KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH. 115

the Indian Department in Canada. I beg to assure your Lord-
ship that I have given the subject my attentive consideration,
and I hope to be able to submit for your approval a scheme for
the consolidation of the Department. At the same time the
matter is attended with great difficulty, arising from the pecu-
liarity of the duties which the officers of the Department have
to perform, the extent of country comprised within their juris-
diction, and, above all, from the system pursued with regard
to the Indians, which, in my opinion, is of the most mistaken
character. All my observation has completely satisfied me,
that the direct interference of the Government is only advan-
tageous to the Indians who can still follow their accustomed
pursuits, and that if they became settlers, they should be com-
pelled to fall into the ranks of the rest of Her Majesty’s subjects,
exercising the same independent control over their own property
and their own actions, and subject to the same general laws as
other citizens.

“The attempt to combine a system of pupilage with the settle-
ment of these people in civilized parts of the country, leads
only to embarrassment to the Government, expense to the
Crown, a Waste of the resources of the Province, and a11 injury
to the Indians themselves. Thus circumstanced, the Indian
loses all the good qualities of his wild state, and acquires no-
thing but the vices of civilization. He does not become a good
settler, he does not become an agriculturist or a mechanic. He
does become adrunkard and a debauchee, and his females and
family follow the same course. He occupies valuable land,un-
profitably to himself and injuriously to the country. He gives
infinite trouble to the Government, and adds nothing either to
the wealth, the industry, or the defence of the Province.

“ I have, &c.
(Signc(Z,) “ SYDENHAM.”

“The Right Honorable

“ Lord J. RUSSELL.”