Note 86 — Chapter II · GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SLAVERY.

Of the Assiniboins we are told: “Chiefs never receive a gift, considering it a degradation to accept anything but what their own prowess or superior qualities of manhood acquire for them. Their hearts are so good and strong that they scorn to take anything, and self-denial and the power to resist temptation to luxury or easily acquired property is a boast with them”86. Where even the chiefs rely only on their own prowess, the existence of slavery is improbable.