facts perfectly refute the opinion, that there is some peculiar difficulty, attending the conversion of Indians, which is inherent in their character or manners. It cannot however be denied that the attempts which have been made in modern times to spread the influence of the Gospel among them, have in a great measure been unsuccessful. Two great causes have, in my apprehension, produced this effect. The first of these was the general persuasion, excited by Philip, that the English were enemies to the Indians, and were embarked in a general design to possess themselves of their lands. This persuasion appears to have spread, by the agency of that sagacious Chieftain, throughout the greatest part of New-England, in a manner remarkably rapid and efficacious. So firmly were the Indians satisfied of the hostility and sinister designs of the Colonists, that the impression has never been effectually erased. Whenever our people approach them, therefore, they are met with apprehension and dislike, strongly cherished by the sense of their own inferiority and diminution, and of the population and power of the Americans. The other cause of this difficulty is found in the character and conduct of those, who are called Indian traders. These are a class of men, who, for a long period, employed themselves in exchanging coarse European goods, and ardent spirits, muskets, powder and ball, flints, hatchets, knives, and some other commodities, with the Indians, for furs and peltry. Sometimes they resided among them permanently, and sometimes occasionally; and in either case acquired, often, considerable ascendency over them. Generally, they were men of loose lives, as well as of loose principles. In their trade they were greedy and oppressive, and in their ordinary conduct licentious. A great part of their gains arose from the sale of ardent spirits; a business, to the success of which the vice, particularly the intemperance, of the Indians was indispensable. Against Christianity and its Missionaries, therefore, these men arrayed themselves; and made on the minds of their customers the most unfavourable impressions concerning both. At the same time, they themselves were white men, and in the view of the Indians were of course Christians. With Chris

tianity, therefore, these ignorant people almost necessarily connected the unprincipled and profligate lives of the traders, as being often the only, and always the prominent, examples of what they supposed to be the proper effects of the Christian religion.*

To these great causes must, in certain cases, be added a third, which sometimes was not inferiour to either in its efficacy: I mean the very censurable character of that class of men, who usually plant themselves upon the frontier of the English settlements; a class, composed principally of the foresters heretofore described. These men almost of course alienate the minds of the Indians from every thing, adopted by the Colonists.

Independently of these causes, there is nothing in the Indian character, which can rationally discourage efforts for their conversion. They are savages it is true; and a savage life is hostile to religion; but how often has christianity triumphed over this obstacle. What I especially intend is, that there is nothing of a peculiar nature in their circumstances which would make their conversion more hopeless and difficult, than that of other savages. Of this, decisive proof is furnished in the facts, which have been already stated. A strong illustration of the same proof is also exhibited in the remarkable success of the excellent Brainard; who at Cross-week-sung, converted by his preaching, so far as the human eye can judge, seventy-five Indians, out of one hundred, to the faith and obedience of the Gospel, within twelve months. What Minister can boast of greater success in any Congregation of civilized life! Such a fact is a flaming proof, that the difficulty, here complained of, does not lie in the mere character of these people.

Yarmouth was incorporated in 1639. In 1790, it contained 2,678 inhabitants: Dennis being then included within its limits.

*The same effects are produced in the minds of the Hindoos, by the loose lives of the British inhabitants of Hindostan. The most solid, the most operative, objection brought by them against the Christian religion; and that which is obviated with the greatest difficulty; has been derived from this source. The Mexicans made the same objection, and as they thought irresistibly, against the religion that was taught them by the Spaniards. The inhabitants of Tanjore, after having been a short time witnesses of the life of Schwartz, never thought of questioning either the reality or the excellence of his religion.

In 1800, Yarmouth alone contained 1,727; and, in 1810, 2,134. Of Dennis we saw little except the ground on which we rode, and occasional extensions of our prospect over the neighbouring country. Of the houses and inhabitants we saw few; and those distinguished by no peculiarity. A considerable part of the road from Yarmouth to Orleans, where we lodged, is hilly and unpleasant. The soil is principally lean; the verdure faded prematurely; the forests, which in Dennis extend along the road in one place three miles, are low and unthrifty; and the surface, though sufficiently varied, destitute of beauty. The views of the bay, and the tidy, comfortable appearance of the houses, are, here, almost the only objects, which can gratify the eye of a traveller. On the Northern shore the soil is said to be better. Rye, Indian corn, and onions, are said to grow well; and are cultivated in greater quantities, than are necessary for the consumption of the inhabitants.

The highest land in the County of Barnstable, is Scargo Hill, in this township.

The following account of the Salt works in Barnstable County is taken from the Collections of the Historical Society of Massachusetts, Vol. viii. page 138.

You are to be informed, that these feet denote the area of the several vats, contained in each salt work; and that a foot has, here, a singular meaning, and denotes ten actual feet. The real amount af the whole area of the vats, erected on this peninsula, was, in the year 1802, 1,213,130 square feet. It was calculated that these works would yield, annually, 40,438 bushels of marine salt, and 181,969, pounds of Glauber's salt; worth in the whole $41,701 56: of which the marine salt, valued at 75 cents a bushel, amounts to $30,328 50; and the Glauber's salt, valued at 61 cents per lb. to $11,373 06.

Captain John Sears of Dennis was the first and principal author of this method of manufacturing salt; and is to be considered as one of the benefactors of his country; particularly as he persevered in bringing the design to perfection, in spite of the sneers and ridicule of his neighbours; weapons often employed in a very shameful, though successful, manner to discourage useful inventions.

There is a flourishing village on Bass river; running between Yarmouth and Dennis on the South side of the peninsula.

Dennis was incorporated in 1793. In 1800, it contained 188 dwelling-houses, and 1,408 inhabitants; and, in 1810, 1,739.

Harwich presents a handsomer aspect than any other town after Barnstable. It is situated on an easy declivity towards the South, and has a tolerably good soil. The verdure was more vivid, and the agriculture more successful. The houses are generally such as have been already described.*

Orleans is not greatly distinguished by any thing from Harwich, except that it is much inferiour in pleasantness of appearance. The so also is lighter, and apparently less productive. On Pocket neck, however, lying upon the South, it is much better than in the main body of the township; and on Pocket island in Pleasant bay is still better. In the body of the township twelve bushels of

*In the year 1803, the township of Harwich was divided, and the first parish incorporated by the name of Brewster. This is the part through which we travelled. In the year 1790, the township contained 2,392 inhabitants, and, in 1800, 2,987. In the year 1810, the present Harwich contained 1,942, and Brewster 1,112. 3,054.

maize and eight of rye are the average crop on the neck from fifteen to twenty of maize and from eight to twelve of rye and on the island twenty bushels of maize without the aid of manure. Old men and boys are principally the husbandmen: the middle aged and young men are chiefly employed in fishing. Clams are the bait, used by the fishermen: of which from six hundred to a thousand barrels are collected here in a single season. In this business many poor people find employment and subsistence. Very little wood grows in this township. Imported wood and peat are the fuel of the inhabitants. The township is divided into scattered plantations.

Orleans was formerly a part of Eastham; and was incorporated in 1797. In 1800, it contained 1,095 inhabitants; and, in 1810, 1,248. I am, Sir, yours, &c.