religious and moral instruction, with, out a sufficient basis of the habits of civilization. The Jesuits and other Missionaries, by great address and uncommon perseverance, have some. times succeeded in persuading savage tribes to adopt the Christian Religion: but, in all cases where they have confined their attention solely to this object, their instructions have proved to be completely superficial; and their proselytes have relapsed into their original ignorance and idolatry, as soon as the care of the Mis sionaries has been withdrawn or relaxed.

In those cases where attention has been paid to introduce the improvements of civilized life as well as the light of religion, many failures have arisen from an attempt to do too much at once-to convert a set of complete savages immediately into a civilized society. The Children of Indians have, in some instances, been taken from their parents at an early age, and have received a complete European Education; but these lads, on arriving at manhood and returning among their countrymen, have generally relapsed into all the habits of savage life. In a few instances, the result has been different; but not more satisfactory: some one or two Indians, educated at great expense and trouble, may have remained among the European Settlers, associating with them only, and in no degree contributing to the progress of improvement among the Natives in general.

From these facts, it appears clear, that no effectual progress can take place in the civilization of the Indians, unless it be made by a whole tribe together; or at least by such a number as may form a society among themselves, and, by the effect of mutual example, preserve the improvements which they have acquired. In a nation of wandering hunters, it would serve little purpose to convert one of them into a complete farmer,

while the rest remain with their habits unchanged: but if any considerable number can be induced to make an attempt at cultivation, even on the smallest scale, an important point will be gained.

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The natural progress of civilization has always been very slow and if we look back to the early history of the most distinguished nations of Europe, we find that they have advanced from barbarism to civilization, by steps so minute as to be almost imperceptible at the time; and that these have succeeded one another so gradually as to occupy centuries. This progress may be accelerated, in some degree; but there is no probability of any solid benefit, unless we follow the order of nature. A very small improvement, generally diffused among a whole Tribe of Indians, and firmly established by custom, will facilitate the introduction of farther improvements; and thus a great change may be ultimately effected, though an attempt to accomplish the whole at once could lead to nothing but disappointment and disgust.

Of all the Protestants who have attempted the introduction of Christianity among savage tribes, the Moravians have been among the most successful; and their practice, especially of late years, has approached more nearly to these principles than that of any other Missionaries.

Another very remarkable illustration of these principles is to be found in the improvements lately effected among the Indians of the Ohio. Not many years ago, lan Association was formed among the Quakers of Philadelphia, for the purpose of promoting the civilization of these Tribes; and, through the patient and assiduous attention of the persons employed by them, a most important revolution has been effected in the ideas of the Indians respecting agriculture. Before this time, they were not entirely ignorant of the art; but it was car ried on among them, in a very feeble

manner, by the women alone. They were possessed of no better implement than a hoe; and it was thought beneath the dignity of a man to attend to such an occupation. This prejudice has been removed. The cultivation of the ground is now the employment of the men: they manage the plough with dexterity, and have adopted other more elaborate refinements of mechanism. They have erected mills and saw-mills; and, in place of rude huts with which they were formerly content, they are possessed of comfortable houses. Hunting now forms, not their occupation, but their occasional amusement; and the women, no longer condemned to unceasing drudgery, have an opportunity of attending to the domestic cares which are the proper duty of their sex.

The success of this admirably-conducted experiment is well calculated to animate the zeal of the friends of humanity in other parts of the world; but it is not to be expected that the same rapid improvement can be effected in all cases. The Indians on the Ohio were, in some degree, prepared for the step of improvement through which they have been led. Where the same degree of preparation is not to be found, more time will be requisite to make a lasting impression; but this is no reason for despairing of the object.

The Indians who inhabit the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company are almost all wandering tribes or scattered families, that subsist entirely by hunting and fishing, and have no fixed habitations. From the precarious nature of their subsistence, families are frequently reduced to the greatest extremity of distress; and the irregularity of their wandering life is extremely unfavourable to the formation of any good habits among the rising generation. To a set of people in this state, the most important of all im. provements would be, to make them apply to the cultivation of the ground,

so that they might obtain a less precą: rious supply of provisions. This improvement naturally leads to the es. tablishment of fixed habitations; and though the men must be expected to remain attached to their accustomed pursuits of hunting and fishing, their families will be relieved from many immediate hardships; and the greater regularity in their mode of life will afford an opportunity for forming their children to habits of industry and steady application, which are utterlyunattainable by those who are brought up in their present style of life. The probable effects of this change on the moral improvement of the Indians, are too evident to require illustration.

With a view to the practical accomplishment of these objects, two different plans may be proposed. One is, to employ Missionaries to live among the wandering Indians, to gain their confidence, and to take every opportunity of persuading them to adopt the practices which are of most importance to their welfare. The other method is, to establish a School, in which Young Indians may be instructed; and then sent back among their parents and friends, to practise the arts which they have been taught.

A combination of these two methods would certainly be more effectual, than either of them by itself. In some centrical situation, where provisions can be most easily procured, a School should be established for the instruction of the Youth; and, at the same time, opportunities may be found to impress on the Tribes at large, a sense of the importance of the objects recommended to them.

