THE WILLIAM R. PERKINS LIBRARY OF DUKi UNIVERSITY \ V CHI*}'*'- V"/ wes sTE^rsy^o w*i^ ii _i2^^W i». > „.„„,,,, V - few™ ^C^fe^^P-^^lKf-'"' TRAVELS T PI ROUGH THE INTERIOR PA RT S o F NORTH-AMERICA, IN THE Years 1766, 1767, and 1768. By J. CARVER, Eso^ CAPTAIN OF A COMPANY OF PROVINCIAL TROOPS DURING THE LATE WAR WITH FRANCE. ILLUSTRATED WITH COPPER PLATES. LONDON: Printed for the AUTHOR; And Sold by. J. Walter, at Charing-crofs, and S. Crowdsr, in Pater-nofter Row. M DCC LXXVIII. C J3M T O JOSEPH BANKS, Eso^F.R.S. S I R, WHEN the Public are in- formed that I have long had the Honour of your Acquain- tance that my Defign in pub- lishing the following Work has re- ceived your Sanction that the Compoiition of it has flood the Teft of your Judgment — and that it is by your Permiilion a Name f Q defervedly eminent in the Literary World is prefixed to it, I need not be apprehenllve of its Succefs; as your DEDICATION. your Patronage will unqueftion- ably give them Affurance of its Merit. For this public Teftimony of your Favour, in which I pride my- felf 3 accept, Sir, my moft grateful Acknowledgments ;< and believe me to be, with great Refpedr, London, Jane fco, 1778. Your obedient humble Servant, J. CARVER. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION, i The Author fe.s out from Bo/ion on his Travels, — — i y Defcription of Fort Michiliimackinac, 18 Fort he Bay, — 21 the Green Bay, — 26 Lake Michigan, — 28 Arrives at the Town of the IVinncba- goes, — — 32 Excurfion of the PVinnebagoes towards the Spanifo Settlements, — 3$ Defcription oj the Winnebago Lake, 37 In/lance of Reflation of an Indian Wo- man, — — 40 Defer iptipn of the Fox River, — 41 Remarkable Story of a Rattle Snake, 43 The great Town of the Saukies, — 46 Upper Town of the Ottagaumies, 48 Defcription of the Ouifconfn River, ib. Lower Town of the Ottigaumies, or La Prairie Le Chi en, — - — 50 An Attack by fome Indian Plunderers, 5 1 b Defcription CONTENTS. Defcription of the MiJJiJfippi from the Mouth of the Ouifcofijin to Lake Pe- pin, — — 54 — . Lake Pepin, — 55 Remarkable Ruins of an ancient Fortifi- cation, — — S7 The River Bands of the Naudowefiie In- dians, — — 59 Adventure with a Party of thefe, and fome of the Chip e ways, — — 60 Defcription of a remarkable Cave, 63 Uncommon Behaviour of the Prince of the Winnebagoes at the Falls of St. An- thony, — — 66 Defcription of the Falls, — 69 Extent of the Author s 'travels, — 71 Defcription of the River St. Pierre, 74 Sources of the Four great Rivers of North America, — — j6 RefiecJions on their Affinity, — 77 'the Naudoweffies of the Plains, with whom the Author wintered in the Tear 1766, — — 80 The Author returns to the Mouth of the River St. Pierre, — • 84 Account oj a violent Thunder fiorm, 85 Speech made by the Author in a Council held CONTENTS. held by the NaudoweJJies at the great Cave, — — 86 Adventure with a Party of Indians near Lake Pepin, — — p 5 Defcription of the Country adjacent to the River St. Pierre, — 100 Account of different Clays found near the Marble River, — — ioi Defcription of the Chip e way River, 1 dz Extraordinary Effects of a Hurricane, 103 tfhe Author arrives at the Grand Portage on the North-wejl Borders of Lake Su- perior, — . — 107 Account of the Lakes lying farther to the North-wejl : Lake Bourbon, Lake Win- nepeek, Lake Du Bois, Lake La Pluye, Red Lake, &c. — — ib. Account of a Nation of Indians fuppofed to have been tributary to the Mexican Kings, — — 118 — the f dining Mountains, I 2 1 A fingular Prediction of the Chief Priejl of the Killi/linoes verified, — 123 Defcription of Lake Superior, — 132 Story of the two Chipeways landing on the IJland of Mauropas, — 135 Account of great Quantities of Copper Ore, — — 139 b 2 Defcription CONTENTS. Dcfcription of the Falls of St. Marie, 142 Lake Huron, — 144 Saganaum and Thunder Bays, 145 Extraordinary Phenomenon in the Straights of Michillimackinac, — 146 Description of Lake St. Claire, — 150 the River, Town, and Fort of Detroit, — — 151 Remarkable Rain at Detroit, — 153 Attack of Fort Detroit by Pontiac, 154 Defcription of Lake Erie, — 166 the River and Falls of Nia- gara, — — 169 . Lake Ontario, — .170 -the Oniada Lake, Lake Champlain, and Lake George, 172 Account of a Tradl of Land granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and Captain John Mafon, — — 173 The Author's Motives for undertaking his Travels, — — 177 CHAP. I. The Origin of the Indians, — 181 Sentiments oj various Writers on this Point, 182 * ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Monfieur Charlevoix, - 192 Sentiments CONTENTS. Sentiments of James Adair, Efq; 202 the Author of this IVork, 20% Corroboration of the hatter by Doff or Ro- binfon, — — 216 CHAP. II. Of the Perfons, Drefs, &c. of the Indians, 219 An Account of thofe who have written on this Subjedl, — — 220 Defer iption of the Perfons of the Indians, 223 -their Drefs, — 225 ■ the Drefs of the Chipeways, with a Plate, — — 229 -the Drefs of the Naudowef- fies, with Ditto, — 230 'The Manner in which they build their Tents and Huts, — 231 Their dome/lie Utenfls, — 233 CHAP. III. Of the Manners,. Qualifications, £s»t\ of the Indians, — -*- 3-35 Peculiar Cufioms of the IVomen, 236 b 3 The CONTENTS, The clrcumfpecl and jiokal D'fpojitlon of the Men, —r- — 237 Their amazing Sagacity \ — 241 Remarkable Story of one of the Naudowe/Jie Women, — — 245 The Liberality of the Indians, and their Opinion rejpedimg Money , - — 247 CHAP. IV, Their Method of reckoning 'Time, &c. 250 The, Names by which they dijlingul/h the Months, - — — 251 Their Idea of the Ufe of Figures , 253 CHAP. V. Of their Government, &c. — 255 Their Divijion into Tribes, — — ib. The Chiefs of their Bands, 257 The Members that compofe their Councils, *59 CHAP. VI, Of their Feafls, — - 262 Their ufual Food, — - - — ■ 263 Their Manner of drejjing and eating their Victuals ) — = — 264 CHAP. CONTENTS. CHAP. VII. Of their Dances, — 266 The Manner in which they dance, 267 The Pipe or Calumate Dance, — 268 The War Dance, — — 269 The Pawwaw Dance, — 270 An uncommon Admijjion into a Society, among the NaudoweJJies, — 272 The Dance of the Indians on the Banks of the Miffiffippi, referred to in the Journal, — — 279 The Dance of the Sacrifice, — 282 CHAP. VIII. Of their Hunting, — — 283 Their Preparation before they fet out, 285 Their Manner of hunting the Bear, 286 Buffalo, Deer, &c. — — ' 287 m . i Beaver, 289 b 4 CHAP. CONTENTS. CHAP. IX. Of their Manner of making War, &c. 293 'The Indian Weapons, with a Plate, 296 'Their Motives for making War, 297 Preparations before they take the Field, 3 01 ' The Manner in which they folicit other Nations to become their Auxiliaries, 305 Their Manner of declaring War, — 307 Their Method of engaging their Enemies, 310 An Inftance of the Efficacy of it in the De- feat of General Braddock, — 311 A Detail of the Majfacre at Fort William Henry in the Tear 1 7 5 7 , — 313 Acmenefs and Alacrity of the Indians in pur juing their Enemies, — 327 Their Manner of Scalping, — 328 The Manner in which they retreat and carry of their Prifoners, — 330 A remarkable Inflance of Heroifm in 'a Fe- male Pr if oner, — 332 Treatment oj their Prifoners, — ^^S The Origin of their felling Slaves, 346 CHAR CONTENTS. CHAP. X. Of their Manner of making Peace, &c. 351 Account of an Engagement between the Iroquois and the Ottagaumies and Sau- kies, ^- — 352 Manner in which they conducl a Treaty of Peace, — — 358 Description of the Pipe of Peace, — 359 Belts of Wampum, 362 CHAP. XL Of their Games, — — 363 The Game of the Ball, — 364 « the Bowl or Platter, - 365 CHAP. XII. Of their Marriage Ceremonies, — «■ 36 j The Manner in which the Tribes near Ca- nada celebrate their Marriages, - 369 The Form of Marriage among the Nau- dowejjies, —r- —r- 373 Their Manner of carrying on an Intrigue, • m 375 Of the Indian Names, — 378 CHAP, CONTENTS. CHAP. XIII. Of their Religion, — - — 380 tfbeir Ideas of a Supreme Being, 381 i a future State, — ■ 383 Of their Priefls, — — 384 *fhe Sentiments of Others on the religious Principles of the Indians oppofed, 386 CHAP. XIV. - Of their D/feafes, &c. ^— 389 ithe Complaints to which they are chiefly fubjecJ, ■ — — ib. tfhe Manner in which they conflruH their Sweating Stoves, — 390 tfhe Methods in which they treat their Dif- eafes, — — 391 An extraordinary Inflance of the Judgment of an Indian IVoman in a defperate Cafe, — — 395 CHAP. XV. *fhe Manner in which they treat their Dead, — •- — 398 ASpe- CONTENTS. A Specimen of their Funeral Harangues, 399 Their Method of burying the Dead, 401 A Jingular In/lance of parental AfecJlon in a NaudoweJJie Woman, — 403 CHAP. XVI. A cone If e Character of the Indians, 408 ft heir perfonal and mental Qualifications, 409 their public Character as Members of a Community, — — 411 CHAP. XVII. Of their Language, Hleroglyphicks, &c. 4 1 4 Of the Chlpeway Tongue, — 416 Defcriptive Specimen of their Hlerogly- phicks, — — 417 Vocabulary of the Chlpeway Language, 420 — — 1 ■ — -the NaudoweJJie Language, 433 CHAP. XVIII, 0/ the Beajls, Birds, FIJhes, Reptiles, and Infecls, which are found in the Interior Parts of North America, — 441 BEAStS. CONTENTS. b e a s t s. The Tyger. The Bear, — 442 The Wolf. The Fox, — — 444 Dogs. The Cat of the Mountain. The Buffalo, — — 445 The Deer, — — — 446 The Elk, — — 447 The Moofe, — — — 448 The Carrabou, — — 449 The Carcajou. The Skunk, — 450 The Porcupine, — — 453 The IVoodchuck. The Racoon, — 454 The Martin. The Mufquafi, — 455 Squirrels, — — 456 The Beaver, — — 457 The Otter, — — — 464 The Mink, — . — 465 BIRDS. The Eagle. The Night Hawk, — 466 The Fiflo Hawk, — — 467 The JVhipperwill, — . — 468 The Owl. The Crane. Ducks, -- 469 The Teal. The Loon, — 470 The Partridge. The Woodpecker, -.-. 471 The Blue fay. The JVakon Bird, - 472 The Blackbird, — — 473 The CONTENTS. The Redbird, — — — 474 The Whet/aw. The King Bird. The Humming Bird, — 475 FISHES. The Sturgeon, — — 477 The Cat Fijh. The Carp. The Chub, 478 SERPENTS. The Rattle Snake, — — 479 The Long Black Snake, — 485 The Striped or Garter Snake. The Water Snake. The Hijfing Snake. The Green Snake. The Thorn-tail Snake, 486 The Speckled Snake. The Ring Snake. The Two-headed Snake, — — 487 The Tortoije or hand Turtle, — 488 LIZARDS. The Swift Lizard. The Slow Lizard. The Tree Toad, — 489 INSECTS. The Lightning Bug or Fire Flv, 49 1 The Water Bug. The Horned Bug. The Locujl, — — 493 CHAP. CONTENTS* CHAP, XIX. Of the 'Trees, Shrubs, Roots, Herbs i Flowers, — — * 494 TREES. The Oak, * — — — $y$ The Pine Tree. The Maple, — 496 The Aft, — — — 497 The Hemlock Tree, — 498 The Bafs or White Wood. The JVickopick or Suckwick. The Button Wood, 499 NUT TREES. The Butter or Oil Nut, — 500 The Beech Nut. The Pecan Nut, 501 $he Hickory, — ^ — 503 FRUIT TREES. The Crab Apple Tree, - — 502 The Plum Tree. The Cherry Tree, 503 S H R UBS. The Willow. Shin Wood. The Sqffafras, 5°5 The Prickly AJh, — — 506 The. Moofe Wood. The Spoon Wood. The Alder, — — 507 The CONTENTS* The Shrub Oak. The Witch Hazle, 508 The Myrtle. Winter Green, — 509 The Fever Bu/Ij. The Cranberry Bujh, 510 The Choak Berry, — 511 ROOTS and PLANTS. Spikenard, — — 5 1 1 Sarfaparilla, — — 512 Ginfang. Gold Thread, — 5 1 3 Solomon s Seal. Devil's Bit, 514 Blood Root, — — 515 HERBS. Sanicle. Rattle Snake Plantain, 5 1 6 Poor Robin s Plantain. Toad Plantain* Rock Liverwort. Gargit or Skoke, 517 Skunk Cabbage or Poke, — 518 Wake Robin. Wild Indico. Cat Mint, 519 FLOWERS, 520 FARINACEOUS and LEGU- MINOUS ROOTS, &c. Maize or Indian Corn, — 521 Wild Rice, — — 522 Beans* 7-he Squap, — 525 APPEN. CONTENTS. APPENDIX. The Probability of the interior Parts of North America becoming commercial Colonies , — — 527 The Nfyans by which this might be effected, 529 Tratls of Land pointed out, on which Co- lonies may be efablifed with the greateft Advantage, — — 531 Difertation on the Difcovery of a Nortk- wef Pafage, — 539 The mofl certain JVay of attaining it, 540 Plan propofed by Richard Whitworth , Efq- 9 for making an Attempt from a Quarter hitherto unexplored, — 541 The Reafon of its being pofponed, — 543 INTRO- INTRODUCTION. NO fooner was the late War with France concluded, and Peace efta- blifhed by the Treaty of Verfailles in the Year 1763, than I began to confider (having rendered my country fome fer- vices during the war) how I might con- tinue {till ferviceable, and contribute, as much as lay in my power, to make that vaft acquifition of territory, gained by Great Britain, in North America advan- tageous to it. It appeared to me indif- penfably needful, that Government mould be acquainted in the firft place with the true flate of the dominions they were now become poffeffed of. To this pur- pofe, I determined, as the next proof of my zeal, to explore the mofl unknown A parts- i » ] parts of them, and to fpare no trouble or expence in acquiring a knowledge that promifed to be fo ufeful to my country- men. I knew that many obstructions would arife to my fcheme from the want of good Maps and Charts ; for the French, whilft they retained their power in North America, had taken every artful method to keep ail other nations, particularly the Englim, in ignorance of the concerns of the interior parts of it : and to accomplish this defign with the greater certainty, they had publifhed inaccurate maps and falfe accounts; calling the different nations of the Indians by nicknames they had given them, and not by thofe really ap- pertaining to them. Whether the intention of the French in doing this, was to pre- vent thefe nations from being difcovered and traded with, or to conceal their dif- courfe, when they talked to each other of the Indian concerns, in their prefence, I will not determine ; but whatfoever was the [ i» ] the caufe From which it arofe, it tended to miflead. As a proof that the Engliih had been greatly deceived by thefe accounts, and that their knowledge relative to Canada had ufually been very confined, before the conqueit. of Crown-Point in 1759, it had been efteemed an impregnable fortrefs: but no fooner was it taken, than we were convinced that it had acquired its greated: fecurity from falfe reports, given out by its poflefTors, and might have been battered down with a few four pounders. Even its fituation, which was reprefented to be fo very advantageous, was found to owe its advantages to the fame fource. It can- not be denied but that fome maps of thefe countries have been published by the French with an appearance of accuracy ; but thefe are of fo fmall a lize and drawn on fo minute a fcale, that they are nearly inexplicable. The fources of the Miffiiiippi, I can aflfert from my A 2 own [ » ] own experience, are greatly mifplaced ; for when I had explored them, and compared their lituation with the French Charts, I found them very erroneoufly reprefented, and am fatisfied that thefe were only copied from the rude (ketches of the Indians. Even fo lately as their evacuation of Canada they continued their fchemes to deceive ; leaving no traces by which any knowledge might accrue to their con- querors : for though they were well ac- quainted with all the Lakes, particularly with Lake Superior, having conftantly a veflel of considerable burthen thereon, yet their plans of them are very incorrect. I difcovered many errors in the defcriptions given therein of its Iilands and Bays, during a progrefs of eleven hundred miles that I coafted it in canoes. They like- wife, on giving up the pofTeiiion of them, took care to leave the places they had oc- cupied in the fame uncultivated ftate they had found them ; at the fame time deftrov- [ v ] deftroying nil their naval force. I ob- ferved myfelf part of the hulk of a very large veflel, burnt to the water's edge, juft at the opening from tlie Straits of St. Mane's into the Lake. Thefe difficulties, however, were not fuf&cient to deter me from the undertaking, and I made preparations for fetting out. What I chiefly had in view, after gaining a knowledge of the Manners, Cufloms, Languages, Soil, and natural Productions of the different nations that inhabit the back of the Mimmppi, was to afcertain the Breadth of that vail: continent, which extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, in its broadeit. part between 43 and 46 Degrees Northern Latitude. Had I been able to accompliih this, I intended to have propofed to Government to efra- blilh a Poll in ibme of thofe parts about the Straits of Annian, which having been firfr. difcovered by Sir Francis Drake, of courfe belong to the Englifh. This I am con- A 3 vinced [ vi ] vinced would greatly facilitate the difcovery of a North-Weft Paffage, or a communi-. cation between Hudfon's Bay and the Pacific Ocean. An event fo defirable, and which has been fo often fought for, but without fuccefs. Beiides this impor- taut end, a fettlement on that extremity of America would anfwer many good pur- pofes, and repay every expence the efta- blifhment of it might occafion. For it would not only difclofe new fources of trade, and promote many ufeful difco- veries, but would open a paflage for con- veying intelligence to China, and the Englifh fettlements in the Eaft Indies, with greater expedition than a tedious voyage by the Cape of Good Hope, or the Straits of Magellan will allow of. How far the advantages arifing from fuch an enterprize may extend can only be afcertained by the favourable concurrence of future events. But that the completion of the fcheme, I have had the honour of firft [ vii ] firfr. planning and attempting, will fome time or other be effected, I make no doubt. From the unhappy divilions that at prefent fubfifr. between Great Britain and America, it will probably be fome years before the attempt is repeated; but whenever it is, and the execution of it carried on with propriety, thofe who are fo fortunate as to fucceed, will reap, ex- clufive of the national advantages that mutt enfue, Emoluments beyond their moft fanguine expectations. And whilft their fpirits are elated by their fuccefs, perhaps they may bellow fome commen- dations and blefiings on the perfon that firft po*n:ed out to them the way. Thefe, though but a fhadowy recompence for all my toil, I mail receive with pleafure. To what power or authority this new world will become dependent, after it has arifen from its prefent uncultivated ftate, time alone can difcover. But as the feat of Empire, from time immemorial has been A 4 gn\- [ viii ] gradually progreflive towards the Weft, there is no doubt but that at fome future period, mighty kingdoms will emerge from thefe wildernefles, and {lately palaces and folemn temples, with gilded fpires reaching the fkids, fupplant the Indian huts, whofe only decorations are the harbarous trophies of their vanquished enemies. As fome of the preceding pafTages have already informed the Reader that the plan I had laid down for penetrating to ths Pacific Ocean, proved abortive, it is necefiary to add, that this proceeded not f.om its impracticability (for the farther I went the more convinced I was that it could certainly be accompliihed) but from unforefeen difappointments. However, 1 proceeded fo far, that I was able to make fuch difcoveries as will be ufeful in any future attempt, and prove a good foundation for fome more fortunate Suc- cciior to build upon. Thefe I mail now lay before the -Public in the follow- ing [ '* 1 ing pages ; and am fatished that tho greaieit part of them have never been publiihed by any perfon that has hitherto treated of the interior Nations of the Indians ; particularly, the account I give of the Naudowefies, and the fituation of the Heads of the four great rivers that take their rife within a few leagues of each other, nearly about the center of this great continent; viz. The River Bourbon, which empties itfelf into Hudfon's Bay; the Waters of Saint Lawrence ; the Mif- iiiiippi, and the River Oregon, or the River of the Weil:, that falls into the Pacific Ocean at the {traits of Annian. The impediments that occafioned my returning, before I had accomplifhed my purpofes, were thefe. On my arrival at Michillimackinac, the remoteit Englifh poif, in September 1766, I applied to Mr. Rogers, who was then governor of it, to furnim me with a proper aflbrtment of goods, as prefents for the Indians who in- inhabit the track I intended to purfue. He did this only in part ; but promifed to fupply me with fuch as were neceflary, when I reached the Falls of Saint An- thony. I afterwards learned, that the governor fulfilled his promife in ordering the ooods to be delivered to me ; but thole to whafe care he intruded them, inftead of conforming to his orders, dilpoied of them elfe where. Difappointed in my expeditions from this quarter, I thought it neceflary to re- turn to La Praire Le Chien; for it was impoffible to proceed any farther without prefents to enfure me a favourable reception. This I did in the beginning of the year 1767, and finding my progrefs to the Weftward thus retarded, I determined to di- rect my courfe Northward. I took this ftep with a view of finding a communication from the Heads of the Miffiffippi into Lake Superior, in order to meet, at the grand Por- tage on the North-well: fide of that lake, the traders [ * ] traders that ufually come, about this feafon, from Michillimackinac. Of thefe I intend- ed to purchafe goods, and then to purfue my journey from that quarter by way of the lakes Le Pluye, Dubois, and Ouini- pique to the Heads of the river of the Weft, which, as I have faid before, falls into the ftraits of Annian, the termination of my intended progrefs. I accompli flied the former part of my defign, and reached Lake Superior in proper time; but unluckily the traders I met there acquainted me, that they had no goods to fpare ; thole they had with them being barely fufficient to anfwer their own demands in thefe remote parts. Thus dif- appointed a fecond time, I found myfelf obliged to returnrto the place from whence I began my" expedition, which I did after continuing fome months on the North and Eaft borders of Lake Superior, and explo- ring the Bays and Rivers that empty them- felves into this large body of water, As [ *» ] As it may be expected that I fhould lay before the Public the reafons that thefe difcoveries, of fb much importance to every one that has any connections with America, have not been imparted to them before, notwithstanding they were made upwards of ten years ago, I will give them to the world in a plain and candid manner, and without mingling with them any complaints on account of the ill treat- ment I have received. On my arrival in England, I presented a petition to his Majefty in council, pray- ing for a reimburfement of thofe iums I had expended in the iervice of government. This was referred to the Lords Commil- iioners of Trade and Plantations, Their Lordmips from the tenor of it thought the intelligence I could give of fo much importance to the nation that they or- dered me to appear before the Board. This mefl'age I obeyed, and underwent a long examination ; much I believe to the the latisfacYion of every Lord prefeuC, When it was nnifhed, I requefted to know what I mould do with my papers, without hefitation the firft Lord replied, that I might publifh them whenever I pleated. In. confequence of this permif- fion, I difpofed of them to a bookfeller : but when they were nearly ready for the prefs, an order was iffued from the council board, requiring me to deliver, without delay, into the Plantation Office all my charts, and journals, with every paper re- lative to the difcoveries I had made. In order to obey this command, I was obli- ged to re-purchafe them from the book- feller, at a very great expence, and deliver them up. This frefh dilhurfement I en- deavoured to get annexed to the account I had already delivered in ; but the requefl was denied me, notwithstanding I had only a£ted, in the dilpolal of my papers, conformably to the permiffion I had re- ceived from the Board of Trade. This lofs, [ xlv ] lofs, which amounted to a very confiderabld fum, I was obliged to bear, and to refl fatisfied with an indemnification for my other expences. Thus fituated, my only expectations are from the favour of a generous Public ; to whom I ihall now communicate my plans, journals, and obfervations, of which I luckily kept copies, when I de- livered the originals into the Plantation Office. And this I do the more readily, as I hear they are miflaid ; and there is no probability of their ever being published. To thofe who are interefled in the concerns of the interior parts of North America, from the contiguity of their pofieffions, or commercial engagements* they will be extremely ufeful, and fully repay the fum at which they are purcha- fed. To thofe, who, from a laudable curiofity, wifh to be acquainted with the manners and cuiloms of every inhabitant of this globe, the accounts here given of the t ™ ] the various nations that inhabit (b van 1 a track of it, a country hitherto almoft un- explored, will furnifh an ample fund of amufement and gratify their moll: curious expectations. And I flatter myfelf they will be as favourably received by the Public, as defcriptions of iflands, which afford no other entertainment than what arifes from their novelty ; and difcoveries, that feem to promife very few advantages to this country, though acquired at an immenfe expence. To make the following Work as com- prehenfible and entertaining as poffible, I fhall firfl give my Readers an account of the route I purfued over this immenfe continent (through which they will be able to attend me by referring to the plan prefixed) and as I pafs on, defcribe the number of Inhabitants, the fituation of the Rivers and Lakes, and the productions of the country. Having done this, I mall treat, in diftinct Chapters, of the Man- [ xvi ] Manners, Cuftoms, and Languages of the Indians, and to complete the whole, add a Vocabulary of the Words moftly in ufe among them. And here it is neceffary to befpeak the candour of the learned part of my Readers in the perufal of it, as it is the pro- duction of a perfon unufed, from oppofite avocations, to literary purfuits. He there- fore begs they would not examine it with too critical an eye; efpecially when he aflures them that his attention has been more employed on giving a juft. defcription of a country that promiies, in fome future period, to be an inexhauftible fource of riches to that people who mail be fo fortunate as to poflefs it, than on the frile or compofition ; and more careful to rendet his language intelligible and explicit, than fmooth and florid.. j c- A JOURNAL of the TRAVELS, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY, L A K E S, &c. IN June 1766, I fet out from Bolton, and proceeded by way of Albany and Niagara, to Michiilimackinac; a Fort ii- tuated between the Lakes Huron and Michigan, and diflant from Bofton 1300 miles. This being the uttermoft of our factories towards the north-Weft, I con- fidered it as the moll convenient place from whence I could begin my intended progrefs, and enter at once into the Re- gions I defigned to explore. Referring my Readers to the publica- tions already extant for an Account of B thofe [ '3 ] thofe Parts of North America, that, from lying adjacent to the Back-Settle- ments, have been frequently defcribed, I mall confine myfelf to a Defciiption of the more interior parts of it, which having been but feldom viiited, are confequently but little known. In doing this, I ihall in no inliance exceed the bounds of truth, or have recourfe to thofe ufelefs and extra- vagant exaggerations too often made ufe of by travellers, to excite the curionty of the public, or to increafe their own importance. Nor mall I infert any ob- fervations, but fuch as I have made my- felf, or, from the credibility of thofe by whom they were related, am enabled to vouch for their authenticitv. Michillimackinac, from whence I be- gan my travels, is a Fort compofed of a ftrong ftockade, and is ufually defended by a garrifon of one hundred men. It contains about thirty houfes, one of which belongs to the governor, and ano- ther to the commiflary. Several traders alfo dwell within its fortifications, who find it a convenient fituation to traffic with the neighbouring nations. Michil- limackinac, in the language of the Chi- peway [ '9 ] peway Indians, fignifies aTortoife; and tho place is fuppofed to receive its name from an Ifland, lying about fix or feven miles to the north -eafr, within fight of the Fort, which has the appearance of that animal. During the Indian war that fol- lowed foon after the Conqueft of Ca- nada in the year 1763, and which was. carried on by an army of confede- rate nations compofed of the Hurons, Miamies, Chipeways, Ottowaws, Ponto- wattimies, MiififTauges, and fome other tribes, under the direction of Pontiac a celebrated Indian warrior, who had always been in the French intereft, it was taken by furprize in the following manner. The Indians having fettled their plan, drew near the Fort, and began a game at Ball, a paftime much ufed among them and not unlike tennis. In the height of their game, at which fome of the Englifh officers not fufpecling any deceit flood looking on, they {truck the ball, as if by accident, over the ftockade ; this they repeated two or three times, to make the deception more complete, till at length, having by this means lulled B 2 every [ 2° ] every fufpicion of the centry at the fouth gate, a party ruilied by him; and the reft foon following, they took pofleflion of the Fort, without meeting with any op- pofltion. Having accomplished their -de- lign, the Indians had the humanity to fpare the lives of the greateil part of the garrifon and traders, but they made them all prifoners, and carried them off. How- ever fome time after they took them to Montreal, where they were redeemed at a good price. The Fort alio was given up again to the Englim at the peace made with Pontiac by the commander of Detroit the year following. Having here made the neceflary dii- pofoions for purfuing ray travels, and obtained a credit from Mr. Rogers, the governor, on fome Englifh and Canadian traders w r ho were going to trade on the MimiTippi, and received alio from him a promife of a frem fupply of goods when I reached the Falls of Saint An- thony, I left the Fort on the 3d of Sep- tember, in company with theie traders. It was agreed, that they mould furnim me with fucfa goods as I might want, for [ *' ] for prefents to the Indian chiefs, during my continuance with them, agreeable to the governor's order. But when I ar- rived at the extent of their route, I was to find other guides, and to depend on the goods the governor had promifed to fup- ply me with. We accordingly fet out together, and on the 1 8 th arrived at Fort La Bay. This Fort is fituated on the foutbern ex->> tremity of a Bay in Lake Michigan, termed by the French the Bay of Pu- ants; but which fince the Engliih have gained pofleflion of all the fettlements on this part of the Continent, is called by them the Green Bay. The reafon of its being thus denominated, is from its ap- pearance; for on leaving Michillimack- inac in the fpring feafon, though the trees there have not even put forth their buds, yet you find the country around La Bay, notwithstanding the pafiage has not exceeded fourteen days, covered with the fined verdure, ana vegetation as for- ward as it could be were it fummer. This Fort, alio, is only furrou.ided by a ftockade, and being much decayed B 3 is t M J is fcarcely defenfible again fl imall arms. It was built by the French for the pro- tection of their trade, fome time before they were forced to relinquifli it; and when Canada and its dependencies were fur rendered to the Englifh, it was im- mediately garrifoned with an officer and thirty men. Thefe were made pri- ioners by the Menomonics foon after the .furprife of Michillimackinac, and the Fort has neither been garrifoned or kept in repair fince. The Bay is about ninety miles long, but differs much in its breadth ; being in fome places only fifteen miles, in others from twenty to thirty. It lies nearly from north-eafh to fouth-wefu. At the entrance of it from the Lake are a firing of iilands, extending from north to fouth, called the Grand Traverfe. Thefe are about thirty miles in length, and ferve to faci- litate the paiiage of canoes, as they fhel- ter them from the winds, which fome- times come with violence acrofs the Lake. On the fide that lies to the fouth- eaft is the nearefl and beft navigation. The [ *3 ] The iflantls of the Grand Traverfe are moftly fmall and rocky. Many of the rocks are of an amazing fize, and appear as if they had been famioned by the hands of artifts. On the largeft and beft of thefe iflands ftands a town of the Ottowaws, at which I found one of the molt, considerable chiefs of that nation, who received me with everv honour he u could poflibly mow to a ft ranger. But what appeared extremely lingular to me at the time, and muft do lo to every perfon unacquainted with the cuftoms of the Indians, was the reception I met with on landing. As our canoes ap- proached the ihore, and had reached within about threefcore rods of it, the Indians began a feu-de-joy ; in which they fired their pieces loaded with balls ; but at the fame time they took care to difcharge them in iuch a manner, as to flv a few yards above our heads :■ during this they ran from one tree or flump to another, mouting and behaving as if they were in the heat of battle. At firft I was greatly furprifed, and was on the point of ordering my attendants to return B 4 their [ *+ ] their fire, concluding that their inten- tions were hoftile ; but being undeceived by fome of the traders, who informed me that this was their ufual method of receiving the chiefs of oth^-r nations, I confidered it in its true light, and was pleafed with the refpect thus paid me. I remained here one night. Among the prefents I made the chiefs, were fome fpirituous liquors; with which they made themfelves merry, and all joined in a danc^, that Iafted the greateft part of the night. In the morning when I departed, the chief attended me to the more, and, as foon as I had embarked, offered up, in an audible voice, and with great folem- nity, a fervent prayer in my behalf. He prayed " that the Great Spirit would fa- vour me with a profperous voyage ; that he would give me an unclouded iky, and fmooth waters, by day, and that I might lie down, by night, on a beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted fleep, and pleafant dreams : and alfo, that I might find con- tinual protection under the great pipe of peace." In this manner he continued his [ *5 ] his petitions till I could no longer hear them. I mutt here obferve, that notwtth- ilanding the inhabitants of Europe are apt to entertain horrid ideas of the ferocity of thefe favages, as they are termed, I received from every tribe of them in the interior parts, the moil: hofpitable and courteous treatment ; and am con- vinced, that till they are contaminated by the example and ipirituous liquors of their more refined neighbours, th< y retain this friendly and mofFeniive conduct towards ftrahgers* Their inveteracy and cruelty to their enemies I acknowledge to be a great abatement of the favourable opinion I would wilh to entertain of them ; but this failing is hereditary, and having re- ceived the fanction of immemorial cuf- tom, has taken too deep root in their minds to be ever extirpated. Among this people I eat of a very un- common kind of bread. The Indians, in general, uie but little of this nutritious food : whilft their corn is in the milk,- as they term it, that is, juft before it be- gins [ ** ] gins to ripen, they flice off the kernels from the cob to which they grow, and knead them into a pafte. This they are enabled to do without the addition of any liquid, by the milk that flows from them; and when it is effected, they parcel it out into cakes, and incloling them in leaves of the baflwood tree, place them in hot embers, where they are loon baked. i^nd better flavoured bread I never eat in any country. This place is only a fmall village con- taining about twenty-five houfes and fixty or feventy warriors. I found nothing- there worthy of further remark. The land on the fouth-eaft. fide of the Green Bay is but very indifferent, being overipread with a heavy growth of hem- lock, pine, fpruce and fir trees. The communication between Lake Michigan, and the Green Bay has been reported by dome to be impracticable for the paffage of any veflels larger than canoes or boats, on account of the ihoals that lie between the iflands in the Grand Traverfe ; but on founding it I found fufficient depth for t 27 ] lor a veflel of fixty tons, and the breadth proportionable. The land adjoining to the bottom of this Bay is very fertile, the country in general level, and the perfpective view of it pleafing and extenfive. A few families live in the Fort, which lies on the weft-fide of the Fox river, and oppoiite to it, on the eaft-iide of its entrance, are ibme French fettlers who cultivate the land, and appear to live very comfortably. The Green Bay or Bay of Puarits is one of thole places to which the French (as I mentioned in the introduction) have given nicknames. It is termed by the in- habitants of its coafts, the Menomonie Bay, but why the French have denomi-- nated it the Puant or Stinking Bay I know not. The realbn they themfelves give for it is, that it was not with a view to miflead flrangers, but that by adopt- ing this method they could converfe with each other, concerning the Indians, in their prefence, without being underftood by them. For it was remarked by the perfons who firft traded among them, that when they were fpeaking to each other about [ *« ] about them, and mentioned their proper name, they mftantly grew fufpicious, and concluded that their vifiters were either ipeaking ill of them, or plotting their deftruction. To remedy this they gave them iome other name. The only bad confequence arifmg from the practice then introduced is, that Englifh and French geographers, in their plans of the in- terior parts of America give different names to the iame people, and thereby perplex thofe who have occaiion to refer to them. Lake Michigan, of which the Green Bay is a part, is divided on the north- eafl from Lake Huron by the Straits of Michillimackinac ; and is fituated be- tween forty-two and forty-fix degrees of latitude, and between eighty-four and eighty-feven degrees of weft longitude. Its greateft length is two hundred and eighty miles, its breadth about forty, and its circumference nearly fix hundred. There is a remarkable firing of fmali iflands be- ginning over againfl Afkins's farm, and running about thirty miles fouth-wefl into the Lake. Thefe are called the Beaver Iflands. Their fituation is very pleafant, [ *9 ] pleafant, but the foil is bare. However they afford a beautiful profpect. On the north-weft parts of this Lake the waters branch out into two Bays. That which lies towards the north is the Bay of Noquets, and the other the Green Bay juft defcribed. The waters of this as well as other great Lakes are clear and wholefome, and of fufficient depth for the navigation of large mips. Half the fpace of the coun- try that lies to the eaft, and extends to Lake Huron, belongs to the Ottowaw Indians. The line that divides their ter- ritories from the Chipeways, runs nearly north and fouth and reaches almoft from the fouthern extremity of this Lake, acrofs the high lands, to Michillimackinac, through the center of which it paifes. So that when thefe two tribes happen to meet at the factory, they each encamp on their own dominions, at a few yards diftance from the ftockade. The country adjacent either to the eaft or weft fide of this Lake is compofed but of an indifferent foil, except where fmall brooks or rivers empty themfelves into C 30 ] into it ; on the banks of thefe it is ex- tremely fertile. Near the borders of the Lake grow a great number of land cher- ries, which are not lefs remarkable for their manner of growth, than for their ex- quiiite flavour. They grow upon a Imall fhrub not more than four feet high, the boughs of 'which are fo loaded that they lie in clutters on the fand. As they grow only on the fand, the warmth of which probably contributes to bring them to fuch perfection, they are called by the French cherries de fable, or fand cherries. The lize of them does not exceed that of a fmall muiket ball, but they are reckoned fuperior to any other iort for the purpofe of fteeping in