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shall we reconcile the facility with which adoptions are often made and received among their prisoners of war, with the ferocity of their passions, and the exterminating spirit of their hostilities? Are their moral and domestic affections entirely different from those of all civilized people? Or, are these apparent contradictions in their character to be explained only on the supposition of a radical difference of nature?-3.In what way shall we account for that atrocious barbarity in torture which seems to have not one sentiment of compassion mingled with it in the breasts of a people who, on other occasions, are not devoid of the feelings of humanity? -4. Finally, what name shall we give to that astonishing tolerance of pain with which they endure the most cruel tortures?  Is it magnanimity? Or is it defect of natural sensibility?

The various and variable character of man will ever be, in a great measure, formed by the situation and circumstances in which he is placed: and the same original principles are capable of being moulded, by these circumstances, into an infinite diversity of forms. Apply this reflection to the military habits of our American indians, and so far will they be found from indicating that natural cow-

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ardice and pusillanimity which has been erroneously imputed to them, that they will appear to be the almost necessary result of the nature of their country, of their political state, and their total want of improvement in the arts.-The defences and stratagems of war in civilized nations are always relative to the progress and improvement of society and the arts among them, and to the nature and position of their respective countries. The bravest armies cover themselves by fortifications, and take advantage of high grounds, of ravines, of villages, or thickets for their defence; a Roman fought from behind his shield, and all employ numerous stratagems in war for the purpose of concealment, or deception. Is it more dishonorable in a savage to employ, in his marches and attacks, the cunning which nature has given him, and, in battle, the simple defences which nature affords him? Savages have not either the means or the skill to construct fortifications, or to establish magazines of provisions for the purposes of conquests, or to facilitate the march of armies. In a country, therefore, overgrown with forests they are necessarily obliged to prosecute their wars in small parties, both for the purpose of obtaining provision on their route, and for more effectually concealing

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