Besides it is well known that such of them as will learn to read 'and write, generally make a more rapid Progress than Persons of the same Age amongus. Itmay then with Truth be affirmed, that the Indians are not inferior in their Intellectual Paenltiss to other Nations, or less capable of Improvement. Their Knowledge indeed, for Want of Culture, is confined within a 'narrow Circle; but notwithstanding, they shew a Discernment, and a Force of Understanding, which ee them on a Level with the Best of Mankind. ,

It is further granted that the Troquois a: are barbarous ; but this by no means proves that they are incapable of being -civiliedl. We know of very few Nations which were not originally as barbarous as they. No ancient People surpassed the Greeks in Knowledge, Policy and Refinement of Manners; or left to the 'World such Monuments of exalted genius. Yet History testifies that the Greeks were once extremely rude and savage--moeh more so than the Iroquois at present. Without Letters, Laws, or Policy, or even Food proper for Men, they wandered in Fields and Woods, having no Places of Shelter, but'Dens and "Caverns. Their own Writers, and those of best Note, confirm this Account; and that many Ages had elapsed before they

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emerged out of this brutal State. It was by very slow steps, by repeated Efforts of wise and great Men, that they rose to that Eminence which afterwards so much distinguished them. » About the Commencement of the Christian Era, the Germans and Britons were as barbarous as the Indians of this Continent, whom they greatly resembled in many Particulars. Yet experience hath evinced that those Nations were as capable of Improvement as any upon Earth.