fpirits. There alfo grow around the Lake gooieberries, black cur- rants, and an abundance of juniper bear- ing great quantities of the berries of the fineft fort. Sumack likewife grows here in great plenty; the leaf of which, gathered at Michaelmas when it turns red, is much efbemed by the natives. They mix about an equal quantity of it with their tobacco, which caufes it to fmoke plea- fantly. M* ] fantly. Near this Lake, and indeed about all the great lakes, is found a kind of willow, termed by the French, bois rouge, in Englim red wood. Its bark, when only of one year's growth, is of a fine icarlet colour, and appears very beau- tiful; but as it grows older, it changes into a mixture of grey and red. The (talks of this fhrub grow many of them together, and rife to the height of fix or eight feet, the largefr, not exceeding an inch diameter. The bark being fcraped from the flicks, and dried and powdered, is alio mixed by the Indians with their tobacco, and is held by them in the highefl eftimation for their winter fmoak- ing. A weed that grows near the great lakes, in rocky places, they ufe in the fummer feafon. It is called by the In- dians, Segockimac, and creeps like a vine on the ground, fometimes extending to eight or ten feet, and bearing a leaf about the fize of a filler penny, nearly round; it is of the fubftance and co- lour of the laurel, and is, like the tree it refembles, an evergreen. Thefe leaves, dried and powdered, they likewife mix with [ 3* ] with their tobacco; and, as faid before, fmoak it only during the fummer. By thefe three fuccedaneums the pipes of the Indians are well fuppjied through every feafon of the year ; and as they are great fmoakers, they are very careful irk pro- perly gathering and preparing them. On the 20th of September I left the Green Bay, and proceeded up Fox river, fKll in company with the traders and fome Indians. On the 25th I arrived at the great town of the Winnebagoes, iituated on a fmall ifland juft as you enter the eaft end of Lake Winnebago. Here the queen who prefided over this tribe infread of a Sachem, received me with great ci-. vility, and entertained me in a very dif- tinguimed manner, during the four days I continued with her. The day after my arrival I held a council with the chiefs, of whom I afk- ed permiffion to pafs through their coun- try, in my way to more remote nations on bufinefs of importance. This was readily granted me, the requeit being efteemed by them as a great compliment paid to their tribe. TLe Queen fat in the [ 33 ] the council, but only aiked a few ques- tions, or gave fome trifling directions in matters relative to the ftate ; for women are never allowed to lit in their councils, except they happen to be inverted with the fupreme authority, and then it is not cuftomary for them to make any formal fpeeches as the chiefs do. She was a very ancient woman, fmall in ftature, and not much diftinguiihed by her drefs from fe- veral young women that attended her. Thefe 'her attendants feemed greatly pleafed whenever I mowed any tokens of refpecl: to their queen, particularly when I faluted her, which I frequently did to acquire her favour. On thefe occaiions the good old lady endeavoured to affume a juvenile gaiety, and by her fmiles mowed (he was equally pleafed with the attention I paid her. # The time I tarried here, I employed in making the beft obfervations poflible on the country, and in collecting the mofl certain intelligence I could of the origin, language, andcuftomsof this people. From theie enquiries I have reafon to conclude, that the Winnebagoes originally re tided in fome of the provinces belonging to New C Mexico ; C 3+ ] Mexico ; and being driven from their na* tive country, either by inteftine divifions, or by the extenfion of the Spanifh con- quefts, they took refuge in thefe more northern parts about a century ago. My reafons for adopting this fup- polition, are, firft from their unaliena- ble attachment to the Naudoweffie In- dians (who, they fay, gave them the earliefr. fuccour during their emigration) notwithstanding their prefent refidence is more than fix hundred miles diflant from that people. Secondly, that their dialect totally dif- fers from every other Indian nation yet difcovered ; it being a very uncouth gut- tural jargon, which none of their neigh- bours will attempt to learn. They con- verfe with other nations in the Chipeway tongue, which is the prevailing language throughout all the tribes, from the Mo- hawks of Canada to thofe who inhabit the borders of the Miffiffippi, and from the Hurons and Illinois to fuch as dwell near Hudfon's Bay. Thirdly, from their inveterate hatred to the Spaniards. Some of them in- formed me that they had made many ex- curfions r 35 3 curfions to the fouth-weft, which took up feveral moons. An elderly chief more particularly acquainted me, that about forty-fix winters ago, he marched, at the head of fifty warriors, towards the fouth- weft, for three moons. That during this expedition, whilft they were croffing a plain, they difcovered a body of men on horfeback, who belonged to the Black People ; for fo they call the Spaniards. As foon as they perceived them, they proceeded with caution, and concealed themfelves till night came on ; when they drew fo near as to be able to difcern the number and fituation of their enemies. Finding they were not able to cope with fo great a fuperiority hy day-light, they waited till they had retired to reft; when they rufhed upon them, and after having killed the greateft part of the men, took eighty horfes loaded with what they termed white ftone. This I fuppofe to have been lilver, as he told me the horfes were fhod with it, and that their bridles were ornamented with the fame. When they had fatiated their revenge, they car- ried off their fpoil, and being got fo far as to be out of the reach of the Spaniards C 3 that [ 36 ] that had efcaped their fury, they left the uielefs and ponderous burthen, with which the hories were loaded, in the woods, and mounting themfelves, in this manner returned to their friends. The party they had thus defeated, I conclude to be the caravan that annually conveys to Mexico, the filver which the Spaniards find in great quantities on the mountains lying near the heads of the Coloredo River : and the plains where the attack was made, probably, fome they were obliged to pafs over in their way to the heads of the River St. Fee, or Rio del Nord, which falls into the gulph of Mexico to the weft of the Miffiffippi. The Winnebagoes can raife about two hundred warriors. Their town contains about fifty houfes, which are ftrongly built with palifades, and the ifland on which it is (ituated nearly fifty acres. It lies thirty-five miles, reckoning according to the courfe of the river, from the Green Bay. The River, for about four or five miles from the Bay, has a ge: lie current ; after that fpace, till you arrive at the Winne- bago Lake, it is full of rocks and very rapid. [ 37 ] rapid. At many places we were obliged to land our canoes, and carry them a con- iidcrable way. Its breadth, in general, from the Green Bay to the Winnebago Lake, is between feventy and a hundred yards : the land on its borders very good, and thinly wooded with liickery, oak, and hazel. The Winnebago Lake is about fifteen miles long from eafr, to weft, and fix miles wide. At its fouth-weft corner, a river falls into it that takes its rife near fome of the northern branches of the Illinois River. This 1 called the Crocodile Ri- ver, in confequence of a ftory that pre- vails among the Indians, of their having deftroyed, in fome part of it, an animal, which from their ddcription muft be a crocodile or an alligator. The land adjacent to the Lake is very fertile, abounding with grapes, plums, and other fruits, which grow fpontane- oufly. The Winnebagoes raife on it a great quantity of Indian corn, beans, pumpkins, fquafh, and water melons, with fome tobacco. The Lake itielf abounds with fifh, and in the fall of the; year, with geefe, ducks, and teal. The C 3 latter, C 38 ] latter, which refort to it in great num- bers, are remarkably good and extremely fat, and are much better flavoured than thofe that are found near the fea, as they acquire their exceilive fatnefs by feeding on the wild ri:e, which grow fo plenti- fully in thefe parts. Having made fome acceptable prefents to the good old queen, and received her bleffing, I lefc the town of the Winne- bagoes on the 29th of September, and about twelve miles from it arrived at the place where the Fox River enters the Lake on the north fide of it. We pro- ceeded up this river, and on the 7th of October reached the great Carrying Place, which divides it from the Ouiiconiin. The Fox River, from the Green Bay to the Carrying Place, is about one hun- dred and eighty miles. From the Winne- bago Lake to the Carrying Place the cur- rent is gentle, and the depth of it confi- derable; notwithstanding which, in fome places it is with difficulty that canoes can pafs, through the obstructions they meet with from the rice ftalks, which are very large and thick, and grow here in great abundance. The country around it is very [ 39 ] very fertile and proper in the highefT: de- gree for cultivation, excepting in fbme places near the River, where it is rather too low. It is in no p^rt very woody, and yet can fupply furficient to anfwer the demands of any number of inhabi- tants. This river is the greatefl: refort for wild fowl of every kind that I met with in the whole courfe of my travels ; frequently the fun would be obfcured by them for fome minutes together. ►out forty miles up this river, from the gr at town of the Winnebagoes, {lands a fmaller town belonging to that na- tion. Deer and bears are very numerous in thefe parts, and a great many beavers and other furs are taken on the ftreams that empty themfelves into this river. The River I am treating of, is re- markable far having been, about eighty years ago, the refidence of the united bands of the Ottigaumies and the Saukies, whom the French had nicknamed, accord- ing to their wonted cuftom, pes Sacs and Des Reynards, the Sacks and the Foxes, of whom the following anecdote was re^ lated to me by an Indian. C 4 About [ 40 ] About fixty years ago, the French miftionaries and traders having received many insults from tnefe people, a party of French and Indians under the com- mand of Captain Morand marched to re- venge their wrongs. The captain fet out from the Green Bav in the winter, when they were uniufpicious of a vifit of this kind, and puHuing his route over the inow to their villages, which lay about fifty miles up the Fox River, came upon them by furprize. Unprepared as they were, he found them an eafy conqueft, and confequently killed or took priioners the greatefl part of them. On the return of the French to the Green Bay, one of the Indian chiefs in alliance with them, who had a considerable band of the priioners under his care, flopped to drink at a brook ; in the mean time his companions went on : which being obferved by one of the women w r hom they had made cap- tive, fho fuddenly feized him with both her hands, whilft he {looped to drink, by an exquiiitely lufceptible part, and held him fail till he expired on the fpot. As the chief, from the extreme torture he luffered, was unable to call out to his friends,. [ 41 ] friends, or to give any alarm, they pafled on without knowing what had happened ; and the woman having cut the bands of thoie of her fellow prilbners who were in the rear, with them made her efcape. This heroine was ever after treated by her nation as their deliverer, and made a cbiefefs in her own right, with -liberty to entail the fame honour on her defend- ants : an unufual diitinction , and permit- ted only on extraordinary occalions. About twelve miles before I reached the Carrying Place, I obferved feveral fmall mountains which extended quite to it. Thefe indeed would on'ly be efteemed as molehills when compared with thoie on the back of the colonies, but as they were the firfr. I had feen fince my leaving Nia- gara, a track of nearly eleven hu dred miles, I could not leave them unno- ticed. The Fox River, where it enters the Winnebago Lake, is about fifty yards wide, but it gradually decreafes to the Carrying Place, where it is no more than five yards over, except in a few places; where it widens into fmall lakes, though ftill [ 42 J {till of a confiderable depth. I cannot re- collect any thing elfe that is remarkable iii this River, except that it lo Terpentines for five miles, as only to gain in that place one quarter of a mile. The Carrying Place between the Fox and Ouifconfin Rivers is in breadth not more than a mile and three quarters, though in fome maps it is fo delineated as to appear to be ten miles. And here I cannot help remarking, that all the maps of thefe parts J I have ever ieen, are very erroneous. The rivers in general are defcribed as running in different directions from what they really do ; and many branches of them, particularly of the Miffiffippi, omitted. The diftances of places, likewife, are greatly mifrepre- fented. Whether this is done by the French geographers (for the Englifh maps are all copied from theirs) through defign, or for want of a juft knowledge of the country, I cannot fay ; but I am fatisfied that travellers who depend upon them in the parts I vilited, will find them- felves much at a lofs. Having furveyed with the greateft care, every country through which I palled, I can affert that the [ 43 ] the plan prefixed to this work is drawn with much greater preciflon than any ex- tant. Near one half of the way, between the rivers is a morafs, over-grown with a kind of long grafs, the reft of it a plain, with lome few oak and pine trees grow- ing thereon. I obferved here a great number of rattle-fnakes. Monf. Pinni- fance ? a French trader, told me a remark- able ftory concerning one of thefe rep- tiles, of which he faid he was an eye- witnefs. An Indian, belonging to the Menomonie nation, having taken one of them, found means to tame it ; and when he had done this, treated it as a Deity ; calling it his Great Father, and carrying it with him in a box wherever he went. This the Indian had done for ie- veral fummers, when Monf. Pinniiance accidentally met with him at this Carry- ing Place, juft as he was letting off for a winter's hunt. The French gentleman was furprized, one day, to fee the Indian place the box which contained his god on the ground, and opening the door give him his liberty; telling him, whilft he- did it, to be fure and return by the time he [ 44 ] he himfclf mould come back, which was to be in the month of May following. As this was but O&ober, Monfieur told the Indian, whofe fimplicity aftonifhed him, that he fancied he might wait long enough when May arrived, for the arrival of his great father. The Indian was ib confident of his creature's obedience, that he offered to lay the Frenchman a wager of two gallons of rum, that at the time appointed he would come and crawl into his box. This was agreed on, and the fecond week in May following fixed for the determination of the wager. At that period they both met there again ; when the Indian fet down his box, and called for his great father. The fnake heard him not ; and the time being now ex- pired, he acknowledged that he had loft. However, without feeming to be dif- co n raged, he offered to double the bett if his great father came not within two days more. This was further agreed on ; when behold on the fecond day, about one o'clock, the fnake arrived, and, of his own accord, crawled into the box, which was placed ready for him. The French gentleman vouched for the truth of [ 45 ] of this ftory, and from the accounts I have often received of the docility of thofe creatures, I fee no reafon to doubt his veracity. I obferved that the main body of the Fox River came from the fouth-weft, that of the Ouifconfin from the north- eaft ; and alfo that fome of the fmall branches of thefe two rivers, in de- fending into them, doubled within a few feet or each other, a little to the fouth of the Carrying Place. That $wo fuch Rivers mould take their rife fo near each other, and after running fuch differ- ent courfes, empty themfelves into the fea at a diflance fo amazing (for the for- mer having parTed through feveral great lakes, and run upwards of two thouland miles, falls into the gulf of St. Law- rence, and the other, after joining the Mimffippi, and run an equal number of miles, difembogues itfelf into the Gulph of Mexico) is an inflance fcarcely to be met in the extenfive continent of North America. I had an opportunity the year following, of making the fame obierva- tions on the affinity of various head branches of the waters of the St. Law- rence t 46 ] rence and the Milfiflippi to each other % and now bring them as a proof, that the opinion of thofe geographers, who aflert, that rivers taking their rife fo near each other, mull: fpring from the fame fource, is erroneous. For I perceived a vilibly diftinct feparation in all of them, not- withllanding, in fome places, they ap- proached £0 near, that I could have ftepped from one to the other. On the 8 th of October we got our ca- noes into the Ouifconlin River, which at this place is more than an hundred yards wide ; and the next day arrived at the Great Town of the Saukies. This is the largeft and belt built Indian town I ever faw. It contains about ninety houfes, each large enough for feveral families. Thefe are built of hewn plank neatly jointed, and covered with bark fo com- pactly as to keep out the moll: penetrating rains. Before the doors are placed com- fortable fheds, in which the inhabitants fit, when the weather will permit, and fmoak their pipes. The ftreets are regu- lar and fpacious ; fo that it appears more like a civilized town than the abode of favages. The land near the town is very [ 47 ] very good. In their plantations, which lie adjacent to their houfes, and which are neatly laid out, they raife great quan- tities of Indian corn, beans, melons, &c. fo that this place is efleemed the belt market for traders to furnifh themfelves with provifions, of any within eight hun- dred miles of it. The Saukies can raife about three hun- dred warriors, who are generally em- ployed every fummer in making incur- sions into the territories of the Illinois and Pawnee nations, from whence they return with a great number of (laves. But thofe people frequently retaliate, and, in their turn, deftroy many of the Saukies, which I judge to be the reafon that they increafe no fatter. Whilft I ftaid here, I took a view of fome mountains that lie about fifteen miles to the fouthward, and abound in lead ore. I afcended one of the higheft of thele, and had an extenfive view of the country. For many miles nothing was to be feen but lefler mountains, which appeared at a diftance like haycocks, they being free from trees. Only a few groves ©f hickery, and fluntcd oaks, covered fome C 48 1 fome of the vallies. So plentiful is lead here, that I law large quantities of it lying about the ftreets in the town be- longing to the Saukies, and it feemed to be as good as the produce of other coun- tries. On the 1 oth of October we proceeded down the river, and the next day reached the firii town of the Ottigaumies. This town contained about fifty houfes, but we found mod: of them deferted, on ac- count of an epidemical diforder that had lately raged among them, and carried off more than one half of the inhabitants. The greater part of thofe who furvived had retired into woods, to avoid the con- tagion. On the 15 th we entered that extenfive river the Miffiffippi. The Ouiiconfin, from the Carrying Place to the part where it falls into the Miffiffippi, flows with a fmooth but a ftrong current ; the water of it is exceedingly clear, and through it you may perceive a fine and fandy bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a few iflands, the foil of which appeared to be good, though lbmewhat woody. The land near the river alio feemed [ 49 ] feemed to be, in general, excellent; but that at a diftance is very full of moun- tains, where it is faid there are many lead mines. About five miles from the junction of the rivers, I obferved the ruins of a large town in a verv pi earing fituation. On enquiring of the neighbouring Indians why it was thus deferted, I was inform- ed, that about thirty years ago, the Great Spirit had appeared on the top of a pyramid of rocks, which lay at a little diftance from it, towards the wed:, and warned them to quit their habitations; for the land on which they were built belonged to him, and he had occaiion for it. As a proof that he, who gave them theie orders, was really the Great Spirit, he further told them, that the grais mould immediately fpring up on thofe very rocks from whence he now addr fif- ed them, which they knew to' be bare and barren. The Indians obeyed, and loon after difcovered that this miraculous alteration had taken place. .They fhewed me the lpot, but the growth of the grafs appeared to be no ways fupernatural. I apprehend this to have been a itratagem of D the [ 5° ] the French or Spaniards to anfwer fome ielrlfh view, but in what manner they effected their purpofes I know not. This people, foon after their removal, built a town on the bank of the Miffiffippi, near the mouth of the Ouifconfin, at a place called by the French La Prairies les Chiens, which fignifies the Dog Plains; it is a large town, and contains about three hundred families, the houfes are well built after the Indian manner, and plea- faritly iituated on a very rich foil, from which they raiie every neceffary of life in great abundance. I faw here many horfes of a good fize and fhape. This town is the great mart, where all the adjacent tribes, and even thofe who in- habit the molt, remote branches of the Miffiffippi, annually aflemble about the latter end of May, bringing with them their furs to difpofe of to the traders. But it is not always that they conclude their fale here ; this is determined by a general council of the chiefs, who con- sult whether it would be more conducive to their interefr, to fell their goods at this place, or carry them on to Louifiana, or Michillimackinac. According to the deci- lion [ 5' ] lion of this council they either proceed further, or return to their different homes. The Mifliffippi at the entrance of the Ouifconiin, near which {lands a mountain of confiderable height, is about half a mile over ; but oppoilte to the laft men- tioned town it appears to be more than a mile wide, and full of iflands, the foil of which is extraordinarily rich, and but thinly wooded. A little farther to the weft, on the contrary fide, a fmall river tails into the Miiiiiiippi, which the French callLe Jaun Riviere, or the bellow River. Here the traders who had accompanied me hitherto, took up their refidence for the winter. I then bought a canoe, and with two fer- vants, one a French Canadian and the other a Mohawk of Canada, on the 19th proceeded up the Mifliffippi. About ten days after I had parted from the traders, I landed as I ufually did every evening, and having pitched my tent, I ordered my men, when night came on, to lay themielves down to lleep. By a light that I kept burning I then fat down to copy the minutes I had taken in the D 2 courfe [ 5* 3 courfe of the preceding day. About ten o'clock having juil fmifhed my me- morandums, I ftepped out of my tent to fee what weather it was. As I caft my eyes towards the bank of the river, I thought I faw by the light of the ftars which fhone bright, fomething that had the appearance of a herd of beafts coming down a defcent at fome diftance ; whilfr. I was wondering what they could be, one of the number fuddenly fprung up and difco- Vered to me the form of a man. In an inilant they were all on their legs, and I could count about ten or twelve of them running towards me. I immediately re- entered the tent, and awaking my men, ordered them to take their arms, and fol- low me. As my firft apprehenlions were for my canoe, I ran to the water's iide, and found a party of Indians (for fuch I now difcovered them to be) on the point of plundering it. Before I reached them I commanded my men not to fire till I had given the word, being unwilling to be« gin hoftilities unlefs occalion abiblutely required. I accordingly advanced with relolution, dole to the points of their (pears, they had no other weapons, and brandishing t 53 ] brandiihing my hanger, afked them with a ftern voice, what they wanted. They were daggered at this, and perceiving they were like to meet x with a warm re- ception, turned about and precipitately retreated. We purfued them to an ad- jacent wood, which they entered, and we law no more of them. However, for fear of their return, we watched alter- nately during the remainder of the night. The next day my lervants were under great apprehenfions, and earnestly en- treated me to return to the traders we had lately left. But I told them, that if they would not be efteemed old women (a term of the greateft reproach among the Indians) they mult, follow me ; for I was determined to purfue my intended route, as an Englifhman, when once engaged in an adventure, never retreated. On this they got into the canoe, and I walked on the more to guard them from any further attack. The party of Indi- ans who had thus intended to plunder me, I afterwards found to be fome of thofe draggling hands, that having been driven from among the different tribes to which they belonged for various crimes, D 3 now t 54 ] now afTociated themfelves together and living by plunder, prove very troublefome to travellers who pals this way ; nor are even Indians of every tribe fpared by them. The traders had before cautioned me to be ifpon my guard againft them, and I would repeat the fame caution to thole whofe bufinefs might call them into thele parts. On the firfl of November, I arrived at Lake Pepin, which is rather an ex- tended part of the River Mimfhppi, that the French have thus denominated, about two hundred miles from the Ouif- confin. The Mifliilippi below this lake flows with a gentle current, but the breadth of it is very uncertain, in fome places it being upwards of a mile, in others not more than a quarter. This River has a range of mountains on each fide throughout the whole of the way; which in particular parts approach near to it, in others lie at a greater difhmce. The land betwixt the mountains, and on their tides, is generally covered with grafs with a few groves of trees inter- iperfec, • near which large droves of deer and eik are frequently feen feeding. In many [ 55 ] many places pyramids of rocks appeared, refembling old ruinous towers ; at others amazing precipices : and what is very remarkable, whilfr. this (bene prefented it- felf on one lide, the op polite fide of the fame ■ mountain was covered with the fmeff. herbage, which gradually afcended to its fummit. From thence "the moil: beautiful and exteniive profpect that imagination can form opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful meadows-, numerous iilands, and all thefe abound- ing with a variety of trees that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without care or cultivation, fuch as the nut-tree, the maple which produces fugar, vines load- ed with rich grapes, and plum-trees bending under their blooming burdens, but above all, the fine River flowing gently beneath and reaching as far as the eye can extend, by turns attract your admiration and excite your wonder. The Lake is about twenty miles long and near fix in breadth ; in foime places it is very deep, and abounds with various kinds of fifh. Great numbers of fowl fre- quent alio this Lake and rivers adjacent, fuch as ftorks, lwans, gee{e, brants, and P 4 ducks ; t 56 ] ducks : and in the groves are found great plenty of turkeys and partridges. On the plains are the largefr buffaloes of any in America. Here I obferved the ruins of a French factory, where it is faid Cap- tain St. Pierre rciided, and carried on a very great trade with the Naudoweflies, before the reduction of Canada. About fixty miles below this Lake is a mountain remarkably iituated; for it Hands by itfelf exactly in the middle of the River, and looks as if it had flidden from the adjacent more into the ftream. It cannot be termed an ifland, as it rifes immediately from the brink of the water j to a considerable height. Both the In- dians and the French call it the Moun- tain in the river. One day having hnded on the more of the Miffiilippi, iome miles below Lake Pepin, whilft my attendants were pre- paring my dinner, I walked out to take a view of the adjacent country. I had not proceeded far, before I came to a fine, level, open plain, on which I per- ceived, at a little diftance, a partial ele- vation that had the appearance of an in- trenchment. On a nearer infpeclion I had C 57 ] had greater reafon to fuppofe that it had really been intended for this many cen- turies ago. Notwithftanding it was now covered with grafs, I could plainly dis- cern that it had once been a bread-work of about four feet in height, extending the heft part of a mile and fufflciently capacious to cover five thoufand men. Its form wag fomewhat circular, and its flanks reach^ ed to the River. Though much defaced by time, every angle was dilUnguiihable, and appeared as regular, and fafhioned with as much military fkill, as if plan- ned by Vauban himfelf. The ditch was not vilible, but I thought on examining more curioufly, that I could perceive there certainly had been one. From its fituation alfo, I am convinced that it mull: have been deiigned for this purpofe. It fronted the country and the rear was covered by the River ; nor was there any riling ground for a confiderable way that commanded it ; a few ftraggling oaks were alone to be {een near it. In many places fmall tracks were worn acrofs it by the feet of the elks and deer, and from the depth of the bed of earth by which it was covered, I was able to draw certain [ 5» ] certain conclufions of its great antiquity. I examined all the angles and every part with great attention, and have often blamed myfelf fmce, for not encamping on the fpot, and drawing an exact plan of it. To fhew that this defcription is not the offspring of a heated imagination, or the chimerical tale of a miftaken travel- ler, I find on enquiry fince my return, that Monf. St. Pierre and feveral traders have, at different times, taken notice of fimilar appearances, on which they have formed the fame conjectures, but without examining them fo minutelv as I did. How a work of this kind could exiif in a country that has hitherto (according to the general received opinion) been the feat of war to untutored Indians alone, whofe whole flock of military knowledge has only, till within two centuries, a- mounted to drawing the bow, and whofe only breaft-work even at prefent is the thicket, 1 know not. I have given as exact an account as poflible of this lin- gular appearance, and leave to future ex- plorers of thefe diffant regions to dis- cover whether it is a production of na- ture or art. Perhaps the hints I have here [ 59 ] here given might lead to a more perfect inveftigation of it, and give us very dif- ferent ideas of the ancient fhte of realms that we at pre lent b lieve to have been from the earlieft period only the habita- tions of favaofe I was driven away by his frowns, I took up my abode there for the night. I pitched my tent at fome diftance from the Indians, and had no fooner laid myfelf down to reft, than I was awakened by my French fervant. Having been alarmed by the found of Indian mufic, he had run to the outiide of the tent, where he beheld a party of the young favages dancing towards us in an extraordinary G manner, [ 98 ] manner, each carrying in his hand a torch fixed on the top of a long pole. But 1 mail defer any further account of this un- common entertainment, which at once furprized and alarmed me, till I treat of the Indian dances. The next morning I continued my voyage, and before night reached La Prairie le Chien ; at which place the party of Naudoweflies foon over-took me. Not long after the Grand Sautor alfo arrived, and before the Naudoweflies left that place to continue their journey to Michillimac- kinac, he found means, in conjunction with fome French traders from Louiiiana, to draw from me about ten of the Nau- doweffie chiefs, whom he prevailed uporv to go towards thole parts. The remainder proceeded, according to> my directions, to the Englifh fort ; from whence I afterwards heard that they re- turned to their own country without any unfortunate accident befalling them, and. greatly pleaied with the reception they had met with. Whilft not more than half of thofe who went to the ibuthward, throusrh the difference of that ibuthern o f. innate from their own, lived to reach their [ 99 ] their abode. And fince I came to Eng- land I have been informed, that the Grand Sautor having rendered himfelf more and more difguftful to the Englifh by his in- veterate enmity towards them, was at length ftabbed in his tent, as he en- camped near Michillimackinac, by a trader to whom I had related the forego- ing ftory. I mould have remarked, that whatever Indians happen to meet at La Prairie le Chien, the great mart to which all who in- habit the adjacent countries refort, though the nations to which they belong are at war with each other, yet they are obliged to reftrain their enmity, and to forbear all hoftile acts during their ftay there. This regulation has been long eftablilhed among them for their mutual conveni- ence, as without it no trade Qpuld be car- ried on. The fame rule is obferved alio at the Red Mountain (afterwards de- scribed) from whence they get the flone of which they make their pipes : thefe being indifpenfable to the accommodation of every neighbouring tribe, a fimilar reitri&ion becomes needful, and is of pub- lic ut'ditr. Gz The [ IO ° J The River St. Pierre, which runs through the territories of the Naudowef- lies, flows through a mod: delightful country, abounding with all the neceffaries of life, that grow fpontaneoully ; and with a little cultivation it might be made to produce even the luxuries of life. Wild rice grows here in great abundance ; and every part is filled with trees bending un- der their loads of fruits, fuch as plums, grapes, and apples ; the meadows are covered with hops, and many forts of ve- getables; .whilft the ground is ftored with ufeful roots, with angelica, fpikenard, and ground-nuts as large as hens eggs. At a little diftance from the fides of the ri- ver are eminences, from which you have views that cannot be exceeded even by the moft beautiful of thofe I have already defcribed ; amidft thefe are delightful groves, and fuch amazing quantities of maples, that they would produce fugar fufficient for any number of inhabitants. A little way from the mouth of this river, on the north fide of it, ftands a bill, one part of which, that towards the Mimffippi, is compofed entirely of white flone, of the fame foft nature as that I have t 'to ) have before described ; forfuch, indeed, is all the ftone in this country. But what ap- pears remarkable is, that the colour of it is as white as the driven {how. The outward part of it was crumbled by the wind and weather into heaps of land, of which a beautiful compolition might be made ; or, I am of opinion that when properly treated the ftone itfelf would grow harder by time, and have a very noble effect in architecture. Near that branch which is termed theMar- ble River, is a mountain, from whence the Indians get a fort of red fto^e, out of which they hew the bowls of their pipes. In fome of thele parts is found a black hard clay, or rather ftone, of which the Naudoweflies make their family utenfils. This country likewiie abounds with a milk white clay, of which China ware might be made equal in goodnels to the Afiatic ; and alfo with a blue clay that fervtfa the Indians for paint ; with this laft they contrive, by mixing it with the red ftone powdered, to paint themfelves of different colours. Thole that can get the blue clay here mentioned, paint themfelves very mucii with it ; particularly when they are about G 3 to [ I©2 ] to begin their fports and paftimes. It is alio efteemed by them a mark of peace, as it has a refemblance of the blue Iky, which with them is a fymbol of it, and made ule of in their fpeeches as a figura- tive expreffion to denote peace. When they wifh to fhew that their inclinations are pacific towards other tribes, they greatly ornament both themielves and their belts with it. Having concluded my bufinefs at La Prairie le Chien, I proceeded once more up the Mifnflippi, as far as the place where the Chipeway River enters it a lit- tle below Lake Pepin. Here, having en- gaged an Indian pilot, I directed him to fleer towards the Ottowaw Lakes which lie near the head of this river. This he did, and I arrived at them the beginning of July- The Chipeway River, at its junction with the Mimffippi, is about eighty yards wide, but it is much wider as you ad- vance into it. Near thirty miles up it feparates into two branches, and I took my coufe through that which iies to the eait.ward. The [ I0 3 ] The country adjoining to the river' for about fixty miles, is very level, and on its banks lie fine meadows, where larger droves of buffaloes and elks were feeding, than I had obferved in any other part of my travels. The track between the two branches of this river is termed the Road of War between the Chipeway and Naudowe flie Indians. The country to the Falls marked in the plan at the extent of the traders tra- vels, is almoir. without any timber, and above that very uneven and rugged, and clofely wooded with pines, beach, maple, and birch. Here a raoft remarkable and aftonilhing fight prefented itfelf to my view. In a wood, on the eaft of the river, which was about three quar- ters of a mile in length, and in depth farther than my eye could reach, I ob- ferved that every tree, many of which were more than fix feet in circumference, was lying flat on the ground torn up by the roots. This appeared to have been done by fome extraordinary hurricane that came from the weft fome years ago, but how many I could not learn, as I found no inhabitants near it, of whom I G 4 could I 104 ] coujd gain information. The country on the well: iide of the river, from being lefs woody, had efcaped in a great meafure this havock, as only a few trees were blown down. Near the heads of this river is a town of the Chipeways, from whence it takes its name. It is fituated on each fide of the river (which at this place is of no con- fiderable breadth) and lies adjacent to the banks of a fmail lake. This town con- tains about forty houfes, and can fend out upwards of one hundred warriors, many of whom were fine flout young men. The houfes of it are built after the Indian manner, and have neat plantations behind them ; but the inhabitants, in general, feemed to be the naftieft people I had ever been among. I obferved that the women and children indulged themfelves in a cuf- tom, which though common, in fome degree, throughout every Indian nation, appears to be, according to our ideas, of the moll: naufeons and indelicate nature ; that of fearching each other's head, and eating the prey caught therein. In July I left this town, and having proflfed a number of fmall lakes and car- rying [ i°5 ] rying places that intervened, came to a head branch of the River St. Croix. This branch I defcended to a fork, and then afcended another to its fource. On both thefe rivers I difcovered feveral mines of virgin copper, which was as pure as that found in any other country. Here I came to a fmall brook, which my guide thought might be joined at fome diftance by flreams that would at length render it navigable. The water at firfr. was fo f canty, that my canoe would by no means fwim in it ; but having flopped up feveral old beaver dams which had been broken down by the hunters, I was ena- bled to proceed for fome miles, till by the conjunction of a few brooks, thefe aids became no longer neceffary. In a Iriort time the water increafed to a moft rapid river, which we defcended till it entered into Lake Superior. This river I named after a gentlemen that defired to accompa- ny me from the town of the Ottagaumies to the Carrying Place on Lake Superior, Goddard's river. To the well of this is another fmall river, which alfo empties