Mississaguas are the leading tribe. Those of Kingston and Gananoqui,
only 82 in number, are described as worthless and depraved; but such as
dwell on the Bay of Quinté and Rice Lake, amounting respectively to 143
and 317, have been converted to Christianity, and are much improved. On
the Bay are also 319 Mohawks, many of whom have applied themselves to
agriculture, and even adopted in some degree the European dress, though
mixed in a grotesque manner with their native attire. On the river
Credit, which falls into the western part of Ontario, are 180 of the
same nation, who have been greatly civilized by their conversion. Around
Lake Simcoe and its vicinity, about 550 Chippeways reside under their
chief, Yellow-head. These also have expressed a strong desire for
instruction and the knowledge of religion, but have not yet experienced
those benefits in an equal degree. The banks of the Grand River, which
falls into Lake Erie, to the extent of six miles on each side, were, by
a proclamation of General Haldimand, set apart for the Mohawks and Six
Nations, who occupy it to the amount of about 2,000. Some part of these
lands has been sold with the consent of government, and the proceeds
lodged in the British funds, yielding an annual revenue of 1,500_l._,
which is distributed among them in goods. They still hold 260,000 acres
of an excellent soil, over which they have spread themselves in small
villages, and many of them attempt the simpler modes of farming. Farther
west are the Munseys on the Thames, 445 in number, and 309 Hurons,
connected with the French settlement on the Detroit, and converts to the
Catholic form of worship.
[Illustration: _Hallowell, Bay of Quinté._]
[Illustration: _Scene in the Bay of Quinté._]
With the last exception, all the tribes in Upper Canada, till within
these few years, remained in their primitive state of rudeness and
ignorance. They are now, however, willing converts to the Christian
faith, receiving instruction in reading and writing. Their morals are
greatly improved; and, in short, the way is paved for their adopting
generally the habits of civilized life. This good work has been almost
entirely accomplished by teachers from the United States, belonging to
the “Canada Conference Missionary Society,” auxiliary to that of the
Methodist Church of New York. The Indians have always shown themselves
desirous to be instructed. In 1827, the tribes, when receiving presents
at the remote station of Drummond Island, intimated to the agent that
there was at Michillimakinac a school or place where the natives were
taught to live as the whites do, “to mark their thoughts on paper, and
to think the news from books (read and write).” It was in their power to
send their children thither “to get sense;” but not being partial to the
Big Knives, and hearing that their great father at York was teaching
their brethren to “cut up the ground, and be beloved of the Great
Spirit,” they would rather be instructed by him. In the same year the
Chippeways at Gwillimburg, through their chief, Yellow-head, delivered
successive strings of wampum, importing that they wished to be settled
together, to pursue agriculture, and “to worship that God which is known
to the whites in the good book.”
The work of conversion and civilization was already proceeding, through
the exertions of the New York missionaries. Their first success was on
the River Credit, in the Home district, where they were greatly aided by
Mr. Peter Jones, alias Kakkewaquonaby, the son of a Welsh father by an
Indian mother, and thoroughly acquainted with their customs and
language. They formed themselves into a village, where Sir Peregrine
Maitland built for them twenty houses; they added fifteen for
themselves, with a mill; and the Methodist Society aided them in
erecting a chapel, schoolhouse, and workshop. They now renounced the
“firewaters” (spirits), the effects of which had been so pernicious;
and, without giving up hunting, combined with it the culture of the
ground and the rearing of cattle. According to the report of the Rev.
Mr. Magrath, they had, in March 1828, brought thirty-five acres into
cultivation, and possessed nine yoke of oxen, twelve cows, and six
horses. The adults were taught to get by heart the most essential
doctrines of religion; but for the children of both sexes schools were
established, attended by thirty-five boys and thirty-six girls. The
Mississaguas, near Belleville, soon followed the example of their
brethren; and, with the aid of the Society, formed a village on Grape
Island, in the Bay of Quinté. Finding this position too limited, they
applied for more land, and were allowed to select the requisite number
of vacant lots in the Midland district. This salutary process was soon
afterwards extended to the Mississaguas on the borders of Rice Lake and
of Mud Lake, northward of Cobourg. They occupied, by right, the islands
on the former; and, on the petition of their teachers, were allowed
besides 1,200 acres of waste land. Improvement was next extended to the
Chippeways, near Lake Simcoe. They were entitled to three islands; but
Sir John Colborne thought it more for their benefit that they should be
located on its north-western shore, and on the road to Lake Huron. In
these objects about 3,000_l._ were spent, chiefly saved out of the
annual presents. Another establishment has been formed at Munseytown, on
the river Thames; and it appears that much has been done among the Six
Nations, particularly the Mohawks, on the Grand River. In short, there
seems no room to doubt that the whole of this savage race will soon be
brought within the pale of Christianity and civilization.
