(53) & from this conceived himself _ongenay_ & accordingly prepared for his Confession. Having received the details at 2 & 3d hand I shall endeavour to give _part_ of them to you as near _their_ Stile as I can; but really I find myself _very inadequate_ to the task: there is a certain _Poetic_ Sublimity in their language on such _like_ occasions as will not easily meet with credit from those (the better informed) of the civilized world unacquainted with these people. Even amongst ourselves there are but few; for few can judge of the beauties of a language & most of those few have too hi a notion of their own mighty superiority to stoop to _regular_ conver- sation with them: But to return: after having revealed all, or most part of his Sins to the company in general he thus addressed his family in particular--"You see my Chil- "dren my distressed state: I cannot move nor stir without assistance, & I feel strengthened "in my lungs (breast, heart) merely as it were by Permission of my _Dreamed_ (some parti- "cular one he meant) "to divulge my offenses to the Gods (or God) publicly, before you "you all, to deter you from the same vices (wickednesses). I was once a young man also, the "same as you are now, healthy & vigorous; nothing appeared difficult nor dangerous to me-- "I lived as became a man, & prospered accordingly; but I thought that this proceeded from my "own Power only: had I so continued, all had been well! but no, I _unfortunately_ heard "speake of Such indians (meaning _this_ place, _as my informants tell me_), how powerful "they were in their medicines, the extraordinary feats they performed. I envied them, & "thought that I required but _that_ knowledge more to render me perfect (immortal) & "happy:--I undertook a voyage to that place: I found that the bare truth had been "scarcely told me--I burned with anxiety to becoming as knowing as themselves & I "was gratified. Had I rested here, all had yet been well; but in learning their me- "decines I also learned of them those vices, those sins, that by _their practice_ have "reduced me to this wretched situation. My Sons! take example from your father! "be good, charitable, & peaceable indians as I was at the first set off of my life, & employ the "same means, indulge use the same anxiety to _avoid_, that I did to _procure_, that information "that hath reduced me so far below the level even of a dog. Never forget this, never in- "dulge even the least desire of such acquisitions; for if you once begin you will be "deluded by their flattery to that destruction I have found. But you are young men! & "unless you find grace you also will be deluded & lost as I am"! I have heard a good deal said of _this_ indian's confession & exhortations to his Sons--they were not lost. He himself lived but a short time & seemed much comforted by it. There is a tribe of _Athabasca_ that go by the name of _Beaver Indians_. From