itfelf into the J^ake. This I termed Strawberry River, from [ .o6 ] from the great number of ftrawberries of a good fize and fine flavour that grew on its banks. The country from the Ottowaw Lakes to Lake Superior is in general very un- even and thickly covered with woods. The foil in fome places tolerably good, in others but indifferent. In the heads of the St. Croix, and the Chipeway Rivers, are exceeding fine fturgeon. All the wil- dernefs between the MifTiflippi and Lake Superior is called by the Indians the Mof- chettoe country, and I thought it moft juitly named ; for, it being then their feafon, I never faw or felt fo many of thole infects in my life. The latter end of July I arrived, af- ter having coafted through Weil: Bay, at the Grand Portage, which lies on the north-well borders of Lake Superior, Here thole who go on the north-weft trade, to the Lakes De Pluye, Dubois, &c. carry over their canoes and baggage about nine miles, till they come to a number of fmall lakes, the waters of fome of which delcend into Lake Superior, and others into the River Bourbon. Lake Superior from Weft Bay to this place is bounded [ I0 7 J bounded by rocks, except towards the fouth-weft part of the Bay where I firft entered it, there it was tolerably level. At the Grand Portage is a fmall bay, before the entrance of which lies an ifland that intercepts the dreary and unin- terrupted view over the Lake which other- wife would have prefented itfelf, and makes the bay ferene and pleafant. Here I met a large party of the Killiftinoe and Aflinipoil Indians, with their refpective kings and their families. They were come to this place in order to meet the traders from Michillimackinac, who make this their road to the north-weft. From them I received the following account of the Lakes that lie to the north- weft of Lake Superior. Lake Bourbon, the moft northern of thofe yet difcovered, received its name from fome French traders who accompa- nied a party of Indians to Hudlon's Bay fome years ago : and was thus denomi- nated by them in honour of the' royal fa- mily of France, It is compofed of the waters of the Bourbon River, which, as I have before oblerved, riles a great way to the fouthward, not far from the northern heads of the Miiliilippi, [ io8 ] This Lake is about eighty miles in length, north and fouth, and is nearly circular. It has no very large iflands on it. The land on the eaftern fide is very good ; and to the fouth- weft there are ibme mountains : in many other parts there are barren plains, bogs, and morafles. Its latitude is between fifty-two and fifty- four degrees north, and it lies nearly fouth-weft from Hudfon's Bay. As through its northern fituation the wea- ther there is extremely cold, only a few animals are to be found in the country that borders on it. They gave me but an indifferent account either of the beafts, birds, or fifties. There are indeed iome buffaloes of afmall fize, which are fat and good about the latter end of fummer, with a few moofe and carriboo deer ; how- ever this deficiency is made up by the furs of every fort that are to be met with in great plenty around the Lake. The timber growing here is chiefly fir, cedar, ipruce, and ibme maple. Lake Winnepeek, or as the French Write it Lac Ouinipique, which lies near- eft to the foregoing, is compoled of the fame waters. It is in length about two hundred t io 9 i hundred miles north and fouth ; its breadth has never been properly afcer- tained, but is fuppofed to be about one hundred miles in its wideft part. This Lake is very full of iflands ; thele are, how- ever, of no great magnitude. Many con- fiderable rivers empty themfelves into it, which, as yet, are not difHnguifhed by any names. The waters are ftored with fifh, fuch as trout and flurgeon, and alio with others of a fmaller kind peculiar to thele lakes. The land on the fouth-wefl part of it k very good, efpecially about the entrance of a large branch of the River Bourbon which flows from the {buth-weft. On this River there is a factory that was built by the French called Fort- La Reine, to which the traders from Michil- limackinac refort to trade with the Affi- nipoils and Killiftinoes. To this place the Mahahs, who inhabit a country two hundred and fifty miles fouth-wefl:, come a-lfo to trade with them ; and bring great quantities of Indian corn to exchange for knives, tomahawks, and other articles. Thele people are fuppofed to dwell on forae [ «'° ] fbme of the branches of the fiver of the weft. Lake Winnepeek has on the north- eaft fome mountains, and on the eaft many barren plains. The maple or fu- gar tree grows here in great plenty, and there is likewife gathered an amazing quantity of rice, which proves that grain will flourim in thefe northern climates as well as in warmer. Buffaloes, car- raboo, and moofe deer, are numerous in thefe parts. The buffaloes of this country differ from thofe that are found more to the fouth only in fize ; the former being much fmaller: juft as the black cattle of the northern parts of Great Britain differ from Englifh oxen. On the waters that fall into this Lake, the neighbouring nations take great num- bers of excellent furs. Some of thefe they carry to the factories and fet- tlements belonging to the Hudfon's Bay Company, fituated about the entrance of the Bourbon River: but this they do with reluctance on feveral accounts ; for fome of the Afiinipoils and Killiftinoes, who ufually traded with the Company's fervants, told me, that if they could be fure t MJ 1 lure of a conftant fupply of goods from Michillimackinac, they would not trade any where elfe. They mewed me fome cloth and other articles that they had purchafed at Hudfon's Bay, with which they were much dhTatisfied, thinking they had been greatly impofed upon in the barter. Allowing that their accounts were true, I could not help joining in their opinion. But this diflatisfa&ion might probably proceed, in a great meafure, from the intrigues of the Canadian tra- ders : for whilft the French were in po£- feflion of Michillimackinac, having ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the trade of the north-weft countries, they were employed on that account, after the re- duction of Canada, by the Englifh tra- ders there, in the eftablihhment of this trade with which they were themfelves quite unacquainted. One of the methods they took to withdraw thefe Indians from their attachment to the Hudfon's Bay Company, and to engage their good opi- nion in behalf of their new employers, was by depreciating on all occafions the Company's goods, and magnifying the advantages advantages that would arife to them from trafficking entirely with the Canadian traders. In this they too well fucceeded, and from this, doubtlefs, did the diflatif- faction the Affinipoils and Killiftinoes ex- prefYed to- me, partly proceed. But another reafon augmented it; and this was the length of their journey to the Hudfon's Bay factories, which, they in- formed me, took them up three months during the fummer heats to go and re- turn, and from the fmallnefs of their ca- noes they could not carry more than a third of the beavers they killed. So that it is not to be wondered at, that thefe Indians mould wifh to have traders come to refide among them. It is true that the parts they inhabit are within the limits of the Kudfon's Bay territories, but the Company muft be under the neceffity of winking at an encroachment of this kind, as the Indians would without doubt pro- tect the traders when among them. Be- fides, the parTports granted to the traders that go from Michillimackinac give them liberty to trade to the north-weft about Lake Superior; by which is meant Fort La Reiiie, Lake Winnepeek, or any other; [ "3 ] other parts of the waters of the Bourbon River, where the Couriers de Bois, or Tracers may make it moft convenient to relide. Lac du Bois, as it is commonly termed by the French in their maps, or in Eng- lish the Lake of the Wood, is fo called from the multiplicity of wood growing on its banks ; fuch as oaks, pines, firs, fpruce, &c. This Lake lies ftill higher up a branch of the River Bourbon, and nearly eaft. from the fouth end of Lake Winnepeek. It is of great depth in fome places. Its length from eaft. to weft about feventy miles, and its greateft breadth about forty miles. It has but few iflands, and thele of no great magnitude. The times, fowls, and quadrupeds that are found near it, vary but little from thofe of the other two lakes. A few of the Killiftinoe Indians fometimes encamp on the borders of it to fifh and hunt. This Lake lies in the communication between Lake Superior, and the Lakes Winnepeek and Bourbon. Its waters are not efteemed quite fo pure as thofe of the other lakes, it having, in many places, a meddy bottom. H Lac [ »4 ] Lac La Pluye, fo called by the French, in Englifh the Rainy Lake, is iuppofed to have acquired this name from the firft travellers, that paired over it, meeting with an uncommon deal of rain ; or, as fome have affirmed, from a mift like rain occasioned by a perpendicular water- fall that empties itfelf into a river which lies to the fbuth-weft. This Lake appears to be divided by an Ifthmus, near the middle, into two parts : the weft part is called the Great Rainy Lake, the eaft, the Little Rainy Lake, as being the leaft divifion. It lies a few miles farther to the eaftward, on the fame branch of the Bourbon, than the laft-mentioned lake. It is in general very (hallow in its depth. The broadeft part of it is not more than twenty miles, its length, including both, about three hundred miles. In the weft part the water is very clear and good; and fome excellent, fifh are taken in it. A great many fowl reiort here at the fall of the year. Mooie deer are to be found in great plenty, and likewife the carraboo; whole ikin for breeches or gloves exceeds by far any other to be met with in North- [ "5 ] North-America. The land on the bor- ders of this Lake is efteemed in fome places very good, but rather too thickly covered with wood. Here refide a con- siderable band of the Chipeways. Eaftward from this Lake" lie feveral fmall ones, which extend in a firing to the great carrying place, and from thence into Lake Superior. Between thefe little lakes are feveral carrying places, which renders the trade to the north-weft diffi- cult to accomplifh, and exceedingly te- dious, as it takes two years to make one voyage from Michillimackinac to thefe parts. Red Lake is a comparatively fmall lake at the head of a branch of the Bourbon River, which is called by fome Red River. Its form is nearly round, and about fixty miles in circumference. On one fide of it is a tolerable large ifland, clofe by which a fmall river enters. It bears almoft fouth-eaft both from Lake Winnepeek and from Lake du Bois. The parts adjacent are very little known, or frequented, even by the lavages them- felves. H 2 Not [ "6 ] Not far from this Lake, a little to the fouth-weft, is another called White Bear Lake, which is nearly about the lize of the laft mentioned. The waters that com- pofe this Lake are the moft northern of any that fupply the Miffiffippi, and may be called with propriety its moft. remote iburce. It is fed by two or three fmall rivers or rather large brooks. A few miles from it, to the fouth- eall:, are a great number of fmall lakes, none of which are more than ten miles in circumference, that are called the Thoufand Lakes. In the adjacent coun- try is reckoned the fined hunting for furs of any on this continent ; the In- dians who hunt here feldom returning without having their canoes loaded as deep as they can fwim. •Having jufl before obferved that this Lake is the utmoil: northern Iburce of the Miffiffippi, I mall here further re- mark, that before this river enters the Gulph of Mexico, it has not run lefs, through all its meanderings, than three thoufand miles ; or, in a llrait line from north to fouth, about twenty degrees, which [ "7 ] which is nearly fourteen hundred Englifh miles. Thefe Indians informed me, that to the north-weir, of Lake Winnepeek lies another whofj circumference vaftly ex- ceeded any they had given me an account of. They defcribe it as much larger than Lake Superior. But as it appears to be ib far to the north-weft, I mould imagine that it was not a lake, but rather the Archipelago or broken waters that form the communication between Hud- fon's Bay and the northern parts of the Pacific Ocean. There are an infinite number of fmall lakes, on the more weftern parts of the weftern head-branches of the Miffiffippi, as well as between thefe and Lake Win- nepeek, but none of them are large enough to iuppofe either of them to be the lake or waters meant by the Indians. They likewife informed me, that fome of the northern branches of the Meflbrie and the fouthern branches of the St. Pierre have a communication with each other, except for a mile ; over which they carry their canoes. And by what I could learn H 3 from [ "8 ] from them, this is the road they take when their war parties make their excur- sions upon the Pawnees and Pawnawnees, nations inhabiting fome branches of the MeiTorie River. In the country belong- ing to thefe people it is faid, that Man- drakes are frequently found, a fpecies of root refembling human beings of both fexes ; and that thefe are more perfect than fuch as are difcovered about the Nile in Nether-Ethiopia. A little to the north-weft of the heads of the MefTorie and the St. Pierre, the Indians further told me, that there was a nation rather fmaller and whiter than the neighbouring tribes, who cultivate the ground, and (as far as 1 could gather from their expreffions) in fome meafure, the arts. To this account they added that fome of the nations, who inhabit thofe parts that lie to the weft of the Shining Mountains, have gold fo plenty among them that they make their moil common utenfils of it. Thefe moun- tains (which I fhall defcribe more par- ticularly hereafter) divide the waters that fall into the South Sea from thofe that run into the Atlantic. The [ "9 ] The people dwelling near them are fup- pofed to be fomeofthe different tribes that were tributary to the Mexican kings, and who fled from their native country to feek an afylum in thefe parts, about the time of the conqueft of Mexico by the Spa- niards, more than two centuries ago. As fome confirmation of this iuppofi- tion it is remarked, that they have cho- fen the mofl interior parts for their re- treat, being ftill prepoflefled with a no- tion that the fea coafts have been infefted ever fince with monfters vomiting fire, and hurling about thunder and lightning; from whofe bowels iflued men, who, with unfeen inftruments, or by the power of magick, killed the harmlefs Indians at an aftoniming diftance. From fuch as thefe, their fore-fathers (according to a tradition ameng them that ftill remains unimpaired) fled to the retired abodes they now inhabit. For as they found that the floating monfters which had thus terrified them could not approach the land, and that thofe who had defcended from their fides did not care to make excursions to any confiderable diftance from them, they formed a refolution to H 4 betake [ 12° 1 betake themfelves to fome country, that lay far from the fea-coafts, where only they could be fecure from fuch diabolical enemies. They accordingly fet out with their families, and after a Ion;.; preregri- nation, fettled themfelves near thefe moun- tains, where they concluded they had found a place of perfect fecurity. The Winntbagoes, dwelling on the Fox River (whom I have already treated of) are likewife luppofed to be fome ftrol- ling band from the Mexican countries. But they are able to give only an imper- fect account of their original reiidence. They fay they formerly came a great way from the weftward, and were driven by wars to take refuge among the Naudow- emes ; but as they are entirely ignorant of the arts, or of the value of gold, it is ra- ther to be fuppofed, that they were dri- ven from their ancient fettlements by the above-mentioned emigrants, as they palled on towards their prefent habitation. Thefe fuppofitions, however, may want confimation ; for the fmaller tribes of In- dians are fubjec~t to fuch various alterations in their places of abode, from the wars they are continually engaged in, that it is almofl [ *"»i ] almofr. impoffible to afcertain, after half a century, the original iituation of any of them. That range of mountains, of which the Shining Mountains are a part, begin at Mexico, and continuing northward on the back, or to the eaft. of California, feparate the waters of thole numerous rivers that fall either into the Gulph of Mexico, or the Gulph of California. From thence continuing their couric (till northward, be- tween the fources of the M^filfippi and the rivers that run into the S©uth Sea, they appear to end in about forty-leven or forty-eight degrees of north latitude ; where a number of rivers arife, and empty themfelves either into the South Sea, into Hudfon's Bay, or into the waters that comnlunicate between thefe two feas. Among thefe mountains, thofe that lie to the well of the River St. Pierre, are called the Shining Mountains, from an infinite number of chryftal itones, of an amazing fize, with which they are co- vered, and which, when the fun mines full upon them, fparkle fo" as to be feen at a very great diftance. This [ 122 ] This extraordinary range of mountains is calculated to be more than three thou- sand miles in length, without any very coniiderable intervals, which I believe furpafles any thing of the kind in the other quarters of the globe. Probably in future ages they may be found to contain more riches in their bowels, than thole of Indoftan and Malabar, or that are produ- ced on the Golden Coaft of Guinea ; nor w 7 ill I except even the Peruvian Mines. To the weft of thefe mountains, when ex-, plored by future Columbufes or Raleighs, may be found other lakes, rivers, and countries, full fraught with all the necef- faries or luxuries of life ; and where fu- ture generations may find an afylum, whe- ther driven from their country by the ra- vages of lawleis tyrants, or by religious perfc cut-ions, or reluctantly leaving it to remedy the inconveniences arifing from a Superabundant increafe of inhabitants ; whether, I fay, impelled by thefe, or al- lured by hopes of commercial advantages, there is little doubt but their expectations will be fully gratified in thefe rich and "unexhaufted climes. But [ I2 3 ] But to return to the Affinipoils and Killiftinoes, whom I left at the Grand Portage, and from whom I received the foregoing account of the lakes that lie to the north-well of this place. The traders we expected being later this feafon than ufual, and our numbers very confiderable, for there were more than three hundred of us, the ftock of provi- sion we had brought with us was nearly ex- hausted, and we waited with impatience for their arrival. One day, whilft we were all exprefT- ing our wifhes for this defirable event, and looking from an eminence in hopes of feeing them come over the Lake, the chief prieft belonging to the band of the Killiftinoes told us, that he would endea- vour to obtain a conference with the Great Spirit, and know from him when the traders would arrive. I paid little at- tention to this -declaration, fuppoilng that it would be productive of fome juggling trick, juft fufficiently covered to deceive the ignorant Indians. But the king of that tribe telling me that this was chiefly undertaken by the prieft to alleviate my anxiety, and at the fame time to convince me [ "4 ] me how much intereft. he had with the Great Spirit, J. thought it neceflary to re-? itrain my animadverfions on his defign. The following evening was fixed upon, for this fpiritual conference. When every thing had been properly prepared, the king came to me and led me to a capacious tent, the covering of which was drawn up, fo as to render what was traniadting within vifible to thofe who flood without. We found the tent furrounded by a great number of the Indians, but we readily gained admiffion, and feated ourfelves on fkins laid on the ground for that pur- pofe. In the centre I obferved that there was a place of an oblong rnape, which was com- pofed of ftakes fluck in the ground, with in- tervals between, fo as to form a kind of cheir, or coffin, large enough to contain the body of a man. Thefe were of a middle fize, and placed at fuch a diftance from each other, that whatever lay within them was readily to be difcerned. The tent was perfectly illuminated by a great number of torches made of fplinters cut from the pine or birch tree, which the Indians held in their hands. In t i»5 ] In a few minutes the prieft entered ; when an amazing large elk's fkin being fpread on the ground, juft at my feet, he laid himlelf down upon it, after having ftript himfelf of every garment except that which he wore clofe about his middle. Being now proftrate on his back, he firft laid hold of one fide of the fkin, and folded it over him, and then the other; leaving only his head uncovered. This was no fooner done, than two of the young men who flood by took about forty yards of ftrong cord, made alfo of an elk's hide, and rolled it tight round his body, fo that he was completely fwathed within the fkin. Being thus bound up like an Egyptian Mummy, one took him by the heels, and the other by the head, and lifted him over the pales into the inclo- fure. I could now alfo difcern him as plain as I had hitherto done, and I took care not to turn my eyes a moment from the object before me, that I might the more readily detect the artifice, for fuch I doubted not but that it would turn out to be. The prieft had not lain in this fituation more than a few feconds, when he began to [ M« ] to mutter. This he continued to do for fome time, and then by degrees grew louder and louder, till at length he fpoke articulately ; however what he uttered was in fuch a mixed jargon of the Chipeway, Ottawaw, and Killiflinoe languages, that I could underftand but very little of it. Having continued in this tone for a con- iiderable while, he at lafr. exerted his voice to its utmoft pitch, fometimes raving and fometimes praying, till he had worked himfelf into fuch an agitation, that he foamed at his mouth. After having remained near three quar- ters of an hour in the place, and conti- nued his vociferation with' unabated vigor, he feemed to be quite exhaufted, and re- mained fpeechlefs. But in an inftant he iprung upon his feet, notwithftanding at the time he was put in, it appeared impof- fible for him to move either his legs or arms, and making oft his covering, as quick as if the bands with which it had been bound were burned afunder, he be- gan to addrefs thofe who flood around in a firm and audible voice. " My Brothers," faid he, " the Great Spirit has deigned " to hold a Talk with his fervant at my " earnefl [ I2 7 ] *' earneft. requeft. He has not, indeed, " told me when the perfons we expect " will be here, but to-morrow, foon after " the fun has reached his higheft point in " the heavens, a canoe will arrive, and " the people in that will inform us when " the traders will come." Having faid this, he ftepped out of the inclofure, and after he had put on his robes,, dif- mifled the anembly. I own I was greatly aftoniihed at what I had feen, but as I obferved that every eye in the company was fixed on me with a view to difcover my fentiments, 1 carefully concealed every emotion. The next day the fun (hone bright, and long before noon all the Indians were gather- ed together on the eminence that overlooked the lake. The old king came to me and afked me, whether I had fo much confi- dence in what the prieft had foretold, as to join his people on the hill, and wait for the completion of it ? I told him that I was at a lois what opinion to form of the prediction, but that I would readily attend him. On this we walked together to the place where the others were ailcm- bled. Every eye was again fixed by turns on [ '*« j on me and on the lake ; when juft as the fun had reached his zenith, agreeable to what the prieft had foretold, a canoe came round a point of land about a league dis- tant. The Indians no fooner beheld it$ than they fent up an univerfal fhout, and by their looks feemed to triumph in the intereft their prieft thus evidently had with the Great Spirit. In lefs than an hour the canoe reached the fhore, when I attended the king and chiefs to receive thofe who were on board. As foon as the men were landed, we walked all together to the king's tent, where according to their invariable cuftom we began tofmoke ; and this we did, not- withftanding our impatience to know the tidings they brought, without afking any queftions ; for the Indians are the moft deliberate people in the world. However* after fome trivialconverfation, the king in- quired of them whether they had feen any thing of the traders ? the men replied, that they had parted from them a few days be- fore, and that they propofed being here the fecond day from the prefent. They* accordingly arrived at that time greatly to our fatisfadion, but more particularly fo [ 120 ] ib to that of the Indians, who found by this event the importance both of their prieft and of their nation, greatly aug- mented in the fight of a ftranger. This ftory I acknowledge appears to carry with it marks of great credulity in the relator. But no one is lefs tinctured with that weaknefs than myfelf. The circumftances of it I own are of a very extraordinary nature ; however, as I can vouch for their being free from either ex- aggeration or milreprefentation, being my- felf a cool and difpaffionate obferver of them all, I thought it neceffary to give them to the public. And this I do with- out wifhing to miflead the judgment of my readers, or to make any fuperftitious impreffions on their minds, but leaving them to draw from it what conclulions they pleafe. I have already obferved that the Af- finipoils, with a party of whom I met here, are a revolted band of the Nau- doweffies; who on account of fome real or imagined grievances, for the Indians in general are very tenacious of their liberty, had feparated themfelves from their countrymen, and fought for free- I • dom t *3<> 1 dom at the expence of their eale. For the country they now inhabit about the borders of Lake Winnepeek, being much farther north, is not near fo fertile or agreeable as that they have relinquished. They ftill retain the language and man- ners of their former affociates. The Killiftinoes, now the neighbour* and allies of the Affinipoils, for they alfo dwell near the fame Lake and on the waters of the River Bourbon, appear to have been originally a tribe of the Chipe- ways, as they ipeak their language, though in a different dialect. Their na- tion coniifts of about three or four hun- dred warriors, and they feem to be a hardy brave people. 1 have already given an account of their country when I treated of Lake Winnepeek. As they refide within the limits of Hudfon's Bay, they generally trade at the factories which be- long to that Company, but, for the reafons mentioned before, they frequently come to the place where I happened to join them, in order to meet the traders from Michillimackinac. The anxiety I had felt on account of the trailers delay, was not much alleviated by [ I 3 I ] by their arrival. I again found my ex- pectations difappo: it. i, for I was not able to procure the goods I wanted from any of them. I was therefore obliged to give over my defigns, and return to the place from whence I firit, began my extenfive circuit. I accordingly took leave of the old king of the Killiftinoes, with the chiefs of both bands, and departed. This prince was upwards of fixty years of age, tall and (lightly made, but he carried himfelf very erect. He- was of a courte- ous, affable difpofition, and treated me, as did all the chiefs, with great civi- lity. I obferved that this people flill conti- nued a cuftom, that appeared to have been univerfal before any of them became ac- quainted with the Manners of the Euro- peans, that of complimenting ftrangers with the company of their wives ; and this is not only practil-d by the lower ranks, but by the chiefs themfelves, who eileem it the greateft proof of courteiy they can give a ftranger. The beginning of October, after hav- ing coafted round the north and eaft bor- ders of Lake Superior, I arrived at Ca- I 2 dot's [ *>* ] dot's Fort, which adjoins to the Falls of St. Marie, and is fituated near the fouth- weft corner of it. Lake Superior, formerly termed the Upper Lake from its northern fituation, is fo called on account of its being fuperior in magnitude to any of the lakes on that vaft continent. It might juftly be termed the Cafpian of America, and is fuppofed to be the largefr. body of frefh water on the globe. Its circumference, according to the French charts, is about fifteen hundred miles ; but I believe, that if it was coafted round, and the utmoft extent of every bay taken, it would exceed fix- teen hundred. After I firft entered it from Goddard's River on the weft bay, I coafted near twelve hundred miles of the north and eafl: fhores of it, and obferved that the greatefr. part of that extenfive track was bounded by rocks and uneven ground. The water in general appeared to lie on a bed of rocks. When it was calm, and the fun (hone bright, I could fit in my canoe, where the depth was upwards of fix fathoms, and plainly fee huge piles of ftone at the bottom, of different fhapes, fome E l 33 ] fome of which appeared as if they were hewn. The water at this time was as pure and tranfparent as air ; and my canoe feemed as if it hung fufpended in that element. It was impoifible to look attentively through this limpid medium at the rocks below, without rinding, be- fore many minutes were elapfed, your head fwim, and your eyes no longer able to behold the dazzling fcene. I difcovered alfo by accident another extraordinary property in the waters of this lake. Though it was in the month of July that I palled over it, and the furface of the. water, from the heat of the fuper- ambient air, impregnated with no fmall degree of warmth, yet on letting down a cup to the depth of about a fathom, the water drawn from thence was lo exceflive- ly cold, that it had the fame effect when received into the mouth as ice. The lituation of this lake is varioufly laid down ; but from the moft exact ob- fervations I could make, it lies between forty-iix and fifty degrees of north lati- tude, and between eighty-four and nine- ty-three degrees of weft longitude from' the meridian of London. I 3 There [ m 3 There are many iflands in this lake, two of which are very large ; and if the land of them is proper for cultivation, there appears to be fufficient to form on each a confiderable province; efpecially on Ille Royal, which cannot be lefs than an hundred miles long, and in many places forty broad. But there is no way at prefent of afcertaining the exacl: length or breadth of either. Even the French, who always kept a fmajl fchooner on this lake whilfl they were in poffeflion of Ca- nada, by which they could have made this diicovery, have only acquired a flight knowledge of the external parts of thefe Hlands ; at leafr. they have never pub- limed any account of the internal parts of them, that I could get intelligence of. Nor was I able to difcover from aay of the converfations which I held with the neighbouring Indians, that they had ever made any fettlements on them, or even landed there in their hunting excur- sions. From what I could gather by their flifcourfe, they fuppofe them to have been, from their firft information, the re- sidence of the Great Spirit; and relate many f 13s ] many ridiculous ftories of enchantment and magical tricks that had been experi- enced by fuch as were obliged through ftrefs of weather to take fhelter on them. One of the Chipeway chiefs told me, that fome of their people being once dri- ven on the ifland of Mauropas, which lies towards the north-eaft part of the lake, found on it large quantities of a heavy mining yellow fand, that from their de- fcription mufl have been gold duft. Be- ing (truck with the beautiful appearance of it, in the morning, when they re- entered their canoe, they attempted to bring fome away ; but a fpirit of an amazing fize, according to their account (ixty feet in height, ftrode into the water after them, and commanded them to deliver back what they had taken away. Terri- fied at his gigantic ftature, and feeing that he had nearly overtaken them, they were glad to reftore their mining treafure ; on which they were furTered to depart with- out further moleftation. Since this in- cident, no Indian that has ever heard of it, will venture near the fame haunted cqaft. Befides this, they recounted to I 4 m? t '36 3 me many other {lories of thefe iflands, equally fabulous. The country on the north and eafl parts of Lake Superior is very moun- tainous and barren. The weather being intenfely cold in the winter, and the fun having but little power in the fummer, vegetation there is very flow; and confe- quently but little fruit is to be found on its more. It however produces fome few fpecies in great abundance. Whirtle-ber- ries of an uncommon fize, and fine fla- vour, grow on the mountains near the lake in amazing quantities; as do black currants and goofberries in the fame lux- uriant manner. But the fruit which exceeds all the others, is a berry refembling a rafberry in its manner of growth, but of a lighter red, and much larger ; its tafte is far more de- licious than the fruit I have compared it to, notwithstanding that is fo highly efteemed in Europe : it grows on a fhrub of the nature of a vine, with leaves fimi- lar to thole of the grape ; and I am per- fuadcd that was it transplanted into a warmer and more kindly climate, it would prove a moft rare and delicious fruit. Two [ l 37 ] Two very large rivers empty them- felves into this lake, on the north and north-eaft. fide ; one is called the Nipe- gon River, or, as the French pronounce it, the Allanipegon, which leads to a band of the Chipeways, inhabiting a lake of the fame name, and the other is termed the Michipicooton River, the fource of which is iituated towards James's Bay, from whence there is but a mort carriage to another river, which empties itfelf into that bay, at a fort belonging to the Company. It was by this paflage that a party of French from Michillimackinac invaded the fettlements of that Society in the reign of queen Anne. Having taken and deftroyed their forts, they brought the cannon which they found in, them to the fortrefs from whence they had iflued : thefe were fmall brafs pieces, and remain there to this prelent time ; having, through the ufual revolutions of fortune, returned to the poffeffion of their former matters. Not far from the Nipegon is a fmall river, that, juft before it enters the lake, has a perpendicular fall from the top of a mountain, of more than fix hundred feet. Being c m i Being very narrow, it appears at a diftance like a white garter fufpended in the air. A few Indians inhabit round the eaftern borders of this lake, fuppofed to be the remains df the Algonkins, who formerly pofleflcd this country, but who have been nearly extirpated by the Iroquois of Ca- nada. Lake Superior has near forty ri- vers that fall into it, fome of which are of a considerable fize. On the fouth fide of it is a remarkable point or cape, of about fixty miles in length, called Point Chegomegan. It might as properly be termed a peninfula, as it is nearly fepa- rated from the continent, on the eaft fide, by a narrow bay that extends from eaft to weft. Canoes have but a Ihort portage acrofs the ifthmus, whereas if they coaft it round, the voyage is more than an hundred miles. About that diftance to the weft of the cape juft defcribed, a conliderable river falls into the lake, the head of which is compoied of a great aflemblage of fmalj ftreams. This river is remarkable for the abundance of virgin copper that is found on and near its banks. A metal which [ *39 3 which is met with alfo in f^veral other places on this coaft. I obferved that many of the fmall iflands, particularly thofe on the eaftern mores, were covered with copper ore. They appeared like beds of copperas, of which many tuns lay in a fmall fpace. A company of adventurers from Eng- land began, foon after the conqueft. of Canada, to bring away fome of this metal, but the diftra&ed Situation of affairs in Ame- rica has obliged them to relinquish their fcheme. It might in future times be made a very advantageous trade, as the metal which cofts nothing on the fpot, and requires but little expence to get it on board, could be conveyed in boats or ca- noes through the Falls of St. Marie to the Hie of St. Jofeph, which lies at the bottom of the Straights near the entrance into Lake Huron ; from thence it might be put on board larger veffels, and in them tranfported acrofs that lake to the Falls of Niagara ; there being carried by land acrofs the Portage, it might be con- veyed without much more obflru&ion to Quebec. The cheapnefs and eafe with which any quantity of it may be pro- cured, t »*• ] cured, will make up for the length of way that it is neceflary to tranfport it be- fore it reaches the fea-coaft, and enable the proprietors to fend it to foreign mar" kets on as good terms as it can be ex- ported from other countries. Lake Superior abounds with variety of fifh, the principal and bell: are the trout and fturgeon, which may be caught at almoft any feafon in the greateft abun- dance. The trouts in general weigh about twelve pounds, but fome are caught that exceed fifty. Befides thefe, a fpe- .cies of white fifh is taken in great quantities here, that refemble a (had in their fhape, but they are rather thicker, and lefs bony ; they weigh about four pounds each, and are of a delicious tafte. The beft. way of catching thefe fifh is with a net ; but the trout might be taken at all times with the hook. There are likewife many forts of fmaller fifh in great plenty here, and which may be taken with eafe ; among thefe is a fort refembling a herring, that are generally made ufe of as a bait for the trout. Very fmall crabs, not larger than half a crown piece, are found both in this and Lake Michegan. This t Hi ] This lake is as much affected by (forms as the Atlantic Ocean ; the waves run as high, and are equally as dangerous to mips. It difcharges its waters from the fouth-eaft corner, through the Straights of St. Marie. At the upper end of thefe Straights ftands a fort that receives its name from them, commanded by Monf. Cadot, a French Canadian, who being proprietor of the foil, is ftill permitted to keep poffeffion of it. Near this fort is a very ftrong rapid, againft which, though it is impoffible for canoes to afcend, yet when conducted by careful pilots, they might pafs down without danger. Though Lake Superior, as I have be- fore obferved, is.fupplied by near forty ri- vers, many of which are coniiderable ones, yet it does not appear that one-tenth part of the waters which are conveyed into it by thefe rivers are carried off at this eva- cuation. How fuch a fuperabundance of water can be difpofed of, as it muff cer- tainly be by fome means or other, with- out which the circumference of the lake would be continually enlarging, I know not : that it does not empty itfelf, as the Mediterranean Sea is fuppofed to do, by an [ 1*2 '] an under current, which perpetually counteracts that near the furface, is cer- tain ; for the ftream which falls over the rock is not more than five or fix feet in depth > and the whole of it pafTes on through the Straight into the adjacent lake; nor is it piobable that fo great a quantity can be abibrbed by exhalations; confequently they muft. find a paflage through fome fubterranean cavities, deep^ unfathomable, and never tc be explored. The Falls of St. Marie do not defcend perpendicularly as thofe of Niagara or St* Anthony do, but con "it of a Rapid which continues near three quarters of a mile* over which canoes well piloted might pafs. At the bottom of thefe Falls, nature has formed a mod: commodious ltation for catching the fim which are to be found there in immenfe quantities. Perfons ftanding on the rocks that lie adjacent ta it, may take with dipping nets, about the months of September and October, the white fifh before- mentioned ; at that feaibn, together with feveral other fpe- cies, they croud up to