principles of the gospel, proved very discouraging
to us. They also pronounced it impossible to in-
struct them in the principles of justice, equity, and
government; which I was not willing to admit.

We had a visit to-day from Nathan Williams, an
intelligent man, especially in Indian affairs, which
he has been intimately acquainted with. He, in a
friendly manner, suggested fears that we would be
either killed, or kept as hostages, at the ensuing
Council. And truly I am not astonished at their ideas,
considering the spectacles of human misery they are
almost daily presented with, and the rumors they
hear — where tribes of Indian warriors have so fre-
quently passed, with their disconsolate prisoners;
and with poles stuck up in the front of their canoes,
some with fifteen, others with thirty scalps suspend-
ed on them, in trophy of their courage and victory.
Though it must be said in honour of British huma-
nity, and commendation of this government, Upper
Canada, and its truly respectable and generous offi-
cers, they have interfered to the relief of scores of
prisoners, and obtained their redemption at a great
price. Divers of these we have met with, and they
appeared as the very outcasts of England and Ire-
land, who, as Col. England, and other officers, told
me, hardly had the manners to acknowledge the
kindness, though in some instances it cost one hun-
dred pounds. But in case of a real American, they
never begrudged it.

This has been a high day at the Roman chapel;
being canonized in honour of St. Peter. They rung
the bells, and it is said, carried about the host. At
ten, they assembled at the chapel in great numbers,
men, women, and children. Some kneeled, and ma-