
and six apples to each one, with copy-bnok and
pencil, or t(;bacco for the older nnn.

"The day after this, Mr. and Mrs. Schult kindly
entertained the widows of the village, about sixty
in number, to a substantial di.incr. It was a pleas-
ure to see even tlu- old and decrepit able to sit at
table and enjoy their meal, and it madi* us enter
fully into the idea of the renovatini^ influence of
Christmas bUssin^s, to think in what dark and mur-
derous heathenism, these ny.;od widow;;, h.id bicn
reareil when y(>unjj. After dinner Mr. Dnntan
brought tlu'iii to hi, 1 1, ill to listen to ,iu .iddrcss, so

HALCYON DAYS.

that they nii^ht not return home witliout words of
Gospel truth, and comfort, to cheer for struggling
days.

"The morrow, being Sunday, was marked by the
usual services. These consist, first, of morning Sun-
day-school at half-past nine, at which about 200
are i)resent, both children and adults, males and
females being in separate buildings. All the elder
scholars learn and ri'[)eat a text both in I^nglish, and
Tsimshcan, and have it expb'.Ined to them, anil tJuy
arc able to u<c iutclligcntly their lini^/is/i /i/b/es for
this purpose. At eleven is morning service in
church, attemled at Christmas time i)y /Ocj to H(x).
1 lynuis are simg both in Knglish ami 'I'simshcan,
and heartily joineil in b)' the congregation. IMiis
being the last Sunday in the year, the service was
madi" a specially devotional one to seek mercy for
the offences of the past twelvemonth.

*' Afier morning servix'e the adults met agaiti in
Si.!t)d»j':>8chool to learn in I*!nglish and Tsimshcan
h' ".: a'' of the sermon, and have it again explained
to ti.'" (1 (»y the native Sunday-school ti.'achers, who
are prepared for this duty at a meeting with Mr.
Dmuan on Saturday evening. It is very inter sting
to sec about 300 adults gathm'd fogither in the
three schools at midda>-, entirely in tii>^ hands of
native-teachers, and with lui^'.iish Hibles in their
hands poring intelligently over the text, and follow-
'iv; out again the subject of the morning discourse.

THE STORY OF METLaKAHTLA.

/ cannot but think it would be a gnat gain if this
scheme of Mr. Duncan's could be largely followed in
other missions.

" Afternoon service is held in the cluircli at three
o'clock, with a Litany, and after this, when the day-
lij^ht lasts long enou^ "', there is a second Sunday-
school. The church is II in the afternoon as in
the morninj^, and the pun, ualityof the attendance
is surprisinij. In the evening at seven o'clock ser-
vice is again hold in the school-room, which is
crowiled, and occasional nieetings are helil by the
elder converts for the benefit of any aged people
unable to come to church.

•' To return to the Christmas doings : on the ^^on-
day, all the women of the village, about three hun-
dred, assembled in the market-house, and, after
suitable addresses, valuable presents were made to
each, viz. : one pouml soap, one pound rice, and
several aj)ples, etc., so, that they returned home
laden and rejoicing. Altogether about £i^o ($250)
must have been spent upon the Christmas pres-
ents.

"On Monday evening, being the last night of
the old year, a suitable service was held in church,
the subject being I'salm xc. : *So teach us to num-
l)ir our days,' etc. ( )n New- Year's day, the festivi-
ties were renewed. IJiigk:-notes and drums .ind
fifen, and the exercises of the volunteers, enlivem-d
the .scene. The youth of the village played foot-

HALCYON DAYS.

ball on the sands. All the men of the village were
assembled in the market-house, and were perma-
nently enrolled in ten companies, the members of
each company receiving rosettes of a distinguishing
colour. Each comi)aiiy has in it, besides ordinary
members, one chief, two constables, one elder, and
three councillors, who are all ex[)ccted to unite in
preserving the peace and order of the village. The
ten chiefs all spoke in the market-house on New-
Vear's day, and in sensible languaf * promised to
follow the teaching they had received, . 'id to unite
in promoting what is good. After the meeting all
adjourned t<> the green in front of the church, and
joined in singing '(iod save the (hieiMi,' in P'nglish,
before dispersing to their homes. 'I'he rest of the
day was spcui. in New-Year's greetings.

" Wuduesday evening was occupied by the usual
week-day service, and Thursday and I'riday even-
ings were devoted to the exhibition in the school-
room, first to the women and then to the men, «)f
a large magic-lantern, with oxygen light, and also a
microscope showing living insucts and sea-water an-
imalcules, as well as various slides.

"The above is but an imi)erfect sketch of the ef-
forts made by Mr. I )uncan for the increase ami
hap|)iness of his village."

We read tluse testimonies, according one with
another, to a perfect corroboration and repeal to our-
8eivc», — "what hath (iod wrought" through his

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

faithful servant-but wait, and we shall see, how,
when this devout flock, becomes the object of per-
secution, and relentless tyranny, men wearmg '' ihc
cloth " presume with temerity to declare that white
is black.

CHAPTER IV.

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY.

Statesmen, explorers, naval officers, travellers,
merchants, and missionaries, on returnint^ to Kng-
land and the United States, after visiting the North
I'acific, gave impressive accounts of JMr. Duncan's
remarkable work. These accounts are, unfortu-
nately, for the most part buried in liuj^e reports, or
inters[)ersed throu^^h bot)ks which are of a more or
less technical or special character, having interest
but to the few.

However, I shall quote some extracts which I
have gleaned from the writings of a few of those who
have visited Mr. Duncan's mission, or studied his
meth«)ds and work.

An event of no little importance in the history of
Mellakahtla, during the year hS/f), was the visit of
Lord Duflerin, when Ciovernor-Cieneral of Canada —
accompanied by Lady Duffcrin. Their reception
was extremely coidial.

The following address was presented by the na-
tives.

lOO

TIIK STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

"To His Excellency the Earl of Dufferin,
Governor-General of the Dominion of
Canada :

" May it Please Your Excellency^ — We, the in-
habitants of Mctlakahtla, of the Tsimshean nation
of Indians, desire to express our joy in welcoming
your Excellency and Lady Dufferin to our village.
Under the teaching of the Gospel vvc have learned
the Divine command, ' Fear God, honor the King,'
and thus as loyal subjects of her Majesty Queen
Victoria we rejoice in seeing you visit our shores.

" We have learned to respect and obey the laws
of the Queen, and wc will continue to uphold and
defend the same in our community and nation.

" We are still a weak and poor peo[)le, only lately
emancipated from the thraldom of heathenism and

savaiie customs ; but we

u*e struggling to rise

and

advance to a Christian life and civilization.

"Trusting that we may enjoy a share of your
Excellency's kind and fostering care, and under your
administration continue to advance in peace anil
prosperity,

" We have the h(mor to subscribe, ourselves, your
li^xcellency's humble and obedient servant,

"For the Indians of Mctlakahtla.

•* David Leask,
Secretary to the Native Council^

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 1 01

The Governor-General replied as follows: —
" I have come a long distance in order to assure
you, in the name of your Great Mother, the Queen
of England, with what pleasure she has learned
of your well-being, and of the progress you have
made in the arts of peace and the knowledge of
the Christian religion, under the auspices of your
kind friend, Mr. Duncan. You must understand
that I have not come for my own pleasure, but that
the journey has been long and laborious, and that I
am here from a sense of duty, in order to make you
feel, by my actual presence, with what solicitude the
(.)ueen, and Her Majesty's Government in Canada,
watch over your welfare, and how anxious they are
that you should persevere in that virtuous and in-
dustrious mode of »ife in which I find you engaged.
I have viewed with astonishment the church which
you have built entirely by your own industry and
intelligence. That church is in itself a monument
of the way in which you have profited by the teach-
ings you have received. It does you the greatest
credit, and we have every right to hope that, while
in its outward as[)ect it bears testimony to your con-
formity to the laws of the Gospel, beneath its sacred
roof your sincere and faithful prayers will be re-
warded, by those blessings which are promised to all
those who approach the throne of (lod, in humility
and faith. / hope yon ivill uiuicr stand that your
White Mother and the Government of Canada are
fnlly prepared to proteet you in the exereise of your

102

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

religion^ and to extend to you those laws which know
no difference of race or of color, but under which
justice is impartially administered between the hum-
blest and the greatest in the land.

" The Government of Canada is proud to think
that there are upward of thirty thousand Indians in
the territory of British Columbia alone. She rec-
ognizes them as the ancient inhabitants of the
country. The white men have not come among
you as conquerors, but as friends. We regard you
as our fellow-subjects, and as equal to us in the eye
of the law as you are in the eye of God, and equally
entitled with the rest of the community to the
benefits of good government, and the opportunity
of earning an honest livelihood.

" I have had very great pleasure in inspecting your
school, and I am quite certain that there are many,
among the younger portion of those I am now ad-
dressing, who have already begun to feel how much
they are indebted to that institution, for the expan-
sion of their mental faculties, for the knowledge of
what is passing in the outer world, as well as for the
insight it affords them into the laws of nature, and
into the arts of civilized life; and >ve have the fur-
ther satisfaction of remembering that, as year after
year flows by and your population increases, all
those beneficial influences will acquire additional
strength and momentum.

" 1 hope you are duly grateful to him to whom,
under Providence, you are indebted for all these

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. IO3

benefits, and that when you constrast your own
condition, the peace in which you live, the com-
forts that surround you, the decency of your habita-
tion — when you see your wives, your sisters, and
your daughters contributing so materially by the
brightness of their appearance, the softness of their
manners, their housewifely qualities, to the pleas-
antness and cheerfulness of your domestic lives,
contrasting as all these do so strikingly with your
former surroundings, you ivill remember that it is to
Mr. Duncan you oivc this d/essec' initiation into your
fiezv life,

" By a faithful adherence to his principles and his
example you will become useful citizens and faith-
ful subjects, an honor to those under whose auspices
you will thus have shown to what the Indian race
can attain, at the same time that you will leave to
your children an ever-widening prospect of increas-
ing happiness and progressive improvement.

** Before I conclude I cannot help expressing to Mr.
Duncan and those associated xvith him in his good
ivorky not only in my ozun name, not only in the name
of the Government of Canada, but also in the name of
J fer Majesty the Queen, and in the name of the people
of England, ivho take so deep an interest in the well-
being of all the native races throughout the Queens
dominions, our deep gratitude to him for thus having
devoted the floivcr of his life, in spite of innumerable
difficulties, dangers, and discouragements, of which
ivcy who only see the result of his labors, can form only

104

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

a very inadequate idea, to a work which has resulted
in the beautiful scene we have ivitnessed this morn-
ing. 1 only wish to add that I am very much
obliged to you for the satisfactory and loyal address
with which you have greeted me. The very fact of
you being in a position to express yourselves with
so much propriety is in itself extremely creditable to
you, and although it has been my good fortune to
receive many addresses during my stay in Canada
from various communities of your fellow-subjects,
not one of them will be surrounded by so many
hopeful and pleasant reminiscences as those which
I shall carry away with me from this spot."

Subsequently, Lord Dufferin, in a speech delivered
in Government House, Victoria, before about two
hundred leading citizens, including the members of
the Provincial Government, said :

*' I have traversed the entire coast of British Co-
lumbia, from its southern extremity to Alaska. I
have penetrated to the head of Bute Inlet ; I have
examined the Seymour Narrows, and the other
channels which intervene between the head of Bute
Inlet and Vancouver Island. I have looked into
the mouth of Dean's Canal, and passed across the
entrance to Gardener's Channel. I have visited Mr.
Duncan's wonderful settlement at Metlakahtla, and
the interesting Methodist Mission at Fort Simpson,
and have thus been enabled to realize what scenes
of primitive peace, and innocence, of idyllic beauty,
and material comfort, can be presented by the stal-

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 105

wart men, and comely m-Juens of an Indian com-
munity under the wise administration of a judicious,
and devoted Christian missionary. I have seen the
Indians in all phases of their existence, from the
half-naked savage, perched, like a bird of prey, in a
red blanket upon a rock, trying to catch his miser-
able dinner of fish, to the neat maiden in Mr. Dun-
can's school at Metlakahtla, as modest and as well
dressed as any clergyman's daughter in an English
parish. . . . What you want are not resources,
but human beings to develop them and consume
them. Rai'ic your thirty thousand Indians to tJic level
Mr. Duncan has taught us they can be brought, and
consider ivhat an enormous amount of vital poiver
you ivill have added to yoiir present strength.''

A further quotation will be given later on in
reference to the land question, from this speech
of Lord Dufferin.

Lord, and Lady Dufferin, were greatly impressed
by the evidences they beheld on every hand, at
Metlakahtla, of the substantial creation of a civilized
community, from a people rescued in a single gene-
ration, from the lowest degradation, and savagery.

Lady Dufferin, especially noted a remarkable re-
finement of taste and the choice of quiet colors, and
modest dresses of the women.

Mr. St. John who accompanied Lord Dufferin
and reported the above address, writing of Mi.
Duncan's plan of dealing with his people, among
other things says : —

io6

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" It struck mc that lie thirnv, and successfully
throw, C(^ld water on the Governor-General's be-
stowing^ any special mark of reco<^nition on the
chiefs. I le has to conduct his operations in a pecu-
liar way, and it can be easily shown, he undeisto'ui
that much of his advice and direction, would be
thrown away, were there a reco<^nized authority
over the Inilians other than himself, lie scri'i'cs to
make industry and merit the standards by which the
men of the 7'i//ai^e are nieasnred and in presenting
an address to the Governor-Cieneral, which was
done immediately after the sini;ini^ was concludeil
there was no apparent priotity or distinction amon^
them." — '^ Sea of Monntains'' London, 1S77.

The Church of lui^land Missionary Society of
London, was so proud of Mr. Duncan's work, that
i. published, and widely circulated, a book entitlei'
*^ Metlakahthi^' in which it extols Mr. Duncan's
work, t^ivin^ him unstinted praise, for the marvel-
lous thinj^s lie hail accomplished, amoni; the fero-
cious, wild savages, of the \^\\\\\. Northwest. This
book was the means of brinj^in^; many thousand
po'uids in contributions to the Society's coffers "for
the purpose of converting,' the lieathen of fori-ij^n
lantls." The C hurch Missionary Sv)ciety's publica-
tions coutinuall)' ihroniclco the pro^jress of his
work, aiul held l>im up as an t.'xamplo for mission-
aries tlirou^hout the work!.

Tl.. Society for the IVoinotlon of Christian
Knowledge, London, published a book, edited f)y

KARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 10/

the Rev. J. J. Halcombc, M.A., titled " Stranger
than I'ictionr This book, devoted entirely to Mr.
niincan's mission work, has passed through many
editions, and I have been informed; somethin;^ like
twenty thousand copies have been sold. The author
begins l)y saying that Mr. Duncan's work "presents
a seiies of incidents without par.dlel in the mission-
ary annals of the Church," and from beginnini^, to
end, lauds his methods.

In reference to the foundin^^ of Metlakahtla he
says : —

"Gradually assuminj^ shape and consistency, un-
til it finally issued in the establishment of the na-
tive settlement, the sin^nilar and successful tlevelop-
ment of which has already constituted it one of the
marvels of the iia)\ . . .

"Thus we have seen the foundation laid, and the
superstructure bej^in to rise upon it. What the na-
ture of the foundation has been we havesufncicntly
indicate<l. ' Other fouiulation can no man lay than
that is laid, even Jisus Christ,' seenis to have bi-iii
pre-i;minently the principle upon which, as a true
missionar)' 'a wise master l)uilder' — Mr. Duncan
from the fust proceeded in his work. ' jesus Christ
and llim crucified,' all the historical f.icts '>! our
Lord's lite aiul death, the causes which led vo, ai\d
llu? results winch followed from, the * one all-suf-
ficietit sacrifice, oblation, anil satisfaction for the
sins of the whole world,' olTered by Christ upon
the cross; these had been, so to speak, the nialo-

I08

THE STOKY OF METLAKAHTLA.

rials ceaselessly thrown in amongst the quicksands
of ignorance, and superstition, which would other-
wise have baffled all hope of erecting any solid
superstructure upon them.

" It is difficult, in a narrative like the present, to
convey any sufTiciently adequate idea of the untir-
ing perseverance with which Mr. Duncan seems
thus to have made his preaching, and teaching rest
upon atid centre round iJie great facts of the history
of man s redemption. Line upon line, precept upon
precept, in season, and, as some would have thought,
out of season the same theme was evidently re-
garded as the only motive-power, which could be
brought to bear with any reasonable hope of u suc-
cessful result attending it. . . .

*' JiUt of a// tests of progress in such a settlement
as Metlakahtla the development of a missionary
spirit is the most trustworthy. Nor was this sign
wanting. Amongst all classes of the community
there seems to have been a constant desire leading to
continued and earnest efforts to briug home the truths
of the (iospd to their heathen brethren. "...

In narrating the remarkablr career of Legaic, Dr.
Halcom!)e wriles ; -

*• Tile case of Paul Lf^aic was, be it remembered,
no e.xeeptinnal one, thou^;h rendered soimwhat
more remarkable by his former rank. His history
is only one out of a very large numlur of a similar
kind wliiih tiie experience of this Mission wouM
fiu-nish. . . .

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. lOQ

"That, luinianly spcakinj^, a great part of Mr.
Duncan's success, especially at first, was due to the
persistency with which he went to those who would
not come to him, and to his resolute determination
to declare to all 'whether they would hear or
whether they would forbear,' the counsel and will
of God regartlin<^ them, there can be no doul)t.

•' How far the moral and social elevation of the
whole Indian race may be affected by what is being
done in Metlakahtla, and what maybe the result of
the formation of a sort of native capital and model
settlement, it is imi)ossiblc to predict. That with
(ioil's blessing it may result in the saving of a
goodly remnant of a whole race we would fain hope.

"What Mr. Duncan's own plans are, and how
far he will hereafter devote himself to the e.\tensi"n
of the great work which he has so successful' • in.ui-
gurated, we have no means of judging. Bcuij, liim-
.self a layman, he naturally wishes to see a clergy-
man pirinanently established in charge of thesettle-
nuMit, nn(f s/>i-<th <ontinN(i//y of the time of his own
ri'tinnirnt frotu the work <rs luiiii:^ nciir at hntut

"That a man possessed of such singular admim's-
trative ability, such great earnestness, and such un-
usual power of inlluencing others, and who has
gaiiu'd so thorough a mastery in the language as ' to
think and dream ' in it, should entirely withdraw
himself from the work to which he has hitherto
devoted himself would be a cause of general atid
<lcep regret, and we may well express the hope that

'I'

THi: STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

the day for his doinj^ so may yet be far distant.
Crreat as has been the work which lias been already
done, a greater still remains to be accomplished.
If I\Icthxkalitla is really to bcconw the centre of auy
ividely extended efforts to evangelize the native tribes
of North-West /bneriea, it must be under the guid-
ing and controlling injluenee of such a mind as that
of Mr. Duncan. Most sincerely do we trust that
he will meet with such encouragement and assistance
as will enable him to complete that which he be}.;un
so well, and that the Christian Community which
we have seen so successfully orj^ani/.etl may only be
the first of many other settlements modelled on the
same plan and showing the same signs of material
prosperity^ combined with a thorough appreciation
and practical application of the saving truths of Chris-
tianity.

'■^Yielding to ^ no consideration of comfort, taste^
interest^ reputation, or safety {in all ivhich respects
he has been severely tried),' did Mr. Puncan labor on
year after year resolutely, saerifietng himself, and his
o'ii'n interests to the work which he had undertaken^
and refusing to decline or abandon any undertaking
which he believed to be, nndi r the providence of (iod,
t'sscntial to its success. Who that reads the story oj
what the strong will and entire sclf-deiot ion of one
man has effected will deny that it is indeed ' stranger
than fiction ' f "

Wc sliall have occasion in succeeding chapters^
lo ponder uvcr »unic of tiicHu strung terms uf pi.iisc,

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. Ill

and wonder which is the strangest feature of Mr.
J)uncan'.s experience; his anxious struggle to wrest
tiicse people from heathendom, or, his resistance of
ecclesiastics, who seek to destroy his life's work.

The lincyclopiedia Britannica^ in its treatise on
missions says :

"At Columbia, on the coast of the l'acific,a prac-
tical missionary genius, named William Duncan, has
succeeded in civilizing a body of Indians, degraded
by cannibalism, and, at his Metlakahtla mission,
stands at the head of a community of some thou-
sand persons, which has a larger church than is to
be found between there and San iMancisco. Testi-
mony to the value of the results was borne in
1876 by Lord Dufferin, then (iovernor-Cieneral of
Canada, who declared that he could hardly find
words to express his astonishment at what he wit-
nessed."

Achuiral K. C. Mayne, K.N., I"'.K.(i.S., devoting
nearly five years to exploration, and study, of the
natives of the North I'acific.in his highly instructive
report writes :

"There is no doubt that men of Mr. Duncan's
stamp, who will in a frank, manly spirit go among
them (tile Indians), diffusing the blessings of relig-
ion ami education, will mi-it a cordial reception
and an abiuulant reward, liut without any desire
to disparage or dishearten others, I must say that
Mr. Duncan impressed us as a \w\\\\ out of ten
thous.md, possessing with abundant energy and zeal

112

THE STORY OF METl.AKAII TLA.

that talent for acquiring the confidence and love of
his fellow-creature which ail who come in his way,
were they whites or Indians, could not fail to ac-
knowledge and feel subject to.

'* The labors of men of his class among the dis-
tant heathen are undervalued by the world, which
refuses to credit the fact that savages such as these
coast Indians undoubtedly are, can receive and re-
tain impressions so utterly at variance with their nat-
ure or habits." Then Admiral Mayne quotes Cap-
tain Richards, R.N., commanding H. M. S. IMump-
cr, who, having been ordered by the government
to quell an outbreak at Fort Rupert, reported :

** I have had some trouble with the Indians, and at
a large meeting they asked me why Mr. Duncan
was not sent to teach them, and then insistetl on
the injustice of his being sent over their heads to
the Tsimshean Indians. The business I have just
had with the Indians convinces me that it is not
our ships of war that are wanted uj) the coast, but
missionaries. The hulian's ignorance of our power
and strong confidence in his own, in acKlition to his
natural savage temper, render him unfit to be dialt
with at present by stern and unyielding men of
war, unless his destruction be contemplated, which
of course is not. Why do not more men come out,
since Mr. Duncan's mission has been so successful;
or, if the missionary societies cannot alfonl them,
why does not government send out fifty, and place
tiiem up the coast at once? Surely, it would not

! Il

EARL DUKFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. II3

be difficult to find fifty good men in England will-
ing to engage in such work ! And their expenses
would be almost nothing compared with the cost
which the country must sustain to subdue the In-
dians by force of arms."

To this the Admiral adds : " Such arc the ear-
nest sentiments of one of Her Majesty's naval cap-
tains while among the Indians. And such, I may
add, are the sentiments of myself — in common, I
believe, with all my brother officers — after nearly
five years' constant and close intercourse with the
natives of Vancouver's Island and the coast of Brit-
ish Columbia."

Matthew Macfie, F.R.G.S. (" Vaucflmrrs Isl-
and'')^ London, 1H65, commenting upon the utter
degradation in which he found the Uritish Colum-
bian Indians, writes :

" From these facts, some Idea may be formed of
the vexations borne by Mr. Duncan at the begin-
ning of his career. IJut a noble ambition to elevate
the social anil religious condition of the Indian
lightened the burden of his toils. Such an enter-
prise was sufficiently onerous to one cheered by the
presence of Christian sympathy ; but his isolated
situation, struggling without a pious companion of
either sex to share his anxieties and labors, was
fitted to deepen the interest felt by the religious
public at home. A work has been accomplished
there whose success has rarely, if ever, been equalled
in the history of missions to the luathen.

114

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" These indispensable auxiliaries of civilization
did not, I know, formerly receive from foreign mis-
sionaries in the Sandwich Islands the attention they
merited, and consequently, the results of their zeal-
ous and severe exertions were, *n most instances,
sadly out of proportion to the time, strength, and
money expended in connection with their work.
I trust I do not detract from the dignity of the mis-
sionary calling, or from the power of the Christian
rel'igion, in suggesting that the arts and institutions
of civilized life ought to be fostered side by side
with the communication of religious instruction.
These arts and institutions create new and elevating
social relations, and open up the most worthy
spheres to be found in this world for the exercise
of Christian virtues, the strengthening of heavenly
principles, and the development of the divine life.
To those missionaries, therefore, who have been
exclusively ecclesiastical in their plan of action, I
commend the enlightened example of Mr. Duncan.''

VVhympcr, the distinguished English traveller,
made an extended journey of exploration through
the North Pacific country. In his book, ** Travels
in Alaska^ London, 186H, after giving his own ideas
regarding the civilization of the aborigines, says, re-
ferring to Metlakahtla:

" The success of this station is, doubtless, due in
part to its isolation from any large white settle-
ment, but Mr. Duncan must have labored earnestly
und incessantly in his noble work.

EARL DUFFEKIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. IlS

" I think it is fair to allude to one objection I have
heard used, both in and out of the colony, to Mr.
Duncan's work. It is this, that for a missionary
he is 'too much of a trader.' 1 cannot say to
what extent, or in what sense, this may be true ; I
do not myself believe it in any offensive sense. If,
however, Mr. Duncan, from a little pecuniary ad-
vantage accruing to him, should be induced to pro-
Jong his stay among the Indians, and follow out
the work of civilization he is engaged in, no one
can rightly complain. 1 he majority of missionaries
do not stop long enough in any one locality to ac-
quire a thorough knowledge of the native dialects,
and this of itself must be a fatal hindrance to their
efforts.

" If this gentleman, by giving up a large part of his
life for the benefit of these savages, can .it the same
time make a fortune, may success attend him."

'I'his rej)()rt of the accusation against Mr. Duncan,
is given in order to show how industriously the
litjuor traders, and the Hudson's Hay Company's
agents, circulated their slanders against him, (see
Chap. 11. of this volume) simply because he en-
deavored to prevent the sale of intoxicating drink to
the Indians, and, because he introduced industries
that enabled the natives to cheaply manufacture
articles, that, the Hudson's Bay Company had pre-
viously supplied at exorbitant prices. Mr. Duncan
desired peaceful relations, and on founding Metla-
kahlla endeavored to induce the Hudson's Uay

■ ^i

ii6

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Company to open a store there, and thus avoid the
necessity of his engaging in the venture. But in
their bitterness, they obdurately refused.

The liquor traders of Alaska maligned him, be-
cause he would not allow them to poison his people;
they even accused him of complicity in smuggling,*
and based their charges on the fact, that the Tsim-
sheans bartered their goods, up and down the coast ;
as they had ever done from the earliest time. It is
needless to add that the accusation was false. Had
Mr. Duncan been greedy of gain he would hardly
have abandoned a lucrative position, with bright
future prospects, in England to encounter the dan-
gers, and hardships, of missionary life among the
North I\icific savages.

The Nanaimo Tribune (British Columbia) pub-
lished, the following account of a visit paid to Met-
lakahtla, in 1866 by a Roman Catholic gentleman,
he writes : —

" Though not of the same denomination as Mr.
Duncan, and /taviui^ no interest to subserve^ by my
advocacy of his great claims to the respect and

* Bancroft, in his History of Alaska, in error, attributes .1
report of this accusation to Dr. Sheldon Jackson ; but. Dr.
Jackson positively denies that he has ever published or
made sucli a statement, and credits, its circulation solely to
Aliiskan iitjuor traders, or, early officials, who were mixed
up with them, or, were anxious to stamp out mission work,
and education. The early history of Ahiska is very unsa-
vory in this respect.

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 11/

gratitude of all true Christians, for his meritorious
services in the good cause, it is with feelings of the
utmost pleasure, that, I bear testimony to the great
good effected by this worthy man, during his period
of self-exile at Metlakahtla. Some time ago re-
ports were industriously circulated that his influence
over the aborigines was rapidly on the wane, and
that he used every means to prevent his people
from trading with the vessels calling at the Mission.
With regard to the first assertion, it is simply ridic-
ulous. The confidence reposed in Mr. Duncan by
his dusky flock has never for a moment been shaken,
in fact is daily on the increase, as the many additions
to the population from outside sources will attest,
as well as the alacrity with which he is obeyed in
every command, having for its object, the good of
the community. A notable instance of the latter I
witnessed in the ready manner in which they turned
out to do their (piota of statute labor on the
streets, or paid its ccpuvalent in blankets, &c.: no
Ci>ercion, all was voluntary, for they see the benefit
in front of their own doors. Their hearts seem to
be centred in their little town, and you can inflict
no greater punishment on them, than to exile them,
from it and its founder.

" In regard to the allegation about the prohibition
to trading, I have only to remark that it is as ground-
less as the other. I myself was on a trading voyage,
antl stopped ten days at Metlakahtla, and had every
facility afforded me by Mr. Duncan in trafficking

ii8

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

with the natives. The reason is obvious enough :
our trade was not in whiskey. That branch of trade
is certainly discouraged at the Mission, hence the
outcry about 'interfering with commerce.' . . .

" A word or two now about Metlakahtla and its
beautiful environs, all blooming with the blossoms
of that useful esculent the potato, some twenty
acres of which were under cultivation and looking
splendid. The town is triangular in shape ; the
Mission-buildings being located on a bold promon-
tory forming the apex. The view from the southern
entrance of the harbor, looking townward, is ex-
tremely pretty. The church, of octagonal form,* hav-
ing a handsome portico and belfry, and surmounted
with the emblem of Christianity and peace, occu-
pies a prominent position in the foreground ; adja-
cent to this are the parsonage, store, and saw-pits,
the latter supplying lumber of good quality, the
product of native labor, at the rate of fifteen dol-
lars per i,ooo. The houses, numbering about fifty,
are nearly all of a uniform size — 16 by 24 feet —
good frame, weather-boarded and shingled, glazed
windows, and having neat little gardens in front ;
the whole forming two handsome esplanades, one
fronting the outer and the other the inner harbor.

"The interior of the houses did not belie the
promise held out by the exterior. Everything was
neat and scrupulously clean. The inmates were as

* The old church.

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 119

well supplied with the requisites to ma1<e life com-
fortable as any of our laboring class here. Cook-
ing-stoves and clocks were common to every dwell-
ing, and, in a few instances, pictures adorn the walls
of the more luxuriously inclined.

" The sight at church on Sabbath morning was
pleasant to behold. The congregation numbered
about 300, the females preponderating, the major
portion of the males being at that time away at
the fishing-station. They were all well clad — the
women in their cloth mantles and merino dresses ;
the men in substantial tweeds and broadcloth suits,
and 'iaving the impress of good health and content-
niLir'. )n their intelligent features. Their conduct
during divine service was strictly exemplary, and
would have done credit to many a more pretentious
edifice than that at Metlakahtla.

" As a whole, Mr. Duncan's people arc industrious
and sober ; they are courteous and hospitable to
strangers, and, if properly protected by the Govern-
ment against the poison-venders of this land, will
in time become a numerous wealthy people."

One of the British Columbian journals, publishes
the following concerning the visit of Mr. McKenzie,
a Scotch gentleman, to Metlakahtla during a pros-
pecting tour on the North Pacific Coast : —

"On reaching the Metlakahtlan settlement, the
party were astonished to witness all the external,
and internal evidences of civilization. The interior
of each dwelling is divided into separate apartments,

I20

THE STOKY OF METLAKAIiTLA.

and what little furniture they contain is kept in
^ood order, and clean.

" The people, both male and female, are all com-
fortably clad, the result of their own imlustry and
provident habits.

"The villaj^e contains a church, part of which is
used as a school during the week. Mr. McKen/.ie
attended divine service on Sunday, and was amazed
at the si<^ht of the large congregation of native con-
verts assembled. Their deportment and solemnity
during the service, he declares, could not be excelled
by any Christian congregatior which he had ever pre-
viously united with in worship. Mr. Duncan read
the Church Service, and afterward ptrached in the
Indian language. It was evident to Mr. McKen/ie
and his companions that the natives took a deep,
and intelligent interest, in the services from begin-
ning to end. The apathy, and listlessness, w'lich is
observable in the countenance of an untutored
Indian lias entirely departeil from the Metlakah-
tlans. Most of their faces are uinarkablt for an
animated appearance and intelligent expressi«»n.

"Mr. Duncan teaches school during the week,
and instructs tiie natives how to use the appliances
of modem civilization in cidtivating t' ir gardens,
building their houses, and sawing timber, as well as
many other usef id arts, lie also stiperintends the
villi»„e store, acts as magistrate, settles all disputes
that 'v:jy arise, an '., in fact, has his hands full in
performing tac arduous labors which devolve upon

EARL DUFFEKIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 121

him, and which have resulted in such complete
success as scarcely to be believed, unless, as Mr.
McKenzie states, it has been witnessed.

"The contrast between the Fort Simpson Indians,
amonp whom Mr. McKenzie resided last winter,
and the inhabitants of Metlakahtla, is like that be-
tween darkness and li^ht : at Fort Simpson all is
^ross ignorance, barbarism, degradation, filth, and
evil: whilst at Metlakahtla civilization, progress, en-
lightenment, cleanliness, and Christianity areeverj'-
where oi)servable.

"Mr. McKenzie bears willing' testimony to the
amazinj; amount of substantial ^ood done by Mr.
Dimcan. The beneficial influence which he exerts
over the natives Is not confined to those uiuler his
charge alone. The improvement, which he has
been the zealous instrument »)f brin^jin^ about, has
become extensively known amon^ the wandering
Arabs who inhabit the British possessions of the
I'.Kific, and the tribes are now desirous of bein^^ in-
structed by Missionaries. Mr. McKenzie, in his
travels up Naas and Skeetia rivers, has heard the
Indians express the most fervent wislu-s to have
•^jood men* laborinj; amon^; ihem. Mr. McKenzie
in Ins narrative has <»nly spoken of what he wit-
nessed himself, and hi* is not a bad witness to facts
coming under his <nvn observation, lie is an intel-
iij^ent Scotchman, wiio has travelled a ^^ood deal,
and, like most of his countrymen, Is not easily de-
ceived, being of 'an inquiring; turn of mind.'"

122

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

William F. Bainbridgc, in his book, " Tour of
Christian Missions around the IVor/d" New York,
1882, speaking of the Church of England Missions,
writes :

** Their most interesting station is at Metlakahtla,
near Fort Simpson, upon the l^acific coast of Brit-
ish Columbia. When, in 1857, Mr. Duncan was
located among the Tsimsheans, his task seemed
as hopeless as when the explorer Iludson was
cast adrift by the mutineers. I \c found twenty-
three thousand of the most blood-tliirsty savages.
Physically a superior tribe, they yet seemed to
have sunken lower than all others in wretchedness
and crime. Soon after, the '* fire-water " was intro-
duceil by the Victoria miners, and a reign of terror
began, liut the missionary felt that Christianity
was i(|iial to even such a situation of imparalleled
horrors, and he kept to work. \\y 1862 lie liad in-
fluenced some Tift)' to a bi-tter life, and with tluni
formed a new settlement a few miles distant. Now
over a thousand arc gathered there about him, in
well-built cottages, with tin* largest church edifice
nortii of San I'Vancisco, the Sabbath krpt, all the
children at scht)ot, every citi/en in health attending
divine worship. No intoxicating drink is allowed
In the eommunity. This prosperous, well-ordend,
Christ i,m settUincut shows what evangelization c.ii»
do under the worst possible embarriissments."

Kev. Sheldon Jackson, 1 1. S. (leneral Agent for
Eduwatiun in AluHku, has several times visited Met-

lOli

EARL DUIFKRIN AND OTHERS TES'IIKY. 1 23

lakahtla, and has repeatedly borne emphatic testi-
mony, to the groat influence of Mr. Duncan's Chris-
tianizing, and civilizing work upon the Alaskan
Natives. Dr. Jackson's extensive experience in
mission and educational work among the Indians,
lends peculiar force to his opinions; he says of Mr.
Duncan's mission : —

"The new settlement has now grown to one
thousand people, forming the healthie;t and strong-
est settlement on the coast. "...

•• These Indians are a happy, industrious, pros-
perous community of former savages and cannibals,
saved by the grace of (iocl. This is the oldest and
most successful Indian Mission on that coast, and
illustrates what one consecrated man by Divine
help can accomplish." . , ,

" Some three or four years ago the head cliief of
tin- Indians upon the northern i-nd of Vancouver
Island, at T'ort Kupert, visited Mit lakahtla. and
asked for a teacher, saying that 'a rf>pe had i)een
thniwn out from Met lakahtla which wa** encircl-
ing and drawing together all the Indian tribes in-
to one connnon brotherhood.'" .Mnskn and the
Missions of the North l\uijic Coast, AVjc Yorl-,
iHHo.

I shall make fjuther (piotations, from Dr. Jack
son, in the last chapter of this volume, together
with a cpiotation froui the (lovernor of Alaska.

The Ibm. Janus (i. Swan, was appointe<l a
Special Connnissioner of the l)ej)arlmcnt of the

124

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Interior, in 1875, to visit Alaska. In his official
report we find the following : —

" From F"ort Simpson we proceed to Fort Ton-
gass, in Alaska, some 15 miles distant from Simp-
son. This is an abandoned military post, belonginj;
to the United States, and now occupied by a band
of 700 Tongass, under a chief named Ya-soot. He
came on board and expressed a great desire to have
a missi(.)nary teacher. He said he felt ashamed
when lie went to Fort Simpson to see all the chil-
dren learning to reati and write, and all the Indians
going to church, while uie Tongass Indians had
neither a missionary nor teacher and he thouglu
that 'Washington' does not take as gooil care of
the Alaska Indians as King (leorgi (the name they
give the Knglish) does of the huliansat I'ort Simp-
soti. lie wished me to ask 'Washington ' to sriul
them a missionary, and he would make his pi-ople
build him a housi;, and he, would compel all the
Indi.uis to send their children to school. Now this
appari-nt lagerness for a missionary is siiiiply owing
to a feeling of jealousy of the rsimiii;ans, who are
given to boasting to the Alaska Indians that the
luiglish (iovernmeiit take better care of them, than
the American (lovermneiit does of tin* Alaskans.
Still, a beneficial inllucncc Ih exert eil by the feel-
ing ; for in all my expiiience of over twenty years
among th( coast tribes, the great difficulty has been
to get them to allow a missionary to reside among
them. This sanie feeling was exhibited in every

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTIIKRS TESTIFY. 12$

villaj^c wc visited during our cruise. It was the old
cry, ' Come over froin Macedonia and heli) us.' I
sincerely believe if this matter was jjlaced in the
hands of various missionary societies, and they
could send men like Mr. Duncan and Mr. Crosby,
fiee and untrammelled by any of the restrictions
that now necessarily surround the Indian ai^^ents,
under our present plan, tiiat far more gooil would
be effected among the natives, and at far Uss cost
than by our present system."

deferring to a Sunday spent in Fort Simpson he
saj's : —

•' I was so impresseil with what I had seen that
day that 1 could not help the thought that the
l)eo|)Ie whom we dare to call savages can teach the
so-called Christians lessons of humility. I left Fort
SinipsDU with a feeling of res|)ect for those Indians
that I have never before felt ior any tribe I have
lived with on the Northwest Coast, and I feel con-
fiilent if missionaries, and teachers, are sent them
by tin* various missionary societies, of all denomina-
tions of Christians in the san»e untrammelled man-
ner accorded to Messrs. Duncan and Crosby, that
the Alaska tribes will not only stay at home and
trade with our own people, but they will be m«)r-
ally, physically, and |)ecuniarily, lu'tterolf than they
will be shou'd our present iniM-rable policy of In-
dian agencies be thrust upon them."

C«»lonel Vincent C«»lycr reporting as a Special
CuiuiniHHioncr to tite U. S. (i«>vernment after a

126

THE STORY OK METLAKAHTLA.

tour of inspection througli Alaska laid great stress
upon our nation's neglect of the natives there and
iviade forcible comparison with Mr. Duncan's
achievements in British Columbia : —

" * Vou ouglit to see Duncan's Missi(»n before you
leave the Pacific Coast,' said many people to me on
my journey. . . .

" ' It is really astonishing what he has done for
the Indians in a short time,' said they. . . .

" We arrived at the mission at three o'clock hav-
ing started at eight. Mr. Duncan, was away on
a visit to another mission which he looks after up
in Nass Bay. We landed at a well-constructed
stone wharf, built for canoes, and passing up this
about one hunilred feet ascended a flight of steps
and entered the market-house.

" This market-huuse is a neat, well-built house,
of about forty by eigiity feet, dry, clean, and com-
fortable. \ number of Indians were in it, sit-
ting beside their heaps of oolichan, boxes, piles
of bear and deer-skins, fish, i<:c., and seemetl as con-
tented, cheerful, and enterprising as many white
people I have seen in like places. Ascending
from the market-place a flight of about tw-jnty
steps, which are lengthened out on either side
along a terrace two hundred feet, you come to
the plateau on which the mission village is lo-
cated.

•' The two streets on which the houses are built
form twi> .sides of a triangle, at the ape.\ of which

EAkL DUM'KRIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 12/

the church, mission-house, trading store, market and
and * lock-up' are erected.

" The store was well furnished with substantial
articles (jf daily necessity, and at fair prices. Up-
stairs there was a good stock of marten, mink, fox,
bear, and beaver-skins, which Mr. Duncan had
received in exchange for the goods. The mis-
sionary's own residence is simple and commodi-
ous.

"But the chief interest is in the construction and
condition of the dwellings of the Indians. In these
Mr. Duncan lias shown much practical good sense.
Taking the common form of habitation peculiar to
all Koloshan tribes along this coast, he has improved
upon it by introducing chimneys, wind(nvs, and
doors of commodious size, and floors elevated above
the ground. For furniture he has introducd chairs,
and tables, bedsteads, looking-glasses, pictures, and
window curtains, in front he has fcnceii off neat
court-yards, and introduced the cultivation of flow-
ers, while in the rear of their dwellings are vegetable
gardens. Altogether the village presents many in-
structive and encouraging features.

" Mr. Dunc.m is invested with the powers <»f
a civil magistrate under the Colonial laws of (ireal
IJritain, and is thus enabled to settle disputes and
nip all petty misdemeanors in the bud. He h;iH
organized a police of Indians and they are said Vo
be well disci|)lined and effective. There is a small
Mock-up 'or caboose built of logs in a picturesque

128

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

form, in which the disorderly arc temporarily con-
fined.

" It will be noticed that Mr. Duncan is thu?^ mi-
vested with the powers of an Indian agent, teacher,
missionary, trader, and justice of the peace, and
as he is considered an honest man, and his books of
record are open to inspection, among a primitive
people, as Indians are, he can be a most efficient
officer."

Chas. 1 IalI(Kk on his return from Alaska, wrote : —

" I am pleased lo be able to give fair sketches of
the remarkable Indian settlement of Metlakahtla,
above referred to, not only, as an instance of the
advanced state of civilization to which some of the
Pacific Coast Indians have already been brought,
but because it is an earnest of the enviable results
which must surely crown our own endeavoi if
properly applied, and therefore, an encouragement
to persevere.

^* Met /oka /it in is tru/y t)ic fu// na/ization of t/ic
missionaries drcain of alu^rigina/ restoration. The
pojmlation is i,2cx\ ... Its resitlcnts, have
a rific company of forty-two men, a brass band, a
two-gun bailery and a large co-operative store,
where almost anything obtainable in Victoria can
be bought. VVY> visited this port on our return tri|>
from Sitka, and were received with displays of l)unt-
ing from various points, and a five-gun salute from
th'j battery, with Yankee Dood/e and Dixie from the
band. The Union Jack was flying, J'ijg chuitli

TIIK MUn.AKAllTt.A ClIUKCil : IIUII.T ENl'IKEI.Y IIY THE NATIVES,

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHKRS TESTIFY. I29

is architecturally pretentious and can seat 1,200
persons. It has a belfry and spire, vestibule, gal-
lery across the front end, groined arches and pulpit
carved by hand, organ and choir, Brussels carpet
in the aisles, stained glass windows, and all the
appointments and embellishments of a first class
sanctuary; and it is wholly native handiwork!
This well ordered community ; occupy two story
shingled and clap-boarded dwelling houses of uni-
form size, 25 X 50 feet, with three windows and
gable ends, and door in front ; and enclosed flower
gardens, and macadamized sidewalks ten feet wide
along the entire line of the street."

"These people have also a large town hall or
assembly room of the same capacity as the church,
capable of accommodating the whole population.
It is used (or councils, meetings, and for a drill
room. It is warmed by three great fires placed in
the centre of the building, and lighted by side
lamps. The people dress very tastefully in modern
garb, and I»am not sure but they have the latest
fashions. The women weave cloth for garments,
and there are gardens which afford vegetables and
fruit in abundance. It is as cleanly as the most
j)unctilious Shaker settlement.

"The best testimony that can be offered to de-
nionstrate the disposition of the Indians to receive
the lights, rights, and benefits of Christian civiliza-
tion is contained in the simple aj)j)eal maile by
Chief I'oy-a-att, at VVrangell, as long ago as 1878,

I 't 1

130

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

to an assemblage of several hundred whites and
Indians ; and that appeal has not yet been regarded !
Is j)hilanthropy a sop to Indian credulity? Read
what follows : —

(Translation).

" My Bi others and Friends : I come before you
to-day to talk a little, and I hope that you will
listen to what I say, and not laugh at me because I
am an Indian. I am getting old and have not many
summers yet to, live on this earth. I want to speak
a little of the past history of us Sitka Indians and
of our present wants. In ages past, before white
men came among us, the Indians of Alaska were
barbarous, with brutish instincts. Tribal wars were
continual, bloodshed and murder of daily occur-
rence, and superstition controlled our whole move-
ments and our hearts. The white man's God wc
knew not of. Nature showed to us that there was
a first great cause; beyond that all was blank. Our
god was created by us; that is, we selected animals
and birds, which we reveiod as gods.

"In the course of t'me a change came over the
spirit of (<u: dreams. We bvicamc aware of the fact
that we were not the only beings in the shape of
man that inhabited this earth. While men api)eared
before us on the surface of the great waters in large
ships which we called canoes. Where they came
from we knew not, but supposed that they dropped
from the clouds. The ship's sails we took for wings,

EARL DUFFEKIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. I3I

and concluded that, like the birds of the air, they
could fly as well as swim. As time advanced, the
white men who visited our country introduced
among us everything that is produced by nature
and the arts of man. They also told us of a God,
a superior being, who created all things, even us the
Indians. They told us that this God was in the
heavens above, and that all mankind were His chil-
dren. These things were told to us, but we could
not understand them.

" At the present time we are not the same people
that we were a hundred years ago. Association
with the white man has created a change in our
habits and customs. We have seen and hoard of
the wonderful works of the white man. His in-
genuity and skill have produced steamships, rail-
roads, telegraphs, and thousands of other things.
His mind is far-reaching ; whatever he desires he
produces.

" Each day the white man b^^comcs more perfect
while the Indian is at a stand-still. Why is this?
Is it because the God you have told us of is a white
God, and that you, being of His color, have been
favored by Him ?

" Why brothers, look at our skin ; we are dark,
we are not of your color, hence you call us Indians.
Is this the reason that we are ignorant; is this the
cause of our not knowing our Creator?

" My brothers, a change is coming. We have
seen and heard of the wonderful thiuLTs oi this

132

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

world, and \vc desire to understand wliat wc see
and NVhat wc hear. Wc desire lij^dit. Wc want
our eyes to become open. Wc have been in the
dark too long, and wc ai)i)cal to you, my brothers,
to help us.

"But liow can ihis bj done? Listen to me.
Although 1 have been a bad Indian, I can see a
ri<^ht road and I desire to follow it. 1 have chan^^ed
for the better. 1 have done away with all Indian
superstitious habits. I am in my oUl a^^c becominj^
civilized. I hav<' learned to know Jesus and I de-
.sire to know more of llim. I desire education, in
order that 1 may be able to read the Holy IJible.

•' Look at Fort Simps(»n and at Mctlakahtla,
Hritish (\ilumbia. See tile Indians there. In years
^'one by they were the worst Indians on this coast,
the most brutal, barbarous, and blood-thirsty. They
were our sworn enemies and were continually at
war with us. liow are they now? Inslcad of our
enemies, they are our friends. They ii.ive becon>e
l)artially educated and civilized. They can under-
stand what they see and what they hear; they can
read and write ami are learnin}.,' to become Chris-
tians. These Indians, my brothers, at the places
just spoken of, are British Indians, and it must
have been the wish of the British ^huen that her
Indians should be educated. V'e have been loUl
that the British (iovernm it is a powerful one, and
wc have also been t<tld that the Ame. .can (rovern-
inent is a mure powerful unc. Wc have been told

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 1 33

that the President of the United States has control
over all tlie people, both whites and Indians. We
have b<xrn told how he came to be our great chief.
He purchased this country from Pussia, and in \nir-
chasinjf it he purchased us. We h"'. no choice or
say in change of masters. The change has been
made and we are content. All we ask is justice.

" We ask of our father at Washington that we
be recognized as a people, inasmuch as he recogni/.es
all other Indians in other portions of the United
States.

"We ask that we be civilized. Christianized and
cduc.ited. (live us a chance, and we will show to
t!ie world that wc can become peacealilc citizens
and good Christians. An effort has already been
made to better our condition, aiul may Ciod bless
tlieni in their work. A school has been established
here which, notwithstanding strong opposition by
bad white men .uul b)' Indi.ms, lias done a good
work anujug us.

" This is not sufficient. We want our rhief at
Washington to helj) us. We w.uit him to use his
iulluence toward ha\ ing us a church built .iiid in
h.iviiig a good man sent to uh who will tea h us to
read the IJible and learn all about Jesus, md now,
m\' brothers, to you 1 appeal. Help us in our
efforts to tlo right. If you don't w:.nt to come to
our ciuiiTh don't laugh and make fun of us because
we sing and pray.

" Many of you luve Indian w^men living with

134

TlIK STOKY OK MKTLAKAHTLA.

you. 1 ask you to sciul them to schfiol and churcli,
where they will learn t(i become j^ood women.
Don't my hmtiiers, let them ^o to the dance-houses,
for there they will learn to be bad and learn to
drink whiskey.

" Now that I sec you are ^ettinj^j tired of listen-
ing to me, I will finish by askiii}.; >'ou aiJiain to help
us in tiyiuj^ to do ri^ht. If one of us should be led
astray from the ri^ht i)ath, j)(>int out to us our error
and assist us in trying to reform. If you will assist
us in d(Mn^ }r,,od and cjuit selling; whiskey, we will
soon make I'ort VV^rangell a ([uiel place, and the
Stickeen Intlians will become a liappy people. I
now thank you for all your kind attention, (iood-
by:'—ONr New .lUK^t. New York, iMsr).

Mr. N. II. Chittenden in his book, " /rirvr/s
//iroKx/' Uritis/t ColuifiOia" N'ictoria, H. (\, 1.S.S2,
writcH: —

" Metlak.ihtla. — The field of the remarkably suc-
cessful work of Mr. Duncan, in civilizing and chris-
tianizin^j the Tsnnsluaii Indians. He first estab-
lished a mission at I'Ort Simps(»n, a post of the
Hudson's Hay Company, but for the purpose of
greater isolation in 1M62 removi'd to .Metlakahtla,
where he has gathered about i.rxK) of that tribe,
and tluou^fh .1 firm j^overnnunt and faithful secular
and reli^^ious training raised them from barbarism
to the condition of civili/ed people. They livi- in
comfortable houses, dress like the whites, school
their children, and worship in one of the lurt;e.sl

EARL DUKFF,KIN AND OTIIKKS IKSTIKV. 1 35

cluirclics ill the Province, erected at a cost of

$IO,OCX)."

Julia McNair VVritjjht, in lier book devoted to tin-
study of the natives of Alaska, writes: —

•'VVilliani Duncan of the Church of England, is
another of these bright names. I'^or^'ettiih^; ambi-
tion, despising ease, fi)rsakin^;" his own country and
his father's liousc, countin^^ even life not dear if he
mi^^ht win those simple hulian souls for the Son of
God, he has created a civili/iition in Metlakahtla
ukI brou^^ht many souls to i^lory." . . .

"The !oni;est established, arid most successful
work amou}^ any Alaskan Indians, is that main-
tained by Mr. Dimcan. . . .

"TiieChilcats liad occasionally visitid I'ort Simp-
son, atid Met lakahl la, where one of tile most remark-
able <tf dl missionary enterprises is located, and also
Sitka and I'ort Wrauf^ell, atid they had carried to
their friends wonderful tales of Indians 'become
white,' who c«)uld 'talk on paper' and 'hear paper
talk ' and whi> wore white folks' clothes, and lived
ill houses with windows, and f»»rs(iok the Shaman,
and .'.le no nuMe do^'-ievsh, and no longer killed one
another." . . .

Allu(b'n^ t<» the wretchedness, of the Ala*kan In-
dians in their native villa).;es, she adds:

"The houses of the Indians are not tittid fur any
decency of home-life, nor for maintainiiu; health.
The houses nre often w ithout partilio.is, ,ind are in-
habited by mail) IndiAiis together, of ull iiy,v<* and

136

TlIK STORV OF MF/ILAKAHi LA.

both sexes. There is no possibility of securing
modesty of demeimor, purity of thouj;ht or cieanh-
ness of living under these circumstances. l'oI>{4-
amy of tiic most shameless type exists, and child-
marriages are common. Tliere is no need to
e.\|)atiate on the moral dt ,;em:rati<)n resulting from
twenty, thirty or more i)ersons livin;^ in one room :
the results would be evident to any idiot." — " Ainon^i(
t/u- Alaskans:' Philadelphia, 1.S.S3.

I^ii- Cliurch at Home and AbnHui, New York,
February I, 1887. In a leailer on Mr. Duncan's
^v■ork headed "/i Xotablc Stranger amon^ (/s"
says :

" lie h.is built a s-.'lf-supportinj; civili/ed Chris-
tian community of about one thousand souls, in a
neat, well-ordered town called Metlakalula, well
known to all tlu- late tourists that have visited
Alaska, .md seen by ^reat numbers of them.

*' Metlakai)tla is one of tlie most successful un-
dertaking;.'! in the clev.ilion of tlu* Indians, .uul. as a
model, is a fit an 1 inspirin^j study for all the Indian
workers on the continent.

" It has been often said thai there is no trouble
betwien the C'anailian authorities ami the Indians,
The Kiel affair of last )'iar was a sulTicient answer
to ti\is statement. But these Metl.ikaiilla Indians,
us it is understood, find that the\' h.ive far less h«ild
on the land of tiieir fathers, than h.ive the liuliaiis
of the United States, ai)d no siivh ^,Miarantee for
permanent ponmssion. Ihcy arc liable tu liavu uic

KARL DUI'l-liKIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 1 37

land on which Mctlakahtla stands sold from under
their feet."

" riii' iiijh(cnic of these Christian Indians for
good has been very great on our Alaska tribes. Scjnio
of them were first employed as laborers while we
had troops at I'Ort Wran^ell. Tlu.y were sober and
Sabbath-keeping Indians: and through their inllii-
ence a considerable number of the Stickeens at that
l)lace were led to Christ before Mrs. Mrl'>rland,
our first missionary teacher, reachd Alaska. IMiey
became members of the first church orj^'anixed th.ere
under the successful labors of l^cv. Mr. Voun^.
IMiilip the first teacher and native preache,, and
Mrs. Dickinson, the interpreter, were both educated
at Me'lak.dula.

"One Sabbath morning, soon after the church
wasor^;ani/ed, as the p«.'oplc were gathering' f«)r pub-
lic worship, five stalwart-lookin;^ Indians, clail in
army blue and each with a waterproof on his arm,
walked into the cliapel and reverently worshipped
Cfod there, thouijh it a|>peareil afterward that they
could not underst.md the dialect used in the ser-
vice^. They proved to be Metlakahtla Indians, who
had l)een carryin^; j^mkhIs up tlie Stickeen Kiver to
the C'assiar mines; on their return, Saturday ni^ht
overtook them at I''«irt Wran^'i'll, and, true to tlieir
priiuiples, they fastent'd tluir boats t») thi' #iore
Ai)d kept the S.d)bath. Momi.iy morniu^ tlu y went
on tlu'ir way h(unewartl. Hut such .m object -lesmin
could not fail of its inrtuuticf on the ruder and Ichu

THE STOKV OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

Cliristiani/.cd race. So liavc they influenced for
^'ood all the tribes among which our missions are
located."

1 mi^dit add to these, many other direct, and in-
dii'.'ct tributes, that have been paid to Mr. Duncan,
and his work, but it will suffice for my purpose to
close this chapter, with extracts from Admiral I're-
vost's narrative of his late visit to Metlakahtla.
It will be remembered, that it was through his
{graphic portrayal, of the barbarous, degradation of
the Tsimshean savaj^as, that Mr. Duncan, was in-
spired to iledicate himself to the enlis^dUenmi-nt, of
these people; we shall now observe with wiiat
wonderment, he beheld the transformation. He
says :

•' 'I'hree A.M., Tuesday, iSth June, 1878. Ar-
riveil at I'Ort Simpson in the W S. Mail Steamer
* Cn/i/ornin,' from Sitka. Was met by William
Duncan, witli sixteen Indians, nearly all I'ilders.
Our ^jreetin}^ was moit heart)', and the meetin^j
with Duncanacau.se of real ih.inKfulncsH to (>od.
In si^jht, too, of the very spot (nay, on it) where
(iod had tjut into my heart tiie first desire of send-
ini; the (it^spel to tile poor heathens around nu".
Twenty-five years previously 11. M. S. ^I'udi^o'
had been repaired on that very l»eaeli. What a*
than^'e had been effected durinj^ tlvse passing;
years. Of tin- crew l>eforc me nine of the si.\teen
were, to my 1<nowledjio, formerly medicine men, or
cunnibal.s. In humble faith, we <l§lild only ex-

EAKL DUFFKRIN AND OlilERS TESTIFY. 1 39

claim, ' VVHiat hath G(xl wrought I ' It is all His
doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

" .After twenty-five years' absence, Ood had
brought me back again, amidst all the sundry and
manifold changes of the world, face tv) face with
those tribes amongst wiiom I have witnessed only
bloodshed, cannibalism, and lieathen devilry in its
grossest form. Now they were sitting at the feet
of Jesus, clothed, and in tiieir right mintl. The
very church-warden, dear old Peter Simi)son, who
opened the church do(jr for me, was the chief of one
of the cannibal tribes. . .

" Words cannot describe the happy UDiith I
sjjcnt in this h.ippy Christian circle, I in only
copy from my rough notes, written on lUi; spot,
some of the events which occurred to mc.

•' Peter Sinipson (Thrakshakann). * I remember
when you j)ut your ship on shore at Fort Simi)son.
I remember how nearly we were fighting, and the
guns were prepared. You had a mpe put nut to
keep us off, and we heard it said that you would
fire at us f'om your iliip vhen you gt>l afloat. We
knew n"t wliat you liad rather plannrd to do. Von
planned to bring us tlie (rospel and that has opetied
our eyes to heavenly tlMiigs, aiul oh I how beauti-
ful, very beautiful indeed ! Metlak^^tla is like a
ship just launcited. You are here to give us advice,
w here to p»it the most in, ami how to steer. I ad-
dress you thus, though you are great and I am poor.
liut Jesus despises not the poor. Ihc Tsimshcans

140

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

were very low, yet Jesus raised us, .ind we arc
now anxious for all our brethren, the tribes around
us, to be made alive. We see them now willinyj
to hear, and we are trying; to help them. We
know God put it into your heart to come here,
and brouijht you here ; (iod bless you for com-
ing.'

" Sunday, 23rd. — To me, all days at Metlakahtla
are solemnly sacred, but Sunday, of all others es-
pecially so. Canoes are all drawn u[) on the beach
above hiyjh-water mark. Not a sound heard. The
children are assembled before morninj; service to
receive special instruction from Mr. Duncan. The
church bell rings, and the whole populatioti pour
out from their houses — men, women, and chiidren —
to worship God in His own house, built by their
i>\\ n hands. As it has been remarked, • No need
to lock doors, for no one is tlicre to enter the empty
Houses.' Two policemen are on duty in uniform,
to keep order during service time. The service be-
gitu* with a chant in Tsimshean, ' I will arise and
\*(^ to my Father,' &c., Mr. Schult leading with the
harmonium ; the Litan>' Prayers in Tsimsiiean ft)l-
low, closing with the Lord's IVayer. The aiUlres.H
lasts nearly an hour. Such is the deep attention of
maity present, that having «)nce known lu-ir for-
mer lives, I know that the love of (tod sh il abioiiil
in tlu'ir hearts bj' the I loly Gh^Ht can alone have
producetl so marvellous a change.

"I'lrsl, there was a very old won\||i, stall in iiand,

EARL DUKl'ERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 141

Stepping with such solemn earnestness ; after her
came one who had been a very notorious gambler ;
though now almost crippled with disease, yet he
seemed to be forgetting infirmity, and literally to
be ieajiing along. Next followed a dissipated youth,
now reclaiined ; and after him a chief, who had
dared a few years ago i)roudly to lift up his hand
to stop the work of (iod, now with humble mien,
wending his way to worship. Then came a onco
still more haughty man of rank ; and after him a
mother carrying her infant child, and a father lead-
ing his infant son, a grandmother, with more than
a mother's care, watching the steps of her little
grandson. Then followed a willow, then a young
woman, who had been snatched from the jaws of
infaitiy ; then ; a once notoricnis chief; and the last
I reflected upon was a man walking with solemn
gait, yet hope fixed in his look. When a heathen
he was a murderer: he had murdered his own wife
and burnt her to ashes. What are all these now, I
thought, and the crowds that accompany them !
Whither are they going? And what to do?
IJIessed sight for angels! Oh, the preciousness of
a Saviour's blood ! If there is a joy in heaven i)ver
one sinner that repenteth, with what delight, must
angels ga/.e on such a sight as this ! I fell such a
glow of gratitude to (ioti come over me, my heart
was stirred williin me, far who could have joined
such a congregation as this in worshij) and liavi*
been cold, and who could have i)reuched the Ci«iff)el

142

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

to such a people and not have felt he was standing
where God was working ?

" After morning service, a class of female adults
remain in the church and receive further instruction
from the native teachers. At the same time the
male adults meet Mr. Duncan in his own room. At
three, the church bell again assembles all the vil-
lage to worship ; and again at seven, when they
generally meet in the school-room, the address be-
ing given by one of the native teachers." . . .

"July 1 6th. Before my departure from Metlii-
kahtla, I assembled the few who were left at the
village, to tell them I was anxious to leave behind
some token both of my visit to them after so long
an absence, and also that I still bore them on my
heart. What should it be ? After hours of consul-
tation they decided they would leave the choice to
me, anil when I toUl them (what [ had hcforehanil
determined upon) that my present woidd be a set
of street lamps to liglit up their village at m'glit,
their joy was unbouiuled. Their first thought had
a spiritual meaning. By day, God s house was a
memorable object, visible both by vessels passing
and repassing, aiul by all canoes as strange Indians
travelled about; but by night all was darkness —
MOW no longer so — as the bright light of the glorious
(nisjiel, had through (rod's mercy ami love shined
in their dark hearts, so wouUl all be reminded, by
m\l)\t as well as by day, of the marvellous light
ghining in the hearts u( many ftt Metlakahtla, even

EARL DUFFERIN AND OTHERS TESTIFY. 143

the Indians who came with him were in such fear
from the neighborini; tribes, tliat they begged him
not to have a fire burning at night or show a light
in his house. The system of murder was then so
general, that whenever an enemy saw a light he
sneaked up to it, and the death of the unsuspecting
Indian was generally the result. Thus my selection
was a happy one, and I thanked God for it."

In the testimony of these independent, and intel-
liLient observers, who have investigated with scru-
tiny, the development, of this ideal community, we
have evidence beyond cpiestion that Mr. Duncan's
work is an uiKjualified success; totally free, from
any underlying motives of personal emoluments, or
actuated by ambition for self-aggrandizement.

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CHAPTER V.

THE SAVAGE.

;

We have now followed Mr. Duncan in the noble
work, which he has fearlessly pursued throutjjh ^rave
perils and sore trials; we have always found him
faithfully at his post, sacrificing^ everything ft)r his
cause ; we have followed him in his joyful tlelight
at the successes, which had crowned the stru^i^lcs
he had sustained with such manly fortitude, yet,
with modesty and Christian simplicity. VVc have
received the impressive testimony of those whose
l)rivile};c it has been to visit his modern Arcadia,
and to see with their own eyes, h.ow he has brought
order out of chaos — how he has buildcd on a rock.
Now, it remains for us to scan his methods, anil
then to follow him through a course of cruel events,
iinlooked for, uncalled for, and almost without
l)recedent in the modern history of sectarian perse-

CUtJo!!.

We have observed how Mr. Duncan l)egan his
work, by first mastering the tongue and then study-
ing, in their own iiomes, the miiuls and inner life,
the hal)its and customs of these painted, half-naked
savages, as at night, clustering around their heaitli-

TlIK SAVAGE.