this fpot in fuch amazing fhoals, that enough may be taken to iupply, when properly cured, thou- [ H3 ] thoufands of inhabitants throughout the year. The Straights of St. Marie are about forty miles long, bearing fouth-eafl:, but varying much in their breadth. The. current between the Falls and Lake Hu- ron is not fo rapid as might be expected, nor do they prevent the navigation of mips of burden as far up as the ifland of St, Jofeph. It has been obferved by travellers that the entrance into Lake Superior, from thefe Straights, affords one of the moil: plealing profpects in the world. The place in which this might be viewed to the greateil: advantage, is juft at the open- ing of the lake, from whence may be feen on the left, many beautiful little iflands that extend a considerable way be- fore you ; and on the right, an agreeable fucceffion of fmall points of land, that project a little way into the water, and contribute, with the iflands, to render this delightful bafon (as it might be termed) calm and fecure from the ravages of thofe tempeftuous winds by which the adjoin- ing lake is frequently troubled. Lake • [ H4 ] Lake Huron, into which you now en- ter from the Straights of St. Marie, is the next in magnitude to Lake Superior; It lies between forty-two and forty-fix de- grees of north latitude, and feventy-nine and eighty-five degrees of weft longitude. Its fhape is nearly triangular, and its circumference about one thoufand miles* On the north fide of it lies an ifland that is remarkable for being near an hun- dred miles in length, and no more than eight miles broad. This ifland is known by the name of Manataulin, which figni- fies a Place of Spirits, and is confidered by the Indians as facred as thofe already mentioned in Lake Superior. About the middle of the fouth-weft fide of this lake is Saganaum Bay. The capes that feparate this bay from the lake* are about eighteen miles diftant from each other; near the middle of the intermediate fpace ftand two iflands, which greatly tend to facilitate the paflage of canoes and fmall veflels, by affording them fhelter, as with- out this fecurity it would not be prudent to venture acrofs fo wide a fea ; and the coaft- ing round the bay would make the voyage long and tedious. This bay is about eighty [ '45 ] • •eighty miles in length, and in general about eighteen or twenty miles broad. Nearly half way between Saganaum Bay and the north-well: corner of the lake lies another, which is termed Thunder Bay. The Indians, who have frequented thefe parts from time immemorial, and every European traveller that has pafled through it, have unanimouily agreed to call it by this name, on account of the continual thunder they have always ob- ferved here. The bay is about nine miles broad, and the fame in, length, and whilfi I was palling over it, which took me up near twenty-four hours, it thun- dered and lightened during the greatefl part of the time to an exceflive degree. There appeared to be no vifible reaibn for this that I could difcover, nor the country in general fubject to thunder ; the hills that ftood around were not of a remarkable height, neither did the exter- nal parts of them feem to be covered with any fulphureous iubftance. But as this phenomenon muff, originate from ibme natural caufe, I conjecture that the mores of the bay, or the adjacent moun- tains, are either impregnated with an un- K common common quantity of fulphureous matter* or contain fome metal or mineral apt to attract in a great degree the electrical particles that are hourly borne over them by the paffant clouds. But the folution of this, and thofe other philofophical re- marks which cafually occur throughout thefe pages, I leave to the difcuffion of abler heads. The fifh in Lake Huron are much the fame as thoie in Lake Superior. Some of the land on its banks is very fertile, and proper for cultivation, but in other parts it is fhndy and barren. The promon- tory that feparates this lake from Lake Michegan, is compoled of a vaft plain, upwards of one hundred miles long, but varying in its breadth, being from ten to fifteen miles broad. This track, as I have before obferved, is divided into almofr, an equal portion between the Ottowaw and Chipeway Indians. At the north-eafr. corner this lake has a communication with Lake Michegan, by the Straights of Mi- chillimackinac already defcribed. I had like to have omitted a very ex- traordinary circumftance relative to thefe Straights. According to obfervations made by the French, whilfl they were in pofleflion i m ] pofleflion of the fort, although there is no diurnal flood or ebb to be perceived in thefe waters, yet frorr^ an exact attention to their flate, a periodical alteration in them has been diicovered. It was ob- ferved that they arofe by gradual, but al- moft imperceptible degrees till they had reached the height of about three feet. This was accomplifhed in feven years and a half ; and in the fame fpace they as gently decreafed, till they had reached their former fituation ; fo that in fifteen years they had completed this inexplica- ble revolution. At the time I was there the truth of thefe obfervations could not be confirmed by the Engliih, as they had then been only a few years in poffeffion of the fort ; but they all agreed that fome alteration in the limits of the Straights was apparent. All thefe lakes are fo af- fected by the winds, as fometimes to have the appearance of a tide, according as they happen to blow, but this is only tempo- rary and partial. A great number of the Chipeway In- dians live fcattered around this lake, par- ticularly near Saganaum Bay. On its banks are found an amazing quantity K 2 Of [ i 4 s ] of the fand cherries, and in the adjacent country nearly the fame fruits as thofe that grow about the other lakes. From the Falls of St. Marie I leifurely proceeded back to Michillimackinac, and arrived there the beginning of November 1767, having been fourteen months on this extenfive tour, travelled near four thoufand miles, and vifited twelve nations of Indians lying to the wefl: and north of this place. The winter fetting in foon after my arrival, I was obliged to tarry there till the June following, the naviga- tion over Lake Huron for large vefTels not being open, on account of the ice, till that time. Meeting here with fociable company, I paffed thefe months very agreeably, and without finding the hours tedious. One of my chief amufements was that of fifhing for trouts . Though the S traights were covered with ice, we found means to make holes thro' it, and letting down ftrong lines of fifteen yards in length, to which were fixed three or four hooks baited with the fmall fim before defcribed, we fre- quently caught two at a time of forty- pounds weight each ; but the common fize [ *49 ] fize is from ten to twenty pounds. Thefe are mofl delicious food. The method of preferving them during the three months the winter generally lads, is by hanging them up in the air ; and in one night they will be frozen fo hard, that they will keep as well as if they were cured with fait. I have only pointed out in the plan of my travels the circuit I made from my leaving Michillimackinac till I arrived again at that fort. Thofe countries that lie nearer to the colonies have been fo of^ ten and fo minutely defcribed, that any further account of them would be ulelefs, I fhall therefore only give my readers in the remainder of my journal, as I at firft propofed, a defcription of the other great lakes of Canada, many of which I have navigated over, and relate at the fame time a few particular incidents that I trull: will not be found inapplicable or unentertain- ing. In June 1768 I left Michillimackinac, and returned in the Glad wy 11 Schooner, a veffel of about eighty tons burthen, over J^ake Huron to Lake St. Claire, where we left the fhip, and proceeded in boats to K 3 Detroit* [ '5° ] Detroit. This lake is about ninety miles in circumference, and by the way of Hu- ron River, which runs from the fouth corner of Lake Huron, receives the wa- ters of the three great lakes, Superior, Michegan, and Huron. Its form is ra- ther round, and in fome places" it is deep enough for the navigation of large vefTels, but towards the middle of it there is a bar of fand, which prevents thofe that are loaded from paffing over it. Such as are in ballad only may find water fuffi- cient to carry them quite through ; the cargoes, however, offuch as are freighted mull be taken out, and after being trans- ported acrofs the bar in boats, refhipped again. The river that runs from Lake St. Claire to Lake Erie (or rather the Straight, for thus might be termed from its name) is called Detroit, which is in French, the Straight. It runs nearly fouth, has a gen- tle current, and depth of water fufficient for mips of confide rable burthen. The town of Detroit is fituated on the weftern banks of this river, about nine miles be- low Lake St. Claire. Almoft [ W ] Almoft oppofite, on the eaftern more, is the village of the ancient Hurons : a tribe of Indians which has been treated of by fo many writers, that adhering to the reftri&ions I have laid myfelf under of only defcribing places and people little known, or incidents that have paffed uiir noticed by others, I mall omit giving a defcription of them. A miffionary of the order of Carthufian Friars, by permiffion of the bifhop of Canada, reiides among them. The banks of the River Detroit, both above and below thefe towns, are covered with fettlements that extend more than twenty miles ; the country being exceed- ingly fruitful, and proper for the cultiva- tion of wheat, Indian corn, oats, and peas. It has alfo many fpots of fine paflurage; but as the inhabitants, who are chiefly French that fubmitted to the Englifh government after the conqueil of thefe parts by General Amherft, are more at- tentive to the Indian trade than to farm* ing, it is but badly cultivated. The town of Detroit contains upward? pf one hundred houfes. The ftreets are fome- \vhat regular, and have a range of very con- K 4 venient [ '5* 3 venient and handfome barracks, with a fpaci- ous parade at the fouth end. On the weft fide lies the king's garden belonging to the governor, which is very well laid out and kept in good order. The fortifica- tions of the town confift of a ftrong ftockade made of round piles, fixed firmly in the ground, and lined with palifades. Thefe are defended by fome fmall baf- tions, on which are mounted a few in- different cannon of an inconsiderable fize, juft fufficient for its defence againft the Indians, or an enemy not provided with artillery. The garrifon, in time of peace, con- fines of two hundred men commanded by a field officer, who a£ls as chief magiftrate under the governor of Canada. Mr. Turnbull, captain of the 6oth regiment or Royal Americans, was commandant when I happened to be there. This gen- tleman was defervedly efteemed and re- fpecled both by the inhabitants and traders for the propriety of his conduct ; and I am happy to have an opportunity of thus publickly making my acknowledgments to him, for the civilities I received from him during my ftay. In [ 153 ] la the year 1762, in the month of July, it rained on this town and the parts adjacent, a fulphureous water of the colour and confidence of ink; fome of which being collected into bottles, and wrote with, appeared perfectly intelligible on the paper, and anfwered every purpofe of that ufeful liquid. Soon after, the In- dian wars already fpoken of, broke out in thele parts. I mean not to fay that this incident was ominous of them, not- withstanding it is well known that innu- merable well attefted inflances of extra- ordinary phenomena happening before extraordinary events, have been recorded in almoft every age by hiftorians of vera- city ; I only relate the eircumftance as a fact of which I was informed by many perfons of undoubted probity, and leave my readers, as I have hitherto done, to draw their own conclufions from it. Pontiac, under whom the party that furprifed Fort Michillimackinac, as related in the former part of this work, acted, was an enterpriting chief or head-warrior of the Miames. During the late war between the English and the French he had been a fteady friend to the latter, and [ '54 ] and continued his inveteracy to the for- mer even after peace had been concluded between thefe two nations. Unwilling to put an end to the depredations he had been fo long engaged in, he collected an army of confederate Indians, confirm- ing of the nations before enumerated, with an intention to renew the war. However, inftead of openly attacking the Engliih fettlements, he laid a fcheme for taking by furprize thofe forts on the ex- tremities which they had lately gained pofleffion of. How well the party he detached to, take Fort Michillimackinac fucceeded, the Reader already knows. To get into his hands Detroit, a place of greater confe- quence, and much better guarded, re- quired greater reiblution, and more con- fummate art. He of courfe took the management of this expedition on himfelf, and drew near it with the principal body of his troops. He was however pre- vented from carrying his defigns into, execution by an apparently trivial and unforefeen circumftanee. On fuch does the fate of mighty Empires frequently depend ! The t *S5 1 The town of Detroit, when Pontine formed his plan, was garrifoned by about three hundred men commanded by Major Gladwyn, a gallant officer. As at that time every appearance of war was at an end, and the Indians feemed to be on a friendly footing, Pontiac approached the Fort without exciting any fuipicions in the bread: of the governor or the inhabitants. He encamped at a little diftance from it, and lent to let the commandant know that he was come to trade; and being defirous of brightening the chain of peace between the Englifh and his nation, defired that he and his chiefs may be admitted to hold a council with him. The governor ftill unfufpicious, and not in the leafr. doubting the fincerity of the Indians, granted their general's requeft, and fixed on the next morning for their recep- tion. The evening of that day, an Indian woman who had been employed by Major Gladwyn to make him a pair of Indian Ihoes, out of curious elk-nan, brought them home. The Major was fo plealed with them, that, intending thefe as a prefent for a friend, he ordered her to take [ '56 ] take the remainder back, and make it into others for himfelf. He then directed his fervant to pay her for thofe fhe had done, and difmifled her. The woman went to the door that led to the flreet, but no further ; lhe there loitered about as if me had not fmifhed the bufinefs on which fhe came. A fervant at length obferved her, and alked her why fhe ftaid there ; fhe gave him, however, no an-f fwer. Some (hort time after, the governor himfelf faw her ; and enquired of his fervant what occafioned her ftay. Not being able to get a fatisfactory anfwer, he ordered the woman to be called in. When fhe came into his prefence he de-? fired to know what was the reafon of her loitering about, and not haftening home before the gates were fhut, that {he might complete in due time the work he had given her to do. She told him, after mich hefitation, that as he had always behaved with great goodnefs towards her, ihe was unwilling to take away the re- mainder of the fkin, becaufe he put fo great a value upon it; and yet had not been able to prevail upon herfelf to tell him [ '57 3 him fo. He then afked her, why fhe was more reluctant to do fo now, than fhe had been when fhe made the former pair. With increased reluctance fhe an- fwered, that fhe never mould be able to bring them back. His curiofity being now excited, he infifted on her difclofing to him the fecret that feemed to be ftruggling in her bofom for utterance. At lalt, on receiving a promife that the intelligence fhe was about to give him fhould not turn to her prejudice, and that if it appeared to be beneficial fhe fhould be rewarded for it, fhe informed him, that at the council to be held with the Indians the following day, Pontiac and his chiefs intended to murder him ; and after having maflacred the garrifon and inhabitants, to plunder the town. That for this purpofe all the chiefs who were to be admitted into the council-room had cut their guns fhort, fo that they could conceal them under their blankets; with which, at a fignal given by their general on delivering the belt, they were all to rife up, and in- ftantly to fire on him and his attendants. Having effected this they were immedi- ately [ '58 ] ately to rum into the town, where they would find themfelves fupported by a great number of their warriors, that were to come into it during the fitting of the council, under pretence of trading, but privately armed in the fame manner. Having gained from the woman every neceflary particular relative to the plot, and alio the means by which me acquired a knowledge of them, he difmiffed her with injunctions of fecrecy, and a pro- mife of fulfilling on his part with punc- tuality the engagements he had entered into. The intelligence the governor had juft received, gave him great uneafinefs ; and he immediately confulted the officer who was next to him in command on the fub- ject. But that gentleman confidering the information as a flory invented for fome artful purpofes, adviied him to pay no attention to it. This conclufion how- ever had happily no weight with him. He thought it prudent to conclude it to be true, till he was convinced that it was not ib; and therefore, without revealing his iufpicions to any other perfon, he took every needful precaution that the time [ *S9 ] time would admit of. He walked round the fort 'during the whole night, and law himfelf that every centinel was on duty, and every weapon of defence in proper order. As he traverfed the ramparts which lay neareft to the Indian camp, he heard them in high feftivity, and, little imagin- ing that their plot was difcovered, pro- bably pleafing themfelves with the an- ticipation of their fuccefs. As foon as the morning dawned, he ordered all the garrifbn under arms; and then imparting his apprehenfions to a few of the principal officers, gave them fuch directions as he thought neceflary. At the fame time he fent round to all the traders, to inform them, that as it was expected a great number of Indians would enter the town that day, who might be inclined to plunder, he delired they would have their arms ready, and repel every attempt of that kind. About ten o'clock, Pontiac and his chiefs arrived ; and were conducted to the council-chamber where the governor and his principal officers, each with pii- tols in their belts, awaited his arrival. As [ i6 ° ] As the Indians paffed on, they could not help obferving that a greater number of troops than ufual were drawn up on the parade, or marching about. No fooner were they entered, and feated on the ikins prepared for them, than Pontiac aiked the governor on what occalion his young men, meaning the foldiers, were thus drawn up, and parading the ftreets. He received for anfwer, that it was only intended to keep them perfect in their exercife. The Indian chief-warrior now began his fpeech, which contained the ftrongeft profeffions of friendfhip and good-will to- wards the Englifh ; and when he came to the delivery of the belt of wampum, the particular mode of which, according to the woman's information, was to be the fignal for his chiefs to fire, the go- vernor and all his attendants drew their fwords half-way out of their fcabbards ; and the foldiers at the fame inflant made a clattering with their arms before the doors, which had been purpofely left open. Pontiac, though one of the boldefr. of men, immediately turned pale, and trembled ; and inftead of giving the belt ia [ 161 ] in. the manner propofed, delivered it ac- cording to the ufual way. His chiefs, who had impatiently expected the flgnal, looked at each other with aftonifhment, but Continued quiet, waiting the relult. The governor in his turn made a fpeech ; but inftead of thanking the great warrior for the profeffions of friendihip he had jufr. uttered, he accufed him of being a traitor. He told him that the Engliih, who knew every thing, were convinced of his treachery and villainous defigns ; and as a proof that they were well acquainted with his moll iccret thoughts and intentions, he ftepped towards the Indian chief that fat neareft to him, and drawing afide his blanket difcovered the mortened firelock. This entirely difcon- certed the Indians, and fruftrated their deiign. He then continued to tell them, that as he had given his word at the time they deiired an audience, that their per- fons mould be fafe, he would hold his promife inviolable, though they fo little deferved it. However he advifed them to make the Leil of their way out of the fort, left his young men, on being ac- L quainted [ !«* 3 quainted with their treacherous purpofes* mould cut every one of them to pieces. Pontiac endeavoured to contradict the accu- sation, and to make excufes for his fufpici- ous conduct ; but the governor, Satisfied of the faliity of his protections, would not liften to him. The Indians immedi- ately left the fort, but inftead of being fenfible of the governor's generous beha- viour, they threw off the mafk, and the next day made a regular attack upon it. Major Gladwyn has not efcaped cen- fure for this miftaken lenity ; for pro- bably had he kept a few of the principal chiefs prifoners, whilft he had them in his power, he might have been able to have brought the whole confederacy to terms, and have prevented a war. But he atoned for this overfight, by the gal- lant defence he made for more than a year, amidft a variety of difcourage- ments. During that period fome very fmart fkirrm(he§ happened between th- befiegers and the garrilon, of which the following was the principal and moft. bloody. Cap- tain Delzel, a brave officer, prevailed on the governor to give him the command of about [ '6.-3 ] about two hundred men, and to permit him to attack the enemy's camp. This being complied with, he {allied from the town before day-break ; but Pontiac, re- ceiving from fome of his fwift-footed warriors, who were conftantly employed in watching the motions of the garrifon, timely intelligence of their defign, he collected together the choicefr. of his troops, and met the detachment at fome diflance from his camp, near a place fince called Bloody-Bridge. As the Indians were vaftly fuperior in numbers to cap- tain Delzel's party, he was foon over- powered and driven back. Being now nearly furrounded, he made a vigorous effort to regain the bridge he had jufl croffed, by which alone he could find a retreat ; but in doing this he loft his life, and many of his men fell with him* However, Major Rogers, the fecond in command, amfted by Lieutenant Breham, found means to draw off the mattered re- mains of their little army, and conducted them into the fort. Thus confiderably reduced, it was with difficulty the major could defend the town ; notwithstanding which, he held L 2 out [ '6 4 ] out againtl the Indians till he was re- lieved, as after this they made but few at- tacks on the place, and only continued to blockade it. The Gladwyn Schooner (that in which I afterwards took my paffage from Michil- limackinac to Detroit, and which I fince learn was loll with all her crew on Lake Erie, through the obftinacy of the com- mander, who could not be prevailed upon to take in fufficient ballaft) arrived about this time near the town with a re-in- forcement and neceflary fupplies. But before this veffel could reach the place of its deiTination, it was mofr. vigorcuilv at- tacked by a detachment from Pontiac's army. The Indians furrounded it in their canoes, and made great havock among the caw. At length the captain of the ichooner with a confiderable number of his men being killed, and the lavages be- ginning to climb up its fides from every quarter, the lieutenant (Mr. Jacobs, who afterwards commanded, and was loft in it) being determined that the ftores mould not fall into the enemy's hands, and fee- ing no other alternative, ordered the gun- tier to let fire to the powder room, and blovv- [ >65 ] blow the fhip up. This order was on the point of being executed, when a chief of the Hurons, who underftood the Eng- lish language, gave out to his friends the intention of the commander. On receiv- ing this intelligence the Indians hurried down the fides of the fhip with the greateft precipitation, and got as far from it as poffible ; whilft the commander im- mediately took advantage of their confter- nation, and arrived without any further obdruclion at the town. This fealonable fupply gave the garri- fon frefh fpirits ; and Pontiac being now convinced that it would not be in his power to reduce the place, propofed an accommodation ; the governor wiming as much to get rid of fuch troublefome ene- mies, who obftructed the intercourle of the traders with the neighbouring nations, liftened to his propolals, and having pro- cured advantageous terms, agreed to a peace. The Indians ibon aft.-r lep.irat d, a turned to thdr different provinces ; nor have they iince thought proper to uuturb, at lead; in any great degree, the tran- quillity of theie parts. L 3 Pontiac [ '66 ] Pontiac henceforward feemed to have laid afide the animoiity he had hitherto borne towards the Englifh, and appa- rently became their zealous friend. To reward this new attachment, and to in- fure a. continuance of it, government al- lowed him a handfome penfion. But his reftlcfs and intriguing fpirit would not fufTer him to be grateful for this allow- ance, and his conduct at length grew fufpicious ; fo* that going, in the year 1767, to hold a council in the country of the Illinois, a faithful Indian, ! who was either commifiioned by one of the Englifh governors, or mitigated by the love he bore the Englifh nation, attended him as a fpy; and being convinced from the fpeech Pontiac made in the council that he ftill retained his former prejudices again It thole for whom he now profeffed a friendiTiip, he plunged his knife into his heart, as loon as he had done lpeaking, and laid him dead on the fpot. But to return from this digreffion. Lake Erie receives the waters by which it is fupplied from the three great lakes, through the Straights of Detroit, that lip at its north-weft corner. This lake is fituated [ '6 7 ] fituated between forty-one and forty- three degrees of north latitude, and between feventy-eight and eighty-three degrees of weft longitude. It is near three hundred miles long from eaft to weft, and about forty in its broadeft part : and a remarkable long narrow point lies on its north fide, that projects for feveral miles into the lake towards the fbuth-eaft. There are feveral iflands near the weft end of it fo infefted with rattle- fnakes, that it is very dangerou ; to land on them. It is impoilible that any place can produce a greater number of all kinds of theie rep- tiles than this does, particularly of the water-fnake. The lake is covered near the banks of the iflands with the large pond-lily ; the leaves of which lie on the iurface of the water fo thick, as to cover it entirely for many acres together ; and on each of theie lay, when I pafTed over it, wreaths ot water-lnakes balking in the fun, which amounted to myriads. The moft remarkable of the different fpecies that infeft this lake, is the hiffing- ihake, which is of the fmail fpeckl-jd kind, and about eighteen inches long. \Vhen any thing approaches, it flattens L 4 itfeif [ ««S ] itfelf in a moment, and its fpots, which are of various dyes, become vifibly brighter through rage ; at the fame time it blows from its mouth with great force a fubtile wind, that is reported to be of a naufeous fmell; and if drawn in with the breath of the unwary traveller, will infallibly bring on a decline, that in a few months muff, prove mortal, there being no remedy yet difcovered which can counteract its bane- ful influence. The {tones and pebbles on the mores of- this lake are mofr. of them tinged, in a greater or lefs degree, with fpots that re- kmble brafs in their colour, but w inch are of a fulphurtous nature. Small pieces, about the lize of hazle-nnts, of the fame kind of ore are found on the lands that lie on its banks, and under the water. The navigation of this lake is efteemed more dangerous than any of the others on account of many high lands that lie on the borders of it, and project into the water in a perpendicular direction for many miles together ; fo that whenever iudden ftorms arife, canoes and boats are frequently loft, as there is no place for them to find a fhelter, This [ i«9 J This lake difcharges its waters at the north-eaft end, into the River Niagara, which runs north and fouth, and is about thirty-iix miles in length ; from whence it falls into Lake Ontario. At the en- trance of this river, on its eaftern more, lies fort Niagara ; and, about eighteen miles further up, thofe remarkable Falls which are dtecmed one of the moft extra- ordinary productions of nature at pre- fent known. As thefe have been vifited by fo many travellers, and fo frequently defcribed, I fhall omit giving a particular defcriptioa of them, and only obferve, that the wa- ters by which they are fupplied, after taking their rife near two thoufand miles to the north-weft, and pairing through the Lakes Superior, Michegan, Huron, and Erie, during which they have been receiving conitant accumulations, at length rufh down a ftupendous precipice of one hundred and forty feet perpendicular ; and in a ftrong rapid, that extends to the diftance of eight or nine miles below, fall nearly as much more : this River fbon af- ter empties itfeif into Lake Ontario. The [ 1 7° 3 The noife of thefe Falls might be heard an amazing way. I could plainly diftinguifh them in a calm morning more than twenty miles. Others have faid that at particular times, and when the wind fits fair, the found of them reaches fifteen leagues. The land about the Falls is exceedingly hilly and uneven, but the greateft part of that on the Niagara River is very good, especially for grafs and pafturage. Fort Niagara ftands nearly at the en- trance of the weft end of Lake Ontario, and on the eaft part of the Straights of Niagara. It was taken from the French in the year 1759 by the forces under the command of Sir William Johnfon, and at prefent is defended by a confiderable. garrifon. Lake Ontario is the next, and lead: of the five great lakes of Canada. Its iitua- tion is between forty-three and forty-five degrees of latitude, and between feventy- lix and feventy-nine degrees of weft Ion-, gitude. The form of it is nearly oval, its greateft length being from north-eaft to louth-weft, and in circumference about fix hundred miles. Near the fouth-eaft part [ "7' ] part it receives the waters of the Ofwego River, and on the north-eaft difcharges itfelf into the River Cataraqui. Not far from the place where it ifiues, Fort Fron- tenac formerly ffcood, which was taken from the French during the laft war, in the year 1758, by a finall army of Pro- vincials under Colonel Bradftreet. At the entrance of Ofwego River {lands a fort of the fame name, garrifoned on! vat prefent by a:i inconliderable party. This fort was taken in the year 1756 by the French, when a great part of the garri- fon, which confifted of the late Shirley's and Pepperil's regiments, were mafiacred in cold blood by the favages. In Lake Ontario are taken many forts of fifh, among which is the Ofwego Bafs, of an excellent flavour, and weighing about three or four pounds. There is alfo a fort called the Cat-head or Pout, which are in general very large, fomeof them weigh- ing eight or ten pounds ; and they are efteemed a rare dim when properly drefTed. On the north-weft parts of this lake, and to the fouth-eaff. of Lake Huron, is a tribe of Indians called the Miffifauges, whole town is denominated Toronto, from the. [ *7» 3 the lake on which it lies, but they are not very numerous. The country about Lake Ontario, efpecially the more north and eaftern parts, is compofed of good land, and in time may make very flourifh- ing fettlements. The .Oniada Lake, fituated near the head of the River Ofwtgo, receives the waters of Wood-Creek, which takes its rife not far from the Mohawks River, Thefe two lie fo adjacent to each other, that a junction is effected by fluices at Fort Stanwix, about twelve miles from the mouth of the former. This lake is about thirty miles long from eafl to weft, and near fifteen broad. The country around it belongs to the Oniada In- dians. Lake Champlain, the next in fize to Lake Ontario, and which lies nearly eaft from it, is about eighty miles in length, north and fouth, and in its broadeft part fourteen. It is well frored with fifli, and the lands that lie on all the borders of it, or about its rivers, very good. Lake George, formerly called by the French Lake St. Sacrament, lies to the fouth- weft of the lail- mentioned Lake, and [ J 73 ] and is about thirty-five miles long from north-eaft to Couth-weft, but of no great breadth. The country around it is very mountainous, but in the vallies the land is tolerably good. When thefe two lakes were firft difco- vered, they were known by no other name than that of the Iroquois Lakes ; and I believe in the firft plans taken of thole parts were lb denominated. The Indians alfo that were then called the Iroquois, are fince known by the name of the Five Mohawk Nations, and the Mohawks of Canada. In the late war, the former, which confift of the O non- dagoes, the Oniadas, the Senecas, the Tufcarories, and the Iroondocks, fought on the fide of the Englifh : the latter, which are called the Cohnawahgans, and St. Francis Indians, joined the French. A vaft tract of land that lies between the two lad-mentioned lakes and Lake Ontario, was granted in the year 1629 by the Plymouth Company, under .a pa- tent they had received from King James I. to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and to Captain John Maibn, the head of that family, afterwards diftinguifned from others of the fame [ '74 ] fame name by the Mafons of Connecticut, The countries fpecified in this grant are faid to begin ten miles from the heads of the ri- vers that run from the eafl: and fouth into Lake George and Lake Champlain ; and continuing from thefe in a direct line wefKvard, extend to the middle of Lake Ontario ; from thence, being bounded by the Cataraqui, or the river of the Iro- quois, they take their courfe through Montreal, as far as Fort Sorell, which lies at the junction of this river with the Richlieu ; and from that point are inclofed by the laft-mentioned river till it returns back to the two lakes. This immenfe fpace was granted, by the name of the Province of Laconia, to the aforefaid gentlemen, on fpecified con- ditions, and under certain penalties ; but none of thefe amounted, in cafe of omif- lion in the fulfilment of any part of them to forfeiture, a fine only could be ex- acted. On account of the continual wars to which thefe parts have been fubjec~t, from their fituation between the lettlements of the Englifh, the French, and the Indians, this grant has been fuffered to lie dormant by [ '75 ] by the real proprietors. Notwithftanding which, feveral towns have been fettled fince the late war, on the borders of Lake Champlain, and grants made to different people by the governor of New York of part of thefe territories, which are now be- come annexed to that province. There are a great number of lakes on the north of Canada, between Labrador, Lake Superior, and Hudfon's Bay, but thefe are comparatively fmall. As they lie out of the track that I purfued, I mall only give a fummary account of them. The moft wefterly of thefe are the Lakes Nipiling and Tamilcaming. The firft lies at the head of the French river, and runs into Lake Huron ; the other on the Ot- tawaw River, which empties itlelf into the Cataraqui, at Montreal. Thefe lakes are each about one hundred miles in cir- cumference. The next is Lake Miftaffin, on the head of Rupert's River, that falls into James's Bay. This lake is fo irregular trom the large points of land by which it is interlecled on every fide, that it is diffi- cult either to deicribe its fhape, or to as- certain t «7« ] certain its £ze. It however appears on the whole to be more than two hundred miles in circumference. Lake St. John, which is about eighty miles round, and of a circular form, lies on the Saguenay River, directly north of Quebec, and falls into the St. Law- rence, fomewhat north-eaif. of that city. Lake Manikoungone lies near the head of the Black Pviver, which empties itfelf into the St. Lawrence to the eastward of the lad-mentioned river, near the coaft of Labrador, and is about fixty miles in cir- cumference. Lake Pertibi, Lake Winck- tagan, Lake Etchelaugon, and Lake Pa- penouagane, with a number of other fmall lakes, lie near the heads of the Buftard River to the north of the St. Lawrence. Many others, which it is unnecerTary to particularlize here, are alfo found between the Lakes Huron and Ontario. The whole of thofe I have enumerated, amounting to upwards of twenty, are within the limits of Canada ; and from this account it might be deduced, that the northern parts of N@rth America, through thefe numerous inland feas, con- tain t 177 ] tain a greater quantity of water than any other quarter of the globe. In October 1768 I arrived at Bofton, having been abfent from it on this expe- dition two years and five months, and during that time travelled near {even thoufand miles. From thence, as fbon as I had properly digefted my journal and charts, I fet out for England, to com- municate the difcoveries 1 had made, and to render them beneficial to the kingdom. But the profecution of my plans for reaping thefe advantages have hitherto been obftructed by the unhappy diviiions that have been fomented between Great Britain and the Colonies by their mutual enemies. Should peace once more be re- ftored, I doubt not but that the countries I have defcribed will prove a more abun- dant fource of riches to this nation than either itsEaft or Weft Indian fettlements; and I mail not only pride myielf, but fincerely rejoice in being the means of pointing out to it fo valuable an acquifi- tion. I cannot conclude the account of my extenuVe travels, without expreffing my gratitude to that beneficent Being who M invi- [ »7« ] invifibly protected me through thofe pe- rils which unavoidably attended fo long a tour among fierce and untutored fa- vages. At the fame time let me not be ac- cufed of vanity or prefumption, if I de- clare that the motives alledged in the In- troduction of this work, were not the only ones that induced me to engage in this arduous undertaking. My views were not folely confined to the advan- tages that might accrue, either to my- felf, or the community to which I be- longed; but nobler purpofes contributed principally to urge me on. The confined frate, both with regard to civil and religious improvements, in which fo many of my fellow creatures remained, aroufed within my bofom an irrefiftible inclination to explore the al- mofl unknown regions which they inha- bited ; and, as a preparatory ftep towards the introduction of more polifhed man- ners, and more humane fentiments, to gain a knowledge of their language, cuf- toms, raid principles. I confefs that the little benefit too many of the Indian nations have hi- therto [ J 79 ] therto received from their intercourfe with thofe who denominate themfelves chriftians, did not tend to encourage my charitable purpofes ; yet, as many, though not the generality, might receive fome benefit from the introduction among them of the polity and religion of the Euro- peans, without retaining only the errors or vices that from the depravity and per- verfion of their profeflbrs are unhappily attendant on thefe, I determined to per- fevere. Nor could I flatter myfelf that I mould be able to accomplifh alone this great de- fign ; however, I was willing to contri- bute as much as lay in my power to- wards it. In all public undertakings would every one do this, and /urnifh with alacrity his particular (hare to- wards it, what ftupendous works might not be completed. It is true that the Indians are not without fome fen{e of religion, and fuch as proves that they worfhip the Great Creator with a degree of purity unknown to nations who have greater opportuni- ties of improvement ; but their religious principles