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Freotopia > documents > G. F. Moore, as Philaleth
George Fletcher Moore wrote to the editor of The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal over the pseudonym of Philaleth (from the Greek φιλαλήθης, 'lover of truth')
This letter was published 10 August 1833.
Philaleth 3
To the Editor of the Perth Gazette,
SIR,—The following is Captain Hall's account of the tribe of the Mississaguas :—
"Till within the last three or four years, those Indians were known in that part of Canada as the most profligate, drunken ; and, it was supposed, irreclaimable of savages. Such indeed was their state of wretchedness, that the total and speedy extinction of the whole tribe seemed inevitable. All this was attributed to other causes than poverty ; for the annual distribution of goods to the tribe, either as a bounty from the crown, or as a consideration for lands which they had ceded, was most ample ; whilst their neighbourhood to populous settlements insured them a ready market for their game or fish, if they had been industriously disposed. They owned also a fine tract of land reserved for their exclusive use. But it seems they were lost in a state of continual intoxication, brought on by drinking the vilest kind of spirits, obtained by bartering the clothes, and other articles annually served out to them by Government. Such a state of things of course attracted much attention, and many plans were suggested for ameliorating their condition ; but none succeeded in reclaiming these miserable objects, till about three or four years ago, Sir Peregrine Maitland, then Governor of Upper Canada, conceived the idea of domesticating these Indians on the banks of the river Credit. The ground accordingly was soon cleared, commodious, houses were built, and implements of husbandry, clothes and other things, given to the new settlers. These wretched people were induced to take these chiefly by the influence of a Missionary named Jones : he had acquired a considerable degree of influence amongst the tribe in question ; and his own efforts being opportunely seconded by the Government, the result, as far as we could judge, was wonderful. From living more like hogs than men, these Missisaguas had acquired, when we saw them, many domestic habits. They had all neat houses, made use of beds, tables and chairs, and were perfectly clean in their persons, instead of being plastered over with paint and grease. They were also tolerably well dressed, and were described as being industrious, orderly, and above all, sober. Most of the children, and a few of the older Indians could read English ; facts which we ascertained by visiting their school, and I have seldom seen anything more curious. The whole tribe profess Christianity, attend divine service regularly, and what is still more to the purpose, their conduct is said to be in character with their profession. Instead of hunting and fishing for a precarious livelihood, they now cultivate the ground ; and in place of spending their earnings in procuring spirits, lay them by to purchase comforts, and to educate and clothe their children ; such at least were the accounts given to us. We examined the village minutely, and had some conversation with the schoolmaster, a brother of Mr. Jones, the person to whose exertions so much of the success of the experiment is due. The number of Indians at the Credit village is only 215; but the great point gained, is, the fact of reformation being possible. The same feelings and disposition to improve, are extending rapidly, I am told, amongst the other tribes connected with the Missisaguas, and chiefly amongst the Chippewas of Lake Simcoe, and those of the Rice Lake."
Every sentence of this account is pregnant with instruction and encouragement to us. Here was a people almost irreclaimable - having the worst vices of civilization superadded to the imperfections of savage nature. - Devoted to the chase. Inhabiting a country abounding in game - jealous of control - fond of independence - averse to labour - and all these in an equal, perhaps a much greater degree than the Aboriginal Inhabitants of Australia. Yet they have been reclaimed. There were many difficulties in the way ; but they were not thought insuperable. There were great obstacles ; but they were not considered insurmountable. There were many disappointments ; but they did not induce despair, but rather served as incentives to renewed efforts, as stimulants to increased exertion - Thus far, the policy of conciliating the natives, has been considered on the grounds of justice and equity alone, and I am aware that this view of the case, is liable to be, nay in some instances has been encountered with sneers, and assailed by ridicule. These may be found by such as indulge in their use, serviceable as narcotics to lull their consciences into apathetic insensibility; they will not be found to be specifics to heal the disease. But Sir there is another consideration which affects every individual no matter how callous in other respects ; an argument that comes home to all - that is self interest. It may be easily demonstrated that in whatever light this question may be considered, whether of pecuniary profit or loss, - of personal safety or danger - of security or hazard to property, or in the patriotic light of advancement or retardation of the colony - it is in every respect the interest of the settlers to be on terms of friendship with the natives.
I am, Sir, yours, &c,
PHILALETH.
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