90.) [The decrease in now far greater, and is verging on extinction.
See page 360 of this volume.]] When the Indians were the sole inhabitants of the wilds from whence they have since been expelled, their wants were few.

Their arms were of their own manufacture, their only drink was the water of the brook, and their clothes consisted of the skins of animals, whose flesh furnished them with food.
The Europeans introduced amongst the savages of North America fire-arms, ardent spirits, and iron: they taught them to exchange for manufactured stuffs, the rough garments which had previously satisfied their untutored simplicity.

Having acquired new tastes, without the arts by which they could be gratified, the Indians were obliged to have recourse to the workmanship of the whites; but in return for their productions the savage had nothing to offer except the rich furs which still abounded in his woods.

Hence the chase became necessary, not merely to provide for his subsistence, but in order to procure the only objects of barter which he could furnish to Europe.

*c Whilst the wants of the natives were thus increasing, their resources continued to diminish.
[Footnote c: Messrs.