MacDonell, John. Description of Lake Athabasca and the Chipweans, ca. 1805 and Journal of a Voyage from Lachine to Fort River Qu'Appelle, 1793. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0005

Grandfathers lived; which to them is a very ancient date. However, if we may be allowed to judge from analogy, it will not be easy to determine whether they be an original nation or not: as the Beaver Indians, whose territories are almost adjoining, although a distinct nation, speack almost the Same language as the Chipweans; but of very different manners, and dispositions, being both braver and more haughty in their natures. But let us leave this credulous race who are almost void of reason, and proceed to the Southward, where we shall find the Circee nation, whose Language, Manners & Behaviour bear the greatest affinity to the Chipweans, except in their warlike disposition. They were formerly a great and powerful nation, but are now almost exterminated as a people – having been the envy and terror of all the nations in the Plains; who have taken every method to reduce them to their present number; which is comparatively the smallest of all those who dwell on the Banks [o]f the Rivière du Pas. While on their

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