and frequently destroy them without the least provocation or remorse; it was therefore his Majesty’s pleasure that all means should be used to discover and apprehend all who may be guilty of murdering any of the said Indians, in order that such offenders may be sent over to England to be tried for such capital crimes.”  In 1797 Governor Waldegrave issued a proclamation of a similar character, which document also adverts to the cruelties to which the Indians were subject at the hands of hunters, fishermen and others.—­And again in 1802 a proclamation of a like description was also issued.

In 1803 a native Indian was for the first time taken alive—­this was a female,—­she was captured at the northern part of the Island, being surprised by a fisherman while paddling her canoe towards a small island in quest of birds’ eggs.  She was carried to St. John’s and taken to Government-house, where she was kindly treated.  She admired the epaulets of the officers more than any thing she saw, but appeared to value her own dress more highly, for although presents were given her, and indeed whatever she asked for, she would never let her own fur garments go out of her hands.  In the hope that if this woman were returned to her tribe, her own description of the treatment she had received, and the presents she would convey to her people, may lead to a friendly communication being opened with the Red Indians, a gentleman residing in Fogo, (Mr. Andrew Pearce) in the vicinity of which place the woman was taken, was authorised to hire men for the purpose of returning her in safety to her tribe.  She was accordingly put under the care of four men, and the manner in which they dealt with her is recounted in the following copy of a letter, written by one of them, and addressed to Mr. Trounsell, who was the Admiral’s Secretary:—­He says, “This is to inform you that I could get no men until the 20th August, when we proceeded with the Indian to the Bay of Exploits, and there went with her up the river as far as we possibly could for want of more strength, and there let her remain ten days, and when I returned the rest of the Indians had carried her off into the country.  I would not wish to have any more hand with the Indians, in case you will send round and insure payment for a number of men to go in the country in the winter.  The people do not hold with civilizing the Indians, as they think that they will kill more than they did before.

     (Signed,) William Cull.”

This letter, or at least the latter part of it, is not easily understood; but there is nothing either in its diction or its tone to remove the doubt which, at the time the letter was written, was entertained as to the safety of the poor Indian, and which still rests upon her fate—­a strong suspicion was felt, and which has never been removed, that Cull had not dealt fairly with her.  Cull heard that such an opinion was entertained, and expressed a strong desire to “get hold of the fellow who said he had murdered the Indian woman.”  A gentleman who knew Cull well, said, “if ever the person who charged him with the crime, comes within the reach of Cull’s gun, and a long gun it is, that cost L7 at Fogo, he is as dead as any of the Red Indians which Cull has often shot.”  Cull received L50 for capturing the woman, and a further sum of L15 for her maintenance.