d in winter, and lead a kind of fairy life; that
they have power to change themselves into birds and fishes, and to sustain
life for hours together under water. But all this is of course unnatural
and absurd. The Indians of Newfoundland are flesh and blood, and partake,
in common with other races of rational beings, of properties holding them
within 'delegated limits of power.' And in my opinion, they are as much
entitled to a character of consistency as the generality of tribes on our
continent. The secret of their shyness, and their unsocial and vindictive
disposition, may better be accounted for, from the probable fact that they
were inhumanly treated by the early discoverers of the island, the
Portuguese and Spaniards. These monsters without doubt butchered and made
havock of these poor natives as they did the South American Indians, and
indeed wherever their lawless adventures led them, in this new world.

Various governors have been appointed to the Newfoundland station since
Great-Britain has possessed the island, and all have used more than
ordinary means to reach the Red Indians, and reconcile them to the
pale-faces, who have taken possession of the bays and harbors of their
bold and rugged coast. The last, of any magnitude, that was made, was
during the summer of 1830, and immediately preceding the administration of
Sir Thomas Cochran. It consisted of a regular exploring expedition,
numbering about fifty persons, a part of whom were regular soldiers, and a
part volunteer citizens, which left St. John's, the capital of the island,
with instructions to explore the interior, and traverse every portion of
it in quest of the Indians, and to bring some back with them; but to use
no cruelty, unless absolutely necessary. After traversing the internal
wilds for some ten days, the expedition discovered smoke in the distance,
and in a few hours came upon a party of Indians in their wigwams. The red
men were greatly surprised, and appeared much alarmed. But upon being
presented with some showy ornaments, accompanied by smiles, and other
friendly indications, their fears somewhat subsided, and two of them
became apparently willing to accompany the expedition into St. John's, on
learning by signs that two of the white men would remain as guarantees of
their good treatment and return. The white men left were supplied with a
large quantity of ornaments and trinkets to distribute among other Indians
whom they might find during t