Many of the English

apply themselves to hunting as well as the Indians. Superior

affluence only is what will call them from this, as from other

branches of laborious business. And it cannot admit of any

doubt, that an equal number of people who are civilised, and

thereby made industrious, will be more serviceable to Commerce,

and to the State in general, than'so many Savages, whose wants

are few, and who are indolent to the last degree.

_ I shall not enlarge on so plain a ease, but observe, that besides

those general reasons and motives which induced the several European states that made settlements in America, to convert the natives, and in doing which they found their account ; there are many others peculiar to our situation which conclude more strongly for our engaging in the like attempt. Indeed the English, as well the other Christian Powers, had this object in

view from the first establishment of Brittish colonies in America,

FIVE CONFEDERATE NATIONS OF INDIANS. 1099

This appears from the Charters given to the different Provinces, in which the conversion of the Savage Natives is expressly mentioned as one principal motive for granting them. So that the interposition of Government in the present case, is no more than acting conformably to the avowed design of the Crown, in an instance where particular circumstances made it highly expedient.

Perhaps it may be thought, that as we are now masters of Canada, and the Indians dependent on us for Ammunition, Arms and Clothing, there is littledanger to be apprehended from them, and that this should romove any anxiety for their Conversion or reduction to a civilised State. «