CHAPTER XIV.

MISSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

THE Mission of the Episcopal Church at the Sault St. Marie, was given up soon after the Rev. Mr. Murray left the country, on account of the removal of the Indians from their town to an Island in Lake Huron, by order of Sir Francis Broadhead.

This dignitary gained notoriety among the Indians and the whites of Canada, on account of his attempt to remove the Indians to a lone barren isle," where those who did go suffered greatly by the bleak winds of the lake.

The soil, what there was of it, was not good enough to raise potatoes, or any vegetables for their support,— its chief productions being large rocks and small

stones.

Mr. Murray, it appears, was a man of untiring ener

gy and perseverance. He labored for a number of years as a devoted Missionary, and was finally obliged to leave by the impolitic acts of government.

In the month of September, 1834, I had the pleasure of seeing this gentleman. He was reading an account of his labors to a crowded auditory of Indians, who listened with deep, unfeigned interest, to the relation of the improvements they had made under the care of "the good white man."

One of the most distinguished individuals of the Ojibwas, is Shin-gwah-koonce. He is a Chief of much celebrity,-noted for his bravery, activity, and perseverance. His person is a little above the medium size, and well proportioned. His head well formed; and, to a phrenological eye, pleasing. His general appearance is highly commanding.

He fought with the British during the last war, and was engaged at the storming of Mackanaw, and at the battle of Chippeway. It is said that he retains numerous scars, and such like mementoes of the war of 1822.

The Indians who then lived on the English side of Sault St. Marie, have removed to Manetowahning, on the North shore of Lake Huron, where a Mission has been established by the Episcopal Church. There are also Roman Catholics on the Island. They are by far

the most numerous of the Missionaries among the

Ojibways.

The Methodists have established their Missions at the Northwest end of Lake Superior.

Fort William is one of the fortresses of the Hudson Bay Company. One of the young men who was educated in Cazenovia, is now the principal minister there. His name is Henry Steinhaux, and he is doing a good work in teaching school and acting in the capacity of Missionary to the Indians of that place.

Norway House is another place in the interior of the country, towards the water of the Red River, where there is a Mission. Peter Jacobs is the most efficient laborer in that country. He has been for a long time very zealously engaged in teaching his less fortunate brethren the first rudiments of education.

A very amusing story is told of Peter Jacobs, the incidents of which occurred at a camp meeting near Belville, about the year 1828.

I must mention that, during the previous summer, several hundred had embraced Christianity. Peter attended the meeting following this conversion. The white people also attended the meeting, and so universal was the diffusion of the Good Spirit, that the pale face and the red man knelt together in prayer to that Great Being

who makes no distinction, but between good and evil. The ground was covered with people in a devotional attitude. Peter knelt with them. His companions were in ecstacies with the presence of Divine favor.— Peter soon learned the fact that the Great Spirit despised not even the trembling prayer of the forest child.

Springing upon his feet in an instant, he mounted one of the benches, and waved his hand to the vast concourse of people. He then spoke rapidly, eloquently, and feelingly, as follows:

"The Great Spirit has blest Peter the orphan boy.He no tell lies. He says He love me. That good man say, (pointing to the preacher,) Jesus died for every one. How happy, happy now! My father, mother, gone; they drank fire-water, (turning to some of the traders, who were at this moment as attentive as the rest). You did not give the Indian blessed Bible; you cheated poor Indian for his furs. You kill my people. What will the Great Spirit say when he come? -'You give poor Indian fire-water: from poor Indian, long, long time.

He will tell you

you kept the Bible You big rascal go

to Hell! That is what he will say to you."

Peter sat down, while the biggest tradesman trembled

in his shoes.

The meeting was held near the Bay of Quinte, in

Adolphustown. The above incident in Peter's early experience, was related to me by a gentleman, now living near the place.

Lately Peter went to England, and created considerable interest in behalf of the Northwest Indians, among whom he is now laboring.

The Wesleyan Methodist Missions in the interior, are now altogether supported by the Hudson Bay Company. It has become a well known fact, that, when the Indians are under the influence of Christian Missionaries, the Company have less trouble with individuals in the course of trade. Indians thus instructed, are becoming good farmers and support themselves by labor.

The Hudson Bay Company discountenance the use of fire-water in all the country they occupy. But recently, during the mining operations on the North shore of Lake Superior, liquor has been introduced.

The Indian population of Canada have ever manifested a strong friendly feeling towards the British gov

ernment.

In former years, the American governors were more kindly disposed to us than they have been of late, yet the name of "Children" is applied to us. The government and its agents style us, "My Children." The Indians are of age-and believe they can think and act