mation to
prevent any further abuses. Sir Peregrine replied:

"When the Legislature meets, I shall see if something can be done
to relieve them more effectively, but I do not think that I can do
anything by the way of proclamation. If, upon deliberation, I find
that I can do something for them, I shall certainly do it." I
observed: The civil authority would be an ample security, while the
Indians are among the white inhabitants; but these abuses are
practised when they are one or two hundred miles from the white
settlements. The traders follow them to their hunting grounds, get
them intoxicated, and then get their furs for one fourth of their
value, nay, sometimes take them by force. These Frenchmen are
able-bodied men, and have abused the Indians so much they are
afraid of them; and, therefore, have not courage, if they had
strength to defend themselves. Under these circumstances your
Excellency will perceive the Indians have no means of obtaining
justice, and from their remote situation the power of civil
authority is merely nominal in regard to them. His Excellency
observed, "I am very much obliged to you for this information; I
shall do all in my power for them."

FOOTNOTES:

[8] When about fourteen years of age, an abridged "Life of Benjamin
Franklin" fell into my hands, and I read it with great eagerness. I was
especially attracted by the account of his mechanical education and of
its uses to him in after years, during and after the American
Revolution, when he became Statesman, Ambassador, and Philosopher. My
father was then building a new house, and I prevailed on him to let me
work with the carpenter for six months. I did so, agreeing to pay the
old carpenter a York shilling a day for teaching me. During that time, I
learned to plane boards, shingle, and clapboard the house, make window
frames and log floors. The little knowledge and skill I then acquired,
was of great service when I was labouring among the Indians, as well as
my early training as a farmer. I became head carpenter, head farmer, as
well as missionary, among these interesting people, during the first
year of their civilized life.

[9] See note on p. 85; also Chapters vi. and viii.--H.

CHAPTER V.

1826-1827.

Diary of my Labours Among the Indians.

The following extracts from my diary contain a detailed account of my
mental and spirit