145

stone, the blazing fire caFt a weird glow over their
swarthy faces. Me learned from them their ideas
of the creation, of the mystery of death, their relig-
ious superstitions, their history as told in legends ;
in short, he studied them, and their capacities, as a
scientist studies, the relative equivalents of the ele-
ments in chemistry.

As a samarit m tf) their sick, as a peacemaker when
fierce passions stirred strife, as a comforter in tiieir
iiours of trouble and woe, he not only won their
affection and confidence; but, he also impianleil in
their hearts, the germs of good-will and forbearance
toward each other. 1 le ex'emjjlified a id upheld by
his own pure, every-day, Christian life, those true
principles of morality that stood the crucial test, of
the ever suspicious scrutiny of the savage.

Dr. Livingston tells us, liow essential it is that
missionaj'ies, should teach by their lives, as well as
by their words.

"No one ever gains nuich influence in Africa
without piM*ity and uprightness. The acts of a
stranger are keenly scrutinized, by both old and
young. I have heard women speaking in admira-
tion of a while man because he was pure, and never
guilty of secret immorality. \\m\ he been, they
would have known it, and, untutored heathen though
they be, would have despised him everywhere."

The moment a while man indulges in the com-
mon vices among savages he reduces himself, in
llieir cstimatii)n to their ou n K \el.

146

THE STORY OF METLAKAiriT^A.

The unbounded, all-absorbiiii; devotion of heathen
peoples in their worship, and their subservience to
their own deities and avowed cults, and that they
often make voluntary sacrifice of their own lives, or
the lives of their kin, to glorify their j^od or propi-
tiate his wrath is well known. The late Dean Stan-
ley dwelt much upon their honest, unreserved devo-
tion, and declared that however revolting their be-
liefs they lived consistently to their teachintjfs, this he
held up in vivid contrast to the cantinjjj hypocrisy
invading so large a portion of the Christian Church.

It is recorded that some Hrahniins, conversing
with the Danish Missionary Schwartz, replied to
his arguments in behalf of Christianity :

" \\'"e do not see your Christian j)eople live ac-
cording to that Holy Word. They curse, they
swear, they get drunk ; they st<'al, they cheat, they
deal fraudulently with one another; thi;y blas-
pheme a!id rail upon matters of religion, or often
make a mock of those who jirofess to be religions;
they behave themselves as badly, if not worse, than
vvc heathen. Of what advantage is all your profes-
sion of Christ's religion, if it does not inlluence the
lives of your own countrymen ? Should )'ou not
^irst endeavor to convert your own countrymen be-
fore you attempt to proselyte Pagans? lUit turn-
ing to liini they said, 'Of a truth you are a holy
man, and if all Christians thought ami spoke and
lived as )'ou do, we would without delay undergo
the change anil become Christians also."*

THE SAVAGE.

Based on his study of the infant minds, and the
needs of these people, Mr. Duncan began by teach-
ing them the simple truths of the Christian religion.
He dispensed with everything in the way of form
or ceremony that would distract their minds; he
represented to them as the cential idea the One
()mniiK)tent God, — Creator of all, — Ruler of hu-
man destinies, — Controller of the elements, of the
earth, and of the heavens.

lie told them of the fall of man, and how God
had sent I lis own Son into the world to suffer-
and to be sacrificed, for the redemption of all sin-
ners. I le told them of the reward for the righteous,
and the punishment of the wicked. He did not tell
them, that his God was better than theirs ; he taught
them, that there was but one God, anil it was the
Sui)reme I^uler Who had blessed the earth with
light, and warmth, and verdure ; stocked the sea and
rivers with fish, and the forests with game.

lie was dealing with simple, primitive minds,
whose only idea of creation, and, the origin of sur-
rounding wonders of nature, had been conveyed
through tribal legends.

Notwithstanding, the many plausible speculations
and theories advanced by learned investigators, prim-
itive autochthonic life, not only in America but
throughout the entire worlil, is enshrouded in m)'s-
tery. Neitlier science, nor the(»logy, iuis conclusive-
ly solved the problem of the manner in wiiich the
world was peopled. 1 lowcvcr, wc may consistently

148

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

conjecture that man primordially was without a
knowledge of the true God, knew absolutely nothing.
His development was like the babe from birth, and
his gradual unfoldment was the result of necessity,
and, the impulsion of the inevitable. His cravings
to appease hunger caused him to seek wherewith
to satisfy his need; the fruits and the weaker creat-
ures about him served as his food ; in his struggles
with nature he devised means to ensnare and kill
animals, whose skins should protect him from cold.
His very strife in self-defence against fcticious ani-
mals quickened his intellect. He sought shelter from
the inclemency of the elements in caves. Commu-
nal life was adoptevl for security, and the strongest
naturally assumed the chieftainship. Consecpient
upon being thus thrown together, attrition of one
mind with another, enlarged their mental hori-
zon.

The savage beheld with awe the phenomena of
nature. Light, darkness, the storms, the lidos, the
seasL ns, his own origin, all signified some hidden
power, which, unable to solve, he attributed to the
workings of some good or evil spirit, visible or invisi-
ble. Many of their beliefs hung upon the figments of
their dreams, which were to them realities. '* So
strong was the [aboriginal] North American faith
in dreams, that on one occasion when an Indian
dreamt he was taken captive, he induced iiis friends
to make a mock attack on him, to bind him, and
treat him as a captive, actually submitting to a con-

u
•/;

■<

THE SAVAGE.

149

sidcrable amount of torture, in the hope thus to
fulfil his dreams. The Greenlanders, also, believe
in the reality of dreams, and think that at night
they go hunting, visiting, courting, and so on " (Sir
John Lubbock).

These children in intellect ever struggled with the
mysterious problems of nature. M. Ambrousset was
told by Sekesa a Kaffir : " Your tidings are what
I want ; and I was seeking before I knew you as
you shall hear and judge for yourselves. Twelve
years ago I went to feed my flock. The weather
was hazy, I sat down on a rock and asked myself
sorrowful questions ; yes sorrowful because I was
unable to answe.r them. * Who has touched the
stars with his hands ? On what pillars do they
rest?' I asked myself. 'The waters are never
weary ; they know no other law than to flow, with-
out ceasing, from morning till night, and from
night till morning ; but where do they stop ? And
who makes them flow thus ? The clouds also come
and go, and burst in water over the earth. Whence
come they ? Who sends them ? The divines cer-
tainly do not give us rain, for how could they do
it ? And why do I not see them with my own eyes,
go up to heaven to fetch it ? I cannot see the wind
but what is it ? Who brings it, makes it bhnv, and
roar and terrify us ? Do 1 not know that the corn
sprouts ? Yesterday there was not a blade in my
field; today I returned to the field and found some.
Who can have given to the earth the wisdom and

ISO

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

power to produce it ? ' Then I buried my face in
both my hands."

Awe, wonderment and reverence were com-
manded by the mundane environments of the sav-
age. " Thick black clouds, portentous of evil, hung
threateningly over the savage during his entire life.
Genii murmur in the flowing river, in the rustling
branches are felt the breathings of the gods ; gob-
lins dance in vapory twilight, and demons howl in
the darkness " (Bancroft).

Even the personality of dead heroes, whose val-
iant deeds, oft recounted, became, in the passage of
time, merged with their deities.

Heathen peoples in their worship have invariably
exhibited a gradual development and advancement
from, polytheism towards monotheism : first, pay-
ing homage to objects of nature, finally conceiving
that there is One Supreme Power, which controls
the universe.

This supreme being ever remains to them a mys-
tery, as for the matter of that, does their own duality
of soul and body, which is suggested to them by
shadows and dreams, and the realization that when
breath leaves the body, the light goes out.

Idolatry comes from an attempt to materialize and
render tangible their deities. Recognizing man-
kind as the highest type, naturally they often es-
sayed to model their gods after man's image — rxDO
B. C. Xenophanes wrote, '* Men seem to have cre-
ated their gods, and to have given to them their

THE SAVAGE.

i5r

own mind, voices and figure. The Ethiopians made
their gods black and flat-nosed ; the Thracians
theirs, red-haired and blue-eyed."

As the inexorable domination of the strongest
in brute force prevailed, so alike in mental force
the strongest, with most creative imagination, as-
serted and assumed knowledge of all supernatural
things, and finally claimed to be vested with the
power of controlling the forces of nature. The
natural desire for an intermediary between them-
selves, and their vague deities, and the desire to
propitiate such, made this supremacy not difficult
for the crafty to attain.

" There are several ways in which the worship-
per can hold personal intercourse with his deities.
These, being souls or spirits, are of course to be seen
at times in dreams and visions, especially by their
own priests or seers, who thus get (or pretend to
get) divine answers or oracles from them. Heing a
soul, the god can also enter the body, and act and
speak through it, and thus hysterical and epileptic
symptoms, which we have seen to be ascribed to an
evil demon possessing the patient, are looked on
more favourably when the spirit is considered to
be a deity, come to inspire his minister, and talk by
his voice. The convulsions, the unearthly voice in
which the priest answers in the name of the deity
within, and his falling into a stupor when his god
departs, all fit together, and in all quarters of the
world the oracle-priests, and diviners, by familiar

'■ii

152

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

spirits seem really diseased in body and mind, and
deluded by their own feelings, as well as skilled in
cheating their natives with sham jymptoms and
cunning answers " (E. B. Tylor).

Thus began priestcraft or Shamanism ; and as
the valiant chieftain led and commanded them in
warfare, so the Shaman, manifested and exercised
his power when sickness or calamity fell upon them :
aye, from chief, to slave, all bowed in submission to
his mandate.

The power of the priest was thus lecognized and
yielded to ; he became an important factor, and must
needs be consulted in all personal or State affairs ;
sometimes, supernatural and temporal power were
merged in one and the same person.

Church and State, superstition and despotism,
were thus united in the darkest ages of mankind.

Variety and similarity characterized the cults of
primitive man in every part of the globe. What-
ever the form of worship it is a noticeable fact,
there has been a gradual progressive awakening in
the formation of society, with the recognition of
the rights of others.

At the very dawn of civilization in the old world,
as we may still see in any museum, "the scene of
the weighing the soul of the deceased, and his trial
by Oseris the Judge of tlie dead, and the forty-two
assessors, while Thoth, the writing-god stands by to
enter the dread record on his tablets. In the col-
umns of hieroglyphics, arc set down the crimes, of

THE SAVAGE.

153

which the soul must clear itself, a curious mingling
of what we should call ceremonial, and moral sins,
among them the following; 'I ha^ e not privily
done evil against mankind. I have not told false-
hoods in the tribunal of Truth, I have not done
any wicked thing. I have not made the labouring
man do more than his tasks daily. I have not cal-
umniated the slave to his master. I have no' 'nur-
dered. I have not done fraud to men. I have ; ot
changed the measures of the country. I have not
injured the images of gods. T have not ta^ en scraps
of the ban"!.:i=j:es of the dead. I have not committed
adultery. I have not milked milk from the mouths
of sucklings. I have not hunted wild animals in
the pasturage. I have not netted sacred birds. I
am pure, I am pure, 1 am pure ! ' " (E. B. Tylor).

Despite the recognition of moral responsibilities,
many anomalies occur in the ethics of the savage.

As the savage fought with beasts of prey to se-
cure subsistence, so battled he with his fellowman
for spoils. Warfare caused a uniting of communi-
ties for defence and offence ; conquest enriched
and increased the power of the triumphant few.
Avarice, greed, pride, ambition, all contributed
their quota as an incentive to gain dominion and
precedence. Human conflicts then, as to-day,
wrought good as well as evil ; they were attend-
ed with mental activity that largely tended to the
unfolding of the intellectuality. With the gain
of wealth, came the desire for pomp and splendor.

154

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

They built pretentious huts or wigwams. The
patrons of art in those days, as now, found ready
hands, deft in fashioning their frippery.

Development was but the sequence of the ever
reaching after the unattainable, hence the unfolding
continued. When individual desires had been grati-
fied — communal and national desires, arose and
grew apace. In some lands advancement was rapid,
in others, resisted, retarded, and ofttimes defeated.

We who enj(3y the benefit of an advanced state
of civilization, often forget, that it is but a few gen-
erations since our own forefathers, grovelled, in the
darkest superstitions.

*' The nations now most civilized were once bar-
barians. Our ancestors were savages, who, with
tangled hair, and glaring eyes, and blood-besmeared
hands, devoured man and beast alike.

"The difference between the cultured and primi-
tive man lies chiefly in the fact that one has a few
centuries the start of the other in the race of i)r()g-
ress " (Bancroft).

The American aborigine is among the least fav-
ored of majikind in the progress of enlightenment.
We find him still, the associate of wild beasts, and
still, groping in darkness, but, seeking for light.
One of the most touching and romantic incidents
in history, is that of the pilgrimage of four Nez
Perces hulians from the Columbia Kiver, Oregon,
to St. Louis, Mo., in 1S32, when that town was but
a military outpost and fur-trading station. The

THE SAVAGE.

155

Ncz r^crc6s had learned from an American trapper
much about the white men's arts and wisdom ; he
told them that the pale-faces owed their greatness
to the teachings of the supreme God ; that they
possessed God's book of wisdom, which they could
read ; this book revealed the secrets of life and of
the hereafter ; taught them to be good and wise.

The Nez Perces talked much among themselves
about this wonderful book, held anxious councils
over their camp-fires. The desire to learn more
al)out the white man's God grew upon them, and
became their uppermost thought. Finally two
trusted old braves, and two stalwart young braves,
were chosen for ♦^he mission. On foot they jour-
neyed the trai' of many moons toward the rising
sun, enduring unspeakable hardships, encounter-
ing many perils, crossing the great rivers on im-
provised rafts, scaling the mountain ranges, steal-
ing silently by night, through the land {»f the
fierce IJlack I'Vet and other hostile tribes, ctwer-
ing their tracks, subsisting solely on the game of
the forest and plains. Thus for more than two
thousand miles they wended their way to the white
man's camp. They arrived and though they mar-
velled at the many strange sights, the great lodges,
and tile huge fire-canoes as large as islands, paddled
witiiout hands ; yet their sacred errand was upper-
most in their thoughts. They were feasted cordially
and abundantly; d» rk«"' .vith finery, and clad in
showy blankets; ..i irulh, for kindliness and enter-

156

THE STORY OF METLAKAIiTLA.

tainment they lacked naught ; but to them their
mission was a failure, they sought in vain for " The
Book." St. Louis was exclusively a Roman Cath-
olic town, and, as is well known, it is not the cus-
tom or policy of that church, to give the Bible to
the people.

The two old braves died in St. Louis, and one of
the young men contracted a disease, from which he
died on his homeward journey. On taking their
departure, their hearts burdened with disappoint-
ment, one of them delivered the following speech to
(iener.il Clark,^ then commanding the station, in the
presence of a small group of officers and traders :

" I came to you over the trail of many moons
from the setting sun. You were the friend of my
fathers, who have all gone the long way. 1 came,
with one eye partly oi)ened, for more li^ht for my
people, who sit in darkness. T go back with both
eyes closed. I low can I go back blind, to my blind
people ? I made my way to you with strong arms,
through many enemies and with strong hands, that
I might carry back much to them.

" I go back with both arms broken and empty.
The two fathers who came with us, the braves of
maiiy winters — we leave aslee|) here by your great
water and wigwam. Thev were tired in n\any
moons, and their moccasins wore out. . My peo-

* It wns lliin jjt'tirrnl wlio lm«l witli T.uwIh made the frtinuiis over
land journey tu Oroyon nnd ihu I'ncific,

THE SAVAGE.

157

pie sent me to get the white man's Book of Heaven.
You took me where you allow your women to dance,
as we do ours, and the Book was not there.

" You showed me the images of good spirits, and
pictures of the good land beyond, but the Book
was not among them to tell us the way. . I am
going back the long, sad trail to my people of the
dark land. . You make my feet heavy with bur-
dens of gifts, and my moccasins will grow old in
carrying them, but the Book is not among them.

*' When 1 tell my poor blind people, after one
more snow, in the big council, that I did not bring
the Book, no word will be spoken by our old men,
or, by our young braves. One by one, they will
rise up and go out in silence. . My people will lie
in darkness, and they will go on the long way to the
other hunting-groumls. No white man will go with
them, and no white man's Book to make the way
l)lain. . I have no words."

Then sadly and silently they took their home-
ward trail.*''

But the Ne/ Perces mission was not a failure,
tor after many months the story of their pilgrimage
reached the ears of Mr. Spaulding, and that noble
m.iri/r Dr. Whitman, who planted Christianity, ac-
companied by seed-wheat and wagon-wheels. It
was the indirect effect of the Nez I'erccs' journey,

* I'lirlrnils 207 nml 20S in Callin's idllcition it|nrMiil iIkm' h/ »
liandhoini' young Nu/. I'iiuIb l)i'uveii,

158

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

which brought about the fruitful mission work and
Dr. Whitman's heroic midwinter, horseback ride of
four thousand miles, in four months from the Colum-
bia to the Potomac^ that resulted in England's con-
cession of Oregon to the United States — this, too,
at the time when the air was afume with '■'' fifty-four
forty, or fight.'''

" There have been eminent express rides, full of
import to families and states; these have carried
messages of war and for peace, for trade and tower-
ing ambition. It would be difficult, however, to find
one that for distance, time, heroic daring, peril, suf-
fering, and mafTiiificent consequences, could equal
Whitman's ride ' (Barrow).

Nor was this the only benefit. In time the Hud-
son's Bay Company, which had previously discour-
aged missionaries and settlers, found the American
missionaries making such invasions within their ter-
ritory, that they opened their gates hospitably to
English missionaries ; and, it was after this change of
their policy that Mr. Duncan, was allowed to begin
his work at Fort Simi)son.

I have thus digressed to show that the savage is a
seeker after light, but a seeker when that light brings
a benefit, which he can see, and feel, and measure.
The Nez IVrct's hoped by means of the white
man's book to accpiire his arts, his wisdom, to learn
therefrom an easy trail to the "Ilappy Hunting
Ground."

We have every evidence that it is mankind's in-

THE SAVAGE.

159

carnate selfishness, more or less, blended with cow-
ardice and fear, that has in all eras, in all parts
of the world, prompted the outreaching for or ac-
ceptance of deities and creeds, having always in
view self-preservation, and betterment of condition.
Sometimes this selfishness has taken the form of
self-aggrandizement ; sometimes has found vent in
the gratification of a grand passion.

How quaintly comes to us now, Nestor's story [as
given by Dean Stanley] of the conversion of that
ferocious Russian Prince Vladimir, when he and his
people were still pagans and in the depths of bar-
barism. He, who was as much distinguished for
his zeal for the rude idolatry of his own country-
men, as for his savage crimes.

Vladimir having gained great renown through the
known world, there came to him in about the year
986 envoys of the various religions. — " First the
Bulgarian mussulmans from the Volga, saying:
' Wise and [)rudent prince <is thou art, thou knowest
neither law nor religion. Believe in ours, and
honor Mahomet.'—' In what does your religion
consist ? ' asked Vladimir. ' We believe in Ciod,'
they replied, * but we believe also in what the
IVophet teaches. Be circumcised, abstain from
pork, drink no wine ; and after death choose out of
seventy beautiful wives the most beautiful.' Vlad-
imir listened to them for the last reason. But that
which he did not like was circumcision, the ab-
stinence frouj pork, anil above all the prohib'tion

i6o

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

of drinking. 'Drinlving is the great delight of
Russians,' he said ; * we cannot live without it.'

" Next came the representatives of Western Chris-
tendom. * The Pope,' they said, 'begs us to tell
you, your country is like ours, but not your religion.
Ours is light. We fear God, who made the heaven
and earth, the stars and the moon, and every living
creature, whilst thy Gods are of wood.' ' What does
your law command ?' asked Vladimir. — 'We fast,'
they said, * to the best of our power ; and when one
eats or drinks, he does it in honor of God, as we
have been told by our master S. I'aul.' — ' Go home,'
said Vladimir. — ' Our fathers did not believe in your
religion, nor receive it from the F'ope.'

" Next, came some Jews (who lived among the
Khozars). ' We have heard say that the Mahomet-
ans, and the Christians, have tried to persuade thee
to adopt their belief. The Christians believe in Ilim
whom we have crucificvl We believe in one God,
the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' — ' In what
does your law consist ? ' asked Vladimir. — ' Our law
requires circumcision, prohibits pork and hare, and
enjoins the observance of Saturday.' — 'Where then
is your country ? ' — 'At Jerusalem.' — ■' What is Jeru-
salem ? ' — * God was wroth with our forefathers ; he
dispersed us for our sins throughout the world, and
our country has fallen info the hands of Christians.'
— ' What,' said Vladimir, ' you wish to teach others
— you whom God has rejected and disjjcrsed ? If
God had loved you, and your law, lie would never

THE SAVAGE.

i6i

have scattered you abroad ; do you wish, perhaps,
that we should suffer the same ? '

" In each of these answers we detect the charac-
teristic temper of the Russian ; his love of drinking,
his tenacity of ancestral customs, his belief in the
Divine right of success.

" Another agency now appears on the scene. It
is not a nameless barbarian, as before. It is, so the
chronicler tells us, ' a philosopher from Greece.'
The glory of Grecian culture still hung about its
ancient seats, and the fittest harbinger of Christian
truth, even in dealing with the savage Vladimir, was
thought to be a Greek ; not a priest or a mission-
ary, but a philosopher.

" * We have heard,' said he, * that the Mahomet-
ans have sent to lead you lo adopt their belief.
Their religion, and their practices are abominations
in the face of heaven and earth, and judgment will
fall upon them, as of old on Sodom and Gomorrah.
This is what they do who call Mahomet a prophet.'

" This calls forth the first moral spark that we have
seen in Vladimir's mind. Me spat upon the ground
; nd said, * This is shameful.'

" ' Wc have also heard,' said the philosopher,
* that messengers have come from Rome to teach
you. Their belief differs somewhat from ours.
They celebrate mass with unleaven bread, therefore,
they have not the true religion.' Such was the
point on which the two greatest Churches of the
world had been torn asunder, and into which Vladi-

1 62

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

mir did not further inquire. He then took up the
word himself and said : ' I have also had Jews here
who said that the Germans and Greeks believe on
Him Whom we crucified.' " The philosopher assent-
ed. ' Why was He crucified ? ' asked Vladimir. — ' If
you will listen,' replied the philosopher, ' I will tell
you all from the beginning.' * With pleasure,' replied
Vladimir. And the philosopher then proceeded to
relate all the Divine acts, and deeds, from the begin-
ning of the world ; the whole course, we may say,
of ecclesiastical history, coming to a characteristic
close in the Seventh General Council. He then
defined the true faith, and spoke of the future re-
ward of the just, and the punishment of the impious,
and at the same time showed to Vladimir, a tablet
on which was painted the scene of the last judg-
ment. Then, showing him on the right the just,
who, filled with joy, were entering Paradise, he
made him remark on the left the sinners who were
going to hell. Vladimir, as he looked at the pict-
ure, heaved a sigh and said, — * Happy are those on
the right ; woe to the sinners on the left.' — * If you
wish,' said the philosopher to enter with the just,
who are on the right, consent to be baptized.' — Vla-
dimir reflected profoundly, and said, ' I will wait
yet a little while.' For he wished first to be in-
structed about each religion. But he loaded the
philosopher with presents and sent him away.

" Vladimir in the next year sent for the nobles
and elders, and told them of the different inter-

THE SAVAGE.

163

views. * You know, O Prince,' they said, ' that no
one talks evil of his religion, but that all, on the
contrary, praise their own. If you wish to know
the exact truth, you have wise men ; send them to
examine each faith of each, and the manner of their
worship.'

" We need not follow them throughout their
journey. They reported that the Mussulmans
prayed with their heads covered, and that their
stench was insupportable ; and that the German
and Roman churches had no ornaments nor beauty,
though better than the Mussulman mosques.

" But the nobles insisted, that the decision should
not be made without knowing first, what was the
Greek religion ; and accordingly the envoys pro-
ceeded to the city which they called Tzarozorod.
In that barbarous name we recognize ' The City
of the Czar ' or * King,' the great Constantinople.
What it was at that period, the splendor of its
ceremonial, both of Church and State, even in the
most minute detail, is known to us from the nearly
contemporary account (a.d. 987) of the German
cinbassy from Otho. Basil Porphyrogenitus was on
the throne with his brother Constantine ; and his
words, in giving orders to the Patriarch, to prepare
for a magnificent reception of the strangers, indi-
cate more than many treatises the importance he
attached to the outward show of the ceremonial of
the Church, as his grandfather had to the outward
show of the ceremonial of the court. — * Let them

1 64

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

see,' he said, 'the glory of our God.' — The service
was that of a high festival, either of St. John Chry-
sostom or the death of the Virgin.

" It was in the Church — magnificent even now
in its fallen state, then all gorgeous with gold and
mosaic — of Saint Sophia. Even had they been as
far as Rome itself, they would have seen nothing
equal to it. St. Peter, as it now is, was far in the
future. Cologne Cathedral was not yet born. The
boast of Justinism was still the masterpiece of
Christian architecture.

" The Russian envoys were placed in a conveni-
ent position. The incense smoked, the chants re-
sounded, the Patriarch was in his most splendid
vestments. One incident is preserved in a Byzan-
tine annalist which the Russian chronicler has
omitted. — * The Russians were struck,' he says, ' by
the multitude of lights, and the chanting of hymns ;
but what most filled them with astonishment, was
the appearance of the deacons, and subdeacons issu-
ing from the sanctuary, with torches in their hands ;'
and, as we happen to know from an earlier source,
with white linen wings on their shoulders, at whose
presence the people fell on their knees and cried, —
' Kyrie Eleison ! ' The Russians took their guides
by the hand and said • — ' All that we have seen is
awful and majestic, but this is supernatural. We
have seen young men Avith wings, in dazzling robes,
who, without touching the ground, chanted in the
air Holy! holy ! holy 1 and this is what has most sur-

THE SAVAGE.

165

prised us.' The guides replied (and the Byzantine
historian repeats it without changing the tone of
his narrative, even in the slightest degree) : — ' What !
do you not know that angels come down from
heaven to mingle in our services ? ' — ' You are right,'
said the simple-minded Russians ; ' we want no
further proof; send us home again.'

" It is a striking instance, of the effect produced on
a barbarous people, by the union of religious and out-
ward magnificence; and, the dexterity with which
the Byzantine courtiers, turned the credulity of the
Russian envoys to account, is an example of the
origin of many of the miracles of the middle ages ;
no^ 'holly fraud, nor wholly invention, but a union
of . ae two ; a symbolical ceremony taken for a
supernatural occurrence, and the mistake fostered,
not by deliberate imposture but, by the difificulty of
resisting the immense temptation to deception,
which such mistakes afforded. A like confusion
supports to this day the supposed miracle of the
Holy Fire at Jerusalem.

•' As in many similar cases the results far out-
lasted the sin or the weakness of the first begin-
ning. — * We knew not,' said the envoys on their
return, 'whether we were not in heaven ; in truth,
it would be impossible on earth to find such riches
and magnificence. We cannot describe to you all
that we have seen. We can only believe that there,
in all likelihood, one ig in the presence of God, and
that the worship of other countries is there entirely

1 66

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

eclipsed. We shall never forget so much gran-
deur. Whosoever has seen so sweet a spectacle
will be pleased with nothing elsewhere. It is im-
possible for us to remain where we are.'

" The rest of the story may be shortly told.
With some few Eastern touches, it is not unlike
the national conversions of the West. Vla'imir,
still in a state of hesitation, besieged the city of
Cherson in the Crimea, and, like Clovis, vowed that
he would be baptized if he succeeded. He then
sent to demand from the F ^nperor Basil, the hand
of his sister Anne in marriage, under the threat of
doing to Constantinople as he had done to Cherson.
With some difficulty Anne was induced to sacrifice
herself to the barbarian prince, /'// the hope of avert-
ing so great a danger and effecting so great a good.
Her sister Theophano, had already been estab-
lished on the throne of the German Otho. She
acquired a more lasting fame as tlie ehannel through
which Christianity f^enct rated into Russia.

*' He was baptized accordin[.;Iy at Cherson, and
then issued orders for a great baptism of his peopL-
at Kieff. They also hesitated for a short lime. IJut
u like argument, combined with the (Irand-Duke,
convinced tiiem also. The huge wooden idol
Pcroun was dragged over the hills at a horse's tail,
merrilessly scourged by twelve mounted pursuers,
and thrown into the Dnieper, where it was guiiled
and pushed along the streiwn till it finally disap-
peared down the rapids, in a tiput lung uftcrvvurd

THE SAVAGE.

167

known as the Bay of Peroun. The whole people
of Kieff were immersed in the same river, some
sitting on the banks, some plunged in, others swim-
ing, whilst the priests read the prayers. — * It was a
night,' says Nestor, 'wonderfully curious and
beautiful to see ; and when the whole people were
baptized each one returned to his own house.' The
spot was consecrated by the first Christian Church,
and Kieff, which already, as we have seen from old
traditions, had been the Glastonbury, became hence-
fonvard the Canterbury of the Russian Empire."

Vladimir, unlike the ordinary savage, was more
brutal than benighted. Me was able to discrimi-
nate between the creeds with oriental cunning.
With usual designing avarice, and cupidity, he ac-
cepted the Christian religion, only to gain the hand
of the beautiful Aime, and to add g»-andeur to his
court, and to glorify his reign.

From the very incipiency of his development,
primitive man has thus been led by the things that
satisfy his corporcil cravings. We fiiul the savage
to-day intellectual!}' in his infancy, steeped in the
vices of generations -a demon in brutish instincts
— a combination of childlike simplicity, and un-
measured ferocity. What may be to the savage,
virtue is to civilized people often an enormity. And
vicv versa; for exainj^le, the naked Indian maiden
blushes when her netkiace is removed, regarding it
to be an indelicate -'xposure t)f her person.

It is an indubitable and acknowledged fact tliat

1 68

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the savage is attracted to advancement only by
those things which appeal to his senses. '* The first
step toward teaching a savage is to feed him : the
stomach satisfied, he w'U listen to instruction, not

before."

Mr. Duncan grasped, and grasped intelligently,
the true science of civilization— he learned the insist-
ent needs, and pliant capacities, of the savages. We
have seen how eff'.ctually he provid<^d for these
needs, and tiained these capacities.

CHAPTER VI.

THE CRISIS.

CllRTSTTANrTY, humanity and civilization seemed
to triumpli over all this region, when, suddenly, in
the autumn of 1881, an unrighteous storm of perse-
cution, gathered in a quarter altogether unlooked
for; soon, it broke over Metlakahtla in fury; and,
has continued to rage ever since, with cruel asi)erity ;
at this moment, it threatens the settlement with
destruction.

This, all because Mr. Duncan, above all things
dared to do his duty, to his Ood, and to his people,
despite the intrigues of his foes.

Mr. Duncan, left England as a missionary layman,
and he is a missionary layman still. He was ex-
l)ected, and urged to take Church of England orders
—even the title of Bishop w.is open to him— but
his labors being so richly blessed as a layman, he,
refused to change his degree. His answer to the
Hishop of Columbia who urged him was :-- that he
feared that Church orders would prove to him, what
Saul's armor was to David ; only an encumbrance,
and therefore, he preferred keeping to the use of
the sling and stone.

I/O

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

During more than twenty years of Mr. Duncan's
missionary efforts, the Church Missionary Society
under whose auspices he was working, unceasingly
praised him, and his methods, and, the Society even
went so far as to issue circulars,* to its missionaries
advocating evangelistic work, on the very plan then
being carried out by Mr. Duncan, and whose success
no doubt, influenced them greatly in issuing these
circulars.

It was not until after the death of the great Henry
Venn, who, as secretary of the Society, had guided
its affairs, for so many years, always heartily a[)prov-
ing of and encouraging Mr. Duncan in his methods
of evangelistic and secular work, that it bjcame
manifest that the Society's directors differed from
Mr. Duncan in their views of mission work, and
methods of conducting it. The present bigoted in-
cumbent, only assumed the secretaryship t a short
time before the rupture which 1 shall describe in
this chapter.

It was .ifter this melancholy change in the />rrson'
fill of the leadership, and, not until then, that the
Society j^ave evidence of a ^raditai, thoiti^h marked
change in its policy. Its aims which heretofore had
been broadly evangelistic, now soon became deeply
colored, and circumscribed with ecclesiasticism.

Mr. Duncan was always perfectly frank in his rc-

• Set* Circulrtrn, ('linplrr VIII., tliis volume.

\ Atu<lhui gentleman nuw Ucud lind iillcd tliu brief interim.

THE CRISIS.

171

ports to the Society. His observations, and analy-
sis of the people with whom he had to deal, caused
him to avoid, from the first prompting, or leading
them in conformity with the elaborate service of
the Church of England, which was the Church of
the Society ; and the Church of which Mr. Duncan
was himself a member. He persistently declared
that his going among heathen, was to save sinners,
and not to glorify the Church ; to lead them to a
pure life, not, to teach them dogmas.

Several years ago, the Society became impatient
and insistent for a closer resemblance in the Met-
lakahtla Church service, to that of the Church of
England; and for those statistics from the mission,
which are deemed to count for so much in publi-
cations, but, which in reality are often fictitious and
misleading.

We have in following Mr. Duncan's work come
to understand, that one, (^f the principal character-
istics of his teaching; and one, of the secrets of his
success, was simplicity. He cared solely for the
sountl and healthy growth of the work. The So-
ciety, now apparently imagined the Indians to be
advanceil Christians, 'nit he knew, he was still de d-
ing with Indians, he hail founil steeped in barbaric
atrocities, and many of whom, he knew to be still
mere babes in religious comprehension. The So-
ciety, conceived that the forms and ritual of the
Church, were safe, and suitable for the Indians to
follow ; but, Mr. Duncan, as he grew in experience,

172

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

saw more and more clearly, that the distinctive
dress of the ministers and Bishops, as well as the
order of Service of the Church — especially in the
administration of the Lord's Supper, — were calcu-
lated to bewilder, rather than edify the Indians with
whom he had to do, in their present stage of prog-
ress.

Besides, he found in their inordinate passion for
spirituous liquors which was universal, a special
dan^:;er in offering them wine as a sacrament. Fur-
thermore, it was a difficult dilemma to reconcile, the
deviation of church requirement, from the prohibi-
tory state law, which imposed the penalty of im-
prisonment upon any Indian who even touched wine,
or other liquors.

They would naturally query to themselves, how
is it, that the church law is at variance with the
Queen's law ? The Queen says no ! The Church
says yes !

Mr. Duncan gave this subject a great deal, of
serious, and anxious consideration. And often dis-
cussed it with his church elders, and the more ad-
vanced native brethren ; explaining to them the full
significance of the rite : — they seriously apprehended
the effect upon their weaker brethren, who might
depend upon the sacrament, as a charm to take away
sin, and afford them a passport to heaven. And
one might naturally expect, that many of the yet
unconverted natives would regard the partaking of
the sucred lluid, as a covert manner of indulging, in

THE CRISIS.

173

that which was forbidden them by law, even if a
non-spirituous wine was used. Furthermce, Mr.
Duncan was dealing, with men who had but recently-
been converted from cannibalism, and we may read-
ily understand that the introduction of a rite, which
in the performance, assumed to be the partaking of
the body, and the blood of our Saviour, was a mat-
ter which required the utmost caution. One can
but recall that " the Roman heathens ascribed to
the early Christians, tljat the sacrament was a can-
nibal's feast."

To those who had formerly regaled themselves
at banfjuets of human flesh, how fine would be the
point of distinction, and moral consideration, be-
tween the emblem which was assumed to represent
the substance ; and the real substance, to partake of
which, they were now taught, was a most atrocious
sin. Tliey who had tasted human flesh in their days
of heathenism, benighted as they then were, would
have recoiled with horror, at the bare thought of con-
suming, even by emblem a part of one of their gods I

It must be apparent to all, that Mr. Duncan sought
above all things the spiritual welfare of his converts,
and would be the last one to withhold from them,
anything essential to their salvation, and with his
knowledge of their minds and dispositions, and the
stage of their development, he was better abl^ to
judge ')f their spiritual recpiirements, than were men
in London, who had never even seen them. Yet,
recently these perfunctory dictators, had presumed

174

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA,

to square them, by a procrustean, ecclesiastical rule,
and insist upon the introduction of an elaborate
eucharist ; representing that without such, Mr. Dun-
can was giving the Indians but a " mutilated Chris-
tianity'''' and '■^ false teachings I "

In the minds of many of the most distinguished
Christian authorities, the celebration of the Lord's
Supper, is more honored in the partaking of tJie real
invisible, but all potent, spiritual essence of Christ ;
than in the actual consumption of an emblem;
though it is generally admitted that where there
are no impediments, the observance of this sacred
rite is most desirable. Participation in this rite
should be reserved for mature minds, with full con-
sciousness of its import, and the act should be one
of intelligent, personal free will. The Christian
world has recognized this fact, in the aband mment
of the administration of the sacrament to infants.

On this subject, the late Dean Stanley, — account-
ed the most learned ecclesiastical authority of our
day, — spoke very plainly. It is well known that
he held as paramount to forms, and ceremonies, the
rescue of the human soul, and the dissemination of
true Christian religion, in whatsoever manner, it was
most effective in its application to those especially
to be sa^'ed. I quote him freely, and with a feeling
of great reverence, for I owe to his lucid expositions,
a fixed belief in the harmony of the Christian re-
ligion with modern science. Dean Stanley thus,
speaks of the sacrament.

THE CRISIS.

175

" Not a single chu'-ch now communicates in the
form in which it was originally given. . . .

" It has been well said by a devout Scottish
bishop,* in speaking of this subject : ' We should
not expect to arrive at the secret of Hamlet by eat-
ing a bit of Shakespeare's body ; and so, though we
ate ever so much of the material bones or flesh of
the Founder of the Eucharist, we should not arrive
one whit nearer to " the mind which was Christ
Jesus." ' . . .

" They who believe in the singular mercy and
compassion in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, or
in the toleration and justice due to those who are of
another religion, as in the Parable of the Good Sa-
maritan, they, have or have not partaken of the sac-
rament, have thus received Christ because they
have received that which was the essence of Christ,
His spirit of mercy and toleration. . . .

" These three things then, the lifting up of the
heart in words of devotion to God, the performance
of kindly and useful deeds, to men, and the dedica-
tion of self are the three things by which the Su-
preme Goodness and Truth, according to true Re-
ligion, is pleased, propitiated, satisfied.

" In the great exemplar and essence of Cliristian-
ity, these three things are seen in perfection. . .

" The constant under-song of better spirits from
the earliest times, which maintains with regard to

Uisli(i[) Kwiiiy.

1/6

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

both sacraments, not only that, in extreme cases,
they may be dispensed with, but that, their essence
is to be had without form at all. . . .

" The most Protestant of all the statements on
this subject in the English Prayer Book is itself
taken from an earlier rubric to the same effect in
the mediaeval church. ' If man ... by any
just impediment do not receive the sacrament of
Christ's body and blood, the Church shall instruct
him that ' [if he fulfil the moral conditions of
Communion], ' Jic doth cat and drink the Body and
Blood of our Saviour Christ to his soul's health, al-
though he do not receive, the sacrament with his
mouth.' Such a concession is in fact the conces-
sion of the whole principle. . . .

" The moment that door is opened, for the moral
consideration of what is due to mercy and humanity,
the whole fabric of the strict sacramental system
vanishes, and reason, justice, and charity step in to
take their right place."

Mr. Duncan always looked forward hopefully to
a time, when it might be safe to introduce the
Lord's Supper, and once wrote the Society, suggest-
ing a modified form, thinking that at an appropriate
moment, a simple emblematic form of evening-meal,
or, social feast, might be adopted which would re-
semble the original repast ; that is to sa)-, not ad-
ministered by a priest : but, the Society wanted the
celebration to be carried out with full detail, cere-
mony, and vestments, as in the Church of England.

THE CRISIS.

177

Therefore, all things considered, it is obvious that
they could not agree.

In respect to Baptism, Mr. Duncan, perceived the
necessity for carefully guarding this rite, and keep-
ing the Indians under lengthy probation. He had
taught them that Baptism might be compared to a
label on a can of salmon, to signify, and vouch for
the quality of its contents. The Indians are now
surprised to see sectarians running eagerly to clap
on the label of baptism, without much regard whether
the candidate's life corresponds with the label, or not.

Only a short time ago a Bishop of the Society on
his way up a river — in a single day converted, and
baptized a sick Indian Chief of a heathen tribe,
who had while in health stoutly refused Christian
instruction. After a short interview — the chief
yielded to the Bishop's advice, handed over his medi-
cine-rattle, — and accepted baptism, as he wanted,
he said, to be saved — meaning the healing of his
body. The Bishop flourished the rattle before the
Indian spectators as a trophy, and then went on his
journey ; congratulating, himself on what a graphic
article he could write of the incident, for his mis-
sionary publications. But, now for the sequel.
After the Bishop's departure the baptized invalid's
sickness increased. Being, therefore, disappointed,
he consulted some of his people, as to what he had
better do. They blamed him for giving up his
medicine-rattle to the Bishop. I lis superstitious
fears became aroused, and, he resolved to demand

178

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

its restitution, and to return the water of baptism
to the Bishop. A cup of water, was accordingly
placed in readiness near his bed. In a few days the
Bishop on his return called to see the sick man.
Instead, however, of receiving a friendly greeting, he
was met with a sullen ill-tempered demand for the
medicine-rattle. In vain the Bishop remonstrated
by telling the baptized Shaman, he was now a
Christian. The savage's demand was repeated with
a clamorous threat, and finally, the rattle was re-
turned to him.

As the Bishop left, the dying Indian threw after
him the cup of water, saying at the same time : —
" take back your baptism," and, followed it with
violent imprecations.

Bishop Ingham, in his fearless and flat-footed,
charge to the missionaries at Freetown, West
Africa ; in referring to the rotten condition of affairs
brought about, by greater efforts to enroll names,
and establish the church, than to purify and elevate
the converts, he says it : — " has shown up a mass of
iniquity with which our present ru^es of discipline
entirely fail to deal. The church is responsible for
binding as well as loosing. It is evident that,
amongst church members, church officers, and com-
municants, there is much undiscovered iniquity.
The church must wash her hands of this state of
things ; and zvc hope to enforce, as a hegiiniin((^ some
stricter disci f^l'nic as to the sacraments of Baptism
and the Lord's Supper.''

I AND 2, CARVKI) MEDICINR-RATTLES ; 3, CAKVF.I) CEDAK TKAY j
4, CARVED PIPE J 5, CARVED COMU.

THE CRISIS.

179

The inconsistency of baptizinf; unreformed sav-
ages, is further illustrated in the incident of the
hinding of the missionary priest, Father Bolduc at
the Songhee village Camosun (now Victoria) be-
fore the establi::hment of the first trading post.
After addressing Chief Tsilathach and his people
for half an hour, he invited them to be baptized.

Tsilathach replied, " baptize our Enemies! — do not
bai)tize us, a priest who came before you some years
ago baptized many of the Kwanthmus and Cowi-
chins, and they all died ! "

The fact was, that a plague had visited the coast
imniediatel)' after, :uid the associaii -n, was only
natural to these superstitious people.

It is told of an old barbarian Chief, who when he
was baptized kept his right hanil out of the water,
that hi- might still work his deeds of blood.

How necessary all this proves to us the reserva-
tion of this rite to the truly converted. Hut this
necessity, is mm' ai)parently ignoretl by the Society's
agents. It is a twofold sin to deceive a fellow-creat-
ure, into the belief that there is a magical power, of
purification, and salvation, in the mere observance
of the ceremony of l)aptism ; ami it is tiistinrt/y a
dice f>t ion y\.o turn this symbolic Christian ordinance,
into a m.igical rite> to itivest it with powers it docs
not, and never did possess.

It is only after satisfactory probation, that mem-
l)erH of tlu- Metlakahtla congre!;ation are baptizi-d
and admitted lu full memb(jr>liip, bu^Hi»mal ritcH

180

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

being administered by an ordained clergyman* —
thus, tlie sacrament is made more impressive as an
emblem in its original significance to cleanse, to
purify.

Mr. Duncan, regards the duties of a missionary
as purely evangelistic, and not ecclesiastical. lie
believes that to insure the best results, every Chris-
tian congregation gathered out of I leathendom ;
should begin its history as a free, and indcpenilent
branch of Christ's Church, in unity, and in syni-
pnt/iy, zvith all evangelical Christians ; but, alUnved
to develoi) naturally on Scriptural lines, and ad<ipt
that kind of church order, most in harmoiu' with the
native mind. Whereas, the Church Missionary
Society, rigorously demand, that all converts to
Christianity through its agency, shall be stamped
as members of the Church of li^ngland, conform to
its exacting ritual, and adopt its spirit of exclusivc-
ness. It did not lecognize with Burke, that "The
cause of the Clunxh of I'lngland is included in that
of religion, not that of religion in the Church of
Kngland." I lerc, we arc confronted with that spirit
of bigotry, that has wrought havoc with fre(;dom of
conscience in all ages. At the time of the l<.efor-
mation the IVotcstants declared that its issue was
founded on this: — "that the IJiblr is a suHicient
guide for every Christian man. Tradition was re-
jected, and the right of private interpretation as-

Sec ('li.i|itrr III.

THE CRISIS.

j8i

surcd. It was thought that the criterion of truth
had at length been obtained."

I3ut, alas such was not to be. Calvin in roasting
Servetus to death over a slow fire at Geneva — for
daring to express his religious convictions, — bore
witness that human ecclesiastical prejudices, still sub-
orned true godliness. Narrow-minded hierarchy,
has clogged the wheels of Christian religion, from the
first. The utter absurdity, and the dire conse-
quences of most of the ecclesiastical conflicts, strikes
with amazement every studc.it of history. For in-
stance, the ui'.seemly ecc'esiastical (piarrels of the
fourth century, affecting the co-eternity of Trinity;
some claiming that there was a time when the Son
did not exist, that, as a necessary condition of the
filial relation the Isither must he older than the Soi .
The opponents argued that they had been for all
time C(^-existent ; the latter faction was victorious at
the Nicene Council, which anathematized all who
should say, that there was i\ time when the Son was
r-Jt, or that before He was begotten, lie was not.

iUiH contest led the pagans of Alexandria, to
av.jiM.' ilicmselves by re|-.resenting on the Stage the
FathL" ,ikI Son as twins—but worse than this f<»r
Christianit^' it led to the establisliment o*^ Ma-
ht)metapism.

In the stubborn conflict of blind d()gi^v»iism with
the progress of knowledge, th- true spirit of Chris-
ti.uiityiias been ruthlessly hampered. Christianity,
if it serves its parleyed purpose, should ever jjo

1 82

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

hand in hand, with knowledge, to the betterment of
mankind.

It has been well said that, in the annals of Chris-
tianity the most ill-omened day, was that, in which
she separated herself from science, and antagonized
intellectual progression.

If the lives, time, temper and wealth expended
in cstablisliing dogi. i ••'■i carrying on cruel perse-
cution, in the name ol rist, had been devoted to
l)ropagating, teaching, and exemplifying the great
central truths of Christianity, with their attendant
blessings, how much more exalted might have been
to-day, the intellectual condition of the universe ;
and how much larger jMirtion of mankind, would
know and worship (jkI, in iionesty, and in truth.
Christianity lias not been maintained, because of
its ilivisions and creeds, but has survived, in spite of
them.

" Look at the Bible .m the one hand, and I listory
on the other ; sec what are the points on which the
Scriptures lay most emi)hatic stress; think how
much of tuc sap and life of Christendom has run
to leaf, and not to fruit; remi.'mbcr how constant
is the protest of Scriptures, and, we may aild, of
the best spirits of the universal Churcii, against
preferring any cause of ()j)inioii, or ceremony to jus-
tice, holiness, truth and love; observe how con-
stantly and steadily all these same inlimaiions j)oint
to One Divine Object, and One only, as the centre
and essence t»f Christianity." (Dean Stanley).

THE CRISIS.

183

Prof. Max Miillcr, undoubtedly the most re-
nowned scholar for his erudition, not only in the
science of languages; but, in the science of religions,
in one of his lectures on this subject says : —

" We want less of creeds, but more of trust ; less
of ceremony, but more of work ; less solemnity, but
more of genial honesty ; less of doctrine, but more
of love. . . .

" The fundamentals of our religion are not in these
poor creeds ; true Christianity lives not in our
belief, but in our — in our love of " 'd and in our
love of man founded on our love of (uuL . . .

" Men light about religion on earth ; in heaven
they shall fuid out that there is only one true reli-
gion, the worship of Cii)d."

Lord Macaulay on his return from India to Hng-
land, said: " I iiave lived too long in a country
where people worship cows, to think much of the
iliffcrences which part Christians from^Clirislians."

'J'his is a practical, reasoning age, ami though wo
cannot by exact science, or cold reason, solve tlu-
mysteries of the Infinite, yet, we may measurably
judge of things tangible or apparent.

It is hardly in accordance with the spirit of our
age, to indict torture upon those scientists, who
throw new light upon old mysteries, even if they
do not exact!)' correspond with our interpretation
of Bible science; we should to-day feel little s)'m-
pathy with a movement that choked off the prog-
ress of intellect, or the revelation, of new arts,

mmmmmmmm.

184

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITl.A.

and sciences. It is not many ai^cs since all the
horrors of the inquisition threatened those who
dared vouchsafe evidences, to show that the world
was round, not fiat — not square !

Yet, this is an age of anomalies. In our day we
see the greatest light thrown upon the Book of
God, the highest cultivation of the intellect, the
greatest religious freedom, and yet, some of the
most shameful cases of ecclesiastical persecution.
That zealot, — Lord Penzance of England a relic of
the dark ages, posing as a nobleman in this age of
reason, has within the last four years exercised his
hereditary, or so-called divine right and power, by
thrusting clergymen into prison, and keeping them
incarcerated for months, because they deviated from
the prescribed f(^rmulas of the Church in their ser-
vices, or, perhaps burned too many, or, too fevv
candles upon the altar!

In compauison with this, it is refreshing to read
the following resolution, passed by the I'rotestant
Episcopal National Convention, at Chicago, October
15, 1886.

" The I louse of Bishops, takes the opportunity to
assure the House of Deputies, of its profound sym-
pathy with the spirit of tiieir resolution. This
House, declares its hearty respect, and affection, for
all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and
at this time, especially for tiieir fellow-Christians
assembleil in this city, as the National C\)uncil of
Congregational Churches in the United States.

THE CRISIS.

185

This House, also, avows its solemn purpose, under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit to promote, with
the concurrence of the House of Deputies, some
practicable plan for bringing before all our fellow-
Christians in this land, the duty to our common
Lord and Saviour of terminating the unhappy di-
visions, which dishonor His blessed name, and hin-
der the triumph upon earth, of His glorious king-
dom."

There is nothing objectionable in the mere matter
of variations in Church tirganizations, names, manner
of conducting service, or, differences in beliefs, it
is the proselyting spirit, the attempt to force arbi-
trary dogmas upon others, and the consigning to
])erdition those who disagree with them, that is
un-Christlike, pernicious and debasing.

I resi)ect all religions, anil creeds, that contribute
to the unfolding, and elevation of mankind. I per-
sonally have no secular, or sectarian i)rejudices,
which could prompt me in a trifling spirit, to hold
up in derision the sacred religion of anyone. 1 am
neither orthodox nor heterodox in my beliefs.

** When I list to such bigotry, and witness such
coercion ; I yearn to wield the invisible broad sword,
and sharp sword of S///>rt>//r Justice, and cleave
between brambled heterodoxy and orthodoxy a
broad swath, as a thonnighfare for right doing, and
well-being \oy all humanity: A swath, from pole
to pole, over wiiich the white, the black, the red, the
yellow, enfranchised ; untrammelled; might safely

1 86

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

traverse toward the light through all existence, luith-
out jostling one another" (M. French Sheldon).

I believe there is grace in all religions, and that
righteousness and holiness belong exclusively to
none. I make this plain, that I may not be mis-
understood when I would impugn those men, who
degrade true holiness, by cant, and hypocrisy.
True piety is revered by all, sectarianism is the
bane of Christianity.

It is the misfortune, but not necessarily the fault
of a church, that among its representatives appear
Asses guised in Lions' skins, and Wolves in Sheep's
clothing. However, if when the bray, or treacher-
erous fangs reveal the truth, and then the church
persistently insists, that the Ass is a Lion, and the
Wolf is a Sheep, can we wonder that the world
mocks ?

Atheism, is mainly fed by the revulsion caused
by sectarianism, tinged too highly, with canting
hypocrisy. Honesty in religion, is, as essential, as
honesty in business.

When the highly educated people of civilized
countries fail to comprehend the creeds, and doc-
trinal distinctions ; how, can the infant mind of a
benighted savage, be expected to grasp them ?

If one teaches the savage that this, or that rite, or
ceremony, is essential to his salvation, how is he
shocked, and thrown into confusion, when the prelate
of another creed comes along, and proves to him by
the Bible, that his previous teachings are all wrong.

THE CRISIS.

187

and gives him a new plan of redemption ! This
divine, is followed by another who condemns the
teachings of his predecessors, and as conclusively
proves his theories, by the selfsame book, of the
white man's God.

The savage, bewildered by these polemics, dis-
credits all. The central truth has been so obscured
by dogmas, that he sees before him only uncertain
trails ; even the white men straggle and do not
agree, as to which one leads to heaven ; how then
can he, poor groping savage, with inferior intellect
decide, when the wise men are confounded ?

He relapses into heathenism, returns to the reli-
gion of his fathers, worships the gods that have
piloted them to the happy hunting ground ; or per-
haps like M'tesa the Em[)eror of Uganda, to whom
Stanley broke the light of Christianity, pure and
simple, and left him pleading, — in his own words —
" Stamlee, say to the white people, when you write
to them, that I am like a man sitting in darkness,
or born blind ; and that all I ask is that I may be
taught how to see, and I shall continue a Christian
while 1 live."

M'tesa received missionaries cordially until in a
competitive contest, — rivalling that held before
Vladimir — by their wrangling, over distinctions in
creeds, and nationality, and by contradictory teach-
ing, he became convinced, that they knew no more
of the true way, than did he. In his distraction, he
turned to his ancient worship for consolation, and

i88

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

in propitiation for his apostasy, is said, to liave com-
mitted most horrible acts.

Thus the missionaries themselves, by greater
loyalty to sect, than to God, by greater loyalty to
nation than to humanity, turned back, to the most
atrocious heathenism, and barbarism ; this willing
convert to civilization, and Christianity, and his
seeking people.

" I have for years thought," wrote that distin-
guished authority Bishop Patterson — " that we seek
in our missions a great deal too much to make
E)iglisJi Christians. . . . Evidently the hea-
then man is not treated fairly, if we encumber our
message with unnecessary requirements. The an-
cient Church had its selection of fundamentals."
. . . Anyone can see what mistakes we have
made in India. . . . Few men think them-
selves into the state of the Eastern mind. . . .
We seek to denationalize these races, as far as I can
see; whereas, we ought surely to change as little as
possible — only what is clearly inc(impatible with
the simplest form of Christian teaching and prac-
tice. 1 do not mean that we are to compromise
truth . . . but, do we not overlay it a good deal
with human traditions ! "

The mistakes in the East have been repeated, in
nearly, every part, of the mission world.

'* Let missionaries i)reach the Gospel again as it
was preached when it began the conquest of the
Roman Empire, and the Gothic nations ; when it

THE CRISIS.

189

had to struggle with powers and principalities, with
time-honored religions and triumphant philosophies,
with pride of civilization and savagery of life— and
yet come out victorious. At that time conversion
was not a question to be settled by the acceptance
or rejection of certain formulas or articles ; a simple
prayer was often enough : ' God be tnerciful to mc a
sinner.''

"Among uncivilized races, the work of the mis-
sionary is the work of a parent ; whether his pupils
are young in years or old, he has to treat them with
a parent's love, to teach them with a parent's au-
thority ; he has to win them, not to argue with
them. I know this kind of mission work is often
despised; it is called mere religious kidnapping;
and it is said that missionary success obtained by
such means proves nothing for the truth of Chris-
tianity; that the child handed over to a Moham-
medan becomes a Mohammedan, as much as a
child handed over to a Christian missionary be-
comes a Christian. All this is true; missionary
success obtained by such means proves nothing,
nothing for the truth of one Creed " (Max Miillen!

" The Indians have their own myths, it is true ;
but they are eminently spiritual; and we should
not condemn them because they are so constituted
as to demand rational solutions of whatever is pre-
sented to them as truths. They read intelligently
the writing of the (ireat Spirit in all exterior
nature, as well as in the human soul.

I90

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" The tints of the flower, the cells and fibres of
the leaf, the granules of the rock, and the veins
of the wood, are poems — hymns — sermons — not of
unmeaning and lifeless words, that fall coldly on
the ear, like flakes of spring-snow, only to dissolve
and pass away, but living utterances of that great
Interior Life, which in all they see, and hear, and
know, they recognize, and honor and adore. This
great sentiment of praise pervades the whole charac-
ter of the true Indian. It informs, it inspires, it
exalts him. Think then how impossible it must be
for him to exchange this aug'.st worship, that has
grown with his growth, and strengthened with his
strength, for any of those dogmas, which are so far
from satisfying Christianity itself, that they have
cut into the very heart of the Church, dividing
it into hostile factions, armed with deadly hate
against each other, until history in almost every age,
has been dyed crimson with the blood of the faith-
ful " (Berson).

Efforts were made to tempt Mr, Duncan to sub-
mit to, and accept the Society's dogmatic views.
A mere hireliui:;, might have yielded, but Mr. Dun-
can, who had sacrificed everything for the service of
his God, ivas deeidedly not a mere liireling ; besides,
his experience and observations had fortified him in
his convictions.

He had seen in abandoned mission stations, the
failure of sectarian methods. He iiad seen the
hollow work sectarians can produce —alike, hurtful

■

THE CRISIS.

191

to the teacher, and the '.aught. He had observed
how men, who worked for the fame of their Church
party, wrote too frequently exaggerated reports, to
please ; although they spared themselves both the
time, and trouble to dig deep — do genuine work,
and wait patiently for results.

Apropos of which W. H. Dall, narrating his ex-
periences on the Yukon River, during his extensive
exploration in Alaska, makes the following cogent
remarks, after attending the services of a well-mean-
ing missionary, the sermon being rendered ii .0 a
jargon by an interpreter :

" In the evening the Indians, old and young,
gathered in the fort -yard and sang several hymns
with excellent effect. Altogether, it was a scene
which would have delighted the hearts of many
very good people who know nothing of Indian
character; and as such will doubtless figure in some
missionary report. To anyone at all who under-
stood the situation, however, the absurdity of the
proceeding was so palpable that it appeared almost
like blasphemy.

" Old Sakhniti, who has at least eighteen wives,
whose hands are bloody with repeated and atrocious
murders, who knows nothing of what we understand
by right and wrong, by a future state of reward and
punishment, or by a Supreme Being— this old
heathen was singing as sweetly as his voice would
allow, and with (|uite as much comprehension of
the hynui, as, one of the dogs in the yard.

192

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" Indians arc fond of singinij ; they arc also fond of
tobacco, and for a pipeful apiei.o you may baptize
a whole tribe. Wiiy will intelligent men still ynon
talking three or four times a year to in'lians on doc-
trinal subjects, by means of ;) jargon whicii cannot
express an abstract idea, and the use of which only
throws ridicule on sacred things, and still call such
work spreading the truths of Christianity ?

" When the missionary will leave the trading-posts,
strike out into the wilderness, live with the Indians,
teach them cleanliness first, morality next, anil by
slow and sim[)le teaching lead their thoughts above
the hunt (-r the catrip, then, ami not until then,
will they be competent to con\prehend thesimjilest
jirinciples of right and wrong. The Indian does not
think in the nu.thod that civilized mcn;ulopt; he
looks at cverj'thing as ' through a glass — darkly.'
llis whole train of thought and iiabit of mind
must be educated to a higher and different standard
before Christianil)' can reach him.

•* The Indi;m, unchanged by contact with the
whites, is in mind a child without the trusting ai'fec-
tion of childhood, and with the will and passions of
a nan."

Mr. Duncan, not yielding to the Society's dom-
ination, in the course of time its attituile bec.une
iini)erious, and feeling that his iionesty of purpose
v',"\9 at stake ; lie determined to resign his jxist. .nid
surrender his Mission to other h.uuls, that would
mould it, as the Society wished ; while he would

■

THE CRISIS.

193

seek a fresh field of labor among unreclaimed,
heathen tribes.

This was distinctly signified to the Society, and,
it is well known, that again and again, it endeavored
to fill his place with an ordained man ; or at least
by someone likely to take orders.

At one time, Mr. Duncan entirely abdicated the
mission at Metlakahtla to an ordained clergyman,
sent out by the Society, and had only been absent
a few weeks, preparing for a new mission, when
Metlakahtla was thrown into a state of dreadful
confusion ; and the organization well nigh wrecked,
by the unwise ccclesiastic.il enthusiasm of the new
missionary; the effect of whose methods, upon
many of the still superstitious minds, was to create
a sort of fanatical cyclone. Some were led in the
fever of their delirium, to declare that they wit-
nessed miracles; beheld, and held converse with the
Holy Spirit; and that angels hovered about the
village.

This man in his i)lindness, was actually congratu-
lating himself, on the work of the Holy (lliost, but
when the news of his f(K)lishness reached Victoria,
there was a general demand that Mr. Di, lan
should instantly return, atid save his lifeV work
from utter destruction, lie did return, but, it was
with great difilculty that he succeedi-d in eliminat-
ing the results of a few weeks' misdirected, fanatical
zeal.

The Society llianked Mr. Duncan, very heartily

1 94

THE STORY OF METLAKAIFTLA.

for his timely interference ; and Bishop Bompas,
whom they sent to Methikahtla just after this inci-
dent ; severely censured the clergyman for his in-
discretion, and expressed the fullest approval of Mr.
Duncan's course. Although, the iJisho|) had come
with the intention of introducing the Lord's Sui)-
pcr, he saw by the recent proceedings, that these
people, yet, needed careful, and judicious, man-
agement and guidance ; and deemed it extremely
jirecarious, and inopportune to initiate the admin-
istration of the sacrament during his stay. In this
decision, he was but in accord with Mr. Duncan's
well-maturetl judgment ; though, recently it has
been falsely intimated by the Society that Bishop
Bompas was only prevented from introducing the
rite, by Mr. Duncan's resistance.

A succession of failures nullified the Society's
])lans to relieve, Mr. Duncan, and necessitated his
remaining from year to year.

Finally, the northern part of British Columbia ;
— containing but three ordained clergymen of the
Church of Kngland — was created a Bishojjric.

The Bishop of New (^iledonia, maile Metlakahtla
his iieatliiuarters, and at first wrote glowing effu-
sive accounts of the work there.

In establisiiing himself, he asserted his autliority
not, with Christian dignity, but in a p()mi)ous, arro-
gant and offensive manner. I le took care to dis-
tinguish the importance of his caste, by conspicu-
ously parading his s.icerilotal vestments, bcft)rc the

THE CRISIS,

195

Indians; and claiming the title of "My Lord''
from all. His deportment forcibly reminds one of
II. M. Stanley's pen-picture of another ecclesiastical
potentate.

" The Bishop in his crimson robe, and with his
sacerdotal title, " Missionary Bishop of Central
;\frica " (why he should be so named I cannot con-
ceive), has reached the bourne of aspiring priest-
hood, and is consequently ineffably happy. But
this High Church (very high church indeed) prel-
ate, in his crimson robe of office, and in the queer-
est of all head-dresses, seen stalking through the
streets of Zanzibar, or haggling over the price of a
tin-pot at a tinker's stall, is the most ridiculous
sight I have seen anywhere outside of a clow n's
show. I, as a white man, solemnly protest against
the absurdity. A similar picture to the I op, in
his priestly robes and a paper cap, in a tinker . st;ill,
is the King of I )ah()mcy, in a lunopean iiat with hih
body nakeii, promenading pompously about in this
cxcjuisite full dress. Whatever tiie Bishop, in his
blissful innocence, may think of the effect which it
produces in the minds of the heathen, I can itiform
liim that, to the Arabs and Wangwana who iiavc
settled in Unyanyembe, lie is only an object of su-
preme ridicule; and also, that most of his [)alc-
f.iced brothers entertain something of tile swmo
opinion.

*' ro()r, dear Bishop Tozer ! T wouKl fain love
and admire thee, were it not for liiis cxliibition of

196

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

extreme High-Church ism in a place like Zanzi-
bar ! "

Dr. David Livingstone, who was very much
incensed at this sort of mock mission-work, com-
mented very pungently upon the self-same Bishop.

" The excellent Bishops of the Church of Eng-
land, who all take an interest in the 'Central Afri-
can Mission,' will, in their kind and gracious way,
make every possible allowance for the degeneracy
of the noble effort of the Universities into a mere
Chaplaincy of the Zanzibar Consulate. One of
them even defendeil a la/^sKs which no one else daretl
to face ; but whatever in their kind-heartedness
they may say, every man of them would rejoice to
hear, that the Central African had gone into Central
Africa. If 1 must address those who hold back, I
should say : Come on, brethren ; you have no idea
how brave you are till you try. The real brethren
who are waiting for you have many faults, but also
much that you can esteem and love. . . .

