252 ABORIGINES 017‘ NEWFOUNDLAND.

CHAPTER VIII.

Enquiry relative to the Aborigines of Newfoundland—Natives, called Red Indians, seen by Cabot, Cartier, and others—‘Vhitbourne’s Narrative— Scott's Adventure—~Governor Montague and Captain Duff’s Proclama- tions respecting thaw—Female Red Indian brought to St John’s, and sent back with presents—Lieutenants Spratt and Buchan sent by Government in search of them—Mr Cormack‘s Expedition, and result.

THE people Who inhabited Newfoundland, when first discovered, were a tribe of savages, usually called Red Indians, who have never had any reciprocal in- tercourse, or at least none that was properly under- stood, with Europeans.* \V e know little of their his- tory; and they will likely pass away from the face of the earth, if they be not even now extinct, Without having known either the benefits or evils of civilisa- tion, While they may only be remembered in history as a tribe that existed in the most rude and simple state of society, and hunted alike by Europeans and all the savage nations of America.

That they were originally a more savage, cruel, and treacherous race than the other American tribes, is not to be credited ; and their vindictive, revenge— ful spirit, and their unconquerable aversion to be-

"* Note D.