Ponteach Part 6

Ay, Christian Charity begins at home; I think it's in the Bible, I know I've read it.

CATCHUM.

I join with Paul, that he's an Infidel Who does not for himself and Friends provide.

SHARP.

Yes, Paul in fact was no bad Politician, And understood himself as well as most.

All good and wise Men certainly take care To help themselves and Families the first; Thus dictates Nature, Instinct, and Religion, Whose easy Precepts ought to be obey'd.

GRIPE.

But how does this affect our present Purpose?

We've heard the Doctrine; what's the Application?

SHARP.

We are intrusted with these Indian Presents.

A Thousand Pound was granted by the King, To satisfy them of his Royal Goodness, His constant Disposition to their Welfare, And reconcile their savage Minds to Peace.

Five hundred's gone; you know our late Division, Our great Expence, _Et cetera_, no Matter: The other Half was laid out for these Goods, To be distributed as we think proper; And whether Half (I only put the Question) Of these said Goods, won't answer every End, And bring about as long a lasting Peace As tho' the Whole were lavishly bestow'd?

CATCHUM.

I'm clear upon 't they will, if we affirm That Half's the Whole was sent them by the King.

GRIPE.

There is no doubt but that One Third wou'd answer, For they, poor Souls! are ign'rant of the Worth Of single Things, nor know they how to add Or calculate, and cast the whole Amount.

SHARP.

Why, Want of Learning is a great Misfortune.

How thankful should we be that we have Schools, And better taught and bred than these poor Heathen.

CATCHUM.

Yes, only these Two simple easy Rules, Addition and Subtraction, are great Helps, And much contribute to our happiness.

SHARP.

'Tis these I mean to put in Practice now; Subtraction from these Royal Presents makes Addition to our Gains without a Fraction.

But let us overhaul and take the best, Things may be given that won't do to sell.

[_They overhaul the goods, &c._

CATCHUM.

Lay these aside; they'll fetch a n.o.ble Price.

GRIPE.

And these are very saleable, I think.

SHARP.

The Indians will be very fond of these.

Is there the Half, think you?

GRIPE.

It's thereabouts.

CATCHUM.

This bag of Wampum may be added yet.

SHARP.

Here, Lads, convey these Goods to our Apartment.

SERVANT.

The Indians, sir, are waiting at the Gate.

GRIPE.

Conduct them in when you've disposed of these.

CATCHUM.

This should have been new-drawn before they enter'd.

[_Pulling out an inventory of the whole goods._

GRIPE.

What matters that? They cannot read, you know, And you can read to them in gen'ral Terms.

_Enter PONTEACH, with several of his Chieftains._

SHARP.

Welcome, my Brothers, we are glad to meet you, And hope that you will not repent our coming.

PONTEACH.

We're glad to see our Brothers here the English.

If honourable Peace be your Desire, We'd always have the Hatchet buried deep, While Sun and Moon, Rivers and Lakes endure, And Trees and Herbs within our Country grow.

But then you must not cheat and wrong the Indians, Or treat us with Reproach, Contempt, and Scorn; Else we will raise the Hatchet to the Sky, And let it never touch the Earth again, Sharpen its Edge, and keep it bright as Silver, Or stain it red with Murder and with Blood.

Mind what I say, I do not tell you Lies.