20 O. B. SPERLIN
and Clark report that the Shoshones "implore the Great Spirit for protection." Ross 80 records that the Okanogans believed in a good and an evil spirit, both invincible. Practically all journalists agree with Cook 81 that Indians paid no religious homage to their carved images. Lisiansky 82 says they believe in a Creator of all things, who, when angry, sends down dis- eases. Mosino, 83 the scientist with Quadra at Nootka, says, "They recognize the existence of a God the Creator and Pre- server of all things ; a malignant being, author of wars, sick- ness, and death; they abominate this odious origin of their calamities, as they venerate and exalt the good God who has created them." Don Antonio Maurelle, 84 learning that In- dians had a plurality of wives, inferred "with good cause," so he says, "that they were atheists."
La Perouse, 85 the French explorer, could not find the least trace of any worship, though he had said previously that before the natives came on board they seemed to address a prayer to the sun. His stay was brief, however, and his ob- servation centered chiefly on externals. Malaspina 86 thought that because Indians thought he was worshipping the sun with his astronomical instruments they treated him with greatest con- sideration. Quadra 87 also saw indications of sun worship, though otherwise he saw not the slightest trace of idolatry. Haswell 88 reports great adoration to the sun, and the belief in a "supreme god and a Deavle." Thompson says that the sun, moon, and stars were divinities, above all the sun, who made the lightning, thun- der and rain. By the most painstaking observers prayer was oft- en seen and described. Haswell 89 reports that he had "seen old people appear to pray with great fervor and shed tears." Thompson 90 describes the chiefs as they made short prayers at
80 Adventures: p. 288.
8 1 Voyage: II, p. 318 and 334.
82 Voyage: p. 243.
83 Sutil y Mexicana: Vol. II., p. 137.
84 Harrington: Miscellany: Don Antonio Maurelle.
85 Voyage: Vol. II., p. 144 and p. 88.
86 Voyage: p. 160.
87 Expeditions: p. 318.
88 Voyage: p. 86.
89 Voyage: p. 87.
90 Ore. Hist. Quarterly: XV.,
pp. 42ff.