" Some eight years have rolled on, and good
Christian people have contributed the money annu-
ally for Central Africa and tin- '(V'lUral African
Diocese' is occujjicd only by the lord «>f all evil.
It is with a sore heart that I say it, but recent
events have shown to those who have so long been
I)laying at being missionaries; and peeping, across
from the sickly Islan<l of tluir diocese on to the
niainlanil with telescopes, that their time might
have been turned to better account."

A ClllBK LYINU IN HIATK.

THE CRISIS.

197

Dr. Livingstone likens the Bishop of Central
Africa, to a man of similar buffoonery sent to the
Sandwich Islands, after a very successful, mission-
ary work, had been established there, by American
missionaries.

" A Bishop they got, who, in sheer lack of good
breeding, went about Honolulu with a great paper
cap on his head, ignoring his American brethren,
whose success showed them to be of the true apos-
tolic stamp, and declaring that he was the only
true Bishop.

" Of all mortal men, missionaries and Missionary
Bishops ought manifestly to be true gentlemen."

Henry Venn, the late distinguished, secretary of
the Church Missionary Society, speaking from vast
experience, was wont to say, that translating a
missionary to a Bishop, bred trouble and ruined
the man's usefulness.

Had the Bishop of New Caledonia clad in his
showy vestments, accompanied our Saviour on a
visit to savage tribes, the Redeemer would have
in all probability been ignored for His simplicity of
ai)parel ; as was the case witii a certain clergyman,
of many frills, who, some thirty years ago, on his
way to the North Pacific, called at Honolulu,
donued his best cloth, arrayed his valet in gl-'tcr-
ing livery, and gained audience with the King, who
rushed past the prelate, and grasped the hand of
the valet, niistakijig,- because, of his magnificence,
— the slave for the nuister !

198

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

The superstitious mind of the savage naturally at-
tributes magical powers to priestly vestments. Mr.
Duncan, had always found it necessary, to avoid
peculiarity of dress, as any oddity, wa3 regarded
as a symbol. One explorer i.i writing of British
Columbia, makes mention, of a priest who when un-
able to visit a tribe, sent his oddly shaped hat, and
the people fell down and prayed to it, as to an idol I

It is not the gown of a judge, but the justice he
dispenses that commands respect, and elevates him
in our estimation.

It is the invisible toga virilisy that makes the maUy
whatsoever his rank in life.

I for one, admire the vestments of the clergy. I
enjoy the ceremonies of the most elaborate ritual,
they are to me beautiful, picturesque, and I fain
would have them remain in the church service
whenever, and wherever, their true value and sig-
nificance is understood ; but, their introduction to
superstitious savages, ever has been, and ever will
be, fraught with jeopardy, to genuine Christianizing
work. Attractive vestments, and ceremonies sig-
nify to a groping savage, a hidden meaning, mere-
tricious, and calculated to distract him from the
real essentials of salvation.

" ' You have' says Faustus to Augustine, * substi-
tuted your agap.e for the sacrifices of the pagans;
for their idols your martyrs, whom you serve with
the very same honors. You appease the shades of
the dead with wine and feasts ; you celebrate the

THE CRISIS.

199

solemn festivities of the Gentiles, their Calends, and
their solstices; and, as to their manners, those you
have retained without alteration. Nothing distin-
guishes you from the pagans, except that you hold
your assemblies apart from them ! Pagan observ-
ances were everywhere introduced. At weddings it
was the custom to sing hymns to Venus ! '

" Let us pause here a moment, and see, in antici-
pation, to what a depth of intellectual degradation
this policy of paganization eventually led. Heathen
rites were adopted, a pompous and splendid ritual,
gorgeous robes, mitres, tiaras, wax tapers, proces-
sional services, lustrations, gold and silver vases,
were introduced, the Roman lituus, the chief ensign
of the augur, became the Crozicr " (Draper).

Ecclesiastical Vestments. " The antiquarian in-
vestigation of this matter," says Dean Stanley, " is
not in itself devoid of interest. It belongs to the
general survey of the origin of usages and customs
in the early ages of Christianity. The conclusion
to which it leads is that the dress of the clergy had
no distinct intention — symbolical, sacerdotal, sacri-
ficial, or mystical ; but originated simply in the
fashions common to the whole community of the
Roman Kmpire, during the three first centuries.

" The Christian dres!> as we have indicated, was
intended in its origin, not to sei)arate the minister
from the peo|)le, but to make him, in outward show
and appearance exactly the same. . . .

" Unless it can be shown that they were sacerdo-

200

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

tal in the second or third centuries, it is wholly
irrelevant to allege that they became sacerdotal, in
the 13th or 19th centuries.

" Whatever sacerdotal, or symbolical, or sacra-
mental associations have been attached to them
may be mediaeval, but certainly are not primitive ;
and those zvho wish to preserve the substance of the
primitive usage should officiate, not in the dresses
which are at present ivorn in Roman, A nglican, and
Non-conformist Churclics, but in the cvery-day dress
of con.mon life — in overcoats, or smock-frocks, or
shirt-s!eev£i>, according as they belonged to the
higher or inferior grade of the Christian ministry.

" There may be reasons against ecclesiastical vest-
ments of all kinds. But the fact of their being
modern is not itself against them, unless we insist
on making them essential as containing ideas, which
they do not, and never were intended to, symbol-

"This leads us to another obvious conclusion.
If there be no intrinsic value in these vestments,
then, whether the law forbids them or enforces
them, the same duty is incumbent on all those who
regard the substance of religion above its forms,
namely, that on no account should these garbs,
whether legal or illegal, be introduced into churches
or parishes where they give offence to the parish or
the congregation. The more any clergyman can ap-
preciate the absolute indifference of such things in
themselves, the more will he feel himself compelled

THE CRISIS.

20I

to withdraw them the moment he finds that they
produce the opposite effect to that which he in-
tended them to have. On the necessity of such a
restriction, it is a satisfaction to believe that many
even of those whose opinions rather incline them to
these peculiar usages, would more or less concur."

In these outspoken views of Dean Stanley many
other great church dignitaries acquiesce.

The well-known Church of England journal
" The Rock''' London Nov. 14th 1879, in a lead-
ing article titled, " Do Lord Bishops Jiclp or hin-
der Foreign Missions ? " told such plain truths,
that certain church dignitaries raised a perfect tem-
pest over it. I quote the following, from the ar-
ticle :

" The Standard recently informed us that the
Archbishop of Canterbury in an address, men-
tioned that he had recently been present at a con-
secration of four Bishops, three of whom were ap-
pointed to foreign Sees — viz., Jerusalem, Travancore,
and a place in the extremity of North America, and
one for East London.

" His Grace, observed that he looked upon the
consecration of these Bishops as " fairly represent-
ing the wide field, which was now open for mission-
ary effort throughout the world.

" From this and his subsequent observations, it
was evident that in the estimation of the Primate
the appointment of an English Bishop to any region
on the earth's surface, was equivalent to taking pos-

202

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

session of that region for missionary enterprise, and
an earnest of the success which a mission, duly sus-
tained by English liberality is sure to achieve.

" Now this view, however natural to the mind of
an Archbishop is unfortunately open to objections
from reason, and from fact. In the first place, it is
very questionable whether the presidency of a prel-
ate of the English type over a foreign mission, may
not act as a serious hinderanceto the spiritual work
altogether. There are two agencies which must
never be lost sight of in the preaching of the Gos-
pel among uncivilized people.

" First, the most perfect freedom of action and
second, the complete absence of all cut and dry
forms, and systems of service.

" The modus operandi while exactly suited to
place, people and circumstances, should in the first
instance, be too irregular, to admit of its being sub-
ject to episcopal control in our sense of the term.
With such irregularity, and simplicity, English prel-
atry must ever be coming in collision.

** Moreover, experience has amply proved thai the
attempt to transplant English episcopacy into for-
eign mission fields has proved a failure. From the
time that Bishop Selwyn was sent out to preside
over the New Zealand See, to the present hour the
difficulties attending the experiment have been,
more and more apparent. It has been truly said of
Bishop Selwyn's episcopate in New Zealand, that
it paralyzed the mission work there. At this we

THE CRISIS.

203

need not feel surprised. . . . Yet as an en-
thusiastic New Zealand admirer said, he was not,
as he was called in England a Missionary Bishop
' for his influence with the natives was never much,
save as the head of the Church of England, in New
Zealand ' — that is, as we understand it, he repre-
sented the Church of England, but not the religion
of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by so doing he, as
far as in him lay, undid the work of the humble
missionaries who for years before Dr. Selwyn's ar-
rival, had so successfully labored in the Gospel with
the simple object, ot bringing the natives to aknowl-
edt;'^ of salvation, through a crucified and risen
Sn\'i >ur.

" Unfortunately this seems to be the case with
almost all so-called Missionary Bishops. They go
out, not, so much to labor in the work and doctrine,
as to represent the Mother Church, and in their
several dioceses to set up as close an imitation as
possible of the ecclesiastical system at home, with
all its paraphernalia of cathedral capitular bodies,
church dignitaries, rubrical rites, liturgical services,
and the like, utterly out of place — these are in a mis-
sion station, and far more calculated to produce dis-
turbing complications, than to promote the work of
cvtingelization. Take for example, the very dis-
creditable relations at present existing between the
Bishop of (irahamstown (Dr. Merriman), and the
Very Rev. F. S. Williams, dean of St. George's
Cathedral, there, arising t)ut of a question of pre-

204

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

cedcncc in reference to the cathcciral of which Dr.
Williams is clean. The Bishop claims the right to
preach there, as well as in every church in his dio-
cese at his discretion. To this the dean demurs,
and on Sunday April 27th last, actually ousted the
Bishop from the Cathedral pulpit, by prcachin^,^
himself after he had received formal notice of his
episcopal superior's intention to preach.

"For this and other alleged acts of insubordina-
tion and contumacy, Dean Williams has been tried
in his absence, condemned and sentenced to a
month's susp>ension from his ofifice ; but to these
proceedings he pays no attention, Upheld by his
I)eople, he flouts the Bishop and treats the sentence
of the episcopal court with contempt. So much
for the absurdity of attempting to set up the Church
system in the wilds of South Africa!

*• Is then the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury pre-
pared to say th;it the state of thitigs at the Cape —
where the Bishop';i e.\periment has been fully tried
— is calculatetl to advance the cause of Cliristiin
missions? or that cathedrals and their ai)pendages
— which we believe are regarded as indispensable
1.0 tlu' dignity of a Bishop— are m( • likely to si-rve
the cause of Christ, or of Satan ?

" The fact is the prelacy, after the lordly type
.viti which we are favored at home, is something
worse than an .ibsurdity, when aped in the colonies
or other lields of foreign l.tboi. I fere we are habit-
uated to mitre;} and cruziers, black silk aprunn,

THE CRISIS.

205

looped up hats, knee breeches, and buckled shoes.
They form the bijouterie of a pampered church,
and represent not the humility, and poverty, of the
lowly Jesus, but — the wealth, and dignity, of the
proudest empire upon earth.

"Although we have become habituated to the
doctrine of apostolic succession, we cannot ;:'iut our
eyes to the egregious folly, of reproducing such mon-
strosities abroad. The notorious cases of Doctor
Mylne and Coi)plcston — the Hishops respectively
of Bombay and Colombo — are sufficient to prove
this; for in what have their episcopal labors con-
sisted, but, in thwarting the work of the Church
Missionary Society, and so entangling the relations
between the Society and the Church, that is tluir
dioceses simple mission work or Clunxh-of-Kngland
principles ! Atul then consider the positive ini(juity
of subordinating an evangelical mission to a Rom-
ish Bishop !

" No : if wc must have Bishops in our colonies
and foreign missions and we admit that without
them an ICpiscopal Church would be an anomaly —
let us have them without the bawbles, anil ecclesias-
tical fri|)pery, that surroujuls them at home. Let
us wait till a Church is formed by the simple preach-
ing of the (iospel, and then from among the labor-
ers in the field, select the one most pious, intilligent,
laborious. and unassuming.to superintend the others,
not as a /(>n/ over then), but as a shepherd, prinhis
intrr parcs^ wlio will share their labors, counsel them

206

THK STORY OF METLAKAIMT.A.

in their difficulties, correct what is evil, encourage
what is j^ood, and in the exercise of a wise and lov-
ing judgment heal all dissensions that may arise,
and watch against every species of error that satan
may introduce. Let such a man eschew the ei)is-
copal habits and the episcoi)al vestments. No u[)-
turned hat, no apron, no kneebreeches, no buckles,
and no rings ; and above all, no mitre, no crozier
and no cathedral with its eijiscopal throne, and its
train of Church dignitaries and artificial services.
Let the heathen be taught to despise, and to mourn,
the gross folly of assuming the title of my Lord.

" As a follower of his Divine Master, he will find
his place among the most humble, and like llim he
will have power in his office and in his work. Un-
der his superintemleiice no com[)lications will arise
with committees of religious societies of Kngland.
lie will have no pretensions of personal dignity to
protect, and they will not desire to supersede him
in the highly important office which he fills.

•' As it is the sacerdotal lordlings intruded under
the title of'Dishops' into colonial and dominion
Churches, who are now doing so much mischief, and
giving so much trouble, it is evident tnat the whole
system of foreign Cliurch patronage, must undergo
revision and amendment, if sect jjielates sent out is
not to become the centre of a discreditable collision
Ijetween Bishops a|)pointed by one authority, and
clergy appointed by another. I'he evil is obvious;
and is tissumin^ formidable dimensiuns, nur will

TlirC CRISIS.

207

matters ever improve, accordinf; to our judgment,
so long as genuine Cliristian laborers are subjected
t«) the absurd pretensions, of those who arc more
concerned about their ei)iscopal dignity, tlian about
the interests of Christ, or the salvation of souls."

I hold in no disrespect the title of Bishop; this
title lias been, and is, honored by many very ^reat
men, but it has also been, and is, dishonored by
many most unworthy men. We all in our hearts
respect an exalted title, when that title represents
the measure of y^re.itness of its possessor: but, far
better be a ^rand man, devoid title, than a void
man with a ^rand title.

After having made various excursions from the
direct jxiints at issue to show my readers that Mr.
Duncan is sustained in his course of action, by the
most learned authorititis, and by men whose experi-
ence, and study of sava^^es, and mission, and educa-
tional work, lend i)eculiar force to their views, 1
return to the theme of my story.

The IJishop of Ni.'w Caledonia, so<»n bcj^an in an
overbearing, praj^matic manner, to interfere with
the work of Mr. Duncan, and others: then he at-
tempted to provoke contest with the missions, wliich,
other denominations were busy establishing fortlie
North I'acillc Indians, ('untinuin^ in his hi^;h-
handed course, his outrai^emis interference witii one
of the Society's missionaries, led the Society to
check hint ; ai\«l, in order to avoid further complica-
tions, the Society authorized all t»f its missionary

208

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

staff in tlic diocese, to meet yearly, for conference
en mission affairs. In July, 1881, the first con-
ference was convened at Metlakahtla, and consisted
of three clergymen, and three laymen.

The Bishop, who had by his indiscretion ren-
dered himself somewhat obnoxious, conspicuously
absented himself, from the conference of which he
was chairman.

Feeling that a crisis had now arrived, in the
working of the mission at Metlakahtla, Mr. Dun-
can, determined to place the responsibility of the
dilemma ui)on the C inference, and to stand by the
issue, lie reminded the Conference, that he was a
layman, and that tlie Society wanted an ordained
man in his stead : and asked, /// 7'icw 0/ t/iisc fiufs^
"u'/u^/tcr they, would advise Jiiiii to rcsij^n his con-
nection with Metlakahtla ; since it would seem
impossible, as well as unnatural, for anyone to su-
pcrseile him, while he remained in the mission.

The Conference, in Mr. Duncan's absence, unani-
mously agreed upon the following resolutions : —

" 'I'he C^)nference having heard Mr. Duncan's
statement, and know ing the value of liis labors, and
experience, not only to the work at Metlakahtla,
but also to the Church Missionary Society's mis-
sions generally, in the North I'acific field; nnani-
mons/j', (/cc/inc to advise Mr. Duncan to resi^i;^u."

Tile question of resign.ilion being tlnis tiisposed
of; anotiier (piestion naturall)' arose; — namely:
I low liie dirticulty involved in his rem. lining at his

THE CRISIS.

209

post could be met ? Therefore, he asked the Con-
ference, whether it, was prepared to advise the
Society, to allow Metlakahtla to assume its inde-
pendency — work out its own destiny, — and bear its
o:vn expenses.'^ The majority, of the Conference;
resolved, to advise the Society to constitute Metla-
kahtla into a lay mission, and leave the "iCork' in Mr.
l^unean's hands, "without clerical supervision : the
minority, wanted to give the mission its full inde-
pendence.

These resolutions aroused the wrath of the Bish-
op, and through his prompting, the Society in
Lond(Mi was led to take very hasty action in the
matter. The Society wrote a letter to Mr. Duncan
invitini^ him home for conference, and on the same
day (as it afterward appeared) wrote another letter
diseonnectin^i^ him from the Society, and callini^
upon him to cpn't his work at Metlakahtla; — this
second letter was sent, not direct, but under cover to
the IJi^hop. Crossing these letters was one from Mr.
Duncan, to the Society in which he had stated his
views on the position of affairs. The Society's
letter of invitation was received by Mr. Duncan,
while he was at Victoria, some 600 miles distance
from Metlakahtla; ami, just at a moment when
business matters of {.^reat importanci" t(» the com-
munity, demanding his personal attention, remlcrcd
it im|)racticable, for him, to immediately comply
with tin- Society's retpiest.

lie wrote at once, explaining' how he was sit-

210

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

uated, and alluded to the letter, he had recently
posted, and, which when received would probably
render his presence in England unnecessary. In
any case, he only asked to postpone his visit to Eng-
land, until he should again hear from the Society.

On Mr. Duncan's return from Victoria to Metla-
kahtla, the liishop, with absolutely indecent haste,
and in a defiant, officious manner, demanded, an
interview, and rudely thrust into Mr. Duncan's
hands the " Jinc/osuri','' — actually before the steamer
which had brought Mr. Duncan and the letter, had
left the harbor — the ^^ liiiciosurc,'' which finally dis-
connected him from the St)ciety, and thus uncere-
nmniously severed a connection of twenty-five years
duration !

However, the Bishoj), in his ill-concealed impa-
tience to get rid of Mr. Duncan, had flagrantly
overstepped his commission. I le had hcot iiistntctid
by the Society te give the •* fine/osure'" to .]fr. Pun-
can, only in ease, Mr. /hinean, ahso/ute/y refused to
visit litigland The iJishoi) knew from Mr. Dun-
can's own lips that he had not refused. On the
receipt of Mr. I )uncan's letter explanatory, of his po-
sition, the Society also knew full well he had not
refused ; therefore, the Society at once addressed a
letter to the IJishop with instructions not to give
him, the " linelosureT These instructions designed
to obviate a rui)ture, came too late ; the overweening
Bishop, had done the mischief bi-yond rcjjaration.

The Bishop realizing the gravity of the crisis he

A DRirMMER OK HIE MKTt.AKAMTI.A HRASSIIAND.

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THE CRISIS.

211

had precipitated, deemed it well to start at once, to
Eiifijland ; and, attempt to mollify, by plausible
misrepresentations, and quasi-evidences, the richly
deserved censure which he had earned, and feared,
from the Society. Also, with the view of strength-
ening himself in his purpose to undermine Mr.
Duncan's influence.

The Bishop succeeded, it would seem by subse-
quent events, in justifying, his unprincipled course
in the eyes of the Society.

As soon as the Metlakahtlans became aware of
what had happened, they were deeply incensed, and
unanimously and heartily entreated Mr. Duncan
not to forsake them, but remain at his post, and
carry on his work as heretofore.

In connection with this incident occurs a fair
example of the Bishop's artful system of conveying
false reports to the Society ; his process of making
history. Since the rupture the Society has shown
an unhealthy thirst for this sort of startling fiction,
and has drunk it in, with avidity ; and, has published
gross charges ; and, has pronounced judgment, with-
out testing its witnesses, or giving the accused a
hearing: — carefully, refraining from publishing the
written statements of the Metlakahtlans, while they
gave wide circulation to the false charges made
against them.

The following is Jic Bishop's written account of
the meeting of the Metlakahtlans, when they peti-
tioned Mr. Duncan to reniain : —

212

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

"At one of the public meetings Mr. Duncan put
the question, ' Will all on the Lord's side hold up
their hands.' All held up their hands. Then he
artfully said — ' All on the Bishop's side hold up
their hands.' Imagine their surprise at being thus
ensnared. Several afterward told me that they did
not know, that Mr. Duncan was the Lord, or they
would not have raised their hands."

When the Bishop's veracity was challenged and
this statement proved to be a barefaced falsehood,
he made an apologetic quibble.

The true account of the meeting is substantially
the subjoining.

Immediately on learning of the Bishop's action
the Metlakahtlans called a meeting, at which assem-
bled every native in the village who was able to at-
tend ; even, the aged, the decrepit, the sick, all, came
to deliberate upon this crisis and voice their senti-
ment.

We may well understand, that these people, knew
beyond a question, to whom, they were indebted,
for their past development, and felicitous condition,
and to whom, they could best trust, their future
guidance.

It was but a brief session. Their hearts seemed
to throb in unison, stirred by fealty and reverence
for their benefactor. There was no prolonged ha-
rangue, but, a few short speeches ; pointed, earnest,
touching.

Then, the Chairman put the c[uestion, will you

THE CRISIS.

213

have the Bishop, or Shim-au-git* (Mr. Duncan)
as your leader ?

When Mr. Duncan's name was put to the assem-
blage, every soul voted for him to remain. The
Bishop received not a vote. Mr. Duncan was not
presetit during their deliberations or voting.

After these proceedings, Mr. Duncan was sent for,
and on entering the crowded assembly, he, was beck-
oned to a seat. He sai ' not a word — great silence
prevailed. An Indian arose, and assured him in the
name of the people, that he was unanimously en-
treated to remain amongst them.

When the Indian had finished his speech, he,
called upon all present to testify to the truth of
what he had said, and to show Mr. Duncan how
they had voted before they had sent for him.
Every soul stood up, and held up their hands that
he might see, and be convinced of their unanimity.

When the meeting was asked to show him how
many wished to retain the Bishop, not an one stood
up, not an hand was raised, not an aye was uttered !

Mr. Duncan then briefly, acknowledged their unan-
imous call, and assured them that he accepted.

The officers of the Society, now say that Mr.
Duncan should have ignored this call, and have left
Metlakahtla, and that, — '* The real secret of his not
acting in this straightforward manner lies in the

* Shim-nu-git simply means chief or master, and is the name by
which they designate Mr. Duncan.

214 THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

power he had gained over the Indians. His word
was law, and he did not wish to vacate the com-
manding position among them, which he had at-
tained."

This man, whose unsparing immolation of self, in
his sedulous efforts, in rescuing this flock from bar-
barism, saw that to save his life's work from utter
destruction, he must yield to their appeal, and stand
manfully in the breach, and protect them from the
impending calamity. He who had braved the ter-
rors of attempted assassination ; and had stood out
so uncompromisingly against the Shamans and can-
nibal chiefs, the slave and liquor traders ; and had
not flinched in the loathsome presence of the plague,
was not found wanting in this, the hour of their
supreme trial and peril.

CHAPTER VII.

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

An agent of the Society, who remained at Metla-
kahtla after the rupture, without a following, and
without missionary work to engage him ; recognized
the unanimity of the Indians; and openly ixv owed
his intention to respect such ; but, with shameful
duplicity secretly schemed to destroy the harmoni-
ous union.

About four months after the crisis, this agent
abetted a secret conclave, of three or four Indians,
who had been chiefs under the old tribal arrange-
ment ; but, who had lost their prestige through the
advancement of civilization. These chiefs, came
to believe that by allying themselves, to his fac-
tion, he could afford them a grand opportunity
to reassert their importance. Therefore, they re-
nounced their allegiance to the body of Metlakahtla
Christians, and were eagerly received as genuine
adherents, to the Church Missionary Society.

The conduct of these Indians, however, is not
so much to be wondered at : it is the conduct of
the Society's agent that is so astonishing. He well
knew what these men were aiming at. He was

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

also aware that one of them, was a convict sent by
the Cjovernor-General ot Canada to Methikahthi,
to be kept under surveillance; another, he knew
had often been sent away from the settlement for
treachery: and, that neither of these men were ac-
tuated by any relif^ious conviction, or, love for the
Society, but, simply and solely, by spite and ambi-
tion. Vet because they would afforil a foothokl for
the Society, and a covering for the Bishop's dis-
comfiture, they were received with open arms, and
tlieir praises trumpeted ta Kn^land as "-(ireat and

mi'^hty chiefs.

The most (iotlly of the chiefs

and " l\u"'Jiful adherents."

The Bishop, returned to Metlakahtla, soon after
tills ilis^redilable movement had taken sh.ii)e, and
.it once assunii'd leadership. I'launtin^^ the Society'.H
indorsemiMit of his course, in the face of the com-
munity; he endeavored to cow all into submission
to " his Lordship " — by boasts of the i^reath wealth,
and power of the Society, accompanied with ex-
pressions of contempt for their />if/n' IwHcfdcfor,
lie held out temptations with one hand, and in-
tinudation with thi- other.

Tile following in a nutshell, is the essence of what
the Bishop proclaimed: Why, that, lone insig-
nificant little m.m, is helpless, — he can never stand
against tin: ^'reat, ami poweiful Society, that com-
mands, an annual income of a n^r .1 dollars. I can
crush him without an effort Come to my fold ami
you shall want f<»r nothing.' I will teach you the

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

217

truth the only trutli — Your old teacher is a viislcadi'r
— lie has taught y<ni false doctrines — Your only
way tt) salvation is to follow nie.

The Bishop, immediately be<;an to t.Mt in execu-
tion his designs for disrupting' the Metlakahtlan
community. 1 lis tactics were as follows :

On the very day of the rupture, " His Lordshi[)"
tried to bribe the native teacher David Lcask, by
offerinj^ him the addition of £^0. a year to his salary
of £aqo^ if he would forsake Mr. Duncan's leader-
ship anil acci'pt wt>rk for the Society under his
ordtM's. David knew nothin^^ of the rupture at the
time of his interview with tin: Hishoii, but susjject-
in|,' from the Bishop's words and manner that some-
thiu".; was goiuj^ wrony;, stoutly rejected his over-
tures.

11.

On the Bishop's return from Kni^Iand, the Indian
Council of Mitlakahtla sent him i Utter. I'lu;
Bishop assumed the air of offendet' dignity, -met
the messcuj^iT, took the letter fn»n his han<l. and,
without openinj4 it t«)re it up, then threw the fraj;-
ments down and stamped thetn .mder foot. ;\
second letti-r, was then sent to hin" by the (Council.
This time the Bishop called the n esse»i};er into the
house, led the way t<» the fire, to )k the letter, and
threw it into the ilamca.

2l8

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAHTLA.

HI.

The morning after the liishop's return the school-
master, — an Englishman — who had been employed
and paid by Mr. Duncan from his own private funds
since the severance from the Society; stepped into
Mr. Duncan's office just before the time for opening
school, and announced, th.it he had been informed,
that the (iovernment had authorized that the
school should be placed under the Bishop's control,
and. therefore he had accepted work under the
iJishoji. Straightway witliout an hour's notice,
and with this argument, in his mouth, which was
afterward jiroven to be utterly fahi\ the unprin-
cipled white man, corrupted by the Bishop, quit
his duties in Mr. Duncan's school, and immediate!)-
joined tile Bishop's staff. Mr. Duncan having no
one to occui)y the deserted post, had to conduct
the scIiodI liimself with the assistance of a native.

IV.

A few days after this, the native assistant was
missing frot'^ htr duties in thi- njorning. In the
afternoon she ap|)eared, and on being interrogated,
confessed that she had been away on the Bish-
op's Steam N'acht. It u is evident that her alle-
jjianre also was being tamperetl with. On being
rebuked for her contluct, she thri'W up lier position,
to be emploj'ed by the Bishop at an incre.ised
salary. Thus these two school teachers by the

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

219

Bishop's intrigues, and their own unfaithfuhicss
deserted Mr. nuncan's lar^e scliool, without any
warninf^, and dropped into tlie easy emijloyment of
conducting a school of some ten or fifteen children.

These attempts to crijjpie Mr. Duncan's, school
bein^f completed the Hishop's next desi^Mi was to
cramp tiie Metlakah'tlans' resources. Since Mr.
Duiuan's severance from the Society, they had to
r 'y mainly for means to carry on the Mission, upt)n
the profits derived from the village store, in sup-
l)l\'inj; j^oods to tin- nci^hborm;.' tribes, and on the
inilusiries which had lucn mainly created by Mr.
I )uncan's money and ialxir. Therefore, to imperil
the continuance of tin- industries, and reniler the
store unr'-mimeralive, was not too contemptibU', a
thin^f for tlu- Bishop t<> attempt. However, to
make iiis steps, in this direction appear plausible,
/<i/si' sfdtiniciifs were published. Ihe public was
told, that the adherents to the Society, were n«)t
alloweil to trade in the villa}.^e store, on eipial terms
with (iher Indi.ms, and wen* insulted by Mr. Dun-
can's people; 1h<.refore, the Bishop was oi)lij;i(l to
have a store of his own. The sancti<»n and capital
bein^ obtained fn-m the Society, the Bishop .it
once o|)ened a shop in tlu* mission-house, in whiih
he resided; and having no rinks to run. or expenses
to bear he could wtil afford to put his busim ss on
A basis, which would provu ruin to any competitor's

220

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Store. The success of this uiKlLMliaiKled sclicmc
dcmatided this unbnsinoss-like Ijasis, therefore, liis
goods were offered at prices which left no profit
whatever.

The Bishop entertained great expectation from
tiiis trading project, a it served to draw non-ad-
herents, to his h(juse for trade ; .ind enable him
to suggest to the Indians, how much they were
being cheated by the other store; and, also it
affordtd the means of gratif\'ing his few adherents,
with loans of gf)ods, a privilege they soon took ad-
vantage of, and freely became his liebtors. The
Mitlakahtlans themselves saw the trap and despised
it. But the iiishop Jid succeed in his object, in so far,
as he lessened their income, by securing consider-
able of their business from neighboring tribes ; yet
though weakened by this process they yieldeil not.

VI.

The next step the Bishop took, was to bring the
secular arm to his aid.

In iHSj thf Indi.uis, after having sought and
obtained legal advice, decided to removi- tlhir mon
village store* from proximity to the house where
the Bishop resided.

The Bishop incensi'd at this read the riot act, and
sent such .1 J'ahi' and aianuiny report to V^icloria,

* bcc Mr. Duncaii'k rufutatioii in A|i|)citdlx.

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

22 I

that the Government was induced to despatch a
man-of-war to Methikahtla.

At the time there was no Britisli shiji available,
therefore, an application was made to Washington,
and the services were obtained of the United States
Revenue Cutter, '' O/nrr ll'o/cott" and in due
course arrived at Methikahtla with two magistrates
on board.

A larf;;e number of the sujiposed rioters including
Mr. Duncan, was summoned ; but ^.o the complete
dismay, and, mortification of the IJishop, the ma}.ns-
trates, after investigation declared there had been
no riot, hence diiimissed the case.

This false alarm cost the I'rovince it is said
$7,000. What it cost Metlakalula caimot b. told ;
but no one lias ever heartl of the Hishop's even
bi'ing rebuked, either b\ the govrrnment, or by the
Society, for the injury lie had wantonly causeil.

Vll.

Before the arrival of the " O/ivir Woicott " to
(piell the so-called riot, a fresh case ojcurred, which
the magistrates were called upon t'^ Meal with.

The liisliop's party tiesiriiig a drum, had discov-
eretl one in the i)ossession of an Indian, and pro-
curing the cash from the Society's agent conclinli-d
a pinchase. It soon /rf/z/.s/z/iv/. that the Indian had
no right to sell the drun», as hi only shared its own-
ership, with si,\ 01 ei^ljt oth(i'>. I lis aggrieved

223

TIIK STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

partners, after ascertaining the disposition made of
their joint property, applied to Mr. Duncan as the
resident magistrate for redress. Wishing to avoid
making it a case for the courts to settle, he wrote
tt; the agent, informing him of the circumstance^^,
begging him to investigate the matter, and do what
was right. The agent, however, refused to comply,
demanding that the aggrieved Indians, should sue*
the olfender ; but, promised the drum should not i^e
used till the rightful ownership was settled by law.

A few days elapsed, when this promise was bro-
ken. A boy wab seen on the road about to use the
drum. Two of the joint-owners immediately took
possessit)n of it, and the boy complained t(» the
liishop. The liishop issued at once warrants of
arrest, and threw the two men in the lock-up; in-
forming them that the-y would be held prisoners for
three or four days, or, until the ownershij) of the
drum, was decided h)' tri.il.

As soon as the Hishop's action becatnc bruited
about ill the village, there wan a ^.^encral outcry
against the injustice, of thus consigning men to pris-
on, bel\)re, they had bt.-en ex.unini'd ; and a meeting
was held by the Indians, of which Mr. 1 )uncan
knew nothing till it was over. I'he Indians de-
cided to ask the Bishop, to accord the accusi-d men
an immediate trial, and with that intention started
for his residence. T-spying the llishop on tlie roail
the)' awaited his approach. One of their number,
an old nun, avvosU-4 Ituii, ^iii4ii " ^Vhy do you

COKkClON AND TURMOIL.

223

not try the two men before putting them into
prison ? "

The Hishop deigned no reply, but passed on.
Another man then stepped up to the Bishop, and
putting out his hand touched him on the shoulder,
for the purpose of signing him to stop for an inter-
view, and repeated the (piestion. The Bishop sud-
denly turned upon him with raised fist and struck him
with all his might. The Indians who were standing
about fearing the man might retaliftte immediately
cried out, " i.)t)n't strike back, but appeal to the
law." Thus cjitreated the man restrained himself.
Another Indian standing hard by cried out, ' Shame
on the Bisho})!" and the Bishop dealt hitn a blow
and put himself in the altitude of a coiiibutant.
This was more than the Indians could endure, .uid
the Bishop was the recipient of some blows, which,
he said in court, kept him from his usual avocations
for tliree days. I lad it not been for the timely in-
terference of the Nat've Constables, tloubtless the
Bishop would have been roughly haiulled, for his
passionate anl uncalled for att \ck. After the melee
was over, \.'hicii the Bishop's (U'ert acts hail pro-
voked, the exasperated Indians at once set the two
imprisoned men at libert}'.

When this case came before the magistrates, the
Bishop testified that the old man who first accosted
him "struck" him on the face. Sul)se(iuently, be-
fore a comnussioner's court the Bishop ileclared,
the old man simply placed his hand before his (the

224

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Bishop's) face. The word '* struck " which was
false was omitted. It is significant to notice, what-
ever the old man did he was not indicted — only
maligned — but,' the man whom the Bishop had
" struck" but who, did not retaliate was fined on a
point of technicality, because he had touched the
Bishop's shoulder. The other Indian who was
first struck, by the Bishop, and then returned the
blow was also fined.

The Indian^ wanted to appeal the case to a high-

er court, but the

wai

A' maijistrates to shield the

Bishop's conduct, put the fines so low that ajipeal
was inadmissible.

The drum, on account of which, the whole trou-
ble had arisen, was duly returned by the magis-
trates to the rightful owners; ami nothing was done
to the two men who broke prison, as their arrest ami
confinement had been illegal.

VIll.

His Lordship resorts t<i firearms ! The Bishop
by a course of intrigue, nagging .md brutal violence
liad so irritated the Met! ikahtlans that, it was only
with (lillficulty that Mi. ihmian n strained, these
men, who in the state, he found them few yearn
before, would liave avenged such wrongs ith liloiHJ-
shed. The school-house whirli had bet w Ixiilt for
the community, on groumi bt longing to llu- eom-
niunity, with funds, a part of uhieh only wan nm-

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COERCION AND TURMOIL.

225

tributed by the Society, — was taken possession of
by the Bishop and turned into a rival church. The
Indians galling under many indignities, gave no-
tice to the Society's agent, that, as the building
was not being used for the i)urpose for which it was
originally erected, it must be moved to closer prox-
imity to the mission house. The agent did not
heed this notice, and the Indians took no further
stejis.

But the Bishop, intimating, that he had informa-
tion that on a certain night, the Indians intended
to take possession of the building, determined to
fight. lie armed himself with a Winchester rifle, —
filled the magazine with bullet-cartridges, and with
the white school-master, he had inveigled, he spent
the night in the school-house, having however, pre-
viously warned his own party not to approach the
building lest he might mistake them for his ene-
mies. Whether or not, the Bishop if he had been
given a chance would have taken as many lives, as
his repeating rifle contained bullets — is best known
to himself. No shooting occurred, for the reason,
that no attack was even contemplated. 'I'he Bish-
oi^'s night watch, first became known to the Metla-
kahtians when in earh' morn, he was seen sneaking
out of the school-h(ii . ,ith the Winchester rifle
under his arm. As inigl.i be supposed the news
(]uickly spread throu|.j5out the village, and subse-
(|ueiUly to the surrounditig tribes ; rmd, the indig-
nation it kindled, is not likely to soon die out.

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226

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAM'ir.A.

IX.

Next, the Bishop and the a[;cnt of tlic Society
came into collision with tlie Metlakahtla Council,
by backing one of his party in an act violatinj,^ a
by-law of the vilhiL^e. Since the fouiKlinL,^ of Met-
lakahtla, no one had been allowed to erect build-
ings, without consent of the comniunity as repre-
sented bv the Council. This regulation, hail been
strictly observed and hail jjrox ed highly beneficial
in iiiany ways. The iJishoi) ignoretl the Council,
and sustained one of his followers, in ;ui extension
to a buildiiiLi: on communal Liround, in defiance

f I he bv-l

'I'l

le man was warnei

1 to d

1st,

but he flouted the warning, and like his master,
seemed reatly to defend his ])osition by acts of vio-
lence. 1 lis courage however failed him, when the
Indians walked in a body, .mcI i[uietl)' took down,
the few scantling he had erected. The Bishoj) or
his assistant forwanled a basely exaggerated reixMt
to \'ictoria, and in due course, — as usual, —.i man-
of-war was despatched to Metlakahtla: This time
bringing the Superintendent of Indian affairs, and,
an Indian agent recently appointed.

These gentlemen first entleavored to get Mr.
])uncan, to co-operate with ihem, in making the
Imlians believe that the\' had committed a grave
t)ffence against the l.iw ; but, that if tiny would
now accept the Indian agent, and cotnc under tlie
yoke of the Indian act, then In-goncs should bo

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

227

l)}--y;()iics. Mr. Duncan refused to identify himself
with these gentlemen and their mission, and so the
law was put in force. Summonses were served
\\'ithout the slightest oppositic^n.

All was going on satisfactorily in the crowded
court, till the Bishop appeared, and was seen whis-
l)ering in a confidential manner, to one of the ma-
gistrates ; when, as if an cartlupiake had shaken
the building, the Indians all suddenly rushed out,
leaving the bewildered magistrates, vainly sliouting
f>)r order. Both Indians and magistrates went
straight to Mr. Duncan's house, — the one to tell,
;nul the other to ask why, the panic iiad occurred.

Mr. Duncan straightway succeeded in showing
the Indians, their imprudence, and persuaded them
to apologize, and return lo C^)U^t. The magistrates
took good care to keep the Bishop from again in-
terfering and violating the rules of justice by acting
both as plaintiff .iiul ad\'iser to the bench.

'I'he trial resulted in the magistrates calling upon
the accusetl, to enter into their own recognisances
to keep the peace, — tliat, was all, but the Indians
refused, offering rather to surrender their liberty,
and be kept in cust(tdy till their case couUi i)e heard
in the Supreme Court before a jury at Victoria.
The magistrates tieclined to keep the Indians in
custody and so nothing whatever was done.

The man-of-war deparleil, but the Indian agent
remaini'd to iiKK-avor to bring thr ln<iiiuis under
the Indiiin Act, ami induce them to accept his scr-

228

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

vices as agent. Discussions between the agent and
the Indians followed. They told him, that the
Indian Act, was adapted to Indians while they
were ignorant, and wild ; but was not suitable for
Indians in their condition of enlightenment. They
asked why, the Government had not sent an agent
to them, twenty years ago, when his services were
needed, and why the Government wanted to de-
grade them, and impede their progress, by put-
ling them under such a yoke as the Indian Act,
at this stage of their advancement. They com-
pared the system of an Indian Agency, to a small
shoe, suited for a child's foot ; and reminded him
that their feet were now, the feet of men, — hence
the shoe he had brought them was obviously too
small.

The agent saw clearly he was not wanted, and
returned to Victoria the first oppc^rtunity that of-
fered.

The riglits of the community to their land being
challenged, and infringed u'pon, and the Bishop
continuing to aggravate the people upon every con-
ceivable pretext, the Indians determined to have
their legal rights, defmed, and established. 'I'he
school-house was still being useil as a rival church,
and a centre for a party of bribed deserters, who
with their ruler openly avowed their inimical inten-
tions, to undermine, and destroy, the community.

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

229

No attention having been paid to the Metlakaht-
lans' notice to remove the building, and their rights
being defied ; after fully discussing the subject in
council, they determined to take possession of it.
Quietly and in the day time they carried out their
resolution. The Bishop filed an information against
seven Indians, who were supposed to be the main
actors : charging them with riotously and tumultu-
ously breaking into, injuring, and taking possession
of a church — the property of the Church Mission-
ary Society of London. The Indians were tried,
but, the evidence against them failed in every
particular, to substantiate the indictment, but the
magistrate in his zeal to support the Bishop, over-
stepj^ed the law and committed five out of the
seven men to take their trial, if called for, at the
next assizes at Victoria. The men refused to give
bail and were therefore sent in custody to Victoria,
— 600 miles from their homes. On arriving there,
they were told the Grand jury had nf)t only thrown
out the "Bill" against them, but, had expressed
the utmost astonishment at the conduct of the
magistrate. His animosity had been so obvious,
and his actions so illegal, that, liad the case con-
cerned white men instead of Indians, he would no
doubt have been called up to suffer a severe pen-
alty.

The Indians had the satisfaction of being released,
and the village the gratification, of having resecured
the school-house for their children.

230

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

XI.

Close upon the heels of this trial came a man-of-
war with three Commissioners, to inquire into the
troubles at Metlakahtla. One, of the three Com-
missioners, was the very magistrate, who had just
committed the five Indians before alluded to, for
trial, and the other two, were his bosom friends, —
hence, no wonder the commission proved a farce ;
and the proceedings in court, only, an exhibition of
how constituted authority, may be prostituted, to
serve personal or party spite. It would be but an
act of justice to the Indians, if the proceedings of
these Commissioners were exposed. Their course
was iniquitous in the extreme, from the moment of
landing they sided with the Bishop; at the same
time assumed a severely hostile attitude toward
Mr. Duncan, and, endeavored to persuade his peo-
ple, that he, had been givinj^ them *' bad fcac/iiii^i^s.^*
The following is cited from the Church Missionary
Societj'''s report of the Chairman's address, and will
indicate the tenor: —

" Nothing could have been more ailinirable than
the tact, and patience^ with which the Commis-
sioners treated the Indians who came before them,
and explained to them, what they thought necessary.
Thus, at the commencement of the proceedings, the
chairman, Mr. Davie, addressed them (through an
interpreter) as follows : —

' We wish to tell everybody why we come here.

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

2.; I

Somebody has told the Government that the Ind-
ians of Metlakahtla have behaved badly, and that
other Indians say they will do the same as the
Metlakahtlans,

' The Government does not believe the Metla-
kahtla Indians are bad theinselves. The Govern-
ment think the Indians may have had bad teach-
ings ; that the Indians ivould not do bad things
unless the}"- had bad teachings.

' We are told that at Metlakahtla people have
been struck ; that threats have been made ; that
houses have been taken by force ; tiuit people have
been told to leave, and threatened with violence if
they remained. All this is wrong. We think the
Indians would never do such things out of their ozvn
hearts.

* We are also told that a church was pulled down
at Kithralta. This is wrong.

* We arc told, it would not have been pulled down,
had not bad example been set by Metlakahtla.

' We are told the bad Indians of Queen Charlotte
Islands tell tl ^ good Indians there, that they will do
the same as at Metlakahtla ; that those bad Indians
say if one of them be put in jail at Massett, they
will pull it down. All this is wrong.

' PVe are told the Metlakahtlans say all the land
belongs to the Indians. This is not true. White men
ivho teach this are false to both Indians and ivhites.
1 1 V 7c'ill tell you the truth about the lands. First, all
the lands belong to the Queen. . . .

232

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

* White men who tell the Indians otherwise are
false both to Indians and whites, and make trouble.

* We are told the Indians laughed at Dr. Powell
and laughed at the gunboat. This was wrong and
very foolish. Dr. Powell is the chief Indian Agent.
He is the agent appointed by the Canada Govern-
ment to take care of the Indians, and look after their
lands' "

The commissioners in their report say : — " * In jus-
tice to Bishop Ridley and the Church Missionary
Society, which has numerous missions in the
North-West, it is proper to say that the few Methi-
kahtla Indians associated with them, have not been
parties to any of these disturbances, nor have the
missionaries of that Soeiety, so far, as the Commis-
sion could learn, advocated the notion of the Indian
title, with the exception of Mr. Woods, a layman,
whose action has met with the disapprobation of
Bishop Ridley. The disturbances and disquietude
have, to a considerable extent, grown out of a desire
on the part of the majority of Metlakahtla Indians
(who undoubtedly are in a great measure subject to
Mr. Duncan's influence) to have what they have been
educated to call unity, and to expel from Metla-
kahtla any person, or any sentiment, not in accord
with the will of the majority.' "

As an example of the perfidy rife, 1 will cite one
of the principal cases brought before the Commis-
sion by the Bishop, who sought to brand the Metla-

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

233

kahtlans with a dark crime, but, fortunately the
truth came out.

Under oath the Bishop testified that a short time
before, he had been fired upon, — it was night — the
shot passed tJirough a windo w close to him — he dis-
tinctly heard the report of the gun, — he had chased
the two villains in the dark, half way down the vil-
lage, but was outrun, and on the following morn-
ing the bullet was found upon the floor of the room.
When surprise was expressed by the Commissioners
that these facts had not sooner been made public, —
the Bishop on his oath — declared he had kept the
villainous act perfectly secret even from his own
party, — as its publicity would only have affected
the public mind for evil. The truth is. Bishop Rid-
ley did not want the alleged tragedy investigated.
It served his purpose best to keep it shrouded in
darkness and mystery. Mow sorely chagrined he
must have been, when the droll facts became known,
and it zoas proven that he had not been fired at —
that tio $hot had been fired at all, therefore, no re-
port could have been heard by him: — but a young
man of the Bishop's own faction, in sport had
tossed a small pistol-bullet at the wall of the
Bishop's house, for the purpose of startling a young
girl he saw at a window. The bullet slipped from
his fingers, and had gone instead through the win-
dow of the room in which the Bishop, happened to
be at that moment !

The Bishop, when asked to produce the bullet,

"J T

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Stated he could not find it then, though he had
kept it for some time.

It was, a shallow but convenient quibble; for,
had he produced the bullet it might have told a
tale against either or both the Bishop's veracity, and
his common-sense.

Then, as to the secrecy the Bishop claimed he had
observed; it was ascertained, that on the morning
following the alleged tragic event, the Bishop in-
formed his adherents of the occurrence, and offered
five dollars to anyone who should give the names of
the "two villains." When this reward was offered,
the man who had thrown the bullet was present, and,
but for shame would have confessed, and claimed
the money. The Society's reports of the Bishop's
evidence before the Commission assert, — " In only
two matters were his statements successfully con-
tradicted " — one of these, — his declaration under
oath, that Mr. Duncan had made a certain state-
ment ; the other, wherein he took oath, that he had
distinctly heard the report of the rifle at the time
he, claimed to have been fired at. In both instances,
his testimony was proved to be utterly false. The
Society aver he was successfully contradicted in
only tivo of his sworn statements. A thing to boast
of in a Christian Bishop, who should exemplify
truth. The deduction consequent upon the afore-
said, seems to emphasize the melancholy fact, that
the greatest sin, is in being found out ! It is not
surprising that this fictitious shooting case, has

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

made " His Lordship " the laughing-stock of the
whole coast.

XII.

In the autumn of 1885 during Mr. Duncan's ab-
sence in England, another sinister attempt was
made by the Bishop, to bring the Metlakahtlans,
into trouble through the machinery of the law,
" His Lordship " had spared no effort to undermine,
and ruin the business of the Metlakahtlans co-opera-
tive stock-company village-store; upon the profits
of which the community mainly relied for support-
ing their institutions. His shop trick was partially
successful, inasmuch as, he did draw from the com-
munal store a considerable amount of the trade of
neighboring tribes and, of a few villagers. Seeing
the need of resorting to some means for sclf-prcs-
crvation the Council decided to levy a fine upon any
member of tJicir community, who should purchase
goods at " I lis Lordship's " shop. Shortly after, it
came to the notice of the Council, that a young
woman had violated the by-law. The fine was col-
lected without the slightest remonstrance, moreover
this same young woman, was sharing the privileges
and benefits of the community, and it was a matter
of her own option, whether she should remain or
leave.

The very reason for the first exodus of these
Christians from Fort Simpson, and their coming to
Metlakahtla, was to form a Christian community,

236

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

membership of which might be attained by converts
from any of the many surrounding tribes. Those
who came were to give up their tribal and other
distinctions, and live as one people, united, and
binding themselves each one to follow the rules
laid down, from time to time, by the Council. So
that unity and cohesion, was the basis and protection
of the settlement. The coming of each was volun-
tary. His stay was voluntary, and he could leave
if ever he found the rules irksome. They wished to
live as brethren united in all things.

The Bishop, on hearing of the action of the Coun-
cil took special pains to work up a case for the mag-
istrate; in which he succeeded after some delay, and
considerable trouble. The magistrate, eager as be-
fore to serve the Bishop, and especially in any way
that would punish the Native Council; again acted
unjustly and overstepped the bounds of his jurisdic-
tion. He committed two Indians to prison, but as
soon as their case came up before a Judge of the
Supreme Court — ♦'hey were set free. The magis-
trate's illegal pr dmgs were so glaring, they could
no longer pa? ;thout resentment. A lawyer was
instructed to bring action against him for damages,
but the magistrate, managed to slip out of the
way, by going to California; remaining out of reach
of the law for six months : — after which time, no
action, according to law could be instituted against
him.

Although, the case was dismissed on a technical

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

237

point of law the Judge before whom this appealed
case was tried, declared it was fully within the
rights of a Society or Community, to enact such
rules and levy fines,— just as clubs and other simi-
lar organizations regulate their members, and mem-
bership by a system of law., and fines.

Ihe Church Missionary Society, in its reports
concerning this case, dilate at length, upon the
lamentable idea, that the young woman, was an
orphan, and paid the fine to save herself frcn
prison ;— these statements are absolutely false, and
their falsity, is Vvcil knov/n to its Bishop.

In thi. manner, "His Lordship" continued the
unholy siege against Metlakahtla.

My only reason for so circumstantially detailing
these cases, is that they have been so outrageously
misstated, and enlarged upon in the Society's in-
flated reports. It is a curious and suggestive fact
that the Society's publications which had indorsed,
and lavishly eulogized Mr. Duncan's work, up to
the date of the rupture, thenceforth, veered com-
pletely around ; and from that moment have spared
no opportunity to basely traduce him, and discredit
his work !

There is no enmity so bitter, as love turned to
hate. The Society from profuse honeyed adulation
turned upon Mr. Duncan, and stung him with the
venom of a scorpion.

The Society had suddenly changed its tone to-

238

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

ward the mission, although no change had occurred
in the work, only a metamorphosis in the relation-
ship.

" His Lordship's " reports will afford us a little
insight into his methods of mission work. On one
occasion he tells how he conquered the medicine-
men at one of the Mission Stations — they disturbed
him by their noise, and he — "stepped quickly up to
the chief performer, I took him by the shoulders and
before he could recover his self-possession had him
at the river's brink, assured him I should assist him
further down next time." — This shows what a gen-
tle mild mannered man was this Bishop, though the
Society has already assured us of this, in sj)caking
of the delicate manner in which ^^r. Duncan's con-
nection with the Society was severed " after much
loving correspondence" that, — " All who know the
Bishop must have been sure that he wouljil have
done it most gently and lovingly."

The Bishop, however, is versatile and shows va-
riety in his affectionate methods. 1 le reports, his
charge to a native assistant, in this wise: — "' May
I go down and hold service ? ' ' Yes go and be
gentle as Jesus ivas^ \ said. ' M.i>- I take a bell?'
* Yes take a small one because you have only a
little knowleilge." '

I low touching, is the comparison between the
manner in which the Bishop caressed tlic sliaman,
an(i the precept he offers the native teacher.

In writing of the .Metlakahtlans taking posseS"

COERCION AND lURMOIL.

239

sion of the scliool-housc, lie informs us how our old
acquaintance — " Paul Sebassah,'^ the great chief,
has since told me, he had made up his mind, to
recover the church or die in the attempt, When
he came, with th'e rest, to report the seizure, he
could scarcely speak for half-suppressed ra^e. I
saw danj^er impendin<^^, and was at my wits' end
until his speech was ended. 1 was then expected
to speak, so I said, ' Let us pray for guidance.' This
subdued his anger. God has indeed sanctified.
I dreaded the effect of our armed watch, we were
unjed by the magistrate to maintain. Jt ft)r a time
stirred the blood of the men, but prayer concjuered

agam.

We have already observed how ingeniously the
Bishop, can pirouette words in such a manner, as
convey novel versions of incidents, quite foreign to
facts. There is something remarkably thrilling
about the so called "graphic i)assage" written by
the Bishop, about three nu)nths before the rupture
while taking up the coast his little steam yacht
*^ Evangeline" (was the name a foreboding to the
peaceful settlement ?) : 1 ([u<>te ihis, merely because
so much has been made of the inciileiit to prove the
great courage, and heroism, of this lordling who faced
the grave dangers, of the North I'acific. His Lord-
ship delivers hims^ If thus :—

"It is now 10. u> and niv turn to be on dock.

240

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

The moon shines brilliantly on a glassy sea. The
Indian at the helm is singing * Rock of Ages ' but
he must go to bed I The only other person on
board is the European engineer who is fast asleep.
We must go on until we reach the Skeena to-mor-
row morning as there is no harbor that I know
nearer. There we shall (D. V.) spend Sunday and
go on to Metlakahtla Monday morning."

The inference of the reader with nothing more
explicit, is that the Bishop in his little steam yacht
was voyaging from Victoria to Metlakahtla, with only
two men, and that there is no harbor for anchorage
known to him, hence, he must navigate the vessel
during the lone midnight hours, while his paltry
crew were off duty. 1 low brave all this looks on
l)aj)er till illuminated by truth. The unscntimen-
talized facts are, that, the " /:7yr;/i,''<7///r " was at-
tached by a stout hawser to a large steamer, cm-
])loyed in the coast trade, and the lesser craft was
being towed at a fine rate. There was no duty
for the Bishop to perform, as the two men found
no liardship in alternate watches, for they were
merely called upon to hold the helm. It is prepos-
terous to suj^posc that the cai)tain, woultl have
asked or accepted the Bishop's pilotage, even if the
Bishop had been versed in navigation. 'I'here was
a calm sea, and a bright moonlight, and no obstacles
to an all-night cruise; for the captain was perfectly
familiar with tin. harbors dotting the coast line.

JMic Bishop had heralded that he should (I). V.)

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

241

spend the Sabbath at Skcena, and on Monday
voyage thence to Metlakahtla. However, it best
suited his own convenience to proceed with flags
flying into Metlakahtla on Sunday afternoon. The
Metlakahtlans were astounded by the Bishop's con-
duct, as there was no necessity whatever, for this
violation of the Sabbath,* which seemed to demon-
strate to the natives his contempt for the teachings,
they had received, and, seemed to indicate that he
was not so bound. It discovers the key to the man,
and his writings, and is a specimen of his capability
for disguising the truth.

With blind conceit, the Church Missionary So-
ciety loses no oppc rtunity to make virulent tirades
upon, and to read lessons to the Roman Catholic
Missionaries, and denounce the very follies, of which
it is itself guilty. The Church (if Komc has its faults,
and has made its mistakes as has evcrv church.

True, the Roman Catholic Church will ever have
to bear the blame, for the inhuman methods adopted
to (^hristiani/e the Spanish American countries,
but we must not forget that at the same time, the
Protestants were committing tjuite as grave errors.
As a consecpience of the methods adopteil by tiie
Roman Catholics in Mexico, Central and South
America, it will retpiire many years for those coun-
tries to reach an age of religious reason.

• Sec Cliupter III., re Mr uMilitlans observance of the Sablialli.

242

THE STORY OF MF.Tr,AKAIITLA.

While I was travelling in Ecuador some years
since, I was told by an Indian the following inci-
dent, which indelibly impressed itself upon my
mind : A party of priests borne on the backs of
Indians went as missionaries amongst the Napa's
— a tribe on the eastern slope of the Andes, that had
never acknowledged the authority of the Spanish
invaders — soliciting them to accept the religion of
the cross, like the other nations, who after the
fall of Atahualpa humbly acce[)ted the yoke of
oppression ; but these heathens, shook their heads
and laughing in derision, said, [)ointing to the slaves
bearing the Jesuits: "And carry jou on our backs?
Oh 'io! We don't want a (rod that will transform
us into beasts. Our (iod is the Sun, he smiles
upon us, gives us li^;ht, and maki's n)en of us, not
dogs!" — What a moral is herein embodied.

Notwithstanding the manv mistakes of the Church
of Rome, it has numbers of devoted, self-sacrificing
missionaries in various parts of the world, Avho could
give the Church Missionarj' Society points in true
practical mission work, which elevates, reforms, res-
cues. The success of missionary work, is far more
dependent upon the ([uality, and atlaptability of the
indiviilual missionary, than it is upon the name of
the society that sends him out.

A full history, and exposrrr of the Church Mis-
sionary Societ)''s procei-dings, in their Nortii Pacific
missions during the last five yeais, would not only
unfold a sad picture of ecclesiastical urrogancu, unU

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

243

mly

religious intolerance ; but, would prove, that lam-
entable incompetency now presides over the affairs
of the Society at headquarters. It cannot be pos-
sible that the supporters of the Society really know,
the true state of affairs, or, how shamefully their
funds are being frittered away in carrying on a cruel
persecution, against a little struggling native com-
munity, in retaliation for the rejection of a bigoted
Bishop, who tried by foul means to get rule over
it; and refusal to adopt elaborate formulas of ser-
vice, which were illy-adapted to its recpiirements.

It has best suited the piu'pose ni the clicpie in
control to smother the real facts, and endeavor to
justify, in the e\'es of the members of the Society,
the inic[uitous course pursued by the Bishop, and
its officers, by publishing gross misre[)resentations.

Not less than fifteen persons (counting the wives
of six) have left the Society's work there during the
last four and a half years, of whom seven were from
the Bishop's station at Metlakahtla, and seven from
the Skeena River. The Society's publications have
disguised the real facts, and attributed the failures
mainl)' to ill health; but in truth, disgust at the
confusion into which the mission work has been
thrown, is ihe actual cause of most of the resigna-
tions.

I'he demorali/ed state of the Society's work
through tile unwise, and overbearing, conduct of
the liisiiop, is not confined to Metiakaiitla. or to
the Skeena Kivcr: their agents arc no longer well-

244

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

received by the natives anywhere on the coast, and
in one place have actually been driven away. On
the Nass River the Society's mission work is death-
stricken ; on Queen Charlotte Island it is ready to
collapse ; at Alert Bay there is no progress, — and
yet, the Society continues publishing magnified re-
ports respecting these places.

Though the natives arc literally alienated from
the Society's agents, who have fallen into such bad
repute — the Society evidently does not want to be-
lieve it is so, and, therefore, goes on attributing its
own distresses, and every act of opposition taken by
the people against their agents, to the direct, or the
indirect prompting of Mr. Duncan.

Even the destruction of the Church by the Kith-
ratla Indians at their own village, the Bishop had the
audacity to ascribe to Mr. Duncan's direct orders. —
Whereas, the Bishop well knew it was the t)utburst
of long pent up anger, in the Indians which led to
the mischief, and, that, their anger was generated by
his own indiscreet proceedings, and afterward aug-
mented by the insolent conduct of a native teacher
he sent to them.

The Methikahtlans arc not less human in their
feelings, in their impulses, than are white men :
they had been taught to throw off the yoke of their
old su))crstitions, and were enjoying the ful'est meas-
ure of religious liberty, profiting sj)iritually and ma-
terially; delighting in carrying the message to the
yet heathen tribes : But, how soon was this scene

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

245

changed ; when the Lordly wliitc Shaman of the
Church cast a pall over them like, the black plague.
In his own life, they saw the contradiction of what
they had been taught, was true, and right, and good.
They had at first regarded their benefactor as a
supernatural being, but, as they became enlightened
they recognized in him the mortal mijn, but, one
who lived in all honesty, the precepts he taught
them ; as his life in mingling with them, became to
them human, the grandeur of his nature became
intensified in their eyes ; — his words were truths,
his ways were just, wise, patient and consistent.

Can we wonder at their resentment, when these
people found this Bishoj) who outrivalled the Chil-
kat chieftains in his imposing vestments, overturning
those things, which had i)roved their salvation, bru-
' tally assaulting men after the manner of a bully, —
corrupting their weaker fellows by lavish expendi-
ture of the Society's funds, — maligning, and bearing
false witness against them, and, against he who had
led them out of darkness, and who had never failed
them in the hour of trial, — inciting tlie Government
to despoil them, of their land, harassing them with
trumped-up charges in the law courts, and by means
of false alarms, bringing frowning men-of-war to
terrorize them ?

is it surprising then, that they rejected and re-
sisted this Bishop ? Rather we must wonder more
at the patience, with which they endured his insults,
and assaults so long.

246

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Instead of inciting these people Mr. Duncan,
often found it most difificult to restrain them ; and
had they been white men it is doubtful if he could
have succeeded.

The Society has called Mr. Duncan's rule over
the Metlakahtlans, autocratic : truly ^ his rule is au-
tocratic^ but, it is the autocracy of love.

The Society formerly fully endorsed, and ap-
proved in every particular, Mr. Duncan's methods
of religious, and secular work; but, though his plan
of action continues unchanged, the Society now,
reviles him and in direct contradiction to its own
previous assertions, and in the face of the over-
whelming testimony I cite in Chapters III. and IV.
it, now unblushingly gives vent in print to such
preposterous expressions as this ; —

" The true secret of Mr. Duncan's failure, has
been his, permitting the material, and secular part
of his employment, to supersede the spiritual."

Failure, the Society calls the result of Mr. Dun-
can's work; it is such a failure as most men would
envy him !

Furthermore, the Society congratulates itself that
" the great object of the Church Missionary Society
is, not to make men expert in the practical, indus-
tries of life, but to make them wise unto salva-
tion."

By what means the Society "tries to make men
wise unto salvation," and, how well it has succeeded
we have abundantly seen, in the course of events

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

247

at Metlakahtla. " By their works shall ye judge
them,"

E. Ruhamah Scidmore ^^ Alaska ' Boston 1885 —
in a highly interesting chapter on the Metlakahtla
Mission thus pictures the situation of affairs : —

" Mr. Duncan is one of the noblest men that
ever entered the mission field. . . .

" It was with real regret that we parted at the
wharf, and it was not until we were well over the
water that we learned of the serpent or the skele-
ton in this i)aradise. Though Metlakahtla might
rightly be considered Mr. Duncan's own particular
domain, and the Indians have proved their appreci-
ation of his unselfish labors by a love and devotion
rare in such races, his plainest rights have been in-
vaded and trouble brewed among his people. Two
years ago a bishop was appointed for the diocese,
which includes Fort Simpson, Metlakahtla, and a
few other missions. . . . Bishop Ridley, dis-
approving of Mr. Duncan's Low Church principles,
went to Metlakahtla and took possession as a supe-
rior officer. Mr. Duncan, moved from the rectory,
and the bishop, took charge of the church services.
In (Duntless ways a spirit of antagonism was raised
that almost threatened a war at one time.