are far from being fo faultlefs M 2 as [ 180 ] as defcribed by a learned writer, or unmixed with opinions and ceremonies that greatly leflen their excellency in this point. So that could the doctrines "of genuine and vital chriftianity be intro- duced among them, pure and untainted as it flowed from the lips of its EXivine Inftitutor, it would certainly tend to clear away that fuperftitious or idolatrous drofs by which the rationality of their re- ligious tenets are obfcured. Its mild and beneficent precepts would likewife conduce to foften their implacable diipofitions, and to refine their lavage manners ; an event moft delirable ; and happy fhall I efleem myielf if this publication fhall prove the means of pointing out the path by which ialutary inftructions may be conveyed to them, and the converfion, though but of a few, be the confequence. Conclufion of the JOURNAL, &c. O F OF THE ... * ORIGIN, MANNERS, CUSTOMS, RELIGION, and LANGUAGE OF THE INDIANS. CHAPTER I. Of their Origin. THE means by which America re- ceived its firft Inhabitants, have, {ince the time of its difcovery by the Eu- ropeans, been the fubject of number- lefs difquifitions. Was I to endeavour to collect the different opinions and reafonings of the various writers that have taken up the pen in defence of their conjectures, the enumeration would much exceed the bounds I have prelcribed my* M 3 felf, [ ««s ] felf, and oblige me to be lefs explicit on points of greater moment. From the obfcurity in which this de- bate is enveloped, through the total dif- ufe of letters among every nation of In- dians on this exten five continent, and the uncertainty of oral tradition at the diftance of fo many ages, I fear, that even after the moft minute inveftigation we fhall not be able to fettle it with any great degree of certainty. And this ap- prehenfion will receive additional force, when it is considered that the diverfity of language which is apparently diftinct between moft of the Indians, tends to afcertain that this population was not effected from one particular country, but from feveral neighbouring ones, and com- pleted at different periods. Moft of the hiftorians or travellers that have treated on the American Aborigines diiagree in their fentiments relative to them. Many of the ancients are fup- pofed to have known that this quarter of the globe not only exifted, but alfo that it was inhabited. Plato in his Timaeus has afferted, that beyond the ifland which he calls Atalantis, and which according to his ( **3 ] his defcription was fituated in the wefleni Ocean, there were a great number ot other iflands, and behind thole a vaft Continent. Oviedo, a celebrated Spanim author of a much later date, has made no fcruple to affirm that the Antilles are the famous Hei- perides fo often mentioned by the poets; which are at length reftored to the kings of Spain, the delcendents of King Hei- perus, who lived upwards of three thou- fand years ago, and from whom thele iflands received their name. Two other Spaniards, the one Father Gregorio Garcia, a Dominican, the other, Father Jofeph De Acofta, a Jefuit, have written on the origin of the Ameri- cans. The former, who had been em- ployed in the millions of Mexico and Peru, endeavoured to prove from the traditions of the Mexicans, Peruvians, and others, which he received on the fpot, and from the variety of characters, cuftoms, languages, and religion oblerv- able in the different countries of the new world, that different nations had contributed to the peopling of it. M 4 The [ '84 ] The latter, Father De Acofta, in his examination of the means 'by which the firft Indians of America mi^ht have found a pafiage to that continent, difcredits the concluiions of thofe who have fuppofed it to be by fea, becaufe no ancient author has made mention of the com- pafs : and concludes, that it muft be either by the north of Aria and Europe, which adjoin to each other, or by thofe regions that lie to the fouth- ward of the Straights of Magellan, He alfo rejects the. aflertions of fuch as have advanced that it was peopled by the He- brews. John De Laet, a Flemiih writer, has controverted the opinions of thefe Spanifh fathers, and of many others who have written on the fame fubjecl. The hy- pothecs he endeavours to eitabliih, is, that America was certainly peopled by the Scythians or Tartars ; and that the transmigration of thefe people happened foon after the difperfion of Noah's grand- fons. He undertakes to mow, that the moll: northern Americans have a greater reiemblance, not only in the features of their countenances, but alfo in their com^ plexion and manner of living, to the Scythians, [ i8 5 ] Scythians, Tartars, and Samoeides, than, to any other nations. In anfwer to Grotius, who had afferted that fome of the Norwegians paffed into America by way of Greenland, and over a vail continent, he fays, that it is well known that Greenland was not difcovered till the year 964, and both Gornera and Herrera inform us that the Chichimeques were fettled on the Lake of Mexico in 721. He adds, that thefe lavages, ac- cording to the uniform tradition of the Mexicans who difpoflefled them, came from the country lince called New Mexi- co, and from the neighbourhood of Ca- lifornia; confequently North America mull: have been inhabited many ages be^ fore it could receive any inhabitants from Norway by way of Greenland. It is no lefs certain, he obferves, that the real Mexicans founded their empire in 902, after having fubdued the Chichi- meques, the Otomias, and other bar- barous nations, who had taken poUeflion of the country round the Lake of Mexico, and each of whom fpoke a language pe- culiar to themfelves. The real Mexicans are likewife fuppofed to come from fome of [ .i86 ] of the countries that lie near California, and that they performed their journey for the moll; part by land ; of courfe they could not come from Norway. De Laet further adds, that though fome of the inhabitants of North America may have entered it from the north-weft, yet, as it is related by Pliny and fome other writers, that on many of the iflands near the weftern coaft of Africa, parti- cularly on the Canaries, fome ancient edifices were feen, it is highly probable from their being now deferted, that the inha- bitants may have pafled over to America ; the paftage being neither long nor diffi- cult. This migration, according to the calculation of thofe authors, muft have happened more than two thouiand years ago, at a time when the Spaniards were much troubled by the Carthaginians; from whom having obtained a knowledge of Navigation, and the conftruclion of fhips, they might have retired to the Antilles, by the way of the weftern ides, which were exactly half way on their voyage. He thinks alfo that Great Britain, Ire- land, and the Orcades were extremely proper to [ i8 7 ] to admit of a iimilar conjecture. As a proof, he inferts the following paffage from the hiftory of Wales, written by Dr. David Powel in the year 1 1 70. This hiftorian fays, that Madoc, one of the fo'ns of Prince Owen Gwynnith, being difgufted at the civil wars which broke out between his brothers, after the death of their father, fitted out feveral vefi'els, and having provided them with every thing necefTary for a long voyage, went in queft of new lands to the weft- ward of Ireland ; there he difcovered very fertile countries, but deft it Lite of inhabitants; when landing part of his people, he returned to Britain, where he railed new Levies, and afterwards trank ported them to his colony. The Flemifti author then returns to the Scythians, between whom and the Americans he draws a parallel. He oh-* ferves that feveral nations of them to the north of the Caipian Sea led a wandering- life ; which, as well as many other of their cuftoms, and way of living, agrees in many circumftances with the Indians of America. And though the refemblances are not abfolutely perfect, yet the emi- grants. [ '88 ] grants even before they left their own country, differed from each other, and went not by the fame name. Their change of abode affected what remained. He further fays, that a iimilar like- nefs exiils between feveral American na- tions, and the Samoeides who are fettled, according to the Ruffian accounts, on the great River Oby. And it is more natural, continues he, to fuppofe that Colonies of thefe nations pafled over to America by crofiing the icy fea on their fledges, than for the Norwegians to travel all the way Grotius has marked out for them. This writer makes many other re- marks that are equally fenfible, and which appear to be jufr. ; but he intermixes with thefe fbme that are not fo well- founded. Emanuel de Moraez, a Portugueze, in his hiflory of Brazil, aflerts that Ame- rica has been wholly peopled by the Carthaginians and Ifraelites. He brings as a proof of this aflertion the difcoveries the former are known to have made at a great diftance beyond the coaft of Africa. The progrefs of which being put a flop to [ '«9 ] to by the fenate of Carthage, thofe who happened to be then in the newly dis- covered countries, being cut off from all communication with their countrymen, and deftitute of many neceffaries of life, fell into a ftate of barbarifm. As to the Ifraelites, this author thinks that nothing but circumcifion is wanted in order to conftitute a perfect refemblance between them and the Brazilians. George De Hornn, a learned Dutch- man, has likewife written on this Subject. He fets out with declaring, that he does not believe it poffible America could have been peopled before the flood, considering the fhort fpace of time which elapfed between the creation of the world and that memorable event. In the next place he lays it down as a principle, that after the deluge, men and other terreftrial ani- mals penetrated into that country both by lea and by land.; fome through acci- dent, and fome from a formed defigiied. That birds got thither by flight; which they were enabled to do by refting on the rocks and iflands that are Scattered about in the ocean. He [ J 9° 1 He further obferves, that wild beasts may have found a free paflage by land; and that if we do not meet with horfes or cattle (to which he might have added elephants, camels, rhinoceros, and beafts of many other kinds) it is becaufe thofe nations that pafled thither, were either not acquainted with their ufe, or had no convenience to tranfport them. Having totally excluded many nations that others have admitted as the probable firit fettlers of America, for which he gives fabftantial reafons, he fuppofes that it began to be peopled by the north; and maintains, that the primitive colonies fpread themfelves by means of the ifth- mus of Panama through the whole extent of the continent. He believes that the firft founders of the Indian Colonies were Scythians. That the Phoenicians and Carthaginians after- wards got footing in America acrofs the Atlantic Ocean, and the Chinefe by way of the Pacific. And that other nations might from time to time have landed there by one or other of thefe ways, or might poffibly have been thrown on the coafl by tempefts : fince, through the whole t \9? ] whole extent of that Continent, both in its northern and fouthern parts, we meet with undoubted marks of a mixture of the northern nations with thole who have come from other places. And laftly, that fome Jews and Chriftians might have been carried there by fuch like events, but that this mull: have happened at a time when the whole of the new world was already peopled. After all, he acknowledges that great difficulties attend the determination of the queftion. Thele, he fays, are occalioned in the firft place by the imperfect know- ledge w r e have of the extremities of the globe, towards the north and fouth pole; and in the next place to the havock which the Spaniards, the firft difcoverers of the new world, made among its mod ancient monuments; as witnefs the great double road betwixt Quito and Cuzco, an undertaking fo ftupendous, that even the moft magnificent of thole executed by the Romans cannot be compared to it. He fuppofes alfo another migration of the Phoenicians, than thole already men- tioned, to have taken place; and this was during [ 192 ] during a three years voyage made by the Tyrian fleet in the fervice of King Solomon. He afferts on the authority of Jofephus, that the port at which this embarkation was made lay in the Medi- terranean. The fleet,- he adds, went in quell of elephants teeth and peacocks to the weftern Coafl of Africa, which is Tarfilh; then to Ophir for gold, which is Haite, or the iiland of Hifpaniola; and in the latter opinion he is fupported by Co- lumbus, who, when he difcovered that iiland, thought he could trace the furnaces in which the gold was refined. To thefe migrations, which preceded the Chriflian sera, he adds many others of a later date from different nations, but thefe I have not time to enumerate. For the fame reafon I am obliged to pafs over numberlefs writers on this fubjecT:; and (hall content myfelf with only giving the fentiments of two or three more. The firiT, of thefe is Pierre De Charle- voix, a Frenchman, who in his journal of a vovage to North America, made fo lately as the year 1720, has recapitulated the opinions of a variety of authors on this head, to which he has fubjoined his own [ l 93 ] own conjectures. But the latter cannot without fome difficulty be extracted, as they are fo interwoven with the paffages he has quoted, that it requires much at- tention to difcriminate them. He feems to allow that America might have received its firft. inhabitants from Tartary and Hyrcania. This he con- firms, by oblerving that the lions and tigers which are found in the former, mud have come from thofe countries, and whofe paffage ferves for a proof that the two hemifpheres join to the northward of Afia. He then draws a corroboration of this argument, from a ftory he fays he has often heard related by Father Grollon, a French jefuit, as an undoubt- ed matter of fact. This Father, after having laboured fome time in the mimons of New France, pafled over to thole of China. One day as he was travelling in Tartary, he met a Huron woman whom he had formerly known in Canada. He alked her by w r hat adventure fhe had been carried into a country fo diftant from her own. She made anfwer, that having been taken in N war, [ 19+ 1 war, fhe had been conduced from nation to nation, till fhe had reached the place at which fhe then was. Monfieur Charlevoix fays further, that he had been affured, another Jefuit, palling through Nantz in his return from China, had related much fuch another affair of a Spanifh woman from Florida, She alfo had been taken by certain Indians, and given to thofe of a more diftant country; and by thefe again to another nation, till having thus been fucceflively paffed from country to country, and travelled through regions extremely cold, ihe at laft found herfelf in Tartary. Here me had mar- ried a Tartar, who had attended the con- querors into China, where fhe was then fettled. He acknowledges as an allay to the probability of thefe ftories, that thofe who had failed farthest to the eaftward of Afia, by purfuing the Coaft of Jeffo or Kamtfchatka, have pretended that they had perceived the extremity of this Continent; and from thence have concluded that there could not poffibly be any communi- cation by land. But he adds that Fran- cis Guella, a Spaniard, is faid to have aflerted, [ '95 ] afTerted, that this feparation is no more than a ftraight, about one hundred miles over, and that fome late voyages of the Japonefe give grounds to think that this ftraight is only a bay, above which there is a pafiage over land. He goes on to obferve, that though there are few wild beafts to be met with in North America, except a kind of ty- gers without fpots, which are found ill the country of the Iroquoife, yet towards the tropics there are lions and real tygers, which, notwithftanding, might have come from Hyrcania and Tartary ; for as by advancing gradually fouthward they met witli cliiTKites more agreeable to their natures, they have in time abandoned the northern countries. He quotes both Solinus and Pliny to prove that the Scythian Anthropophagi once de- populated a great extent of country, as far as the promontory Tabin ; and alfo an author of later date, Mark Pol, a Venetian, who, he fays, tells us, that to the north- eaft of China and Tartary, there are vaft uninhabited countries, which might be fufficient to confirm any conjectures con- N 2 cerning [ »9« ] cerning the retreat of a great number of Scythians into America. To this he adds that we find in the an- tients the names of fome of thefe nations. Pliny fpeaks of the Tabians ; Solinus mentions the Apuleans, who had for neighbours the Maflagetes, whom Pliny fince aflures us to have entirely difap- peared. Ammianus Marcellinus exprefly tells us, that the fear of the Anthropo- phagi obliged feveral of the inhabitants of thofe countries to take refuge elfe where. From all thefe authorities Monf. Char- levoix concludes, that there is at leail room to conjecture that more than one nation in America had a Scythian or Tar- tarian original. He finilhes his remarks on the authors he has quoted, by the following observa- tions : It appears to me that this contro- verfy may be reduced to the two follow- ino; articles; firfl, how the new world might have been peopled, and fecondly, by whom, and by what means it has been peopled. Nothing, he alTerts, may be more eaiilv aniwered than the firft. America J ttught have been peopled as the three other t *97 3 other parts of the world have been. Many difficulties have been formed on this iub- ject, which have been deemed iniolvable, hut which are far from being fo. The inhabitants of both hemifpheres are cer- tainly the dependents of the fame father ; the common parent of mankind received an exprefs command from heaven to peo- ple the whole world, and accordingly it has been peopled. To bring this about it was neceflary to overcome all difficulties that lay in the way, and they have been got over. Were thefe difficulties greater with re- fpect to peopling the extremities of Alia, Africa, and Europe, or the tranfporting men into the iilands which lie at a confi- derable diftance from thofe continents, than to pafs over into America ? certainly not. Navigation, which has arrived at fo great perfection within thefe three or four centuries, might poffibly have been more perfect in thole early ages. than at this day. Who can believe that Noah and his im- mediate defcendents knew lefs of this art than we do ? That the builder and pilot of the largeft lhip that ever was, a ihip N 3 that [ '98 ] that was formed to traverfe an unbounded ocean, and had fo many fhoals and quick- lands to guard againft, fhould be igno- rant of, or mould not have communicated to thofe of his dependents who furvived him, and by whofe means he was to exe- cute the order of the Great Creator ; I fay, who can believe he mould not have communicated to them the art of failing upon an ocean, which was not only more calm and pacific, but at the fame time confined within its ancient limits ? Admitting this, how eafy is it topafs, excluiive of the paflage already defcribed, by land from the coaff. of Africa to Brazil, from the Canaries to the weftern Iflands, and from them to the Antilles ? From the Britifh ifles, or the coaft of France, to Newfoundland, the paflage is neither long nor difficult ; I might fay as much of that from China to Japan ; from Japan, or the Phillipines, to the ifles Mariannes ; and from thence to Mexico. There are iflands at a conflderable dif- tance from the continent of Afia, where we have not been furprized to find inha- bitants, why then fhould we wonder to. meet with people in America ? Nor can it I *99 ] it be imagined that the grandfons of Noah, when they were obliged to feparate and ipread themfelves, in conformity to the defigns of God, over the whole earth, mould find it abfolutely impofiible to peo- ple almoft one half of it. I have been more copious in my ex- tracts from this author than I intended, as his reafons appear to be folid, and many of his obfervations juft. From this encomium, however, I muft exclude the ftories he has introduced of the Huron and Floridan women, which I think I might venture to pronounce fabulous. I mall only add, to give my readers a more comprehenfive view of Monf. Char- levoix's diflertation, the method he pro- pofes to come at the truth of what we are in fearch of. The only means by which this can be done, he fays, is by comparing the lan- guages of the Americans with the differ- ent nations, from whence we might fup- pofe they have peregrinated. If we com- pare the former with thofe words that are confidered as primitives, it might pof- iibly fet us upon fome happy difcovery. And this way of afcending to the original JSU of [ 200 ] of nations, which is by far the leaft equi- vocal, is not fo difficult as might be imagined. We have had, and {till have, travellers and miffionaries who have at- tained the languages that are fpoken in all the provinces of the new world ; it would only be neceflary to make a collection of their grammars and vocabularies, and to collate them with the dead and living lan- guages of the old world, that pafs for ori- ginals, and the limilarlty might eafily he traced. Even the different dialects, in fpite of the alterations they have under- gone, itill retain enough of the mother tongue to furnifh conliderable lights. Any enquiry into the manners, cuf- toms, religion, or traditions of the Ame- ricans, ill order to difcover by that means their origin, he thinks would prove falla- cious. A difquifition of that kind he oh- ferves is only capable of producing a falfe light, more likely to dazzle y and to make us wander from the right path, than to lead us with certainty to the point pro- pofed. Ancient traditions are effaced from the minds of fuch as either have not, or for feveral ages have been without, thofe helps [ 201 ] helps that are neceflary to preferve them. And in this fituation is full one half of the world. New events and a new arrange- ment of things, give rife to new tradi- tions, which efface the former, and are themfelves effaced in turn. After one or two centuries have paffed, there no longer remain any traces of the firffc traditions ; and thus we are involved in a flate of uncertainty. He concludes with the following: re- marks, among many others. Unfore- {een accidents, tempefts, and fhipwrecks, have certainly contributed to people every habitable part of the world : and ought we to wonder, after this, at perceiving certain refemblances, both of perfons and manners, between nations that are mofl remote from each other, when we find fuch a difference between thofe that bor- der on one another ? As we are tleffitute of historical monuments, there is nothing, I repeat it, but a knowledge of the pri- mitive languages that is capable of throw- ing any light upon thele clouds of impe^ netrable darknefs. By this enquiry we mould at leaft be iatisfied 202 fatisfied, among that prodigious number of various nations inhabiting America, and differing fo much in languages from each other, which are thole who make ufe of words totally and entirely different from thofe of the old world, and who confequently mutt be reckoned to have pafTed over to America in the earlieft ages, and thofe, who from the analogy of their language with fuch as are at pre- ient ufed in the three other parts of the globe, leave room to judge that their mi- gration has been more recent, and which ought to be attributed to friipwrecks, or to iome accident fimilar to thofe which have been fpoken of in the courfe of this treatife. I mail only add the opinion of one author more before I give my own fenti- ments on the fubjecl, and that is of James Adair, Efq; who refided forty years among the Indians, and published the hiftory of them in the year 1772. In his learned and fyftematical hiilory of thofe nations, inhabiting the weitern parts of the molt, fouthern of the American colo- nies, this gentleman without helitation pro- [ 20 3 1 pronounces that the American Aborigines are defcended from the Ifraelites, either whilft they were a maritime power, or ibon after their general captivity. This defcent he endeavours to prove from their religious rites, their civil and martial cuftoras, their marriages, their funeral ceremonies, their manners, lan- guage, traditions, and from a variety of other particulars. And fo complete is his conviction on this head, that he fan- cies he finds a perfect and indifputable fimilitude in each. Through all thefe I have not time to follow him, and fhall therefore only give a few extracts to mow on what foundation he builds his conjec- tures, and what degree of credit he is en- titled to on this point. He begins with obferving, that though fome have fuppofed the Americans to be defcended from the Chinefe, yet neither their religion, laws, or cuftoms agree in the lead with thofe of the Chinefe ; which fufficiently proves that they are not of this line. Beiides, as our bell: mips are now almoft half a year in failing for China (our author does not here recol- lect that this is from a high northern la- titude, [ 2 °4 ] titude, acrofs the Line, and then back again greatly to the northward of it, and not directly athwart the Pacific Ocean for only one hundred and eleven degrees) or from thence to Europe, it is very un- likely they lhould attempt fuch dangerous difcoveries, with their fuppofed fmall vef- fels, againft rapid currents, and in dark and lickly Monfoons. He further remarks, that this is more particularly improbable, as there is reafon to believe that this nation was unacquaint- ed with the ufe of the loadftone to direct their courfe. China, he fays, is about eight thoufand miles diftant from the American continent, which is twice as far as acrois the Atlantic Ocean. And we are not informed by any ancient wri- ter of their maritime fkill, or fo much as any inclination that way, befides fmall coafting voyages. The winds blow, likewife, with little variation from eaft to weft within the latitudes thirty and odd, north and fouth ; and therefore thefe could not drive them on the Ame- rican coaft, it lying directly contrary to fuch a courfe. Neither [ 20 5 ] Neither could perfons, according to this writer's account, fail to America from the north by the way of Tartary or Ancient Scythia ; that from its iituation never having been or can be a maritime power : and it is utterly impracticable, he lays, for any to come to America by fea from that quarter. Befides, the re- maining traces of their religious ceremonies and civil and martial cuftoms are quite oppo- fite to the like veftiges of the Old Scythi- ans. Even in the moderate northern climates there is not to be feen the leafl trace of any ancient {lately buildings, or of any thick fettlements, as are faid to remain in the lefs healthy regions of Peru and Mexico. And feveral of the Indian nations aflure us, that they croffed the Miffiffippi before they made their prefent northern fettlements ; which, connected with the former arguments, he concludes will fufficiently explode that weak opi- nion of the American Aborigines being lineally defcended from the Tartars or ancient Scythians. Mr. Adair's reafons for fuppofing that the Americans derive their origin from the Jews are, Firft, [ 206 ] Firft, becaufe they are divided into tribes, and have chiefs over them as the Ifraelites had. Secondly, becaufe, as by a ftricl: per- manent divine precept, the Hebrew nation were ordered to worfhip, at Jerufalem, Je- hovah the true and living God, fo do the Indians, {tiling him Yohewah. The anci- ent Heathens, he adds, it is well known worfhipped a plurality of Gods, but the Indians pay their religious devoirs to the Great beneficent fupreme holy Spirit of Fire, who refides, as they think, above the clouds, and on earth alfo with un- polluted people. They pay no adoration to images, or to dead perfons, neither to the celefHal luminaries, to evil fpi- rits, nor to any created beings what- ever. Thirdly, becaufe, agreeable to the theocracy or divine government of Ifrael, the Indians think the deity to be the immediate head of their ftate. Fourthly, becaufe, as the Jews believe in the miniftration of angels, the Indians alfo believe that the higher regions are inhabited by good fpirits. Fifthly, [ *o 7 ] Fifthly, becaufe the Indian language and dialers appear to have the very idiom and genius of the Hebrew. Their words and fentences being expreffive, concife, emphatical, ibnorous, and bold; and often, both in letters, and fignifi- cation, are fynonimous with the Hebrew language. Sixthly, becaufe they count their time after the manner of the Hebrews. Seventhly, becaufe in conformity to, or after the manner of the Jews, they have their prophets, high-priefts, and other religious orders. Eighthly, becaufe their feftivals, fails, and religious rites have a great refem- blance to thofe of the Hebrews. Ninthly, becaufe the Indians, before they go to war, have many preparatory ceremonies of purification and failing, like what is recorded of the Israelites. Tenthly, becaufe the fame tafte for ornaments, and the fame kind are made ufe of by the Indians, as by the He- brews. Thefe and many other arguments of a fimilar nature, Mr. Adair brings in fupport of his favourite fyftem; but I ihould t 208 ] fhould imagine, that if the Indians are really derived from the Hebrews, among their religious ceremonies, on which he chiefly feems to build his hypothefis, the principal, that of circumcifion, would never have been laid afide, and its k very remembrance obliterated. Thus numerous and diverfe are the opi- nions of thofe who have hitherto written on this fubjecl: ! I mail not, however, either endeavour to reconcile them, or to point out the errors of each, but pro- ceed to give my own fentiments on the origin of the Americans; which are founded on conclufions drawn from the moil: rational arguments of the writers I have mentioned, and from my own ob- fervations : the confiftency of thefe I fhall leave to the judgment of my Readers. The better to introduce my conjectures on this head, it is neceflary rlrft to afcertain the di fiances between America and thofe parts of the habitable globe that approach neareft to it. The Continent of America, as far as we can judge from all the refearches that have been made near the Poles* appears to [ 2O0 1 to be entirely feparated from the othe r quarters of the world. That part o* Europe which approaches neareft to it> is the coaft of Greenland, lying in about feventy degrees of north latitude ; and which reaches within twelve degrees of the coaft. of Labrador, lituated on the north-eaft borders of this continent. This coaft of Guinea is the neareft part of Africa ; which lies about eighteen hun- dred and fixty miles north-eaft from the Brazils. The mod eaftern coaft of Afia, which extends to the Korean Sea on the north of China, projects north- eaft through eaftern Tartary and Kam- fchatka to Siberia, in about fixty degrees of north latitude. Towards which the weftern coafts of America, from Cali- fornia to the ftraights of Annian, extend nearly north- weft, and lie in about forty fix degrees of the fame latitude. Whether the continent of America ftretches any farther north than thefe ftraights, and joins to the eaftern parts of Afia, agreeable to what has been afferted by fome of the writers I have quoted, or whether the lands that have been difcovered in the intermediate parts are only an archipelago of iflands verg- O ing [ 2I ° ] ing towards the oppofite continent, is not yet afcertained. It being, however, certain that there are many confiderable illands which lie between the extremities of Ana and Ame- rica, viz. Japon, Yefo or Jedfo, Ga- ma's Land, Behring's Ifle, with many others difcovered by Tfchirikow, and be- fides thefe, from fifty degrees north there appearing to be a clufter of illands that reach as far as Siberia, it is probable from their proximity to America, that it re- ceived its firft inhabitants from them. This conclunon is the moil rational I am able to draw, iuppoiing that fmce the Aborigines got footing on this conti- nent, no extraordinary or fudden change in the polition or furface of it has taken place, from inundations, earthquakes, or any revolutions of the earth that we. are at preient unacquainted with. To me it appears highly improbable that it mould have been peopled from different quarters, acrofs the Ocean, as others have afYerted. From the fize of the. mips made ule of in thofe early ages, and the want of the compafs, it cannot be fuppoied that anv maritime nation would by [ ?»» ] by choice venture over the unfathomable Ocean in fearch of difrant continents. Had this however been attempted, or had America been firfl accidentally peopled from fhips freighted with paflengers of both fexes which were driven by ftrong eafter- ly winds acrofs the Atlantic, thefe fet- tlers mufl have retained fome traces of the language of the country from whence they migrated; and this fince the dis- covery of it by the Europeans mufl have been made out. It alfo appears extraor- dinary that feveral of thefe accidental migrations, as allowed by fome, and thefe from different parts, mould have taken place. Upon the whole, after the moft cri- tical enquiries, and the matureft deli- beration, I am of opinion, that America re- ceived its firft inhabitants from the north- eaft, by way of the great Archipelago juft mentioned, and from thefe alone. But this might have been effected at different times, and from various parts : fromTar- tary, China, Japon, or Kamfchatka, the inhabitants of thefe phces refembling each other in colour, features, and fhape; and who,, before fome of them acquired a O 2 knowledge [ 2I2 ] knowledge of the arts and fciences, might have likewife reiembled each other in their manners, cuftoms, religion, and language. The only difference between the Chi- nefe nation and the Tartars lies in the cultivated ftate of the one, and the un- polifhed fituation of the others. The former have become a commercial people, and dwell in houfes formed into regular towns and cities ; the latter live chiefly in tents, and rove about in different hords, without any fixed abode. Nor can the long and bloody wars thefe two nations have been engaged in, extermi- nate their hereditary fimilitrude. The prefent family of the Chinefe emperors is of Tartarian extraction ; and if they were not fenfible of fome claim beiides that of conqueft, fo numerous a people would fcarcely fit quiet under the dominion of Grangers. . It is very evident that fome of the manners and cuftoms of the American Indians refemble thofe of the Tartars ; and I make no doubt but that in fome future aera, and this not a very diftant one, it will be reduced to a certainty, that during fo«jie [ 2I 3 ] fbme of the wars between the Tartars and the Chinefe, a part of the inhabitants of the northern provinces were driven from their native country, and took re- fuge in fome of the ifles before-mentioned, and from thence found their way into America. At different periods each na- tion might prove victorious, and the conquered by turns fly before their con- querors; and from hence might arife the limilitude of the Indians to all thefe peo- ple, and -that animofity which exifts be-, tween fo many of their tribes. It appears plainly to me that a great fimilarity between the Indian and Chi- nefe is confpicuous in that particular cuftom of (having or plucking oft* the hair, and leaving only a fmall tuft on the crown of the head. This mode is faid to have been enjoined by the Tartarian emperors on their accemon to the, throne of China, and confequently is a further proof that this cuftom was in ufe among the Tartars; to whom, as well as the Chinefe, the Americans might be indebted for it. Many words alfo are ufed both by the Chinefe and Indians, which have a re- O ^ femblance, [ 2I 4 ] femblance to each other, not only in their found, but their fignification. The Chi- nefe call a (lave, fhungo; and the Naudow- effie Indians, whofe language from their little intercourfe with the Europeans is the leaft corrupted, tfrm a dog, fhungufh. The former denominate one fpecies of their tea, fhoufong; the latter call their to- bacco, fhoufaffau. Many other of the words ufed by the Indians contain the fyllables che, chaw, and chu, after the dialed of the Chinefe. There probably might be found a Si- milar connection between the language of the Tartars and the American Aborigines, were we as well acquainted with it as we are, from a commercial intercourfe, with that of the Chinefe. I am confirmed in thefe conjectures, by the accounts of Kamfchatka publifhed a few years ago by order of the emprefs of Ruffia. The author of which fays, that the fea which divides that peninfula from America is full of iflands ; and that the diftance between Tfchukot(koi-Nofs, a promontory which lies at the eaftern ex- tremity of that country, and the coaft, of America, is not more than two degrees and t "5 3 and a half of a great circle. He further fays, that there is the greatefr. reafon to fuppofe that Afia and America once joined at this place, as the coafts of both conti- nents appear to have been broken into capes and bays, which anfwer each other; more especially as the inhabitants of this part of both refemble each other in their perfons, habits, cuftoms, and food. Their language, indeed, he obferves, does not appear to be the fame, but then the inha- bitants of each diftrict in Kamfchatka fpeak a language as different from each other, as from that 'fpoken on the oppo- fite coaft. Thefe obfervations, to which he adds, the limilarity of the boats of the inhabitants of each coaft, and a remark that the natives of this part of America are wholly ftrangers to wine and tobacco, which he looks upon as a proof that they have as yet had no communication with the natives of Europe, he fays amount to little lefs than a demonstration that Ame- rica was peopled from this part of Afia. The limits of my prefent undertaking will not permit me to dwell any longer on this fubjecl, or to enumerate any other proofs in favour of my hypothefis. I am O 4 how- t *' 6 ] however fo thoroughly convinced of the certainty of it, and fo defirous have I been to obtain every teflimony which can be procured in its fupport, that I once made an offer to a private fociety of gen- tlemen, who were curious in fuch re- fearches, and to whom I had communi- cated my fentiments on this point, that I would undertake a journey, on receiv- ing fuch fupplies as were needful, through the north-eaft parts of Europe and Alia to the interior parts of America, and from thence to England ; making, as I pro- ceeded, fuch obfervations both on the languages and manners of the people with whom I mould be converfant, as might tend to illuflrate the doctrine I have here laid down, and to fatisfy the curiofity of the learned or inquifitive ; but as this propofal was judged rather to require a na- tional than a private fupport, it was not carried into execution. I am happy to find, fince I formed the foregoing conclusions, that they corre- fpond with the fentiments of that great and learned hiftorian Doctor Robinfon ; and though, with him, I acknowledge that the inveftigation, from its nature, is fo [ 2I 7 1 fo obfcure and intricate that the conjec- tures I have made ean only be conlidered as conjectures, and not indifputable conclu- fions, yet they carry with them a greater degree of probability than the fuppovitions of thofe who aflert that this continent was peopled from another quarter. One of the Doctor's quotations from the Journals of Behring and Tfchiri- kow, who failed from Kamfchatka about the year 1741 in quell: of the New World, appears to carry great weight with it, and to afford our conclufions firm fupport. " Thefe commanders " having fhaped their courfe towards the M eaft, difcovered land, which to them 4t appeared to be part of the American " continent ; and, according to their " obfervations, it feems to be fituated " within a few degrees of the north- weft " coaft of California. They had there " fome intercourfe with the inhabitants, 44 who feemed to them to refemble the " North Americans ; as they prefent- '* ed to the Ruffians the Calumet or " Pipe of Peace, which is a fymbol of :i friendfhip univerfal among the people " of r *' 8 ] i* of North America, and a ufage of