And Therefore, On This Score,
It Ever Seems Impossible For The Christians To Get Their Children
(Which They Have By
These Indian Women) away from them;
whereby they might bring them up in the Knowledge of the Christian Principles.
Nevertheless,
We often find, that English Men, and other Europeans
that have been accustom'd to the Conversation of these savage Women,
and their Way of Living, have been so allur'd with that careless sort of Life,
as to be constant to their Indian Wife, and her Relations,
so long as they liv'd, without ever desiring to return again
amongst the English, although they had very fair Opportunities of Advantages
amongst their Countrymen; of which sort I have known several.
As for the Indian Marriages, I have read and heard of a great deal
of Form and Ceremony used, which I never saw, nor yet could learn
in the Time I have been amongst them, any otherwise than I shall here
give you an Account of; which is as follows.
{Indian Marriage.}
When any young Indian has a Mind for such a Girl to his Wife,
he, or some one for him, goes to the young Woman's Parents, if living;
if not, to her nearest Relations; where they make Offers of the Match
betwixt the Couple. The Relations reply, they will consider of it,
which serves for a sufficient Answer, till there be a second Meeting
about the Marriage, which is generally brought into Debate
before all the Relations (that are old People) on both Sides;
and sometimes the King, with all his great Men, give their Opinions therein.
If it be agreed on, and the young Woman approve thereof, (for these Savages
never give their Children in Marriage, without their own Consent)
{Indians buy their Wives.} the Man pays so much for his Wife;
and the handsomer she is, the greater Price she bears.
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