My wish, on the contrary, is not to make truth subservient to any favorite sentiment or idea, any child of my fancy; but to discover it, whether agreable or not to my own opinion.
My accounts may therefore be false or imperfect from mistake or misinformation, but will never be designedly warped from truth.
That the savages have virtues, candor must own; but only a love of paradox can make any man assert they have more than polished nations.
Your Lordship asks me what is the general moral character of the Canadians; they are simple and hospitable, yet extremely attentive to interest, where it does not interfere with that laziness which is their governing passion.
They are rather devout than virtuous; have religion without morality, and a sense of honor without very strict honesty.
Indeed I believe wherever superstition reigns, the moral sense is greatly weakened; the strongest inducement to the practice of morality is removed, when people are brought to believe that a few outward ceremonies will compensate for the want of virtue.
I myself heard a man, who had raised a large fortune by very indirect means, confess his life had been contrary to every precept of the Gospel; but that he hoped the pardon of Heaven for all his sins, as he intended to devote one of his daughters to a conventual life as an expiation.
This way of being virtuous by proxy, is certainly very easy and convenient to such sinners as have children to sacrifice.
By Colonel Rivers, who leaves us in a few days, I intend myself the honor of addressing your Lordship again.
I have the honor to be
Your Lordship’s, &c.
Wm. Fermor.