ar- " bitrary inftitution peculiar to them." One of this incomparable writer's own arguments in fupport of his hypo- thecs is alfo urged with great judg- ment, and appears to be nearly conclu- sive. He fays, " We may lay it down " as a certain principle in this enquiry, "• that America was not peopled by " any nation of the ancient continent, " which had made confiderable progrefs * 6 in civilization. The inhabitants of the f New World were in a ftate of fociety 46 fo extremely rude, as to be unac- *' quainted with thofe arts which are " the firfl effays of human ingenuity in t* its advance towards improvement. " Even the moft cultivated nations of 44 America were ft rangers to many of " thofe fimple inventions, which were " almoft coeval with fociety in other 44 parts of the world, and were known " in the earlieft periods of civil life. " From this it is manifeft that the tribes " which originally migrated to America, u came off from nations which muit 44 have been no lefs barbarous than their " pofterity, at the time when they were " firft [ 2i 9 ] ' firft difcovered by the Europeans. If ' ever the ufe of iron had been known ' to the favages of America, or to their ' progenitors, if ever they had employed ' a plough, a loom, or a forge, the uti- * lity of thefe inventions would have 1 preferved them, and it is impoflible ' that they mould have been abandoned ' or forgotten." CHAP. II. Of their Persons, Dress, &c. FROM the firft fettlement of the French in Canada, to the conqueft of it by the Englim in 1760, feveral of that nation, who had travelled into the in- rior parts of North America, either to trade with the Indians, or to endeavour to make converts of them, have publifhed accounts of their cuftoms, manners, &c. The principal of thefe are Father Louis Hennipin, Monf. Charlevoix, and the Baron LeHontan. The firft, many years ago, publifhed fome very judicious re- marks, 22Q marks, which he was the better enabled to do by the affiftance he received from the maps and diaries of the unfortunate Monf. De la Salle, who was affaffinated whilft he was on his travels, by fome of his own party. That gentleman's jour- nals falling into Father Hennipin's hands, he was enabled by them to pub- lifri many interefting particulars relative to the Indians. But in fome refpecls he fell very mort of that knowledge which it was in his power to have attained from his long refidence among them. Nor was he always (as has been already obferved) exact in his calculations, or juft in the intelligence he has given us. The accounts publifhed by the other two, particularly thofe of Charlevoix, are very erroneous in the geographical parts, and many of the flories told by the Baron are mere delufions. Some of the Jefuits, who heretofore travelled into thefe parts, have alfo writ- ten on this fubjecl; ; but as few, if any, of their works have been translated into the Englifh language, the generality of readers are not benefitted by them ; and, indeed, had this been done, they would have [ **« ] have reaped but few advantages from them, as they have chiefly confined their obfervations to the religious principles of the favages, and the fteps taken for their converiion. Since the conqueft. of Canada, fbme of our own countrymen, who have lived among the Indians, and learned their lan- guage, have publifhed their obfervations ; however as their travels have not extended to any of the interior parts I treat of, but have only been made among the nations that border on our fettlements, a know- ledge of the genuine and uncontaminated cuftoms and manners of the Indians could not have been acquired by them. The fouthern tribes, and thofe that have held a conftant intercourfe with the French or Engliiri, cannot have pre- ferved their manners or their cuftoms in their original purity. They could not avoid acquiring the vices with the lan- guage of thofe they converfed with ; and the frequent intoxications they experi- enced through the baneful juices intro- duced among them by the Europeans, have completed a total alteration in their characters. In 222 ] In fuch as thefe, a confufed medley of principles or ufages are only to be ob- ferved ; their real and unpolluted cuftoms could be feen among thofe nations alone that have held but little communications with the provinces. Thefe I found in the north- weft parts, and therefore flatter myfelf that I am able to give a more juir. account of the cufloms and manners of the Indians, in their ancient purity, than any that has been hitherto publifhed. I have made oblervations on thirty nations, and though mod of thefe have differed in their languages, there has appeared a great fimilarity in their manners, and from thefe have I endeavoured to extract the following remarks. As I do not propofe to give a regular and connected fyftem of Indian concerns, but only to relate fuch particulars of their manners, cuftoms, &c. as I thought moil worthy of notice, and which inter- fere as little as poffible with the accounts given by other writers, I mull beg my readers to excufe their not being arranged fyftematically, or treated of Jn a more copious manner. The [ 22 3 ] The Indian nations do not appear to me to differ fo widely in their make, colour, or conftitution from each other, as repre- fented by fome writers. They are in ge- neral flight made, rather tall and ftrait, and you feldom fee any among them de- formed ; their fkin is of a reddifh or copper colour ; their eyes are large and black, and their hair of the fame hue, but very rarely is it curled ; they have good teeth, and their breath is as fweet as the air they draw in ; their cheek-bones rather raifed, but more fo in the women than the men ; the former are not quite fo tall as the European women, however you frequently meet with good faces and agreeable perfons among them, although they are more inclined to be fat than the other lex. I fhall not enter into a particular en- quiry whether the Indians are indebted to nature, art, or the temperature of the climate for the colour of their fkin, nor fhall I quote any of the contradictory ac- counts I have read on' this fubjecl: ; I mall only fay, that it appears to me to be the tincture they received originally from the hands of their Creator ; but at what period [ 224 ] period the variation which is at prefent vifible both in the complexion and fea- tures of many nations took place, at what time the European whitenefs, the jetty hue of the African, or the copper caft of the American were given them, which was the original colour of the firfl inha- bitants of the earth, or which might be efteemed the moll: perfect, I will not pretend to determine. Many writers have afTerted, that the Indians, even at the maturefl period of their exiflence, are only furnifhed with hair on their heads ; and that notwith- ftanding the profufion with which that . part is covered, thofe parts which among the inhabitants of other climates are ufu- ally the feat of this excrefcence, remain entirely free from it. Even Doctor Ro- binfon, through their mifreprefentations, has contributed to propagate the error ; and fuppoling the remark juftly founded, has drawn feveral concluiions from it re- lative to the habit and temperature of their bodies, which are confequently invalid. But from minute enquiries and a curious inflection, I am able to declare (however relpe&able I may hold the authority of thefe [ 22 5 ] thefe hiftorians in other points) that their afTertions are erroneous, and proceeding from the want of a thorough knowledge of the cuftoms of the Indians. After the age of puberty, their bodies, in their natural ftate, are covered in the fame manner as thofe of the Europeans. The men, indeed, efteem a beard very unbecoming, and take great pains to get rid of it, nor is there any ever to be per- ceived on their fices, except when they grow old, and become inattentive to their appearance. Every crinous efflorefcence on the other parts of the body is held un- feemly by them, and both fexes employ much time in their extirpation. The Nawdoweffies, and the remote na- tions, pluck them out with bent pieces of hard wood, formed into a kind of nippers ; whilft thofe who have communication with Europeans procure from them wire, which they twift into a fcrew or worm ; applying this to the part, they prefs the rings together, and with a iudden twitch draw out all the hairs that are inclofed between them. The men of every nation differ in their drefs very little from each other, except P thofe [ 226 ] thole who trade with the Europeans ; theie exchange their furs for blankets, lhirts, and other apparel, which they wear as much for ornament as necef- iity. The latter fafteii by a girdle around their waifts about half a yard of broadcloth, which covers the middle parts of their bodies. Thofe who wear fhirts never make them faff either at the writf or collar; this would be a moft infufferable confinement to them. They throw their blanket looie upon their moulders, and holding the upper iide of it by the two corners, with a knife in one hand, and a tobacco-pouch, pipe, &c. in the other, thus accoutred they walk about in their vil- lages or camps : but in their dances they feldom wear this covering. Thofe among the men who wifh to ap- pear gayer than the reft, pluck from their heads all the hair except from a fpot on the top of it about the iize of a crown- piece, where it is permitted to grow to a considerable length : on this are faftened plumes of feathers of various colours with Giver or ivory quills. The manner of cut- ting and ornamenting this part of the head diftinguifhes different nations from each other. They [ 22 7 ] They paint their faces red and black, which they efteem as greatly ornamental. They alfo paint themfelves when they go to war ; but the method they make ufe of on this occalion differs from that wherein they ufe it merely as a decoration. The young Indians, who are defirous of excelling their companions in finery, flit the outward rim of both their ears; at the fame time they take care not to fepa- rate them entirely, but leave the fleiTi thus cut ftill untouched at both extremi- ties : around this ipongy fubftance, from the upper to the lower part, they twill brafs wire, till the weight draws the am- putated rim into a bow of five or fix inches diameter, and drags it almoit. down to the moulder. This decoration is efteemed to be exceffively gay and becoming. It is alfo a common cuftom among them to bore their nofes, and wear in them pendants of different forts. I obferved that fea fhells were much worn by thofe of the interior parts, and reckoned very ornamental ; but how they procured them I could not learn : probably by their traf- fick with other nations nearer the fea. P z They [ "8 ] They go without any covering for the thigh, except that before fpoken of, round the middle, which reaches down half way the thighs ; but they make for their legs a fort of flocking either of fkins or cloth : thefe are fewed as near to the fhape of the leg as poflible, fo as to ad- mit of being drawn on and off. The edges of the ftuff of which they are compofed are left annexed to the feam, and hang loofe for about the breadth of a hand : and this part, which is placed on. the outfide of the leg, is generally ornamented by thofe who have any communication with Europeans, if of cloth, with ribands or lace, if of leather, with embroidery and porcu- pine quilis curioufly coloured. Strangers who hunt among the Indians in the parts where there is a great- deal of mow, find thefe ftockin^s much more convenient than any others. Their fhoes are made of the ikin of the deer, elk, or buffalo : thefe, after being fometimes drefl'ed according to the Euro- pean manner, at others with the hair remaining on them, are cut into fhoes, and fafhioned fo as to be eafy to the feet, and convenient for walking. The edges round * [ 22 9 ] round the ankle are'decorated with pieces of brafs or tin fixed around leather firings, about an inch long, which being placed very thick make a cheerful tinkling noife either when they walk or dance. The women wear a covering of fome kind or other from the neck to the knees. Thofe who trade with the Europeans wear a linen garment the fame as that ufed by the men; the flaps of which hang over the petticoat. Such as drefs after their ancient manner, make a kind of fhift with leather, which covers the body but not the arms. Their petticoats are made either of leather or cloth, and reach from the waifi to the knee. On their legs they wear ftockings and (hoes, made and ornamented as thofe of the men. They differ from each other in the mode of drefTing their heads, each fol- lowing the cuftom of the nation or band to which they belong, and adhering to the form made ufe of by their anceflors from time immemorial. I remarked that mpft of the females, who dwell on the eaft fide of the Miffif- fippi, decorate their heads by inclofing P 3 their [ 2 3° 1 their hair either in ribands, or in plates of iilver ; the latter is only made ufe of by the higher ranks, as it is a coftly ornament. The filver they ufe on this o:ca!ion is formed into thin plates of about four inches broad, in leveral of which they confine their hair. That plate which is neareft the head is of a confiderable width ; the next narrower, and made fo as to pafs a little way under the other ; and in this manner they fallen into each other, and, gradually tapering, defcend to the waifl, as reprefented in plate N° II. The hair of the Indian women being in general very long, this proves an expenfive method. But the women that live to the weft of the Miffiffippi, viz. theNaudoweffies, the .Aflinipoils, &c. divide their hair in the middle of the head, and form it into two rolls, one againft each ear. Thele rolls are about three inches long, and as large as their wrifts. They hang in a perpen- dicular attitude at the front of each ear, and defcend as far as the lower part of it. A more explicit idea may be formed of this mode by referring to Plate III. The women of every nation generally :e a ipot of paint, about the lizc of a crown [ 2 3 l ] crown piece, againft each ear ; fome of them put paint on their hair, and fome- times a fmall fpot in the middle of the forehead. The Indians, in general, pay a greater attention to their drels and to the orna- ments with which they decorate their per- ibns, than to the accommodations of their huts or tents. They conftrucl the latter in the following limple, and expeditious manner. Being provided with poles of a proper length, they fatten two of them acrofs, near their ends, with bands made of bark. Having done this, they raife them up, and extend the bottom of each as wide as they purpofe to make the area of the tent : they then erect others of an equal height, and fix them fo as to fupport the two principal ones. On the whole they lay fkins of the elk or deer, iewed toge- ther, ia quantity fufficient to cover the poles, and by lapping over to form the door. A great number of fkins are fometimes required for this purpofe, as fome of their tents are very capacious. That of the chief-warrior of the Naudow- P 4 e [ 2 3 2 ] effies was at leaft forty feet in circumfe- rence, and very commodious. They obferve no regularity in fixing their tents when they encamp, but place them juft as it fuits their conveniency, The huts alfo, which thofe who ufe not tents, erect when they travel, for very few tribes have fixed abodes or regu- lar towns or villages, are equally fimple and almoft as foon conftructed. They fix fmall pliable poles in the ground, and bending them till they meet at the top and form a femi- circle, then lam them together. Thefe they cover with mats made of rufhes platted, or with birch bark, which they carry with them in their canoes for this purpofe. Thefe cabins have neither chimnies nor windows ; there is only a fmall aperture left in the middle of the roof, through which the fmoke is difcharged, but as this is obliged to be flopped up when it rains or {hows violently, the fmoke then proves exceedingly troublefome. They lie on fkins, generally thofe of the bear, which are placed in rows on the ground; and if the floor is not large enough to contain beds fufficient for the accon> [ 2 33 ] accommodation of the whole family, a frame is erected about four or five feet from the ground, in which the younger part of it fleep. As the habitations of the Indians are thus rude, their domeftic utenfils are few in number, and plain in their for- mation. The tools wherewith they fafhion them are fo aukward and defec- tive, that it is not only impoflible to form them with any degree of neatnefs or elegance, but the time required in the execution is fo confiderable, as to deter them from engaging in the manufacture of fuch as are not abfolutely necefTary. The Naudoweffies make the pots in which they boil their victuals of the black clay or ftone mentioned in my Journal ; which refills the effects of the fire nearly as well as iron. When they roaft, if it is a large joint or a whole ani- mal, fuch as a beaver, they fix it as Eu- ropeans do, on a fpit made of a hard wood, and placing the ends on two forked props, now and then turn it. . If the piece is fmaller they fpit it as before, and fixing the fpit in an erect but flanting pofitiori, with the meat inclining towards the [ 2 34 ] the fire, frequently change the fides, till every part is fufficiently roafted. They make their dimes in which they ferve up their meat, and their bowls and pans, out of the knotty excrefcences of the maple tree, or any other wood. They falhion their ipoons, with a tolerable de- gree of neatnefs (as thefe require much lefs trouble than larger utenlils) from a wood that is termed in America Spoon Wood, and which greatly refembles Box Wood. Every tribe are now povTefYed of knives, and fteels to ftrike fire with. Thefe be- ing fo eflentially needful for the common ufes of life, thofe who have not an im- mediate communication with the Euro- pean traders, purchafe them of fuch of their neighbours as are iituated nearer the fettlements, and generally give in ex- change for them flaves. CHAP. [ 2 35 ] CHAP. III. Of their Manners, Qualifica- tions, &c. WHEN the Indian women fit down, they place themfelves in a decent attititude, with their knees clofe toge- ther ; but from being accuftomed to this pofture, they walk badly, and appear to be lame. They have no midwives amongft them, their climate, or fome peculiar happinefs in their constitutions, rendering any af- fiftance at that time unneceflary. On thefe occafions they are confined but a few hours from their ufual employments, which are commonly very laborious, as the men, who are remarkably indolent, leave to them every kind of drudgery; even in their hunting parties the former will not deign to bring home the game, but fend their wives for it, though it lies at a very confiderable distance. The women place their children fbon after they are born on boards fluffed with [ »3« J with foft mofs, fuch as is found in mo- rales or meadows. The child is laid on its back in one of thefe kind of cradles, and being wrapped in ikins or cloth to keep it warm, is fecured in it by fmall bent pieces of timber. To thefe machines they fatten firings, by which they hang them to branches of trees ; or if they find not trees at hand, faflen them to a flump or flone, whilft they tranfacl any needful bufinefs. In this pofition are the children kept for fome months. When they are taken out, the boys are fufFered to go naked, and the girls are covered from the neck to the knees with a fhift and a fhort petti- coat. The Indian women are remarkably decent during their menftrual illnefs. Thofe nations that are mofl remote from the European lettlements, as the Nau- doweffies, &c. are more particularly at- tentive to this point ; though they all without exception adhere in fome degree to the fame cuflom. In every camp or town there is an apartment appropriated for their retire- ment at this time, to which both fingle. mi [ 2 37 ] and married retreat, and feclnde them- felves with the utmoft ftriclnefs during this period from all fociety. Afterwards they purify themfelves hi running ftreams, and return to their different employ- ments. The men on thefe occafions mod: care- fully avoid holding any communication with them ; and the Naudoweffies are fo rigid in this oblervance, that they will not furTer any belonging to them to fetch fuch things as are neceffary, even fire, from thefe female lunar retreats, though the want of them is attended with the greateft. inconvenience. They are alfo fo fuperflitious as to think, if a pipe ftem cracks, which among them is made of wood, that the poffeflbr has either lighted it at one of thefe polluted fires, or held fome converfe with a woman during her retirement, which is efteemed by them moll: difgraceful and wicked. The Indians are extremely circumfpeft and deliberate m every word and action ; there is nothing that hurries them into any intemperate warmth, but that in- veteracy to their enemies which is rooted in every Indian heart, and never can be eradi- f 233 ] eradicated. In all other inftances they are cool, and remarkably cautious, taking care not to betray on any account what- ever their emotions. If an Indian has difcovered that a friend is in danger of be- ing intercepted and cut off by one to whom he has rendered himielf obnoxious, he does not inform him in plain and ex- plicit terms of the hazard he runs by pur- fuing the track near which his enemy lies in wait for him, but he firfl coolly afks him which way he is going that day ; and having received his anfwer, with the fame indifference tells him that he has been informed that a dog lies near the fpot, which might probably do him a mifchief. This hint proves fufficient ; and his friend avoids the danger with as much caution as if every deiign and mo- tion of his enemy had been pointed out to him. This apathy often fhews itfelf on oc- cafions that would call forth all the fer- vour of a iufceptible heart. If an Indian has been abfent from his family and friends many months, either on a war or hunting party, when his wife and chil- dren meet him at fome diftance from his habitation, [ 2 39 1 habitation, inftead of the affectionate fen- fations that would naturally arife in the bread of more refined beings, and be pro- ductive of mutual congratulations, he continues his courfe without paying the leaft attention to thole who furround him, till he arrives at his home. He there fits down, and with the fame unconcern as if he had not been ab- fent a day, 'frnokes his pipe ; thofe' of his acquaintance who have followed him, do the fame ; and perhaps it is feveral hours before he relates to them the inci- dents which have befallen him during his abfence, though, perhaps he has left a father, brother, or fon on the field, whofe lofs he ought to have lamented, or has been unfuccefsful in the undertaking that called him from his home. Has an Indian been engaged for feveral days in the chace, or on any other labo- rious expedition, and by accident con- tinued thus long without food, when he arrives at the hut or tent of a friend where he knows his wants may be im- mediately fupplied, he takes care not to fhow the leafr. fymptoms of impatience, or to betray the extreme hunger by which h [ *4o ] he is tortured ; but on being invited in, {its contentedly down, and fmokes his pipe with as much compofure as if every appetite was allayed, and he was per- fectly at eafe ; he does the fame if among {hangers. This cuftam is ftxi&ly ad- hered to by every tribe, as they efleem it a proof of fortitude, and think the re- verfe would entitle them to the appella- tion of old women. If you tell an Indian that his children have greatly fignalized themfelves againft an enemy, have taken many fcalps, and brought home many prifbners, he does not appear to feel any extraordinary plea- fure on the occafion ; his anfwer gene- rally is, " It is well,'* and he makes very little further enquiry about it. On the contrary, if you inform him that his children are (lain or taken prifbners, he makes no complaints, he only replies, " It does not fignify ;" and probably, for fome time at leaft, afks not how it happened. This feeming indifference, however, does not proceed from an entire iiippref- fion of the natural affections ; for not- withstanding they are efleemed favages, I never [ »4» 1 never faw among any other people greater proofs of parental or filial tendcrnefs ; and although they meet their wives after a long abfence with the Stoical indifference juft mentioned, they are not in general void of conjugal affection. Another peculiarity is obfervable in their manner of paying their vifits. If an Indian goes to vifit a particular perfon in a family, he mentions to whom his vifit is intended, and the reft of the family im- mediately retiring to the other end of the hut or tent, are careful not to come near enough to interrupt them during the whole of the converfation. The fame method is purfued if a man goes to pay his refpects to one of the other lex ; but then he mull: be careful not to let love be the fubjeft of his difcourfe whilft the daylight remains. The Indians difcover an amazing faga- city, and acquire with the greateft readi- nefs any thing that depends upon the at- tention of the mind. By experience and an acute obfervation, they attain many perfections to which Europeans are ftran- gers. For inftance, they will crofs a foreft or a plain which is two hundred (3 miles [ 2 42 ] miles in breadth, and reach with great exactnefs the point at which they intend to arrive, keeping during the whole of that fpace in a direct line, without any- material deviations ; and this they w r ill do with the fame eafe, whether the wea- ther be fair or cloudy. With equal acutenefs will they point to that part of the heavens the fun is in, though it be intercepted by clouds or fogs. Belides this, they are able to purfue with incredible facilitv the traces of man or beafl:, either oh leaves or grafs ; and' on this account it is with great difficulty a flying enemy efcapes difcovery. They are indebted for thcie talents not only to nature, but to an extraordinary command of* the intellectual faculties, which can only be acquired by an unre- mitted attention, and by long experi- ence. *► They are in general very happy in a, retentive memory ; they can recapitulate every particular that has been treated of in council, and. remember^the exact: time when thefe were held. Their belts of wampum preferve the fubitance of the treaties they have concluded with the neigh- [ 2 43 ] neighbouring tribes for ages back, to which they will appeal, and refer with as much perfpicuity and readinefs as Europeans can to their written records. Every nation pays great refpect to old age. The advice of a father will feldom meet with any extraordinary attention from the j^oung Indians, probably they receive it with only a bare aflent ; but they will tremble before a grandfather, and fubmit to his injunctions with the utmoft- alacrity. The words of the ancient part of their community are efteemed by the young as oracles. If they take during their hunt- ing parties any game that is reckoned by them uncommonly delicious, it is imme- diately prefented to the oldeft of their re- lations. They never fufFer themfelves to be overburdened with care, but live in a flate of perfect tranquillity and content- ment. Being naturally indolent, if provifion juft fufficient for their fub- fiftence can be procured with little trou- ble, and near at hand, they will not go far, or take any extraordinary pains for it, though by io doing they might acquire Q^2 greater [ 244 ] greater plenty, and of a more eftimable kind. Having much leifure time they indulge this indolence to which they are fo prone, by eating, drinking, or fleeping, and ram- bling about in their towns or camps. But when neceffity obliges them to take the field, either to oppofe an enemy, or to procure themfelves food, they are alert and indefatigable. Many inftances of their activity on thefe occafions will be given when I treat of their wars. The infatuating fpirit of gaming is not confined to Europe ; the Indians alfo feel the bewitching impulfe, and often loie their arms, their apparel, and every thing they are poffefled of. In this cafe, however, they do not follow the exam- ple of more refined gamefters, for they neither murmur nor repine ; not a fretful word efcapes them, but they bear the frowns of fortune with a philofophic compolure. The greateft blemim in their character is that lavage difpolition which impels them to treat their enemies with a feve- rity every other nation ihudders at. But if they are thus barbarous to thofe with whom [ »45 ] whom they are at war, they are friendly, hofpitable, and humane in peace. It may with truth be faid of them, that thev are the worft enemies, and the bed friends, of any people in the whole world. The Indians in general are Grangers to the pailion of jealouly ; and brand a man with folly that is diftruitfurof his wife. Among fome bands the very idea is not known ; as the mod abandoned of their young men very rarely attempt the virtue of married women, nor do thefe often put themfelves in the way of folicitation. Yet the Indian women in general are of an amorous temperature, and before they are married are not the lefs efteemed for the indulgence of their pailioiis. Whilft I was among the Naudowefiies I obferved that they paid uncommon re- fpect to one of their women, and found on enquiry that me was intitled to it on account of a tranfaction , that in Europe would have rendered her infamous. They told me that when (he was a young woman, for at the time I faw her ihe was far advanced in life, the had given what they termed a rice feaft. Accord- ing to an ancient but almoft obfolete cuf- <^j torn [ M6 ] torn (which, as Hamlet fays, would have been more honoured in the breach 3 than the obfervance) (he invited forty of the principal warriors to her tent, where having feafled them with rice and veni- fon, ihe by turns regaled each of them with a private deiert, behind a fcrene fixed for this purpoie in the inner part of the tent. She had the happinefs to obtain by this profufion of courtefy, the favour of her guefts, and the approbation of the whole band. So fenfible were the young In- dians of her extraordinary merit, that they vied with each other for her hand, and in a very fhort time one of the prin- cipal chiefs took her to wife, over whom me acquired great fway, and from whom fhe received ever after inceflant tokens of reipecT: and love. It is however fcarcely once in an age that any of their females are hardy enough to make this feaft, notwithftanding a huf- band of the firft rank awaits as a fure re- ward the fuccefsful giver of it ; and the cuftom, I fmce find, is peculiar to the Naudoweffies. The [ 2 47 ] The Indians in their common fhte are Grangers to all diftinctiori of property, except in the articles of domeftick ufe, which every one confiders as his own., and increafes as circumftances admit. They are extremely liberal to each other, and fupply the deficiency of their friends with any fuperfluity of their own. In dangers they readily give afliftance to thofe of their band who ftand in need of it, without any expectation of return, except of thofe juft rewards that are al- ways conferred by the Indians on merit. Governed by the plain and equitable laws of nature, every one is rewarded folely according to his deferts ; and their equa- lity of condition, manners, and privileges, with that conftant and fociable familiarity which prevails throughout every Indian na- tion, animates them with a pure and truly patriotic fpirit, that tends to the general good of the fociety to which they belong., If any of their neighbours are bereaved by death or by an enemy of their chil- dren, thofe who are poffeffed of the greateil: number of flaves, fupply the deficiency; and thefe are adopted by them and treated in every refpect as if they really were C 248 ] the children of the perfon to whom they are p relented. The Indians, except thofe who live adjoining to the European colonies, can form to themfelves no idea of the value of money ; they confider it when they are made acquainted with the ufes to which it is applied by other nations, as the fource of innumerable evils. To it they attribute all the mifchiefs that are prevalent among Europeans, fuch as treach- ery, plundering, devaluations, and murder. They efreem it irrational that one man fhould be pofTefled of a greater quantity than another, and are amazed that any honour mould be annexed to the poflef- fion of it. But that the want of this k ufelefs metal mould be the caufe of de- priving perfons of their liberty, and that on account of this partial diftribution of it, great numbers mould be immured within the dreary walls of a prifon, cut off from that fociety of which they con- ititute a part, exceeds their belief. Nor do they fail, on hearing this part of the European fyftem of government related, to charge the infri tutors of it with a total want [ 249 J want of humanity, and to brand them with the names of favages and brutes. They mew almoft an equal degree of indifference for the productions of art. When any of thefe are fhewn them, they fay, " It is pretty, I like to look at it," but are not inquiiitive about the conftruc- tion of it, neither can they form proper conceptions of its ufe. But if you tell them of a perfon who is able to run with great agility, that is well ikilled in hunt- ing, can direct with unerring aim a gun, or bend with eafe a bow, that can dexte- roufly w T ork a canoe, underflands the art of war, is acquainted with the fituation of a country, and can make his way without a guide, through an immenfe forefh, fubfifting during this on a fmall quantity of proviiions, they are in rap- tures ; they liftenwith great attention to the pleafing tale, and beftow the highell: commendations on the hero of it. CHAP. 2 ] lar hours, but juft as their appetites re- quire, and convenience fuits. They ufually dance either before or af- ter every meal ; and by this cheerfulnefs, probably, render the Great Spirit, to whom they connder themfelves as in- debted for every good, a more acceptable facrifice than a formal and unanimated thankfgiving. The men and women feaft apart : and each fex invite by turns their companions to partake with them of the food they happen to have ; but in their domeftic way of living the men and women eat together. No people are more hofpitable, kind, and free than the Indians. They will rea- dily (hare with any of their own tribe the laft part of their provifions, and even with thofe of a different nation, if they chance to come in when they are eating. Though they do not keep one common flock, yet that community of goods which is fo prevalent among them, and their generous difpolition, render it nearly of the fame effect. When the chiefs are convened on any public bufinefs, they always conclude with [ 266 ] with a feaft, at which their feftivity and cheerfulnefs knows no limits. CHAP. VII. Of their Dances. DANCING is a favourite exercife among the Indians ; they never meet on any public occafion, but this makes a part of the entertainment. And when they are not engaged in war or hunting, the youth of both fexes amufe themfelves in this manner every evening. They always dance, as I have juft ob- ferved, at their feafts. In thefe as well as all their other dances, every man rifes in his turn, and moves about with great freedom and boldnefs ; fmging, as he does fo, the exploits of his anceftors. During this the company, who are feated on the ground in a circle, around the dancer, join with him in marking the cadence, by an odd tone, which they utter all to- gether, and which founds " Heh, heh, M heh." Thefe notes, if they might be fa t 267 ] fo termed, are articulated with a harm accent, and {trained out with the ut- moft force of their lungs; fo that one would imagine their ftrength muft be foon exhaufted by it ; inftead of which, they repeat it with the fame violence during the whole of their entertain- ment. The women, particularly thofe of the weftern nations, dance very gracefully. They carry themfelves erect, and with their arms hanging down clofe to their fides, move firft a few yards to the right, and then back again to the left. This move- ment they perform without taking any fteps as an European would do, but with their feet conjoined, moving by turns their toes and heels. In this manner they glide with great agility to a certain diflance, and then return ; and let thofe who join in the dance be ever fo nu- merous, they keep time fb exactly with each other that no interruption enfues. During this, at ftated periods they min- gle their fhrill voices with the hoarier ones of the men who fit around (for it is to be obferved that the fexes never intermix in the fame dance) which, with [ *68 ] with the mufic of the drums and chichi- coues, make an agreeable harmony. t The Indians have feveral kinds of dances which they ufe on different occa- iions, as the Pipe or Calumate Dance, the War Dance, the Marriage Dance, and the Dance of the Sacrifice. The movements in every one of thefe are difli- miiar, but it is almoft impofiible to convey any idea of the points in which they are unlike. Different nations like wife vary in their manner of dancing - . The Chipeways throw themfelves into a greater variety of attitudes than any other people ; fome- times they hold their heads creel, at others they bend them almoft to the ground ; then recline on one fide, and immediately after on the other. The Naudoweffies carry themfelves more up- right, ftep firmer, and move more grace- fully. But they all accompany their dances with the difagreeable noife juft mentioned. The Pipe Dance is the principal, and the mod pleating to a fpectator of any of them, being the leaft. frantic, and the movements of it the moil: graceful. It is [ **9 ] is but on particular occasions that it is ufed ; as when ambafTadors from an ene- my arrive to treat of peace, or when Grangers of eminence pafs through their territories. The War Dance, which they ufe both before they let out on their war parties, and on their return from them, ftrikes terror into ftrangers. It is performed, as the others, amidlt. a circle of the war- riors ; a chief generally begins it, who moves from the right to the left, ringing at the lame time both his own exploits, and thofe of his anceftors. When he has concluded his account of any memorable action, he gives a violent blow with his war-club againft a poll: that is fixed in the ground, near the centre of the afiem- bly, for this purpofe. Every one dances in his turn, and re- capitulates the wondrous deeds of his fa- mily, till they all at lair, join the dance. Then it becomes truly alarming to any ftranger that happens to be among them, as they throw them lei ves into every hor- rible and terrifying poirure that can be imagined, rehearfing at the fame time the parts they expect to act againft their ene- mies [ *7° J mies in the field. During this they hold their (harp knives in their hands, with which, as they whirl about, they are every moment in danger of cutting each others throats ; and did they not fhun the threatened mifchief with inconceivable dexterity, it could not be avoided. By thefe motions they intend to represent the manner in which they kill, fcalp, and take their prisoners. To heighten the fcene, they fet up the fame hideous yells, cries, and war-hoops they ufe in time of action : fo that it is impoffible to con- sider them in any other light than as an afTembly of demons. I have frequently joined in this dance with them, but it foon ceafed to be an amuiement to me, as I could not lay afide my appreheniions of receiving fome dreadful wound, that from the violence of their geflures rauft have proved mortal. I found that the nations to the weft- ward of the Miffirfippi, and on the bor- ders of Lake Superior, ftill continue to make ufe of the Pawwaw or Black Dance. The people of the colonies tell a thou land ridiculous ftories of the devil being raifed in [ *7 l ] in this dance by the Indians. But they allow that this was in former times, and is now nearly extinct among thofe who live adjacent to the European fettle- ments. However I difcovered that it was ftill ufed in the interior parts ; and though I did not actually fee the devil railed by it, I was witneis to fome fcenes that could only be performed by fuch as dealt with him, or