Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

These Confiderations alone are fufficient to make the Indian Affairs deserve the most serious Thoughts of every Governor in America. But I well know, befides; that your Excellency's Views are not confined to the Interest of one Country only.

The Five Nations are a poor and, generally called, barbarous People, bred under the darkeft Ignorance; and yet a bright and noble Genius fhines through these black Clouds. None of the greatest Roman Heroes have difcovered a greater Love to their Country, or a greater Contempt of Death, than these People called Barbarians have done, when Liberty came in Competition. Indeed, I think our In dians have outdone the Romans in this Particular; fome of the greatest of those have we know murdered themfelves

a

felves to avoid Shame or Torments; but our Indians have refused to die meanly, or with but little Pain, when they thought their Country's Honour would be at Stake by it *; but have given their Bodies, willingly, to the moft cruel Torments of their Enemies, to fhew, as they faid, that the Five Nations confifted of Men, whose Courage and Resolution could not be fhaken. They greatly fully, however, those noble Virtues, by that cruel Paffion, Revenge; this they think it not only lawful, but honourable, to exert without Mercy on their Country's Enemies, and for this only it is that they can deserve the Name of Barbarians.

But what, alas! Sir, have we Chriftians done to make them better? We have indeed Reason to be afhamed, that

*This will appear by feveral Inftances in the Second Part of this History.

these

thefe Infidels, by our Converfation and Neighbourhood, are become worse than they were before they knew

us.

Inftead of Virtues we have only taught them Vices, that they were intirely free from before that Time. The narrow Views of private Interest have occafioned this, and will occafion greater, even publick Mischiefs, if the Governors of the People do not, like true Patriots, exert themselves, and put a Stop to these growing Evils. If these Practices be winked at, instead of faithful Friends, that have manfully fought our Battles for us, the Five Nations will become faithlefs Thieves and Robbers, and join with every Enemy that can give them any Hopes of Plunder.

If Care were taken to plant and cultivate in them that general Benevolence to Mankind, which is the true first Principle of Virtue, it would effectually eradicate thofe horrid Vices, occafioned by their unbounded Revenge;

a 2

venge; and then they would no longer deserve the Name of Barbarians, but would become a People, whose Friendship might add Honour to the British Nation.

The Greeks and Romans, Sir, once as much Barbarians as our Indians now are, deified the Heroes that first taught them those Virtues, from whence the Grandeur of those renowned Nations wholly proceeded; a good Man, however, will feel more real Satisfaction and Pleasure, from the Senfe of having any Way forwarded the Civilizing of a barbarous Nation, or of having multiplied the Number of good Men, than from the fondeft Hopes of fuch extravagant

Honours.

These Confiderations, I believe, will induce you, Sir, to think a Hiftory of the Five Nations not unworthy of your Patronage; and on thefe only it is that I prefume to of

fer

fer my best Endeavours in this, who am, with the greatest Respect,

SIR,

Your moft obedient,

and most 'humble Servant,

Cadwallader Colden.

a 3

« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »