Lecture on the Aborigines of Newfoundland Delivered Before the Mechanics' Institute, at St. John's, Newfoundland, on Monday, 17th January, 1859

In this mid‑nineteenth‑century lecture, a seasoned surveyor‑general turns his attention to the mysterious peoples once called the Boeothicks, the ‘Red Indians’ of Newfoundland. He sketches the competing ideas about how the first inhabitants arrived—ranging from Asian migrations to speculative links with Norse explorers and even ancient European tribes. Acknowledging the fragmentary evidence, he draws on scattered accounts, linguistic clues, and contemporary observations, offering a clear view of the scholarly debate of his day.

Moving from theory to the scant records of the Boeothick, the lecture recounts how the tribe lived alongside the Micmacs on the island’s western shores before European contact. Oral tradition passed through the Micmacs describes a violent episode when the Micmacs, seeking French favor, killed two Boeothicks and demanded their heads. In retaliation the Boeothicks hosted a feast, pairing each guest with an opponent before a pre‑arranged signal unleashed a deadly strike, igniting a lasting war. As firearms entered the region, the balance of power shifted dramatically, reshaping both peoples.