The number of Indians that can be received in the School must, of course, depend on the amount of the fund that can be appropriated to the object. Even though the number should be smail, effects of great consequence may be accomplished, if a judicious selection be made for the Young Men, who obtain the benefit of instruction, wril probably become leading men in their

respective tribes; and their example may, therefore, have a very extensive effect.

In the education of these Indians, the course of instruction must be very different from that of an Ordinary School; and should approach more to the system of a School of Industry, in which agriculture and the mechanic arts must be among the principal objects.

In guiding the Indians toward the habits of civilized life, one of the most essential requisites is, to excite among them a general desire for improvement. With this view, their instruction must be directed to objects, of which the utility may be evident to the rudest savage. It is of great importance, that the Young Men, who are educated at the proposed Establishment, should be conspicuously superior to those who have not had the benefit of instruction. They must not, therefore, be allowed to forget those accomplishments of savage life, without which they would be despised: they must be sent back, possessed of as much dexterity in hunting and fishing, as their companions; and their additional acquirements should be such as are most likely to be valued. Reading or writing will gain but little credit to one of these Young Men: but if he has learned to mend a gun, he will be highly respected in his tribe; and others will become ambitious of obtaining the same opportunities of improvement. The point of most essential importance is, to inure them, as far as possible, to habits of foresight and persevering industry; and to let them know, from experience, the facility of cultivating the ground, as well as the great advantages of the practice.

The English Language should be a primary object: both as it will serve as a vehicle for farther instruction; and as it will furnish a common medium of communication between the Indians of different nations, and thereby tend, in a great degree, to ob.

viate their dissentions. Nothing, indeed, could have so much effect in softening their animosities, as the institution of a School in which Indian Boys, of every different language, will be led to associate as companions. With this view, it is a fortunate circumstance, that the various nations of Indians, in the Territories of the Hudson's Bay Company, are, at present, generally in a state of peace: though they entertain strong prejudices against one another, no violent hostilities prevail, except among some of the remotest of the Tribes.

To the study of English, may perhaps be added a little of reading and writing, with the first elements of arithmetic: but these are objects of secondary consideration; and it may be a question, whether it would not be more prudent, to defer for some time any attempt to introduce this course of instruction. It must be kept in mind, that, among these Indians, the Youth are scarcely accustomed to the sinallest degree of restraint from their parents; and it would hardly be possible to make them submit to that sort of controul, which is exercised over Children in our Schools. Much address must, therefore, be used, to induce them to give a willing attention to the objects of primary importance; and it would be dangerous to make too severe a demand on their patience: their exertions must be kept alive, by the attraction of novelty, and by great variety in their occupations of se dentary study, a very.small portion. only can be ventured; and it will be necessary to indulge them with large intervals of recreation, to be employed in their accustomed pursuits of hunting and fishing. On the other hand, as it is desirable to extend the benefits of instruction to as great a number of the Indian Youth as possible, no long period can be allowed to each individual; and that period ought not to be dissipated, by attempting too many objects at once. On the points of more essential consequence, all

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the progress that can be expected may perhaps be gained in the course of one year, or two at the utmost, if the efforts of the teachers be concentrated on the prin ary objects only. If, with a view to more complete instruction, a few lads are to be kept at school for a long time, the number who can partake of the benefits of the Institution must be proportionably diminished.

It must be evident, that the management of such an Institution will require talents of a very different class, from those of an Ordinary Schoolmaster. Much of the success of the plan will depend on its being entrusted to a man fully qualified for the task; and the salary ought, therefore, to be liberal. A knowledge of the languages spoken by the Indians in these Territories would be a desirable qualification; but it is not to be expected that this should be found combined with the other more essential requisites. A man who is zealous in the undertaking may soon acquire a sufficient acquaintance with these dialects; and, in

the mean time, he may have the assistance of subordinate teachers, who are familiar with the Indian Languages. Persons sufficiently qualified for this purpose may be found among the more elderly of the servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who have long resided among these Indians. Such men may be employed, not only as Assistant Teachers in the School, but also to visit the wandering Tribes, and to call their attention to the uti lity of the improvements recommend. ed to them. In process of time, it may perhaps be adviseable to employ Missionaries, to reside constantly among the Natives: but, in the outset, occasional visits may be sufficient;

especially as the Officers at the Company's trading-posts may have some influence in pursuading them to commence the cultivation of the ground.

The Children of the Company's European Servants cannot be received, as free scholars, on the proposed establishment; but considerable advantages may arise, if a School for their instruction be connected with the Indian Establishment. Most of the Children of half-blood are acquainted both with the English Language, and with the dialect of some Native Tribe: so that they may save a great part of the expense of inter. preters; and may be employed, a cording to the New Systems of Ed cation, in the office of Monitors. The parents of these Children will pay for their board and education; and the annual premium may be fixed at such a rate, as will in some degree, exceed the expense. The profit which will thus accrue to the Master, will render it the more easy to find a person of adequate abilities to undertake that important charge.

The Hudson's Bay Company are much disposed to promote these be nevolent purposes: and though they cannot undertake the whole expenst, they have expressed their readiness Officers to take every opportunity of to co-operate, by instructing their promoting the objects in view. The Company have also agreed to assign a sufficient portion of good land, for raising provisions for the support of the Establishment, and also to provide all the necessary buildings.

But for the salaries of the Master and his Assistants, and the other pecuniary expenses of the proposed Establishment, funds must be procured from some other source.