" The whole stay of the Bishop has been marked
by trouble and turbulence, and these scandalous
disturbances in a Christian community cannot fail
to have an influence for evil, and undo some of the
good work that has been done there. Mr. Dun-

248

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

can, made no reference to his troubles during the
morning that we spent at Metlakahtla, and his desire
that we should see and know what his followers
were capable of, and understand what they had
accomplished for themselves, gave us to infer that
everything was peace and happiness in the colony.
One hears nothing but praise of Mr. Duncan, up
and down the coast, and can understand the strong
partisanship he inspires among even the roughest
people. His face alone is a passport for piety,
goodness, and benevolence anywhere, and his hon-
est blue eyes, his kindly smile, and cheery manner
go straight to the heart of the most savage Indian.
His dusky parishioners worship him, as he well
deserves, and in his twenty-seven years among
them they have only the unbroken record of his
kindness, his devotion, his unselfish and honorable
treatment of them. He found them drunken sav-
ages, and he has made them civili/.ed men and
Christians. He taught them trades, and there has
seemed to be no limit to this extraordinary man's
abilities. When his hair had whitened in this
noble, unselfish work, and the fruits of his labor
had become apparent, nothing could have been
more cruel and unjust, than to undo his work,
scatter dissension among his people, and make
Metlakahtla a reproach, instead of an honor to
the society which has sanctioned such a wrong.
An actual crime has been committed in the name
of Religion, by this persistent attempt to destro).

msm

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

249

the peace and prosperity of Metlakahtla and drive
away the man who founded and made that village
what it was. British Columbia is long and broad,
and there arc a hundred places where others can
begin as Mr. Duncan, began, and where the bishop
can do good by his presence. If it was Low Church
doctrines thcit made the Metlakahtla people what
they were a few years since, all other teachings
should be given up at mission stations. Discord,
enmity, and sorrow have succeeded the introduction
of ritualism at Metlakahtla, and though it cannot
fairly be said to be the inevitable result of such
teachings, it would afford an interesting comparison
if the Ritualists would go off by themselves and
establish a second Metlakahtla as a test."

It is perhaps, to the Society's credit, that it has
remained loyal to its Bishop, who has shared in its
follies, and in its disgrace; but, the following quo-
tation from its reports reads like a farce, to those
who know the truth :— " It is only just that we
should pay our frank and hearty tribute to Bishop
Ridley who for the last five years has amidst no
ordinary ^/^//fT,.;-, obloquy, and discouragement, /mr-
/rss/v maintained the Society's position, at Metla-
kahtla."

Had the Bishop been actuated by high-minded,
principles, he would have retired from Metlakahtla
in obedience to the unanimous voice of the people,
in iS.Si ; or, to the respectful letter they in public
assembly sent him in I8.^2. Me chose, rather to

mmmm

250

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

treat the request with defiance, and contempt, and
began a contest which has gone on increasing in in-
tensity, and bitterness, up to the present time.

Similar appeals to the Society were utterly dis-
regarded. The plea that there was no other place
to which the Bishop could go, is but a shallow sub-
terfuge.

And now, a/^er nearly five years of intrigue, and
lavish expenditure of the Society s funds, some tzvelve
or fifteen families, form the Bishop 's party.

Judging from the number of missionaries em-
ployed by the Society at Metlakahtla, sometimes, as
many as eight (male and female) and how much it
has cost to coddle, and bribe their adherents and
coerce the Metlakahtlans ; the sum total of expense
borne by the Society, since the rupture cannot be
less than ;^6,ooo or about $30,000.

The amount paid to Mr. Duncan, for his services
during a period of more than twenty years, and
which resulted, in the creation of the successful, self-
supporting Christian village of Metlakahtla, was
about ;^3,ooo, or $15,000. That is to say, about
one-half the amount the Society has squandered in
coercive schemes, and efforts to destroy the Metla-
kahtla Christian Union since 1881.

It is estimated that since the rupture, the Gov-
ernment of Canada has, at the instigation of the So-
ciety's agents, sprint upwards of ^"6,ooo, or $30,000
of the public funds, in coercing and terrorizing
the Metlakahtlans with men-of-war : add, this to

A NATIVE IIorEPUL.

(

COERCION AND TURMOIL.

251

the Society's outlay, and we have a total of $60,-
000.

It is beyond comprehension, that the citizens of
Canada sit quietly by, and see their treasure thus
wasted in perpetrating cruel outrages upon their
fellow subjects.

Consider, how hardly money is obtained for mis-
sionary purposes, and that according to the Society's
own published statement, the poor of England con-
tribute more, than five times as much to its fnnds^
as the opulent nobility — / Think of the poor dis-
tressed creatures, who in self-commiseration, divide
their scanty meals, and stint their own home com-
forts, to contribute pennies to save the souls of
heathen peoj)les, whom tluy regard as more unfor-
tunate than themselves, — illustrating forcibly how
a touch of nature makes one wondrous kind. —
Surely, it is an outrageous shame, that a Society
drawing the penny dole, and widow's mite, for the
alleged purpose of rescuing, the pitiable heathen
from their savagery, should be guilty of scjuander-
ing such an amount of these precious funds, to
propagate, in the name, of Christ a work of mali-
cious i)ersecution ! Not to win to Christ, but to
glorify a pompous Bislioi), and j)ull down the work
of an honest Clristir.n lavnian, because he dared,
to cast his lot with the people, whom he had by
his own fulelity, and genius, raised frc^n the lowest
state of barbarism to a fai' state of civilization.

CHAPTER VIII.

CASTING THE TOIL.

As the truth ab(vit the Society's blunders at
Metlakahtla, and, generally on the North Pacific
Coast, was becoming known in England, and scan-
dalizing it ; the committee resolved to send out two
trusty members, to report upon the troubles and
vindicate its course. With exceptional candor it
admits, that "The feeling in British Columbia ran
high, and, m the whole seems to have been adverse
to the action of the S.^ciety."

Mr. Duncan was in London at the time, and
only reached Metlakahtla after the meetings and
interviews between these gentlemen, and the In-
dians, were over, and he had but an hour's conver-
sation with them there. Their report, published
by tlic Society, is certainly one of the most remark-
able documents, ever issued by a religious body.
It abounils in barefaced falsehoods, and many of the
statements not wholly false, are such distortions of
the truth, as ttt make them ecpially discreililable.
The real authors of the fiction in this rei)ort would
put Muiuhausen to blush.

The Deputation, which w.is received cortlially,

CASTING THE TOIL.

253

and treated courteously, began its work by attempt-
ing in an insinuating manner, to prejudice the Metla-
kahtlans, against their leader; and, to corrupt them
into secession, by holding out to them the old bribe;
namely, the Society's enormous wealth, and power;
and promises, or intimations of special benefit j, if,
they would but join the Bishop's party.

To give force to their attitude, the Deputies ar-
gued : " The Church Missionary Society, is intrusted
with more money than any oUicr society in England."
" The money last year was over a mi/lion liollars."

Soon, this invidious course excited suspicion, and
doubt in the minds of the Nfetlakahtlans, as to the
honesty of i)urpose, of their incjuisitors ; and, hav-
ing so often been falsely repf)rted by the Bishop ;
and, in the Society's publications, they wisely re-
solved to commit all comjnunications to writing.
However, this precaution, has not saved them from
these prevaricators, whose verdict was a foregone
conclusion. *

A detailed reply, to this unique report is being
prriMrcd by Mr. Duncan for the members of the
Church Missionary Society; as there is ample evi-
dence, botii verbal and documentary, for the com-
plete refutation of the statements therein contained.
A brief reply, by the Rev. Robert Tomlinson, will
be found in the Appeiulix of this volume.

The Deputittion did not hesitate to take advan-
tage of Mr. Duncan's absence, by sei/.ing the oppor-
tunity, to make a most cowardly attack upon his

254

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

character, before a full assembly of the Metlakaht-
lans. However, Mr. Duncan's inner life, and the
whole truth regarding the case in point, was too
well known to his followers, to afford any success in
this dastardly attempt. First, I quote from the
Society's report of the Deputation's work, —

" It is very distressing to read that * Mr. Duncan
represents all the funds that pass through his hands
as his personal [)roperty, and the Society was prac-
tically ignored. In fact, there is clear evidence that
on one occasion he distinctly told the Indians that
the Society had never sent him, or supported him,
or given him anything.' A^^ doubt he would explain
this to mean that both the impulse to eonie^ anu the
supf^ort ill the ivork\ eante from a higher souree ;
but this explanation would not be likely to suggest
itself to the Indian mind.''

The first two statements, arc utterly false ; the
italicized portion, is a "loving and affectionate"
sneer, quite in accord with its whole treatment of
this matter.

After profuse protestations, of the deep interest,
the Society felt in the Metlakahtlans welfare, the
Deputation launched the following charge.

" Mr. Duncan, w.is paid .i salary by the Society,
year by year, from i<S57, when he came out to you,
at l'"oit Simpson, to i8iSi, when his connection with
the Society was severed. The Society, also sent
out mone)' besidis this for the expenses of the Mis-
sion ; aeeording to the rules, and to the actual prac-

CASTING THE TOIL.

255

tice of the Society, all money given for the Society's
Mission belongs to the Society, not to the Mission-
aries : all such money is subject to the control of the
Committee ; it makes no difference zvhether the money
is paid into the Society s treasury in London, or given
to any of its agents for special purposes, or to any
Missionary by friends at home or abroad for any
branch of the work carried on by the Missionaries.

" Mr. DuiiCiin, collected money from the friends
of the Society, and as he tells us, from others also.
But as our a<;ent he collected that money for our
Mission; if he had not been our a^ent, the money
would not have been j^iven for our Mission, and he
had no authority to collect for any other. The fol-
lowing is one of the Society's rules. * Every indi-
vidual connected with the Society in its different
missions, in whatever department of labor, shall
keep a detailed, and accurate account, of the funds
placed at his disposal, in the form that may be
pointed out to him ; and shall regularly transmit
such accounts to the Parent Committee, or to their
representatives at the Mission, at such period as
may be si)eciried for that purpose.'

*' Mr. IJuncan then ouglu to have accounted for
all money received by him fortius mission, whether
for Churcii, school, sawmills, or other purpi)se3
(The Cannery was cstablisheil after the severance,
and docs not therefore come umler the rule). I'art
of the expenses of the other works came from trade
profits ; but tlicsc profits belong to the Society,

«H*!g»-B~f-

256

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

since the industries were part of the Society's mis-
sion-work for your benefit. Mr. Duncan's good
management made them more than pay their ex-
penses. If there had been loss on the whole work,
the Committee would have acknowledged their re-
sponsibility for making up that loss."^'

The Metlakahtians knowing the absolute falsity
of the accusation, and realizing, the manifest unfair-
ness m thus attacking Mr. Duncan, in his absence ;
when the Deputation might easily have brought up
the charge when it met him in London, in the pres-
ence of the officers of the Society, and when access
to his reports and accounts could have been had —
they were extremely indignant, and several present
expressed their feelings by leaving the room at the
close of the address.

The Rev. Robert Tomlinsoii replied to the ad-
dress, charging the Deputies with making a cowardly
attack, with the intent to injuie Mr. Duncan in the
eyes of the people, and he characterized the charge
as a dase, and groundless slander.

The Deputies replied ihey imputed no motives.

Mr. Tomlinson, declared, that it was not a ques-
tion of motives, at all. Their words contained a
charge of fraud, or, breach of trust, on the part of

*In the Appendix, is ft full statement of tlic facts connected with
the secular fund, wiittiMi liy Mr. Duncan at my rf(|ucst ; wherein
lie completely refutes these charges which were originated by the
Bishop.

CASTING THE TOIL.

257

Mr. Duncan. And he, would not sit there, and
hear an honored servant of God thus slandered.

Two days afterward the Deputies, proposed to
Rev. Mr. Tomlinson that they should withdraw
part of what they had said. This he would not
accept. The following day the Deputies endeav-
ored to allay the irritation their indecent assault
had caused by making to the Metlakahtlans the en-
suing written statement.

" JVi' Jiavc no suspicion whatever that Mr. Duncan
misused, or in any i^'ay misapplied the funds in-
trusted to his care. On the contrary, ivc believe that
he used them strictly, and linscly, for your benefit^
and in a vianner probably ivhich the Society would
heartily approve.^'

The Deputies pleaded that it was quite possible
Mr. Duncan, was not acquainted with the rules, and
perhaps he was not even asked for any accounts.

Rev. Mr. Tomlinson replied.

" As you have adojjted this formal manner of
contradicting what to the people and myself, seemed
to be the plain meaning, we gladly accei)t your in-
terpretation. At the same time, I cannot help feel-
ing, surprised, and grieved, that on a point of so
much importance, you arc so ignorant as not even
to know whether the Society asked for any accounts,
and that without taking the least pains t(^ enlighten
yourselves, you gave utterance in a public meeting
to P statement, which had you examined into the
malter, you would have known to be unfounded.

258

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

And shortly afterward Rev. Mr. Tomlinson sent
the following additional statement to the Deputa-
tion :

" The ground which you appear to take as re-
gards the accounts is : — ' That the rule of the So-
ciety required Mr. Duncan, to render accounts of
the money he collected for the Church, the Stores,
the Industries, as well as other operations of the
missionary.' You speak of the rule of the Society,
but you do not say when it was made or how long
it has been in force. If the rule was in force when
Metlakahtia was founded, then the whole conduct
of the Committee and Secretaries of the Society for
over tiventy years in approving of these ivorks and
industries^ and yet never onee asking for accounts of
expenditure on them, ivhile they regularly received,
and accepted, the accounts for all the Society's v oney
expended during those years, shows that the rule did
not refer to such industries at all."

What more could be required to expose the pu-
sillanimous spirit of this Deputation. In their ad-
dress opening the discussion, the Deputies evaded
the subject of the existent troubles between the
Society and the Native Christians — and, placed
the burden of the split, on Mr. Duncan's shoulders.
Falsely representing, that it was brought about, by
a change in Mr. Duncan's mind, and method —
ignoring the truth — the Society's change, and not
Mr. Duncan's.

The Methikahtlans had suffered too bitterly by

CASTING THE TOIL.

259

the petty warfare carried on, with the Society's
funds, and sanction, not to know their real griev-
ances ; so, the smooth-tongued flattery of the Dep-
utation was lost upon them. In their reply, the
Metlakahtlans, indulged in no evasive terms but
went directly to the point. They knew, that the
Society failing in its attempts through its emissaries,
to bribe them, or corrupt them, had endeavored to
rob them, of land which they had inherited from
their fathers, and their fathers' fathers ; and which
was as veritably theirs, as was the freehold of an
Englishman in England !

Furthermore, they knew, that for the past five
years the Society, in carrying on its work of mali-
cious persecution, had resorted to numerous, unprin-
cipled methods, to destroy their Christian inde-
pendence, and force them, to adopt its elaborate
rites, and ceremonies ; and to submit to a Bishop,
whom they deemed by his daily deeds, unworthy
to wear the cloth.

This Christian community, had been formed for
the moral protection of those who had renounced
their evil ways : they were a liappy, prosperous,
people, and had found the bond of union, an in-
valuable safeguard. What wonder then, when a ser-
pent came among them, endeavoring by all manner
of inicpiitous devices, to undermine and rupture
their union, that they acted upon their rights in
protesting against the presence, in their midst of
this instigator, and his band of pampered hirelings,

26o

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

which he had made instruments for fomenting dis-
cord among them. The very primal principles,
nnion^ peace, and piety upon which the Community
was organized, were being nullified, and by whom ?

They knew that their weaker and more venal
native brethren, who had succumbed to the cor-
rupting fund, would hardly have defied the rules of
the village to which they had pledged themselves,
but, for the instigation and backing of the Society's
representatives, who, treated the village rules with
contempt.

The Metlakahtlans, called the attention of the
Deputation to the fact, that the Society, had re-
fused their request that a deputation should be
sent out to investigate the troubles, when they first
began, but rather had attempted to force them into
submission. The Society's first steps, they thought,
should be to right the wrongs it had inflicted.

In their letter replying to the Deputation's
address, they expressed themselves as follows :
" We wish to bring before you in a few words
the real state of the ease, which you have not so
much as referred to in your speeches, and to ask
the Society two questions.

*' Metlakahtla, including the two acres, wasTsim-
shean land and the site of an old village, before
ever Mr. Duncan left England. The first Tsim-
sheans who wished to serve God showed this place
to Mr. Duncan as a good site for an Indian village.
There never was the smallest idea of taking it or

CASTING THE TOIL.

261

any part of it from us. We were tvilling and glad
for the Missionaries of the Society to occupy the two
acres as long as zee felt they zuere ivorking for ns,
but zve never supposed the Society zvould try and
take these tivo acres from us, and claim them because
they had their buildings on them, any more tJian zve
supposed that Mr. Duncan zvould zvant to take from
us the pieces of land on zvhich he erected the sazv-
mill and other zvorks. We were no parties to the
arrangement between the Government and the So-
ciety about the two acres. We feel that the Society
is not working for us any longer, but is opposing and
hindering us, and we wish them to move off our
land. We ask the Society this question : Will the
Society in consideration of our prior claim to the
land, and our earnest request, give up their claim
and yield to this our unanimous wish ?

" The reason for the first Christians leaving Fort
Simpson, and coming to Metlakahtla to form a
Christian community of members from any of the
many surrounding tribes, was, unity. Those zvJio
came zvere to give up their tribal and other distinc-
tions, and live as one people united, and binding them-
selves each out to folhnv the rules laid down from time
to time by their Council. So that unity was the basis
of the settlement. The coming of each was volun-
tary, his stay was voluntary, and he could leave if
ever he found the rules irksome.

" Before the separation, the Society told us they
wished to make some changes and bring us into

262

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

direct connection with the Church of England.
Wc did not want these changes ^ and when the Society
found zve did not want to change they dismissed Mr.
Duncan because lie ivould not try to make us do luhat
they wanted. We a//, without any exception asked
Mr. Duncan to stay here among us. After some
months, a few separated from us. They had a
right to leave us if they chose, but not to remain at
Metlakahtla, after they had separated from us, be-
cause they had promised to be one with us. It is
not that these few have left us that causes the
trouble, but that they are being supported by the
Society in doing what they ought not to do.

" What we wish to ask the Society is this. Will
the Society refuse to hear our earnest entreaty, and
in opposition to our unanimous wish, continue to
support the direct cause of the dissension, and dis-
union among us, or will they not rather listen to
our prayer, and withdraw their support, and thus put
an end to the trouble, and enable us to return to
the old paths, and again enjoy that union which
was such a blessing to us, and those around us ?

" From the people of Metlakahtla and signed for
them by

« DAVID LEASK, Secretary."

The Deputies continued their invidious course,
and met the frank, open statement, of the Metla-
kahtlans, with another bid ; — they seemed prepos-
sessed with the idea that all men were purchasable.

CASTING THE TOIL.

263

They indicated their belief in the suecess of the
Bishop's schemes for impoverishing the MetlakaJit-
ians, by intimating that as they were not supported
by a society, the permanence of the present Native
Christian organization was doubtful ; hence, felt it
incumbent upon the Society's agents to remain in
their midst, for, the Society— so solicitous for their
welfare, — might at any time have to again assume
the responsibility of their support.

In their report to the Society, the Deputies held
out this hopeful prospect of the Metlakahtlans'
capitulation. " Notwithstanding the special in-
ducements Mr. Duncan offers to the Indians in the
form of remunerative employment, which are nor
great, the Mission may yet, under God's blessing
bear the fruit of which at one time it gave so much
promise."

Observe the artfulness of the Deputies' words,
addressed to the Metlakahtlans in reply to their
letter.

" You say that the Society is not any longer
working for you, but is opposing and hindering you.
And you wish them to move off the land.

" You have separated yourselves from the Society,
you have, of course, a perfect right to do so if you
choose. But the Society does all it can for your
benefit, and will go on working for your benefit
still. It does not hold Mission Point only for the
benefit of those who adhere to it. it is bound to
do all it can for them. But it is bound to hold

264

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAHTLA.

INIission Point, and docs hold it, for your highest
benefit also. It held it at first, that the word of
God might be introduced amon;^ you. It hoMs it
now, in order to offer you the///// benefit of the re-
ligion of Christ, which has so happily begun to take
root among you. For instance — you have been (fe-
prived hitherto of the Lord's Su[)per. This is one
of the greatest privileges of the Christian Religion,
and every true Christian has a right to it. While
your Christianity is in this and other respects ini-
perfeety the Society cannot leel that 'ts work of
establishing the Gos()el anKMig you has been com-
pleted. Many of yoi; do not at present care to ac-
cept the ministrations the Society offers to you.
Hut that does not set free the Society from the^///)'
of putting within your reach an unniutilate<i Chris-
tianity. Further the Society cannot lose sight of
this, that at piesent jw/ are not, as far as they kno:^\
su/^f^orted by any society. Thus they do not see any
guarantee that the present state of things ivi/I be
permanent among you. They feel therefore^ that
they may at any time have to take up again that
responsibility for the su[)i)ort of the Crospel among
you which they bore for so man>' years."

Then vvi'th ama/ing audacity, and deliciously
naive arguments, they endeavored to convince these
poor people, th.'it they had w^ rights to their in-
herited land, excej)! by the charity of the crown I
Alas! (^hristianil)', what ignol)le acts, arc cloaked
'neath the .implitude of tliy snowy mantle.

INIANT'S AKflAL, T(iM|'.

i
IK

rt
ac

re
fc

ac
ar
oi
cc

<>J

CASTING THE TOIL. * 265

Next followed a letter from the Metlakahtlans,
which is born, of a spirit pr^^ijnant with that love of
civil and reli5:^{ous liberty, that is ever intensified by
tyranny and oppression.

MlCTLAKAIITLA, May 4th, 1886.

" Dear Sirs : — In your first interview with usj'oji
Zi'ould have misled us into tJie beliefs that you had
co'iie froui the Society^ seekiui^ reliable information
1< ;-.ble them to decide upon a course of action.
\ )ur second communication, shov.s us that this was
not the intention of the Society, for they had al-
ready made u[) their minds as to how they would
act in the only two matters which really concerned
us and them, and stood in the way of peace bein^
restored. So that any discussion of matters in con-
ference, would have been so much waste time.

" You tell us the Society will not {^ive up the two
acres, anc' ^r.u refer us to some ' decisions,' as you
are pleas' 1 to call tliem, but what are in reality
only tl>- '• arsons of individual Government offi-
cers, ;ii i ■ ii boldly assert we can have no claim
on these tw ■ afrfs. The God of Heaven^ who ere-
ated man uf>on earthy gave this land to our fore-
fat her s^ some of ivhom onee lived on thes<' very ttoo
aeres, and ^oe have reeei7>ed the land by dine* su -
eession from them. No man-made la'.' ean Justly
take from us this the (:;ift of Him u<ho is the souree
of al> 'rue law and fustiee, Kelying on this the
hig/ue- .'f oil titles^ xve elaim our land and notify

266

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the Society y through you its Deputies, to move off the
two acres.

" But you tell us it is not only to maintain the
Society's claim of the two acres, that they refuse to
leave Metlakahtla. They wish to continue the di-
vision among us. The Society, you tell us, cannot
sanction the princip'.- adopted by us, that 'Relig-
ious unity is necessary ( il unity,' antl even dare
tell us that this principle contrary to God's word.
Mow you can reconcile this last assertion, with the
history of (rod's people of old, as recorded in God's
word, and with other portions of the blessed script-
ures, we are at a loss to imagine. Vou stand forth
as the chanijjion of disunion, civil and religious.

" Ever since the disruption, we have been crediteil
with being the cause of the existence and continu-
ance of the dissension among us. Now, at Last, the
truth has come to light, and it is clear to all men
that to the Society, and to the Society alone, belongs
this proud distinction. I''or by leaving Metlakahtla
the Society can at once, and, completely put an end
to the dissension. For unity we came here. For
unity we remain here. And for unity we are pre-
pared to contend to the last, (iod inclined t)ur
hearts, while we were still in the midst of the strifes
and divisions at our old heathen villages, to accept
this principle, (iod has blessed us acting on this
princijjle, and God will help and defend us con-
teniling for this principle.

*• You say wc have departed from the Society.

CASTING Till-: TOIL.

267

We never, by any promise or agreement, joined the
Soeiety. It is quite true the Society sent out and
supported our teachers. We remember this and
feel grateful to them for it, but this does not bring
us into connection with the Society. The money
was not the Society's, but the contributions of
Christians to God to aid in the spread of his
Cxospcl. Docs the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, which is also supported by con-
tributions^ claim any right over or cc ""xtion loith
those animals lohichy by the help of their p.iid agents,
they have rescued from torture. If not, ivhy should
the Church Missionary Society claim any such right
in or connection loith its converts /

*' Again you speak to us as if we had left the
Church of linglanil. We were not asked to join
the Church of England when we came to Metla-
kahtla, nor when we came forward for Baptism.
Though we were visited at various times by min-
isters of that church''" who baptizid many of us,
yet none of these asked us to join the Chinch of
lilnghuul. The first time we were askeil to join
the Church of ICngland was when tiie Society de-
cided that the Lord's Supper, must be introduced
among us, loith the ceremonial of the Church of
linglahd. At oncewc objecLtd to join tlie Cliurch
of luigland, or any other ilenominalion, jjreferring
to be an independent Native Church, with power to

• Sevcrnl IlisliopN, i\n Arclidi'acon, n Dean onil utiicr clcigyiuun
uf the ('liurcli of Knglund. SSvu Cliup. II.

268

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

regulate our ceremonies in accordance with God's
word, and as best suited our needs. Our statement
in our former letter, that the Society proposed to
make changes and bring us into direct connection
with the Church of England, and that it was the at-
tempt to force this upon us, which caused the dis-
ruption, is simply in accordance with the facts, and
your attempt to explain it away, only shows how
ignorant you are of these facts, and the position as-
sumed by the Society in the matter.

'* You say we have been deprived of the Lord's
Supper. It is not so. No one has ever done
this. The way the Society and its agents have
been and arc acting has made us hesitate to adopt
the rite. Not from forgetfulness of our blessed
Lord's Command, but because through love and
respect for 1 lim wc would not let this I lis precious
gift be mixed up in the controversy. When Ciod,
in Ilis own good time, has restored us to unity and
jieace, we can consider the subject, and introduce
the rite among us in the way most nearly accord-
ing with what is written.

•' Again, you tell us that because we arc not in
connection with any other society, you see no guar-
antee that the present state of tilings will be i)er-
manent. We see the highest guarantee in such
beautiful promises as that which was a source of
such comfort to St. Paul, when lie says : * My (iod
shall sujjply rr// your need,* and while we recogni/c
the truth that Ciod often uses human means, have

CASTING THE TOIL.

269

the highest warranty of scripture that He is not
only not dependent on them but sometimes even
refuses to use them. Your reflection on Mr. Dun'
cans conduct zvJiile in connection ivitli the Society, ex-
cited in us a feeling of painful surprise^ that tivo
Christians sent out by a Christian Society, could come
all the zvay from England, and in his absence, try to
damage the character of one whose service God has so
signally acknoivledged. In your letter of yesterday
you have, we are happy to say, explained a part
of what you originally said, but you still cling to
your unfounded assertion that we are indebted to
the Society, and not to Mr. Duncan, for the exist-
ence of the various industries established among
us. We know better, and so your assertion goes
for nothing.

'* You say the Society still cares for us and is anx'
tons to do all it can for our benefit. How has it
shown its interest in us ? liy bringing ships of war
and Government officials to overaice us, by dragging
us before courts and magistrates, by fining and im-
prisoning some of us, by upholding and supporting
everything they have seen to be objectionable to us,
and by refusing to do any one thing tve as Iced for.
We do not call this love and care, but, persecution.

*' By distinctly refusing to give up our land or re-
move from Metlakahtla, the Society has taken away
the need to further discuss matters, and wc wish
this letter to close the correspomlence.

•' We believe the time for conferring about or dis-

2/0

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

cussing matters has passed, and the time for deciding

how best we can obtain the object we have in view

has arrived.

" From the people of Metlakahtla and signed for

them by

"DAVID LEASK."

Secretary,

This letter was accompanied by the subjoined
formal notice :

Metlakahtla, British Columbia,

May 4th, 1886.

To the Church Missionary Society of Salisbury
Square^ London, England, its Deputies, Agents,
and all others luho may have power to act for
it.

NOTICE

We, the people of Metlakahtla hereby notify you
to move off and leave that part of the village
site of Metlakahtla, commonly known as Mis-
sion F^oint, as we cannot consent to you oc-
cupying this portion of our land to be a con-
tinued source of disquiet and annoyance to our

village.

(Signed)

For the people of Metlakahtla,

daniel neasiikumkgen
john tait
r()iui:rt hewsu

THOMAS NEASHLAin^SP.

CASTING THE TOIL.

271

The Society unblushingly publishes the following
statement to Christian England :

" When the mission was, in its infancy, removed
from Fort Simpson to Metlakahtla, the Indian chief
at whose suggestion the change was made, gave the
Society the piece of land on which his own house
was built; and the principal mission buildings were
erected on it." There is not the slightest grain of
truth in this statement, as can be fully, and irrefut-
ably proven.

The Society likewise avers, that, " there was more-
over no place to which the Society's adherents,
could be removed, and a new settlement founded."
This is too preposterous for serious consideration,
as it is well known, that there are innumerable
favorable sites, offering equal advantages, and that
there are abundant fields for mission work, untouched
in British Columbia.

The Rev. Robert Tomlinson addressed, the fol-
lowing letter to the Deputies :

Mktlakaiitla, May 4th, 1886.

" Dear Sirs : In the accompanying letter of the
Indians, I find the statement that * they had never
been asked to join the Church of England.' It
might well be a tjuestion how this could be consist-
ent with the fact, that from the first, they had been
under the instruction of those who were members
of the Church of England, and sent out by the

272

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Society as such. As one who was for many years
a missionary of the Society, and for some eleven of
.those years the only ordained missionary attached
to the Society's North Pacific mission, I would beg
leave to lay before you some quotations from the
Society's annual letters to the missionaries, from
which it will appear that such a result was not only
compatible with consistency on the part of the mis-
sionaries, but even in direct harmony with the views
of the Society at the time. These quotations are
marked A. B. C, and arc from the annual letters of
1876, 1877, 1878. To these I add an extract from
a letter of mine to the Committee dated Ankiht-
last, August 28th, 1882, written before I left the
Society. It is marked D. This extract is but an
epitome of the principles which actuated me while
in connection with the Society. Nothing was in-
troduced which was in any way contrary to the
doctrine and practice of the Church of England.
While at the same time we always considered the
native Christians had a right to choose whenever
they wished to do so, such rules, orders, and cere-
monials as were consistent with the word of God
and for their benefit.

" Of course it was understood that whenever they
did so they would be forming themselves into an
Independent Native Church, and must not count
upon further help from the Society.

" We followed the example of the Apostle Paul.
Himself a member of the Jewish Church, and sent

CASTING THE TOIL.

273

out by that Church, but establishing Independent
Native Churches at the various scenes of his labors,
" Yours sincerely,

"ROBT. TOMLINSON."

QUOTATIONS.

Church Missionary House, London,

September, 1876.
ANNUAL LETTER TO MISSIONARIES.

" The time seems to have come when Native
Christian independence may be still further
extended, when the Native Church may not
only draw still less upon European resources
than it does at present, but when by assum-
ing a more distinctly native character, it may
exercise a more powerful attraction on the
heathen population by which it is surrounded.
We would therefore suggest that Missionaries
should represent this subject to their native
brethren, especially to the leading Laymen
amongst them. Let the idea become familiar
with them, let the Lay delegates of the
Church Councils have it frequently brought
before them and should any circumstances
arise indicating the advantage of Church inde-
pendence let the Church Committees and dis-
trict and federal Church Councils at once take
action. A general request from native Chris-

274 THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" tians in any Mission for an independent native
" Church would be irresistible^

Church Missionary House, London,

October ist, 1877.
ANNUAL LETTER TO MISSIONARIES.

" But while as members of the Church of England
" the Committee and the Society generally
" desire to act in strict obedience to the laws of
*' that Church, as well as in conformity to its
" spirit they must protest against the same
•' restrictions being imposed on those Native
" Christians in various foreign countries, whom
" it has pleased God to bring to the profession
" of faith in Christ through the Society's in-
" strumentality.

" What the Committee wish to see in these con-
*' verts is not submission to the Church of
" England, but the desire for, and ultimately
" the attachments to, an Independent Native
" Church.

" The Society's object is the Glory of God in the
'* evangelization of the heathen and not the
" aggrandizement of the English Church. At
" the same time they regard it as more honor-
" able to the Church of England to be the
" Mother of indeiDcndent childnni than to be the
" Mistress of subject communities."

CASTING THE TOIL.

275

Church Missionary House, London,

Oct. 1st, 1878.
ANNUAL LETTER TO THE MISSIONARIES.

" This independence of European help will neces-
" sarily involve independence of coercive Euro-
" pean control. Of this we must not be afraid.
" Our object is not the extension of the English
•' Church. In many fields such an object would
"be unattainable. . . . The connection
" therefore between the Church of England and
" those native congregations which have been
"formed through the labors of the Church
I* Missionary Society's Missionaries must be
•' regarded as provisional and temporary. The
"ultimate relation will resemble, probably,
"that which is cherished in the Protestant
" Episcopal Church of the United States, fra-
"ternal or even filial affection, but not the
" smallest approach to subordination."

Ankihtlast, August 28th, 1882.

LETTER (3F REV. R. TOMLINSON TO C. M. S.
COMMITTEE.

" My effort among these poor people from the first
" has been to teach them the simple Gospel, to
" lead them to study their Bibles, to encourage

276

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITI-A.

and help them to rise out of their physicnl as
well as moral degradation, and to advance
their temporal interests. I studiously avoided
drawing their attention to Church or Secta-
rian divisions or dissensions, and aimed chieflv
at uniting them in the closest bonds to fijdit
against heathenism and those temptations
which their position exposes them to."

In these circulars, we have the most positive evi-
dence of the Society s chaui^c of policy which no
amount of quibbling can explain away. From the
very beginning cf his Mission work, Mr. Duncan
had faithfully reported to \\\c Society his methods,
and it, manifested its approval. These veiy cir-
culars were without a doubt measurably prompteil
by Mr. Duncan's successful procedure.

T)u! Socioty stales in one of
its publicaliuna : —

"May, 1885 !
** Almost up to the tinu- of the
si'paratioii, lliert. was ni> n.as(ii\

Wliy (I'lfs the Society fonfrd'
tiuf itsilj a year later in liie sumo
pulilication ?

Sept.. 1SP.6:

" It lintl lieiMi li'iii'- known to
•lie C'onimitti'i- tliat I lie \ii„^'.in

to suppose tiiat tlie Mission was which had l>ecn so favoral)ly

'jihcr than u Cluirtit of England
one

he^un was not licinj; carried on
acoonliti}', to tlie princiiiles which
they npheld, or 'v\ a way wliicli
they (ould approve."

Who is rc^po'isible for the falsifying' of its own
state, '^nts?

UK.VhS-WOKK llAbKET.

CASTING THE TOIL.

277

Finding itself thwarted in all other attempts to
coerce, or bribe, the Metlakahtlans into submission
to the Bishop's mandate, the Deputation, devoted
itself to the humane act, of urging the Dominion
Government to treat them as wild savages, and
force upon them the Indian act, and the pernicious
system of Indian agents. Pointing out, that this
would effectually, put a stop to Mr. Duncan's " in-
fluence for evil over the huiians^^

After returning to lingland, the Deputies in
order to justify themselves and the Society, at-
tempted to discredit, the views expressed in the
letters they had received from the Metlakahtlans,
by declaring that they were made to state thus and
so, by their white teachers, and not allowed to speak
freely of their own accord. Why did not the 1 )epu-
ties challenge there, and then, these letters. - liile
yet at Metlakahtla ? He it remembered, th.n ^Ir.
Duncan was in li^ngland at the time. They know
that their statement is false, and that those letters
do faithfully rei)resent the views of the Metlakaht-
lans, hence this falsehood is as cowardly as, their at-
tack upon Mr. Duncan in his absence, and, of a piece
with such.

To further justify the Society in its offensive
conduct, the Deputation, makes a most malevolent
attempt to rob Mr. Duncan's work of its lustre, it
iloes not hesitate to assert, that : — •• Looking below
the surface the stati' of itlucation is very 'low. "
. , . *• VW" found th.il but a small proportion oj the

278

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Indians know English and tJiosc few far too imper-
fectly — to use with profit an English Bible." . . .
" We have observed the mode of teaching, and the
actual wori<, and are convinced that they are not
calculated to promote scri[)tural knowledge and
spiritual life." ..." The ordinances of relig-
ion as instituted by Christ Himself not being
properly administered."

•' The deputation heard of no gatherings for
])rayer or for mutual edification, and there are no
signs of missionary zeal among them, nor any at-
tempt to make known the truths of the Ciospel to
their heathen fellow-countrymen."

The Deputies thus give the " lie direct " to those
distinguished clerg)'men, explorers, and others,
whose personal corroborative observations, I have
{juoted in Chapters 111. and IV. A proud and
noble thing, for two high-minded gentlemen to lend
themselves to such sneaking falsehoods. As 1o the
standard of education, 1 need only refer to the re-
liable testimoii)' which I have (|uoted.

During the Deputation's sta>' in tlu' village, the
iMetlakahllans held their regular serviics of prayer
which however, it seems tlu* Deputation, did not
see fit to attend. The statement in regard to
native missionaries, is also, a wicked falsi-hood,
as previous evidencis prove ; and at the very
lime of the Deputies' visit, money was being sub-
scribed by the Metlakahtlans, from their scanty
incomes, to bear the expenses of two native tins-

CASTING THE TOIL.

279

sionaries, whom they were sending out to heathen
tribes.

A statement quite in accord with the foregoing,
is that, — "Another extraordinary regulation was that
a demand was made on each person who adhered
to the Society, for the payment of thirty dollars,
which sum, it was alleged^ had been given by Mr.
Duncan, from his own money, to nearly every
householder as an assistance in building his house.
One pcrsou paid this amount zvJiilc others declined ;
but there can be no doubt that this enactment
served as a strong inducement with many to re-
main, on Mr. Duncan's side. There is no excuse
for such an unwarrantable demand having been
made."

This assertion is barren of a single grain of truth.
No such demand has ever been made ! No one
has ever retunu.-d such mone\' ! No one has ever
had an opportunity to decline! Alas, Ananias,
thou hast been usurped.

Had the object of the Deputation been to make
an honest investigation, to learn, and convey the
trnfh.Uy the benevolent contributors to the Society's
missionary fund in l''ngland, one would have natu-
rally expected it, to have ascertained :

1st. Tlie real cause t)f tlie rupture, and how it was
brought about.

2nd. Whetiur, or not, tin- Motlakahtlans had
really, and honestly been imanimojis, in voting for
Mr. Dimcan as their leader.

28o

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

3rd. If, Mr. Duncan had misled the Indians, and,
if so, how.

4th. If the Bishop's party was genuine.

5th. Whether the Society was really promoting,
or injuring Christianizing and civilizing work, by re-
maining at Metlakahtia after the people had re-
quested its withdrawal.

6th. Whether, or not, there was any truth in the
charges trumped up by the Bishop, and not based
on the financial secretary's statement respecting Mr.
Duncan's accounts, before they made their public
accusation.

7th. Whether, or not. Earl Dufferin's declaration
to the Indians, that they had a title to the land was
right and just, before inciting the present (xovern-
ment to rob the Indians of theit land, without
comjiensation, or treaty.

As we have seen, the Dci)utation ditl nothing of
the sort. It assumed from the first that the Soci-
ety, the Bishop and his party, were rights and that
Mr. Duncan, and the Metlakahtlans were ivroui:;.
It resorted to whatever schemes and intrigues, it
thought most likely to succeed in discrediting Mr.
Duncan, ami whitewashing the Society's and the
Bishop's disgraceful acts. On rcturm'ng to I''ng-
land the report was accepted by the Society's offi-
cers as highly satisfactory, and the faithful emissa-
ries were heartily thanked. The Society is matle
by its officers to announce that Mr. Duncan whom
they had treated with such /ovtHg kinUmss^ '* could

CASTING THE TOIL.

281

not even if he had wished and requested it, which
he has not, be received back into connection with
the Society." Forgiveness impossible ! The Bible
precepts — the Lord's prayer, forgive us as we forgive,
the Prodigal son — notwithstanding : what mockery
of Christianity, justice and truth ! Who the trans-
gressor, who the judge ?

Mr. Duncan with gentle mien, has stood firmly
and steadfastly, in his devotion to the grand cause
for wliich he, sacrificed a lucrative post, with every
])rospect of an affluent and commanding position, in
England; to accept a i)altry ;{,ioo a year, and en-
counter untold hardships and dangers. He held
to his j)urpose of rescue, in the midst of the dark
and bloody scenes of his early experience, as, true
set as the needle to the pole. I le met unswerving-
ly, face to face, tlie foes of his adopted people ; he
ministered tenderly to the wants of the little chil-
dren, the aged, the decrepit, or the dying brave,
who wrestled for the retention of the lamp.

When the legitimate foes had been con(]uered,
and when the fruits of his labors seemed ripening,
revealing the signs of an abundant yield, there came
an intolerant scourge to clevast and lay all to waste.
I le then, fearlessly threw himself athwart the path,
to check the i)()rtentous evil as best he might.

The Society in its anxiety to pull down .\Ir.
Duncan's work, has basely intimated, that he seeks
gain and glory. Ilow false this is must be evident
to all who know the facts. Not only has he dedi-

282

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

cated his life to these people, with marked abne-
gation but every penny of his possessions as well !

The report of the Deputation vindicated the So-
ciety in the eyes of its officers— truth was hood-
winked—the sword of justice warped— the poor
Indians defrauded— a noble layman's spotless char-
acter assailed— the mission's benefactors in England
deceived and betrayed !

CHAPTER IX.

THE LAND QUESTION.

The bitterest was not yet. The Bishop backed
by the Society, had aggressively resorted to all
manner of' device-, to undermine and encompass
the ruin of the Metiakahtlan Christian Union. He
had even wantonly charged them with crimes of
which they were guiltless. His incessant and ag-
gravating persecutions wore them to the quick.
They felt that they could no longer endure the
presence of this serpent in their midst; for, he
spread only strife, and contention, where there
should reign peace and harmony. ,

With a love of home native to all humanity, they
with one accord resolved to appeal to the Govern-
ment for relief from their oppressors. For, had not
Canada been renowned for her generous and hu-
mane conduct, toward her aboriginal subjects ? and,
had not Lord L^ufferin with much emphasis as-
sured the Metlakahtlans, that their rights should
be respected, and their interests guarded by the
Queen and the Government ? Surely, thought
tiiey, the Government will come to our rescue when
it knows our wrongs.

Hence the Metlakahtlans laid their grievances

284

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

before the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and
through him, before the Government. The Super-
intendent apparently sympathized with the com-
plainants and expressed his hopes, of a speedy
restoration to peace in the settlement. In his
annual report of 1884 to the Dominion Govern-
ment he writes as follows : —

" I am exceedingly sorry to state that serious
trouble and the most unhappy religious rancor still
exists at Metlakahtla, dividing the Tndians and
causing infinite damage to cJiristianity in adjacent
iocalitiis, where sides are taken with one or other,
of the conteiiding parties. The retirement of cither,
or both, would seem the only solution of the diffi-
culties ; and if the latter alternative, is not desirable,
and as fidly nine-tentJis of tJic people are unanimous
and determined in their support of Mr. Duncan, the
withdrawal of the Agents of the Society to more
congenial headquarters, would, I think, be greatly
in the interests of all concerned."

In Canadian politics there is strong evidence of
the existence, and powerful influence of, the log
rolling system, and that cowardice, which is born
of political fatuity, — the truckling to the Church
and other parties, just as some American and Eng-
lish politicians, without actual sympathy, flirt with
the Irish party, the Catholic party, or the Labor
party — seeking only political ends and fearing to
initiate or sujjport, acts of public justice, until they
can make political capital thereby. •

THIi LAND QUESTION.

285

Regarding, first, its own political security, the
Government took no steps whatever, to carry out
tile recommendations of the Superintendent of In-
dian Affairs, but pursued a vacillating course,' rely-
ing upon the chance, of one of the parties subjugat-
ing the other. It is well known that individual
members, did so far evince the courage of their
opinions, as to privately express in not very com-
plimentary terms, their contempt, for the Bishop's
conduct, and wish him out of the way, — but, offi-
cially it appears they feared to deal with him.

The Metlakahtlans being thus disappointed in
obtaining redress, where they had been led to look
for, and expect it ; naturally enough turned their
attention to their rights in the soil : for were not
they the sole owners of the land at Metlakahtla ?
and, was not the Bishop a trespasser in their village,
against their will ? Hence, they notified him to
remove from their property in so much, as, ho had
no legal footing thereon.

No sooner had the Metlakahtlans taken this po-
sition, for the solution of their difficulties, than at
once the Government was up in arms, to quell the
natural assumption.

And now it was that, the mean, and cowardly
silence which the F'rovincial (rovernment, had,
hitherto maintained toward its Native subjects, in
reference to land matters, had to be broken. The
concealed injustice was now proclaimed ; and, the
Natives to their dismaVy were told, that they had no

286

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

rights in the land whatsoever ; but that the Queen^
owned, as ivell as ruled, all the country of British
Columbia, not excepting even the village site of Met-
lakahtla I To back up Uiis appalling announce-
ment the Government sent a party of surveyors,
especially, to Metlakahtla, to survey two acres in
the village, to be alienated from the Natives and
secure such to their bitter enemy, the Church Mis-
sionary Society. The Natives stood amazed at
seeing and hearing all this; for had they not heard
from the lips of Earl Dufferin, when Governor-Gen-
eral of Canada, of the goodness, and sympathy of
the Queen — and how safely they might confide their
interests to her keeping. The question with them
arose, who were they to believe — Lord Dufferin
when speaking in the name of the Queen, or, the
Provincial Government ? Were they to throw
aside their long-treasured trust in the justice of
British Law, and bow submissively, at once to glar-
ing avarice, and cruel wrong, announced and enact-
ed in the name of law ?

In their perplexity the Indians sought and ob-
tained the advice of an eminent lawyer at Victoria ;
and his opinion was, " that Indians cannot be mo-
lested in the possession of lands occupied by them
prior to the advent of white men unless in pursuance
of treaties duly entered into by them."

Before, the above opinion reached Metlakahtla,
it was shown to the Provincial Executive Council,
and they requested it might be kept from the knowl-

THE LAND QURSTION.

287

edge of the Indians, and they promised to hand over
the two acres of the village-site to the Metiakahtlans,
if the Dominion Government would ask them to
do so.

It being supposed from this, that the two govern-
ments were about to adjust matters without having
recourse to law, it was therefore, thought best that
the Indians should not immediately be made ac-
quainted with the lawyer's opinion. They were
told what the Provincial Government had offered,
and in order to facilitate an amicable arrangement,
the Metiakahtlans deputed three of their members
to go to Ottawa, in the summer of i8<S5, and lay
thuir c mplaints personally before the Superintend-
ent-General of Indian Affairs. This trip covering
a journey of seven thousand miles, involved ex-
penses very large for so poor a people to bear, yet,
they cheerfully made the sacrifice, so anxious were
they to have the wonted peace, and the prosperity
of their settlement restored.

The results of their appeal to Ottawa, were re-
garded by the Indians on the return of their Dele-
gates, as satisfactory; inasmuch as Sir John Mac-
donald had promised to communicate with the
Church Missionary Society of London, and ask or
advise that Society to withdraw its agents from
Mctlakahtla ; and, also he assured them, that all
their other grievances should be adjusted.

While in Ottawa with the Delegates Mr. Dun-
can, at the request of the Deputy Minister of In-

288

THE STORY OF METLAKAMTLA.

dian Affairs, drew up an outline of a new policy
for the manai^ement of the Native subjects in
British Columbia, by which in his opinion the dif-
ficulties which had arisen with the Natives, would
effectually be removed, ,\ad peace, and loyalty, re-
stored.

No exception was taken to Mr. 1 )uncan's recom-
mendations — only, that the T^ei)uty ^[inister,
thought it would be difficult to find a man qualified
to carry them out.

Durini^ an interview, Sir John Macdonald in-
timated that he would be glad to have Mr. Dun-
can appointed (rc/vcrnment a^ent,to be responsible
for the management of the Northern Section, of the
Hritish Columbian Indians. Mr. Duncan mani-
fested his readiness to accept the position provided
the Indians weic accorded their rights, in conforjn-
ity with the suggestions he liad filet! with the (rov-
crnment, and he called the attention of the ministers
to the anomalous condition of the land <]uestion, in
the Province, and (pioted oj)in!ons of (iovern-
nuiU authorities from Sessional papers, and Blue
Books of Canada.

The Minister of Interior, Marken/ic's (iovcrn-
ment, writing from Ottawa November 2, 1X74, to
the Government of British Columbia, says: —

•• // cursory t^lnncc at fZ/rsr docN mints {from
huiian Coininissioner and ot/icrs) is rnoNiii^h to
show that 1 1* c present state of the Indian land qiws'

THE LAND QUESTION.

289

iion in our territory west of the Rocky Mountains
is most u7isatisfactory — and that it is the occasion
not only of j^reat discontent among the aboriginal
tribes^ bnt^ also of serious alarm to the ivhite set-
tlers. . . .

" The guaranteeing the Aborigines of British
Columbia, the continuance of a policy as liberal as
ivas pursued by the Local Government seems little
short of a mockery of their claims. \v Til EKE tiAS
NOT HEEN AN INDIAN WAR IT IS NOT BECAUSE
THERE HAS BEEN NO INJUSTICE TO I'HE INDIANS,
/'/// because the Indians have not been sufficiently
united.

" In laying the foundation of an Indian Policy
in that Province on the same permanent and satis-
factory basis as in the other portions of the Domin-
ion the (lovertiment of the Jhtninion, feel they
would not be Justified in limiting their efforts to
what under the strict letter of the Terms of Union,
they were called upon to do. They feel that \
(iREAP NAIIONAI. (.>u liS TION //Xv ////.v, -a question
involving possibly in the near future an Indian
7var, with all its horrors, should be approached in
a very different spirit, and dealt with upon other
and higher grounds . . .

" 7 he policy foyeshado:\.'ed in the provision of
the 13/// Clause of Pritish Columbia 'Terms of
Union, is plainly, altogether inade</uate to satisfy
the fair, and reasonable demands, of the Indians,
To satisfy these demands, and to secure the good
«9

290

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

will of the Natives — the Dominion and Local
Governments must look beyond the terms of that
agreement ; and be governed in their conduct to-
ward the aborigines by the justice of their claims,
and by the necessities of the case J"

It should be noticed in reference to the foregoing
quotation from the 31ue Book, that the Minister
of Interior of Canada, is complaining to the British
Columbian Government, of tiie gross injustice to
the Indians, in regard to their land rights, which
the terms of Union embodied, and, he is demand-
ing that a just, and liberal policy be inaugurated.

So anxious had the Administratic^n, under Sir
John Macdonald, been to get British Columbia into
the Union with Canada, that so little a matter as
justice, to the aborigines was apparently U)st sight
of, and the Provincial Land Orabbers had all their
own way. I lad it not been that the Mackenzie
(iovernment, on succeeding to power soon after,
put a check ui)on— the cruel robbery of the aborigi-
nal subjects which had already been sanctioned,
would no doubt liave been enforced by the Do-
minion. Happily however a change of Adminis-
tration came in time to avert this calamity, and
the Minister of Interior, boldly unmasked, and de-
nounced the wrong. It is certain that no Cabiiu-t
Mijiistcr in his offuial capacity, would have had the
effrontery, to use the language, which this Minister
of Interior did, had he not boon convinced, thnt

THE LAND QUESTIpN.

291

the evil he was denouncing, was an outrage on
humanity.

Now for the facts, which had met the eye, and
raised the indignation of this Minister. In British
Columbia there were at that time about 30,000
whites and about the same number of aborigines.
The Country is nearly three times as large as Eng-
land — Ireland — Scotland and Wales combined —
viz., 2iS,375,200 acres—yet out of all this immense
territory all the land the 30,000 whites a^;recd to
allow the 30,000 natives, — the ancient and original
inhabitants of the soil — was a miserable t7U0 acres
f>ir capita^ or \.\ the aggregate something less than
ten miles scjuare ! ! It can scarcely be believed that
there are men living in this 19th century, under the
Christian rule of ^)ueen V^ictoria, who could be
guilty of planning such a scheme of wholesale rob-
bery in the name of law and government. Yet
such men hold up their heads in British Columbia,
and find anient supporters in the C'hurch Mission-
ary Society of London, and its lordly Bishop I

Next may be given some (piotations from a Re-
port written from the Department of Justice in
Canada, and signed by both the Minister of Justice,
and the Deputy Minister, dated Ottawa lyth Jan.
1H75.

'• Nor can the undersigned find that there is any
legislation in force in Mritish Columbia which pro-
vides reservations of land for the Indians. . . .

"No surrenders of lands in British Columbia

292

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Province has ever been obtained from the Indian
tribes with one excep^^ion. . . .

" Any reservations which have been made have
been arbitrary on the part of the Government, and
without the assent of the Indians. . . .

" There is not a shadow of doubt thai from the
earliest times England has always felt it impera-
tive to meet the Indians in Council and to obtain
surrenders of tracts of Canada as from time to
time, such were required for the purposes of set-
tlement. . . .

** It is sufficient for present purpose to ascertain
the policy of England in respect to the acquisition
of the Indian territorial rights, and how entirely
that policy has been followed to the present time
except in the instance of British Columbia."

The above quotations speak for themselves.

Earl Dufferin, (iovernor-Crcneral of Canada, de-
livered the following speech on the Land Question
at Government I louse, Victoria, \\. C, Sepletiiber
20, 1876:

liAKL DUKKLRINS SPKK< H ON TIIK LAND QUES-
TION.

" I'Vom my first arrival in Canada 1 have been
very much occupied with the condition of the Ind-
ian population in this province. Vou must re-
member that the Indian population are not repre-
sented in Parliament, and, consequently, that the
(rovernor-CfentTal is bountl t<» watch over their

THE LAND QUESTION.

293

welfare with especial solicitude. Now we must all
admit that the condition of the Indian question in
British Columbia is not satisfactory. Most unfort-
unately, as 1 think, there has been an initial error
ever since Sir James Douglass quitted office, in the
Government of British Columbia neglecting to rec-
ognize what is known as the Indian title. In Can-
ada this has always been done : no Government,
whether provincial or central, has failed to ac-
knowledge that the orii^iiiai titic to the lands existed
in the Indian tribes and the communities tha. hunt-
ed or wandered c-r them. Before ive touch an
acre wc make a treaty with the chief representing
the bands we are dealing with, and having a^s[reed
upon and paid the stipulated priee^ oftentimes ar-
rived at after a great deal of haggling and diffi-
culty, we enter into possession, but not until then do
tve consider that zve are entitled to deal with a sin-
j^le acre. The result has been that in Canada our
Indians are contented, well affected to the white
man, and amenable to the laws and (fovernment.
At this very moment the Lieutcnant-Ciovernor of
Manitoba, has gone on a distant expeilition in or-
der to make a treaty with the tribes to the north-
ward of Saskatchcnvan. Last year he made two
treaties with the Crees and Chippewa>s, next year
it has been arranged that he should make a treaty
with the Blackfeet, aiul when this is done the Brit-
ish Crown will have accpiired a title to every acre
that lies between l^iike Superior and the top of the

294

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Rocky Mountains. But in British Columbia — ex-
cept in a few places where under the jurisdiction of
the Hudson's Bay Co., or under the auspices of Sir
James Douglass, a similar practice has been adopt-
ed — the Provincial Government, has always as-
sumed that the fee simple in, as well as the sover-
eignty over, the land, reside in the Queen. Acting
upon this principle they have granted extensive
grazing leases, and otherwise dealt with various sec-
tions of the country as greatly to restrict or inter-
fere with the prescriptive rights of the Queen's Ind-
ian subjects. As a consequence, there has come to
exist an unsatisfactory feeling among the Indian
population. Intimations of this reached me at Ot-
tawa two or three years ago, and since F have come
into the province my misgivings on the subject have
been confirmed. Now, I consider that our Indian
fellow-subjects are entitled to exactly the same civil
rights under the law, as are possessed by the white
population, and If an Indian can prove prescriptive
right of way to a fishing-station, or right of any
other kind, that that right should no more be ig-
nored than if it were the case of a white man. I
am well aware that among the coast Indians the
land question does not present the same character-
istics as in other j)arts of Canada, or as it does in
the grass countries of the interior of this province ;
but I have also been able to understand that in
these latter districts, it may be even more necessary
to deal justly and liberally with the Indian in re-

THE LAND QUESTION.

295

gard to his land rights, than on the prairies of the
North West. I am very happy that the British
Columbian Governmeni, have recognized the ne-
cessity of assisting the Dominion Government, in
ameliorating the present condition of affairs in this
respect, and that it has agreed to the creation of a
joint commission for the purpose of putting the in-
terests of the Indian population on a more satisfac-
tory footing. Of course in what I have said I do
not mean that in our desire to be humane, and to
act justly, we should do anything unreasonable or
Quixotic, or that rights already acquired by white
men should be inconsiderately invaded or recalled,
but, I would venture to put the Government of
British Columbia on its guard against the fatal
eventualities which might arise should a bense of
injustice provoke the Indian population to violence,
or, into a collision with our scattered settlers. Prob-
ably there has gone forth among them very incor-
rect, and exaggerated information of the warlike
achievements of their brethren in Dakota, and
their uneducated minds are incapable of calculating
chances. Of course, there is no danger of any se-
rious or permanent revolt, but it must be remem-
bered that even an accidental collision in which
blood was shed, mig'it have a most disastrous ef-
fect upon our i)resent satisfactory relations with the
warlike tribes in the North West, whose amity, and
adhesion, to our system of government, is so essen-
tial to the progress of the Pacific Railway; and I

296

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

make this appeal, as I may call it, with all the more
earnestness since I have convinced myself of the
degree to which, if properly dealt with, the Indian
population might be made to contribute to the de-
velopment of the wealth, and resources, of the prov-
ince. I have now seen them in all phases of their
existence, from the half-naked savage in a red
blanket, perched like a bird of prey u})on a rock,
trying to catch his miserable dinner of fish, to the
neat Indian maidens in Mr. Duncan's school at Met-
lakahtla, as modest, and as well-dressed as any cler-
gyman's daughter ni an English parish, and to the
shrewd horse-riding Siwash of the Thompson Val-
ley, with his racers in training for the Ashcroft
stakes, and as i)roud of his stock-yard and turnip-
field as a British squire. In his first condition it
is evident he is scarcely a producer or a consumer ;
in his second, he is eminently both, and in pn )r-
tion as he can be raised to the higher level of civ-
ilization will he contribute to the vital encnj^ics of
the jirovincc. What )'ou want are not resources,
but human beings to develop them, and, consume
them. Raise your 30,000 Indians to the level
which Mr. Duncan has taught us is possible, and
consider what an enormous amount of vital power
you will have added to your present strength."

These words t)f Lord Duffcrin, re(|uire no eluci-
dation, they give no uncertain sound, as to the
distinguished statesman's views, of the injustictr,
which has been fastened upon the Indians in regard

THE LAND QUESTION.

297

to their land : but, his eloquent, and powerful ar-
guments, were lost upon the British Columbian
authorities. No change of policy has ensued since
his visit to the Province, and quite recently the
Chief-Justice at Victoria, while arguing on the
question of the Indians' land rights, declared, em-
phatically that the Indians of British Columbia,
.have no rights in the land, ivhatcvcr, but such as the
Crown out of its bounty and charity may accord
them ; and added, that all that Earl Dufferin in his
groat speech had said to the contrary, was only
" blarney for the mob ! ! "

Now to return .igain to what took place at Otta-
wa. It seemed apparent to Mr. Duncan, and the
Indian Delegates — judging from Sir John Mac-
Ao\r^i\.(!i^ promises — that the Indians' grievances were
in a fair way to be settled without litigation, and this
decided Mr. Duncan not to return at once to Met-
lakahthi ; but to give time to Sir John Macdonald
to frame the improved policy, for the Native Sub-
jects, for the ensuing parliament, as he had inti-
mated that he would then bring it forward. Mr.
Duncan, in the interim went to England, on be-
half of the Metlakahtlans. While there he had
an interview with the Secretaries of the Church Mis-
sionary Society, and learnt from them, that. Sir John
Macdonald, iiad written the letter, he had promised
the Metlakahtlans he would write, advising the So-
ciety to withdraw from Metlakahtla. Mr. Duncan
also met Sir John Macdonald in London by appoint-

298

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

merit, and during the interview was told by Sir John,
that a Deputation from the Church Missionary So-
ciety, had waited upon him to discuss the situation,
but that he had adhered strictly, to the advice which
he had previously offered the Society by letter.
Sir John, also assured Mr. Duncan, that as soon as
the difificulty with the Society was out of the way,
he, would secure for him, the appointment he had*
alluded to while in Ottawa.

However, it must be distinctly borne in mind
that Mr. Duncan was not seeking Gov( iment em-
ployment, but, he had promised only to be re-
sponsible for the inauguration of the new policy,
which he had drafted, //, it was accepted by the
Government — as he well knew by accepting the
position, and establishing a new era in the manage-
ment of aboriginal people, he would be conferring a
benefit to Indians generally throughout the land.

It would seem however before Sir John Mac-
donald left London, and after having had a second
interview with the representatives of the Society,
//f, had changed his mind, and his plans. Mr. Dun-
can was informed by one of the Secretaries of the
Society, that Sir John Macdonald and the Society,
had come to an understanding. Which understand-
ing it would seem secured to the Society the in-
valuable services and advocacy of this Minister of
State; and insured to him this powerful Church of
England Missionary Society's moral endorsement
of his iniquitous Indian policy; and the political

LEADER OK THE METI.AKAUTLA URASS-UAND.

t
t

a
t
I
a

w
ri
o
ti
Ii

IHE LAND QUESTION.

299

support of thif^ Society's Agents, and its, sympa-
thizers in the Ciiurch of England party of Canada,
for the approaching general election which must
decide his political fate.

While still in London Mr. Duncan thought it
well as matters had turned ; to acquaint the Abo-
rigines Protection Society, with the circumstances
surrounding the Indian land question. The follow-
ing is a copy of a letter he addressed to the Secre-
tary of that Society :

"London, 5th March, 1886.

" Dear Sir : I beg to address you on behalf of
the Tsimshean and other Indian tribes inhabiting
the northern portion of British Columbia, with a
view of soliciting on their account the sympathy and
aid of the Aborigines Protection Society, in connec-
tion with the question of their land interests.
From authoritative government documents in Can-
ada it is clearly demonstrable that the Indian land
question in British Columbia is in a very unsatis-
factory state, owing as it would seem, to the arbi-
trary, and unprecedented policy, adopted by the
Government in regard to it.

" It appears that the Imperial edicts, and usages,
which have always defined, and guarded, Indian land
rights in Canada, are by the Provincial Government
of British Columbia, virtually ignored : — the Indian
title is not recognized, nor any treaties with the
Indians made, but an absolute control of all the

300

TIIK STORY or MF/I'LAKAIITLA.

lands of the I'rovince is assumed in the name of the
Queen, as if the aborigines were a conquered race,
and all their ancient inheritance had been confis-
cated.

" These anomalies have been pointed out to the
I^rovincial Ciovenmient by the Minister of Justice,
and the Minister »f Int<.'rior in Canada, in the years
1874 and 1875 (and 1 mii^ht add in 1S76 by F^arl
Dufferin, Gt)v.-(jen'l. of Canada) but apparently
without eifect.

"The Indians themselves have till lately been
comparatively silent on land matters. Their silence
may be ascribed pari!/, to their i^Miorance of the
Government policy, and partly, because the (jues-
tion had not been directly forced upon their atten-
tion by any great encroachment upon their ancient
privilcj^es, — owing to the sparseness of white settlers
as yet in the N>rth.

** A change liowever, in th.is respect has taken
place. The Indians are now fully alive to the im-
portance of the land (piestion, and, its bearing, on
their prosperity, and social progress. The action
of the Ciovernment which more than anything
else precii)itateil this change, was their ordering
the survey of two acres of land in the centre of
the Indian village of Metlakahtla, for the purpose
of conveying the same io a religious Society, and
thereby asserting their claim to absolute control over
the land even in a village-site, in .>pite of the Indians'
protest.

THE LAND QUESTION.

301

" Though the Indian proprietors were greatly in-
censed by this overbearing act of injustice, I am
happy to say that no violence was offered to the
(rovernmcnt servants, who made the survey. The
Indians decided rather to appeal to the L . v Courts,
and trust in the justice of their case.

" Legal advice was obtained from one of the most
prominent lawyers in V^ictoria, who after referring
to the Sessional Tapers of Canada and Imperial
Edicts, says — ' Hence, it is I think apparent that
Indians cannot be molested in their possession of
lands occupied by them prior to the advent of white
men unless in pursuance of treaties duly entered
into by th(?m.'

" When the legal opinion was shown the Provin-
cial Cioverntnent, they recpiested that \he Indians
might not be made accpiainted with it, ami offered to
hand over the two acres of land to the Indians ; if,
the Dominion (lovernment would .isk themtoiloso.

" This concession was evidently only an attempt
to shift responsibility on to the DiMuinion (iovcrn-
ment, (for so «lid the Premier of Catiada regard it)
hence nothing came of it.

