James, thank you for your reply. I can see the figure for all of the Americas, although I still think that is high, but not for North America. There were never any census records for the Indians so it would be hard to tell how many there were. I am part Cherokee Indian and my husband has several Indian ancestors, mainly Choctaw. When you start really doing research on the Indians the numbers are just not there from what I have come across. When you do research you discover the early settlers settled by the oceans and the rivers so they would have water. Unfortunately the natives also settled for the same reason and they both wanted the same land. I guess this is one of the oldest stories ever told. It is something none of us had a part in and none of us can do anything about it. Where ever you live you just need to ask yourself how many people have "owned" the land you now call yours. This has been done all over the world and will continue to be done. Joyce James Crippen <[email protected]> wrote: Joyce Moore: Although I did not notice the pre-white Indian census number on the "crossing" movie, I can state that the 50 million figure has been around for a number of years. I did a late 60's paper on pre-white Indians and post-white abuse a great number of years ago and the figure was available then in most university libraries however, it is usually stated as the number for the "Americas" since more information is known about South and Central America as opposed to the North America we are so familiar with. The great culprit, as indicated in the movie, was disease. Here in Alaska 2/3 of the Native population was lost during the late 30's and 40's due primarily to tuberculosis. This movie has brought to light a new slant to Plymouth's joint-venture settlement. Let's hope history books adapt accordingly. Jim Crippen ----- Original Message ----- From: joyce moore Date: Friday, November 24, 2006 9:56 pm Subject: [MFLR] Desperate Crossing To: [email protected] > I meant to comment on one thing that was said by one of the > commentators. One of them mentioned that there were 50 million > Indians living in America when the Pilgrims came over. I sincerely > question that. We only have 300 million now after 400 years of > constant immigration and having children. I have never heard that > figure in my life. > > I also question the comment about the fact that we force the > Indians to live by our ways and not the way they really want to. Do > they want to go back to riding horses, hunting game, washing in > streams, or what did she have in mind? I love the computer where I > can find anything I want and correspond with people, cars and > planes, central heat and air, grocery stores, washers and driers, > etc. I really question some things that people say in some of these > documentaries. I wish she had said what she is willing to give up. > > Joyce Moore > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MAYFLOWER- > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message