ings, re-establish their industries, and secure to their children full right, and title, to their possessions. These sorely oppressed people, naturally turn to the United States of America, which has ever been looked to as the refuge for all those who have been persecuted by Church or State. Mr. Duncan, comes to this country bearing the following letter, signed by several of the most distinguished residents of British Columbia: "VICTORIA, B. C., November 16, 1886. "TO THE LOVERS OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN AMERICA. "The bearer, Mr. William Duncan, for thirty years a devoted missionary of religion and civilization, in North British America, and during the whole of that period well known to the undersigned, is on his way to Washington, deputed by the native Christian brethren of Metlakahtla, to confer with the United States authorities, on matters affecting their interest and desires. "Like the Pilgrim Fathers of old, this afflicted but prospering and thrifty flock seek a refuge from grievous wrongs, and hope to find it under the American flag. "They prefer abandoning the home of their fa thers, and the precious fruits of their industry, to submitting to the violent seizure of their land, and the intolerable stings of religious greed, and interference. “We therefore, most respectfully commend Mr. Duncan, and his mission, to such brothers and friends in our sister country-the land of the freeas may be disposed to use their influence, in aid of the oppressed. [Signed] "E. CRIDGE, BISHOP, R.E.C. Resident since 1854. "B. W. PEARSE, Formerly Surveyor General, Van couver Island; also Chief Com- "W. J. MACDONALD, Life Senator of the Dominion Par- "TURNER, BEETON & Co., "J. H. TURNER," Member Provincial Parliament, Vic toria, B. C. The touching appeal of these people, ought to stir the heart, of every liberty-loving American citizen. And it is to be hoped that Congress will secure to them the small area of homestead-land, which they require, out of the many million wild acres in Alaska. Our Government would thereby gain several thousand, industrious, self-supporting, thrifty settlers, as a powerful civilizing nucleus, whose influence upon the yet wild, and savage tribes of the great Arctic State, would be most beneficial. My first acquaintance with this subject, dates from a visit to the North Pacific in 1878, when I learned much of Mr. Duncan's remarkable civilizing work. From that time, I have kept myself well informed in regard to his progress, and the element of discord which now so seriously threatens to destroy his prosperous community. In writing THE STORY OF METLAKAHTLA, I have drawn information from official and other reports of the North Pacific, dating from the time of Captain Cook's voyages to the present. Many of the facts have been recounted to me personally by recent travellers and explorers. I have also had access to the Metlakahtlans' correspondence with the Governments, and, with the Church of England Missionary Society; and, to various State documents bearing upon the subject. The chief object of this volume, is not to panegyrize either Mr. Duncan, or the Metlakahtlans, or to make a tirade upon imaginary foes; but more is the pity of it, it is, but, to place the story of the indubitable wrongs, of the Metlakahtlans before the American people, and enlist public sympathy. I have assumed the task voluntarily, and solely, at my own cost, and risk, and I hold myself responsible for the statements I place before my readers; and challenge refutation. I have no interest to serve, save that of humanity. If the book should meet with sufficient success, to yield a profit above the absolute cost of publication, and distribution of a certain number of free copies, every penny of such net profit to me, shall go to the public fund of the Metlakahtlan community. In upholding the cause of the Metlakahtlans, I have endeavored to urge upon my readers, a humane consideration of all Aboriginal peoples; and I shall feel more than repaid for my efforts, if my words should in any measure, result in promoting a better understanding of their capacities, and a recognition of what is due them as fellow-men. To my critics, it is but just to myself to say, that in holding the chief object of the book in view, I have been compelled to subjugate literary effect too often to the recordance of heterogeneous facts. Mr. Duncan has not come to the United States begging for money, but merely seeks to secure to these people actual homesteads, with suitable fishing and hunting grounds. However, it will cost upwards of $50,000 to move their houses and effects, to a suitable location on the Alaskan coast. Could some means be devised by which the burthen, of this heavy outlay could be lifted from their shoulders, it would measurably relieve the Metlakahtlans from one of the greatest hardships in being forced to abandon the homes of their forefathers. It rests with our country, with its "government of the people—by the people, and for the people to save this stricken community from desperation, and perhaps, from bloodshed. LOTOS CLUB, HENRY S. WELLCOME. |