"The Indians then determined be ore invoking
the law, to represent their case to tic Indian De-
partment, and three Indian Delegates were accord-
ingly sent to Ottawa last summer. The result of
this appeal to the Super't-( ieneral of Indian Affairs,
was to return to the Indian complaii ants an assur-
ance that fheir grievances woultl ■•eceive careful

302

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

attention, and that steps would be taken, which it
was hoped would soon remove all causes of com-
plaint.

" It is now about seven months since these assur-
ances were made, but no remedy of the evils com-
plained of, is forthcominj:^, and 1 fear there is little
prospect of any remedy being found without an
appeal to the law.

*' I am hoping to return to Metlakahtla early
next month, and I should be very glad if on my ar-
rival there I can inform the Indians that the Abo-
rigines Protection Society, had decided to aid them
in vindicating their rights, and thus afford them a
proof there are in Isngland, those who take pleasure
in defending the weak, and heli)ing the poor, with-
out regard to race or nationality. 1 remain, Dear

Sir, yours faithfully,

VV. Duncan."
*' To F. VV. Cm-ssoN, Esq.,

Sec'y Al)()r. I'ml. Society,

Loiulon."

To the above letter the following reply was re-
ceived.

"AB0RI0I*JRS PRorKCTIoN SoriFTV,

6 KOUM, IlKOADWAY (HAMIIKRS, WliSTMINSTKR,

I/>NI)()N, S. W., Mnrih 35. 1886.

'* DkaK Mk. Di'NCAN: At a Meeting of the

Cotninitter held here a few days ago, Sir I^ol)ert

Fowler, M.P., Mr. Oeorge Palmer, late M.P., f<^r

Reading, Mr. Alfred Fowell Muxtoii and (, were

THE LAND QUESTION.

303

appointed a deputation to wait upon Sir Charles
Tupper with reference to the Indian difficulty in
British Columbia. We shall wait upon him within
the next fortnight, and support the cause of the
poor Indians. Very faithfully yours,

F. W. Chesson, 5fr>."
" To VV. Duncan, Esq."

The Mctlakahtlans received a letter last summer
(1886) from the vVborigines Protection Society, in-
forming them that i Dcjiutation from that Society
1. ' vaitcd upon Sir Chas. Tujjper — High Com-
missioner of Canada, in London and presented a
Memorial to him on their behalf.

For this sympathy and help from the Aborigines
Society, the ^k•tlakalu!.lns seemed very grateful,
and the Native Secretary of the Council wrote a
letter of thanks to that society.

Ikfore leaving Kiigland Mr. Duncan had occa-
sion to address another letter to Sir John Macdon-
ald, of which the following is a copy.

" L(iNl)()N, March 24, 1886.
" The Rii^ht Jloiwrablc SiK joilN A. MAfDONArn,
K.C.Ii., Suf^triutouiint'Cunl of Indian Af"
fairs. On ANVA.

" Sir : I have this d.iy received letters from Met-
lakahtla. conveying to me information with which I
feel it my iluty, to make you acquainted without
delay.

304

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

** From the words and assurances you were good
enoutrh to send through the Deputation, which
waited upon you last summer in Ottawa — the Ind-
ians of the settlement, and neighboring tribes, were
induced to refrain from immediately appealing to
the Law in vindication of their land claims, and
were led to hope that tlicir com|)hiints against the
Church Missionary Society Agents, would receive
your immi (liate attention, and, jjersonal interven-
tion.

*' It is now eight months since tht^se assurances
were received, and, these Iv^pes indulged, but 1 re-
gret to say the Indians are now comjilaining even
more bitterly, than ever, of the overbearing effron-
tery of the Agents of the Society.

*' It appears tliat the Bishop has lately read a
letter to his few adherents, which they were led to
believe eman.ited from you, and from which they
were assured the two acres of the village-site,
known as Mii^sion Point, now belong to the Ciuncli
Missionary Soci ty.

" After this announcement was made- a numl)er
of flags were hoisted over the Bishop's house— can-
nons were fired, and a j)arty parade<l tlic village
with banners, and triumphant hilarit)'. The mas.-,
of Indians who will have nothing to do with the
Bishop were then inforined that the laml (|uestion,
was now settled, by you ; and, that the efforts of
the 13ej)utation last summer, luid resulted in noth-
ing.

THE LAND QUESTION.

305

" On being asked however to show your letter
— the Bishop admitted, that the letter he had read
was not written by you, but Mr. Feiin of the C. M.
Society had written it to convey the words uttered
by you, at an interview with the representatives of
the Society in Lt^ndon.

" I deeply regret these occurrences, and cannot,
but feel sure that the Bishop has made an exagger-
ated, and an improper, use of your words, to the
Society, and thus, made matters worse tli.m ever to

arrange.

"There seems no course open now, which will
prove a satisfaction to the Indians but an appeal to
the Law, and unless all such offensive prejudging of
the case as has been recently enactctl be stopped, I
fear the Indians will be driven to desperation.

•' I am thankful to add tiial the Aborigines Pro-
tection Society, are now in ])ossession of the facts of
the case, in which they feel a deep interest.

"Their assistance to bring matteis to a right
issue is alreaily promised.

'* I hopi} to be passing through Ottawa on my
return to Metlakahtla, ai)out the middle of April,
when I irust you will favor me with an interview
at which I can give you further partiiul.irs. I re-
main, etc. "W. Duncan."

In April (1886) Mr. Huncan left Hngland t<» re
turn to Metlakahtla. On itis way he called at
Ottawa but was unabit' to secure an interview with

••

3o6

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Sir John Macdonald. Not, therefore, being able to
see the Head chief, he addressed a letter to the
Deputy of which the following is a copy :

"Ottawa, April 20, 18S6.

"Sir: Being now on my way to Mctlakahtla
and feeling assured that on my arrival there the
Indians will press me for information relative to
their affairs, now, before the Indian Department.
I am therefore, anxious to lay before you the ques-
tions I anticipate they will ask me, and beg that
you will be good enough to furnish me with such
answers, as f may give them in your name 'I'he
tpiestions are as follows.

" 1st. Will the Land (Reserve) Commissioner
Mr. O'Ueilly receive orders to adjust the difficulty
between the Psimshean aud the Nass I^iver Ind-
ians, in connection with the fishing interests and
occupancy of the land on the banks of the Nass
River ?

"2d. Will the I^aiid (Rescrvi'i ('ominissioiicr re-
ceive orders to meet the rsimshean Indians in
C^»uncil t(^ reconsider and readjust their Reserves?

" Vl- ^l'»^ the Superinteiulent-Cieiieral of Ind-
ian Affairs given to the Committee of the Church
Missionary Society, tlie authority of his word that
the two acres known as Missi<in Point at Mctla-
kahtla, belotig ti» that Society?

"4lh. Is the Indi.'Ui I )ep.irtnunt prepared to ad-
vise the C»(»vernment of British Columbia to enter

THE LAND QUESTION.

307

into treaties with the Indians of that Province in
regard to Lands to be surrendered by them ?

" 5th. Should the Indians of Mctlakahtla be
compelled to test the legality of the survey of Mis-
sion I'oint made by orders of the British Colum-
bian Government ; what, attitude will the Indian
Department take in reference to their action ?

"6th. Does the Indian Department permit
bands of natives to settle upon lands which are the
private property of white men or of Religious So-
cieties — the Indians n(»t having been instructed as
to the exigencies involved in their action ?

"7th. Is the Indian Department satisfied with
the work and conduct of the Magistrate .«nnointed
over the Indians in the Northern j)ortion ol J];'tish
Columbia, and if not are they proposing to rem.ove
him ? I have the honor to be Sir, your humble

and obedient servant, " \V. DuNCAN."

"Tt» TiiK Dei'Uiy Minis ikr ok Indian Aki'airs,
Ollawa."

The Deputy Ministv .■ promised to mail an answer
to the foregoing letter in a shoi i lime.

On Mr. Duncan's arrival at Metlakahlla the Ind-
ians presswjd him for information on the (piestions
which they had laid before the (lovernment ; and
naturally enough, were greatly ilisappoiuted, when
told he had no definite information to give them.
1 lowever, lie, informed tluin, that he had antici-
]>ated their inquiries, and placed such before the
Deput)' Minister of liulian Affairs, anil further, that

3o8

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

he hoped the next mail, — some two or three weeks
hence, — would bring them the Deputy's reply.

The next mail brought no letter from the Gov-
ernment or the Indian Department : Hence it was
that Mr. Duncan addressed a further communica-
tion to Sir John Macdonald, — a copy of which is as
follows.

" Metiakahtla, May 29, 1886.
" The Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald,
K.C.B., Supt -General of Indian Ajfairs^ Ot-
tawa.

" Sir : On the 20th ult. at Ottawa I had the hon-
or to submit to the Deputy Minister of Indian Af-
fairs certain questions, which are now engrossing
the minds of the Indians in this Section of the
Country.

" On my arrival at Mctlakahtia on the lOth inst.
1 found as I had antir^ipatcd, the Indians were fully
expecting some definite information from me on
these questions. All that I could toll them was
that the Deputy Minister had promised a commu-
nication on the subject, and that I had reason to
ho{K the iKXt mail (about three weeks later) would
bring them the desired information, in the mean
time, fresh troubles have arisen between tiie Tsim-
shean and Nass River Indians, in referent • totiuii
land claims, making us look even mure e cjerl)' f»)l
the promised communication.

"Yesterday the mail arrived but without any let-

THE LAND QUESTION.

309

ter from the Deputy Minister, and while the Ind-
ians were brooding over this fresh disappointment,
they ascertained that the Steamer had brought up
a gentleman to survey Reserves. This led to their
calling a meeting at which I gather, they com-
plained bitterly of the treatment they are receiving
at the hands of the Government, in reference to
their land claims, especially, when they had been
led to expect from promises made them through
their Delegates last summer, that Reserves would
be reconsidered and readjusted before being finally
fixed.

"I learn since commencing this letter that the
Fort Simpson Indians, have also taken alarm at the
arrival of the Surveyor and have written a letter to
Metlakahtla calling the Indians to meet them to
consider the situation.

" I do sincerely hope the Government will with-
out delay adopt a course which will result in settling
the minds of the Indians on the land question be-
fore some fatal blow is given to the peace of tlie
Country. I have the honor to be, sir,

" Your humble and obedient servant,

" \V. Duncan."

Mr. Duncan was non-plusscd, that he received no
replies to either of the letters addressed to Sir John
Macdonald, ox, to the one, he sent to the Deputy
Minister. Common courtesy alone, would have de-
nwnded a respectful answer to these communica-

310

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

tions, involving as they did, the v elfare of several
thousand of Her Majesty's loyal subjects, addressed
in a regular and official manner.

AVhat answer could be made, when these people
had been cruelly betrayed — the Minister whose
duty it was to protect them had played them false ;
bartered their rights and independence to their de-
signing enemies.

Instead of the Reserve Commission being sent to
the Tsimsheans, to readjust his previous incomplete
work, as had been promised, — a surveying party
was sent to Metlakahtla, in the autumn of 1886, —
authorized and paid by the Dominion Government,
to survey what it pleased the Government to allow
the Indians for a reserve, — alt liougli tlicrc liad been
no treaty^ or agreement made loith the Indians, for
the lands zvhieh they iiure ealled upon to sur-
render.

Naturally enough the Indians were aroused and
indignant, at this fresh vit)Iation ot all right deal-
ing ; and after due dcliberalion, decided to forbid
the survey being made — with a view to bring their
land matters to an issue. They saw the time had
come when their title to the huul must be decided ;
either substantiated, or nullified forever in a court
of law. As the news si)read, the Indians gathered
from various quarters, to join in the protest against
the survey.

They quietly but resolutely prevented the sur-
veyors from going on with their work. " The sur-

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THE LAND QUESTION.

311

veyor plants his instrument ; the natives take it up.
The surveyor drives a stake ; the natives pull it up.
The surveyor lays a chain ; the natives take it
away."

The Indians however, used no violence, though
frequently provoked, by the irritatinc^ and insolent
conduct of the surveyint; party.

The Church Missionary Society, with its usual
hif^h-minded sense of truth, and justice, referrinj^ to
this incident delivers itself, as follows :

*' With deep rc<jret we have to report the renewal
of lawless proceedinijs on the part of Mr. Duncan's
Indians at Metlakahtla, under his direct sanction
(acknowledged by himself) if not {as is belicifcd) at
A is instillation.^*

In another reference to the Land Question, the
Society publishes the foUowiiv^ charge :

"We now come to what is undoubteilly the heart
of the matter. The object of Mr. Duiuan, is power :
the desire of th.e Indians is land. The land ([ues-
tion is here, as it hns been elsewhere, the secret of
all the discontent, and Mr. Duncan has skilfully
fostered, and worked upon the prejudices of the
people. I le has represented to them th.it the whole
of the land l)elon<rs totlu;m, and not to the (lovern-
ment ; atul the result has been a lawless defiance of
authority."

These are the sort of falsihoods the blundering
oflkers of the Church Missionary Society, have been
publisliing to the world, to cover their own bhumc

312

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

and discomfiture. Why accuse Mr. Duncan of in-
forming the Indians ? Did not that distinguished
Governor-General Earl Dufferin, tell them that not
an acre of their land, should be taken from them
until surrendered by treaty, or paid for, at a stipu-
lated price ? No one familiar with the history of
Metlakahtla, is likely to believe, the assertion that
Mr. Duncan instigated his people, to violence, or
lawlessness.

The officers of the Society, have arrayed them-
selves on the side of lawless land-grabbers to de-
fraud the poor Natives of their land, anil they can-
not veil their own infamy, by slandering a man,
whose shoes, they have shown themselves unworthy
to unlatchet.

The facts of the case are, that, in order to prevent
hostile feeling from arising, the Indians not only
reas(Micd with the Chief of the Surveyors, but, also
showed him the letter, they had received from Sir
John Macdonald, the contents of which implied
that their grievances about land matters, would be
settled before the survey was made.

While affairs were thus pending the action of the
(iovernment,the Metlakahtlans decided for the sake
of clearing up the whole of the land question — to
take formal possession of the two acres of their vil-
lage-site, which the (iovernment had assumed the
right to alienate. To this end they built a house
on the two acres and placed xwnn,- unanncd unn, —
in charge uf it \ which action tlic Church Missionary

THE LAND QUP^STION.

313

Society, has been pleased to describe, as an outrage
on the Bishop.

In the absence of the Bishop it says ; " About
100 Indians, led by Mr. IDuncan's chief lieutenants,
broke down the fence surrounding the mission
ground, and began to put up the new building.

Mr. N protested, but was informed they did it

expressly to assert their right to the land. The
building was soon finished and was then occupied
by armed incn." . . . On the Bishop's return,
" As the steamer's anchor was let go, a boat ran
alongside, and one of the Bishop's lads leaped on
deck. lie brought a scrap of paper "...
begging the Bishop " not to land, as there would be
violence to prevent him coming home. Me in-
stantly jumped into the boat and pulled to shore.
Crowds of Indians awaited him, but his own people
men and women, hail come dovn to the shore armed,
and surrounded him as he stepped ashore. The
other Indians were cowed and fell back. On reach-
ing his house, he found that during his absence Mr.
Duncan's Indians, had erected a building on the
Mission ground within a yard of his windows."

The statements that the building was occupied
by armed men, and that an armed and threatening
mob of Metlakahtlans awaited the Bishop's landing,
arc utter fabrications, coined in the brain of the So-
ciety's faithful Agent.

The Rev. Robert Tondinson, who was present at
the time, thus refutes the Society's report: — "As

314

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA,

regards that portion of tlie paragraph, which re-
fers to the landing of Bishop Ridley, had it ap-
peared in an ordinary newspaper it might well be
treated as a huge joke, but appearing vhcre it does,
it affords a most melancholy example of the length
to which the agents of the Society, emboldened by
our long forbearance, and silence, are prepared to
go in their endeavor to blind Christians at home,
and to bolster up the indefensible position, of the
Society at Mctlakahtla.

" That the building was occupied by armed men
— that there was the smallest idea of preventing the
Bishop's landing — or the least show of resistance,
or any ground for apprehension on the part of
Bishop Ridley ... or that crowds of Indians
awaited him, or that they were cowed by and fell
back from his armed adherents, is all simply untrue.
Can anything be more lamentably shocking than
that, in giving a simple account, those who were
eye-witnesses and supposed to be above ccpiivoca-
tion, much more falsehood, should fall so low?

" Two cjuestinns naturally suggest themselves in
connection with this incident. The first is, whether
the Bishop, by sanctioning, if not directly ai)proving;
of the conduct of the C. M. S. adherents at Metla-
kahtla, men and li'onicn coming armed to pr(»tect
him, and this be it remembered against those who
had not even threatened him, much less displayed
arms, whether, I say bearing this in mind, the say-
ing ' that Missionary work which once was carried

THE LAND QUESTION.

315

on by a Henry Martyn is now carried on by a Mar-
tini-Henry,' has not passed from a sceptic's sneer
to an actual fact ?

" The second, and more serious question is, if the
notices of these missions which have appeared -in
the Society's publications, are so much at variance
with the facts they arc supposed to relate, what cre-
dence can be given to the accounts of the work car-
ried on at other missions of the Society? Has not
the time come when the Christian public should
demand an opportunity of judging of these facts,
other than from the garbled accounts of prejudiced
secretaries ? "

Some may question the wisdom of the Metla-
kahtlans' action in making a test case of the two
acres;* but be it remembered, these two acres had
been arbitrarily alienated from them by the Gov-
ernment, without compensation, treaty, or surrender
by them of any kind whatsoever ; and these two
acres were, notwithstanding their protest, assigned,
to their enemies, who made the premises a centre
for disturbing the peace of their village. Further-
more, they were now officially informed that despite

* In nllowing tl\L' Society's l)uiI<llnRR lo lie I'loctcd on tlio two
ncics — llic Indians liiv' no idea of suncndoiing the land, nor, did
tlioy ever consent in any way, shape, or niatuier, to f;ive the Society
ft title. They regardeil tiie measures of the Government as solely
n formal matter to kec[) olT white trespassers. The Indians them-
selves, however, had no voice in llie urranyemenl. Sec payea
26U-261.

316

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

the legal opinions they had obtained, as well as the
assurances, before cited of Earl Dufferin ; the Pro-
vincial Government had decided that they had no
rights whatever to the soil, and, that though they
had inherited it from their forefathers, they were
simply objects of charity, and their occupancy of
any plots of land set apart for them, was solely by
the generous bounty of the crown.

Nor was this all. They saw that even reserve
titles granted by the Government were worthless :
for, the reserve rights of the neighboring tribes were
being ruthlessly violated and set at naught, by the
administration. The time was ripe to settle con-
clusively for all time, their rights as loyal subjects.
There was a vital principle at stake, which involved
their very homes, the sacred roofs that sheltered
them and their families.

This subject of test cases, is not so insignificant
as might appear at a glance. Since in civic, and
politic history many of the most important events
have pivoted upon like tests. John Hampden suf-
fered imprisonment rather than pay a few paltry
shillings on the levy of Charles the First, because,
his test case involved the rights of Englishmen at
large, and his action ultimately brought them relief.
The people of England then occupied very much
the same position as the Natives of British Colum-
bia do now ; inasmuch, as the Exchequer Chamber
had placed at the disposal of the crown, the entire
property of the English people ; and the King had

THE LAND QUESTION.

317

his Star Chamber, and High Commission Courts,
which filled a place similar to that occupied by cer-
tain high-minded justice-dealers, of British Colum-
bia, of the present day.

At the same period, the King gave the Puritans
and the Scots a holy cause ; just as the Church
Missionary Society sustained by the Dominion
and Provincial Governments, has given a holy
cause to the Metlakahtlans. Even Charles the
First's cruel system of terrorizing, and imprison-
ing, those patriots who dared to resist the un-
lawful trespass of their rights, has been reproduced.
And to make the parallel, complete, Canada has
the prototype of Charles the First, in the person of
Sir John Macdonald the Prime Minister, of whom
it may be said, as of Charles the First : — " his
promises were violated without scruple or shame ! "

It would seem, that Sir John, not only bartered the
inherited rights of the Metlakahtlans to the Church
Missionary Society, but, also hired himself out to
that body as its advocate. In his report, 1887, as
Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, of the
Dominion of Canada, he ignores and says not a word
.ibout the correspondence, and evidences of their
grievances, placed before liim by the Metlakahtlans ;
nor, does he say a word, about his own official prom-
ises which he so wantonly violated, but he proceeds
to cover up his infamy, by reiterating statements,
which originated with the Society, and which he
knows by positive evidt,nces,to be absolutely untrue.

3i8

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

In referring to the Metlakahclans' protest against
the survey, he says their action was " it is feared,
the result of evil counsel given them by those who
should, from the position occupied by them, toward
the Indians, have been their advisers for good in-
stead of for evil. This is all the more to be re-
gretted, in view of the fact that one at least if not
more, of those suspected of having used their influ-
ence with the Indians to instigate tliem to the com-
mittal of the acts of lawlessness above described, was
for many years largely instrumental in promoting
their welfare, and indeed in reclaiming them from
their condition as savages. But of late years oiuing
to chagrin at the action of the Church Missionary
Society, in whose service the work had been from
the outset carried on, in refusing its sanction to cer-
tain changes inaugurated or proposed to be intro-
duccd in the ritual of the Church of England at
Metlakahtla, which resulted in the appointment of
Bishop Ridley . . . bitter antagonism has been
displayed ; the former lay incumbent of the mis-
sion, being the leader of a very large contingent of
the Indian population, whose feeling toward Bishop
Ridley and his adherents, has led them to the com-
mission of acts, which cannot even be justified on
the ground of law, much less on that of Christian
amity."

Sir John, knows the history of this contest too
well, to make such a statement through ignorance.
He knows that Mr. Duncan, has not instigated the

THE LAND QUESTION,

319

Indians to revolt, or to lawlessness; and that the
Society and the Government officials alone, have
broken the peace, and committed acts of violence.

A more deliberate misstatement, can hardly be
conceived than Sir John's, declaration, that the rupt-
ure between the Society and the Metlakahtlans,
was brought about by the Society's " I'cf using its
sanction to certain changes inaugurated or proposed
to hc^ introduced in the ritual of the Church of Eng-
land at Metlakahtla " by Mr. Duncan. I have
placed before my readers in Chapters VI. and VII.
abundant evidence, that the change has been solely
on the part of the Society.

It seems almost incredible that this great Min-
ister of State, should find it necessary to resort, to
such petty intrigues against a struggling commu-
nity ; in order to gain his personal ends, and main-
tain his political position.

Mr. Duncan who would not be a tool in the hands
of this man, to rob the Indians, is now pitilessly put
upon and slandered by him.

Nearly two months elapsed after the arrival of
the surveying party, and no steps having been
taken by the Government to bring matters to an
issue, Mr. Duncan left for Victoria. On his arrival
there, he at once proceeded, by invitation, with
other friends of the Indians, to a meeting in the
Provincial Secretary's Office. The whole question
in reference to the Indians' rights, and the atti-
tude they had taken to obstruct the Survey of

320

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

their reserve, was fully discussed. It was evident,
throughout the discussion, that the Provincial Sec-
retary was in k vor of adopting peaceful measures ;
but his colleagues were for coercion. The Govern-
ment had in fact, before Mr. Duncan's arrival at
Victoria, committed itself to a menacing policy, and,
therefore, for its dignity sake, it was hard to re-
nounce such, though shown to be utterly unjust,
and uncalled for. A man-of-war was therefore
despatched.

The following .'igorous editorial from the Indus-
trial News, Victoria, B. C, October 30, 1886, shows
that the harsh, coercive, measures of the Govern-
ment, do not find universal approbation amongst
the white population of British Columbia :

THE METLAKAHTLA TROUBI-E.

"The ' Cormorant'' has been despatched to Metla-
kahtla to enforce the survey. The day the ' Tri-
lunph ' was leaving, word was sent to the Admiral
that the premier, the Hon. Mr. Smithe, wished to
see him very particularly before the vessel left.
The ship was actually detained some little time.
The premier drove down with Captain Troupe, and
thus obtained the order for the despatch of the blue-
jackets to coerce the Indians. This matter requires
looking into more closely than people might at first
imagine. The ivJiolc of this trouble might probably
be traced to the Fort Simpson land grab. Of course
anything relating, even so remotely, to that grab,

THE LAND QUESTION.

321

sits very closely to the premier's heart. To secure
it to his friends, he did not Jicsitatc, in the first in-
stance, to infringe his oath of office and, by so do-
ing, bring disgrace upon the high position he occu-
pies. The cabinet secret which he held, and which
was guarded, not only by his honor as a man, but
by his oath as a minister, he divulc^ed, to enable his
friends to make this grab. It h;;.: been called a
steal ; it is not a steal — it is only n grab, secured by
dishonorable and dishonest met i.s. r-ut while de-
frauding the province, it seems they moreover have
a/armed the Indians. And this la:^t is the difficulty
in the way now.

"These Metlakahtla Indians, thanks to the de-
votion, perseverance, and wonderful management of
Mr. Duncan for thirty years or more, are civilized ;
they no longer are nomads, fhese men build houses
and live in them, know trades and work at them,
till the soil and live from it, and havinsr been tausrJit
the value of a Jiome, they declined to be turned out of
theirs. They are unwilling to allow the surveyors
to enter upon their reservation. Is there anything
strange in that ? There never has been any treaty
betioecn these MetlakaJitla Indians and the Govern-
ment. The Indians are on their oivn land. It is
not to be supposed that they do not know what a
survey is the usual prelude to. Surveyors were
very busy over the Indian reservation opposite the
city just before it was handed over, at a nominal
figure, to Mr. Dunsmuir.

322

THE STORV OF METLAKAHTLA.

" Surveyors have been busy about Fort Simpson,
and their presence was simultaneous with the secur-
in<^ of that grab by the omnipresent Mr. Dunsmuir
and others. The Indians, no doubt, are aware of
all these facts, and they not unnaturally dread the
presence in their midst of these civil engineers and
their instruments. Moreover, they have appealed
to the Dominion authorities, and asked for a proper
and legal inquiry into their case. They do not pre-
tend to place themselves in antaj^oni'sni to constituted
authority, they o)ily deny the claim made to their
land, and ask the hearing e7>ery proprietor is entitled
to before being dispossessed. There is nothing un-
lawful in that so far, and furthermore their applica-
tion has been granted, and the investigation they
demand, promised them. This is the first and most
important cause of trouble, l-lound it, of course,
circulate others. A ritualistic bishop, whom nature
intended for the more congenial occui)ation, of super-
intending the decking of mimic altars by baby-girls,
has managed to mix himself ui) in the matter.

'* Mr. Duncan was Christianizing these i)eople,
and, what is more important to the State, civilizing
them. As soon as they got to know enough to
take in the fact that it was their duty to support
their clergyman, of course a bishop of the Church
of iLnglanil came to the front to take the living.
And for the punishment of the unknown sins of
these unfortunate Indians, the choice Is said to
huvc fallen un a ritualist.

THE LAND QUESTION.

323

to
nrt
rch

" All bishops, we know, are high, no matter how
broad, or how low they may have been as clergy-
men. Ritualism means sacerdotal power extended.
Now these ill-used aborigines, who, no doubt, have
found it difficult enough to master the first princi-
ples of the Christian creed, will have an opportunity
to exercise their half-awakened intellects over the
subtle distinctions, that separate the Ritualist from
the Romanist. They will be told of the horrors of
the papistical confessional, but advised when in
trouble, and the spirit moves them, to seek relief by
])ouring the full tale of their sins, into the ear of
their fatherly spiritual master. The absurdity of
the Romish doctrine of transubstantiation, will be
imi)ressed upon them, and at the same time, they
will be advised to go fasting to the Holy Com-
munion ; they will be told that it is not the real
presence, but they must think it is, and treat the
bread with the same reverence, ai)proach it with the
same fear, bow to it with the sanie fervor as if it
were. These pretty little dis'.'nctions withtnit dif-
ferences, these posturings and twistings, genullex-
ions and eastward inclinations, that they have been
taught to look at with distrust, will no doubt be
grafted upon them if his lordship has his way, so
tinit in a short t'me we siiall have a popul.ition,
neither Catholic or I'rolL-slant, simply heathens de-
jjiiveil of tiu.'ir idols.

"It is said that Sir Matthew Bi-gbie's name i.s
used as the authorit)- for instructions to the com-

324

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

mander of the gun-boat, in the event of the Indians
resisting the survey, to seize Mr. Duncan and bring
him down here and try him for conspiracy. It is
somewhat difficult to decide what the Chief Justice
might not say or do. Before the exposure which lias
accomi)anied the Sproulecase we certainly would not
have believed him capable of making such a speech.
Now, we should not be astonished to hear that he
had added : ' and bring him before me, I'll try him.'
"These Indians having appealed to the Domin-
ion authorities for an investigation. Il7n' ts this
sur7'cy being forced 11070 / It is because tlie Premier
feels that it is absolutely necessary to dt ive these
men to resistance, and by starting a small Indian
'ivar draw attention from his oivn dishonorable do-
ings. Must Mr. Duncan be cast into gaol and sub-
jected to the tender mercies of such a man as Sir
Mattliew Hegbie, in order that IJishop I^idley may
enjo)' .) living, sport a beretta, and teach the Indian
maidens to decorate his altar and attend hi;-' con-
fessional ? If the government for a moment imagine
that the people of British Columbia are going to
tolerate anything of the kind, they are egregiously
mistaketi. //" there has been any consf>iraey, it has
been on the part of those who have combined to rob
the Indians and rob the Pro'eince, and the head and
front of that conspiracy is the lion. William Smithe,
the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, loho
violated his oath of office in order to enable liis asso-
ciates to make the grab."

THE LAND QUESTION.

325

The man-of-war arrived at Metlakahtla. The
Indians were treated as criminals and ei^ht of the
supposed leaders arrested, taken to Victoria 600
miles from their homes, and thrown into prison.
As to the house the Indians had b'.iilt on the two
acres — the Chief Justice granted an injunction to
pull it down, and took occasion at the same Lime
to declare, " the Indians Jiavc no rights in the land'"
and to treat the words of Lord Dufferin with scorn
and contempt.

In the face of these trying circumstances the Ind-
ians controlled themselves both nobly, and bravely ;
submitting quietly to the mandates of the author! •

tV'S.

Cowardly {)rostitutifm of official trust, is openly
charged by the British Columbians, against the au-
thorities ; their acts speak for themselves. Nothing
is sacred that comes within the snap of the maw of
these voracious Land vultures I

Might — asserting its supremacy over right, sends
flagrant injustice unabashed to drive the Indians
from their homes.

How lontr nn/i generie differenees, be held up as
an argument to preelud: the Indian^ from the ea-
paeity of experieneing that love of home, and
eountryy whieh is preaehed u/> as one of the eardinal
virtues of the human family /

From the time of Captain Coc^k's voyages, nearly
ever .piorer, records the strong attachment of tlie
North I'acitk Natives, to their land. They have

320

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

an emphatic and distinct idea, of personal, and
tribal rights of property. Admiral Mayne R.N.
reports : —

" On our way we stopped at the northern settle-
ment on Admiral Island, as it had been reported
that some Indians had been troublesome there.
We found, however, that the Indians had been
doing nothing more than to tell the settlers occa-
sionally, as Indians do everywhere, that they (the
whites) had no business there except as their guests,
and, that all the land belonged to them.

" It appeared to be most desirable here, as at
other places, that the Indians should be duly paid
for their land."

The official policy of defrauding the Indians, and
dividing the spoils, is not a new one in British Co-
lumbia, though it has in the past, been conducted
with such artfulness, as not to attract much public
attention.

'I'he belief that the attitude of the Canadian
Government, — toward its Indian subjects has been
universally humane, and just, is a pojiular, but an
egregious error. IJancroft writing of the British
C'ohnubian Indians says: —

" The cruel tnac/i cries, and massacres by which
nations h;ive been thinned, and flickering remnants
of once powerful tribes gathered on Cfovernjnent
reservations, or, reduced ton handful of begij^ars,
dependent for a livelihood on charity, theft, or the
ivtijfcs of prostitution, form an unwritten Chapter in

THE LAND QUKSTION.

327

the history of this region. That this process of
duplicity was unnecessary as well as infamous, I
shall not attempt to show, as the discussion of Ind-
ian policy forms no ))art of my present purpose.
Whatever the cause, whether I'rom an inhumane
civili/xd policy or the decrees of fate, it is evident
that the Columbians, in common with all the abo-
rigines of America, are doomed to extermination."

In illustration of the high-minde-d sense of justice
of the men who arc now schemint^ to rob the na-
tives of their land, 1 will cite an incident from the
career as magistrate of Dr. I lelmcken,'"' one of the
present land-grab leaders. While Dr. Ilelmcken
was in the dual emjiloyment, of the Crovernment
and Hudson's Bay Co. three sailors deserted. Indi-
ans were hired to pursue them, with orders to bring
them back dead or alive — the Indians shot them
down in the forest, and returning produced evi-
dences that they h.id killed them all, and were duly
paid the promised reward.

" Nt)w mark the course of justice pursued by the
officers of the imperial government. Instead of
procee(h"ng against the ii.stigators of the murder,
and arresting the officers of the 1 1 nelson's Bay Com-
pany, as they should have dotie, they direct the
full force of their vengeance against the natives.
IIihtukvH, the newly fiedged magistratt'f cognisant

* Bnnrriift's History Hiitisli Columbia, sec Appendix of this vol*
umc fur full agcouiit.

328

THE STOKV or METLAKAIITLA.

of the whole affair^ and locll knozoing 20/10 were the
guilty persons, and ivhat hand he himself had in it,
goes to the Newittce camp, twelve miles distant,
and loudly demands the surrender of the murderers.
The savages acknowledge the murder, but plead
that they were only executing orders. Truer to
themselves and to the right than were the white
men, they refuse to give up the perpetrators of the
deed, but offered to give up the property paid them
by the white men for the commission of the crime.
This did not satisfy the Vawoi^cixw Jiistiee-dealers.
Servants of the Hudson's Bay Company. Some
one must be punished ; and as they did not loish
to hang themsek'es, they must find 7'ietims among
their instruments. As the magistrate was unable
to accomplish their purpose, Wellesley sent a force
under Lieutenant Burton, in three boats of the
*■ Dicdalus'' against the Newittees. Fmding their
camp deserted, Burton destro)'ed the village, and
made a bonfire of all the pro[)erty he could find.
The following summer, 1 1. M. S. ' Daphne,' Cap-
tuin Fanshawe arriveil. Meanwhile the Newittees
had rebuilt their village, supposing the white men
satisfied with the injury already indicted. One day
while holding a potlach,and being at peace, as they
believed, with the white men, the ^Daphne's'' boats,
under Lieutenant Lacy, crej)t into their liarbor, and
announced their arrival by a discharge of musketry.
Men, women, and children were mercilessly cut
down, persons innocent of any thought of wrong

THE LAND QUESTION.

329

against their murderers, and their village again de-
stroyed. Then the ' Daphne' su.\\cd away. Justice
was satisfied ; and Blenkinsop and the rest of them
went about their work as usual."

Who now will question, the propriety of Dr.
I Iclmrkcn's, sitting in judgment upon the rights
of the Natives ?

The Indian's bitter cry for mercy, has found no
lodgment in the hearts, of the avaricious admin-
istrators, who have not only ignored the natives an-
cient land rights, but, have also ignored official
pledges to these poor oppressed, and long-suffering,
but, loyal subjects of Queen Victoria.

Again and again, has the bitter cry been wailed,
but ever with the same heartless response :

I cjuote the following extract from an address
delivered some time since by the chief of the Nana-
imo Indians, to the Governor:

"You, OUR GuEAr Chief: We, the Nanaimo
Indians, have long wanted to see you and speak our
hearts to you, and we want Mr. Crosby to translate
our words. . . .

" \Vc li'diit to keep our land here and up the river.
Some white men tell us we shall soon have to re-
move again ; but we don't want to lose these re-
serves. All our other land is i^one, and 7ce have
been paid very little for it. God gave it to us a long
time ago, and nozv we are very poor, and do not kmnv
IV here our homes will be if ive leave this, IVe want
our land up the river to plant for food. Mr. Doug-

330

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

lass said it should be ours and our children s after
zuc are gone. We hope you, our new chief, will
say the same. We have 300 people in our tribe,
though a number are away fishing now. Many
are old and not able to work, and some of our
children, who have neither father and mother, have
no clothes. We hope you will be kind to them.
Our hearts are good to all white people, and to
you, our great chief. We hope you will send our
words to the great Queen. We pray that the
Great Spirit may bless her and you. This is all our
hearts to-day."

Similar prayers are being offered to-day by out-
raged natives on every hand ; sacred pledges to
them have been violated, their lands, illegally seized,
and sold, in spite of their protests. They have
found the Indian agents to be in league with the
trespassers, and partners in the profits. From the
Government, if answers come at all, they are couched
in artful phrases, or words without meaning. They
are granted, — from their own inherited land — such
meagre reserves as suits their iron-handed masters,
with intimations *' that beggars should not be
choosers," and that gun-boats, or artillery will an-
swer remonstrances ; thus, making bitter oppression
more bitter.

As if to afford these despairing Indians further
evidence — if such is needed — of the insecurity of
tenure they hold over reserves set apart for them
in British Columbia — it has lately come to their

THE LAND QUESTION.

oj'

knowledge ; that Sir John Macdonald on his visit to
Victoria in the summer of 1886, took upon himself
to sell the Indian reserve in the vicinity of Vic-
toria, for $60,000, or about one quarter of its value,
to a wealthy citizen of the Province. In this trans-
action the Premier, did not even consult the Ind-
ians who owned the reserve.

If then the Superintendent-General of Indian
Affairs, can when it pleases him, dispose of an
Indian reserve, which was settled by solemn agree-
ment, and legally defined by documents many
years ago, — signed and sealed— as was the reserve
just sold— how much easier will reserves set apart
arbitrarily by the government, without any legal
document intervening, be at the mercy )f his will ?

Dr. Powell, the present Dominion Superinten-
dent of Indian Affairs for British Columbia, wrote
the following letter to Mr. Duncan, shortly before
the rupture :

••British Columbia Tnhian Oikice,

Victoria, August, 1879.

" Sir : Referring to my recent visit to the vil-
lage of Metlakahtla, may I beg to convey to you
my acknowledgments for the kindness, courtesy,
and co-operation with official duties you were good
enough to extend to me while at the mission. I
cannot conclude without heartily congratulating you
on the wonderful effects of your arduous mission
labors among the Tsimsheans for the last twenty
years. I consider tliat you have performed a great

332

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

and noble work in reclaiming from ignorance and
barbarism a most useful, contented, and law-abiding
community, the effect of which is not confined to
your own locality, but is felt and highly appreciated
by all the Northern tribes.

" At Queen Charlotte's Island, ... I found
your name highly respected, and an ardent desire
generally prevalent among the Hydahs to partici-
pate in the great reforms you have been chiefly
instrumental in creating among the Tsimshean
Indians.

" Personally, I wish you every success, and I
shall not fail to acquaint the Honorable Superin-
tendent-General, with the loyal feeling, and great
progress in civilization, I saw so fully exhibited
among the Indians during my brief and pleasant
sojourn at Metlakahtla. I have the honor to be,
sir, your obedient servant,

" J. W. Powell,

' ' Indian Superintendent. ' '

Since then Dr. Powell has soiled his hands by
collusion with the land grabbers, even participating
in the spoils. It is obvious that he now feels it
incumbent upon himself, to justify the recent out-
rages, by making the following statements in his
report to the Dominion Government ; statements,
ivliieh he knows beyond a question to be absolutely
false.

He says : — " The most violent efforts have been
made by Mr. Duncan's adherents to seize the prop-

THE LAND QUESTION.

333

ins:

erty and drive the Bishop thence. Threatening
notices, riotous assaults, and every kind of intimi-
dation, have for the long period which has since
elapsed, been tried in vain, and the place has only
been held, it would appear vi ct.annis" . . .

The Metlakahtlans " have taken possession of
the jail, or provincial lock-up, holding the keys
and they do not hesitate to impose fines, or im-
prisonment, upon any whom their boycotting sys-
tem cannot reach."

To this he adds several other misstatements,
which originated with the Society's Agents, and
have appeared in the Society's publications. Had
Dr. Powell desired to tell the truth, he had every
facility for testing the Society's charges ; the slight-
est investigation of which, would have proved them
to be without foundation.

The authorities, are evidently startled by the in-
dignant outcry of the Indians, which is reaching
them from nearly every quarter of British Columbia,
in regard to the land robberies ; and see' ;, that an
Indian war, or, a popular outburst, now threatens.
Dr. Powell endeavors to shield the Dominion of-
ficials, first by manufacturing a case against the
Metlakahtlans, and then throwing the entire blame
of the threatened uprising of the Indians, upon the
Provincial officials, who have shared in plunder-
ing them.

Dr. Powell in a recent report, thus speaks of the
Punic faith of the Provincial Government : " Even

334

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the promises of the joint Reserve Commission, have
not so far been carried out, or, acknowledged, and
in some instances, indeed, reserves of land solemnly
assigned to them have been alienated and sold.

" It is therefore luonderful, to report to you, a peace-
ful condition among any of the tribes thus treated,
and certainly one's congratulations cannot be at-
tended under such circumstances, with any consci-
ousness of the ordinary fairness or justice.

" Great inconvenience in dealing with Indians
arises from the conflicting nature of the relations
of the Dominion and Provincial Authorities toward
them."

Sir John Macdonald's virtuous indignation, is
evidently aroused, by the course pursued by the
Provincial Government of British Columbia. In
his recently published report, he says : —

" A serious complication has been occasioned
owing to the sale by the Provincial Government of
the reserve of the Sha-ma-us, land after it had been
allotted to those Indians" . . . and " The sale
by the Provincial Government of the meadow lands
on this [the En-ke-mip] reservation, has also occa-
sioned great dissatisfaction among these Indians."

The British Columbian authorities, as a matter
of course, justify their action, by accusing Sir John
Macdonald of like guilt, in arbitrarily selling the re-
serve above alluded to, though the Indians held it
by a sacred title, officially accorded by the state.
Thus, the Dominion and Provincial officials, in

THE LAND QUESTION.

335

their recriminations charge each other with bad
faith.

It is to be hoped, that, " if the rogues fall out
honest men may yet get their dues !"

What a complete contradiction do we find in this
situation, and policy, to the policy upheld by that
wise, and noble statesman. Earl Dufferin, a man
whose soul of honor, renders him invulnerable to
corruption or duplicity. Read his words : —

" TJie purchase of the Indian title upon liberal
terms is recogniaed as a necessary preliminary to the
occupation of a single square yard of native terri-
tory. . . .

" Let me assure you that so long as I administer
the government of this country, every Indian sub-
ject, no matter what his tribe, what his nation, or
what his religion, will find in me a faithful friend
and sure protector." . . .

" Even the Indian in his forest, or oA his reserve,
would marshal forth his picturesque symbols of
fidelity, in grateful recognition of a Government, that
never broke a treaty, or falsified its plighted ivord,
to the red man (great applause) or failed to evince
for the ancient children of the soil, a wise, and con-
scientious solicitude." ...

THE PLEDGE OF BRITAIN'S WORD.

" The people of Canada and the people of Brit-
ain, will not cease to recognize the obligations
which have been imposed upon them by the hand

336

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

of Providence, toward the Tndian fellow-subjects,
and NEVEF^ shall the word, of BurrAiN once
PLEDGED, BE BROKEN, but, from one end of the
Dominion to the other every Indian subject, shall
be made to feel diat he enjoys the riijhts of a
freeman, and that he can with confidence appeal
to the British Crown for protection."

In the hands of Earl Dufferin the pled|jjcd word
of Britain, was sacred and inviolable, it is left to
the Crovernmcnt of Sir John MacdonaKd, and the
contcmpor\ry Government of British Columbia, to
dishonor t/inf p/cdi^c, and inconsequently betray
the trust imjiosed in them by the peojile, to ^^uard
the welfare of even the weakest, and lowliest of the
Queen's subjects. These Britons, make of these
liritir.h pledges, " ropes of sand," to the dishonor of
their country and their Queen.

I would not have my readers infer that T charsj^c
the. />(V/>/r .>t Crreat Britain, or ihc pro/i/r oi Canada,
with this grievous outra;^e up<Mi the sacred rights of
their loyal fellow-subjects, perpetrated by corrupt
I )ominion and Provincial olDcials, who, have dared to
l^rostitute the powers vested in them, by the crown,
and the people, to serve their own ]>ersonal ends.

I bi'lievc that tht; hearts of the Eni^lish, Scotch,
Irish, Welsh and (^anadian people, when they read
this sad story of wron^, will bleed in s)'mpathy
with the poor down-troddi-n Metlakahtlans, and
would rescue tluMU from their unhapp)' plit,du, were
they not tliemselves, conimensurately tied hand and

CARVED TOTEM t'OI.B.

THE LAND QUESTION.

337

foot, by an official system, that renders them as
individuals, helpless zeros.

Were the people of Great Britain, free to voice

. and act their sentiments to-day; without fear, or

favor, we should hear no more of Irish and Scotch

crofters' grievances, hut, n.ther, right — justice —

truth, would prevail throughout all Greater Britain.

I have lived too much in England, and admire too
much, the true type of Briton, and his proverbial
love of fair-play, to believe that, that race, as a race,
at heart would defend oppression; — they are emi-
nently a just though long-suffering ])eople, who in
their conservatism, will endure wrong to the last
degree, before they risk an outburst for redress.

In Mr. Duncan, we have a true sterling type of
Englishman— with that full measure of British
j)luck — heroism — persistence — endurance, that has
characterized his greatest countrymen, and has
given Kngland lier present i)roud position, among
the nations of the earth.

Ignoring all precedents in British and American
law, and custom, the Indians of British Columbia,
without con(iuest, treaty, or compensation, are de-
clared t(^ have no rights in the land, which has been
()ccui)ieil for centuries, by them, or their ancestors,
this, tluMr land is now claimed to be the jiropi-rty
of the ()ucen, while these," ancient children of the
soil" are beggared, and allowed, but the meanest
scraps of earth out of the charity, and bounty, of
the crown !

33S

THK STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

The United States of America, have great reason
to feel humiliated by the history of their treatment
of the Aborigines, but the one great principle, which
is also recognized by Great Britain, has at all times
prevailed and been maintained. Namely, the Indian
has the right of possession which can only be taken
from him by conquest, or obtained through treaty,
or compensation. It may be, that this has been,
but a fontty and a mockery, perhaps, a jug of rum, or
a blanket, or a pint of glass beads, in payment for
a vast province, but the principle quid pro (/no —
has always been sustained.

To wrest propert)' from a man, because he has not
the power to resist, is not a wliit better than highway
robbery, whether performed by an unscrui)ulous in-
dividual, or by an unscrupulous Government.

Sir John Macdonald has fixed u[)on himself, but
shame, and ignominy; by the cowardly duplicity,
which has characterized his treatment of the Met-
lakahtlans : he has displayed to perfection, that
fox-like cunning, and artfulness, which many con-
sider, tlic proper attributes of a professional poli-
tician.

After solemn, and repeated promises to the Met-
lakahtlans of relief and adjustment, of their griev-
ances; to ignore their prayers, and to barter for his
own political gain their land, atul their religious
liberty to their relentless enemies; has earned him
the title of the lUtraycr of the I'oor, the merciless
Oppressor of tiic VV^eak.

CHAPTER X.

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

To-DAV we find the Metlakahtlans in sore dis-
tress, disheartened, crushed, impoverished, by the
combined intrigues, and brutal acts of church and
state.

They have been pursued, harassed, and maligned,
•by a religious society, in the name of Christ. They
have been galled beyond endurance with c.ael per-
secution, and, that too, maintained with the misap-
plied pennies, wrung from the duped poor of ling-
land, who in tender pity have thus shared their
scanty means, with intent to send a ray of light, and
blessing, to heathen peoples they imagined still
more wretched than themselves.

Theyliave been betrayed, trampled upon, robbed
and traduced by the (rovernment, whose sworn
duty it is, to protect them as loyal British subjects,
in tlieir rights of property, and religious liberty.

The hour has struck. -A climax has come. —
These down-trodden peoj)le, unable to secure jus-
tice, civil or religious liberty in the land of their
forefathers; have now resolved, to

sceK relu

ige in

340

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

Alaska, under ♦^^he United States Government, whose
constitution is founded upon principles of justice,
and freedom, to all manj<ind.

, After serious and prolonged deliberations, the
Metlakahtlans have decided, that they have reached
that limit, beyond which, their endurance, and sub-
mission to the servile yoke of oppression, and re-
ligious intolerance, would cease to be a virtue.
*' What an English King has no right to demand
an English Subject has a right to refuse — "* "Is
not protection as justly due from a king to his
people, as obedience from the people to their king ?"t
In their straitened circumstances, they are unable
to bear the great expense incumbent upon sending
a deputation, to lay their case before her Majesty
Queen Victoria, whom they truly believe, would
have sympathy with them, and do them justice,
could she but know the truth, and depths of their
wrongs. Furthermore, they have already wasted
much of their substance in sending their deputation,
on the vain mission to the (rovernment at Ottawa,
and in obtaining legal advice. Their finances arc
also considerably depleted by the Bishop's sliop
trick.

Still more serious, however is the hard fact,
that at court they would encounter the invincible
opposition of the Church party, in the form of that
great, wealthy, and influential society, with its

John Ilninpdcn.

f Hcnjiimin Krniiklin.

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

341

vaunted million a year, whose officers have halted
at no underhanded means to effect their downfall.

They would likewise meet at Court, the resistance
of that powerful, and corrupt Colonial Government
of Canada, which in order to cover its own perfidy,
and that of the Provincial Government, coiUc que
cofltCy would denounce them as lawless, and fight
them " nail and tootJu'

All who know by experience what a net-work of
red tape '* doth hedi^e about " the throne, know how
futile, would be a mission from the Metlakahtlans
in the face of such overwhelming, and unscrupu-
lous opposition.

How often we have seen the nominal potentates,
or emissaries, of the aboriginal inhabitants of vari-
ous parts of the Queen's domains, like Tawahwai
King of the Maories of New Zealand, seeking at the
Court of St. James redress for grievous wrong ;
only to be feasted, exhibited, placated with empty
promises for the morrow, then, to return to their
people with the pleasures of a hope never to be re-
alized.

Civilization has shorn the Tsimshcans of their
resistant strength and terrors. Once, they were
powerful and brave in warfare, and any invasion of
their rights was met with valiant disputation. Such
is only a memory now. No longer do their dusky
warriors, decked and plumed, thirsting for blood
and spoils, take to the war-path, to return, if at all,
— in triumphant glory to recount their deeds of vai-

342

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

or, to youth and maidens who listen with throb-
bing hearts, and chant, and dance, to the honor of
their favorite lieroes.

These braves of other days, in yielding to civiliza-
tion ; and in their pursuit of knowledge, have sur-
rendered themselves to the mercy of white men.
Shall these helpless people, now be crushed, and
robbed, because they are unable to defend their
rights ? Who does not despise the burly bully, who
wrenches the penny from the cripple — why then
should we respect a government, which in its power,
and majesty, robs, and grinds under foot, its weaker
subjects, because they cannot strike back ?

But even take the Indian in his savage state,
what chance has he, with his bow and arrows, his
lance, his scalping-knife, h'". tomahawk, or, even the
musket ; against a powerful disciplined army of
whites with the modern machinery of warfare?

On what principle of right and equity, can we
justify the strong in trampling upon the weak.
— Alas, *' man's inhumanity to man makes countless
millions mourn." And it would seem that the car
of civilization has advanced more like that of Jug-
ernaut, than as an ambulance.

I do not approach this subject as a sentimental-
ist ; it was my fate, to be in the midst of Little
Crow's great Sioux war in Minnesota, and witness
some of the most blood-curdling scenes : when
several thousands of the white settlers, men,
women, and children were brutally massacred ;

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

343

among whom were my intimate friends. The
fiendish atrocities, of these infuriated savages, have
never been surpassed. My hatred for red-skins
was then, so intensified by these horrors, that I, in
common with many, regarded them- as so many
reptiles, and their extermination but meet and just.
However, on careful study of the cause of that
war; and a retrospection of nearly all our Indian
wars; I have found the Whites injustice and out-
rages, upon the Indians the primal cause. Bancroft,
well said in speaking of the policy of extermination,
in retaliation for some treacherous outrage, or dia-
bolical act of cruelty, perpetrated by the Indians to
avenge some invasion of their rights — "judged by
this standard has not every nation on earth incurred
the death penalty ? Human nature is in nowise
changed by culture. The European is but a white-
washed savage. Civilized venom is no less virulent
than savage venom." As a rule, white men in put-
ting the sincU of gunpowder into the nostrils of
savages, have been actuated by no humane motives.

I have had the privilege of studying the Aborigi-
nes in various parts of North, Central, and South
America; and my experience has led me to believe,
that all have in them the germ of manhood ; a germ,
that may be developed for good or for evil, accord-
ing to surrounding conditions.

During the autumn of 1886 while on a hunting
trip of several months in the wild forests of i^^aine
and Canada, starting from Kineo, Moose Head

344

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Lake ; most of the time far beyond the reach of
habitations ; I had as my guide Louis Ketchum, a
Penobscot Indian ; famed, as the most expert hunt-
er and river driver in all that region. Through-
out our cruise of something over a thousand miles,
in our birch-bark canoes ; by the intimacy of con-
stant companionship, I had a rare opportunity of
studying his mental traits, his own ideas of life ;
and of listening, to his analysis of the white men,
with whom he had come in intimate contact while
serving them as guide : Among these were such
men as the Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, IVLirk Twain
and others of renown ; and, I venture to believe
that no critic could ever penetrate more keenly, or
depict more vividly, the true inwardness of these
men than did this Indian. Ketchum's knowledge
of nature ; human, brute and inanimate, I found
something amazing ; and this, he has acquired
solely from observation.

Whatever he did, he did in a masterly man-
ner. He commanded my unbounded admiration,
whether by his subtle arts in tracking or decoy-
ing game as he led me to the chase ; or, by his
quick judgment and action when suddenly over-
taken, and imperilled, by a squall, far from shore in
the great mountain lakes ; or, by his expedients and
endless resources, in improvising our shelter-camps ;
or, as with a nerve and muscle of iron he advanced
before in his own gracefully modelled canoe, to pilot
mc through the furious, boiling, bounding rapids,

NATIVE WOOD-CAKVING.

an
pr
HI
Ici
m
ev
of
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hi
hi
tc
cc
m
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t
t

SEEKING IIOML: AND IREEDOM.

345

anticipating and meeting every surge, trick, and
prank, of the treacherous, eddying waters ; gliding
like a serpent around, or between the threatening
ledges and bowlders; alert, but fearless and im-
mobile, while I, though not a novice, and with
every desire to be brave, could not resist a degree
of trepidation as I followed after, in my frail '' Poca-

ho7itas"

Ketchum, is a true genius and a hero too ; for he
has many times courageously risked his life to save
his fellows. Honest as the day is long, an untu-
tored man, and yet having a remarkable insight and
comprehension of men and things. With his
mental capacity and desire for knowledge, had his
mind been turned to other pursuits, and had he had
the advantages of education, he would I believe
have commanded respect in any calling. This
Indian is no phenomenon but the prototype, of a
vast number of Aborigines of the American Conti-

ennt. "

The red man in so far as he demonstrates his ca-
pacity, has just as good a right, human and divine,
to demand a foothold and rank in the category of
humanity, as has the white man ; and, especially is
this so, when we find him raised in a single genera-
tion from the grossest savagery, to a condition in
which he rivals the white man in his letters, and in

his arts.

It is gratifying to note, that while Canada has so
unfortunately taken a backward step in her Indian

546

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

policy, the American nation has awakened to the
realization, and recogni*"ion of the fact, that the
Aborigines have an equal right to justice and equity
with all mankind. In Canada under the present
administration, there are being enacted such out-
rages upon the rights, and liberties, of the natives of
the soil, as are a disgrace to any civilized country.
On the otlier hand, in the United States a better
spirit prevails, and Congress supported by the Gov-
ernment, has during the last session passed laws
which give our Indians, in severalty, every right and
privilege that is enjoyed by white men undc" the
same conditions.

In this the fiftieth year of the reign of Queen
Victoria, when her loyal and frugal subjects, the
Met. lakahtlans would gladly ami joyously join in
tht- jubilee, they are expatriateil, and, driven by th^j
ojjpression of her unworthy representatives, to seek
in a foreign land, freed(Mii of worship, and homes
that shall be secure to their children, and their chil-
dren's children.

At the last Christmas day festival, for the lirst
time in the history of Mellakahlla, no liritish (lag
was raised, and singing "(lod Save The Queen"
was omitted; "Mold the lH)rt " was sung in it3
stead. This out of no disrespect, to the good laiiy,
whom they have been taught to honor, but, because
tiiuy have been denieil, the righis of loyal siibjects,
by those niisn-prcscnfrfivi's of the crown, who rule
over their country, and from 'u'/toin^ they might well

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

347

raise their voices in chanting " Gcd Save The
' Queen, and her people.'"'

Unanimously, the.sc people resolved to place
themselves beyond the reach of their persecutors,
by migrating to Alaska ; the southern boundary of
which territory, is only thirty miles distant from
MetlakahLla. To this end, they turned to their
staunch benefactor Mr. i)uncan, who had ever
pledged his constancy, in any consistent and peaceful
policy. They delegated him with full powers to
act for them, to visit VVaslr.igton, and lay their case
before the United Stater, (iovernnient. Some of the
leading citizens of IJp'tisn Columbia, having watched
the course of cruel events, and having vainly joined
in protests against the repeated outrages, perpetrated
upon the iMetlakahtlans, both by the Society, and
the State ; and seeing justice denied them by both
the Provincial and Mo^ninion (lovernments, drew
u[) and signed the tlocument — which I publish in
my Introduction, heartily indorsing, ami commend-
ing the MLtlakalUlans' cause, to the American peo-
ple.

Mr. Duncan \\\v^ been cordially and sympatlieti-
cally receive d, anil the case of the Metlakahtlan.s
carefully considei 'd by His Kxcellency I'resiilent
Cleveland, the Secretary of the Int'-rior, the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, the Attorney-detieral, the
Commissioner of Indian Affans, the (iovernor ( f
Alaskii and the AgeiU-Cieneral for lulucalioii, in
Alaska.

348

THE STORY UF METLAKAHTLA.

Every cncourajxement has been given Mr. Duncan,
in this matter, that is consistent with International
courtesy.

The following correspondence will explain it-
self :—

" Washington, D. C, Feb. 9, 1.S87.
" The Honokahee the Si-:cketary of the
Treasurv, Washington, D. C.

" Sn< : I have :he honor to address you o.. Oi ,ui{
of a communitv of Tsinishean Indi.ns numbering
about 1,000 souls now located at Metlakahtla, iJrit-
ish Columbia, near the border of Alaska, and in
whose interests, I have been deputed to visit Wash-
ington.

" Tiiis people for over twenty years, have been
struggling their way to civilized life, and their sub-
stantial i)rogress has won for them, the admiration
of all who have visited their settlement.

"Of 'ate years, however, their prosperity has been
cruelly arrested by the untoward action of the Pro-
vincial Ciovernment in reference to the land (lues-
tion.

" It would seem that British Columbia hr.s as-
sumed that the hulians have no rights in tlie land,
and a land policy has been adopted there, altogether
foreign lo the edicts, and usage, which lu c been fi)l-
lowed in all other parts ot Canada.

" The Indians thus wronged are driven almost t ■
desperation, but rather than proceed to hostilities

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

3^:9

It-

'll K

they have decided to abandon their home and seek,
protection under the American fla^.

" They are now looking anxiously to this country
for sympathy, and for permission to build them-
selves a village in Alaska.

" The losses involved in such a removal, to such
a poor people are very appalling, and, hence the
burden of my letter — which is — that if you can by
any lawful means, permit them to take into Alaska
their belongings free of duty, you will confer a great
faVor upon a deserving and suffering community.

" I have the honor to be, Sir, yours very respect-
fully, VV. Duncan."

[Indorsed]

" I most earnestly indor'".c the foregoing request.
The removal of these civilized and largely educated
Indians into Alaska toill not only add a nnmhcr of
industrial enterprises, but, have a very benefieial ef-
feet upon ilie Natives of that Territory, They ivill
vutke ^ood industrious eitizens whose influenee upon
the Native tribes of Alaska will go far toward their
complete civilization.

A. 1\ SWTNEFORD,

Governor of Alaska.

[Tndorscdl

" I liave knoxx"'. Mr. Duncan, and his people for
the last ten years.

•• Have visited them and ins])ecte(l their in(hi«-
tries upon two dilferent occasions, and consider his

350

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

settlement the most advanced in civilization of any
native people on the Pacific Coast,

" The transfer of these people to the American
side of the international boundary line, will be very
advantageous to Alaska and the United States. —
So much so, that it is the part of wisdom to give
them every encouragement.

the taking down of their present frame
hou- , removing them to the American side, and
re-erecting them out of the old material, will involve
serious pecuniary losses to them, 1 hope that so far
as you have discretionary power in the matter, you
will prevent their being troubled with custom dues.

" yi fciu years ai^o Co/ijrrcss zciis ready to vote a
large sum of money to eneourage a eolony of leeland-
vrs to remove to Alaska. Surely the Government
ean afford to eneourage these people xvho ask for no
money help. Truly yours,

SiiKi-DoN Jackson,
U. S. General Agent of lid neat ion ^ in Alaska.'^

*' Division of Customs, Trkasuky DKrAUTMRNT,

Form 3. (II. F. 268.) Oikick oi' thk Skcukiaky,

Wasiiington, 1). C., I'cbrunry n, 1887.

"Mr. \V. Duncan, care of Bureau of Education,
Washington, D. C.

"Sir: N'ou are hereby referred to the collector
of Customs at Sitka, Ala.\ka, for the Dc[)artment'.s
tlecisionof this ihitc, on the case mentioned in your
letter dated theVjth instant, relative to the free entry

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

351

of the effects of certain Indians into that Territory.
A copy of the Department's letter to the Collector
is enclosed herewith. Respectfully yours,
(i enc.)

(Signed) C. S. Fairchild,

Assistant Secretary^*

*« (A. T. 268) Treasury Department,

Office of the Secretary,
Washington, D. C, Fcl). 11, 1887.

" Collector of Customs,

L. tka, vMaska.

"Sir: The Department is in receipt of a letter
dated the 9th instant, from Mr. W. Duncan, repre-
senting the community of Tsimshean Indians,
numbering about one thousand souls, now located
at iMellakahtla, British Columbia, near the border
of Alaska, in which, stating that the community
proposes at an early day to move in a body into
Alaska, he asks that their belongings, consisting of
their houses, household furniture, hunting and fish-
ing gear, tools t)f iradc, personal ellects, etc., etc.,
may be admitted free of duty."

" Section 25 1 J, of the l-ievised Statutes, as con-
tained in the act of March 3, i SS3, i)rescribes that
••no duty sliall be levied, or coli«^cted on the im-
•' portntion of peltries brought i'.io the Territories
••of the llniled St.ites by Indians, nor on the
••proper goods and effects, of whatever nature, of
•' Indians passing «)i repa>Mliig the boundary line
" aforesaid, ' and the free list also exempts from

352

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" only,' wearing apparel in actual use, and other
" personal effects (not merchandise), professional
" books, implements, instruments, and tools of
" trade occupation, or employment, of persons ar-
" riving in the United States," *' and under these
provisions the Department is of opinion that the
request of Mr. Duncan, may be properly granted
with regard to all of the articles belonging to such
Indians, except such as may be found to consist of
merchandise imported and intended as such for
sale. You will be governed accordingly. Respect-
fully yours,

" (Signed) C. S. Fairchild,

Assistant Secretary.''''

The Secretary of the Treasury's decision, as will
be observed, facilitates the emigration of the Met-
lakahtlans to Alaska, by granting them exemption
from custom duties, on their belongings.

The Secretary of the Interior, acting under the
advice of the Attorney-Cieneral, decided, that all
lands in Alaska being public domain, it is not com-
petent for the President of the United States of
America, to set apart, any reservation in that terri-
tory, and that land in Alaska can only be dealt with
by Congress ; — but, that the Metlakahllaus might
move into Alaska, and settle upon unoccupied land,
reporting the occupancy to the Department. And,
furthermore said, that when the general land laws,
of the United States are extended to Alaska, "ample

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

353

provision will be made to meet the necessities of
all law-abiding inhabitants."

The Territorial Committee of the Senate, has for
some years, had under consideration the subject of
the formation of a Government for Alaska, which
shall meet the requirements of the people. Our
present Territorial system, it is thought does not
exactly meet the needs of the Alaskans, and a
modified form, somewhat resembling the Colonial
system of Great Britain, has been suggested. What-
ever the form adopted, it is sincerely to be hoped,
that it will be so wisely ordered, and administered,
as to prevent the possibility, of the re-occurrence of
such outrages upon life, property, and public de-
cency, as has chararteriried, the earlier history of
Alaska.