Vehement objections have been taken against the religious body by whom
this change has been effected. They are accused of propagating the
political creed of their own country, accompanied with sentiments of
hostility to the established church. It does not appear, however, that
any disloyal or turbulent proceedings have resulted; and when they are
doing so much good, it would certainly be very inexpedient to obstruct
their operations, until some efficient substitute shall be found. Sir
John Colborne expressly says, “that the established clergy have not
effected any Indian conversions;” and the worthy bishop of Quebec
candidly observes that, whoever were the instruments, the effect must be
a source of satisfaction; and that the hand of God seems to be visible
in it. The Society allow 40_l._ or 50_l._ a-year to their missionaries,
and maintain ten schools, attended by 251 pupils.
The Indians, as already observed, have certain fixed stations, to which
they resort for the purpose of receiving their annual presents. These
are, in Lower Canada, Quebec, to which, in 1827, there came 652; St.
Francis, 541; Caughnawaga, 967; Lake of Two Mountains, 887; and St.
Regis, 348. In Upper Canada, they are, Kingston, 859; York, 781; Fort
George (Niagara), 1857; Amherstburg, 5906; and Drummond Island, 3516.
The expense became very large during the war, when their services were
so valuable. Between 1813 and 1816, it averaged 150,000_l._ a-year.
Since that time it has been reduced to about 16,000_l._, which, with
4,400_l._ for management, raises the Indian department to 20,400_l._
a-year. This, in Upper Canada, is estimated at 18_s._ 9_d._ to each
individual, for which slender remuneration some travel 500 miles.
References have been made from the Colonial Office, to ascertain whether
this sum might not be still further reduced, and paid in money, by which
the estimates could be formed with greater precision. To the first
point, it has been replied by the governors, that the donation is one to
which we are bound by the faith of treaties, made in return for
important services; and its discontinuance would excite the deepest
indignation, and provoke an hostility which might be attended with
disastrous consequences. Probably like all rude nations, the Indians,
instead of viewing these gifts as in any degree humiliating, pride
themselves upon them as testimonies of respect, perhaps even as a
species of tribute. As to the payment in money, it was deprecated in the
strongest terms by almost all the chiefs, and those interested in their
welfare; because the immediate consequence would be its conversion into
spirits, thereby causing a serious injury instead of a benefit. The
principle articles presented to them in 1832, were 35,700 yards of
different kinds of cloth, the prime cost varying from 1_s._ 1_d._ to
3_s._ 4_d._; 4,200 yards of linen; 33,800 yards of cotton and calico,
7_d._ to 1_s._ 7_d._; 84,500 yards of gartering, of scarlet, green, and
fancy colours, ¾_d._ per yard; 20,000 yards of blanketing, 1_s._ 11_d._
to 5_s._ 9_d._; 9,260 pairs of combs; 6,700 shoemaker’s awls; 8,740
butcher’s knives; 870 kettles; 18,160 sewing needles; 240 guns, 12_s._
9_d._ to 30_s._; 16,200 lbs. of lead ball; 46,300 lbs. of shot; 20,000
flints; 3,450 lbs. of carrot tobacco, 17_l._ 10_s._ per cwt.
[Illustration: _St. Regis, Indian Village._
(St. Lawrence.)]