were very expert and dexterous jugglers. Whilft I was among the Naudoweffies, a dance, which they thus termed, was performed. Before the dance began, one of the Indians was admitted into a fociety which they denominated Wakon-Kit- chewah, that is, the Friendly Society of the Spirit. This fociety is compofed of perfbns of both fexes, but fuch only can be admitted into it as are of unexception- able character, and who receive the ap- probation of the whole body. To this admiffion fucceeded the Pawwaw dance (in which I faw nothing that could give rife to the reports I had heard) and the whole, according to their ufual cuftom concluded with a grand feaft. The [ 2 7 2 ] The initiation being attended with fome very Angular circumftances, which, as I have before obferved, muft be either the effect of magick, or of amazing dex- terity, I (hall give a particular account of the whole procedure. It was performed at the time of the new moon, in a place appropriated to the purpofe near the cen- tre of their camp, that would contain about two hundred people. Being a ftranger, and on all occafions treated by them with great civility, I was invited to fee the ceremony, and placed clofe to the rails of the inclofure. About twelve o'clock they began to aflemble ; when the fun {hone bright, which they confidered as a good omen, for they never by choice hold any of their public meetings unlefs the Iky be clear and unclouded. A great number of chiefs firft appeared, who were drefled in their beft apparel ; and after them came the head-warrior, clad in a long robe of rich furs that trailed on the ground, at- tended by a retinue of fifteen or twenty perfons, painted and drefled in the gayeft, manner. Next followed the wives of fuch as had been already admitted into the [ *73 ] the fociety ; and in the rear a confufed heap of the lower ranks, all contributing as much as lay in their power to make the appearance grand and movvy. When the aflembly was feated, and filence proclaimed, one of the principal chiefs arofe, and in a fhort but maiterly fpeech informed his audience of the occa- fion of their meeting. He acquainted them that one of their young men wifhed to be admitted into their fociety ; and taking him by the hand prefented him to their view, alking them, at the fame time, whether they had any objection to his becoming one of their community. No objection being made, the young candidate was placed in the centre, and four of the chiefs took their {rations clofe to him ; after exhorting him, by turns, not to faint under the operation he was about to go through, but to behave like an Indian and a man, two of them took hold of his arms, and caufed him to kneel; another placed himfelf behind him fo as to receive him when he fell, and the lait of the four retired to the diitance of about twelve feet from him exactly in front. Thi 15 [ 2 74 ] This difpofition being completed, the chief that ftood before the kneeling can- didate, began to fpeak to him with an audible voice. He told him that he him- felf was now agitated by the fame fpirit which he fhould in a few moments com- municate to him ; that it would ftrike him dead, but that he would inftantly be reftored again to life ; to this he added, that the communication, however terri- fying, was a neceflary introduction to the advantages enjoyed by the community into which he was on the point of being admitted. As he fpoke this, he appeared to be greatly agitated ; till at laft his emotions became fo violent, that his countenance was diftorted, and his whole frame con- vulfed. At this juncture he threw fbme- thing that appeared both in lTiape and co- lour like a Imall bean, at the young man, which feemed to enter his mouth, and he inftantly fell as motionlafs as if he had been mot. The chief that was placed behind him received him in his arms, and, by the aiiiitance of the other two, laid him on the ground to all appearance be- reft of life. Having [ 2 75 ] Having done this, they immediately began to rub his limbs, and to ftrike him on the back, giving him fiich blows, as feemed more calculated to ftill the quick, than to raife the dead. During thefe ex- traordinary applications, the fpeaker con- tinued his harangue, defiring the fpecta- tors not to be furprized, or to delpair of the young man's recovery, as his prefent inanimate lituation proceeded only from the forcible operation of the Ipirit, on faculties that had hitherto been unufed to infpirations of this kind. The candidate lay feveral minutes with- out fenfe or motion ; but at length , af- ter receiving many violent blows, he be- gan to difcover fome fymptoms of re- turning life. Thefe, however, were at- tended with ftrong convulfions, and an apparent obftruc"tion in his throat. But they were foon at an end ; for having dis- charged from his mouth the bean, or whatever it was that the chief had thrown at him, but which on the clofeft, inflec- tion I had not perceived to enter it, he foon after appeared to be tolerably reco- vered. S 2 This [ 2 74 ] This difpofition being completed, the chief that flood before the kneeling can- didate, began to fpeak to him with an audible voice. He told him that he him- felf was now agitated by the fame fpirit which he mould in a few moments com- municate to him ; that it would ftrike him dead, but that he would inftantly be reftored again to life ; to this he added, that the communication, however terri- fying, was a neceflary introduction to the advantages enjoyed by the community into which he was on the point of being admitted. As he fpoke this, he appeared to be greatly agitated ; till at laft his emotions became fo violent, that his countenance was diilorted, and his whole frame con- vulfed. At this juncture he threw ibme- thing that appeared both in fhape and co- lour like a imall bean, at the young man, which feemed to enter his mouth, and he inftantly fell as motionUfs as if he had been fhot. The chief that was placed behind him received him in his arms, and, by the afiiltance of the other two, laid him on the ground to all appearance be- reft of life. Having [ 2 7S ] Having done this, they immediately began to rub his limbs, and to ftrike him on the back, giving him iuch blows, as feemed more calculated to ftill the quick, than to raife the dead. During thefe ex- traordinary applications, the fpeaker con- tinued his harangue, defiring the fpecta- tors not to be furprized, or to defpair of the young man's recovery, as his prefent inanimate fituation proceeded only from the forcible operation of the fpirit, on faculties that had hitherto been unufed to infpirations of this kind. The candidate lay feveral minutes with- out fenfe or motion ; but at length, af- ter receiving many violent blows, he be- gan to difcover fome fymptoms of re- turning life. Thefe, however, were at- tended with ftrong convulfions, and an. apparent obitruc~tion in his throat. But they were foon at an end ; for having dif- charged from his mouth the bean, or whatever it was that the chief had thrown at him, but which on the clofeil: inflec- tion I had not perceived to enter it, he foon after appeared to be tolerably reco- vered. S 2 This [ «« ] This part of the ceremony being hap- pily effected, the officiating chiefs dii- robed him of the cloaths he had ufually worn, and put on him a fet of apparel entirely new. When he was drefled, the fpeaker once more took him by the hand, and prefented him to the fociety as a re- gular and thoroughly initiated member, exhorting them, at the fame time, to give him fuch neceflary affiftance, as be- ing a young member, he might ftand in need of. He then alio charged the newly elected brother to receive with humi- lity, and to follow with punctuality the advice of his eider brethren. All thole who had been admitted within the rails, now formed a circle around their new brother, and the mufic {triking up, the great chief fung a fong, celebrating as ufual their martial ex- ploits. The only mufic they make ufe of is a drum, which is compofed of a piece of a hollow tree curio ufly wrought, and •over one end of which is {trained a fkin, this they beat with a llngle ftick, and it gives a found that is far from harmoni- ous, [ 2 77 ] ous, but it juft ferves to beat time with. To this they fometimes add the chichicoe, and in their war dances they likewife ufe a kind of fife, formed of a reed, which makes a fhrill harm noife. The whole aflembly were by this time united, and the dance began ; feveral fingers affifted the mufic with their voices, and the women joining in the chorus at certain intervals, they produced together a not unpleafing but favage harmony. This was one of the moll: agreeable enter- tainments I faw whilft I was among them. I could not help laughing at a lingular childifh cuftom I oblerved they intro- duced into this dance, and which was the only one that had the leaft appearance of conjuration. Mofr. of the members car- ried in their hands an otter or martin's {kin, which being taken whole from the body, and filled with wind, on being compreffed, made a^ iqueeking noiie through a fmall piece of wood organically formed and fixed in its mouth. When this inftrument was prefented to the face of any of the company, and the found emitted, the perfon receiving it inftantly fell down to appearance dead. Somj- S 3 times [ *7« ] times two or three, both men and wo- men, were on the ground together ; but immediately recovering, they rofe up and joined again in the dance. This feemed to afford, even the chiefs themfelves, in- finite diveriion. I afterwards learned that thefe were their Dii Penates or Houfhold Gods. After fome hours fpent in this manner the feafl began ; the dimes being brought near me, I perceived that they con- firmed of dog's fleih; and I was in- formed that at all their public grand feafls they never made ufe of any other kind of food. . For this purpofe, at the feafl I am now fpeaking of, the new can- didate provides fat dogs, if they can be procured at any price. In this cuflom of eating dog's flefh on particular occasions, they refemble the in- habitants of fome of the countries that lie on the north-eaft borders of Aria. The author of the account of Kamfchatka, pub- lifhed by order of the Emprefs of Ruffia (before referred to) informs us, that the people inhabiting Koreka, a country north of Kamfchatka, who wander about in hards like the Arabs, when .they pay their [ 2 79 ] their worfhip to the evil beings, kill a rein-deer or a dog, the flefli of which they eat, and leave the head and tongue {ticking on a pole with the front towards the eaft. Alfo that when they are afraid of any infectious diftemper, they kill a dog, and winding the guts about two poles, pafs between them. Thefe cuftoms, in which they are nearly imitated by the Indians, feem to add ftrength to my fup- pofition, that America was firft peopled from this quarter. I know not under what clafs of dances to rank that performed by the Indians who came to my tent when I landed near Lake Pepin, on the banks of the Miffiffippi, as related in my Journals. When I looked out, as I there mentioned, I law about twenty naked young Indians, the moit, perfect in their fhape, and by far the handiomeft of any I had ever feen, com- ing towards me, and dancing as they ap- proached, to the mutic of their drums. At every ten or twelve yards they halted, and fet up their yells and cries. When they reached my tent, I afked them to come in; which, without deign- ing to make me any anfwer, they did. As S 4 I ob- [ 28o ] I obferved that they were painted red and black, as they ufually are when they go againft. an enemy, and perceived that fome parts of the war-dance were inter- mixed with their other movements, I doubted not but they were fet on by the inimical chief w T ho had refufed my falu- tation : I therefore determined to fell my life as dear as poffible. To this pur- pose, I received them fitting on my chefr, w r ith my gun and piftols beiide me, and ordered my men to keep a watchful eye on them, and to be alfo upon their guard. The Indians being entered, they con- tinued their dance alternately, finging at the fame time of their heroic exploits, and the fuperiority of their race over every other people. To enforce their language, though it was uncommomly nervous and expreffive, and fuch as would of itfelf have carried terror to the firmefr. heart, at the end of every period they {truck their war-clubs againft. the poles of my tent, with fuch violence, that I ex- pected every moment it would have tum- bled upon us. As each of them, in danc- ing round, palled by me, they placed their [ **3 ] their right hands over their eyes, and coming clofe to me, looked me {readily in the face, which I could not conftrue into a token of friendfhip. My men gave themfelves up for loft, and I ac- knowledge, for my own part, that I never found my apprehenfions more tumultuous on any occalion. When they had nearly ended their dance, I prefented to them the pipe of peace, but they would not receive it. I then, as my lafr. refource, thought I would try what prefents would do ; ac- cordingly I took from my chefl fome ribands and trinkets, which I laid before them. Thefe feemed to flagger their re- folutions, and to avert in iome degree their anger ; for after holding a confulta- tion together, they fat down on the ground, which I confidered as a favour- able omen. Thus it proved, as in a iTiort time they received the pipe of peace, and light- ing it, firft prefented it to me, and then fmoaked with it themfelves. Soon after they took up the prefents, which had hi- therto lain neglected, and appearing to be greatly pleafed with them, departed in a friendly [ 282 ] friendly manner. And never did I receive greater pleafure than at getting rid of fuch formidable guefts. It was not ever in my power to gain a thorough knowledge of the defigns of my vifiters. I had fufficient reafon to con- clude that they were hoftile, and that their vifit, at lo late an hour, was made through the inftigation of the Grand Sautor; but 1 was afterwards informed that it might be intended as a compliment which they ufually pay to the chiefs of every other nation who happen to fall in with them, and that the circumftances in their conduct, which had appeared fo fufpi- cious to me, were merely the effects of their vanity, and defignejl to imprefs on the minds of thofe whom they thus vifited an elevated opinion of their valour and prowefs. In the morning hefore I con- tinued my route, feveral of their wives brought me a prelent of fome fugar, for whom I found a few more ribands. The Dance of the facrifice is not fa denominated from their offering up at the fame time a facrifice to any good or evil ipirit, but is a dance to which the Nau- doweffies give that title from being ufed when [ *«3 ] when any public fortunate circumftance befalls them. Whilft I reiided among them, a fine large deer accidentally ftrayed into the middle of their encampment, which they foon deftroyed. As this happened juft at the new moon, they efteemed it a lucky omen ; and having roafted it whole, every one in the camp partook of it. Af- ter their feaft, they all joined in a dance, which they termed from its being fome- what of a religious nature, a Dance of the facrifice. CHAP. VIII. Of their Hunting. HUNTING is the principal occu- pation of the Indians ; they are trained to it from their eariieft. youth, and it is an exercife which is efteemed no lefs honourable than neceflary towards their fubfiftence. A dextrous and refolute hun- ter is held nearly in as great efUmation by them as a diliinguifhed warrior. Scarcely any device which the ingenuity of man has difcovered for enfnaring or de- ftroying [ 2ii4 j ftroying thofe animals that fupply them with food, or whofe fkins are valuable to Europeans, is unknown to them. Whilft. they are engaged in this exer- cife, they make off the indolence peculiar to their nature, and become active, per- ievering, and indefatigable. They are equally fagacious in finding their prey, and in the means they ule to deftroy it. They difcern the footfteps of the beafts they are in purfuit of, although they are imperceptible to every other eye, and can follow them with certainty through the pathlefs foreft. The beads that the Indians hunt, both for their flefh on which they fubhft, and for their ikins, of which they either make their apparel, or barter with the Europeans for necefiaries, are the buffalo, the elk, the deer, the moofe, the caraboe, the bear, the beaver, the otter, the martin, &c. I fhall defer giving a defcription of thefe creatures, and fhall only at prefent treat of their manner of hunting them. The route they fhall take for this pur- pofe, and the parties that fhall go on the different expeditions are fixed in their ge- neral councils which are held fome time in C «i ] ill the fummer, when all the operations for the enfuing winter are concluded on. The chief-warrior, whofe province it is to regulate their proceedings on this oc- cafion, with great folemnity iflues out an invitation to thofe who chufe to attend him ; for the Indians, as before obferved, acknowledge no fuperiority, nor have they any idea of compulfion ; and every one that accepts it prepares himfelf by failing during feveral days. The Indians do not fail as fome other nations do, on the richefl and moft lux- urious food, but they totally abftain from every kind either of victuals or drink ; and fuch is their patience and refolution, that the moil extreme third could not oblige them to tafle a drop of water ; yet amidfl this fevere abflinence they appear cheer- ful and happy. The reafon they give for thus failing, are, that it enables them freely to dream, in which dreams they are informed where they (hall find the greatefl plenty oi' game ; and alio that it averts the difpleafure of the evil fpirits, and induces them to be pro- pitious. They allb on thefe occafions blacken thofe parts of their bodies that are uncovered. The [ 286 ] The fair, being ended, and the place of hunting made known, the chief who is to conduct them, gives a grand feaft to thofe who are to form the different par- ties ; of which none of them dare to par- take till they have bathed themfelves. At this feaft, notwithstanding they have fafted fo long, they eat with great moderation ; and the chief that prefides employs himfelf in rehearfmg the feats of thofe who have been moft fuccefsful in the bufinefs they are about to enter upon. They foon after fet out on the march towards the place appointed, painted or rather bedaubed with black, amidfr. the acclamations of all the people. It is impoffible to defcribe their agility or perfeverance, whilft they are in pur- fuit of their prey ; neither thickets, ditches, torrents, pools, or rivers flop them; they always go ftrait forward in the moll direct line they poffibly can, and there are few of the favage inhabitants of the woods that they cannot over- take. When they hunt for bears, they en- deavour to find out their retreats ; for, during the winter, thefe animals conceal them- t 287 ] themfelves in the hollow trunks of trees, or make themfelves holes in the ground, where they continue without food, whilit the fevere weather lafts. When the Indians think they have ar- rived at a place where thefe creatures ufu- ally haunt, they form themfelves into a circle according to their number, and moving onward, endeavour, as they ad- vance towards the centre, to difcover the retreats of their prey. By this means, if any lie in the intermediate ip2ce, they are fure of aroufing them, and bringing them down either with their bows or their guns. The bears will take to flight at fight of a man or a dog, and will only make refinance when they are extremely hungry, or after they are wounded. The Indian method of hunting the buffalo is by forming a circle or a fquare, nearly in the fame manner as when they fearch for the bear. Having taken their different ftations, they fet the grafs, which at this time is rank and dry, on fire, and thefe animals, who are ex- tremely fearful of that element, flying with precipitation before it, great num- bers t 288 ] bers are hemmed in a fmall compafs, and fcarcely a flngle one efcapes. They have different ways of hunt- ing the elk, the deer, and the cara- boe. Sometimes they feek them out in the woods, to which they retire during the feverity of the cold, where they are eafily fhot from behind the trees. Infhe more northern climates they take the ad- vantage of the weather to deftroy the elk; when the fun has juft ftrength enough to melt the fnow, and the froft in the night forms a kind of craft on the furface, this creature being heavy, breaks it w r ith his forked hoofs, and with difficulty extri- cates himfelf from it ; at this time there- fore he is foon overtaken and deftroyed. Some nations have a method of hunt- ing thefe animals which is more eafily executed, and free from danger. The hunting party divide themfelves into two bands, and choofing a fpot near the bor- ders of fome river, one party embarks on board their canoes, whilft the other form- ing themfelves into a femi-circle on the land, the flanks of which reach the fhore, let loofe their dogs, and by this means roufe all the game that lies within thefe bounds ; [ *$9 ] bounds ; they then drive them towards the river, into which they no fooner en- ter, than the greateft part of them are immediately difpatched by thofe who re- main in the canoes. Both the elk and the .buffalo are very furious when they are wounded, and will return fiercely on their purfuers, and trample them under their feet, if the hun- ter finds not means to complete their de- ftruction, or feeks for fecurity in flight to fome adjacent tree ; by this method they are frequently avoided, and lo tired with the purfuit,that they voluntarily give it over. But the hunting in which the Indi- ans, particularly thofe who inhabit the northern parts, chiefly employ them- felves, and from which they reap the greateft advantage, is the beaver hunting. The feaion for this is throughout the whole of the winter, from November to April; during which time the fur of thefe creatures is in the greateit. perfection. A defcription of this extraordinary ani- mal, the conftruction of their huts, and the regulations of their almoft rational community, I mall give in another place. The hunters make ufe of feverai me- T thods [ 2 9 ] thods to deftroy them. Thofe generally pra&ifed, are either that of taking them in fnares, cutting through the ice, or opening their caufeways. As the eyes of thefe animals are very quick, and their hearing exceedingly acute, great precaution is neceflary in approach* ing their abodes ; for as they feldom go far from the water, and their houfes are always built clofe to the fide of fome large river or lake, or dams of their own conftructing, upon the leafl alarm they haften to the deeped part of the water, and dive immediately to the bottom ; as they do this they make a great noife by beat- ing the water with their tails, on purpofe to put the whole fraternity on their guard. They take them with fnares in the following manner : though the beavers ufually lay up a fufficient ftore of provi- fion to ferve for their fubfiftence during the winter, they make from time to time excursions to the neighbouring woods to procure further fupplies of food. The hunters having found out their haunts, place a trap in their way, baited with imall pieces of bark, or young fhoots of trees, which the beaver has no fooner laid hold [ *9 l ] hold of, than a large log of wood falls iipon him, and breaks his back ; his ene- mies, who are upon the watch, foon ap- pear, and inflantly difpatch the helplefs animal. At other times, when the ice on the rivers and lakes is about half a foot thick, they make an opening through it with their hatchets, to which the beavers will foon haflen, on being disturbed at their houfes, for a fupply of frefh air. As their breath occauons a confiderable .motion in the water, the hunter has fiif- ficient notice of their approach, and me- thods are eafily taken for knocking them on the head the moment they appear above the furface. When the houfes of the beavers hap- pen to be near a rivulet, they are more eafily deftroyed : the hunters then cut the ice, and fpreading a net under it, break down the cabins of the beavers, who never Fail to make towards the deeper! part, where they are entangled and taken. But they muft not be fuffered to remain there long, as they would foon extricate them- felves with their teeth, which are well known to be exceflively (harp and ftrong* T 2 The f 2 9 2 ] The Indians take great care to hinder their dogs from touching the bones of the beavers. The reafons they give for thefe precautions are, firft, that the bones are fo exceffively hard, that they fpoil the teeth of the dogs ; and, fecondly, that they are apprehenfive they mall fo exaf- perate the fpirits of the beavers by this permiffion, as to render the next hunting feafbn unfuccefsful. The ikins of thefe animals the hunters exchange with the Europeans for necef- faries, and as they are more valued by the latter than any other kind of furs, they pay the greateft attention to this fpe- cies of hunting. When the Indians deftroy buffalos, elks* deer, &c. they generally divide the flem of fuch as they have taken, among the tribe to which they belong. But in hunting the beaver a few families ufually unite and divide the fpoil between them. Indeed, in the firft inftance, they gene- rally pay fome attention in the divifion to their own families ; but no jealoufies or murmurings are ever known to arife on account of any apparent partiality. Among [ *93 ] Among the Naudoweffies, if a perfon moots a deer, buffalo, &c. and it runs to a considerable diftance before it drops, where a peribn belonging to another tribe, being nearer, firft flicks a knife into it, the game is considered as the property of the latter, notwithstanding it had been mortally wounded by the for- mer. Though this cuftom appears to be arbitrary and unjuft, yet that people cheerfully fubmit to it. This decision is, howeves, very different from that prac- tifed by the Indians on the back of the colonies, where the firft perfon that hits it is entitled to the beft fhare. CHAP. IX. Of their Manner of making War, &e. TH E Indians begin to bear arms at the age of fifteen, and lay them afide when they arrive at the age of fixty. Some nations to the fouthward, I have been informed, do not continue their mi- litary exercifes afte* they are fifty. T 3 in [ *94- 3 In every band or nation there is a felecl: number who are filled the Warriors, and who are always ready to act either offen- fively or defenfively, as occafion requires. Thefe are well armed, bearing the wea- pons commonly in ufe among them, which vary according to the fituation of their countries. Such as have an inter-* courfe with the Europeans make ufe of tomahawks, knives, and fire-arms ; but thofe whofe dwellings are fituated to the w 7 eftward of the Miffiffippi, and who have not an opportunity of purchafing thefe kinds of weapons, ufe bows and arrows, and alfo the Cafle Tete or war club. The Indians that inhabit ftill farther to the well: ward, a country which extends to the South Sea, ufe in fight a warlike inflrument that is very uncommon. Hav- ing great plenty of horfes, they always attack their enemies on horfeback, and encumber themfelves with no other wea- pon, than a ftone of a middling fize, curi- oufly wrought, which they fatten by a firing, about a yard and half long, to their right arms, a little above the elbow. Thefe itones they conveniently carry in their hands till they reach their enemies, and, [ 2 95 ] and then fwinging them with great dexte- rity, as they ride full fpeed, never fail of doing execution. The country which thefe tribes poflefs, abounding with large exteniive plains, thofe who attack them feldom return ; as the fwiftnefs of the horfes on which they are mounted, ena- bles them to overtake even the fleeteft of their invaders. The Naudoweffies, who had been at war with this people, informed me, that unlefs they found morafles or thickets to which they could retire, they were fure of being cut off: to prevent this they always took care whenever they made an onfet, to do it near fuch retreats as were impaffable for cavalry, they then hav- ing a great advantage over their enemies, whofe weapons would not there reach them. Some nations make ufe of a javelin pointed with bone worked into different forms ; but their Indian weapons in ge- neral are bows and arrows, and the fhort club already mentioned. The latter is made of a very hard wood, and the head of it fafhioned round like a ball, about three inches and a half diameter ; in this T 4 rotund [ 2 9 6 ] rotund part is fixed an edge refembling that of a tomahawk, either of fleel or flint, whichever they can procure ; iimilar to that reprefented in Plate N°IV. The dagger placed near it in the fame plate, is peculiar to the Naudoweffie na- tion, and of ancient construction, but they can give no account how long it has been in ufe among them. It was origi- nally ,made of flint or hone, but fince they have had communication with the European traders, they have formed it of Heel. The length of it is about ten in- ches, and that part clofe to the handle nearly three inches broad. Its edges are keen, and it gradually tapers towards a point. They wear it in a {heath made pf deer's leather, neatly ornamented w T ith porcupines quills ; and it is ufually hung by a firing, decorated in the lame man- ner, which reaches as low only as the bread. This curious weapon is worn by a few of the principal chiefs alone, and. confidered both as a uleful inflrument, and an ornamental badge of fuperionty. I obierved among the Naudowuffies a few targets or iTiields made of raw buffalo hides, and in the form of thofe . ufed by the [ 2 97 ] the ancients. But as the numher of thefe was fmall, and I could gain no intelli- gence of the aera in which they firft were introduced among them, I fuppofe thofe I faw had defcended from father to fon for many generations. The reafons the Indians give for mak- ing war againft. one another, are much the fame as thole urged by more civilized nations for difturbing the tranquillity of their neighbours. The pleas of the for- mer are however in general more rational and juft, than fuch as are brought by Europeans in vindication of their pro- ceedings. The extenfion of empire is feldom a motive with thefe people to invade, and to commit depredations on the territories of thofe who happen to dwell near them. Tofecure the rights of hunting within particular limits, to maintain the liber- ty of pafFmg through their accuftomed tracks, and to guard thofe lands which ih( y confider from a long tenure as their own, againft any infringement, are the general caufes of thofe difleniions that fo often break out between the Indian nar tions 7 _and which are carried on with fo much C 29s } much animofky. Though Grangers to the idea of feparate property, yet the rnoft uncultivated among them are well acquainted with the rights of their com- munity to the domains they poffefs, and oppofe with vigour every encroachment on them. Notwithftanding it is generally fup- pofed that from their territories being fo extenfive, the boundaries of them cannot be afcertained, yet I am well affured that the limits of each nation in the interior parts are laid down in their rude plans with great precifion. By theirs, as I have before obferved, was I enabled to regulate my own ; and after the mod ex- acl obfervations and enquiries found very few inftances in which they erred. But intereft is not either the mofr. fre- quent or moil: powerful incentive to their making war on each other. The paffion of revenge, which is the diftinguiihing characteriftic of thefe people, is the moft general motive. Injuries are felt by them with exquiiite fenfibility, and vengeance purfued with unremitted ar- dour. To this may be added, that na- tural excitation which every Indian be- comes E 2 99 ] cpmes fenfible of as foon as he approaches the age of manhood, to give proofs of his valour and prowefs. As they are early pofferTed with a no- tion that war ought to be the chief bufi- nefs of their lives, that there is nothing more defirous than the reputation of being a great warrior, and that the fcalps of their enemies or a number of prifoners are alone to be efteemed valuable, it is not to be wondered at that the younger Indians are continually reftlefs and uneafy if their ardour is repreffed, and they are kept in a ftate of inactivity. Either of thefe pro- penfities, the defire of revenge, or the gratification of an impulfe that by de- grees becomes habitual to them, is fuf- ficient, frequently, to induce them to commit hoftilities on fome of the neigh- bouring nations. When the chiefs find any occafion for making war, they endeavour to aroufe thefe habitudes, and by that means foon excite their warriors to take arms. To this purpofe they make ufe of their mar- tial eloquence nearly in the following words, which never fails of proving ef- fectual. " The bones of our deceafed *.' country- [ 3°° J countrymen lie uncovered, they call out to us to revenge their wrongs, and we mull fatisfy their requcft. Their fpirits cry out againfr. us, they mull be appeafed. The genii, who are the guardians of our honour, infpire us with a reiolution to feek the enemies of our murdered bro- thers. Let' us go and devour thofe by whom thev were (lain. Sit therefore no longer inactive, give way to the impulie of your natural valour, anoint your hair, paint your faces, fill your quivers, caufe the forefts to relound with your fongs, confole the fpirits of the dead, and tell them they mail be revenged." Animated by thele exhortations the warriors fnatch their arms in a tranfport of fury, fing the fong of war, and burn with impatience to imbrue their hands in the blood of their enemies. Sometimes private chiefs affemble fmall parties, and make excurfions againfr. thofe with whom they are at war, or fuch as have injured them. A iingle warrior, prompted by revenge or a defire to fhow Jiis prowefs, will march unattended for feveral [ 3 01 1 feveral hundred miles, to furprize and cut off a ftraggling party. Theie irregular Tallies, however, are not always approved of by the eld r chiefs, though they are often obliged to connive at them ; as in the inftance before given of the NaudowefHe and Chipeway nations. But when a war is national, and un- dertaken by the community, their deli- berations are formal and flow. The elders affemble in council, to which all the head warriors and young men are ad- mitted, where they deliver their opinions in folemn fpeeches, weighing with ma- turity the nature of the enterprize they are about to engage in, and balancing with great fagacity the advantages or inconve- niencies that will arile from it. Their priefts are alfo confulted on the fubjecl, and even, fometimes, the advice of the moft intelligent of their women is afked. If the determination be for war, they prepare for it with much ceremony. The chief warrior of a nation does not on all occafions head the war party him- felf, he frequently deputes a warrior of whofe [ 3° 2 3 whofe valour and prudence he has a good opinion. The perfon thus fixed on being firfl: dedawbed with black, obferves a faft of feveral days, during which he invokes the Great Spirit, or deprecates the anger of the evil ones, holding whilfr. it lafls no converfe with any of his tribe. He is particularly careful at the fame time to obferve his dreams* for on thefe do they fuppofe their fuccefs will in a great meafure depend ; and from the firm perfualion, every Indian actuated by his own prefumptuous thoughts is imprefled with, that he mail march forth to certain victory, thefe are generally favourable to his wimes* After he has fafted as long as cuftom prefcribes, he aflembles the warriors, and holding a belt of wampum in his hand thus addrefTes them : " Brothers ! by the infpiration of the •? Great Spirit I now fpeak unto you, " and by him am I prompted to carry 4< into execution the intentions which I " am about to difclofe to you. The " blood of our deceafed brothers is not " yet wiped away ; their bodies are not " yet [ 3°3 ] ** yet covered, and I am going to per- "' form this duty to them." Having then made known to them all the motives that induce him to take up arms againft the nation with whom they are- to engage, he thus proceeds t "I have " therefore refolved to march through ie the war-path to furprize them. We " will eat their flem and drink their *' blood ; we will take fcalps, and make " prifoners; and mould we perifh in this " glorious enterprize, we ihall not be for " ever hid in the duft, for this belt ihall " be a recompence to him who buries the " dead.'