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Jacob Lindley's Account, 1793

SW_JL1793_Page_120

also by other circumstances: viz. one-seventh of thewhole country is reserved for the crown, and one-seventh for the episcopal clergy: also by an existinglaw of old Canada, all real estates, though sold seven times in seven years, must be sold at the chapel door, mostly on first day afternoon, one-ninth whereofgoes to the Roman church. By this means, somecongregations, especially in Montreal and Quebec,have become immensely rich, and enabled to carryon their idolatrous pomp and parade of worship, soas to make the world wonder. But as light is rising,a necessary reform is apprehended to be not far dis-tant. 16th. Had a solid interview with Elliott, deputyagent of Indian affairs for the British. He is pre-paring to return to the Indian council at the Rapids. We proposed to him, whether there would be anyimpropriety in our going with him. To which hereplied, as his sentiment, that where the Indianswere now assembled, was their own council ground,and on a path that was not to be trod in, but by war-riors: and therefore, it was his opinion, it would notbe eligible to move that way at present. We lethim know our prospects were, that every assistancefrom the British government, towards negociating apeace with the Indians, would be afforded. He gaveus to understand, the Indians were generally acquaint-ed with our being here, and our views towards them,and hoped, on the return of the Indian embassy,some way would open for our relief. Finding noway to have an opportunity with them collectively,we concluded to write again to the agent, McKee, and also to the Indians; which Elliott assured usshould be fully and fairly interpreted to them. With