It would be a most humiliating culmination of
events, if the Metlakahtlans in seeking homes,
liberty, and protection ; under the beneficent rule of
I 'uclc Sam ; should find themselves, subject to the
whims, and freaks of irresponsible local authorities,
who judging by the past, have not always liealt (nit
even-handed justice ; and furthermore, if they should
find tliemselves intruded upon by unprincipled
adventurers, such as abound upon that coast. Un-
der such circumstances it would seem a precari-
ous venture for the Metlakahtlans, to tear down
their present houses and factories, and re-erect them
in Alaska only to find, that they have but escaped
from Charybdis to fall into the jaws of Scylla.

354

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

As an American Citizen, my own feelings of con-
fidence and reliance, prompt me to believe that the
Mctlakahtlan community, with its thrifty indus-
tries, in seeking refuge in America, will beyond
peradventure be protected, and fostered, by our
liberty-loving people, when once their cause be
known.

President Cleveland, but expressed the popular
feelings of Americans when he said : '■'- a farmer
who builds his little house and sets about the im-
provement of the acres on zuhich he has settled —
when sue It, a man has legally take ft possession of
his 1 60 acres he ought to feel that the Government
is behind him ^ and that if his rights are ever invaded
the Government will stand by him and see that no
ittjtistice is dotted . . .

" This is a Government by the people and for the
people, and the people tight to feel always that its
full force ivill be exercised to protect them from
atty unlawful encroachments. I will go even fur-
ther than that, and say that if by any construction
of the laiv a seeming injustice is done to the Jium-
blest farmer in the ftirthest corner of the land, then
the lazv ought to be changed and changed at once.
I am of the people. I believe in the people, and I
stand by them and with them—first, last and all the
time.'"

The subject, of land laws, and citizenship will
undoubtedly be dealt with simultaneously, with the
forming of a local government. Senator Dawes

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

355

whose " Severalty Bill" promises a new and hope-
ful era in the treatment of the Indians of the
United States — has been appointed Chairman of a
Committee, to visit, and, report upon affairs in
Alaska this summer.

Senator Dawes has already shown a keen interest
in the welfare of the Metlakahtlans, and regards the
establishment of these people in Alaska, as a matter
of great importance, to the future progress, of that
far-off territory. I learn that Mr. Herbert Welsh
whose fruitful efforts in behalf of the Aborigines
of America, are so well known, has espoused the
cause of the Metlakahtlans, and, contemplates a visit
to their village this summer ; his report will be
looked forward to with interest.

Dr. J. A. Tonnerthe U. S. Army Surgeon whose
good services in reforming the sanitary conditions
of the Alaskan Stations, has been so widely recog-
nized, writes : — " In going to Alaska our attention
was drawn to the superior character, and appearance
of the Indians, we saw at Metlakahtla, and I noticed
afterward during their visits to Sitka, the apparent
influence they exercised over the Koloshes, who
bartered their fur for articles manufactured by the
Metlakahtlans.

"The Alaskan Indians evinced a disposition to
copy the Mell.*l ihtlans, and had much to say about
the good white man who had gone to dwell among
the savage Tsimsheans, and in a few years made
Ihem live like white folks.

356

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" During my stay, of a yta.r and a half in Alaska
I was much impressed by the confidence in which
Mr. Duncan was held by his people, and the effec-
tive work he was doing. I sincerely believe that the
proposed transfer of the Metlakahtlans, with their
zealous missionary leader, would be one of the great-
est benefits that could possibly be conferred upon
the Alaskan Indians."

Mr. Wm. H. Dall, in his reports upon his scien-
tific expeditions to the North Pacific, has taken oc-
casion to point out with much emphasis, the folly
of superficial, sectarian missionary methods ; but, he
has heartily indorsed, Mr. Duncan's work, which
he has found imitated with creditable success by
some of the American missionaries in Alaska. Mr.
Dall, has evinced deep sympathy with the Metla-
kahtlans in their troubles, and has expressed his
belief that the migration of these people, and their
leader, would have a powerful influence upon the
wild tribes of Alaska. He says, of Mr. Duncan's
mission, " it is the only really successful Indian
mission on the North West coast, . . . big-
otry, and an unchristian spirit, could hardly be
pushed further than in the case of the Bishop, who
has practically broken up the mission to secure his
own supremacy."

Recently, there has been put forward by some in-
dividuals, a very short-sighted proposition to turn
Alaska into a Penal Colony, to transjiort the crimi-
nals and outcast of the great cities of the United

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

357

States to that Territory, to debauch and drag the
natives to a still lower state of degradation ; there
to create a festering pest-pen, and reproduce the
horrors of Siberia, and thereby, indelibly smirch
the good name of our country.

I cannot believe that the American people, will
ever permit the state governments, to so sneakingly
shirk their responsibilities, in the care and refor-
matory measures necessary to protect the public,
and provide for their criminals, as this base and
cowardly scheme demands.

Nor, do I believe that we shall ever elect an ad-
ministration so blind, and forsooth so irresponsible,
that it will encourage such.

The native y\laskans, however benighted, are our
fellow-subjects, and we owe them justice, and pro-
tection, — the more helpless, the more they deserve
our compassion. It would be an infamous outrage
upon the inherent rights of the people of this un-
organised state, to foist upon them, because they
could not resist us, an eternal pestilence, which would
contaminate every fibre of their social fabric. Such
a course would contradict the fundamental prin-
ciples, and, the traditional policy of our Republic, —
to secure to all equal rights — to foster th • vcak — to
promote progress. It would debase and crush a
struggling Territory ; an act, akin to smothering
an unborn child, though the quickening is a known
fact.

We have heard much of state rights, but what

358

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

can be said of a policy which would so defy the
spirit of our constitution, as to heap the criminals of
all the states like vipers, upon the veiled bosom of
a single embryo territory, to inoculate her with
their envenomed fangs.

Every State should guard her own criminals, and
there is no more justice in New York's debouching
her convicts into Alaska, than for turning them
loose upon Connecticut ! Or, one city to turn her
small-pox patients loose upon the inhabitants of a
neighboring village ! Or, to pour her noisome sew-
age, into the streams from which the neighboring
towns must drink.

The natives of Alaska, in common wit.. ..iC
other natives of the North Pacific, are as a rule in-
tellectually superior to the Aborigines of other
parts of the United States.

Hon. A. P. Swineford, Governor of Alaska, in his
report to the Secretary of the Interior, 1885, says.
They " all arc self-sustaining. These people, it
should be understood, are not Indians. Their ap-
pearance, habits, language, complexion, and even
their anatomy, mark them as a race wholly different
and distinct from the Indian tribes inhabiting other
portions of the United States. They are far su-
perior intellectually, if not in physical development,
to the Indian of the plains; are industrious, more
or less skilful workers in woods and metals ; and
that they are shrewd, sharp traders all who have
had dealings with them will, I think, be willing to

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

359

testify. They yield readily to civilizing influences,
and can, with much less care than has been be-
stowed upon native tribes elsewhere, be educated
up to the standard of a good and intelligent citizen-
ship. Just in proportion to their educational prog-
ress, they should have the rights and privileges
conferred, and the duties and penalties of full citi-
zenship imposed, upon them."

Alaska has an area of about 6(X),C)00 square
miles ; produces annually $2,000,000 in furs; $800,-
000 in minerals; $750,000 in fish and oil; and
yields to our government's revenue a net profit of
over $200,000 above all expenses and appropriations.

The population of Alaska is 35,000 of which one
fourth are either civilized, or fairly advanced in
civilization, of the latter, one-half are whites, Creoles
and hyphens.

Add to this population the 1,000 Metlakahtlans',
and 1,000 or 2,000 other civilized Tsimsheans, who
will undoubtedly follow from Fort Simpson and
other neighboring villages, with their annual com-
merce of upwards of $100,000 and Alaska will gain
a vital progressive force, that will materially con-
tribute to the development of her vast latent re-
sources, and speed the day, when she shall take the
proud position, of an enlightened, powerful and
wealthy state, which shall be an honor to our
country.

Missionary and educational measures copied after
Mr. Duncan's plan, have already gained a fair foot-

36o

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

ing in Alaska, and aro prospering, under the direc-
tion of the Rev. Sheldon Jackson, assisted by Mrs.
Jno. W. McFrrland, Miss Lydia McAvoy, Miss
Clara A. Could, and others.

In (;ducational matters, not only are the savage
tribes to be considered, but also 2,cxx) children of
civilized parents.

How unjust, and how unwise, it would be to
abort this industrial, educational, and Christianizing
work, which is beginning to bear abundant fruit.

Our Cfovernment netting above all expenses, and
appropriations, a profit of at least two hundred thou-
sand dollars annually, out of Alaska, ought to deal
generously with its inhabitants ; rather than herd
theiii with '-ti'ninals, ami, I truly believe that jus-
tice, and humanity will prevail, and that no such a
curse as a iVnal Coionj', will ever be forced ujjon
our Arctic Province.

With a liberal educati()?ial policy, ai . a well-
organized government, Alaska, has every prohi)ect
of a bright future. I counv.eiul to the t Im consid-
eration of political economists, a comparison be-
tween the two propositions: Namely, the emigra-
tion and fostering, of tiie vigorous, industrial colony
of civilized British C(>Iumbians, who will develop
and enrich the country ; or, the revolting scheme
of converting Alaska into a tlen of criminals, to
ruin its future beyond all liopc ?

The industries of the Metlakahtlans, as I have
shown in the second chapter, consist of tile usual

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

361

handicrafts of English and American villages, in
addition to their ancient pursuits, of hunting, fish-
ing, gathering berries and clakkass. Being expert
voyagers, and renowned for their honesty, and in-
dustry, they are much sought for as carriers, to
transport in their canoes supplies, up the swift
streams to the mines. Several years since, they
purchased a small steamer, also added to their in-
dustries a co-operative salmon-cannery, from which
they have already exported upward of thirty thou-
sand cases ; however, owing to the very low price of
this stai)le, the profits, have only yielded fair wages
to the people. An amusing incident occurred in
coimection with the establishment of this industry.
Mr. Duncan was introducing a telephone, between
his dwelling-house and the cannery. The new in-
vention was regarded with great interest by the
Indians. One of whom said incredulously, "this
machine inny speak Knglish, but it tan never speak
Tsimshean!" (ireat was the amazement, and de-
light of this man ami his fellows; when they found
it articulating, the mellow and llowing tones of their
own tongue.

These people exhibit griv't skill, and ingenuity
in all their industries, bi»f, especially in wood-
working, riiey are imitative almost to the de-
gree of the Japanese. The ofTicers of one of the
first steamers to voyage to this vicinity, rel.ite an
incident, illustrative of this trait. The natives
were struck with awe, ami expressed ailmiration, at

362

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

the grandeur and speed of the enormous fire-canoc
propelled with invisible power. They scanned the
steamer over in every part with great curiosity,
then with significant nods of satisfaction, said, " We
will build one like her." They fashioned out of
a large tree, almost a perfect model of the steamer,
about thirty feet in length, and painted her black ;
she had decks, ports, and red paddle-wheels.
When finished they launched her amid great flour-
ish and display. This craft made, it is said, about
three knots an hour; tlie Indians working the
paddles and helm out of sight, below deck.

Cari)entering, cabinet-work and architecture, are
occupations in wliich they are particularly expert.
Their fine church of which I have given a drawing,
is built entirely by Natives, with lumber sawn at
their own mill.

It has been Mr. Duncan's plan from the first, to
keep these people busy, opposetl as he is, from
principle, to giving charity to those able to help
themselves, he has striven to fix in them industrial
liabits, to make them self-supporting, and to divert
their inherent barbaric i)ride, to a i)ride of manly in-
ilependence and self-reliance. 1 le stimulates them
to vie with each other in the pursuit of knowledge,
by demonstrating the practical advantages, ihereby
to be attained.

Kecentl)' when one of the natives, — whom Mr.
Duncan found at I'"ort Simpson, as an infant in the
arms of liis savage motiier, both having been aban-

?p»fc

'4^f/^

\ )

m '

DAVID 1.EA8K, 8ECRETAKY oK T!IK NATIVE COUNC ' m i TI.A-

KAIin.A.

t
(I

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM,

363

doned by the white father who was an employ^ of
the Hudson's Bay Company — contributed an article
to one of the journals at Victoria, signing himself
" A Native^' some of the detractors of Metla-
kahtla denounced the article as a hoax, and said,
" no Metlakahtlan native, could write such a let-
ter, or be familiar with the famous English authors
this man quotes." Nevertheless the communication
was genuine, and the critics would be still more
astonished to view the library of this man, David
Leask ; so well educated by Mr. Duncan, and now
head school-master, as well as Secretary of the Na-
tive Council.

Mr. Duncan's colleague, in the mission, the Rev.
Robert Tomlinson, has successfully devoted some
fiftceti years to missionary work, in British Co-
lumbia. About three years since, on conscientious
grounds, he resigned his connection with the Church
Missionary Society, to join Mr. Duncan, at Metla-
kahtla. To do this ho has bravely faced the pros-
pects of reduced finances, although, he is married
and has a family ilepcndcnt ui)on him.

A devoted Christian medical gentleman, J. X).
Bluett, M.R.C.S., L.I^.C.i*., having become in-
terested in Mr. Duncan's work from the accounts
given of it l)y his friemls, who had visited the coast ;
volunteered to leave Knglanil at his own expense,
to join the mission. I'^or more than two years he
has been at Metlakahtla rendering gratuitously his
profcsiiional services to the Indians, both there and

364

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

in the surrounding settlements, as well as taking
part in the preaching.

Such, then is the stamp of the men who with great
self-sacrifice, are now assisting Mr. Duncan, in his
missionary work at Metlakahtla.

The village is still governed by the Native Council,
and the church is under the direction of native
elders. The people are united, in their affection for,
and faith in, their leader, and each other. At this
moment they seem, " knit toi^ctJicr ivitli heart-break
pain " and are ready to meet unflinchingly, the great
sacrifice, necessary to carry out their resolution, to
abandon the country of their birth.

. . . "A l)anil of exiles: a laft, as il were, from the sliip-

wrecketl
Nation, scattered along the coast, now floating together,
liuund by the buiuis of a common belief and a common mis-

fortune ;"

As I have shown, the United States Government,
has opened the way for the Metlakahtlans to enter
Alaska ; but, it is of great importance, that with ar.
little delay as possible, after they come under the
new jurisdiction, they should have laws to protect
them in their lives, and property, courts to admin-
ister those laws, and executive officers, to enforce
such ; that they may not become *'*he jilts of capti-
ous chances." Legislation is absolutely neces?sary
to secure this end ; and it is proposed by those in
sympathy with the movement, to urge Congress to
some action during the next session.

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

365

For the furtherance of this purpose, I have de-
voted myself, to the task of collecting the correla-
tive facts, connected with the creation of the Met-
lakahtla Mission, and with the troubles which now
threaten it with destruction. My study of the sub-
ject, leads nie to believe that the knowledge of these
facts, will command for these oppressed people, the
warmest sympathy, and support of every liberty-
loving citizen of the United States.

At the urgent request of several distinguished
supporters, Mr. Duncan, has tarried for a time in the
United States, and has r.poken before various assem-
blages of those interested in Indian affairs, in order
to acquaint them with the existent facts.*

The late Kcv. Henry Ward Beecher, who was
ever a champion of the oppressed, extended a very
cordial invitation to Mr. Duncnn, to speak from his
pulpit ; an honor seldom accorded to an outsider be
he ever so renowned.

The following is an extract from the Brooklyn
liag/cs account of Mr. Duncan's address delivered
at Plymouth Church.

" nun isii American Triuks who Seek the
Pi<()rE( rioN OK THE Siaks and Strh'Es.
A Missionary's Like-work."

•* A very interesting and p.».!ietic address, on the
condition of the aboriginal tribes of Canada, was

* Sec in Appemlix Mr. Duncan's address delivered before tho
Indian Cunimissiun Cunfcrcnce, Wnshiiigton, D. C.

il 1

366

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

delivered yesterday evening at Plymouth Church,
by William Duncan, who has for thirty years been
engaged in humanizing, Christianizing and civilizing
the Indians in Canada. His labors have takerrhim
chiefly amon^ the Tsimshean tribes about Metla-
kahtla, and of him Lord Dufferin declared that he
had solved the problem of civilising savages. Mr.
Duncan is a rosy-cheeked, hearty-looking gentleman
whose hair is not quite as white as that of Mr.
Beecher, who sat on the platform during the ad-
dress, an interested listener.

*' Mr. Beecher introduced the speaker in the fol-
lowing terms : ' I desire to introduce to our Chris-
tian brethren Mr. Duncan, who is certainly a mis-
sionary, a minister, a priest, a bishop and a ruler
by the grace of God, without the imposition of hu-
man hands, or any external civil ceremony.' . . .
" ' He comes to us well recommended, not to raise
moneys hut to devise, means of transferring his peo-
ple to Alaska, so that they may go beyond the reach
of ecclesiastical despotism, and avarice, of the men
surrounding his settlement. I think the least the
Government can do is to allow someone to settle
in Alaska.' "

Extract from Mr. Duncan's Address.

" * The Natives of whom I shall speak, are at this
present time suffering a cruel wrong. They have
adopted civilization, and the white man has taken
to the war-path. Ecclesiastical domination, allied

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

367

with the greed of the white man for land, has
combined to crush these poor people. They are
the aborigines. They have been cruelly wronged
and grievously misrepresented. . I have found in
my thirty years experience that they are a people
who should be fostered. If they had had the chances
we have had, they would be an honor to the world.
If they were treated sympathetically, they would
rise up and be a blessing to the country in which
they live.'"

" * Now these poor people are in trouble — griev-
ous trouble. If they could tell their own story
every heart would bleed for them. They are be-
ing ground down under ecclesiastical tyranny, and
the insatiable greed for land.

" ' If the Native had kept his war-paint on, and his
knife in his hand, he would have been recognized
by treaties and agreements. Let us devise some
means by which these poor people, can be taken to
some land where they will be treated as citizens of
the country.' "

At the close of Mr. Duncan's address Mr.
Beechcr arose and put the following questions : —

Mr. nKi":ciiKR. — Let me ask you what is the
plan and purpose that brought you here ?

Mr. Duncan. — To got our peop'e into Alaska.
They want to leave the land of their fathers.

Mr. Beecher.— How far is it from where they
are now to Alaska ?

Mr. Duncan. — The nearest point is thirty miles.

368

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Mr. Beecher. — Are the soil and climate suit-
able for them.

Mr. Duncan. — The climate is the same. The
land of x'X.laska is practically the same.

Mr. Beecher. — Do they depend on agriculture
now ?

Mr. Duncan. — No. There is only sufficient
summer to ripen vegetables.

Mr. Beecher. — Have they means of transport-
ing themselves and of rebuilding?

Mr. Duncan. — Well, they have no banking ac-
count and little property. The cost of removal
will be about $50,000. But it is feared that the
government will not permit them to take their
houses down because they do not own the land —
[on technical English common law — H. S. W.J

Mr. Beecher. — What have you undertaken to
do with our Government ?

Mr. Duncan. — I want a guarantee that they
will not be molested.

Mr. Beecher.— Will the Government of the
United States make over the land in fee simple ?

Mr. Duncan. — I have not yet ascertained,
Alaska has not been surveyed. . . .

On Mr. Beecher's suggestion, assistant-pastor Hal-
liday moved and General Horatio King seconded,
that the pastor, deacons and trustees of F'lymouth
Church, petition Congress in the name of the as-
semblage to permit the Tsimsheans to take land in
Alaska.

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

369

The immense audience among which were many
distinguished public men, responded with a hearty
and unanimous, ^* yea / "

It seemed exceedingly appropriate that this ad-
dress, should be delivered from the pulpit where
emancipation, and civil, and religious liberty, have
been more fearlessly, and powerfully expounded,
than from any other pulpit in Christendom.

" Mr. Bcecher's creed had one pivotal idea, and
that was that Christianity is not a conglomerate
of ethics and moral dogma, but a simple and pure
and worthy rule for living well and nobly. Believ-
ing this, he never hesitated to discuss any public
question from the pulpit, and all the great ques-
tions of the day, slavery, licentiousness, labor and
capital, the lust for power, intemperance, monop-
olies — all subjects of the hour — were texts for him,
and his power was felt in political balances more
perhaps than that of all the other clergymen in the
land to^jjther. He was a St. Jerome, a Xavier
and a D -'mosthenes in one." — New York World.

Mr. Beccher evinced a very warm interest in the
case of the Metlakahtlans : he said to Mr. Duncan
** get your people land in Alaska, and, then we will
devise means to help them bear the burden of re-
moval — you don't ask it but they need it."

One of Mr. Beecher's last official acts before the
fatal stroke of paralysis prostrated him, was on
March 3d to affix his signature to the subjoining
I'etition.

370

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

The Petition.

At Plymouth Church on Sunday evening Janu-
ary i6, 1887, Mr. W. Duncan in an hour and a half,
gave a resum6 of what had been accomplished
among the Tsimshean Indians of Metlakahtla Brit-
ish Columbia, during thirty years of Missionary
labor.

At the close of his most interesting address our
Pastor the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher asked Mr,
Duncan, in what practical way, we, as a congrega-
tion could aid him in his work. Mr. Duncan re-
plied that he had been deputed by the Indians to
visit Washington, D. C, and try to arrange with
the Government of the United States of America
on their behalf, for a grant of land in Alaska, upon
which they may settle.

Mr. Beecher turning to his people, said " you
have heard Mr. Duncan's statement, and the object
of his visit to this country what is your pleasure ? "

The following Resolution was then offered and
upon being put to the large congregation assem-
bled, was passed by acclamation.

IV/itreas, — Mr. Duncan, representing about i,cxx)
Tsimshean Indians of Metlakahtla has come to this
country to obtain from our Government of the
United States of America a grant of land in Alaska,
on which to settle with his followers and of which
they may have a secure tenure ; —

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

371

Resolved, — that it is the sense of this Congrega-
tion in every way desirable for the future welfare
of the Indians in question, and the building up of
our Alaskan possessions, that so large a body of peo-
ple, grounded in Christian and Industrial princi-
ples, should be welcomed to our soil : —

Resolved, — that the Government at Washington,
D. C, be strongly urged to give all possible facili-
ties to enable Mr. Duncan, to secure for this Com-
munity of Indians their cherished plans in the es-
tablishment of a future home : —

Resolved, — that our Pastor and consistory of this
church be requested to forward a copy of the pro-
ceedings, and a copy of these Resolutions to the
proper authorities at Washington, D. C.

Brooklyn, N. Y., March 3, 1887.

[Signed] Henry Ward Beecher,

Pastor.
Augustus Storrs,

President Board Trustees.
L. W. Manchester,

Chairman Board Deacons.
Samuel B. Halliday,

Assistant Pastor.

Not only directly, but indirectly, the coercion and
turmoil at Metlakahtla has inteferrcd with the Mct-
lakahtlans industries, causing them losses, and ma-
terially lessening their income. The expense of
tearing down, transporting, and re-erecting, their

372

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

buildings, will be very considerable, and while they
bravely face this hardship, and will meet it with
that heroic spirit, which has ever characterized pa-
triots striking against the grinding heel of tyranny,
— or bondsmen making a plunge for liberty, — yet,
the hardship will be none the less severe.

The Metlakahtlans though poor, have only asked
for homestead-lands, liberty, and justice ; they hive
not asked the American people, to aid them with
money in their dire distress ; for, their benefac-
tor, has so thoroughly imbued them with the spirit
of self-reliance, and the dignity, and inerit, of per-
sonal endeavor, that they look forward to making
the desperate struggle, and encountering all the mis-
cry and privations necessary to found a new home,
by their own sacrifice, and bitter cost, with a grand
fortitude that knows no (luailing.

In taking this step the Metlakahtlans look to
the future ; to use their own metaphor " like the
wedge used in splitting the tree-, we are making
the way for our children : They will be better than
we are."

We have seen the quality of the people who are
now kncH'king for admission to our land of historied
freedom.

IVople, such as were the Pilgrim fathers, who
knew how, and dared to make sacrifice for liberty
of innscience, and freedom of action.

As the resolute Puritan pioneers driven by the
tyrainiy '»f chinch and stale, Juuler very simitar cir-

SEEKLMG HOME AND FREEDOM.

373

cumstances sought refuge on the Eastern Coast, and
fearlessly faced dangers, and hardships, to create a
New England, and raise up the bone and sinew of
our nation : We may reasonabl)'^ expect that the
Metlakahtlans, who have proved to us, that they
are patriots of the true heroic mould, will in facing
the rigors of bleak Alaska, build up a New Mctla-
kahtla which shall surpass that idyllic village which
has cradled their enlightenment; and found, on
American soil a sturdy race of Alaskan yankees, who
shall by means of their own native missionaries, and
example of industries, thrift, and morality, radiate
a civilization which shall i)ermeate and quicken
even tlie atrocit)us slave-dealing cannibals, and other
heathen tribes — of which there are yet many in
Alaska; lifting them to their own level, making
them worthy, useful, ami responsible citizens ; and
an active contributive force in the development of
that Territory, instead of as at present, an humiliat-
ing disgrace to the great American Republic, whose
duty it is to rescue them from their benighted
state.

In conclusion my countrymen, I appeal to you,
as you love liberty, freedom and justice; prove to
these people that this is truly the home of the free,
and the land of the brave; that our (ioddess of
Liberty still bears the torch to light the way of pro-
gress.

Tiiat American hearts beat as one, In full and
strong sympathy with dt)wn-trodden, ami oppressed

374

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

humanity, whatsoever, the accident of creed, color,
or country.

I trust that the perusal of these pages, may
awaken in you an interest in these people, and ani-
mate you to make their cause, your cause, and that
you will heartily support any consistent legislative
Pleasures, that may be brought forward, that will se-
cure to them equal land and citizx'nship rights, with
our native-born of like qualifications.

Having studied the circumstances, and condition,
of these people very closely, 1 take it upon myself
without apology to appeal, to you, not in their naini\
but, in the name of humanity, to lend a helping hand
and voice, to this band of pilgrims.

In the words of 1 lenry Ward Beecher, " They
dont ask for moneys but they need it." In the up-
rightness of their noble surrender, rather than main-
tain their rights by a bloody warfare, they stand
stripped of their patrimony as naked in worldly
treasure as the new-born babel Yearning for an
opportunity to demonstrate their uncpiestionable
gratitude, for the chance to live and let live.

Find in y»)ur generous hearts, a niche in which to
place their cause.

1 would suggest contributions to a pul)lic com-
mimal fund, which shall cover their losses, by as-
sisting them to build >iew, or, re-erect their old
public buildings ; and afford each one anadvanee of
a small sum, for materials necrssary, in erecting
habitations suitable to protect them, from the rigors

SEEKING HOME AND FREEDOM.

375

of the frigid North. Such sums to be regarded as
loans, and to be ultimately repaid into the public
fund, which shall be used only for the common weal.

I feel certain that in America there are many
who blessed with wealth, or moderate means, or
even though possessed of a bare competency ; but
enjoying the />rza/t'ss Iwon of an umisiirpai liomi\ will
regard it a privilege, and a pleasure, to contribute
something as a heart-offering, to smooth the thorny
path of these afllicted people.

To countercheck the sinister carping, of misan-
thropes, and those who hastily attribute the motive
of some personal benefit, to every initiator of phi-
lanthropy ; I will here state, that this appeal is made
solely of my own accord, without a suggestion from
anyone, and is promi)ted solely, by the keen sym-
pathy excited in my heart, by tlie wrongs suffered
by these innocent people. Moreover, I would say
that while I heartily invite contributions, to tide
them over this tempestuous moment ; under no
circumstances, will I personally receive, or in any
way, become the repository of such funds as may be
offered.

I vouchsafe to suggest that any offerings sent to
David I-,eask the Native Secretary of Metlakahtia,
or to Bishop C'ridge or Senator W. J. Macdonald,
Victoria, IJritish C'ulumbia,* will be certain to reach

• I KUggeit thcHP n.itnps, ratlicr than Mr. Duncan'ii. nut of deli-
cacy for Mr. hunciui's forliiij^s, wli<>»c iniiisi >ii lo this cuunlry i>
utiier (hull (hat uf tolicitiiii; fuiuls.

376

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

th'j people, and be applied as the contributors may
designate.

My countrymen, the fate of the Metlakahtlans
rests in your hands. Loyal and peaceful subjects
that they arc — because they have not the power to
resist — robbed, denied justice, their rights bartered
away by the present rulers of the land of their
fathers, — now driven to seek refuge on our shores — ■
are they to be left homeless, and stranded, in their
desolation ?

Treated as rebels, because they protest against
wrOi.g, must they submit to be down-trodden, and
driven to desperation by their heartless ojjpressors ?

Denounced as lawless, because they refuse their
necks to the intt)lerable yoke of tyranny, merci-
lessly thrust upon them, must they yield, —be co-
erced, — terrorized ?

Slandered, cruelly persecuted, and torn asunder
by a Sectarian Society, under the name of religion,
shall they be led to doubt the existence of a brother-
hood, of Christianity ami humanity ?

I sincerely hope that all who read Thk S'rr)KY
OF MlCTLAKAHTLA, — of the bitter wrongs of these
people, will give to this api)eal an answer which
shall have no uncertain ring. Fx-'t your sympathy
reach them in f/tis, the hour of their distress. Let
them not be ilriven to the brink of despair. There
are mometits, when post|)onemi'nt is calamitous.
See to it, that they be allowed to secure homes iji
a land where their rights shall be defended, where

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE.

377

they shall enjoy the blessings of freedom and of
peace ; where they may work out their own des-
tiny as an independent, and united Christian Com-
munity, leading the way for their brethren yet in
darkness, and where they may become the true, and
loyal-hearted citizens, of the country that fosters
them.

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE.

Since the last page of this volume was in type
and cast for printing, I have the information, that
the authorities are taking steps to prevent by force
the Metlakahtians from taking down and rcjnoving
their buildings — with the view of checking the pro-
posed exodus. These high-handed measures, are
apparently based on a point of ticlutinxl law. — If
the Crown claims ownership of the Metlakahtians'
inherited lands, then with e(pial right, it can claim
ownership of the buildings enrted thereon. It is to
be hoped that this last outrage may trt drive the
Metkikahtlans "weary with dragging the crosses,
too heavy for mortals to bear " to desperate resist-
ance — but if bloodshed follows this catastrophe,

378

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the blood be upon the heads of those who alone
are responsible.

It is but a fitting denoument to the story of be-

leaguered Metlakahtla.

H. S. W.

APPENDIX.

A Plan for Conducting Christianizing and
Civilizing Missions on the North Pa-
cific Coast,

By Mr. William Duncan, Based on His
Own Experience.

"New York, March 3cl, 1887.
"Dear Mr. Wellcome:

" In response to your request for me to sketch a
plan of Mission work suitable for the North Pacific
Coast based on my own experience, I have pre-
pared the enclosed.

" Yours Very Sincerely,

"William Duncan."

PLAN.

I. Preach the Gospel hi the Native tonpuc :

a. Itinerate nmong all the tribes of the same tongue :

3. Aim at breaking up the tribal system :

4. Commence a Christian Settlement :

5. Secure a Reserve of land round the Settlement :

380

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

6. Allow all the settlers allotments of land :

7. Encourage handcraft trades in the Settlement :

8. Settlers should not be allowed to alienate land :

9. Land on Reserve not utilized to be public domain :

10. Treaties made only with Indians in the Settlement :

11. Government aid restricted to Native towns and cm-
ployed only on Public works :

12. Intoxicating liquors forbidden in Native Settlement :

13. The Missionary to be a Justice of the Peace :

14. A Corps of Native Police organized in Settlement :

15. A native council elected by ballot to institute and en-
force by-laws — Control public moneys and lands, and carry
out public works :

16. The Native Church to be unsectarian :

17. Officers of the Church to be elected by the Congre-
gation :

18. Industries to be introduced and fostered in the Settle-
ment :

19. Every member of the Settlement entitled to serve the
public weal some way :

20. Amusements such as athletic games, brass-band, and
other forms of music to be introduced and encouraged :

The aforesaid more particularized as follows: —
I. Make a breacli into the tribal system of the Indians by
the preaching of th * (lospcl. To this end let the Christian
Missionary first learn the Native tongue, — then let him itin-
erate from a temporary centre to all the scattered tribes
spi:aking the same language.

As soon as the Missionary discovers there are some, how-
ever few, in the bands who are willing to join him in rom-
niencing a Christian settlement, let him at once select a
suitable location for a Native town ; and then move thither
with his followers, and there erect permanent Mission prem-
ises—Church and School, but let the work of itineration
still go on.

APPENDIX.

381

The essentials for a suitable location in such a case would
be: —

1 . A good beach for canoes :

2. A good harbor for ships :

3. A gentle slope of country extending from the beach :

4. A stream with flow and fall suitable for a saw-mill :

5. Not far from a stream where salmon abound :

6. Being on the line of route of Mail Steamers :

7. Being not less than five miles from every Settlement :

II. Let a tract of land in the locality chosen for a town
site be reserved for the Indian settlers, of sufficient size so
as to insure : —

1. Enough for ngricultural purposes :

2. A preserve for game :

3. A public Park :

4. And securing not less than five miles of land on every
side of the Settlement.

Such Reserve should be surveyed at the expense of the
Government into allotments as called for by the Dawes
Bill, granting lands in Severalty to the Indians.

Every adult Indian in Settlement should be allowed an
equal allotment of land, whether he use it or not ; and such
Indians as cannot utilize the soil, but would rather follow
some business or calling in and needful for the native town,
should be allowed to rent their allotments to other members
of the community.

In no case should an Indian be allowed to .ilicnate his
property in the land or rent it to others outside the commu-
nity to which he belongs.

In case of the death of any land-owner, and there being no
heir to take his allotment, not already in possession of an al-
lotment of his own, then such land left without an owner
should revert to the public domain of the Settlement, and
be controlled by the Native Council.

III. Treaties siiould be made with the Civilised XwiXxam^

382

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

for the relinquishment of all rights to lands outside the Re-
serve. Such treaties should insure compensation from the
Government for lands and ancient privileges which the Ind-
ians have been called upon to surrender. The amount of
compensation promised should be a reasonable yearly allow-
ance to the Native town or settlement, and the channels for
the disbursement of the money granted should be restricted
to those, and those only through which the Government are
wont to render aid to Settlements of Whites — consisting of
grants for Education — sanitary and medical purposes — mak-
ing roads — and promoting the development of Public works.
Note. — The system of nviking presents of food and cloth-
ing to individual and un> ivilized Indians, cannot be too
strongly condemned ; its tendency is to sap self-reliance —
foster indolence, pauperism and discontent. The Indians
while surrounded and fettered by their old tribal associa-
tions, do not trace the presents made them to any good feel-
ing on the part of the Whites, but regarding such gifts as a
bribe to secure their favor, they remain therefore, both un-
grateful and disloyal.

IV. For the protection of the Native Settlement, in its
pupilage — the Government should make it illegal for any
intoxicating liquors to be found in the Settlement, for other
than medicinal purposes.

V. Law and order in the new Settlement should be estab-
lished and maintained by means of the Natives themselves.

The Missionary or School teacher should be granted a
Commission as Justice of the Peace, and he should select a
number, say from ten to twenty natives, to act as special con-
stables. All that the Corps would require for their services
would be a uniform and remuneration when called to special
duty. Thus the presence of a Military force, would not be
needed except in cases of emergency as in white settle-
ments.

VI. For the good Government of the Settlement a native

APPENDIX.

383

Council should be organized and trained in its duties, by the
Missionary, for the management of local affairs.

The Council should have at first, partial, and ultimately,
full control of public works — and the public moneys of the
town, — and be empowered to look after sanitary affairs, and
the public morals.

The Election of the Council should be by ballot, and every
member of it voted for by at least nine-tenths of the voters.

The number of Councilmen should be regulated by the
size of the Settlement — in the proportion to one councillor
for every ten families.

Native Chiefs should have to stand their chances of elec-
tion into the Council like others, and thus tribal fetters detri-
mental to the progress of the Indians, would be removed
and the best men for governing would come to the front.

VII. For the stability and growth of Christianity, Mis-
sionaries should not display their denominational procliv-
ities. All should work together in brotherly unity for the
planting of the Gospel in its primitive simplicity, avoiding
every unessential ceremony and most of all, every priestly
assumption. As soon as a congregation gives evidence of
having an intrUigent appreciation of the Gospel, and sound-
ness in the faith — let it be called upon to elect its elders, and
officers to assist in the Church work. Elders should be
elected yearly by liallot.

VIII. Let Industries be established and fostered as fast,
and as much as possible, but no coercive measures should be
tJikcn to enforce the adoption of civilized modes of living. Let
the people be educated up to every step, before it is taken.

IX. Let it be a rule in the Settlement that every member
of it should be identified in some way or other, with the pub-
lic weal, by rendering his assistance to promote it. A fire
brigade would enlist a good many.

X. Amusements in the way of nuisic — and recreations
should by all means be encouraged in the Settlement.

Mr. Duncan's Address before the Board of
Indian Commissioners, and the Confer-
ence OF Missionary Boards, and Indian
Rights Associations.

By invitation of the President Mr. Duncan de-
livered the following address before the Board of
Indian Commissioners and the Conference of Mis-
sionary Boards, and Indian Rights Associations at
the annual meeting held at Washington. D. C,
January 6, 1887 —

Mr. Duncan's address : —

Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen : I feel it to be a
very great honor that I am permitted to be present with you
this morning. I have not met such a body as this before
during the whole of my life ; a body where all who sympa-
thize with the Indian are admitted and invited to partici-
pate. I have listened with very great interest to all that has
been said, and am ready to indorse especially a good deal
of what has been said in reference to the capabilities of the
Indian to be made a good, honest, and upright Christian
man. It has often been said that it was impossible to im-
prove the Indian ; we have lived to prove that utterly false.
For thirty -years I have devoted my life to the Indians, and
I have lived to see in this present generation men drawn out
from the very lowest and the most degraded, barbarous sav-
ages to be men that I am proud of.

I may give briclly, in a few niomeuts, a statement which

APPENDIX.

38^.

will explain to you where I have been living. About thirty
years ago I left England to come over to this country ; I
had to go around South America, for there were no railroads
across the country in those days. I went to a place where
it was supposed the largest numbers of Indians were living
in one locality, that is, at Fort Simpson, in British Colum-
bia. There were two thousand three hundred Indians lo-
cated there ; they were not the kind of Indians you have in
these Territories ; they were not moving about from place
to place, but they had a large village ; I counted two hun-
dred and forty large houses. They were in the most de-
graded condition ; so degraded that it would be simply im-
possible for me to tell you in detail the abominable sights I
saw. They had gotten down to cannibalism, for I have seen
them there acting under the influences of their medicine
men, committing the most horrible outrages upon human
bodies. I found them in a most savage condition, so savage
it was not safe for a white man to move among them. On
my way out the few whites that were established in a fort at
Victoria, about 500 or 600 miles from the place to which I
was destined ; endeavored, with all their power, to keep me
away from these people. They said they would be certain
to hear of my death. I begged that I might be permitted to
live in a stockade that had been erected by some white men
up there for trade ; I begged to live there until I could
speak the Indian language. I was given that privilege, and
for eight months I did nothing but study the language, for I
did not believe in mutilating the Gospel by going and talk-
ing to them in broken English, or in Chinook jargon, as I
wanted to give it to them in their native language. I there-
fore for eight months did little, or nothing but to keep my-
self close in the stockade with an Indian, who did not know
English. By the acting of words I got a good deal of his
language from him, and in eight months I was able to
preach. At that time I went out to the various camps. Al-

386

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

though they were living in one locality, I found they were
divided -nto nine different tribes or bands, under their old
chiefs.

i'lic Indians themselves ridiculed the idea of their ever
accepting the white man's teaching. They have their own
stereotyped notions about God, as they have about every-
lliin:; else. The white man is another being altogether to
tliem.

1 simply kept straight on teaching day by day, and al-
though 1 was attacked on various occasions, and my life was
in jcopanly over anil over again, yet by God's help I was
able to persevere. At first I did not attack these people in
their customs ; I did not riilicule them or speak against
thenj wantonly. I went on simply teaching tliem — giving
tiien> light. I saw they wanted light, and as the light began
to dawn, those works of ilarkness began lo disappear, and in
11 very few years their heathenish customs simply dwiiulled
away. My great point was to get an inthience over them ;
to isolate as soon as possil)le the little germ of Christian
truth which had made its way into their minds to get it
away from heathen influence. Therefore, for the first five
years I worke;l thtre, it was with the view of getting a party
to begin a new life — a new era in their history. After five
years' efforts I succeeded in getting 50 \inder my iiillucnce,
and these 50 left with me. We sl.irled a new little colony
17 miles away from the heathen camp, and that 50 has
grown into a 1,000. It finally became so strong, so loyal,
nnd so thoroughly civilized, that itn power lias extended .dl
over the country around, upon all sides of us, even to Al.is-
ka. The Indians hive become anxious for teachers. There
is no long<?r any banier ; it h.ts disappeaicd, nnd now ihey
•cc just as other n»en sec- ; it is lo tlu-ir .ulvantage antl lo
their comfort, aivi ' ap|.><ness, to know CJod, uud to live in a
civili/ed and (.'hn^ii.ui was .

I will just mention [WO ni ilnee points, which I In Iiev« es«

APPENDIX.

387

scntial for the advancement of the Indian. It is a sad thing
that almost every department necessary for the advance-
ment of men everywhere, in every part of the worhl, has
been well studied except the Indian question ; it has never
been thoroughly and consistently studied. There have been
more mistakes on the p. 1' of the white man, a great deal
than on the part of the Indian. In my opinion tiie giving
away of presents to the Indian, has had the effect of pau-
perizing them ; bribing them to keep quiet, terrorizing them ;
in fact every measure which has kept them back has been a
mistake. Trust the Indian ! I can indorse fully what I
have heard Captain Pratt say in regard to trusting the Ind-
ian. The way I acted when I got thii little coiony was
simply to trust them as men we had raised up, who had be-
come capable and industrious. Those men are now able to
compete with the white men in their various industries, and
we have now a ship takin;4 away from our little province
S,3cx3 cases of canned lish, all done by the Indians. (Ap-
l>lause.] We manage a saw-mill, anil run a little stciimcr,
all done by the Indians. The people said / ?*'</.» niitd be-
cause 1 was trusting these Indians, but I had not been de-
ceived by them. I saw from (he first that the only way of
advancing them was to tmst ihem. I li.ive had instamos of
men doing wrong, yet I n>ay say I have had fewer such in-
stances among the Indians, than among the same numl)«'r
of while men. 1 believe they are capjible of .dl the lu.un
power, of all the cons ientiousness, and of all the ability nec-
essary to njake splci did ujcn of tlictUHclves. and it is a tli><

grace to our nation, a ilisgr.nc ti> our ci\ ili/.inon, that wc
have Indians now at the pn »<ent tinte in the state they are.
[Several voices : Alien! That is sol Appl.iusc]

One of the most t mbarran^ing ipiesticjns that was ever put
to me by an Indi.in w.is one that was put when I first went
there. It was tlii' : "What do \o-i mean by 1858?" I
h.nl lu tell him th; I 185H represenled the number uf years

388

Tin-; STORY OK MKTI.AKAHTI.A.

that \vc had the Gospel of God in the world. lie said,
" Why didn't you tell us of this before ? why were not our
forefathers told this ? " I looked upon that as a p()ser. Ho
said to me, '* Have yiu pot the word of fiod ? " That, in
tiie English languaj^e, would be ecpiivalent to saying, " Have
you got a letter from Ciod ? " I said, " Yes, I have God's
letter." That would really be the idea that would reach the
Indian. Ho said, '! I want to see it." I then got iny Hible.
Remcinher. tiiis was my first introduction. I wanted them
to unilerstanil that 1 had not brought a message from the
white man in ICngland, or anywhere else, but a message friMii
the KING of Kings, the GOD of HEAVKN. They wanted
to see that. It was rumored all over the camp that I had a
message from (mxI. The man came into the house ano i
showed hin\ the IhljJe. He put his fmger very cautiously
upon it and said, " Is that the Word?" "Yes," I said,
•' it is." •' The Word from God ? " I said, " It is." He
said, " ll.is he sent it to us?" 1 said, " lie has, just us
much as he has to me." "Are you going to tell the Ind-
ians that?" I said, "1 am." He said, " (.iood, that is
very good."

Now, you see, if I had gone out there in the name of a
single party j if I had gone and told them I had c(»me from
tlie cpieen, or from a nation, immeiliately I wouh! have cre-
fttetl in th.it man's mind .i sort of antagonism ; but as soon
as I told him I had a message from (iod, who made him, he
instantly began (u pause and think, and wanted to know
about that message. When I was able to tell those Indians
in their own langua).'e the Word of God, it jiisl h-.d the same
effect upon them, th.it it has upon the white people, and
their <(Higregations are ;is earnest, as conseientioiis, and as
indefatigable in their worshij) of God, as any congregation of
white men. The inlluencu of this work has sj)read all over
the count rv.

1 will just give you a brief idea of how I was deceived, on

APPKNDIX.

389

thnt point, in a very heathen tribe. They had heard that I
was coniiiig, and the chief, m order to show his great de-
light at my arrival, put up what they call a large cap.
ThiMr cap was an umbrella. They had no idea of prevent-
ing rain from falling on tlieir heads by its use, but looked
upon it simply as a web-footed cap, and so they used jt on
state occasions. As soon as 1 landed I saw the man with
the umbrella, and saw the excitement. lie sent a message
to this effect : " I would like you to come into my house,
and I shall send my messenger to tell you so." I immedi-
ately encamped upon the bank of the river. 15y and by, I
w.is told that all tilings were ready and prepared to re-
ceive me. I said to my little crew — for in those days I
took only boys with mc, being afraid to take nu-n, as they
might kill me for the purpose of getting my clothes — I said,
" What are they going to do when I go into tlu- house?"
"Dance." "Tell them I did not come here to see danc-
ing, and I cannot go iherefore." They told the messenger,
to tell thi> chiif that I objected to seeing them dance, that I
had come with a solemn message to them. Tlu' ( hief re-
plied, "Tell the white chief he must come ; if he doesn't
come to me I won't go to hear his word ; but if he will
come I will go and hear him." That ch.mged the niat-
tcr altogether. I h.ul a little considt.ilion with my boyt,
and they i.iid, "You hatl better go ; if you do not go the
chief will not come to hear what you have to say." I
walked up to his house, I confess, in a very grum kind of a
spirit. I did not like to attend a dance. The i<lea of a
missionary going in to see a dancr ? fL.uighter,] Ibit 1
s.iw that I had to do it ; public opinion was in my favor.
I Laughter.) 1 was very glad afterward that 1 did go.
When I entered the hoimc there was a person there ready
to point out .1 sc.it for me. There was a bear-skin spread
o\c I I box for me to sit n. The chief had all (»f his men
pl.iccil 4MOUI1U in Uuti'ient portiuna of the houne, which was

390

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAHTLA.

a very large one. I observed that he had gotten a large sail
and used it for a curtain in part of the room. Very soon I
saw two men step out. One had a rod in his hand beating
the floor. They had a kind of theatrical perfortnancc. The
old man, after stamping his foot and putting his rod down
very firmly, said, in his own language, of course, *' The
heavens arc changing." The other man was there to re-
spoihl, ''Yes, so it seems; the heavens are changing." A
few little remarks of this sort were made, and then the sail
was drawn aside and out dashed the chief, dressed in most
magnificent costume, his head being completely covered
with feathers and other ornaments. He had his rifle in his
hand. He shook it and then pointed it in my face ; walked
up a little way to me and then put up his hands with his
rifle in it ; he looked through the hole in the centre of the
roof where the smoke came out, and immediately began a
beautiful prayer. 1 was astonished. This was no dance.
If 1 could only give you his prayer in his own beautiful and
clocpienl language, you wcjuUI be astonis-hed also. 1 cm only
give you the substan( e of it. It was something like this :
"Grca^ Father! Great Father of Heaven! Thou hast
sent Thy Word I Thy letter has reached this place. \Vc,
Thy children here, are w.mting it. Thy servant has come
here with it. Help him to teach us and we will listen.
Tli.mks to I'hce, Great Father, for sending Thy word t«»
Ui."

That is just the outline. It was uttered in a most pathetic,
eloquent, and solemn manner.

Having said this little pr.ivor. he looked .it me, thanked
me for ( (uumg. I lu-n he began to d.iiice, and the Indians
began a chant, clapping their hands. It was an extempo-
raneous song, and 1 listened to it will) a great deal of plcns-
ure. There was a man iim«)ng them who made a hymn, just
Ri they 'vanted it, and when they wauteil it. The tune was
« tud one in ihis inbt.iiie«. It was a chant ; the words were

AiTENDIX.

391

all extemporized by this man. I found that the song was
all about God having sent his servant and his messenger to
teach the Indians. They clapped their hands and sung
with the greatest joy. It was a grand reception.

The Indian is all that ; but as soon as he begins to see
that he is treated viih a :jort of <lread, or fear, or suspicion,
or you try to terrorize him, or drive down his throat what
you believe, and what he does not believe, he then stands
aloof from you. He wants to be treated as a brother. He
wants to be treated as a man. The India.; has all in him
that is necessary to make him a I'resitlent of the L'niled
States, and it may be \h:\i .lunie l.iy you will have a man of
Indian blood the President uf thi ; great nation. [App'aube.]
They have all the cpialities necessary to make men of them-
selves. They are men who, when they understand it, can
preach the (iosjjcl in a most elocpient and effective way;
tla-y are men who can appreciate and receive il just as much
as you and I.

Of course they have their characteristics. 1 will jusi al-
lude to one point in regard to which I am reminded here.
I si'e repnscntatives of various denomination'^, and various
Christian bodies all united, gathered lure to tell of the effoits
they are making in the one great work. I say God speed
those organizations and denominations. God speed their
work. Hut let me say thai when you go to talk to the Ind-
i.ins, bury all church creeils and doctrines, and give them
the Gospel pure and simple. Take him that, ami he will
bless you, and he will grow up to be an honor to the country.

Here comes in the great difficulty, that we have, in unitinn
in our efforts on behalf of the Indians. Here is wheie w
have often injuri'd the great work, by jealouHv, rivalry, and
seilarianisin. I. el us go simply in the n.>nie ol i linst.
Simply t.ike liim the (iospel. Let the tJos|)el itself develop
the Indiiin, and then you will itcc a real, true, and substau*
tial, ( liriiitian man.

392

THE STORV OF MKTLAK AHTI.A.

Now, with regard to his physical and temporal affairs.
The trouble is, we leave the Indian down in the mud. We
do not believe in a missionary being only a tencher of re-
ligion, as such. A missionary, should be a man wlio will look
at the Indian as a whole ; take him body and soul, and try
to lift him up. My endeavors have been to make them self-
supporting. \Vc have no Government aid. I wish I had
time to tell you about the present policy of the Government
under which wo live,* but I cannot tell you all 1 want to say
about it, ;is it would take too long. I will say this, how-
ever, that they do not believe in helping the Indians.
They believe in paying the Indians to keep quiet. If l-.c
has his war paint on, they will pay him money to keep him
quiet, but they have given evidence; that tiioy do not rare
for the Indian if he is an improved, civili/.eil Indian. Wliich
is certainly a great mistake.

What we want is to lift, or assist these Indians, as soon as
possible by these religious associations so as to make them
indopeniient of the Government. T!>e Government has no
soul, no heart ; a (liristian lias a heart.

Now, Christian men and Christian l.ulics, come forward
and help the Indian ; get him out of this difficulty with the
(iovcrnnicnt, and make liim a man. and thru he will be
treated as other men are hy the dtnernment.

I would say, lhcicf(»ic, by all me.-ins take and teach the
Indian how to support Ininbclf. . . .

In ihe first instance, when I began in this little place, I
had no house. I lived in one of the little Indian bark sheds ;
l)y and by v< began to build, and little by little help came
to us.

I very soon saw thcso Indians wen- desirous of learning all
kinils of work. I put up a little saw-mill, and wiien the
liuli.-tn<< found out I was going to niake water saw wckmI, ihcy
lliHt of •!) did not b<-lieve it. . . .

* The runiuliun GoviMiuncnt.

APPENDIX.

393

Then we began to make soap. I knew it was necessary
to teach the Indians to be cleanly. . . . After that we
had cleanly Indians.

Then I erected a blacksmith's shop, and a cooper shop,
and a sash shop, and planing arrangements. Afterwards I
started weaving, as I wanted to get the Indians to making
their own coarse clothing. They have now learned to spin,
and have already produced some shawls. They are not
very pretty ; I (.\o not suppose they would be wanted here,
but they are very useful to the Indians. But the greatest
industry of all is the cannery. I said to myself, " Why,
see these poor aborigines of the country ; robbed out of
everything,'' and so I started that business. Altogether,
since we began, we have put up over 30,000 cases of salmon,
and their salmon has commandfd :^3 good a price in the
market as any salmon does.

I say, let us give them all the industries that we can. I
have seen enough to convin^x ; u- Jiat the Indian problem
is solved, so far as the Indian is concerned, but ii i;> not
solved so far as the white man is concerned. This is be-
cause of our ignorance. Therefore, whenever a man speaks
tome about the dilTicuUies of civili/ing the Indian, I alw.ays
tell him that the ililViculties are on i.ie side of the white
man that the white man is pig-headed, stupid, and doesn't
know anything about the Indians at all. Every man would
have a different intpression of the Indian, if he had lived
amongst them as I have dour. I am happy to spy that I
am proud of the Indi.ms. 1 li.we seen tlu' Indian dying, and
dying with the same hopes that chi-er us. 'I'hey hold to the
sauK- faith, and grasp the tea«hings of the Saxiour, as eag.T-
ly as do the while nu'n. In dying they die with the blessed
hope of meetiig their Saviour above.

Ladies and gi-nllemen, let us do what we ran for these
people; do no* !et them be crushed out ; tlo not let tlictn
die, as it were, with the curse itpon the white man, but let

394

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

us remove this curse ; remove these wrongs and lift the
people up, and God will bless the nation and the people
who do it.

At a subsequent session of this assembly, Mr.
Duncan participating in the discussion on the sub-
ject of Indian land and citizenship rights, made the
following remarks :

Mr. Duncan. — I am in sympathy with treating the Ind-
ians as men, and in keeping them as Indian communities.
I do not believe in their being scattered among the white
men, because they are weak and they will go to the wall.
They arc not in a position at present to cope with the white
man. First bring them up to manhood ; teach them how to
maintain themselves, and then send them out into the world.
They should, in their present condition, be treated as chil-
dren are treated by parents until they reach manhood. In
British Cohimbia, I found in the 50 men I had, that there
was a little germ of life ; they had gott-.n the seed of life in
tliem. Tliere was an a.-.i)iratior. after a better life ; they
had gotten to know the God who could help thcin, and to
look up to Him. We started, and we grew. Gradually we
.Inserted our position by accumulating all the appliances of
civilization. We had law. I organized a native council.
This native council managed its business as well as the
council in Washington could. I organized a native police
foree. In every way they managed their own little affairs.

Therefore, I say, if you want to tle\<.'lop the Indians you
must kc».|» them in connnunities ; don't <livi(.le tlitin upon
ditfereiU poitions of laiul, and scalier Ihem away fnun civi-
lization. IJecoming tliU3 Isojuti'd, Ulty will feel themselves
cut olV from ihe wnrl(\ and tliat will not tend to develop
tliem. Vou cannot male all of them farniers anymore than
you ciin make all while men hirmers. Have a community.

APPENDIX.

395

and some of them will become blacksmiths ; some farmers,
some tinsmiths, some shoemakers, and others will follow
other of the different trades.

I will state that our Government has declared that these
Indians have no rights in the land, except such as may be
accorded them by the charity of the Crown of England.
They, therefore, are allowed to use the land on which their
forefathers lived, and on which they were born, by suffer-
ance. In view of this condition of affairs they are border-
ing on a state of desperation, and that has led me to
come here and sec if I cannot get permission to have them
transfer themselves to the Territory of Alaska. There
seems to be no difficulty with the Indians, it is all with the
white man. The insatiable greed of the white man, leads
him to desire to obtain all that the Indian has, and if he
cannot get it without faw, he will have a law enacted which
will enable him to get it. That is the condition of things in
British Columbia, where there are about the same number
of white men in the province as there arc Indians. This is
a fact. The Hritish Columbia Government represents about
30,000 white people, and there are 30,000 Indians in that
same province. I do not know how many nullions of acres
there are in British Columbia, but 1 know this, that while
there are 30,000 white people and 30,000 Indians, the Indians
were to have just 2 acres a head — that is, 60,000 acres in all
— of forest, lake, and bog, while the white man was to have
the balance. And yet, notwithstanding this, the Indians
are told that even 2 acres do not belong to them ; that it
has been given to them out of the bounty, and the charity,
of the Crown of Kngland. That is what has led the Indianr.
to say, " After all we have been told by good and great men
among the missionari -s ; after we have been tolil that we
are on the right track when we accept the religion of the
iiible, and follow the steps of the white man ; all at once
we arc brought face to face with injustice, wrong, cruel

39^

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

wrong ; and when we ask if we may have the same privi-
leges as white men, when we adopt their laws, we are told
we cannot have them."

When the Indian has developed in the manner he has, in
the little colony of which I have spoken, what a shame it is
to say that now the Government, the Government of the
people, is the difficulty, is that which will not only hinder
further progress, but which will destroy all that has been at-
tained up to this time. We arc now endeavoring to get
these people into a Territory where they, perhaps, will not
be disturbed in their comfort and future happiness. I will
simply say this, that it seems to depend entirely upon the
success of my visit here whether the result shall be war
or peace ; whether these Indians will go back to their bar-
barism, or whether they will join those inclined to war.
WHiether these poor people will be dragged down again to
shed man's blood, rests upon the proper determination of
the question, as to whether the insatiable greed of the white
man, to possess all that the Indian holds, shall be allowed
to prevail or not,

Mr. TliUJLES.— Wouldn't this whole difficulty be settled
if these men were put on legal status exactly the same as
white men arc ?

Mr. Duncan.— Yes, that is what wc want.

Mr. WillarI). — Do you want anything more in order to
insure complete success, than, for the Indians to have title
to their land ?

Mr. Duncan.— All the Indians want is this, to feel a
secure tenure of the land on which they live ; to feel secure
in the buildings that they erect, and that the industries
tliey establish may continue to be theirs. We have been
earnestly struggling for many years ; by the most persever-
ing efforts I have succeeded in establishing branches of in-
dustry among these Indians, which have enableil them to
support themselves, and yet, they have not the merest

APPENDIX.

397

shadow of a tenure to their lands, or to their industries, for
that matter. Let me state an instance in point. The pre-
mier of Canada, Sir John Macdonald, went this last summer
into liritish Columbia and sold an Indian reservation there
for $60,000, without even consulting the Indians who lived
upon it ; nor did he even consult his colleagues in the Gov-
ernment, but simply, as an arbitrary measure, took the mat-
ter into his own hands and sold the land to a private citizen
lor $60,000, that sum being about a quarter of its value!

Mr. Tibblf.s. — Is there any possible way to secure this
tenure, that you speak of, to the Indians except by placing
them on the same equality before the law as the white men,
for you cannot whip Great Britain ?

Mr. Duncan. — We cannot get those rights ; that is what
we want. The Indian simply wants the same privileges, the
same laws, the same immunities as the white man, and he
will pay the taxes the same as the white man.

Capt. Pratt. — The picture that Mr. Duncan has drawn
is a very beautiful one ; he certainly is engaged in a grand
work, and has accomplished wonders, but I would like to
ask him what would become of that community to-day, if the
head were taken away ?

Mr. Duncan. — 1 am very happy to answer that. Had I
preached William Duncan it would have been so, but I
preached Christ, and in the strength of that Gospel, that
has done so much for the white man, I can safely leave the
Indians there. I assure you that we have at the present in
that community, as substantial and Christian men and wom-
en, as are to be found among any community of white peo-
ple. They arc now in a position to be left to attend to their
rnvn .-ffairs, without any assistance from me.

CAM'. Pratt. — 1 would like to know how Mr. Duncan rec-
oPiilo:, what he has been telling us, in answer to my c[ueslion
Willi \v'hat he said a little wiiilc ago, that upon the success of
Mb mission here depended whether they would have war out

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398

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

there or not. I cannot see the consistency of these two
statements. He is here to do something to prevent v/ar, and
yet if he is taken away everything will go on all right.

Mr. Duncan. — 1 will tell you that for five years this com-
mimity has been put into a very difficult position. It has
been persecuted, and their progress has been impeded, in
fact almost stopped. Last year three of them were deputed
by the community to visit Ottawa with me. We went there.
These pour people supported the families of these three men
who went away while they were absent. We spent three
months at Ottawa. Promises were made by the (Govern-
ment, ihal so and so, should be done, All these Indians
asked for was for justice. They wanted the survey that had
just been made adjusted. I stated at Ottawa that these
p'oplo were not like other Indians, reci-iving subsidies from
the Oovernment ; that they hail to fight their own way, and
that all they wanted was to have their surveys properly
adjusted. The officials promised certain things. These
promises were simply shelved and nothing done. At last
the Indians were driven to a sort of feeling of tlesperation,
and about two nu)nlhs ago, while I was away ;it Victoria, a
ship-cf- war went up there and arrested eight of them. And
for doing what ? Nothing more than any while man woidil
have done if placed in a similar position. These three liul-
ians that went as a deputation to Ottawa last year repre-
sented to the (li»vernnuiil that the survey commission had
been up there, : ul without consulting them had made cer-
tain liii'.s in reference to their reserve, which lines were
found lO be, when tlu- Indians returned and had thort)ughly
looked into the matter, very incorrect and injurious to them.
Therefore, they wished the reserve ( ommissioner to tetum,
and they would show him where his mistakes had been
made. Wc expected him to come, instead of which, 'ast
autumn, a party of surveyors arrived. Thr Indians naturally
protested. They said, '* We have :epre»enl''d the matter to

APPENDIX.

399

the premier ; here is his letter, read it, in which he promises
this, that, and the other shall he done, and yet nothing has
been done. Therefore we ask you not to make this survey,
as it is not right." The surveyor wrote a report to Victoria
that he was obstructed, and a man-of-war was sent, and
eight of these men were put in prison. These eight men
arc suffering for what eight hundred would have done —
endeavoring to stop the reserve being surveyed on wrong
lines ; lines represented to be wrong to, and acknowledged
to be wrong by, the head of Indian affairs. Therefore it is
that these Indians want, if possible, permission to go over
to the border of Alaska, where they may have the benefit of
the laws of your country.

Now, as a direct answer to Capt. I'ratt's question, the Ind-
ians have intimated to me that if they are not allowid to go
to Alaska, aiul have the privilege of settling there, and be-
coming free nun, and citizens of that country, they will leave
the place where they are and join the interior Indians,
where they feel they have a i)osition of strength, and where
they will be able to co])e with the white man, with the rob-
ber, with ihe man wh'o docs them an injiistice. 1 was told
by my Imlians that the oilier tribes of Imlians, that were still
uncivilized, were urging my people to join in a defensive war.
I am still hoping that we shall be able to bridge over the dif-
ficulty, and let these poor |)eople know that there is still in
t)iir Christianity that which they can grasp ; something that
is tangible ; something that is not merely a theory oi relig-
ion, which will not ]ea\e tluin to fight all their battles by
themselves, but sonuthiiig that will reiich out to them a
helping hand, and enable them to remain as they are now,
a h.ippy and self-suj)porling pe(»ple.

Suppose I should have lo go back to these Indians and
say, " There is no loom in Anuriia; the white man has
turned his ba( k upmi you, as Canada hn»." What will be
the cfTect ? Willi will these people then do ? Are they to

400

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

be left to live upon lands on which they feel they are allowed
merely by sufiferance of the Crown of England ? I say no
man living could exist under such circumstances, and be
content and happy. What they will have to do if they can-
not go to Alaska, will be to go up the river and join these
other Indians. Whether that will result in war or not I can-
not tell,

Thk President, Hon. Clinton B. Fisk. — When Lord
Duffcrin made that wonderful speech at Victoria, after re-
ferring to the Indians of Britisli Columbia, he said, in that
wonderful appeal to the people, " You must do for these
Indians as you would do for yourselves. There will be no
peace for you until they become citizens of the Crown and
British subjects, and have their own homes." I had a con-
versation with him in New York, and I have never heard a
man voice my sentiment better than he did.

pRKsiDENi' Gates. — Mr. Duncan has, in very forcible and
eloquent language, made known to us to-day the great suc-
cess that he has achieved among the Indians of British Co-
lumbia. Me has shov n us what can be accomplisned where
you have a good and larnest man, working in behalf of his
biethren ; preaching Christ ; instilling Christian principles,
and at the same time enforcing such with good sense ; ma c-
ing practical his teachings ; looking after the wants of the
men ; supplying them with saw-mills, and with other means
of providing for their necessities.

