ingenuous deportment. But he at length
perceived that his influence was gradually declining, in consequence
of the presence and wiles of many rival traders, to whom his
enterprise had opened the way, and that his customers were gradually
forsaking him.

"Thus circumstanced, in order to regain the ground he had lost, he
determined to seek a matrimonial alliance with one of the most
powerful families of the Omawhaws. In pursuance of this resolution, he
selected a squaw whose family and friends were such as he desired. He
addressed himself to her parents agreeably to the Indian custom, and
informed them that he loved their daughter, that he was sorry to see
her in the state of poverty common to her nation, and although he
possessed a wife among the white people, yet he wished to have one
also of the Omawhaw nation. If they would transfer their daughter to
him in marriage, he would obligate himself to treat her kindly; and,
as he had commenced a permanent trading establishment in their
country, he would dwell during a portion of the year with her, and the
remainder with the white people, as the nature of his occupation
required. His establishment should be her home, and that of her people
during his life, as he never intended to abandon the trade. In return,
he expressed his expectation, that, for this act, the nation would
give him the refusal of their peltries, in order that he might be
enabled to comply with his engagement to them. He further promised,
that if the match proved fruitful, the children should be made known
to the white people, and would probably be qualified to continue the
trade after his death.

"The parents replied with thanks for his liberal offers, and for his
disposition to have pity on them; they would not object to the
connection, and hoped that their daughter would accept of him as her
husband.

"The parents then retired, and opened the subject to the daughter.
They assured her that her proposed husband was a great man, greater
than any of the Omawhaws; that he would do much for her and for them,
and concluded by requesting her to acquiesce in the wishes of the
white man. She replied, that all they said was, without doubt, true,
and that, agreeably to his request, she was willing to become his
wife.

"The agreement being thus concluded, the trader made presents,
agreeably to the custom of the nation, and conducted his interesting
prize to his house.

"The succeeding spring the trader depart