fence, to expend time and
money in improving our Militia, and not provide the means of arming and
making them efficient if they should be wanted. If (as the preamble to
the Militia Law states) "a well regulated Militia is essential to the
security of this Province," it is equally necessary that the Province
should possess the means of arming that Militia. If arms could not be
procured from the Crown, it would be advisable to appropriate a part of
the Provincial revenue for the purchase of a sufficient number to
supply the Militia in case of emergency; which could be either sold to
the Militiamen, or placed in the Arsenals, and issued occasionally to
the different corps as the Government should think proper.

Should the Province ever be invaded, its defence will not wholly
consist in defending fortified posts or in engagements with large
bodies in open field, but by taking advantage of the natural fastnesses
of the country, such as woods, deep hollows, hills, rivers, brooks, &c.
with which the Province abounds.

This points out the necessity of having the Militia trained to
sharpshooting and such exercises as will be beneficial in the hour of
danger; and not merely taught a few parade movements, or how to receive
a reviewing officer.

The Indians in New-Brunswick are fast declining, and although several
attempts have been made to induce them to form permanent settlements
and become planters, they still continue their migratory mode of life.
The attempts that have been made to civilize them by educating their
children have been equally unsuccessful. The Romish religion appears to
be the most congenial to them, as well as to the French. This arises in
a great measure from its outward pomp and external forms imposing on
the uncultivated mind. They yield an implicit obedience to the Romish
Missionaries, who instruct them in religion, regulate their marriages,
and censure or approve their conduct, and so successful have been their
endeavours, that but few depredations are committed by the Indians on
property, although they are frequently reduced to the most extreme
want.--The Baron LA HOUTAN, who has enumerated forty-nine Nations of
Indians in Canada, and Acadia, names the following Tribes as the
original inhabitants of Nova-Scotia:--The Abenakie, Micmac, Canabus,
Mahingans, Openangans, Soccokis, and Etechemins, from whom our present
Indians are descended. As the customs, manners, and dress, of the
Indians have been often