to ascertain, how much of their present means
ofsubsïStence was derived from the chase. This
will bo found to he denoted in appropriate columns.
It is gratifying to observe, that the-
amount is so small, nor is it less so, to the cause
of Indian civilization, to remark, that the uncer-
tain and scanty regard of time and labor which
the chase affords, is less and less relied on, in the
precise ratio that the bands and neighborhoods
advance in agriculture and the arts. In cases
where the cultivation of English grains and the ’
raising of stock have thoroughly enlisted a tten tion,
the chase has long ceased to attract its ancient
votaries, and in these instance^ which
embrace some entire bands, or chieftaincies, it has
become precisely what it is, in Civilized comniU-
nities, where game yet exists, an atnusemeat, and
not à means of reward.
That delusive means of Indian subsistence,
•which is based on the receipt of money annuities
from the government, still calls together annually,
and sometimes oftener, the collective
male population of these trïbès/at an expense
of time, and means, which is wholly dispropor-
tioned, both to amount actually received, and
fhê not unttaportaatTncidéàtàT. »sks, moral
and physical, incurred by the assemblage. I have
denoted both the gross sum of these annuities,
and the distributive share to heads of families,
obtained from the office of the loçal government
agents. These are believed to he authentic in
** amount. Estimated at the highest rate which
can be. taken, the sum, per capita, of these annuities,
will not, on an average of crops and
prices, for a series of years, equal the cash value
of seven bushels of wheat—a product, which, as
a means of actual subsistence to the Indian family,
would, be of double'or treble value. But
this is far from being the worst effect of both the
general and per capita cash distribution. Time
and health are not only sacrificed to obtain the
pittance^ but he is fortunate who does not expend
the amount in the outward or return jour-
nëy to, or from the council house, or in the purchase
of some showy hut valueless articles,
while attending there: Ê
■ 'A -still further evil, flowing from these annual
gatherings for the payment of Indian annuities,
is thc stimulus which it produces in assembling
at such places, traders and speculating dealers
of various kinds, who are Verged in this species
of traffic, and who well know the weak points
of the native character, and hpw best to profit
by them. In effect, few of the annuitants reach
their homes with a dime. Most of them have
expended all, and lost their time in addition.
Health is not unfrequently sacrificed by living
on articles, or in a manner not customary at
home. The intemperate are confirmed in intemperance
; and the idle, foppish and gay, are
only more enamored of idleness, foppishness
and pleasure. That such a system, introduced
at an early day, when it was policy for governments
on this continent, foreign and domestic, to