These are general observations as generally known To shew wherein they are defective and to accot for, by setts forth the present state of the sev' Indian Nations is a subject of greater importance it will lead to other matters more Interesting.

I must therefore observe that the customs and manners of the Indians are in sev! cases Jiable to changes, which have not been thoroughly considered by authors and therefore the description of them (as is usual) at any one particular period must be insufficient, and I must furth™ premise that I mean to confine my observations to those of Northern Nations with whom I have the most acquaintance and intercourse.

In all inquiries of this sort, we should Distinguish between the more remote Tribes & those Ind»s who from their having been next to our settlem's for sev! years, & relying solely on oral Tradition for the support of their Ancient usages, have lost great part ofthem, & have blended some with Customs amongst ourselves, so as to render it Extremely difficult, if not impossible to Trace their Customs to their origin or to discover their Explication. Again, Those Indians who are a degree farther removed hayg still a good deal of Intercourse with our Traders and havé altered their system of Politicks, tho' they still retain many Ancient Customs, they are much at a Loss to account for them, whilst those who are far removed from any intercourse with the whites (a few Traders excepted) are stil] im possess™ of the greatest part of their primitive usages tho' they cannot give a satisfactory acct of their original signification, and have so blended the whole with fable, as to render it matter of great difficulty to Separate the Truth from it, add to this that above a Century ago they had French Jesuits amongst them, who partly for Religious purposes, but chiefly to serve particular ends in the Wars they often fomented, introduced some of their own