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Show [A: B. T.] fir regulating Indian qflizirr. Remarks 072 a P/mz :24 15 and 16. Are thefe agents or commifl'aries d it to try caufes where life is concerned ?- Woul cryil fume into als crimin the not be better to fend well Rttled govermlneng or colony, for trial, where i ‘ics can be 13... . 'r bozifim" CZgfl/Er n'm isle/u fry/:6 5 70(70flZL'1/16072" flzmrrfll relid; wit/J My tar/J/xnfizzry,‘ bee. --Provifion mutt then be made ior l' is maintenance, as by particular Indians her: no cilatcs, but live hunting; and their pulfiic has no funds or revenues-Being nfcd to rambling, it would perhaps not be eafy to find one, who would be obliged to this conll'ant refidence; but it may be trled. 22. If the agent and his deputies, and the commilfaries, are not to trade; {hould it not be a part of their oath, that they will have no concern in fuch trade, direétly or indirectly P - Fri-vate agreements between them and the traders, for {hare of profits, Ihould be guarded agarnft'; 'and the fame care taken to prevent, if polfible, private agreements betWCen them and the pur" ‘Chafers of Indian lands. 31. --- " or trading at any other poft, &C. This thould be f0 expreffed, as to make the matter liable for the offence of the fervant; otherwrfe . . 4; it will have no effeét. 33. I doubt the fettling of z‘m'gflr will be a matter of dificulty. There may be differences of finenefs, goodnefs, and value, in the goods of different traders, that cannot be properly allowed for by general tariffs. And it feems contrary to the nature ofcommerce, for government to intfet- ere fere in the prices of commodities. 225 Trade is a voluntary thing between buyer and feller; in every article of which each exercifes his ownjudgment, and is to pleafe himfelf. Suppofe either Indian or trader is diffatisfied with the tariff, and rcfufes barter on thofe terms ; are the refufers to be compelled? if not, Why fhould an Indian be forbidden to take more goods for his {kins than your tarifl' allows, if the trader is willing to give them; or a trader more {kins for his goods, if the Indian is willing to give them P-Where there are a number of different traders, the feparate delire of each to get more cuf'tom, Will operate in bringing down their goods to a reafonable price. It therefore feems to me, that trade will belt find and make its own rates; and that government cannot well interfere, unlefs it will take the whole trade into its own hands (as in fome colonies it does) and manage it by its own fervants, at its own rifque. 38. I apprehend, that if the Indians cannot get mm of fair traders, it will be a great means of defeating all thefe regulations that direét the trade to be carried on at certain pofts. The coun- tries and foreI'rs are f0 very large, it is fearce poffible to guard every part; f0 as to prevent unlicenfed traders drawing the Indians and the trade to themfelves, by rum and other fpiritous liquors; which all favage people are f0 fond of. I think they will generally trade where they can get rum, preferably to WI ere it is reintEd them; --and the propofed prohibition will therefore be a great encourageG g ment |