Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/425

 f&e North American Indians.

Their parents now only give them ill names for fuch mifconducl:, calling them mad ; but the mifchievous, and thievim, were formerly Cure to be dry-fcratched, which punifliment hath been already defcribed.

Moft of the Indians have clean, neat, dwelling houfes, white-wafhed within and without, either with decayed oyfter-fhells, coarfe-chalk, or white marly clay ; one or other of which, each of our Indian nations abounds with, be they ever fo far diftant from the fea-fhore : the Indians, as well as the traders, ufually decorate their fummer-houfes with this fa vourite white-warn. The former have likewife each a corn-houfe, fowl- houfe, and a hot-houfe, or ftove for winter : and fo have the traders likewife feparate flore-houfes for their goods, as well as to contain the pro per remittances received in exchange.

The traders hot-houfes are appropriated to their young-rifing prolific fa mily, and their well-pleafed attendants, who are always as kindly treated as brethren, and their various buildings, are like towers in cities, beyond the common fize of thofe of the Indians. Before the Indians were corrupted by ~ mercenary empirics, their good fenfe led them to efteem the traders among them as their fecond fun, warming their backs with the Britilh fleeces, and keeping in their candle of life both by plentiful fnpport, and continual pro tection and fafety, from the fire-arms and ammunition which they annu ally brought to them. While the Indians were fimple in manners, and un- corrupt in morals, the traders could not be reckoned unhappy j for they were kindly treated, and watchfully guarded, by a fociety of friendly and fagacious people, and pofTefled all the needful things to make a rea- fonable life eafy. Through all the Indian countries, every perfon lives at his own choice, not being forced in the leaft degree to any thing con trary to his own inclination. Before that mod impolitic ftep of giving general licences took place, only a fufficient number of orderly reputable traders were allowed to traffic, and refide among the Indians: by which- means the laft were kept under proper reftraint, were eafy in their minds, and peaceable, on account of the plain honeft leflbns daily inculcated on them. But at prefent, mod of their countries fwarm with white people, who are generally the dregs and off-fcourings of our colonies. The de- fcription is fo exceedingly difagreeable, that I (hall only obferve, the greater part of them could notably diftinguifh themfelves, among the moft profli- i gate

�� �