Mr. Duncan's Refutation of some of the
Falsehoods originated by Bishop Rid-
ley AND publicly StATED BY THE DEPU-
TATION.

Bishop Ridley is the author of the following
statement, and in substance it was repeated in
public assembly at Metlakahtla by the Society's
Deputation in Mr. Duncan's absence.*

The Charge, — " I [Bishop Ridley] requested him [Mr.
' Duncan] to hand over to mc all the books, and all the

* property of the Society. This he refused to do, but
' afterward handed over some of the accounts to Mr. Col-
' lison. . . . The store and its stock was believed by

* th*. Church Missionary Society to be it"^ property before

* the destruction began. . . . We have been told that
' the I^ulilic works were stopped by the rupture, and I beg

* to add that the funds from the Church Missionary So-

* cicty, and not his personal credit enabled him to carry
' on the public works previously. For instance here is an
' entry in the Church Missionary Society's periodical for
'September, 1870 i^The RrcofJ) 'Metlakahtla Fund, A
' Friend, /25.' Such entries are very common in the So-
' ciety's accounts. If the profits of the store built up the
' I'ublic Works at Metlakahtla — 1 should like to know what
' use he made of such contributions ? If he is so ready to

* lay before the Commissioner an account of such moneys,

* Sec pagii 354,

402

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

" why did he cut out those twelve pages from the Society's
'* Ledger which detailed such account? The Society will
" be glad to receive an account from Mr. Duncan of the
"expenditure of the large sums so received. They asked
" through me in vain."

Here then it is seen the Bishop charge? me with having
refused to render up to the Society certain property stock-in-
trade and accounts, also with having cut twelve pages out of
the Society's Ledger which contained the record of money
received by me from the Society, and the expenditure of
which money the Society has sought in vain to obtain.

1 will lirst meet these charges in few words and then enter
into details and explanation.

Immediately after receiving the letter disconnecting me
from the Society, I ceased to exercise any control over the
property of the Society, and within a day or so I left the
mission prenuses. The persons I left in the Mission House
were Mr. CoUison and family. The Bishop had gone away.
The Society had no stock-in-trade at Mellakalula or ever
had — for me to hand over. The Society's accounts I handed
over to the agent Mr. Collison appointed to keep them.

Whoever told the Bishop, lliat the I'ublic works at Mctla-
kahlla, were stopped by the rupture made a mistake. The
fact is the Public works have been largely increased since
the rupture which was certainly not " due to Mr. Duncan's
connection with the Society."

The Book which the liishop says I cut, was not a Ledger,
but conlaineil only co/iiis of the yearly accounts ; both the
originals having been sent to the Society wliich accounts,
originals, and copies, were complete in every particular wheu
1 handed them over.

Now for details and explanation — •

1. 1 have to stale that unld the advent of Bishop Ridley
all the uioney drawn on account of the North Pacific Mis-
sion from the Society, fur over twenty years pasaed lluougli

APPENDIX.

4v^3

my hands, and every penny was accounted for by me to the
financial Secretary yearly.

2. In not one instance, to my knowledge during all that
time was I ever notified of any discrepancy, or omission, till
the last year, when the Financial Secretary wrote to ask me
for an explanation on two items. One item was, that a draft
for ;^5oo had been presented to the Society for payment,
which draft did not appear among those accounted for in my
yearly statement.

This omission was explained by the fact that Bishop
Ridley, had drawn the draft, but had failed to advise the
Society, or render to them, or myself any account of it, or
for it.

The other item for explanation, was that the total sum of
general expenses of the Masset Mission Station, as it ap-
peared on my statement, did not agree with the amount
rendered direct to the Society by Mr. CoUison — the mission-
ary at Masset. This discrepancy was explained by Mr.
Collison himself to the Financial Secretary — showing the ac-
count as sent througli me was the correct one.

3. That the accounts in the Society's hands will testify
how careful 1 have been over disbursing the Society's funds,
and that, year by year, as I was able, I sought to lighten the
general expenses of tiic mission, by contributions from my
own salary, and from money paid me for services rendered
t he government, and also from profits arising from our
village industries.

4. I was ever careful to guard against using the Society's
funds for any object, however good, outside the limits al-
lowed generally to all missions.

The mission-house, and premises and school-house were
uithin those limits and they are the only buildings erectctl
at Metlakahlla by the Society's money— //ion i;/{ not cxciii-
sivt'/y by t/irir mo/ti'v ,' ami, these buildings 1 resigned the
use of immediately I was disconnected Ironi the Society.

404

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Not even the new and costly church, much less the work-
shops at Methikahtla ever cost the Society a penny, that I
am aware of, and as for the Society having any stock-in-
trade, or machinery at Metlakahtla, the claim is simply ab-
surd. For how could a Society be owners of a property they
never acquired or possessed — or ever erected — maintained,
ordered or controlled ? Stranger still, if the Society knew
they had a trade at Metlakahtla, for which they were respon-
sible, and from which profits were accruing, that they should
have allowed it to go on for so many years, and never once,
remembering to call their agent, to render an account of it,
till, after they had dismissed him !

As I have before said — the claim is simply absurd ; and I
must add, that not one of the Society's officers, whose busi-
ness it was to put it forward, had it existed, ever once
breathed it to me. And I have reason to believe that even
Bishop Ridley — whose business it was not — never dreamed
of such a claim, till after the rupture ; and until hn needed to
look for stones to throw at me.

All that can be said in truth is, that I was a missionary, or
teacher under the auspices of the Societ) , and while I was
doing the work of a teacher, as enjoined by the Society I
added other labors to my lot, with the sanciion and ixpproval
of the Society, but not by their orders, or instruction, nor at
their cost, or risk, or for their benefit, but at my own cost,
and risk, and for the sole benefit of my poor people.

The liishop no doubt assumes, that because a few friends
made use of the Society's clerks, to transmit their subscrip-
tions to me, that therefore, all that I erected by that money,
and money from any other source, belonged to the Society.
As well might it be said, that the Lord Mayor of London,
owns a hospital in Spain, because some subscribers to that
institution intluenccd by him, sent their subscriptions to it
through him.

5. I will now slate from what sources the money came,

APPENDIX.

405

which 1 have used for secular purposes, and church-building
at Metlakahtla.

The starting of a fund was in 1863, about a year after I
commenced the Settlement. All the money I had to begin
with, was my own private means, augmented by a few loans
from Indians, and a small grant from the government, to help
me in purchasing a schooner. The loan was all paid back
to the Indians in due time, and also the proportion of the
government grant was returned, (though not asked for) when
the schooner was sold.

Seven years later (1870) I visited England, and many
friends anxious to assist my work, insisted upon my taking
their subscriptions personally, and not as was usual through
the Society's funds.

After I returned to Metlakahtla (1871) many subscriptions
were sent me, from time to time. Some through the agency
of the Society, and others by channels, and from persons, not
at all connected with the Society.

The Indians at, and around Metlakahtla, also subscribed
liberally toward the erection of their new church.

All these subscriptions I carefully recorded, and I have
the records for inspection, and the total amount received by
me from all quarters is Five Thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven dollars and ninety-one cents ($5,877.91), very
nearly about ^1,200.

I may here mention, that those subscriptions which were
sent to me through the agency of the Society, were always
accompanied with a paper from the Society's office, contain-
ing the names of the Subscribers, and the amounts.

One of these papers dated Church Missionary House
March 24, 1873, is I am glad to say, still in my possession
and is headed " Amounts received for the private account of
Mr. William Duncan " and this was the usual heading of
every such paper.

Under these circumstances, therefore, I cannot see that I

406 THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

was called upon to render any account of my Secular fund,
to the Society, as they only stood in the position of Agents,
or Bankers, in such case ; and I must add that / have never
been called upon by the Society, to render to them any account
of such fund, or the disbursement thereof

1 am at a loss now to reconcile the Society's silence to me
personally, or directly for upward of twenty years, with the
statement of the Bishop that through him they have sought
for an account from me, but have sought in vain. Would it
not, I ask have been more reasonable, and proper for the
Society, to have written to me for the account they sought,
rather than that 1 should first hear of their request through
a Bishop, and a stranger to those accounts !

The only persons to whom I feel accountable in regard to
the subscriptions, are the subscribers themselves ; and the
question to settle for their satisfaction,— is— have I spent or
used the money intrusted to me, as they intended I should ?
In answer to that question, I will here give a brief summary
of outlay from the secular fund.

1. New Church total cost $12,57265

2. Current expenses of Church for 1874 to 1881. . .. 387 58

3. Assistance rendered to Indians l)uilding their

New Houses and sums spent for their help 7,238 93

4. Establishing Industries at Village and buildings

for the same 11,426 10

5. For Vilhige Improvements and Public roads,

houses and wharves 3.040 7^

Total $34,666 02

To the above, should be added a large sum which I have
given to the Society during the years I have been at Metla-
kahtla, and which their own books will verify. The total
amount cannot be less than three thousand dollars, ($3,000.-
00) thus showing that 1 have spent over six times the
amount I have received in aid, from every quarter. Even
the Metlakahtlan Church alone cost mc more than double

APPENDIX.

407

the amount of all subscriptions sent me ; and yet, the Bishop
asks what has become of all the money I have received.

Now it may be asked how has all this money been real-
ized ? I answer— It has come to us from God's blessing on
our labors, and in lawful business transactions. It must be
understood too, that I have not hoarded any of my salary, or
fees paid me for services rendered to the Government, but I
have thrown all I had into the work.

Let me now explain about the cutting out the pages of the
so-called Society's ledger, which the Bishop makes so much
talk about, and most assuredly lost no opportunity of using

agamst me.

I have already said the book referred to is not a ledger at
all, but contains only copies of yearly cash statements sent
to the Society the originals having been transmitted to the
Society yearly.

The book is a large one, and it would have taken a vast
number of years to fill it, if it was kept for its original pur-
pose alone : so for economy's sake, I made use of it to re-
cord the names of subscribers to my secular fund. Hence
I counted off many blank pages, sufficient to hold copies of
■yearly accounts, to the Society for many years to come, and
then, commenced to enter the subscriptions sent to me on
my private account.

After 1 was disconnected from the Society— I had of course
to hand over this book, and to save the labor of copying, I
carefully cut out the seven leaves which my secular fund
account occupied. I did this with the full knowledge of the
Society's Agent, and without any protest, being made on
his part. The accounts of the Society I never touched antl,
if I had, it would have mattered nothing, as the original ac-
counts were already in the hands of the Society in London.
Nor did I, in any way materially injure the book for the pur-
Viose to which it is applied.

I will now explain why I have carried on the secular work

4o8

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

at all. The Bishop fears not to make random statements
for the public to hear about the losses, which he would have
people to believe the Society have sustained, in destruction
of buildings at Metlakahtla.

I commenced then, the secular work at Metlakahtla, in
the first place, as a necessity, and as a protection from un-
just, and iniquitous traders ; and I have carried it on from
year to year, and extended it because I could find no one
else, to take it up on my lines, which are to render it an aux-
iliary, to the furtherance and maintenance, of the spiritual
and educational work, at the settlement.

My experience has led me to recognize the necessity for a
missionary being everything ♦o the poor people, for whom he
labors in the Gospel, and if he would have his work prosper,
he must aim at doing good to the bodies, as well as the souls,
of his people, — and concerning himself with whatever con-
cerns them. More particularly does this apply to mission-
aries among the North American Indians, who are a race of
people without the means of appliances necessary, for ad-
vancement in civilized life ; and whose labors in hunting
are but barely sufficient to supply their daily needs. Here
I would ask, how can such a people as this, if they become
Christians, be expected ever to maintain their own churches,
and schools, unless fresh industries are introduced among
them, and markets opened to them, for what they can be
taught to produce ?

In corroboration of my views on this subject, I may refer
to the state of the Indians in the territory of North America,
where the Hudson's Bay Company hold sway — and among
whom the Gospel has been preached for many years. I
believe it will be found, as the missionaries report, that
most of these Indians are as poor now, as they were reported
to have been fifty years ago, and hence, no nearer being able
to support Christian teachers, or school-masters for them-
selves, now, than they were then. This in my opinion should

APPENDIX.

409

not have been the case, and if missionaries had followed
more nearly the footsteps of their Master, instead of mind-
ing the conventionalities of churches at home, or fearing
what the world would say, — it would not have been the
case.

Such being my convictions, I have labored, though with
small means to open up industries, and trade at Metlakahtla :
— My aim and object being to establish, and secure to the
natives an industrial plant, sufficient to sustain all the mis-
sion expenses, and after my death, to render ti ,v church and
school of Metlakahtla independent of foreign aid.

How nearly I had arrived nt the goal of my hopes, may be
conjectured, when I offered to the Societ) (<it the conference)
to tnVj-' the risk of finding the finances necessary for the mis-
sion, if the church might have its independence.

It is to be regretted the Society did not accede to my pro-
posal, especially so, as it would seem, from a circular they
sent me in 1877, I was but advancing on the lines they de-
sired their missionaries to work. The words in the circular
were, — " What the committee wish to see in these converts,
is not submissivencss to the Church of Zngland, but a desire
for and ultimately the attachment to an independent church
of their own."

It is sadder still to tell that the Society, not only disallowed
my proposal, but have allowed their Agents to do their ut-
most in compassing the destruction of our temporal affairs,
and all for the mean purpose, of starving me out of Metla-
kahtla.

It was the Bishop's constant assertion of the claims of the
Society to the building erected by our secular fund, that led
us to seek and obtain legal advice, on the subject, and it was
in obedience to this advice, that the Indians took down, some
buildings which happened to be in proximity to the mission
premises.

The loss of the buildings, was a blow to the temporal

410

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

progress of the village, but not any loss to the Society, for
the buildings had cost them nothing.

I ought to mention, that while the Indians were taking down
and removing the village store — the Bishop read the Riot
Act, and wrote an alarming report to the Government, that
a riot had taken place at Metlakahtla. A ship-of-vvar with
two magistrates on board promptly arrived to quell the sup-
posed riot, but on investigation they found that there had
been no riot at Metlakahtla, excepting iu the Bishop's heart
and Ijrain.

I must in connection with this matter, further quote the
Bishop's words before the Commissioners. Ho said : — " The
property that was destroyed is reckoned to be worth seven
thousand dollars."

Now I would like to ask if the Indians destroyed seven
thousand dollars, worth of property belonging to the So-
ciety, why, were they not punished for their acts, and why
did the magistrates acquit the Indians without even calling
a witness against them ? There is but one answer, viz. the
charge was not true.

W. Duncan.

Tomlinson's Refutation.

METLAKAHTLA AND THE C. M. S.

BEING A DEFENCK OF THE POSITION TAKEN BY THE NA-
TIVE CHRISTIANS AND THEIR TEACHERS, AND AN AN-
SWER TO THE FALSE CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST
THEM.

Ever since tlie rise of the unhappy dissensions between
the C M. S. and the native Christians, we, though urged by
our friends to come forward, have hitherto hekl back, and
thus the C. M. S. have niade tlieir stalenvMUs without con-
tracUction, and many of their friends and supporters no
(U)ubl think that we have kept silent because we were un-
able to refute these statements. Such however is not the
case ; we had good reasons for remaining silent up to the
present.

Our respect for the Society with which we had been so
long connected, our unwillingness to believe that the So-
ciety were aware of what their agents here were doing, or
that they would sanction their actions, our hope that the
Society would have their eyes opened to the true state of af-
fairs but above all, the fact that it was no plan or wish of
ours to oppose the Society by setting up an opposition mis-
sion or church, but simply to endeavor to assist these native
converts to establish and maintain what they wished and
had asked for, an independent native church. Now, how-
ever, (he case is altered, two deputies sent by the C. M. S.
have visiteil Metlakahtla, and extracts from thei. report
have ■)( en published by the Society, and the Committee
have expressed their determination to continue the line of
action adopted by Hishop Kidley. We feel that to reuiain

412

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

longer silent would be to permit the gravest misstatements

to pass for truth.

Mr. Duncan will soon publish a separate pamphlet giving

an account of the troubles caused at Metlakahtla by the

agent of vhe C. M. S.

William Duncan.

Robert Tomlinson.

A REPLY TO THE ARTICLE ON METLAKAHTLA IN THE
"CHURCH MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCEK " OF SEPTEM-
11 KR, 1885.

In their preface to this Article the C. M. S. ask their
readers to refer to the account oi' the Government Commis-
sion at Metlakahtla wliich appears in the Inii'llii^cncer of
May, 1885. Anyone who does so will find there, p. 240, as
follows : ** Almost up to the time of the separation there
was no reason to suppose that the Mission was other than a
distinctively Church of England one," and if he will then
turn to their present Article at p. 663, he will read : "It
had long been known to the Committee that the Mission
which h.\<l been so favorably begun was not being carried
on according to the principles which they upheld, or in a
way which tley Cv)uld approve." Here is an evident con-
tradiction. Docs not this show what straits the Society are
put to in their effort to exonerate themselves, and at the
same timi" condemn Mr. Duncan?

They clearly see that to W found supporting the line of
action which IHshop Ridley initiated, and opposing what
they had so long supported and approved, requires an ex-
planation.

They refuse to admit to themselves or their supporters
what is und()td)tedly the ;rue reason, viz., that with chang-
ing years tluy have changed, and that where once they were
satisfied with a union in spirit and doctrine with their con-
verts, tlicy now demund uniformity in ritual unU prnctice.

APPENDIX.

413

They cannot deny that they approved of and praised the
work as carried on at Metlakahtla, but they are unwilling
to adopt the straightforward course and acknowledge that
their views have changed, and so it is that in casting about
for some plausible excuse, they find themselves agrouud on
one of the many quicksands which ever beset those who de-
sert the path of rectitude.

And now we would ask, whom did the C. M. S. Deputies
come to Metlakahtla to see ? Not Mr. Duncan, for he was
in England, and did not reach Metlakahtla until all their in-
terviews with the native Christians were finished. Then why
in their report arc they chiefly concerned with censuring
him ? Let anyone who has read the C. M. S. publications
since the founding of Metlakahtla collect a few of the many
notices of that Mission wherein Mr. Duncan is spoken of in
terms of nffeclion, praise and admiration by the Society and
its friiiids, and then try to realize that this is the Mr. Dun-
can rcTerred to in the Deputies' report where he is said to be
undoing his former great work, deliberately disobeying his
Lord ; inciting the Indians to riot and lawless acts, that it
was he who from pride and jealousy " drove all the ord.iined
Ministers from Metlakahtla " ami demanded tliai it should
be a lay Mission, claimed all the C. M. S. funds that passed
through his hands as his own, denied that he was assisted
by, or connected witli, the C. M. S. at any time ; perse-
cuted the few faithful who still adhered to the C. M. S., and
demanded thirty dollars from each of them ; and lastly,
that, " it was his unconciliatory temper that ihwarteil every
effort the Deputies could devise Tor the creation of harmo-
nious action between the two sections."

History repeats itself, but who would have thought that
after the lapse of so many years the conduct of the people
of Lystra toward i'aul and Harnabas would be repealed by
the C. M. S •"!'' .lie difference, that while the one used
stones, t!.^ ^. M. S. used the deadlier weapon of the pen.

414

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

The Deputies say they " made every exertion to ascertain
the exact state of public opinion at Metlakahtla." They
addressed the Indians and received their replies in writing.
The wording of the English of these replies is by Mr. Tom-
linson, but he studiously avoided introducing anything ex-
cept what had been decided ttpon by the Indians assembled
in meeting. This course, suggested by the people them-
selves, was deemed the wisest, as it enabled the Deputies to
arrive at what the Indians wished to say, in the easiest way.
The Deputies were on the spot and were assisted by an ad-
herent of the C.M.S., as interpreter, whom they had chosen
with the special object of preventing their being imposed
upon.

If the Deputies had any doubt that these letters accurately
expressed what the Indians said, why did they not raise the
question when at Metlakahtla ? They never expressed the
least doubt to the pcop' ■ while here. Moreover when ad-
dressing the Indians, they spoke of their letters as ** your
words," ** your letters," but now, unwilling or unable to meet
these words of truth and soberness, they presume to doubt
that they emanated from the Indians. Is not such an impu-
tation unworthy of the men themselves, and the great Society
which has indorsed it ?

No fair-minded person can read the extracts from the
Deputies' report and compare them with the Indians' letters
and not be struck with the absence of any attempt on the
))art of the I)e|)uties or the Society, to meet the Indians on
their own ground. Abuse of Mr. Duncan, interspersed with
remarks derogatory to Mr. Tomlinson, the conduct of the
Mission work, and the people's condition is not an answer,
it is only a repetition c f the old story : " No case, abuse the
opposing counsel."

While wc (olt so sure of the justice of the Indians' cause,
that no stand could be maintanieil against it without dcsert-
inji he platform of truth and Christian principle, wc did not

APPENDIX.

415

anticipate that the C. M. S. would be found relying upon
misstatements and untruths to aid them in opposing a large
body of native Christians, struggling to maintain Christian,
law and order in their settlement ; and whose whole creed
and practice is based upon the written Word of God. These
are hard words, and I would to God they were not true ; but
how can we think otherwise when wc read the following
statements which we know to be one and all simply untrue ?

First, at p. 655. " When the Mission was, in its infancy,
removed from Fort Simpson to Metlakahtla, the chief, at
whose suggestion the change was made, gave the Society
the piece of land on which his own house was built, and the
principal Mission-buildings were erected on it."

Second, at p. 667. " Mr. Duncan represented all the
funds that passed through his hands as his personal prop-
erty, and the Society was practically ignored. In fact
there is clear evidence that en one occasion he distinctly
told the Indians that the Society had never sent him, or sup-
ported him, or gave him anything."

Third, at p. 669. " He (Mr. Duncan) ultimately drove
them (the ordained Missionaries) away one after another."

Fourth, at p. 669. " His last demand was that Metla-
kahtla should be carried on purely as a lay Mission."

Fifth, at p. 672. " If they were allowed to purchase at
all, it was at the risk of insults and annoyance. It was
therefore imperative that another store should be establislied
f()r the benefit of these Indians, otherwise they would have
to suffer the wors; penalties of tiie petty boycotting system."

Sixth, at p. 673. " Another extraordinary regulation was
that a demand w.is made on each person who adhered to the
Society for the payment of thirty dollars, which sum, it was
alleged, had been given by Mr. Duncan, from his own money,
to marly every householder as an assistance in building his
house."

Ail these were learned from hear say, and in no ins tana

4i6

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

could the deputies have made any bona fide attanpt to verify
them and yet they are set down as absolute facts by these very
men who say, p. 666. " We were careful to set aside mere
hearsay and surmises and to learn the facts on full and reli-
able evidence. "

Let us now consider these statements seriatim.

First. If the Deputies had inquired of some of those who
accompanied Mr. Duncan when he first settled at Metla-
kahtla (and several of them were among those who met the
Deputies), they would have learned the true state of the case
and seen how groundless their statement was.

Second. The Deputies say they read this statement.
Where did they read it ? and why did they not produce this
"clear evidence?" Why did they not ask the Indians if
any such representation had ever been made by Mr. Duncan ?

Third. They need only to have examined the documents
in the Society's possession and they would have known that
Mr. Duncan was not responsible for any of those leaving
Mctlakahtla. The Rev. F. IJ. Gribbell left on account of
his wife's health, the Rev. R. A. Doolan was unwillingly
compelled to return on account of death in his family at
home, and the Rev. A. J. Hall was moved to Fort Rupert
on the advice of Bishop Bompas. There were only these
three ordained Missionaries sent to Mctlakahtla who left it
before the separation.

Fourth. The demand that Mctlakahtla be made a lay
Mission was made at a conference held at Mctlakahtla in
August, i88i, by the Revs. Hall and Collison, without con-
sulting Mr. Duncan or obtaining his consent, as can be
learned from the minutes in the possession of the Society.

Fifth. It was only necessary to ask for the names of
those thus treated to clear up this wilful misstatement.

Sixth. No such demand was made by Mr. Duncan from
any of the Society's adherents for the repayment of the
thirty dollars he had given to assist them in building their

APPENDIX.

417

homes, here again it was only necessary to ask for the name
of the one who it is said paid that amount and this statement
would have appeared in its true light as utterly untrue.

Intense indeed was the feeling of painful surprise in the
minds of these simple-minded Christians at the utter dis-
regard for truth into which the Deputies and the Society
have permitted themselves to be led. But it is not alone
by the untruths above referred to that the animus of the
Deputies and the Society against the native Christians and
their teachers at Metlakahtla is shown. The very way in
which they give expression to the praise which a fear of con-
tradicting members and friends of the Society who have at
various times visited Metlakahtla has wrung from them
together with a succession of misstatements and half-state-
ments all clearly shoiu this. For example, in the opening
paragraph of Mr. Morris' statement he would have us believe
that it was only years ago, at the beginning of his labors,
that Mr. Duncan displayed any missionary devotion, etc. ;
whereas up to the very time of the separation the progress
of the work was receiving the very warmest praise, not only
from the society but also from those in authority. Even
Bishop Ridley on his arrival sent home a letter expressing
his approbation, and Admiral I'revost, a vice-president, who
had twice visited Metlakahtla, shortly before the separation
addressed numerous meetings in England on his return on
behalf of the C. M. S., and on each occasion spoke in praise
of Metlakahtla.

The Statement that Mr. Duncan visited England last year
on his private business is one of those half- statements which
has adroitly been turned to make a point against him. His
visit to England was made for the sake of these people and
with the hope of aiding in the settlement of these unhappy
troubles, but because while in England he transacted some
private business, if such a term can be applied to a business
which so intimately affects the temporal welfare of these

4i8

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

people, it is asserted he went for that purpose. Again the
Deputies speaking of the case of Ada Stanley say, " he (Mr.
Duncan) alleged that the shawl which was taken from Ada
Stanley in default of payment was voluntarily given, but in
point of fact it was given to avoid imprisonment," the fact
being that the village rule which she violated does not in-
clude imprisonment in case of non-payment of fines ; and
further they go on to say that the two men sent to prison in
this case by the Stipendiary Magistrates were only set free
on technical grounds, implying that they were really guilty,
but only escaped through some flaw in the proceedings,
whereas had they inquired of anyone present in Court when
the Judge signed his order for their release, they would have
learned that they had not violated the law, and further that
the village has power to make rules and impose fines so
long as they do not use compulsion.

Th above are only a few out of a number of statements
of a similar class, but a perusal of the correspondence and
Mr. Duncan's statement, will bring to mind and refute many
more. In no one instance, perhaps, does the bitter animos-
ity of the Deputies and the Society, show itself more clearly
than when they came to speak of the Lord's Supper. This
is a subject of the deepest interest to every friend and sup-
porter of the C. M. S., and without doubt the Deputies and
the Society owed it to these friends, to give them a clear
account of the reasons which those Christian Indians gave,
for not yet having this rite established among them. The
Deputies never so much as mentioned that they had brought
this matter before the people and yet they had given the
Deputies a clear exposition of their views on it ; but they
deliberately charge Mr. Duncan with withholding the rite,
and this too, in contradiction to the Indians* plain statement.
Could their bitterest enemy have acted more unfairly ? And
here, it can scarcely escape the notice of even an ordi-
nary reader of the C. M.S. account, how unwilling the So-

APPENDIX.

419

ciety has shown itself to publish the Indians^ words. From
the beginning of this trouble, it has been characteristic of
all the notices in the Society's publications bearing on the
subject, that they have abstained from publishing any one
of the many communications they have received both from
these people and their teachers. If only some independent
Christian minds could gain access to the correspondence
from both sides, how astonished they would be at the real
state of the case ; and how grieved that the Society has so
persistently misrepresented it !

Mr. Blackett, in speaking of the religious teaching among
these people, after admitting that the attendance at public
worship was all that could be desired, reproduces the sneer
uttered against the Apostles of old, " Whence have these
men learning" because he found native teachers whose
knowledge of English he considered limited, teaching "with
only an English Bible in their hand," they were teaching
word by word, only brief texts. He does not even urge
that there was any error in the teaching, but simply because
these native teachers were following the old Scripture rule
of " line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and
there a little" he would cast them aside and replace them
with European priests, who with their ignorance of the lan-
guage, idiom, and habits of thought of these people could
not give them even this little accurately.

The Deputies say further, p. 668, " we heard of no gath-
erings for prayer or for mutual edification, and there are no
signs of missionary zeal among them ; nor any attempt to
make known the Gospel to their heathen fellow-country-
men." We can thank God that this is only true as far as
the Deputies are concerned, such meetings are regularly
held, and there was no cessation during the Deputies'
stay.

Teachers have been sent out at various times from among
these people to the surrounding tribes, and at that very

420

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

time a subscription was being raised to meet the expenses
of two of their number to be sent out in the autumn when
the people are at their villages ; the Deputies made no in-
quiry, and as there was no bell-ringing or noise about all
this, of course they heard nothing.

We leave it to our readers to imagine what was the spirit
which must have actuated the Deputies, when throughout
their report they refuse to recognize the position these Ind-
ians have assumed as members of an Independent Native
Church, and persistently speak of them as Mr. Duncan's
Indians, as if Mr. Duncan had set himself up to be the head
of a new sect or church. If such had been his intention he
would have acted very differently from the way he has done.
His desire is best expressed in the words of Gideon, " I
will not rule over you, but the Lord shall rule over you," and
the attempt of the Society to fasten upon these people a de-
nominational title opposed to the very principles upon which
they had formed themselves into a Christian community, is
only an exhibition of their vexation at being detected in an
attempt to hinder this really laudable effort.

The Deputies are strong in their denunciation of Mr.
Duncan for upholding the Indian title to the land ; Mr.
Duncan is not by any means the first, or the greatest advo-
cate, for the recognition of this title, as will be seen from the
following extract from a speech of Lord Dufferin when
Governor-General of Canada, delivered at Victoria in 1876,
" Now, we must all admit that the condition of the Indian
question in British Columbia, is not satisfactory. Most un-
fortunately, as I think, there has been initial error ever
since Sir James Douglas quitted ofifice, in the Government
of British Columbia neglecting to recognize what is known
as the Indian title. In Canada this has always been done ;
no Government, whether provincial or central, has failed
to acknowledge that the original title to the land existed in
the Indian tribes and communities that hunted cr wandered

APPENDIX.

421

over them. Before we touch an acre we make a treaty with
the chiefs representing the lands we are dealing with, and
having agreed upon and paid the stipulated price, oftentimes
arrived at after a great deal of haggling and difficulty, we
enter into possession, but not until then do we consider that
we are entitled to deal with an acre. "

And again further on, *' Now I confess I consider that
our Indian fellow-subjects are entitled to exactly the same
civil rights, under the laws, as are possessed by the white
population, and that if an Indian can prove a prescriptive
right of way to a fishing station, or a right of way of any
other kind, that that right should no more be ignored than
if it was the case of a white man. I am well aware that
amongst the coast Indians the land question does not present
the same characteristics as in other parts of Canada, or as it
does in the grass countries of the interior of the Province,
but I have also been able to understand that in these latter
districts it may be even more necessary to deal justly and
liberally with the Indian in regard to his land rights even
than on the Prairies of the North West. "

Lord Dufferin's views on the Indian land question as set
forth in the foregoing extracts arc fully confirmed by legal
opinion obtained both from Dominion and Provincial law-
yers.

The Society in speaking of their adherents at p. 6t^, say,
" They are 100 in number and have hitherto been supposed
to be one-tenth of the entire community, this estimate does
not appear to be quite as accurate as we are now informed
[hearsay again] That the Ma/ number does not exceed 600
instead of being 1,000 as previously reported. " The popu-
lation of Metlakahtla according to an enumeration which
has just been made is as follows ; adherents of the Society
(including boarders in the Mission House, although some of
these do not properly belong to Metlakahtla) 94, members
of the Native Church 854, total 948. From this it will be

422

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

seen how inaccurate the information is on which the So-
ciety rely and how ready they have been to accept what-
ever seemed to favor themselves or disparage these people,
ex hoc uno disce onines. ...

Following is an extract expressing the "deliberate opin-
ion " of the Deputies on the same subject. " After our res-
idence among the Indians, and our informal and unre-
stricted intercourse with those attached to the Society, we
have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that the work
done among the latter, is sound and very encouraging.
There is a marked contrast between those attached to the
Society, and the majority. The general appearance and
straightforward bearing of the former impressed us favor-
ably, while on the other hand, we brought to the notice of
Mr. Tomlinson, that the course pursued in respect to the
majority, was demoralizing to their own agents. " It is not
our object in this reply to show how groundless are the
praises here bestowed on the C. M. S. agents and adherents ;
but we quote a speech from one of their number, a commu-
nicant, and one of their leading members. Samuel Pel-
ham's speech in a meeting with Metlakahtla Christians Oc-
tober 12, 1886. It was at his own request that this meeting
was held, and his words as afterwards written out are as fol-
lows : —

** My Brethren: — Ever since we were separated I did
not sleep well nor feel happy because I left you. I missed
the true Christians who used to help in God's work. I often
said to myself where is the old path, the path of Christian
union. Above all I miss your presence in reading and
talking of God's words. I say this because not one of those
of our party care for things that I used to taste with you,
that is talking and thinking of heavenly things or consider-
ing God's word. Whenever I ask any of our party of these
things they do not know. I speak concerning our party —

APPENDIX. 423

Who shall I ask of them ? Will Donald give an answer if I
ask him of God's word ? I tell you not one of them ever
thinks of such things except Matthew — sometimes he and I
have a little talk about God's word. I speak to you now
because I know you have no bad feelings to me, I know all
of you, and I want that love that I missed so long to be re-
stored to me again, and to join with you in the good work
as before, and no more to put on the " devil face" when we
meet each other. It is not only myself I am speaking
about, but the rest of my family who are still with the party
we belong to, that all of us may again feel that happiness that
we have tasted when we first came here. I know that many
of you are striving for the same good work and considering
God's words, but on our side none of them ever do such
things. I feel this feeling working in me for quite a time,
and 1 cannot refrain from telling you what God has put in
my heart to tell you. "

Such are his words, yet he still continues with his party,
so it is not for us to comment upon them. Before we con-
clude we cannot help referring to a matter which has been
so presented to their readers by the Society as possibly to
mislead them, I refer to the position assumed by the Society
as the defenders of religious liberty at Metlakahtla. Now
how will such an assumption be borne out by the facts ?
Vears ago a small body of Native converts under the direc-
tion of an European Missionary drew up certain rules, and
agreed that both themselves and any who might join them
should obey these rules.

To avoid interfering with others or being interfered with
themselves, they chose a site for a settlement, and the con-
dition of becoming a settler on this site was a promise to
obey these rules or leave. The C. M. S. knew that these
rules had been made and showed their approval of them by
indorsing what their Missionary had done. For years these

424

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

rules were carried out in practice and drew nothing but
praise from the Society, although during that time several
to whom these rules were irksome had to leave the settle-
ment. The blessing of God rested on these rules and the
settlement increased and prospered. These are the same
rules whirh the people are contending for now, and yet the
Society which for so many years approved of them and ap-
plauded the Indians for maintaining ihcm, are now their bit-
terest opponent. Now why is this ?

Neither the principles on which these rules are founded
nor the rules themselves have changed, then why the
opposition from the C. M. S. ? Because the Society has
changed.

A few years ago, as the extracts from the Annual letters
show, the single aim of the Society was the glory of (jod
and they would have rejoiced that a body of Christians such
as those at Metlakahtla had the courage to form themselves
into a Native Church bearing their own burdens. Now,
however, the aim of the Soc'cty is twofold, and no advance-
ment in Christianity by their Converts will satisfy them un-
less at the same time there be a corresponding attachment
to the rites and ceremonial of the Church of England.

Had Mr. Duncan been as anxious for the establishment
of the Church of Kngland among these people as he has
been for simple Gospel Christianity we would still be hear-
ing his praises sounded by the C. M. S. These Christians
arc only anxious to be allowed to continue in the enjoy-
ment of the privilege of union which they believed they had
secured by founding ihoir village in the way they did.
How far the C. M. S. , by opposing them in this lawful and
laudable demand, a|)pcar as the defenders of religious lib-
erty, wc leave to our readers to deciile.

In conclusion we would remark that this attcnt[)t of the
C. M. S. to put a stumbling-block in the way of young dis-
ciples endeavoring to form ihcnisclves into a Christian com-

APPENDIX.

425

munity with rules and ceremonials based on the simple
word of God and suited to their particular needs, must from
its very nature be displeasing to God and we need not
wonder, should tiie Society persist in such a narrow-minded
course, if God withdraw his favor and blessing from them.

Again and again the Society deplore the failure of this
Mission, " huw sadly," say they, "has the success of the
early days been clouded over." How clouded over ? Have
the converts relapsed into heathenism ? Have they cast
aside the simple Gospel and adopted some strange form of
belief? Tiiank God, no. They still cling to their simple
faith. They would guide their lives by the light of God's
own word, and obey their Lord's every command ; yes,
His every command, for it is not from ignorance, or a spirit
of disobedience, but as they themselves plainly tell us from
a feeling of reverence and because they realize the true ob-
ject for which ii was instituted, that they have postponed the
introduction of the blessed rite of the Lord's Supper among
them. Threatened and harassed as they have been with
the whole influence of Church and State against them it is a
triumph for the Gospel that they have continued united and
firm in si.'cking by lawful means to maintain Mieir right both
ns Christians and loyal Hritish subjects, and that is what the
Society is v/eeping over instead of rejoicing that these con-
verts, many of whom only a few years ago were sunk in the
dei)ths of hiMlhenism, have organized iiiemselvcs into a Na-
tive Clnistian Church. "How the gold has become dim
and the most line gulU changed I "

ROllKRT TOMLINSON.

rOSTSCUII'T.

Meti.akahii.a, Jan. 31st, 1887.
Since writing the above, the piinting of which has been
tmexpecfcdh delayed, my attention has been called to a
paragraph in the C M. S. InteUik^eHcer for Dec. 1886, which

426

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

sadly illustrates and accentuates the leading characteristics
of previous notices viz.: ignorance^ innuendos and untruth-
fulness.

Notwithstanding the frequent communications which the
C. M. S. Commi-tee acknowledge to have received from
their agents here, and the visit of Deputies last spring they
are still so ignorant of this land question and its bearing as
to say " The Provincial Government arranged to survey the
land as a token of their control over it, and to appoint an
Indian agent." It was the Dominion and not the Provincial
Government .'ho did this.

The point would hardly be worth referring to were it not
that the C. M. S. so confidently asserts their thorough ac-
quaintance with the case in all its bearings. The force of
the charge against Mr. Duncan of sanctioning lawless pro-
ceedings, accompanied as it is with the insinuation thai he
instigated them, must necessarily depend on what action
w> s taken. The l!.dians put up a house on the two acres,
anci they stopped a surveyor.

The Indians ci.iim the two acres which are situated in the
middle of their village as their property, and they also claim
that these two acres were unjustly taken from them by the
Provincial Government. Legal opinion went to confirm their
claims but the Ciovernment refused to surrender the land
and it was that the matter might be tested in the courts that
the house was quickly and quietly erected on the land.

No interference was made with the Hishop's domestic
arrangements. This was a perfectly legal and proper pro-
ceeding on the part of the Indians and carried out in such an
orderly way that even our adversaries could not associate it
with disorder or riot.

In preventing the surveyoi sent by the Dominion novern-
ment, the Indians were simply asserting their just and equi-
table right to be dealt with on the same principle and in the
same way as <i//otl".r Indians in every other I'rovincc of the

APPENDIX.

427

Dominion. They are not asking to be permitted to prevent
the settling up of the country, but that those privileges and
rights which they have enjoyed for ages, and from which
they derive much of their living, should be secured to them,
or where this is impossible, that they should be remunerated
for their loss.

That in stopping the surveyor they unwittingly violated a
provincial statute is true, but it is also true that as soon as
they knew of the statute they immediately pleaded guilty to
the violation, expressed their regret, and bore their punish-
ment without a murmur, and thereby gave proof of that lav -
abiding and Christian true spirit which has actuated them
from the first.

As regards that portion of the paragraph which refers to
the landing of Bishop Ridley, had it appeared in an ordinary
newspaper i^ might well be treated as a huge joke, but
appearing where it does it affords a most melancholy ex-
ample of the length to which the agents of the Society,
emboldened by our long forbearance and silence, are pre-
pared to go in their endeavor to blind Christians at home
and to bolster up the indefensible position of the Society at
Metlakahtla.

That the building was occupied by armed men — that there
was the smallest idea of preventing the Bishop's landing — or
the least show of resistance, or any j».ouiid for apprehension
on the part of Bishop Ridley, ... or that crowds of
Indians awaited him, or that they were cowed by and fell
back from his armed adherents, is all simply untrue. Can
anything be more lamentably shocking than that, in giving
a simple nccount, those who were eye-witnesses and supposed
to be above equivocation, much more falsehood, should fall
to low ?

Two questions naturally suggest themselves in connection
with this incident. The first is, whether the Bishop, by
sanctioning, if not directly approving, of the conduct of the

428

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

C. M. S. adherents at Metlakahtla, men and women coming
armed to protect him and this be it remembered against
those who had not even threatened him much less displayed
arms, whether, I say bearing this in mind, the saying " that
Missionary work which once was carried on by a Henry
Martyn is now carried on by a Martini Henry," has not
passed from a sceptic's sneer to an actual fact ?

The second and more serious question is, if the notices of
these missions which have appeared in the Society s publica-
tions are so much at variance with the facts they are sup-
posed to relate what credence can be given to the accounts of
the work carried on at other missions of the Society ? Has
not the time come when the Christian pubHc should demand
an opportunity of judging of these facts other than from the
garbled accounts of prejudiced secretaries ?

ROUERT T'>MLINSON.

The Metlakahtlans Appeal to the Commander of
THE Cormorant for Protection.

I beg to call special attention, to this appeal from
the people of Metlakahtla. — H. S. W.

THE INDIANS' GRIEVANCES.
From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C. , November ly, 1886.

The following petition from the people of Metlakahtla
and Fort Simpson was presented to the captain of H. M. S.
Cormorant on her arrival at Metlakahtla :

Sir : An attempt has been made on behalf of the Do-
minion and Provincial Ciovcrnmcnts to take from us by force
jiart of our patrimony and the inheritance which wo received
from our fathers. We have reason to believe that this at-
tempt will bo renewed, and therefore we ask your assistance.
We linnly believe that these lands arc ours and that those

APPENDIX. 429

that would take them are acting illegally. The reasons why
we believe this are : That we inherited them ; that no
surrender of these lands has been made by us to either gov-
ernment, nor has either government made any treaty with
us about these lands. Lord Dufferin, when Governor-Gen-
eral of Canada, told us that in every other province of
Canada the Indian title had always been acknowledged, and
that no government, either provincial or central, had ever
claimed a right to deal with an acre until a treaty had been
made. We sought for legal advice in the matter from an
eminent lawyer in the province. His written opinion,
backed by a further legal opinion previously obtained in
Canada, bears us out in our claims. We have asked both
governments to have the matter settled in the law courts,
and that we are willing to abide by that decision. Instead
of doing this they try to frighten us and to force us to give
up our rights. Under these circumstances we appeal to you,
as captain of one of H. M. ships of war, to protect us and
our property. Though Indians, we are and have been »or
years loyal subjects of Her Majesty. We have no wish to
oppose the law or the authorities. We are only anxious to
prevent our possessions from being taken from us, and we
know that it is to protect the interests of all, v ven the
poorest of Her Majesty's subjects, that ships of war and
soldiers are maintained.

Paul Legaic,
Alfred Dudoward,
(Signed) Matthias Haldane,

DaNIKL AUKIOL,

Alukrt Shakks,
For the people of Metlakahlla and Fort Simpson.

430

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Serious Loss To The Province.
Editorial From The Daily Colonist.

From the Daily Colonist Victoria B. C,

The Indian Troubles.— We are informed by the Rev.
William Duncan that he is deputed by the Tsimshean Ind-
ians to proceed to Washington and interview President
Cleveland, and his Cabinet with a view to removing the
entire nation to Alaska, just beyond the border. If his
mission meets with success the Indians will remove, ** bag
and baggage," to the land of " the midnight sun," and
luxuriate in Uncle Sam's territory. Mr. Duncan goes east
to-morrow morning, and hopes to make the necessary ar-
rangements. The loss would be a serious one to the prov-
ince. — EditoriaL

ev.
id-
ent
the
his
)ag
ind
ast
ar-
ov-

CORRESPONDENCE ON THE ChURCH AND StATE

Coercion, and the Indian Land Rights.

The following animated correspondence, ap-
peared in the British Columbian journals, during
the past several months, and will be perused with
interest by those who desire to more fully acquaint
themselves, with the details of this story of grievous
wrong.

The letters from the defenders of the wrong-
doers, seem almost to answer themselves by their
obvious, wilful distortion of known facts, and the
iniquity of their propositions.

The correspondence is printed in order of the
date of publication, beginning with the letter of
Bishop Cridge, the earliest resident (living) clergy-
man on the Canadian Pacific coast — and a man
who has enjoyed rare opportunities for acquiring a
thorough knowledge of this whole question from its
very incipiency. H. S. W.

THE METLAKAHTLANS.
From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C, October a8, 1886.
To iHii Editor : The intended despatch of another war-
vessel against the Metlakahtlans leads me to solicit a space
in your columns for a few words in the interests of justice and
peace. My familiar acquaintance with the affairs of that

432

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

settlement from the beginning, and my firm conviction of
the peaceful character and loyal intentions of its inhabitants,
induce me to use my humble efforts to move the government
from their design. To those who have impartially watched
the course of events it will be apparent that the Metlakah-
tlans have been guilty of no illegal acts, nor hostile demon-
strations, in the steps they have taken to establish their
rights to their ancient inheritance. They have in a peaceful
way done no more than what is common in disputes about
land to bring the question to a legal issue. The issue is
twofold, first with the government, and secondly with the
Church Missionary Society, an ecclesiastical sect (for in
this province it is simply a sect) whose services they have
dispensed with.

The issue with the government is vital, being nothing less
than denial of their title to the land. The Mctlakahtlans,
resting on the principles of natural justice held all the world
over, claim that they have a communal title to the land
held by their forefathers from time immemorial, and that no
power has, through conquest, acquired ti e right of giving
it away. This view of the case has been enunciated by the
most competent legal authorities, and was endorsed by the
Viceroy of the Dominion, the nearest approach to the pledge
of majestv that could be made. The Mctlakahtlans claim
a right to the land, not through favor of any reserve made
by government, but because it is their patrimony.

The governments deny this but the Indians know it ; and,
therefore, they have regarded the act of the government in
surveying the reserve, not as a friendly proceeding in their
interest as wards of the crown, but as a preliminary step to
depriving them of all right and title in the land, if needs be
by force of arms. They therefore looked upon the surveyor
in the light of a trespasser, and in pulling up his stakes they
intended no rebellion, but employed ilieir only or best
means of bringing the contention to a legal issue.

APPENDIX.

433

To this end they have also subscribed a sum of money to
meet the expenses of the action, and this they conceive to
be the highest pledge they could afford of their loyal and
peaceful intentions.

The contention with the ecclesiastical body referred to is
somewhat different.

The " Society" who were permitted to occupy the site of
the mission house solely on account of services rendered to
the inhabitants, now that those services are no longer re-
quired, still hold possession, apparently claiming ownership
or at least the right of perpetual occupancy. The Metla-
kahtlans, therefore, have taken, without violence or riot,
the step of erecting a building on the land in question with
the sole view of bringing this contention also to a legal is-
sue. Should the Society take the legal, peaceful means of
redress open to them through a civil action the Mctlakah-
tlans are prepared to abide by the ultimate decision of the
law, whatever that may be. Hut as long as the govern-
ments seek to coerce the Mcllakahtlans into submission by
the sword it is hardly to be expected that the Society will be
anxious to redress themselves.

This brings me to speak of the rights of the Indians as
subjects. The state of pupilage in which they are means
only restraint in certain social and civil respects, but docs not
affect their immunities in respect oHi/e, liberty, and property,
none of whicn,any more than those of white people, may be
infringed upon except by due process of law. If I am cor-
rectly informed on this matter, the house of an Indian is as
sacred as that of a white man, and not even the government
can make forcible entry. If it be alleged that he has no
title he can only be ejected by process of law. If this be so,
then the forcible measures taken, or to be taken against the
Indians, are surely illegal. And certainly no less contrary
to sound policy. The consequences of resorting to a policy
of war may be very grave. The Metlakahtlans certainly

434

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

will not resist her majesty's forces. But the tribes far and
near are watching the case with intense anxiety, as that on
which their own rights depend. They will regard forcible
seizure at Metlakahtla as the forerunner of what will happen
to themselves, and there are not wanting signs to show that
in such a case they will be exasperated and alarmed in the
highest degree. If war ensues these down-trodden members
of the human family must be conquered in the end, but the
whole guilt of innocent blood will surely rest on those who
rejected the peaceable means of settlement provided by the
law and sought it by force.

October 26, 1886. Your obedient servant,

Edward Cridge.

[Bishop R. £. C, Resident since 1854.]

CORRECTION.
From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C. , October 29, 1886.

To THE Editor : Permit me to make a correction
needful to the sense of my argument in my letter on the
Indian troubles in this morning's issue. After my statement
of the claim advanced by the Indians to rights in the land
not by favor of reserves but as their patrimony, the types
make mc say, " The governments deny this but the Indians
know it." The argument clearly requires, " and the Indians
know it," that is, know that the governments so deny, and
that, knowing this, they regard the surveying of the land, not
as a friendly, but as a hostile act on the part of the govern-
ments.

Permit one word more. It is not, in tlie opinion of many
thoughtful people, a just recognition and equitable adjust-
ment of their claims that will inflame the native minds, but
statements put forth by authority that they have no rights
beyond what the rulers of the country may, in their grace

APPENDIX.

435

and charity, be pleased to grant them. Should such state-
ments reach their ears, and be taken seriously, there is, I
think, nothing more likely to drive them to desperation.
October 28, 1886. Edward Cridge.

METLAKAHTLA.
From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C, October 29, 1886.

To THE Editor : Rev. Bishop Cridge, in a letter in your
columns, has put forward views with regard to the right of
the Indians to the lands of the province which are entirely
at variance with law which has been recognized ever since
England became a colonizing nation. And I cannot help
thinking that the publication, at this juncture, of such views
as are contained in thaf letter, is nothing more than an
active encouragement to the Indians to resist a peaceable
settlement of what has been a continual source of expense
and trouble to the province. The Indians only act, speak,
and think as they are advised, and nothing would have been
heard about this claim to the lands of the province as their
patrimony if it had not been pressed upon them by injudici-
ous advising. I will quote the following extracts from the
judgment of Chancellor Boyd, of Ontario :

" The colonial policy of Great Britain, as it regards the
claims and treatment of the aboriginal populations in
America, has been from the first uniform and well defined.
Indian peoples were found scattered wide-cast over the con-
tinent,, having, as a characteristic, no fixed abodes, but mov-
ing as the exigencies of living demanded. As heathens and
barbarians, it was not thought that they had any proprietary
title 10 the soil, nor any such claim thereto as to interfere
with the plantations, and the general prosecution of coloni-
zation. They were treated 'justly and graciously,' as Lord
Bacon advised, but no legal ownership of the land was ever
attributed to them. The Attorney-General, in his argument,

436

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

called my attention to a joint opinion given by a * multitude
of counsellors,' about 675, touching land in New York,
while yet a province under English rule."

The opinion referred to was as follows :

" Councell's opinion concerning Coll Nicholl's patent and
Indian purchases :

"The land called N. York and other parts in America
now called N. East Jersey, was first discovered by Sebastian
Cobbitt, a subject of England, in King Henry ye Seventh
time, about 180 years since and afterwards, further by Sir
Walter Raleigh, in ye reign of Queen Eliz. and after him by
Henery Hudson in ye reign of King James, and also by the
Lord Deleware and begun to be planted in ye year 1614 by
Dutch and English. The Dutch placed a governour there,
but upon complaint made by the King of England to ye
states of Holland, the said states disowned ye bisness and
declared it was only a private undertaking of ye West India
Company, of Amsterdam, so ye King of England granted a
comison to Sir Edward Laydon to plant these parts calling
them New Albion and ye Dutch submitted themselves to ye
English government, but in King Charles ye I's reign ye
troubles in England breaking forth, the English not minding
to promote these new plantations because of ye troubles, ye
Dutch pretended to establish a government there again until
ye year 1660, when afterwards it was reduced under ye Eng-
lish government and included ?i; :l fatified in ye peace made
between England and Holland; then it was granted to ye
Duke of York, 1664, who ye.saiTie year granted it to ye Ld
Barckley and Sr George Carlrett, betwixt ye Duke's grant
to ye Ld Barckley and Sr George Cartrett, and notice
thereof in America several persons took grants of land from
Coll Nicholls, ye Duke's govnor. Severall of ye planters
have purchased of ye Indians, but refuse to pay any ac-
knowledgement to ye King's grantees.

" Q. 1st. Wither ye grants made by Coll Nicholls arc

APPENDIX.

437

good against the assigns of ye Ld Barckley and Sr George
Cartrett.

" Q. 2nd. Wither the grants from ye Indians be sufficient
to any planter without a grant from ye King or his assigns.

" Ans. 1st. To ye first question the authority by which
Coll NichoUs acted determined by ye Duke's grant to ye Ld
Barckley and Sr George Cartrett and all grants mads by
him afterwards (tho according to ye comison) are void, for
ye delegated power wch Coll Nicholls had of making grantes
of ye land could last no longer than his master's interest
who gave him ye power and ye having or not having notice
of ye Duke's grant to ye Lord Barckley and Sr George Car-
trett, makes no difference in ye law, but ye want of notice
makes it great equity, yet ye present proprietrs should con-
firm such grant to ye people who will submitt to the co-
missions and payments of the present proprietors. Quitt
rents, otherwise they may look upon them as Deceivers
and treat them as such.

"Answ. To the 2nd Question by ye Law of Nations if
any people make ye Discovery have ye Right of ye Soyle
and Governt of yt place and no people can plant there with-
out ye Consent of ye Prince or of such persons to whom his
rights is Devoulved and conveyed. The practice of all
Plantations has been according to this and no people have
been Suffered to take up Land but by ye Consent and Ly-
cence of ye govr or proprietors under yc princes title whose
people made ye first discovery and upon their submition to
ye laws of ye place and contribution to yc public charge of
ye place and ye payment of such rent and other value for
ye soile as ye proprietrs for yc time being required, and
tho it hath been and still is ye usuall practice of all proprie-
trs to give their Indians some recompence for their land
and seem to purchase it of them, yet yt is not done for want
of sufficient title from ye king or prince who hath ye right
of discovery, but out of prudence and Christian charity,

438

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

least otherwise the Indians might have destroyed ye first
planters (who are usually to few to defend themselves) or
refuse all commerce and conversation wit*' the planters and
thereby all hopes of converting them to ye Christian faith
would be lost. In this the common law of England and ye
civill law doth agree, and if any planter be refractory and
will insist on his Indian purchase and not submit to this law
of plantations, ye proprietrs who have ye title under ye
prince may deny them ye benefit of yc law and prohibitt
commerce with them as opposcrs and encmys to ye public
Vi^^ce. Besides tis observable yt no man can goc from
'..agland to plant in "i English plantation without leave
iijm yc government, and, therefore, in all patents and
grants of plantations from yc king a particular license to
carry over planters is insertinl, which power io prohibitting,
is now in ye proprietors as ye king assigns, aad therefore
the same planters have purchased from ye Indians, yctt
having done soe without ye consent of yc proprietors for
/e time being ye title ii good .ngainst the Indians, but not
against the proprietors without a confirmation from them
upon the usuall terms of other plantations."

•' \Vm. Lkkk, Io. Holt,

Wm. Williams, Wm. Thomson,
Jo. HoLLKS, Riciii). Wallop,

John iIoyle, Hen. Pollexken.
" A true copy ;

Garvin Laurie,
Rout. West."

Ihc above printed extract is from vol. xiii. of "Docu-
mentn rclatiukj to the Colonial History of the State of New
York," p. 486.

I think it accurately states t'.ie constitutional law in these
words :

" Though it hath been and still is the usual prnclire of all
proprietors to give their Indians some rciompcnsc for their

APPENDIX.

439

land, and so seem to purchase it of them. Yet that is not
done for want of sufficient title from the king or prince who
hath the right of discovery, but out of prudence and Chris-
tian charity, least otherwise the Ind'ans might have de-
stroyea the first planters (who arc usually too few to defend
themselves), or refuse all commerce and conversation with
the planters, and thereby all hopes of converting them to the
Christian faith would be lost. In this the common law of
England and the civil law doth agree. . . . Though some
planters have purchased from Ind ano, yet having done so
without the consent of the proprietors for the time being the
title is good against the Indians but not against the proprie-
tors without a confirmation from thrm upon the usual terms
of other plantations ? (Vol. xiii., " Documents relating to
Colonial History of the State o*" New York," p. 486.)

Of the six counsel who si^n this opinion, one (Richard
Wallop) became Cursilor Baron of the Kxciictiucr, another
(Henry I'oUexsea) became Ciucf Justice of the Common
I'leas, and a ihird (Holtj was afterward Chief Justice of
Kngland.

In a classical judgment, Marshall, C. J., has concisely
stated the same law of the mother country, which the United
States inherited and applied, with such modifications as were
necessitated by the change of government, to their late deal-
ings with the Indians. I (juote passages from Johnson and
Mcintosh, 8 Wheat., p. 595, etc.

*' According to the theory of the Hritish constitution, all
vacant lands are visted in the crown, as representing the
nation ; and the exclusive power to grant them is admitted
to reside in the crown as a branch of the royal prerogative.
. . . This principle was ns fully recogni/.cd in America
as in the land of (irca^ Hritain. So far as respected the au-
thority of the crown, no distinction was taken between vacant
lands and lands occupied !>y Indian'.. 'I'he title, subject to
the right uf occupancy by the Indiuits, was admitted to be in

440

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the king, as was his right to grant that title." At p. 588 :
"All our institutions recognize the absolute title of the crown,
subject only to the Indian right of occupancy, and recognize
the absolute title of the crown to extinguish that right."

Again : The relations between the government and the
Indians charge upon the establislniient of reserves. While
in the nomadic state they may or may not choose to treat
with the crown for the extraction of their primitive right of
occupancy. If they refuse, the government is not ham-
pered, but has perfect liberty to proceed with the settlement
and development of the country, nwiX so sooner or later dis-
place them. If, however, they eloct to treat, they then be-
come, in a special sense, wards of the state, are surrou' .led
by its protection while under pupilage, and have their rights
assured in perpetuity to the usual land-reserve. In regard
to this reserve the tribe enjoy practically all the advantages
and safeguards of private resident proprietors.

BEKORK fllK AlM'KOI'RlATION OK RKSF.RVES THK IND-
IANS HAVE NO CLAiM EXCEPT UPON IHE lUlUNTY AND

Hknka'olknce oi' THK CROWN. After the a|)i)roprialion
;hey become invested with a legally recognized tenure of
defined lands, in which they have a ])resent right as to the
exclusive and absolute contract, and a potential right of be-
coming; individual own rrs in fee after enfranchisement.

It follows that land ungranted, upon which Indians arc
living at large in their primitive state within any province,
form part of the public lands, and are held as l)ef()re n-
federation by that provi.ice under various sections of the H.
N. A. Act. M. W. T. Drake.

RIGHTS or AUORir.lNKS.

From Ihp PnUy Colonist, Victorin. \\. C., ( )ct'. hot jo, i88rt.

To IMK I'.DITOR : No one, I imagine, who considers
the hunii/i uccusiiity tu the lU' facto ijuvuniuicnts of the

APPENDIX.

441

world, entertains for a moment the wild idea that the
rights of aboriccines in the soil occupied by their fathers are
to be placed on a level with civilized tenures. In no case,
that I am aware of, has such a notion been entertained,
even by the natives themselves. The Indians perfectly un-
derstand that the land is not of the same value to them as it
is to the civilized community, and that they cannot make it
so ; and they are therefore ever found content with fair and
equitable reserves and capitation grants (non-interceptible),
coupled with the protection of the law, and adjustment of
claims in certain limited localities whereon their livelihood
depends. This, I app.ehend, is the whole science of deal-
ing wifn Indian righis, the fundamental principle of which
is natural justice, or that unwritten law which the most bar-
barous governments cannot afford wholly to despise.

I discern this principle underlying Mr. Drake's quota-
tions, veiled as it is by a species of lofty grandiloquence,
which reads rather strangely in our day, from • hich, how-
ever, that gentleman appears to draw conclusions which are
neither just nor accordant with facts.

There is no risk, as there ought to be no disdain, in
treating with the Indians witii the extinction of their claims.
This, however, ovr governments, so far as the noriiiern
tribes arc concerned, have, if I am not mistaken, stidly re-
fused to do, preferring apparently the Alexandrian method
if cutting the knot which — one cannot l)ut fear — they are too
'luighty to stoop down to unloose, therein, also, uniipiely
departing from tlu* almost in iversal met'iod pursuL-d in
the State?-, in Canada, and in other parts of this province,
and, in fact, laid down as law, in Mr. T^rakc's own chosen
authorities.

Without wishing to use sirong language, truth and a deep
sense of the public weal compel me to express my convic-
tion that the governments have been, and still are, sadly
und fatally going u> tray over this very simple mutter. The

442

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

track of blood which in the Northwest has marked, and in
this province now threatens to mark, the executive path, I
pray God may not be laid to the charge of our rulers, but
that they may be shown the better way of peace.

I may, in conclusion, add my belief that after the unquali-
fied declaration alleged to have been made by the highest
legal authority of the province in this very case, that the
Indians hav' vo rif^hts in the land — a declaration which,
fcr the sake / sty, must be received with awe, if not

with conviction ; Metlakahtlans will see the futility of
prosecuting their rights by civil process ; the matter be-
ing already, by anticipation, decided against them ; and
as I am well persuaded that they will not resort to vio-
lence (I speak not of the uncultivated tribes beyond), my
counsel to this troubled community, whose temper and for-
bearance the highest in the land might do well to imitate, is
to bow to the storm ; appeal to God and the (^ueen, as a
people h( mmed in by the sword but not concjuered ; re-
serve their contributions ; pursue their industries ; and
wait for the day. The day will surely come, and I would
call upon all Christian people to pray the King of kings, and
Judge among judges, to give wisdom to the rulers, peace to
the realm, and glory to His own great name.

October 29, 1886. KuwAKi) Criugl.

BKLMGKKKNT INDIANS.

From tlic Daily dolonist, Victoria, H. C, October 30, 1886.

To THK Kdh'ok : An article published in the IVeekly
Times of the 17th ult., headed " Helligerent Indians," con-
demned our action in preventing Mr. Tuck, the surveyor,
from taking olT a piece of our land to l.c a reserve. May I
ask you kindly to allow me to say a few words in your paper,
that your reailers may see why trouble is still existing, and
increasing among us. This trouble, which began nearly five

APPENDIX.

443

years ago, could easily have been settled if it had been
only treated in a civilized way in the commencement, for " a
stitch in time saves nine."

When we knew that our case was a severe one, and the
wound was deep, we at once laid it before the government
authorities, and pointed out to them where the sore was.
The men in authority acknowledged that the wound was a
painful one, and expressed their wish to see it cured. The
only remedy they tried to cure it with was speaking to us of
government power or soothing us with promises of justice.

The one-sided Government Commission of Inquiry, in
"Micawbcr's" style, prctendeu o examine into the cause
of this trouble ; but, like ** Micawber," failed to make any
satisfactory settlement. Hut instead, they recommended
the government to take off two acres of our village site,
against our written protest, to be government land held in
trust by the government for the exclusive use of the Church
Missionary Society.

When we found out that all this work was not meant to
settle our trouble but was mere pretension, we sent three of
our native brethren as delegates to " Ottawa," who conveyed
complaints, especially about the " two acres," to the Do-
minion (lovernment. Sir John Macdonald, tlie Premier, lis-
tened to our complaints aiul told nur representatives he
would write to the Church Missionary Society advising them
to remove from the" two acres "and that he would consider
the other matters we had told him of. He also wrote us a
letter, dated July 29, 1885, in which he says : " On receipt
of a reply from that society I will write you regarding said
matter and in respect to the other subjects brought before
me in the papcrii tiled by you."

Up to this date we have not received his promised letter ;
but instead of writing to us he sent up Mr. Tuck on August
24th last, to scratch the old sore with a surveying instru-
ment.

444

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

Sir, it may be the $60,000 sale of the Songeesh village
made the Dominion Government forget ti)e promise they
made to us about settling our land troubles. Possibly they
are looking forward to another lucky sale of our land when
it is surveyed into a " reserve," and to transport us, the
lawful owners, to another " ten-mile point," for " what man
has done man can do again."

I ask by what right the Dominion Government own the
money that Mr, Dunsmuir paid for that property ? )s honest
and strict John Bull aware of these " semi- civilized " ways
of doing business ? The Times railed at us as a set of law-
less people warring against government power because wc
say that the land of our forefathers, which wchave inherited,
belongs to us and not to the government, and recommended
that a gun -boat should be sent up again to setilo this
trouble, as if it could be cleared by grape-shot. This *' senii-
civilized " talker knows not that Her Majesty's ships arc pro-
tectors of the lives and property of all those who are under
the British flag, and not oppressors.