Since the diffusion of civilization, many of the Indians have consented,
and even desired, to exchange these presents for houses, implements of
agriculture, and other useful objects. A considerable number have even
begun to wish for money, which happily they no longer abuse as formerly,
but rather find the most convenient instrument in procuring whatever
they may happen to want. Asance, a chief, said that at York, “he found
it convenient when hungry to be able to put his hand into his pocket,
and find something jingling there for which he could get bread.” It may
be observed, that the Indians in Upper Canada are entitled to the annual
pay of 5,107_l._ current (4,426_l._ sterling), for land ceded by them to
government, who give the value in goods. As the crown obtained in
exchange nearly 5,000,000 acres of fertile land, we do think that this
slender annuity ought not to exhaust the kindness of the British
ministry towards this unfortunate race. They receive also 1,267_l._
sterling for property sold to private individuals, the greater part of
which is lodged in the funds. This sum is paid in money to the chiefs.
The Indians, as formerly observed, retain in general their original
fashion of dress; but instead of composing it entirely of the skins of
wild animals, they have adopted, as more commodious, materials of
English manufacture. For the outer covering or great coat, a blanket is
decidedly preferred; the shirt beneath is chiefly of calico or printed
cotton; the leggings and pouches of common cloths. The gartering, of
gaudy colours, serves for binding and ornamental borders. The moccasins
only, an article so extremely suited to their habits, cannot be composed
of any better material than their own deer-skin. When, however, any
particular piece of finery strikes their fancy, they eagerly seek to
procure it, and combine it, often fantastically, with their old
habiliments. The vicinity of Europeans, where it does not induce the
destructive habit of intoxication, affords them various means for
bettering their condition. A ready sale for venison, wild ducks, and
other feathered game, and for the fish which they spear, is found among
settlers who have themselves little leisure for angling or the chase.
The skins and furs also of the animals caught by them are readily bought
by the merchants. The women make baskets, trays, and other utensils, of
birch-bark, and sometimes of the inner rind of the bass-wood and white
ash, which, when ornamented with porcupine quills, dyed in beautiful
colours, form elegant articles of furniture. Their moccasins, similarly
adorned, are often purchased by Europeans for winter use. They cannot,
however, be depended upon for making or procuring any article to order.
They produce and bring their commodities to market when it suits their
own convenience; and they are disposed to drive a pretty hard bargain,
especially the females, on whom that task usually devolves. The
converted Indians are said to display a simple, fervent, and sincere
devotion. They pay a particular regard to the sanctity of the sabbath;
and while singing hymns on the evening of that day, their rich soft
voices, rising on the still air, are extremely sweet. This principle of
piety, having produced the valuable fruit of inducing them to renounce
the ruinous habit of intoxication, has made a most happy change in their
condition; and since the evils incident to the savage have thus been
removed, perhaps the admirer of the picturesque in human life may not
feel impatient for that thorough amalgamation with Europeans, which some
of their friends ardently desire. They may be willing that some trace
should still survive of the peculiar costume, aspect, and occupations of
this remarkable aboriginal race.
[Illustration: _Burial-Place of the Voyageurs._]
The means of religious instruction in Lower Canada have long existed on
a liberal scale. The great majority of the inhabitants, as formerly
observed, are French Roman Catholics. They support their clergy by a
contribution of a twenty-sixth part of the produce of their lands, which
does not, however, as has been sometimes represented, form a compulsory
assessment, since Protestant converts may discontinue payment. This
affords to upwards of 200 _vicaires_ and _curés_ an average income of
300_l._ per annum, which, in Canada, is very liberal. They are described
as respectable in character and attainments, very attentive to their
parishioners, and extremely beloved by them. They have been accused as
hostile to the diffusion of knowledge, yet no mention is made of any
opposition made by them to the late remarkable spread of elementary
schools. The bishop, who has under him two coadjutors and four
vicars-general, receives from government a stipend of 1,000_l._ a-year.
There are also monastic establishments, containing upwards of 300 monks
and nuns. The English church has assigned for its support a seventh of
all the lands unoccupied by the _habitans_, and formed into townships.
This proportion appears large, and has even been complained of as such,
yet it has not hitherto produced any great revenue. The clergy of this
church are at present forty in number, at the head of whom is the bishop
of Quebec, with a stipend of 1,000_l._ a-year. There are fourteen
Presbyterian ministers connected with the church of Scotland, partly
paid by government; and also twelve Methodists of the Wesleyan
persuasion.
