FL661549

28, justly found, the poor girl would not
only loose again all her civilized habits
but would be made the miserable slave
of the savage. I ascertained too that
she was no less averse to becoming his wife
and only with reluctance could be forced
into such an alliance. A further [indecipherable]
that a young man of more cibilized habits
after residing with us had a strong
affection for her which was reciprocated
in her past. I at length encouraged
them to be married but they both told
me they were afraid to take the step as
they were according to this ficticious relationship
brother & sister and could expose them-
selves to the vengance of the Blacks, and
specially the elderly ones. There was not the
slightest natural relationship existing
between them, they belonged even to different
tribes. But they gave me to understand
that if I approved of their [word crossed out] becoming
man & wife & promised them my protection
against the Blacks they would be married.
This I naturally was willing to promise they
were united [word crossed out] making [indecipherable] to each other
in my presence of fidelity.