The game of tr^ ing to cure our complaints with gun-boats
was played on us several times, and several times we have
been falsely accused in the Queen's name as law-breakers,
and unlawfully punished. But every time when our case
was tried in a court of law we were treated not as law-
breakers but as law-abiding people.

If we are again to be maliciously punished in the name of
our (^ucen, for being land-owners, we will submit to such
punishment as before ; but to be as squatters on our own
land, we cannot submit to that. The Queen's own repre-
sentative, Lord DufTerin, acknowledged our right to this
land, and did not claim it to be the Queen's land without a
treaty having first been made with us. His civilized words
are still ringing in our ears. Cannon balls will not kill them.
The Times recommends a gim-boat to " bring us to our
Kunses." Is it the way uf civilized people to recommend

APPENDIX.

445

punishment to persons before they are known to have
broken the law ?

And are we out of our senses and warring against England's
law because we hold fast our title to our inheritance ? Is
not the love of a bird for its nest a natural feeling given to
it by the Creator ? Does it need a " wliite teacher " to im-
plant this feeling in its breast ? In the Tsimshean heart
just the same love for their "nest" (nest is the word by
which the Tsimshcans used to call their land) has existed
for generations before the " white teacher " came, Mr.
Duncan did not put this feeling into our hearts. Before
he came our people fought and killed those who tried to rob
them of their land ; and since he came he has shown us a
better way of defending it. The Times falsely says that Mr.
Duncan has taught us to be lawless, and trouble-makers ; in-
stead of this he has taught us to appeal to the laws of our
Queen as our protection. Is tliis a crime ? Mr. Duncan's
work among Tsimshcans for the past twenty-nine years
speaks for itself.

Cheating and underhanil dealing with Tsimshcans Is now
too late. That game would have answered thirty years a^o
when European fur-dealers paid for a prime black bear-skin
with a lacquered tin cup. What is wanted nowadays in
dealing with our follow-mcn is a civilized way of doing busi-
ness, " a just balance, just weights, a just ephah, and a just
hin."

Sir, I must confess that I do not believe our inheritance
will be taken away from us by oppression by our Christian
Queen, whose righteous laws are from God's book, the Uible,
and were made for the benefit of all. It is written, " The
prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppres-
sion to till list them out of their possession ; but he shall
give his sons inheritance out of his own possession ; that my
people be not scattered every man from his possession "
(Ezekiel xlvi. i8).

446

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Let the world know that we are upholding the just laws of
our Queen. Oppression and robbery are contrary to the
laws both of God and the Queen.

Y. D. Determin.
[David Leask].
Native of Metlakahtla.
METLAKAHTLA, B. C, October 8, 1886.

THE INDIAN QUESTION.

From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C. , October 31, 1886.

To THE Editor : Bishop Cridge, in a letter to your
journal, has expressed his opinion as to the right of the
Indians to the soil they have occupied for centuries, an
opinion not intended to be an exposition of the law of
England with regard to the Indian title and the old policy,
but an opinion founded on common-sense and principles of
justice. The nations of Europe by superior force, and not
by right, have made a law unto themselves with reference
to the rights of the inhabitants of lands they have discov-
ered. England and other nations discover an island or a
continent inhabited by a people they, from their stand-point,
call barbarians, and by reason of their superior force and
the weakness of the so-called barbarians, they take posses-
sion of their country, and out of Christian charity they
.1II0W them to occupy a part of it. Where docs the Chris-
tian charity commence ? Is it in first knocking a man down
and robbing him because you arc civilized and Christian,
and your victim is not, and then out of Christian charity
giving him back the smallest possible portion of his own
goods — which were iaken by force ? This is the law of Eng-
land as expounded by eminent counsel, as quoted by Mr.
Drake in his letter of yesterday, in which he censures
Bishop Cridge for his opinions and says, • That he cannot
help thinking that the publication, at this juncture, of such

APPENDIX.

447

views as are contained in that letter, is nothing more than an
active encouragement to the Indians to resist a peaceable
settlement of what has been a continual source of expense
and trouble to the province.' Now, sir, I would like to ask
which is most likely to engender feelings of discontent and
revenge in the Indian mind — to be told by Bishop Cridge
that they have rights in and to the country which they and
their ancestors have occupied for centuries, or to be told
by Mr. Drake on the authority of counsel, however eminent,
that they have no right or title, and that the portions of
their own country set apart for them by those who took
possession of their country is theirs only by charity and
clemency and not by a shadow of right ?

I am not a lawyer and I therefore ask the question, Is
not the law in very many cases founded on custom ? And al-
though European nations in their colonial policy made unto
themselves a law for claiming and holding discovered inhab-
ited lands by force if necessary, yet what has been the cus-
tom even in the (now antiquated; legal opinions quoted by
Mr. Drake, in support of the exclusive right of title in the
crown, the following will be found : * Though it hath been,
and still is, the usual practice of all proprietors (sovereigns)
to give their Indians some recompense for their land (it will
be seen that the land is here called their la,td — inadvert-
ently, no doubt, those words of truth slipped in), and so
seem to purchase it from them, yet that is not done for want
of suflficient title from the king or prince who hath the right
of discovery, but out of prudence and Christian charity,
least otherwise the Indians might have destroyed the first
planters, who are usually too few to defend themselves, or
refuse all commerce or conversation with the planters, and
thereby all hopes of converting them to the Christian faith
would be lost.' I say, then, if recompense has been the
usual custom for 200 years, is it not now the law ?

I ask any common person to imagine what the effect must

448

THE STORY OF MF.TLAKAin LA.

be, and what evils have taken place in trying to enforce a
law founded on the principle of might here laid down.

We are told that out of prudence and charity they are
paid iox their land. " Their land" must mean the Indian's
own land. The charity, it will be observed, was not for the
Indians but for the planters who might be too few to defend
themselves — and lest the Indians should refuse to trade — sc
that Christian rulers, from the actual fear that the Indians
were too powerful for the early colonists and that the gains
of the colonists or planters should be lessened by the In-
dians not trading with them, have of their Christian bounty
paid them for their own lands — and on these noble and dis-
interested principles of justice is founded the law of England
affecting the colonial policy.

I think I am correct in stating that the law quoted by Mr.
Drake is unwritten so far as being enacted by any imperial
statute, and is entirely the outcome of ignorant r nd arbi-
trary expediency of past ages. Since the colonies took in
hand the management of their own affairs, the governments
of nearly every colony and territory have come to the con-
clusion, whether from motives of fear or honesty, that the
original occupiers of the soil must be dealt with, and their
rights to those portions of the country not requisite for their
actual use they should be invited to surrender by treaty for
a substantial consideration. In the United States all the Ind-
ian nations have been settled with by treaty, and in lieu of
the domain surrendered they receive an annual allowance
in food, clothing, and perhaps money — the government of
that country fully recognizing that if the food-supply of the
Indians is lessened by the settlement of the whites on their
former hunting grounds, that it is the duty of the government
to provide for their wants. Such a policy as this has been
enjoined by imperial recommendation or proclamation on
the older provinces of Canada, to which they have in nearly
every case given effect. We have only to look at the Indian

APPENDIX.

449

policy of the Dominion Government in the Northwest Terri-
tory to be satisfied that Indians have some right and title to
the soil they occupy, and that the opinions quoted by Mr.
Drake, although law, have through custom become inopera-
tive in the light of the nineteenth century. The Dominion
Government has so fully and freely acknowledged the claims
of Indians to the soil over which they roamed that they have
been most anxious that such claims should be surrendered
by legal treaty, as being necessary in the interests of peace,
good government, and the settlement of the country, and all
the tribes who have "taken treaty" receive subsidies in
money, food, and clothing. Such a policy is in perfect har-
mony with Bishop Cridge's views, because they are humane
and just. W. J. Macdonald.

[Life Senator of Doiniiilou Parliament of Canada from British Columbia.]

THE METLAKAHTLANS.

From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C, November 2, 1886.

To THE Editor: The Metlakahtla "fizgig" is oc-
casioned by the endeavor and intention of the provincial
government to define the boundaries of a tract of land
seventy thousand acres in extent attached to and surround-
ing the Indian village at Metlakahtla and for the benefit of
tlie Indians and no one else. The Indians, through their
white mislcaders, prevent by violence the surveyors ap-
pointed by the government performing this duty. They
openly oppose the government, but thus far — chiefly thn >. ',!'•
the forbearance of the surveyors — no grievous bodily liawn
has been done to anyone. The Metlakahtla question is not
one of pscudo-christuxnity or pseudo-phUanthropy j but
whether Indians shall be allowed at the instigation of their
misleaders to set the rule of the province at their defiance.
There can be but one answer to this question. Neither
the Indian policy of the United States nor that of Eastern

450

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Canada has ever been adopted by British Columbia, so
their practice has nothing to do with that of tliis province.
Some five and thirty years ago Vancouver Island had a
government of its own, and in dealing with the Indian ques-
tion had to make a policy suitable to the Indians and to
local conditions.

It was determined that the Indians should not be dis-
turbed in their villages, but that a tract of land surrounding
each village should be marked off for the inhabitants thereof
for their use and benefit. It was determined not to remove
them from their villages and huddle them into one or more
general pen or pens for various reasons, such as that, being
fish-eating Indians, they could sustain themselves better in
several localities than in one ; that the tribes, being perpet-
ually at variance with each other, nothing but murders
would ensue if hostile tribes were huddled together ; that
the sentimental feelings of the Indians with regard to their
vill ige sites and graveyards should lie respected ; that by
segregation and living near or among the whites they would
follow their example — learn to work — to become farmers
artd so forth — to become civilized and ultimately to be
merged — when they know civilized ideas of right and wrong,
as equals in the body politic. Such has been the Indian
policy of Vancouver Island for the past thirty-five years,
almost as long as the foundation of the colony. During this
period V'^ancouver Island and the mainland became united
into one colony. The Indian policy of Vancouver Island
was put in force on the mainland also, when the united
colonies became part and parcel of Canada. This system
was unaltered, and to-day is the rule and policy of British
Columbia, and must be submitted to by Metlakahtlans and
their misleaders, us well as by other Indian tribes. It is a
system suitable generally to the province and to the abo-
rigines.

During the past forty years, too, the province has had

APPENDIX.

451

many and every variety of governors — imperial and other-
wise, but the pohcy was never altered on their account ; in
fact, they probably did not even recommend it. That this
policy has been beneficial to the Indians — look at results —
they are patent to all. A few years ago the tribes were per-
petually at war, and the Indians lived ever, night and day,
in dread. Now they live in peace and quiet. A few years
ago they murdered each other ; now they do not. A few
years ago they were comparatively naked ; now they are well
clothed, and, instead of being poor, they are rich, rich in
various ways and in money, and the misleaders had better
ask themselves whose superscription is the current coin. A
few years ago the strangers drove, when they could, tribes
from their lands and appropriated them , even this was the
cMse on the Northern coast and at Metlakahtla. These con-
querers did not give the conquered anything but death or
slavery. Talk of compensation for land! Why, the Indi-
ans have been compensated a thousand-fold, and are still
continuing to be compensated, by having had and still hav-
ing, a civilized people among them. A civilized people who
have induced the Indians to become civiHzed, to leave off
murder, leave off stealing, leave off wars, and leave off
quasi-cannibalism at their " medicine feasts." The civilized
give them employment and pay them therefor, give them
the knowledge of bettering their condition, of which they
avail themselves to a considerable degree ; in fact, owing to
the presence of the whites, the Indians are now better off
than myriads of people in Great Britain, inland, and other
large and civilized communities. And yet their misleaders
ask for compensation. Shamu !

British Columbia has not, during the past thirty-five years,
acknowledged any Indian title to land, save that given them
by, niay I say, their conquerors — not by the sword, but by
civilization and commerce. Do these misleaders want this
policy altered for the sake of the Metlakahtlans ? Do they

452

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

wane to reduce the Metlakahtlans to a lot of beggars — beg-
ging a small pittance of blankets and molasses, for what ?
Will not the Metlakahtlans disdain to ask, and be ashamed
to receive, charity ? They are not paupers and would be
ashamed to be considered such. They arc able-bodied and
inlrlligent— can work for themselves, get t^heir own living
and become rich, as many of them are, and be like white
men — but to be mendicants — surely never !

The British Columbian Indian policy has never deprived
the Indians of anything. They have their liberty. Th':y
h.ive justice equally with the whites— no obstruction to their
fisliing and hunting. Thev have i\ larger number of people
to buy their produce — in fact, they are a thousund times
better off than ever before — and they know it ! Land they
never made use of— the sea afforded thorn their means of
sulisistence. Do the misleaders not make a mistake in not
asking compcn...ition for the sea instead uf for nselcss land ?
The Indians have the benefit of the sale of land as well as
the white men. The government make roads and a host of
other things with the money, which arc as usef'd to the In-
dians as whites. Do the Indians conf'biitc anything to th*^
provincial revenue? If they held what their misleadei.,
term their land -would they not have to pay five cents per
acre iipon ' wild land ? "

Teach the Indians to work, and work with .idvantagc ; this
is the chief way of civilizing them and enabling them to be-
come part and parcel of ourselves, but to teach them to re-
bel is against the law and must not be tolerated. Many
.i.;itators have lost tlicir heads, ir.claphorically and really,
before to-day.

/)ii/ce et (ifcorum est pro patria mon', but the misleaders
take good care to keep away from the conflict— bide and
hide in safety. '* Prudence is the better part of valor."

J. S. IlKI.MLKEN.

APPENDIX.

453

The name of Dr. Hclmcken is not new in British
Columbian history ; his name will long be remem-
bered in connection with the subjoining case of
high-minded justice. Bancroft in descanting on
the treatment of the Aborigines under the com-
bined rule of the Hudson's Bay Co. and Colonial
Government writes :

" From one of the Company's vessels then lying at Vic-
toria, tlirce men desertod to the "Jini;/<i)u/'^ wliich then
continued her way to Fort Rupert. Meanwhile notice was
sent to Rupert of the deserters, wlio thereupon became
fri;^htcncd, left the " /s//i,'/(i«(/" and took to the woods, in-
tending to join the vessel at another po't. Indians were sent
in pursuit with orders from Blenkinsop, then acting for the
<'ompany at Fort Rupert, to l)ring the deserters dead or
alive. Four days afterward the hulians returned and
claimed the reward saying that they had killed them all. It
was true. The sailors had been shot down in the fores' by
savages set upon them by an officer of the Hudson's Hay
Co.

" Now mark the course of justice pursued by the ofrtcers
of the imperial govenunenl. lusteatl of procei-ding against
the instigators of the muriler, and arresting the olticers of
the Hudson's IJay Company, as thfy should have tlone, they
direct the full foiee of their vengeance against the natives.
If<'lm( km, the nnvly fleJi^cd mai^isfriUr, t^^fthtiHt of the
ivhoh' nff'iiir, ami u'rll l-ndu'ini; who lucn fif guilty fxrsons,
and 7vh(it hitnd he hitnxi'lf hiiii in it, goes to the Ncwittcc
camp, twelve niiles distant, and loudly demands the sur-
render of the murderers. The savages acknowledge the
muriler, but plead th.U they were only executing orders.
Truer to themselves and to the right than were the white
ntcn, they refused lu give up the perpetrators uf the deed,

■

454

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

but offered to give up the property paid them by the white
men for the commission of the crime. This did not satisfy
the European justice-dealers. Servants of the Hudson's Bay
Company, Some one must be punished ; and as they did not
wish to hang themselves, ihey must find victims among their
instruments. As the magistrate was unable to accomplish
their purpose, Wcllcsley sent a force under Lieutenant Bur-
ton, in three boats of the " Z?if^/^i/wj," against the Newittces.
Finding their camp deserted, Burton destroyed the village,
and made a bonfire of all the property he could find. The
following summer, H. M. S. *^ Daphne, ^^ Captain I'anshawo
arrived. Meanwhile the Ncwittees had reliuilt their village,
supposing the white men satisfied with the injury already
intlicted. One day while holding a potlach, and being at
peace, as they believed, with the white men, the " Ihip/inc's**
boats, under Lieutenant Lacy, crept into their harbor, and
announced their arrival by a discharge of musketry. Men,
women, and children wen: mercileh.sly cut down, persons
innocent of any thought of wrong ag.iinst their murderers,
and their village again destroyed. 'I'hen the " /Af///;/<* "
saileil away. Justice was satisfied ; and Blenkinsop and the
rest of them went about their work as usual."

Who now will qticstion, the propriety of Dr.
llclnickcii's, sitting in judgincnt upon the rights
of the Natives ?

RIC.IITS OF ABORIGINES.
From tho Ihtily ( 'oiimist, Victorift, B. C, Novombor a, l88d.

To TUB KDiroK : Bislujp Cridgc's lellt;r in the Coh-
til'i/*s issue of the 28lh iiist. is, I apprehend, not likely to
promote the cause of peace and good will, but the contrary,
tthuuld it reach the rctusunt Metiukahtlans crc they have

APPENDIX.

455

been shown the error of their ways. And here, parenthet-
ically, let me state llint before Mr. Duncan's settling at Muh-
ki-tli-kaatla (the Indian name of the place), no s(;pt of the
Tsimshean speakers went by that name. That it had been
an ancient village site for one of these septs I perceived
when there very early in 1866, and utilized ];y Mr. Duncan,
then, by his desire visiting the sick throughout the modern
settlement of his forming. Several erroneous positions arc
assumed in the worthy bishop's letter, to be duly dealt with,
no doubt, when the Metlakahtla case, if ever, comes into
court.

Practically, this Western Canada of ours became a British
possession so soon as fur-traders from Montreal and Hudson's
I?ay, working toward tlie setting sun, had, much to the satis-
faction of the savage natives, reached the shores of the Pa-
cific Ocean. These white men, in pursuit of the still too
mighty dollar, and not without their due share of human in-
firmities, from which, al.is ! neither clergyman nor mission-
ari'"s arc exempt, were nevertheless ( hitily, but not alto-
gether in furtherance of their con j( ial pursuits, great
civilizers of the untutored red men, \\aom from Southern
Alaska to Southern Oregon they tamed into p( leeable re-
t'ei)tion of the immigrating white m.in, who, mainly through
his own, perhaps inevitable, blundering, and necess.udy
nftcr fur-trading inlluence for peace, much weakened, had
no trouble with the Indians.

On our own northwest coast, from Nisqually, W. T., ta
the Canatlian Alaskan bomnlary, influences for peace for
uwrc than twenty years before Mr. Duncan, as a guest at
Kort Simpson (II. 11. Co.'s post), began his //ir/t useful
teachings, had been greatly increased by the etpialization ol
(listriliution of Hudson's Hay gims and ammunition, by the
regular visits of liic I ludson's 15, ly Company's steamer lUaver
to every nook and corni-r of the very large sea-frontage of
uur niainland, wherever lurs could be purchased. Thus, in

456

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

due time, kidnapping and plundering, murderous raids, ex-
ecuted with the greatest treachery and secrecy, were ter-
minated ; and all found it advantageous to meet peaceably,
to sell, buy, and barter at the white man's trading post, or at
the appointed rendezvous of his trading steamer. Be it also
remembered tliat at Hudson's Bay posts, in a measure,
doubtless, in the interests of trade, it was a rule to dis-
countenance the marauder and murderer, and to encourage,
by kindly treatment, the peaceable and industrious. The
murderer of a white man was pursued relentlessly and in the
end punished as he deserved, or made an outcast of.

I had got thus far, when in the Colonist of to-day, Octo-
ber 30th, I observed my friend Bishop Cridge's second let-
ter under the heading "Rights of Aborigines," which I
gladly adopt as the title or caption of " these j)rescnts." I
have only to say particularly of the bishop's second letter, and
I say it emphatically, tii it the bloodguilliness, if any should
anywhere ensue, from present recusancy of a very small
portion of the Tsimshean wide-spread nation, will be directly
chargeable against the vuiladvisers for the last five years
of those previously peaceable, and for good ends eminently
tractable people. Next, 1 cordially appeal to the sense of
natural justice, to llie unwritten laws mentioned in my
friend's second letter. 1 call a halt, I urge a truce between
the present contending parties, and invite them jointly with
"all Christian people" (i'> (pioti my friend's words) and
other lunnane men and women, thin the province and
throughout the Dominion, to combine with us in an im-
mediate and urgent effort to induce our worthy Dominion
Premier and his able, right-minded Cabinet to give to the
Tsimshean now at Metlakahtla, with their tribes-men, and
to flu' Songcesh and Swhymal Indians, conjointly, of our own
near neighborhood — all on suitable reservations — able teach-
eis of I'jiglish, spoken .md written, instructo' > in the niost
needed useful arts, a buurding-huusc fur schulurs from u

APPENDIX.

457

distance, a hospital for the infirm and for her foundlings, and
such other aid as would fit the Indians middle-aged and
young for voting and for earning a livelihood as, and among,
the white occupants of their country, of their wonted use of
which they, in certain parts, but not on the Northwest
coast, have been greatly deprived by our pastoral claims,
enclosures, Hocks, herds, etc.

Surely, Mr. Editor, sectarian divisions, weakening as the
years roll on, should not prevent all religionists, churched
or unchurched, or liumane people, if unhappily without re-
ligion, from joining in this suggested good work, so urgently
required at this critical moment.

As people claiming to be in the van of civilization we
Columbians, Midland and Eastern Canadians, owe to our
Indians a very kind, liberal, and judicious management, as
from wise guardian to /iciplcss ward. It is painful, sir, to
know, as I do from frecpjent inquiry at Indians in Victoria
streets, how very few of their children outlive infancy.

\V. F. TOLMIE.

"MISLEADERS-'OF THE INDIANS.
From the Diiily Co/oHist, Victoria, B. C. , November 3, 1886.

To THK Editor : The attention of the public is again
being directed to the Indian land question, and well will it
be for the province if the subject is met, discussed, and
settled honestly, dispassionately, and eipiitably.

The question of land interests is conlVssidly just now a
knotty and vital one for more countries than British Colum-
h\,\. No question of modern times is engrossing so nnich
time and taxing the talents of our statesmen. And it is
notorious that most of the troubles of this generation are
the outcome of blundering and injustice in years gone by,
in reference to land matters.

4S8

THE STORY OF MKIT.AK AilTLA.

British Columbia is called upon tn settle the question
squarely and justly. It is not a matter to be settled by
abusing individuals or talking of generalities. If British
Columbia is to be exempt from the errors and sad experi-
ence of older countries the rights of the Indians in the land
must be ascertained, defined, enforced., and as sacredly
defended as tlie rights of white men arc.

Unfortunately, the question is hampered at the outset by
the fact that the Indians are the weak, the poor, and tlie
despised ones. In asserting their claims they are, there-
fore, ever in danger of arousing the enmity and greed of
their powerful neighbors. Those of us who dare Ijcfriend
them or interpret their words or views are denounced as
conspirators. Be it so. History is ever repeating itself, be-
cause the conditions of life remain unchanged. The strug-
gle of right with wrong inevitably must go on to the disad-
vantage of right till the tunc on the organ of the present
di'pcnsiition is linishod and the stop is changed by the hand
of the Omnipotent and All-wise.

For the purpose of throwing new light on the subject at
issue, it may not be inopportune at tliis juncture to ])lace
before the public the statements of persons in authority
now living, and leave readers to decide for themselves
whether those persons who deal with facts arc mislcaders
or not in Indian affairs. The Superintendent -General of
Indian Affairs occupying the same position as Sir John Mac-
donald docs now toward the Indians, in a communication
to the provincial government, dated Ottawa, Noveml)er 2,
1874, says: "A cursory glance at these docununls is
enough to show that the present state of the Indian land
(piestion in our territory west of the Rocky Mountains is
most unsatisfactory, and that it is the occasion not only of
great discontent among the aboriginal tribes, but also of
serious alnrtn to tlu* white settlers. The guaranti-eing the
abuiigiues uf liiiii^ili Columbia the continuance uf a policy

APPENDIX.

459

as liberal as was pursued by the local government seems
little short of a mockery of their claims.

" If there has not been an Indian war, it is not because
there has been no injustice to the Indians, but because the
Indians have not been sufficiently united."

Again, in a communication from the Department of Jus-
tice, dated Ottawa, January 19, 1875, occur the following :

" No surrenders of lands in British Columbia Province
has ever been obtained from the Indian tribes with one ex-
ception. . . . Any reservations which have been made
have been arbitrary on the part of the government, and with-
out the assent of the Indians themselves.

" There is not a shadow of doubt that from the earliest
times P^igland has always fcilt it imjicrative to meet the In-
dians in council, and to o])tain surrenders of tracts of Canada
as from time to time such were required for the purposes of
settlement. ...

"it is sufficient for the present purpose to ascertain the
jiolicy of ICngland in respect to the ac(|uisition of the Indian
territorial rights, and how entirely tiial policy has been fol-
lowed to the present time except in the instance of British
Columbia."

I think it unnecessary to quote further from these author-
itative documents, but surely such words from such men
ouglit to have v.'cight with every honest mind.

The words and views on this subject of that great states-
man Lord DufTerin, when occupying the highest position
in tiie Dominion of Canada, are well known. I will re-
mind the public only of a line or two. He said : " Most
imforlunately, as 1 think, t'ure has been an initial error ever
since Sir James Douglas (piitted office, in the government of
British Columbia neglecting to recognize what i*? known as
the Indian title."

In conclusion, I woidd ask, ran it be riglit to rharactcrlre
such persons whose views I have ipioled as misleaders of

46o

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

the Indians, and is it not startling to hear from the lips of
the chief justice in a court room — that the words of the Gov-
ernor-General of Canada on this subject, spoken before " the
leading men" of this province in Victoria, were only'* blar-
ney for the mob ? "

If the editor of the Co/onr'f will permit me, I propose pub-
lishing copies of the documents which were filed last summer
on Indian affairs when the Tsimshean delegates visited Ot-
tawa. From these documents it will be seen, I think, that
the Indians ask for nothing unreasonable and certainly for
nothing in the direction of presents, which some suppose
they ask for. William Duncan.

INDIAN TITLE.

From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C, November 4, 1886.

To THE Editor : Docs not Mr. Duncan see that in
writing, " Lord DulYcrin considered the Indians to have a
title to the land," and then immediately afterward writing
•' that the chief justice ridiculed the assertion," that the one
assertion at least neutr.ilizcs the other ? The chief justice's
opinion, indeed, does away with Lord Dufferin's fancy alto-
gether, and so ilestroys Mr. Duncan's contention.

With regard to the ideas of the Superintendent-General
of Indian Affairs, in 1874, relative to the supposed Indian
rights, he only knew, at this early period after "confedera-
tion," what he had been told probably by interested parties,
and judged according to his ideas of the policy pursued by
his (government on the east side of the mountains. He is
wiser now. The tnitli is, the position of our coast trilies —
the amphibias — is vastly different to that of the plain Indians
on the eastern side — the one wants sea-water, tlic other land.
The plain Indians were removed from their homes, huddicd
to/ether in hordes, and thus their means of subsistence
(hunting, etc.) more or less thus taken away and also de*

APPENDIX.

461

stroyed by " sportsmen " foreign to them. They therefore
required food, implements, and so forth, from the govern-
ment, and annually got them.

The case of the coast Indian is entirely different. He has
not been removed from his home, and the sea and all
therein is have not been taken away from him. His means
of subsistence remains in full, and he has an abundance of
land for his purpose given him (reserves) into the bargain.
The Indian policy of one government must necessarily differ
from that of the other — and one may be suited to the condi-
tion of things.

With regard to the Superintendent-General's ideas of In-
dian troubles likely to arise (quoted by Mr. Duncan) with the
Indians, about the " Indian title," there would be no danger
of anything of the kind if misleaders and agitators did not put
their own cranky, socialistic, untenable, impracticable, and
unlawful notions into Indian heads. As it is, which has had
an Indian war first. Eastern Canada or British Columbia?
Judging by this, whose " policy " is the better ?

Can anything more explicitly point out the desirability of
extending the Nanaimo railway to the north end of the
island. Such extension would render access to the Indians
quick and safe in times of trouble with them. More of these
communicative cranks and teachers will appear among the
Indians, for " history repeats itself."

J. S. Helmcken.

Victoria, B. C, November 3, 1886.

THE INDIAN QUESTION.

From the Dai/j/ Colonist, Victoria, B. C, November 4, 1886.

To THE Editor : I think it is quite possible lUr a person
to come to the discussion of any impc.i..iiit public c|ucsiion
without any bitter feelings, or saying hard things of a per-

462

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

sonal character, especially when nothing is to be gained by
cither party and the discussion is intended only to ventilate
important subjects. Calling persons who may express an
opinion misleaders, instigators, agitators, and cowards is
no argument, and will not carry conviction to the mind, al-
though it may tickle the car of some parties. The opinions
on either side of this Indian title to land is not going to set-
tle the question as if carrying the force of a " pragmatic
sanction," and it is therefore as well to take it in a good-
natured way.

It is a matter of fact that a large reserve surrounding
Mctlakahtla has been made for the Tsimshean tribe, but
only after much pleading and exhorting of the government
by Mr. Duncan to that end, at a time when the intention of
the government was to give ten acres only to each family,
regardless of the quality of the soil or the character of the
country.

To my knowledge there are no white misleaders of the
Mctlakahtlans, but quite the contrary. White friends of
theirs have advised them to keep within the law, and to con-
duct themselves with forbearance and moderation. This is
not a mere assertion. I can bring the proof, and I am con-
vinced that in this direction Mr. Duncan has always advised
them. " Shame ! " might indeed be cried, and Mr. Duncan
or anybody else might well be calloil a coward " in hiding,"
did he or they not stand up manfully for the rights of the
Indians whenever an attempt is niade to ignore those rights.
No white man has instigated them to set the rule of the prov-
ince at defiance. Those Indians have very good ideas of
right and wrong, which have been instilled into their minds
by white traders. It is true that British Columbia has not
adopted an Indian policy similar to tliat of Eastern Canada,
that does not put her in an impregnable position, but the
reverse, and the sooner she deals with the Indian question
the easier and cheaper will it be for her. It is true that the

APPENDIX.

463

village sites in Vancouver Island were set apart for the In-
dians, but there was no policy for civilizing them, for better-
ing their condition, or training them to anything good. No
government of British Columbia attempted to establish a
school, church, farm, or factory for their instruction. Noth-
ing was done to elevate the Indians. Not until missionaries
took up the question of instruction and civilizing was any-
thing done for their temporal or spiritual improvement.

On the other hand, the Government of Canada has some
consideration for the Indians — they aid the missionary with
money grants for educational purposes, and in the North-
west instruct them in farming and other pursuits, but I am
afraid that in their sincere efforts to benefit the red man that
their aims are thwarted by the selfish indifference of subor-
dinate 'agents, who may be too much occupied with their
private Inisiness to attend to that for which they are paid.
Many of the people of \'ictoria will remember the great
speech delivered by Lord Dufferin to our best citizens, in
which he alluded in a very emphatic way to the unsatisfac-
tory condition of the Indian title in British Columbia. This
subject was not brought to his notice by Victorians ; he evi-
dently felt it to be a pressing and important question, or
he would not have mentioned it at a time \ihen other ipies-
tions demanded more immediate attention. Ilesaid : "That
there could be no doubt that the Indians had a title to the
land over which th-^y roamed and which ought to be extin-
guished." Ahlvjugh those words have not the force of law,
yet they are those of an eminent, clear-sighted, and astute
statesman, and not " blarney for a Victoria mob," who were
not thinking of Indians then. We were afflicted with a rail-
way mania, and the tiovernor-General's words on the Indian
question could not be intended to conciliate us. The im-
proved ronililion of the Indians cannot be due to the B. C.
Indian poliev — there was none, beyond that of '* masterly
inactivity."

464

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

No doubt the white men with whom they first came into
contact sharpened their appetites for commerce, and if com-
merce helped to civilize them it was unintentional on the
part of the white man. His advent, however, showed them
that the results of exertion and labor were of some value ;
they could see that inter-tribal war was not conducive to
hunting and trade, and that it was more profitable to slay
wild animals than human beings. Next came the mission-
ary influence and example, and first and foremost among the
savage tribes of the North were the labors of Mr. Duncan,
who made the first attempt to christianize and civilize them,
who first broke down their heathen customs, who first built
schools and churches in that part of the country, who first
taught them to respect the laws of the country, who first
taught them to live in some degree of comfort, and who first
made them taste the benefits of living a settled, and civil-
ized life. Few, very few, whites gave the Indians work for
the sake of benefiting them, but Mr. Duncan did, and with
much anxiety planned and schemed how he could find re-
munerative employment for them. If they are well off to-
day it is not because the white man tried to make them
so, but because he wanted their services and their furs,
for which he paid the smallest price possible. The Indians
indirectly contribute largely to the provincial revenue, and
in a large degree directly to the federal revenue, but I
never knew the government do the smallest thing to benefit
them ; trails formerly used would be as useful to them as the
roads of the white man. When they become voters no
doubt sidewalks and roads will be made to their doors.

In conclusion, I maintain that the Indians have rights to
the soil, and that in saying so I am misleading no one.

W. J. Macdonald.

APPENDIX.

465

DR. HELMCKEN S LETTERS.
From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C. , November 25, 1886.

To THE Editor : Several statements made by Dr.
Helmcken in his correspondence on the Indian question in
your columns, if taken in the usual significance of such lan-
guage and read in the light of the original documents, will
place the doctor in the front rank of " mislcaders." In
your weekly issue, November Sth, he says : " Some five
and thirty years ago, Vancouver Island had a government
of its own, and in dealing with the Indian question, had to
make a policy suited to the Indians and local conditions."
He then proceeds to give what can only be called a carica-
ture of said policy, leaving out all reference to the Indian
title — the very matter now in issue — and adds : ** Such has
been the Indian policy for the past thirty-five years, almost
from the foundation of the colony. During this period,
Vancouver Island and the mainland became united in one
colony. The Indian policy of Vancouver Island was put in
force on the mainland also, when the united colonies be-
came part and parcel of Canada. This system was unaltered
and to-day is the ruling policy of British Columbia, and
must be submitted to by Metlakahtlans and their mislcaders
as well as by other Indian tribes. British Columbia has
not, during the past thirty-five years, acknowledged any
Indian title to land save that given them by, may I say,
their conquerors — not by the sword, but by civilization and
commerce." Again, in the weekly issue of November i2lh :
" Please remember the Indian policy of British Columbia
is not an accident — it was formulated by that ' great and
good man, Sir James Douglas,' and put into practice with
the knowledge of Her Majesty's Government, and the whole
system explained to them in a number of despatchos."
Speaking of the acquisition of the land in Victoria district,

466

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

the doctor says : " Sir James Douglas made what he termed
a treaty of amity and friendship with the Indians, in order to
put the earliest settlers on an amicable footing with the In-
dians. The ' buying out,' as Mr. Duncan term? it, consisted
in giving the Indiar > a quantity of blankets and other iktas
— they had no further claims. Although Sir James Douglas
continued governor for many years after this transaction, he
never repeated it — never gave any other tribe a potlatch on
this account. The Indians were not averse to the settle-
ment of white people among them, so potlatchcs, being un-
necessary, were discouraged and not resorted to. This very
case, then, goes to show that Sir James Douglas was of opin-
ion that the Indians had not any legal rights — thus agreeing
with the judges rmd jurists."

In reply to the above, permit mc to call attention to the
following from original doc-umcnts, as showing tiie views
and /;■///• Indir.n policy of tlic luuiio goveniincnt. Sir James
Douglas, anil the colonial House of Assembly of X'ancouver
Island.

Covctpwr Douglas to ihi Secretary cj State for the Colonics.

Victoria, March 25, iRf)i.

My Lorh Duki<: : 1 h.,vc the htuior of transmitting .1
petition from the House of Assembly of Vr.ncouvrr Island to
your grace, praying for the aid of Her Majesty's (iovcrn-
ment in extinguishing the Indian title to the ptiblic lands in
this colony ; and setting furth with mucli forte and truth
tie evils that may arise from the glei t of thai very neces-
sary precaution. 2. As the native Indian population of
Vancouver Island have distinct Ideas of property in land,
nnd mutually recognize their several exclusive and posses-
■ory rights in certain diiil rifts, ihey would not fail to leg.ird
the '>ccupati(in of such pnrtinns of thr i olony as the white
lutllcrs, unless with tho lull consent of the proprietary

APPENDIX.

467

tribes, as national wrongs ; and the sense of injury might
produce a feeling of irritation against the settlers, and per-
haps disaffection to the government that would endanger
the peace of the country. 3. Knowing their feelings on
that subject, I made it a practice, up to the year 1859, to
purchase the native rights in the land, in every case, prior
to the settlement of any district ; but since that time, in
consequence of the termination of th" Hudson's Bay Com-
pany's charter, and the want of funds, it has not been in
my power to continue it. Your gr.xce must, indeed, be well
aware that I have, since then, had the utmost difficulty in
raising money enough to defray the most indispensable
wants of the government. 4. All the settled districts of the
colony, with the exception of Cowichnn, Chemainus, and
IJitrclay Sound, have been already bou;^ht from the Indians
at a cost in no case exceeding ^2. 10s. sterling for each
family. As the land has, since then, increased in value,
the exnense woukl be relatively somewhat greater now, but
1 think that their claims might be satisfied with a payment
of/i3 to each family ; so that, taking the native pojjulation
of those districts at 1,000 families, the sum of/ 3,000 would
meet the whole charge. 5. It would be improper to con-
ceal fron) your grace the importance of c.irrying that vital
measure into effect without delay. 1 have, etc.,

(Signed) jAMES l)oi;oLAS.

The Secrttarv of State for thi' Colonies to Governor Douglas,

C/i.

DovvNlN(i SiREET, October 19, 1861.

Sir : I have had under my consideration your despatch No.
24, of the juth ol .M.irih l.isl, transmuting ,in addiess Irotn
the House of AsHeu»l)ly of Vancouver Isi.iud, in which they
pray for the assistance ot Her Majesty\ tiovernment in ex-
tmguishing the Indian title to the public landit in the col-

468

THE STORY OF METLAKAIiTLA.

ony, and set forth the evils tliat may result from a neglect
of this precaution. I am fully sensible of the great impor-
tance of purchasing without loss of time the native title to
the soil of Vancouver Island ; but the acquisition of the
title is a purely colonial interest, and the legislature must
not entertain any expectation that the Ihitish taxpayer will
be buvthcned to supply the funds or British credit pledged
for the purp(>s.\ I would earnestly recommend therefore
to the house of assembly, that they should enable you to
procure the requisite means, but if they should not think
proper to do so, Her Majesty's (lovcrnment caimt)l under-
take to sup))ly the money requisite for an object which,
whde it is essential to the interests of the people of Van-
couver Island, is at the same time purely colonial in its
character aiui trilling in the charge that it would entail. I

have, etc.,

(Signed,) Nkwcastle."

It should be here mentioned, that in previous despatches,
dated July 31, 1H58, anil A|)ril 11, 1.S59, respectively, the
Secrel.iry of State for the Colonies had written : " l.el me not
omit to observe, that it should be an invanal)le conilition in
all bargains or treaties with the natives, for the cession of
lands possessed by them, that sid)sislence shouUl be sup-
plied to them in some other shape." '• In the case of the
Indians at Vancouver Island and Hritish Columbia, Her
Majesty's (lovernmenl earnes'ly wish that when the advanc-
ing re(|uiremenls of colonization press upon l.iiuls occupied
by members of that race, measures of liberality and justice
may be adopteil for compensating them for the surrender of
the territory which they have been taught to regaril as their
own.

From these official documents the following (ondusions
will probably be readied by imparli.d readers :
■> I. The Indian policy uf Sir Jumes Douglas recognized in

APPENDIX.

469

a most specific and distinct manner the proprietary title of
the Indians to the lands in the different districts which they
inhabited. This is still further apparent by the wording of
the documentary instruments by which that title was con-
veyed to Sir James Douglas as representative and agent of
the H. B. Co., in respect to the lands from Sooke to Saanich
(inclusive) and also Nanaimo and Fort Kupert. Copies of
these documents, thirteen in number, are now before me, and
are denominated " C'onveyancc of land to Hudson's Bay
Company by Indian tribes." In the body of each document
it is called n deed, and the tr.msaction is called a sale. The
jirice in pounds, shillings, and ponce is in each case stated,
and conditions carefully noted. Signatures of Indian chiefs
arul heads of families are affixed, as also those of witnesses,
with date and place of execution.

2. That the government of Her Majesty enjoined such a
policy and warmly approved Sir Janics Douglas' clTorts to
carry it out.

3. That the House of Assembly for Vancouver Island just
as clearly recognized the Indian title, and the necessity for
purchasing it before the settlement of the various districts
by the whites, and asked for aid in continuing this policy.

4. That the reason why this humane, British, and Chris-
tian policy was not continued, was not that Sir James
I)out;las, or the local house, or the home government, had
ascertained [he policy to be unwise, or wrong, or that they
had changed their minds in reference to its wisdom and jus-
tice ; but simply and solely that a depleted col(»nial ex-
cluMpicr would not supply the re(piisite funds, and the home
government were unwdling to use British funds for coloni.d
purposes. From that date the "policy" of Sir Jnmen,
indorsed by the local house, the home government, anil later
the Dominion Ciovernment, has been held in abeyance. The
evil etfecls of this (tuidition of things has shown itself from
your tu year iu dissaliafucliuu and dilhculty uniung the

470

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

Indians where the whites have settled without the Indian
title having first been dealt with. This appears from the
official correspondence of government agents and surveyors,
and is not confined to the northwest coast of the mainland,
much less to Metlakahtla.

5. As the titles or claims in question do not cancel them-
selves by the lapse of years, it may be affirmed to-day, in
the language of Mr. Nind (then government agent at
Lytton), under date July 17, 1865 : " They (the Indians)
are jealous of their possessory rights, and are not likely to
permit settlers to challenge them with impunity ; nor, such
is their spirit and unPiiimity, would many settlers think it
worth while to encounter their undisguised opposition.
. . . I bcliev. the only method of settling this matter
satisfactorily, and with equity to both Indians and whites,
will be for the government to extinguish the Indian claims,
paying them what is proper for so doing, and giving them
certain reservations for their sole use." It is to be hoped,
in the interest of justice anil lirilish fair play, to say nothing
of humanity and religion, that the government will take hold
of this skeleton, kept in the official cupboard for so many
years, which " will not down " any longer, and (KmI with it in
a fair, equitable, and slalesman-like manner. And 1 may be
permitted to suggest, as my humble opinion, that it can best
be done by taking up the matter where it was left when the
above-(iU()ted reply of the Duke of Newcastle to the address
of the locid house was received at Victoria. It will no doubt
cost more to settle these claims by treaty now than it would
have ilone then ; but not so much as some people suppose,
and besides, its being right and in accordance with the
golden rule (which, it is to be feared, some who think more
of iheiz-^j/./ than of the ru/f, care little about), it is after all
the most economical way in which the niattcr will ever be
settled. ICnough has already bern spent in utterly .ibortive
sHbrls at settlement uyuu u wron^ liasn to have extinguished

APPENDIX.

471

quite a number of these claims — and the end is not yet !
When General Sherman was sent to settle the Cheyenncs,
he spent $15,000,000 in killing thirty Indians. A word to
the wise is sufficient. E. ROBSON.

Nanaimo, November 19, 1886.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TSIMSHEAN IN-

DIANS.

From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, IJ. C, Deccmbcrig, 1886.

To lllK Ediior : Since tiie relations between both the
Dominion and Provinciid (iovcrnments with the Tsimshcan
and surrounding tril^es have become so strained that a col-
lision of some sort seems imminent, I feel sure that you will
find spare in your paper for the following remarks on the
present position of affairs. And first of all let me s;iy that
it is not my intention to go over the story of the troubles
which have existeil here for more than five years, but to en-
deavor to show how matters stand at the present moment —
the position taken by the governments — the position as-
sumed by tlie Imliausanil their teachers — the policy adopted
by the governments to maintain their position — the present
effects of this policy and, finally, to make some suggestions
toward the adoption of a policy which would avert the
thre.ileneil ( ollision and benefit the province. The subject
is a large one, and your space is limited, so my remarks
must of necessity be short and to the point — but no disrc*
spect is intended thereby.

The provincial govorr'ncnt nssunics that the fee simple of
nil the l.uuls of this province is in the crown and that the
Indians, as (he origimd inhabitants, h.ive no title or rights in
uny portion of these latids. In support of this claim Mr.
Drake, entirely ignoring Liter opinions and proclnmalions,

472

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA,

as also the actual practice of the British Government in
deahng with native tribes, not only in Canada but the other
dependencies, has quoted in his letter t > your paper some
opinions which, though antiquated, might have some weight
from the high legal standing of those who gave them if tlie
condition of the natives refcnod to in them was similar to
that of these Tsimshean Indians, but, unfortunately for his
argument, this is not so. The natives then referrt-d to were
nomad tribes without any fixed habitation, whUe these In-
dians have not only fixed abodes, but hereditary, defined
tracts for hunting, fruit-gathering, and fishing. The provin-
cial government, moreover, relies on the thirteenth section
of the terms of union to support them, forgetting that since
the union the terms of this section as the basis of an Indian
policy have been officially condemned by both governments,
and as may be seen in the blue-book of 1875, the then attor-
ney-general of the province sketched a policy whicli inchidcd
the recognition of the very claim whicii these Indians arc
now making about their hunting grounds. The Dominion
Govcrnmeul, too, though in 1S75 they considered the adop-
tion of the thirteenth section for an Indian policy wouUl be
** little short jf a mockery of the Indian claims," now seem
willing to sanction and aid the provincial governnient in the
adoption of such a policy.

Thus the government claims the right to deal arbitrarily
with all the lands — to decide the size and natine of the re-
serves—to dispose of, wlienever they wish, all lantl outside
of the reserves now used by the Indians for hunting or fruit-
gathering (even where these are within defined limits and
have been hereditary in particular families) v.iihout granting
nny remuneratioii or acknowleilging any claim or right of
the occupit-rs of these special tracts. In f.ict, the Indians
are dependiiit upon the charity of the government for the
very ground on which they set their feet.

The Dominiou Government, in recognizing this claim by

APPENDIX.

473

the provincial government, is permitting a mode of dealing
witii tiie Indians in this province whicli is at direct variance
with tliat adopted in all other parts of Canada and which
puts the Indians on a very different footing, and yet the gov-
ernment assume the right to enforce a special act (the In-
dian Act), though this act presupposes that treaties have al-
ready been made with the Indians and the lands surrendered.
The position assumed l)y the government, then, is : I,
Power to deal with all Indian lands without regarding the
interests of the Indians in them ; 2, the right to bring the
Indians under a special act which puts them entirely and
helplessly in the power of the Indian Department and de-
prives them of their freedom and power to advance them-
selves.

And now let us turn to the position assumed by these In-
dians, but before doing so, let us first take a glance at the
position held by the Indians at Metlakahtla and its imme-
diate neigiiborhood at the time the care of the Inilians was
handed over by the provincial government to the Dominion.
At that time these Indians were the most advanced of any
in the province. Metlakahtla was not oidy the scat of order
but tl>e centre from which an inlluence had radiated through-
out the surrounding district, which was powerful cnougli to
cstal)lisli peace and order among all tiie tribes for more than
one hundred miles around. These Indians had received
the approval of the highest government officials — had been
sjjoken to and recognized as free Hritish subjects and cn-
courageil to advance ; had obtained redress whenever their
rights were endangered, while they had shown consideration
for the claims ot white men coming to risiile in their neii;h-
borhood, becaiiso they felt that there was room for both the
white men and themselves, while they fully trusted the ;;ov-
crninent to protect their interests.

Holh government and Indians were acting out the golden
rule ; thus there was general peace and prosperity, and a

474

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

more loyal, contented, and peaceable community did not ex-
ist in the province.

Now let us inquire, What is the present position of these
Indians? Disheartened at the frequent rebuffs they have
received, and the favor shown to those who would overthrow
the very foundation of their prosperity ; disgusted with the
disregard of its pledged word which the government has
shown ; believing and knowing that in all right and equity
they have a title to the lands and ought to be consulted re-
garding them ; that the arbitrarily apportioning of reserves
before. their homes are secured and their hunting and other
claims settled, and the forcible taking of all lands by the
government ; but, above all, their being placed under a law
and rule which relegate them to the position of wild, illit-
erate tribes, will render it impossible for them to maintain
their position, much less advance. Therefore, it is that they
have combined to prevent the infliction of this intolerable
yoke, but in thus combining they have not forgotten that
they are Christians and owe allegiance to the King of kings.

The combination is not against law and • der, nor does it
spring from a spirit of disloyalty or any objection to bear
the burdens of citizenship. It is a combination against the
infliction of a cruel and uncalled-for injury, an injury, they
have good reason to believe, which will, if inflicted prove the
death-blow to their retaining their individuality in face of
advancing civilization. The means they would use arc such
as good men need not be ashamed of, but they are heavily
burilened. Around them are tribes having the same inter-
ests, but without the same principles to guide them, and
whom tl\ey have to restrain while at the same lime they fully
sympathize with them. Then, on the other hand, the appar-
ently harsh and uncall-Ml-for action of tlie government from
the beginning of these troubles is exasperating and makes
it still more diflicult for them to maintain this position.
What lliu Indians are asking for may be summed up thus :

ArrENDix.

475

1. That, as in the case of all other Indians in Canada,
treaties be entered into with them in respect of their gen-
eral and particular land claims before the reserves are set
apart.

2. That if the Indian Act is to be put in force among
them, such changes should be made in the act as their
special circumstances call for and which will make it a help
and not a hinderance to their advancement.

In other words, they are asking to be dealt with as reason-
able and reasoning beings, and not as wild and uncivilized
savages whose only weapon is brute force, and who must be
restrained by force. Tins is the position assumed, and we
feci that in upliolding them in this position we are not only
not exciting them to disorder but, on the contrary, helping
to obtain for them that simple justice which is the privilege
of even the poorest who dwells beneath the shadow of a
Christian government. And this leads me to speak of the
policy hitherto adopted toward these Indians, and its results
so far. This policy is based upon the fallacy that the Ind-
ians arc a set of irresponsible beings, ignorant alike of
what is good for them and how diey can obtain this good ;
that the government without consulting them or listening to
their appeals know exactly what is best, and that the Indians
should simply acquiesce in these measures and thank the
government for proposing them ; that any attempt on the
part of the Indians to show the government that the pro-
posed measures arc sure to prove detrimental to their wel-
fare is to be looked u])on as an attempt to rebel, and must
be repressed with force and even the sword if necessary ; and
that any whitf man who wt)uld endeavor to support the
claims of the hulians is, ipso/aito, exciting them against the
government. In one word, it is a policy of "coercion," and
as the Indians have not accpiiesced in it we have hnd the
exhibition of force on the part of the government, to;4(M'.ier
with the threat of njore severe measures if those ahe.idy

476

THE STORY OF METLAKAIITLA.

used have failed. Now what arc the results so far? As re-
gards the government: l. An expenditure of public funds
of over $30,000 — if my calculation be correct — with a worse
than negative result. 2. The government have shown them-
selves as ready to use force against those who have laid
aside all force and are merely seeking redress for a real griev-
ance, and have thus destroyed every vestige of trust in their
good will.

Third, they have succeeded in raising from a little matter,
which might easily have been settled at first, a question
which affects nearly every Indian in the province, and, finally,
they have so shaken faith in the ju e of English rule as
cannot fail to affect the loyalty of even the most loyal. In
fact, such have been the results that there seems to be good
reason for the question. Are the Dominion and Provincial
Governments combining to excite an Indian rising, and
thereby secure an opportunity to take by force from the Ind-
ians the land which they refuse to acquire by treaty ?

As regards the Indians, the results so far sclmii to lie even
more disastrous to the government, for this last attempt to
overawe and frighten them and to treat as guilty felons
those who were merely endeavoring to prevent, what to them
seemed an irreparable injury being inflicti-d on them, has
stirred the people to the heart. The lukewaiin are becom-
ing whole-hearted ; subscriptions are flowing in ; sorrow is
expressed by those at Fort Simpson and elsewhere that none
from their places were among those sent to jail. It has made
this (jucstion the question of the hour, and its consideration is
the one absorbing thought. It must not, however, be undcr-
stootl that there is the smallest idea on the minds of these
people that they can, or even wish to oppose force to force.
These christianized coast Indians know better, though no
one at all accpiaintod with the tribes at the head-waters of the
Naas and Skcena would, for a moment, doubt, that if the
question is raised while ihcy are still in their wild and un-

APPENDIX.

477

christianized state it would become probably a war of exter-
mination, with all its attendant horrors. With the coast
Indians recourse to arms would only be as a last and des-
perate resort. Meanwhile they arc strengthening themselves
in their trust in their God and waiting on him, for they feel
and know they have right on their side, and well they know
that he can laugh at the most powerful armaments of nations,
and in his own way and time help and protect even the
poorest and weakest.

Living among these Indians and hearing and seeing what
goes on, such is the picture, as I see it, of the present state
of affairs, and sad I am to have to tell the tale, and little did
I once dream that I should have to disclose such a state of
things. There are, I think, two questions that every thought-
ful mind in the province will ask : ** Are the government jus-
tified in continuing to act on a policy which has so far proved
worse than useless? and, set ondly, is there no alternative
policy?" To the second of these questions I answer, that it
seems to me to be quite possible to frame a policy free from
the evils attending the present one — less expensive in opera-
tion and securing the settling up of the country in a peaceable
way. Of course, after the past, the Indians will naturally look
with suspicion on any proposal, and patience and tact in
dealing with them will be needed ; but sincc^the government
would gain the aid and influence of every true friend of the
Indians their task would be facilitated and a bond of union
re-established between the government and the Indians.
The basis of such a policy should he Justice, and it should
be so framed as to show that it emanated from the govern-
ment as a voluntary effort and not as if wrung from them.
Then, again, it must be so framed as not to be made a prec-
edent to unsettle Indians whose claims have already been
dealt with and who are satisfied. And again, it should so
deal with the (piestion of the general land claims as to take
away its significance and absorb it in secondary matters,

478

THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA.

and thus while extinguishing it not direct attention to it. I
beUeve it to be quite practicable to frame such a policy, and
I feel sure that every right-minded citizen will agree with me
in saying, that if such is possible now is the time to make
the attempt, and if the government will meet in a fair and
friendly spirit those who know these Indians and who have
thought the matter over in all its bearings they will find them
ready to give them such information as will enable them to
satisfy the Indians, maintain the interests of the province,
and support the honor of the government.

Robert Tomlinson.

METLAKAHTLA, November 26, 1886.

METLAKAHTLA.

From the Daily Colotiist, Victoria, B. C, December 19, 1886.

Below will be found a letter from J. W. Powell, Indian
Superintendent, to Mr. Duncan, which speaks for itself :

British Columbia Indian Officr,

Victoria, August, 1879.

Sir : Referring to my recent visit to the village of Met-
lakahtla, may I. beg to convey to you my acknowledgments
for the kindness, courtesy, and co-operation with official
duties you were good enough to extend to me while at the
mission. I cannot conclude without heartily congratulating
you on the wonderful effects of your arduous mission labors
among the Tsimsheans for the last twenty years. I con-
sider that you have performed a great and noble work in
reclaiming from ignorance and barbarism a most useful, con-
tented, and law-abiding community, the effects of which are
not confined to your own locality, but is felt and highly ap-
preciated by all the Northern tribes.

At Queen Charlotte's Island, ... I found your

APPENDIX.

479

name highly respected, and an ardent desire generally
prevalent among the Hydahs to participate in the great
reforms you have been chiefly instrumental in creating
among the Tsimshean Indians.

Personally, I wish you every success, and I shall not fail
to acquaint the Honorable Superintendent-General with the
loyal feeling and great progress in civilization I saw so fully
exhibited among the Indians during my brief and pleasant
sojourn at Metlakahtla. I have the honor to be, sir, your
obedient servant, (Signed,) J. W. Powell,

Indian Superintendent.
— Com,

THE INDIAN QUESTION.
From the Daily Colonist, Victoria, B. C. , 1886.

To THE Editor : On examining the length of the docu-
ments I submitted to the Indian Department last year, at
Ottawa, on Indian affairs, I feel it would be unfair to ask
you to publish them in extcnso. But at the request of
friends, and by your kind permission, I will, instead, lay be-
fore the public a brief review of the questions at issue.
First, a few words on Indian land interests. The matter
stands thus. Either the aborigines have rights in the land, or
they have not. All British provinces, we arc told, with the
exception of British Columbia— the latest born— have un-
mistakably settled the question in favor of the aborigines.
Treaties, we know, have been made, and do now exist, be-
tween several governments and Indians. These treaties are
confessedly for the extinguishing of Indian claims on lands,
and therefore imply that the Indians have rights to extin-
guish. For governments to make treaties with Indians to
extinguish their rights— if rights they had none— would be
absurd.

British Columbia, by refusing to make treaties with Ind-

43o

THE STORY OF MKTLAKAIITLA.

ians, is undoubtedly rnarkiny out for itself a new and un-
tried experience, ai.d virtually ignoring ihe constitutional
laws and usages w)>ich bind all oilier provinces of the Brit-
ish empire on this subject. In the nieantiine the Indians
regard their rights in the soil of IJrilish Columbia to be as
valid as arc the Indians' rights in other provinces ; nor will
they be easily persuaded that their foothold in the country
which their forelalhers discovered and inh.ibited ages ago
rests solely upor, the bounty of the English crown. If the
Indians are, however, entertaining n fallacy, based upon
llieir natural instincts, then I would ask why were they not
corrected by the Ciovernor-tieneral, a colonial governor, a
lieutenant-goverm)r, and the Superintendent (;f Indian Affairs
on their several official visits to the North, in years gone by ?
And why did that great and good man, Sir James Douglas,
as governor, meet the Indians of Victoria and neighboring
tribes, i'.nd buy out their right to a lar;.;e tra' t of laml, in-
chuling the site of this city ?

A xf. as to the Indian f>i'!'uy aiiofifed by liritish Columbia,
The Indians, by the terms of Union, were to have an allow-
ance of ten acres of land to each family of five persons, and
Iiulian agencies were to be established and paid for by the
Dominion Ciovernmenl. When, however, the M.ickenzii!
Government came into power at Ot;awa, cm eplion was
taken to the position assumed by the Mritish Columbia Gov-
ernment in reference to the Indian land (piestion, and a
stout resistance was offered to the ten-acre allowance to Ind-
ians as *' being little l)etter than a mockery of their ( laims."
The result of the stiuggh' between the tvv.i governments was
that British Columbia gave way, and the ten-acru policy
was abandoned as untenable.

The facts are before the public aa evidence of the f(H»Iish
and selfish policy which obta. A on Indian matters when
the prnvince was incorpoi.itcd in (lir Duniinion. It m;iv bo
that some of the " imaleudets" uf the pruviuce cA tlmt tiino

APPKNDIX.

481

arc still in this city, and may possibly feci aggrieved at being
reminded of the failure of their scheme.

Then as to the Indian ai^encies. What have they done for
the Indians, even for those few who have been favored for
many years by being the nearest *'> headciuarlers ? Are the
residts in any sense commensurau with llie expense of the
machinery? is it not proverbial that liie system of Indian
management is a burlesque, and an outrage on common-
sense ? Would such a system of mismanagement Ijc ail!)wed
to continue if white men's interests were involved ? 1 be-
lieve not. lUit the Indians have no voice in Parliament, and
therefore no means of correcting abuses in the management
of their affairs. They aro ])ul wards of the government, and
have only the right to be silent. If they dared to complain
they must travel two or three thousand miles at their own
expense, wait a month before their griev.mces are heard,
and be sent back with ])romise5 which arc never fuUilled.

This brings me to noiiee the retjnests the Indians made
through their deputation at Ottawa. J-'irst: They asked for
their reserves to be readjusted m a few particulars belore
bi'iiig siuveyed They conipl. lined that, not having been
noiified of the reserve coinmis.doner's visit, many of their
people were away when he < an»e, and that thus it was itn-
possible for them to give that ilue consideration to In^ busi-
ness which their interest dcMr.andcd. I hey begged, there-
foie, for llie reserve commissi' jer to pay them a second
visit.

A second request WAS \\\.\\. a trciiy should be made with
them for the lands they were to sunemler, as had been done
;ith other Indians of the Dominion. They did ' ot ask lor
prisenis, but t)nly that .1 pent Ion of tlu' nuuiev v()ted yearly
lor the Inili.m'. of Uiilisii ' olumbia miglit • .ach their coin-
mumty, and help them in public impruvc aeiits.

/•/ third request w.xa th.it tin- two acr s ot iheir village site
at Metlak.ihthi known a;* Mission I' >int 'should not be taken

482

Till-: SrORY OF METLAKAIIILA,

from them. And Sir John Macdonald undertook to write to
the Church Missionary Society U) advise tiu-ni to withdraw
their ai^ents from tlie occupancy of the land in {[ucstion.

Furtlier — the Indian deputation assured the Deputy Min-
ister of Indian y\ffairs that their brethren would gladly en-
rol themselves as free men under the 15ritish flag — but the
l)()sition of slaves or paupers they could not accept. I wish
here to adil that, at the request of the deputy minister, 1
wrote a letter on the subject of Indian management, with
a view to assisting the government in effectually removing
idl causes of complaint among the Indians.

To the present titnc I have not niaiK- known to the In-
dians the terms of my letter ; but, moder.Ue as they were
(and the deputy minister acknowledged they >vere nioder-
atc), I have reason to believe that the Indians would be
willmg to accept them, and if they diil so, disloyalty would
effei lii.dly be removed antl peace restored.

In conclusion, I would urge upon all whf) have an inter-
est in the province, that Indian management is demanding
patient and dispassionate hearing before it is too late. It
is for the people, through their representatives, to put
things right. There has been enough of blundering, the
Northwt st rebellion being a proof of th.it - a r( billion
which, it is siid, has cost the coimtry as much money as
would suffice to support nil thi.' Indians of the Northwest in
a first class hotel for their natural lives.

The Indian troubles are no i\ew thing, nor arc they due
to seditious teachers. The goverMnunl has been too eager
to listen to false reports, enianating fion- persons who had
tluMr own liypocritical enil . to serve. Warlike armaments
.ue not tlu lemedy for Indian ((unplaints, but patience and
ju^t dealing ,\\v. It may be in the memory of sonie of your
readers thii. whin an Indi.m village on the Skeen.i was
burned down some vi.irs ago, through tlu cart-lessni ss of
buiiie inincib, the Indi.ui;> clubcU the iivei, The intention

APPENDIX.

48:

of the j^ovcrnmcnt to force the river by armed men was
only abandoned through the counsel and help of the mis-
sionary. Thus a disaster and expenditure of blood ;ind
treasure were averted, and liy a patient hearing and ccpii-
taljle arrangement the goodwill of the hulians was restored.
On iiiv arrival in Victoria at the present juncture, 1 lost no
time in beseeching the government to refrain from sending
a ship of w.ir to Metlakahtla. I offererl to go up in the
coast steamer with any gentleman the government might
depute and use my best efforts to bring about an amicable
settlement. I pointed out that the most suital)le person to
go was the reserve commissioner, and Mr. O'Keilly offered
to go if hr received orders. The peaceful me isures 1 pro-
puscU were, however, rejected ami the i.hip of war lias gone.

\V. DlINlAN.

rilK KNl).

ADVKRTISRMF.NT.

TWENTY-FIFTH THOUSAND.

SHELDON'S Salammb6

FLAUBERT.

A GLOWING STORY OF LOVE. PASSION. AND WAR.

Tliis TlirilliiiR Historical Ivomancc lias excitcil more (Icep in-
torisi and licico conlniviTsy in Lurope ami America than
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HKNKY M, S'l'ANLKV, Tiic (Jreal Kxplorcr, says: " Once
nj{»in my Mood lias luuriiiMl furidtisly throut„h the V'.'insas it did when,

a liiiy. ' Ivaiilim-'s' inak,'it pa^i's I'lrst burst upon my enrnpturrd smses. Nnw,
as then, I kiiiiw what power lies in a Htiiriii< Ixii.k. Heart and liraiii licat and
Ihrol: in nnison with every nioveineiil portrayed. Sheldfni's Sulaininlio is one
of the most rrmarkalih' and fast inatinK buukii tiiat I have ever conic airossi."
— .S', I'tsniiiH (iMlinl)inxli).

W ILK 1 1'. COM.INS writes to SlieMoti : "V'oiir translation hart
lioiK'slly met, and Iriiiinphantly i'(in(|tiered, the iiiniMn>Tal>li' (liiriciiltieH
of transforming the la.i^^iiaKe of Frain e iiilo tlie lan^iiaKe of KiiKlaiid. I'rom
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say thi-t holiestl). and I mid say tai more.''

'—Set ill (jlowiiig IJarliaric

ArASCINATlNC, SroKV— f
splendor." — Tiiiiis (i ondon).

•'XTO N()VI''.L ever issued jiroliaMy liad such Rud<leti niul
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