The reader will naturally expect some account of this work.
With regard to the historical part, I have endeavoured to explain the situation of the Posts, which, by Mr. Oswald's Treaty, were stipulated to be surrendered to the Americans; and pointed out their convenience to Great Britain in a political and commercial point of view:[1] I have also given a description of the Five and Six Nation Indians; and endeavoured to shew the usefulness, as well as necessity, of a strict alliance with them as long as we retain any possessions in Canada.
With respect to the descriptions of lakes, rivers, &c. which lie beyond Lake Superior, from Lake Nipegon to Lake Arbitibis, I have given them as accurately as possible, either from my own knowledge, or the most authentic Indian accounts; and when it is considered that interpreters in the commercial line seldom have occasion for any geographical knowledge, the want of better information will be excused.
The Vocabulary which is subjoined, and on which I have bestowed some pains, it is hoped will not only afford information to such as may be desirous of attaining a knowledge of the Chippeway language, but prove useful to those who are already engaged in traffic with the Indians.
- ↑ The Treaty of Paris, drawn up between the envoys of the United States and those of Great Britain (1783), was called "Oswald's Treaty," because Richard Oswald was chief negotiator for the British ministry. The Northwest posts were not surrendered de facto, until after Jay's Treaty in 1794.—Ed.
