Techniques or Format

Ink on paper

Additional Context

The significance of wampum to Indians is discussed. It is noted that Indians compare the goodness, plenty, and warmth of the rising sun to their British father.

Description of Writing/Text

and responding to Lord Glenelg's questions about ending the gift-giving annuity. He begins by expressing his observation that despite the incredible harms inflicted upon Indians by the British (which he discusses), Indians remain happy to countenance the British and to provide them with hospitality. Indeed, he says "It is impossible to teach the Indian to beware of the white man ; for it seems to be the instinct of his un[*][*]tored nature to look upon him as his friend. In short, his simplicity is his ruin." He perceives this cultural phenomenon as a kind of naivete which has resulted in the devastation of Indians peoples and that before many years, Indians will be "extinct." Bond Head ultimately recommends that gift annuities be discontinued for those Indians who travel North from the United States in three years, and offered at only one location: Manitoulin Island, as many Indians will not bother to make the journey for the gifts. ; Bond Head makes several statements of particular interest. He describes the association Indians make between the sun and the red military coat of the British. He also recalls that "we promised we would never desert" the Indians, and the solemn significance of the exchange of a wampum belt. All of this may suggest the extent to which William Johnson's speeches and the contract made at Niagara in 1764 have filtered down through generations of Indian peoples. His statement that "the regular delivery of the presents proves and corroborates the testimony of the wampums" seems to draw directly on the 24 Nations Belt. Importantly, he highlights the level of detail that pervades the recitations of the delivery of wampum belts. ; Bond Head also offers numbers of Indians at Manitoulin, and various numerical figures pertaining to the fiscal accounts of the Indian Department.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Date given in document.

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Francis Bond Head, Communications and Despatches relating to receng negocians with the Indians. Printed by order of the House of Assembly. Printed at the Office of the British Colonist. c.1837. CIHM No. 91609.

Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 0

GKS Reference Number: 590

How to Cite this Item

Francis Bond Head, Communications and Despatches relating to receng negocians with the Indians. Printed by order of the House of Assembly. Printed at the Office of the British Colonist. c.1837. CIHM No. 91609.

Record Creation Context

Created by Research Assistant Aaron Mills during the first summer of the SSHRC Aboriginal Research Grant 2007 to 2010