Upper Canada, as already hinted, was long miserably destitute of the
means of religious instruction. In 1800, according to Mr. Talbot, there
were only three clergymen in the country; in 1819 they had increased to
ten; and in 1824 were still only sixteen. Since that time effective
measures have been taken to supply this great deficiency. There are now
forty-three clergymen belonging to the English established church; and
two archdeacons, at Toronto and Kingston, subject to the bishop of
Quebec, have each 300_l._ a-year. The remainder of the clergy received,
in 1835, an income of 6,784_l._ 11_s._ 8_d._, of which 5,484_l._ 18_s._
was defrayed from the proceeds of the ecclesiastical reserves, which, as
in Lower Canada, consist of one-seventh of the uncultivated lands; the
rest was paid out of the crown revenue. The Catholics have twenty-four
priests, of whom the bishop, bearing the title of Regiopolis, has
500_l._; the rest receive 1,000_l._ annually, divided among them, out of
the public purse. From the same fund were paid, in 1835, to the
ministers of the church of Scotland, 1,586_l._; to those of the
Presbyterian synod of Upper Canada 700_l._; 171_l._ was granted to the
fund for building Catholic churches; 550_l._ was given for the same
purpose to the Scottish church; and 550_l._ to the Wesleyan Methodists.
From this fund was also allowed 2,344_l._ 11_s._ 8_d._ for missionaries
of the Church of England. There are said to be also twenty-eight
Methodist and forty or fifty Baptist churches, which appear to be
supported by the congregations.
The means even of the most common education were long extremely
deficient in Canada. This want was equally felt in the lower province,
where the Catholic clergy, though diligent in their religious
ministrations, either opposed or did nothing to forward elementary
instruction. They particularly interfered to prevent attendance on the
schools organized in 1817, by what was termed the Royal Institution, as
being chiefly under the management of Church of England clergymen. In
1829, however, the legislature voted for this object 6,439_l._, which
was gradually increased to upwards of 20,000_l._ In that year the number
of scholars was 14,753, of whom only about a third paid fees. In 1835,
the number of free scholars had risen to 72,498, of those paying to
25,160; showing thus a wonderful increase both in the gross number and
in the proportion of those who defrayed their own charges. In 1836,
however, the vote of the House of Assembly for this patriotic purpose
was negatived by the Legislative Council, a step which seems not
unworthy of the severe animadversions made on it by the popular leaders.
The council stated that their motive was to induce the people to
contribute more towards the education of their families. This was
admitted to be desirable as an ultimate object; but it could not justify
the abrupt withdrawal of the means by which nearly 40,000 children were
educated, without allowing time or even legal authority to substitute
any other.
In Upper Canada, also, the government is making great exertions to
remove that cloud of ignorance in which the country was once involved. A
college at Toronto is supported on a liberal footing. There are also
grammar schools in every district, to the teachers of which 100_l._
yearly is allowed by the legislature. The scholars attending them amount
in all to about 350. The sum of 7,380_l._ also was granted in 1835 for
the support of common schools, estimated to amount to several hundreds,
and to educate about 20,000 children. In the same year, the legislature
voted 180_l._ and 90_l._ to the Mechanics’ Institutes at Toronto and
Kingston.
CHAP. V.
IMPRESSIONS OF CANADA ON TRAVELLERS.
* * * * *
Among the various books on Canada, there is none which seems to us
written with a more friendly, fair, and philanthropic spirit than that
of Mr. Hodgson, who was there in 1822. A great part of his large volume
is occupied with his rambles in the United States; but from that which
is strictly Canadian, we extract the following interesting letters:—
[Illustration: _Scene among the Thousand Isles._]
[Illustration: _Rapids, on the approach to the Village of Cedars._]
“Soon after I had finished my letter on board the steam-boat, we
stopped near the mouth of the Genessee river, to give us the
opportunity of seeing Rochester and its vicinity. Stages had
been previously sent for, in which we proceeded to Rochester,
nine miles distant. On our way we stopped to see the lower falls
of the Genessee river, and Carthage bridge. This wooden bridge
is now in ruins. When perfect, it must have been extremely
beautiful. It was a single arch, whose span was about 350 feet
wide, and its extreme height above the surface of the river 196
feet. It gave way from the slightness of its materials,
immediately after two children had crossed it. A short distance
above it are the falls of the Genessee, which appeared to me to
bear a strong resemblance to those of the Clyde. At Rochester we
found a handsome mill, and every symptom of a thriving town.
