or imposing kind must have fallen an easy prey to detection and have subjected the reputation of the compiler to the most censorious remarks[.] These considerations thus supported made me always particularly careful to investigate every circumstance with the most minute attention, that an imperfect knowledge of the Language of the People whose habits I have endeavored to describe, would admit, before I layed it down as a matter of fact[.] [N]or do I recollect of having lost sight of this necessary precaution in any thing I had the particular favour of transmitting to you on the subject – unless (as I observed above from my ignorance of the Language), that I have been the dupe of my interpreter, to whom I am indebted for the greater part of the information I communicated – and who from a long residence, f among the natives for upwards of twelve years, is admitted to have the most thorough knowledge of any other in the Country of their manners, Customs & Language[.]

Being nevertheless unwilling to be suspected of tacitly placing too great a confidence in this Channel of information – I Shall esteem myself gratefully obliged to M^r M^cKenzie for the suppression of any thing that may appear to him, incredible or doudtful[.]

Inclosed I have the pleasure of forwarding a Small col[l]ection of Canadian Songs agreeable to you instructions – and am Sorry that my little Stock of paper will not admit of

my

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