know they have souls.  We think,’ said Kin-na, ’we make clothes.  Dog can’t do this.  He no soul, but we have.’  He said on another occasion, when asked if his people believed in a future state, ’The Mendi people all Sadducees.’  Kin-na said that they ’owe every thing to God.  He keep them alive, and give them free.  When he go home to Mendi, they tell their brethren about God, Jesus Christ, and heaven.’  Fu-li, on a former evening, being asked, ’What is faith?’ replied, ’Believing in Jesus Christ, and trusting in him.’  Their answers to questions show that they have read and that they understand the Scriptures, and hopes are entertained that one or two at least know experimentally the value of religion.  The fact that there is no system of idolatry in Mendi for missionaries to oppose and the natives technically to adhere to, is an encouraging fact with regard to the contemplated mission.  Another pleasing and remarkable fact exists:  labor is suspended every seventh day, and has been from time immemorial.  They do not engage in any religious services, but dress in their best apparel, feast on that day,—­as some do here,—­visit, &c.  This day, 15th, Rev. Mr. Gallaudet and Mr. Brigham have invited the Mendians to visit the Deaf and Dumb Asylum and the Insane Institution.  On a person’s giving, by signs, the deaf and dumb alphabet to Mar-gru, one of the girls, she, in a few minutes, repeated nearly the whole.  They told Mr. Brigham that there were insane people and idiots in Mendi, and described their actions and the treatment of them.  Two of the Mendians will be detained as witnesses in Hartford this day, in a cause appealed from a lower court.  Some of the Mendians were grossly assaulted at Farmington some time since, on a training day; and those who committed the assault and battery were convicted and fined.  An appeal was taken.  When thus assailed, the Mendians, as usual, exhibited their peaceful disposition, and said, ‘We no fight.’  On Wednesday there is to be a large fare meeting at Farmington—­on which occasion Dr. Hawes is to preach.  In a few days the Mendians will embark from New York.  May the Lord preserve them, and carry them safely to their native land, to their kindred and homes.  Su-ma, the eldest, has a wife and five children.  Cinque has a wife and three children.  They all have parents or wives, or brothers and sisters.  What a meeting it will be with these relations and friends, when they are descried on the hills of Mendi!  We were invited to visit other places, but time did not allow of longer absence.  I must not forget to mention that the whole band of these Mendi are teetotallers.  At a tavern where we stopped, Ban-na took me aside, and with a sorrowful countenance, said, ’This bad house—­bar house—­no good.’  But the steam boat is at the wharf, and I must close.  The collections in money, on this excursion of twelve days, is about one thousand dollars, after deducting travelling expenses.  More money is needed to defray the expenses of the Mendians to their native land, and to sustain their religious teachers.  Very truly yours,

    “LEWIS TAPPAN.”