Instead of ‘cash store’ being painted over the shops, as in most
towns of the United States, to tell the customers that the
shopkeepers sell only for cash, while they may almost be induced
to sell even a thimble on credit; ‘here cash _given_ for wheat,’
‘cash _given_ for, &c. &c.’ was the usual motto. We learnt also,
that the town was blessed by the absence of a bank, while in the
smallest American town I had been accustomed to find banks the
first objects which presented themselves—the Farmer’s Bank, the
Merchant’s Bank, the Planter’s Bank, the Mechanic’s Bank, the
Franklin Bank, the Patriotic Bank, &c. &c. with their various
combinations, had met my eye more or less in every village. We
embarked again about two o’clock, and in the morning by
day-light found ourselves at Sacket’s Harbour, of which we heard
so much during the war. It is a noble natural harbour, and the
place where the American ships employed on the lakes were built
so rapidly. Many of them are now rotting under wooden covers.
There is one half finished, _said_ to be longer than our largest
ship of the line, covered with a wooden shade, which itself, our
conductor told us, cost 7,000_l._ This immense vessel, so far
inland, on the banks of a lake, was a singular sight, and
excited some incongruous ideas.
[Illustration: _Prescott, from Ogdensburg Harbour._]
“We sailed again soon after breakfast, and in the morning (9th)
found ourselves at Ogdensburgh, about 260 miles from Niagara,
which we had left on the 6th. The preceding afternoon we had
entered the St. Lawrence, and I had been much delighted with our
sail through that expanse of it which is called the Lake of the
Thousand Islands. In reality, there are more than 2,000, of
every size and form, and a lovely afternoon exhibited them in
all their beauty. As we glided past them, on the smooth surface
of the St. Lawrence, I thought I had never beheld a scene which
so nearly realized my ideas of enchantment. The banks of the
river as we proceeded were rather less wild and interesting than
I had expected.
“At Ogdensburgh, which is said to belong principally to Mr.
Parish, who is endeavouring to settle a tract of land in the
vicinity, we breakfasted at a large stone tavern, which he has
built, and then prepared in high spirits to descend the Rapids.
For this purpose we hired a long boat, which would accommodate
the whole party, and which, with 25 people on board and their
baggage, and 25 barrels of flour for ballast, was said to draw
only eight inches of water. We set sail about ten o’clock, and
in four hours and a few minutes had been carried 48 miles down
the stream, in the course of which we had passed the first three
rapids, one of which was half a mile, another two, and another
about nine miles long. We always discerned them at a great
distance, the dashing of the white foam resembling the tossing
of the ocean; and as we approached them our velocity gradually
increased, till we were carried by the stream at the rate of 14
or 15 miles an hour. When we got into the middle of the surges,
our velocity, though still great, was checked by the eddies and
by waves which frequently struck the bottom of the boat with
great force; and from the appearance of the troubled waters, it
seemed difficult for a boat to live. The confidence of the
boatmen, however, checked our apprehensions, and our ladies
behaved extremely well. The most alarming appearance was that of
pointed rocks, which, from the transparency of the water, seemed
to rise almost to the surface, and to threaten inevitable
destruction. As I stood on the bow, I saw combinations of rocks,
towards which we were hurried with impetuosity, and which it
seemed impossible our boat could pass without striking. In some
of the Rapids there were channels, called lost channels, from
the accidents which had happened in them, and into which our
boatmen had to guard against our being carried. The river varies
from three-fourths of a mile to two miles in width; and although
there are no mountains near, (the green mountains of Vermont
were often in sight at a distance,) the white pine and cedar
gave a picturesque appearance to its banks, and a resemblance to
the river views in Norway or Sweden. One of the most singular
sensations we experienced, was that of sailing many miles
perceptibly _down hill_. Soon after passing the third rapid, the
St. Lawrence expanded into a wide lake—the Lake of St. Francis.
There we lost our wind and stream, and were obliged to have
recourse to our oars. The evening was now closing in, and a
violent thunder-storm brought on a premature darkness; but the
ladies enlivened us by singing the Canadian Boat-Song, ‘Row,
brothers, row, &c.’ which transported me to ——, where I have
so often heard it.
[Illustration: _Village of Cedars, River St. Lawrence._]
[Illustration: _Nelson’s Pillar,_
Montreal.]