* Having faid this, he lays the belt on the ground, and he who takes it up declares himfelf his lieutenant, and is confidered as the fecond in command; this, however, is only done by fome diitinguifhed warrior who has a right, by the number of his fcalps, to the poll:. Though the Indians thus affert thai they will eat the flem and drink the blood of their enemies, the threat is only to be confidered as a figurative expreffion. Notwithftanding they fometimes devour the hearts of thofe they flay, and drink their r 3°4 ] their blood, by way of bravado, or to gra* tify in a more complete manner their re- venge, yet they are not naturally :;nthro- pophagi, nor ever feed on the *fleih of men. The chief is now warned from his fable cov nng, anointed with bears fat, and painted, wi h their red paint, in fuch figmes as will make him appear molt terrible to his enemies. He then lings the war-fong, and enumerates his warlike: actions. Having done this he fixes his eyes on the fun and pays his adorations to the Great Spirit, in which he is accompanied by all the warriors. This ceremonvis followed with dances, fuch as I have before deicribed ; and the whole concludes with a feafh which ufu- ally confifts of dogs flefh. This feaft is held in the hut or tent of the chief warrior, to which all thofe who intend to accompany him in his ex- pedition fend their dimes to be filled ; and during the feaft, notwithftanding he has fafted fo long, he fits compofedly with his pipe in his mouth, and recounts the valorous deeds of his family. A* [ 3°5 ] As the hopes of having their wounds' mould they receive any, properly treated, and expeditioufly cured, mull: be fome additional inducement to the warriors to expole themfelves more freely to danger, thepriefts, whoalfoare their doctors, pre- pare fuch medicines as will prove efficaci- ous. With great ceremony they collect va- rious roots and plants, and pretend that they impart to them the power of heal-, ing. Notwithftanding this fuperflitious me- thod of proceeding, it is very certain that they have acquired a knowledge of many plants and herbs that are of a me- dicinal quality, and which they know how to ufe with great (kill. From the time the relblution of en- gaging in a war is taken, to the departure of the warriors, the nights are fpent in feftivity, and their days in making the needful preparations. If it is thought neceffary by the na- tion going to war, to fblirit the alliance of any neighbouring tribe, they fix upon one of their chiefs who fpeaks the lan- guage of that people well, and who is a good orator, and fend to them by him U a belt f 3°6 ] a belt of wampum, on which is fpecified the purport of the embaffy in figures that every nation is well acquainted with. At the fame time he carries with him a hatchet painted red. As foon as he reaches the camp or village to which he is deftined, -he ac- quaints the chief of the tribe with the general tenor of his commiffion, who immediately afTembles a council, to which the ambaflador is invited. There having laid the hatchet on the ground he holds the belt in his hand, and enters more minutely into the occafion of his em- bafly. In his fpeech he invites them to take up the hatchet, and as loon as he has finiihed fpeaking delivers the belt. If his hearers are inclined to become auxiliaries to his nation, a chief fteps forward and takes up the hatchet, and they immediately efpoufe with fpirit the cauie they have thus engaged to liipport. But if on this application neither the belt or hatchet are accepted, the emiflary concludes that the people whole afiiftance he lolicits have already entered into an alliance with the foes of his nation, and returns [ 3°7 ] returns with fpeed to inform his coun- trymen of his ill-fuccefs. The manner in which the Indians de- clare war againfr, each other, is by fend- ing a flave with a hatchet, the handle of which is painted red, to the nation which they intend to break with; and the mef- fenger, notwithstanding the danger to which he is expofed from the fudden fury of thole whom he thus lets at defiance, executes his commiffion with great fide- lity. Sometimes this token of defiance has fuch an inftantaneous effect on thofe to whom it is prefented, that in the nrft tranfports of their fury a fmall party will ifTue forth without waiting for the per- miffion of the elder chiefs, and flaying the firft of the offending nation they meet, cut open the body and flick a hatchet of the fame kind as that they have juft re- ceived, into the heart of their flaughtered foe. Among the more remote tribes this is done with an arrow or fpear, the end of which is painted red. And the more to exafperate, they difmember the body, to fhow that they efteem them not as men but as old women. U 2 The [ 3°8 ] The Indians feldom take the field in large bodies, as fuch numbers would require a greater degree of induftry to provide for their fubfiftence, during their tedious marches through dreary forefls, or long voyages over lakes and rivers, than they would care to beftow. Their armies are never encumbered with baggage or military ftores. Each warrior, befides his weapons, carries with him only a mat, and whilft at a diftance from the frontiers of the enemy fupports himfelf with the game he kills or the fim he catches. When they pafs through a country where they have no apprehenfions of meeting with an enemy, they ufe very little precaution : fometimes there are fcarcely a dozen warriors left together, the reft being difperfed in purfuit of their game ; but though they fhould have roved to a very confiderable diftance from the war-path, they are fure to arrive at the place of rendezvous by the hour ap- pointed. They always pitch their tents long before fun-fet ; and being naturally pre- sumptuous take very little care to guard again ft t 3° 9 ] againit. a furprize. They place great con- fidence in their Manitous, or houfhold gods, which they always carry with them ; and being perfuaded that they take upon them the office of centinels, they deep very fecurely under their pro- tection. Thefe Manitous, as they are called by fome nations, but which are termed Wakon, that is, fpirits, by the Nau- doweffies, are nothing more than the otter and martins Ikins I have already defcribed, for which, however, they have a great veneration. After they have entered the enemies country, t n"CK people can be more cautious and cicoumfpecT: : fires are no longer light- ed, no more fhouting is hearcl, nor the game any longer purfued. They are not even permitted to lpeak ; but mud: convey whatever they have to impart to each other by ligns and motions. They now proceed wholly by ftrata-? gem and ambuicade. Having diicovered their enemies, they fend to reconnoitre them; and a council is immediately held, during which they fpeak only in whifpers, u 3 tQ [ 3 IQ ] to confider of the intelligence imparted by thofe who were fent out. The attack is generally made juft be- fore day-break, at which period they fup- pofe their foes to be in the iouncjeft fleep. Throughout the whole of the preceding night they will lie flat upon their faces, without flirring; and make their ap- proaches in the lame pofture, creeping upon their hands and feet till they are got w T ithin bow-mot of thofe they have deftined to deitruction. On a fignal given by the chief warrior, to which the whole body makes anfwer by the molt hideous yells, they all ftart up, and difcharging their arrows in the fame inftant, without giving their adverfaries time to recover from the confufion into which they are thrown, pour in upon them with their war-clubs or tomahawks. The Indians think there is little glory to be acquired from attacking their ene- mies openly in the field; their greatefr. pride is to furprize and deftroy. They feloom engage without a manifeil: ap- pearance of advantage. If they find the enemy on their guard, too itrongly en- trenched, or fuperior in numbers, they retire, t 3» ] retire, provided there is an opportunity of doing fo. And they efteem it the greateft qualification of a chief warrior, to be able to manage an attack, fo as to deftroy as many of the enemy as poflible, at the expence of a few men. Sometimes they fecure themfelves be- hind trees, hillocks, or ftones, and having given one or two rounds retire before they are difcovered. Europeans who are un- acquainted with this method of fighting too often find to their coft the deffructive efficacy of it. General Braddock was one of this un- happy number. Marching in the year 1755, to attack Fort Du Quefne, he was intercepted by a party of confederate In- dians in the intereft of the French, who by this infidious method of engaging- found means to defeat his army, which confifted of about three thou land brave and well difciplined troops. So fecurely were the Indians polled, that the Englilh fcarcely knew from whence or by whom they were thus annoyed. During the whole of the engagement the latter had fcarcely a fight of an enemy ; and were obliged to retreat without the fatisfaction of being U 4 able [ £»* ] able to take the leaft degree of revenge for the havock made among them. The general paid for his temerity with his life, and was accompanied in his fall by a great number of brave fellows ; whilfr. his inviiible enemies had only two or three of their number wounded. When the Indians fucceed in their rilent approaches, and are able to force the camp which they attack, a fcene of horror, that exceeds defcription, dimes. The favage fiercenefs of the conquerors, and the des- peration of the conquered, who well know what they have to expect mould they fall alive into the hands of their aflailants, occafion the moil: extraordinary exertions on both lides. The figure of the com- batants all befmeared with black and red paint, and covered with the blood of the flain, their horrid yells, and ungo- vernable fury, are not to be conceived by thofe who have never croffed the At- lantic. I have frequently been a fpectator of them, and once bore a part in a fimilar fcene. But what added to the horror of it, was, that I had not the confola- tion of being able to oppofe their favnge attacks* [ 3 l 3 ] attacks. Every circumftance of the ad- venture frill dwells on my remembrance, and enables me to defcribe with greater perfpicuity the brutal fiercenefs of the In- dians when they have furprized or over- powered an enemy. As a detail of the mafTacre at Fort William Henry in the year 1757, the fcene to which I refer, cannot appear foreign to the defign of this publication, but will ferve to give my readers a jufl idea of the ferocity of this people, I mall take the liberty to infert it, apologizing at the fame time for the length of the digreffion, and thofe egotifms which the relation renders unavoidable. General Webb, who commanded the Englifh army in North America, which was then encamped at Fort Edward, having intelligence that the French troops under Monf. Montcalm were making fome movements towards Fort William Henry, he detached a corps of about fif- teen hundred men, confiding of Englifh and Provincials, to ftrengthen the garrifon. In this party I went as a volunteer among the latter. The [ 3-4 ] The apprehensions of the Englifh gc- neral were not without foundation ; for the day after our arrival \4 faw Lake George (formerly Lake Sftramer.it) to which it lies contiguous, covered with an immenfe number of boats ; and in a few hours we found our lines attacked by the French general, who had juft landed with eleven thouiand Regulars and Cana- dians, and two thouiand Indians. Colo- nel Monro, a brave officer, commanded in the Fort, and had no more than two thouiand three hundred men with him, our detachment included. With thefe he made a gallant defence, and probably would have been able at lafr, to preferve the Fort, had he been pro- perly fupported, and permitted to conti- nue his efforts. On every fummons to furrender lent by the French general, who offered the moll honourable terms, his anfwer repeatedly was, That he yet found himfelf in a condition to repel the moll vigorous attacks his befiegers were able to make ; and if he thought his pre- ient force infumcient, he could foon be fupplied with a greater number from the adjacent army. But [ 3'5 ] But the colonel having acquainted Ge- neral Webb with his fituation, and de- li red he would fend him fome frefh troops, the general difpatched a mefTenger to him with a letter, wherein he informed him that it was not in his power to aiTiffc him, and therefore gave him orders to furrender up the fort on the beft terms he could procure. This packet fell into the hands of the French general, who im- mediately fent a flag of truce, defiling a conference with the governor.* They accordingly met, attended only by a fmall guard, in 5 the centre between the lines ; when Monf. Montcalm told the colonel, that he was come in perfon to demand poffemon of the fort, as it be- longed to the king his matter. The co- lonel replied, that he knew not how that could be, nor mould he furrender it up whilfr. it was in his power to defend it. The French general rejoined, at the fame time delivering the packet into the colonel's hand, " By this authority do I *' make the requiiition." The brave go- vernor had no looner read the contents of it, and was convinced that fuch were the orders of the commander in chief, and not [ 3>6 ] not to be difobeyed, than he hung his head in filence, and reluctantly entered into a negociation. In consideration of the gallant defence the garrilon had made, they were to be permitted to march out with all the ho- nours of war, to be allowed covered wag- gons to tranfport their baggage to Fort Edward, and a guard to protect them from the fury of the favages. . The morning after the capitulation was figned, as loon as day broke, the whole garrilon, now coniifting of about two thoufand men, betides women and children, were drawn up within the lines, and on the point of marching off, when great numbers of the Indians gathered about, and began to plunder. We were at nrfr, in hopes that this was their only view, and fufFered them to proceed without op- position. Indeed it was not in our power to make any, had we been fo inclin- ed ; for though we were permitted to carry off our arms, yet we were not allowed a fingle round of ammunition. In thefe hopes however we were difap- pointed ; for prefently fome of them be- gan to attack the fick and wounded> when fuch t 3*7 ] fuch as were not able to crawl into the ranks, notwithstanding they endeavoured to avert the fury of their enemies by their (hrieks or groans, were foon dif- patched. Here we were fully in expectation that the difturbance would have concluded ; and our little army began to move ; but in a fhort time we faw the front divifion driven back, and difcovered that we were entirely encircled by the favages. We expected every moment that the guard, which the French, by the articles of capitulation, had agreed to allow us, would have ar- rived, and put an end to our apprehen- fions; but none appeared. The Indians now began to ftrip every one without ex- ception, of their arms and cloaths, and thofe who made the lead: refiftance felt the weight of their tomahawks. I happened to be in the rear di virion, but it was not long before I fhared the fate of my companions. Three or four of the favages laid hold of me, and whillc ibme held their weapons over my head, the others foon difrobed me of my coat, waiftcoat, hat, and buckles, omitting not to take from me what money I had in t 3'8 ] in my pocket. As this was tranfa&ed clofe by the paffage that led from the lines on to the plain, near which a French centinel was ported, I ran to him and claimed his protection ; but he only called me an Englifh dog, and thruft me with violence back again into the midfh of the Indians. I now endeavoured to join a body of our troops that were crowded together at fome diftance ; but innumerable were the blows that were made at me with different weapons as I pafTed on ; luckily however the favages were fo clofe togerher, that they could not ftrike at me without en- dangering each other. Notwithstanding which one of them found means to make a thruft at me with a fpear, which grazed my fide, and from another I re- ceived a wound, with the fame kind of weapon, in my ankle. At length I gained the fpot where my countrymen flood, and forced myfelf into the midft of them. But before I got thus far out of the hands of the Indians, the collar and wriftbands of my lhirt were all that remained of it, and my flefh was fcratched and [ 3*9 ] and torn in many places by their favage gripes. By this time the war-hoop was given, and the Indians began to murder thofe that were neareft to them without diftinction. It is not in the power of words to give any tolerable idea of the horrid fcene that now enfued ; men, women, and children were difpatched in the moh: wanton and cruel manner, and immediately fcalped. Many of thefe favages drank the blood of their victims, as it flowed warm from the fatal wound. We now perceived, though too late to avail us, that we were to expect no relief from the French ; and that, con- trary to the agreement they had fo lately figned to allow us a fnfficient force to protect us from thefe infults, they tacitly permitted them ; for I could plainly per- ceive the French officers walking about at ibme diftance, difcouriing together with apparent unconcern. For the ho- nour of human nature I would hope that this flagrant breach of every facred law, proceeded rather from the favage difpofi- tion of the Indians, which I acknowledge it is fometimes almoft impoffible to con- troul, [ 3 2 <* ] troul, and which might now unexpectedly have arrived to a pitch not eafily to be retrained, than to any premeditated de- lign in the French commander. An un- prejudiced observer would, however, be apt to conclude, that a body of ten thou- fand chriftiaii troops, moft chriftian troops, had it in their power to prevent the maf- fac! from becoming lb general. But whatever was thr caufe from which it arofe, the confequences of it were dread- ful, and not to be paralleled in modern hiftory. As the circle in which I flood inclofed by this time was much thinned, and death feemed to be approaching with hafty (hides, it was propofed by ibme of the mofl refolute to make one vigorous effort, and endeavour to force our way through the favages, the only probable method of preferving our lives that now remained. This, however deiperate, was refolved on, and about twenty of us fprung at once into the midfl of them. In a moment we were all feparated, and what was the fate of my companions I could not learn till fome months after, when I found that only iix or {even of them [ 3»» ]. them effected their delign. Intent only On my own hazardous iituation, I endea- voured to make my way through my lavage enemies in the belt manner pof- fible. And I have often been aftonifhed fince, when 1 have recollected with what compofure I took, as I did, every ne- celfary ftep for my prelervation. Some I overturned, being at that time young and athletic, and others I palled by, dextroully avoiding their weapons ; till at laft two very ftout chiefs, of the molt lavage tribes, as I could diltinguifh by their drefs, whole ftrength I could not refill, laid hold of me by each arm* and began to force me through the crowd. I now religned myfelf to my fate, not doubting but that they intended to dif- patch me, and then to fatiate their ven- geance with my blood, as I found they were hurrying me towards a retired iwamp that lay at iome dillance. But before we had got many yard?,, an Englilh gentle- man of fome diiHr.flion, as I could dif- cover by his breeches, the only covering he had on, which were of line fcarlet velvet, ruined clofe by us* One of the X Indians [ 3- 2 ] Indians inflantly relinquifhed his hold, and fpringing on this new objeft, endea- voured to feize him as his prey ; but the gentleman being flrong, threw him on the ground, and would probably have got away, had not he who held my other arm, quitted me to affifl his bro- ther. I feized the opportunity, and haflened away to join another party of Engliih troops that were yet unbroken, and flood in a body at fome diflance. But before I had taken many fleps, I haflily cafl my eye towards the gentle- man, and law the Indian's tomahawk gam into his back, and heard him utter his lafl groan ; this added both to my fpeed and defperation. I had left this mocking fcene but a few yards, when a fine boy about twelve years of age, that had hitherto elcaped, came up to me, and begged that I would let him lay hold of me, fo that he might Hand fome chance of getting out of the hands of the favages. I told him that I would give him every affiflance in my power, and to this purpofe bid him lay . hold ; but in a few moments he was torn from my fidq, and by his fhrieks, I judge was [ 3 2 3 ] was foon demolifhed. I could not help forgetting my own cares for a minute, to lament the fate of fo young a fufFerer ; but it was utterly impoffible for me to take any methods to prevent it. I now got once more into the midfr. of friends, but we were unable to afford each other any fuccour. As this was the divifion that had advanced the further!: from the fort, I thought there might be a poffibility (though but a very bare one) of my forcing a way through the outer ranks of the Indians, and getting to a neighbouring wood, which I perceived at fome diftance. I was itill encouraged to hope by the almoft. miraculous preferva- tion I had already experienced. Nor were my hopes vain, or the efforts I made ineffectual. Suffice it to fay that I reached the wood, but by the time I had penetrated a little way into it, my breath was fo exhaufted that I threw myfelf into a brake, and lay for fome minutes apparently at the lafr. gafp. At length I recovered the power of refpira- tion, but my appreheniions returned with all their former force, when I faw feveral favages pafs by, probably in pur- X 2 fuit [ m i fuitof me, at no very great diftance. In this fituation I knew not whether it was bettep to proceed, or endeavour to conceal myfelf where I lay, till night came on ; fear- ing, however, that they would return the fame way, I thought it mod: prudent to get farther from the dreadful icene of my pan: diftrefTes. Accordingly, ftriking into another part of the wood, I flattened on as fail as the briars and the lofs of one of my fhoes would permit me ; and after a flow progrefs of fome hours, gained a hill that overlooked the plain which I had juft left, from whence I could dif- cern that the bloody ftorm ftill raged with unabated fury. But not to tire my readers, I fhall only add, that after pafling three days without fubfiftence, and enduring the feverity of the cold dews for three nights, I at length reached Fort Edward ; where with proper care my body foon recovered its wonted ftrength, and my mind, as far as the recollection of the late melan- choly events would permit, its uiualcom- pofure. It was computed that fifteen hundred perfons were killed or made prifoners by thefe [ 3*5 ] thefe favages during this fatal day. Many of the latter were carried off by them and never returned. A few, through favourable accidents, found their way back to their native country after having experienced a long and fevere captivity. The brave Colonel Monro had haftened away, foon after the confulion began, to the French camp to endeavour to pro- cure the guard agreed by the ftipulation ; but his application proving ineffectual, he remained there till General Webb lent a party of troops to demand and protect him back to Fort Edward. But thefe un- happy occurrences, which would proba- bly have been prevented, had he been left to purfue his own plans, together with the lofs of fo many brave fellows, mur- dered in cold blood, to whofe valour he had been fo lately a witnefs, made fuch an impremon on his mind, that he did not long furvive. He died in about three months of a broken heart, and with truth might it be faid, that he was an honour to his country. I mean not to point out the following circumftance as the immediate judgment of heaven, and intended as an atonement X 3 for [ 3*6 ] for this (laughter, but I cannot omit, that very few of thofe different tribes of In- dians that fhared in jt ever lived to return home. The fmall pox, by means of their communication with the Europeans, found its way among them, and made an equal havock to what they themfelves had done. The methods they purfued on the fiift attack of that malignant diforder, to abate the fever attending it, rendered it fatal. Whilft their blood was in a ftate of fermentation, and nature was ftriving to throw out the peccant matter, they checked her operations by plunging into the water : the confequence was, that they died by hundreds. The few that furvived were transformed by it into hide- ous objects, and bore with them to the grave deep indented marks of this much- dreaded difeafe. Monfieur Montcalm fell foon after on the plains of Quebec. That the unprovoked cruelty of this commander was not approved of by the generality of his countrymen, I have jfince been convinced of by many proofs. One only however, which I received from a peifon who was witnefs to it;, mall [ 3 2 7 ] {hall I at prefent give. A Canadian mer- chant, of ibme confideration, having heard of the furrender of the Englifh Fort, celebrated the fortunate event with great rejoicings and hofpitality, according to the cuftom of that country ; but no fooner did the news of the maflacre which enfued reach his ears, than he put an im- mediate Hop to the feftivity, and ex- claimed in the fevereft terms againft the inhuman permiffion ; declaring at the fame time that thole who had connived at it, had thereby drawn down on that part of their king's dominions the ven- geance of heaven. To this he added, that he much feared the total lofs of them would defervedly be the confequence. How truly this prediction has been veri- fied we all know. But to return : though the Indians are negligent in guarding againfl furprizes, they are alert and dextrous in furprizing their enemies. To their caution and per- feverance in ftealing on the party they defign to attack, they add that admi- rable talent, or rather inftinctive qualifi- cation, I have already defcribed, of trac- ing out thofe they are in puriuit of. On X a. ths [ 3*8 I the fmootheft grafs, on the hardeft earth, and even on the very (tones, will they difcover the traces of an enemy, and by the ihape of the footfteps, and the diitance between the prints, diftinguifh, not only whether it is a man or woman who has palled that way, but even the nation to which they belong. However incredi- ble this might appear, yet from the many proofs I received whilft among them of their amazing fagacity in this point, I fee. no reafon to diicredit even thefe extraor- dinary exertions of it. When they have overcome an enemy and victory is no longer doubtful, the conquerors 'firft dilpatch all fuch as they think they mail not be able to carry off without great trouble, and then endeavour to take as many prifoners as poliible ; after this they return to fcalp thofe who are either dead, or too much wounded to be taken with them. At this bufmefs they are exceedingly expert. They feize the head of the dif- abled or dead enemy, and placing one of their feet on the neck, twift their left hand in the hair ; by this means, having extended the fkin that covers the [ 3 2 9 'J phe top of the head, they draw out their fcalping knives, which are always kept in good order for this cruel purpofe, and with a few dextrous ftrokes take off the part that is termed the fcalp. They are jfo expeditious in doing this, that the whole time required fcarcely exceeds a minute. Thefe they preferve as monu- ments of their prowefs, and at the fame time as proofs of the vengeance they have inflicted on their enemies. If two Indians feize in the fame in r ftant a prifoner, and feem to have an equal claim, the conteft between them is foon decided ; for to put a fpeedy end to any difpute that might arife, the perfon that is apprehenfive he fhall lofe his expected reward, immediately has recourfe to his tomahawk or war-club, and knocks on the head the unhappy cauie of their con- tention. Having completed their purpofes, and made as much havock as poffible, they immediately retire towards their own country, with the fpoil they have ac- quired, for fear of being purfued. Should this be the cafe, they make u(e of many ftratagems to elude the fearches of [ 33° J of their purfuers. They fbmetimes feat- ter leaves, fand, or dufl over the prints of their feet ; fometirnes tread in each others footfteps ; and fometirnes lift their feet fo high, and tread fo lightly, as not to make any impreflion on the ground. But if they find all thefe precautions un- availing, and that they are near being overtaken, they firft difpatch and fcalp their prifoners, and then dividing, each endeavours to regain his native country by a different route. This prevents all far- ther purfuit; for their puriuers now de- fpairing, either of gratifying their re- venge, or of releasing thole of their friends who were made captives, return home. If the fuccefsful party is fo lucky as to make good their retreat unmolefted, they haflen with the greatefh expedition to reach a country where they may be perfectly fecure; and that their wounded companions may not retard their flight, they carry them by turns in litters, or if it is in the winter feafon draw them on fledoes. Their litters are made in a rude manner pf the branches of trees. Their fledges confift of two fmall thin boards about a foot [ 33 1 ] foot wide when joined, and near fix feet long. The fore part is v turned up, and the fides are bordered with fmall bands. The Indians draw thefe carriages with great eafe be they ever fo much loaded, by means of a firing which pafles round the breaft. This collar is called a Me- tump, and is in ufe throughout America, both in the fettlements and the internal parts. Thofe ufed in the latter are made of leather and very curioufly wrought. The prifoners during their march are guarded with the greateft care. During the day, if the journey is over land, they are always held by fome of the victorious party ; if by water, they are fattened to the canoe. In the night-time they are ftretched along the ground quite naked, with their legs, arms, and neck fattened to hooks fixed in the ground. Befides this, cords are tied to their arms or legs, which are held by an Indian, who in-* ttantly awakes at the leatt motion of them. Notwithttanding fuch precautions are ufually taken by the Indians, it is re- corded in the annals of New England, that one of the weaker fex, almott alone, and I 33 2 ] and unafiifted, found means to elude the vigilance of a party of warriors, and not only to make her efcape from them, but to revenge the caufe of her countrymen. Some years ago, a fmall band of Cana* dian Indians, confifting of ten warriors attended by two of their wives, made an irruption into the back fettlements of New England. They lurked for fome time in the vicinity of one of the moll: exterior towns, and at length after hav- ing killed and fcalped feveral people, found means to take prii'oner a woman who had with her a ion of about twelve years of age. Being fatisfied with the execution they had done, they retreated towards their native country, which lay at three hundred miles diftance, and carried off with them their two captives. The fccond night of their retreat, the woman, whole name if I miftake not was Rowe, formed a refolution worthy of the moil intrepid hero. She thought llie mould be able to get from her hands the manacles by which they were con- fined, and determined if (he did fo to make a defperate effort for the recovery of her freedom. To this purpofe, when me [ 333 ] ihe concluded that her conquerors were in their foundeft deep, fhe ftrove to flip the cords from her hands. In this fhe fiicceeded ; and cautioning her fon, whom they had fuffered to go unbound, in a whifper, againfr. being furprized at what (he was about to do, fhe removed to a diftance with great warinefs the de- feniive weapons of the Indians, which lay by their fides. Having done this, fhe put one of the tomahawks into the hands of the boy, bidding him to follow her example ; and taking another herfelf, fell upon the fleep- ing Indians, feveral of whom fhe.inftantly difpatched. But her attempt was nearly fruftrated by the imbecility of her fon, who wanting both ftrength and refolu- tion, made a feeble ftroke at one of them which only ferved to awaken him ; fhe however iprung at the riling warrior, and before he could recover his arms, made him link under the weight of her toma- hawk ; and this fhe alternately did to all the reft, except one of the women, who awoke in time, and made her eicape. The heroine then took off the fcalps of her vanquished enemies, and feizing alio thoCe [ 334 ] thofe they were carrying away with them as proofs of their fuccefs, me returned in triumph to the town from whence me had lo lately been dragged, to the great aftonifhment of her neighbours, who could fcarcely credit their fenfes, or the teftimonies me bore of her Amazonian in- trepidity. During their march they oblige their pri- foners to img their death-fong, which ge- nerally coniiils of thefe or limilar fentences. " I am going to die, I am about to fuffer; " but I will bear the feve reft tortures my *' enemies can inflict with becoming for- " titude. I will die like a brave man, " and I fhall then go to join the chiefs " that have fullered on the fame account." Thefe fongs are continued, with neceflary intervals, until they reach the village or camp to which they are going. When the warriors are arrived within hearing, they fet up different cries, which communicates to their friends a general hiftory of the fuccefs of the expedition. The number of the death-cries they give, declares how many of their own party are loft ; the number of war-hoops, the number of prifoners they have taken. It [ 335 ] It is difficult to defcribe thefe cries, but the bell: idea I can convey of them, is that the former confifts of the found Whoo, Whoo, Whoop, which is conti- nued ill a long fhrill tone, nearly till the breath is exhaufled, and then broken off with a fudden elevation of the voice. The latter of a loud cry, of much the fame kind, w r hich is modulated into notes by the hand being placed before the mouth. Both of them might be heard to a very confiderable diftance. Whilfl thefe are uttering, the perfons to whom they are defigned to convey the intelligence, continue motionlefs and all attention. When this ceremony is per- formed, the whole village iflue out to learn the particulars of the relation they have juff. heard in general terms, and ac- cording as the news proves mournful or the contrary, they anfwer by fo many acclamations or cries of lamentation. Being by this time arrived at the vil- lage or camp, the women and children arm themfelves with flicks and bludgeons, and form themfelves into two ranks, through which the prifoners are obliged to pafs. The treatment they undergo be- fore [ 33* ] fore they reach the extremity of the line, is very fevere. Sometimes they are fd beaten over the head and face, as to have fcarcely any remains of life ; and happy would it be for them if by this ufage art end was put to their wretched beings. But their tormentors take care that none of the blows they give prove mortal, as they wifh to referve the miferable fuf- ferers for more fevere inflictions. After having undergone this introduc- tory difcipline they are bound hand and foot, whilft the chiefs hold a council in which their fate is determined. Thofe who are decreed to be put to death by the uiual torments, are delivered to the chief of the warriors ; fuch as are to be fpared, are given into the hands of the chief of the nation : fo that in a fhort time all the prifoners may be affured of their fate, as the fentence now pronounced is irrevoca- ble. The former they term being con- figned to the houfe of death, the latter to the houfe of grace. Such captives as are pretty far ad- vanced in life, and have acquired great honour by their warlike deeds, always atone for the blood they have fpilt by the tortures [ 337 1 tortures of fire. Their fuccefs in war is readily known by the blue marks upon their breafts and arms, which are as legi- ble to the Indians as letters are to Euro- peans. The manner in which thefe hierogly- phicks are made, is by breaking the ikin with the teeth of fifh, or Iriarpened flints, dipped in a kind of ink made of the foot of pitch pine. Like thofe of the ancient Picls of Britain thefe are efteemed orna- mental ; and at the lame time they ferve as registers of the heroic actions of the warrior, who thus bears about him inde- lible marks of his valour. The priibners deftined to death are foon led to the place of execution, which is ge- nerally in the centre of the camp or vil- lage ; where, being ftript, and every part of their bodies blackened, the fkin of a crow or raven is fixed on their heads. They are then bound to a flake, with faggots heaped around them, and obliged, for the lafr. time, to fing their death- fong. The warriors, for it is fuch only who commonly fuffer this punimment, now perform in a more prolix manner this fad Y folem- L 33* ] folemnity. They recount with an audible voice all the brave actions they have per- formed, and pride themfelves in the num- ber of enemies they have killed. In this rehearfal they fpare not even their tormen- tors, but ftrive by every provoking tale they can invent, to irritate and infult them. Sometimes this has the defired effect, and the fufferers are difpatched fooner than they other wife would have been. There are manv other methods which J the Indians make ufe of to put their pri- fo tiers to death, but thefe are only occa- fional ; that of burning is molt generally ufed. Whilit I was at the chief town of the Ottagaumies, an Illinois Indian was brought in, who had been made prifoner by one of their war parties. I had then an opportunity of feeing the cuftomary cruelties inflicted by thefe people on their captives, through the minuteit part of their procefs. After the previous fteps necefiary to his condemnation, he was carried, early in the morning, to a little diftance from the town, where he was bound to a tree. This t C 339 ] This being done, all the boys, who amounted to a great number, as the place was populous, were permitted to amufe themfelves with (hooting their arrows at the unhappy victim. As they were none of them more than twelve years old, and were placed at a conliderable diftance, they had not ftrength to penetrate to the vital parts, fo that the poor wretch flood pierced with arrows, and fuffering the confequent agonies, for more than two days. During this time he fung his warlike exploits. He re-capitulated every ftrata^ gem he has made ufe of to furprize his enemies ; he boafted of the quantity of fcalps he poffefled, and enumerated the prifoners he had taken. He then de- fcribed the different barbarous methods by which he had put the latter to death, and feemed even then to receive inconceivable pleafure from the recital of the horrid tale. But he dwelt more particularly on the cruelties he had praclifed on fuch of the kindred of his prefent tormentors as had fallen into his hands; endeavouring by thefe aggravated infults to induce them Y a to [ 34° ] to increafe his tortures, that he might be able to give greater proofs of fortitude. Even in the laft firuggies of life, when he was no longer able to vent in words the indignant provocation his tongue would have uttered, a fmile of mingled fcorn and triumph fat on his counte- nance. This method of tormenting their ene- mies is conlidered by the Indians as pro- ductive of more than one beneficial confe- quence. It fatiates, in a greater degree, that diabolical luft of revenge, which is the predominant pafiion in the breafl of every individual of every tribe, and it gives the growing warriors an early pro- pensity to that cruelty and thirft, for blood, which is fo neceflary a qualifica- tion for fuch as would be thoroughly fkilled in their favage art of war. I have been informed, that an Indian who was under the hands of his tormen- tors, had the audacity to tell them, that they were ignorant old women, and did not know how to put brave prifoners to death. He acquainted them that he had heretofore taken fome of their warriors, and inflead of the trivial punimments they [ 34i ] they inflicted on him, he had devifed for them- the moft excruciating torments : that having bound them to a flake, he had ftuck their bodies full of (harp fplin- ters of turpentine wood, to which he then fet fire, and dancing around them enjoyed the agonizing pangs of the flam- ing victims. This bravado, which carried with it a degree of infult that even the accuf- tomed ear of an Indian could not liften to unmoved, threw his tormentors off their guard, and ihortened the duration of his torments ; for one of the chiefs ran to him, and ripping out his heart, flopped with it the mouth from which had iflued fuch provoking language. Innumerable are the ftories that may be told of the courage and refolution of the Indians, who happen to be made pri- foners by their adverfaries. Many that I have heard are fo aftoniihing, that they feem to exceed the utmofl limits of cre- dibility ; it is, however, certain that thefe favages are poflefYed with many heroic qualities, and bear every fpecies of mif- fortune with a degree of fortitude which Y 3 has [ 342 ] has not been outdone by any of the anci- ent heroes of either Greece or Rome. Notwithstanding thefe acts of feverity exercifed by the Indians towards thofe of their own fpecies who fall into their hands, fome tribes of them have been remarked for their moderation to iuch female pri- foners belonging to the Englifh colonies as have happened to be taken by them. Women of great beauty have frequently b:en carried ott by them, and during a march of three or four hundred miles through their retired forefts, have lain by their fides without receiving any infult, and their chaftity has remained inviolate. Inftances have happened where female cap- tives, who have been pregnant at the time of their being taken, have found the pangs of child-birth come upon them in the midft of iolitary woods, and fa- vages their only companions ; yet from thefe, lavages as they were, have they received every affiftance their fituation w r ould admit of, and been treated with a degree of delicacy and humanity they little expected. This forbearance, it muft be acknow- ledged, does not proceed altogether from their [ 343 3 their difpofitions, but is only inherent in thofe who have held fome communication with the French miffionaries. Without intending that their natural enemies the Englifh mould enjoy the benefit of their labours, thefe fathers have taken great pains to inculcate on the minds of the In- dians the general principles of humanity, which has diffufed itfelf through their manners, and has proved of public utility. Thofe priibners that are coniigned to the houfe of grace, and thefe are commonly the young men, women, and children, await the difpofal of the chiefs, who after the execution of fuch as are condemned to die, hold a council for this purpofe. A herald is feut round the village or camp, to give notice "that fuch as have loft any relation in the late expedition are defired to attend the diftribution which js about to take place. Thofe women who have loft their fons or huibands are generally fatisfled in the firft place ; after thefe, fuch as have been deprived of friends of a more remote degree of confan- guinity, or who chofe to adopt fome of the youth. Y 4 The [ 344 ] The dlvifiof] being made, which, is done, as in other cafes, without the lead: difpute, thofe who have received any fhare lead them to their tents or huts ; and having unbound them, wafh and drefs their wounds if they happen to have received any ; they then cloath them, and give them the mofr. comfortable and refreshing food their ftore will afford. Whilft their new domeificks are feed- ing, they endeavour to adminiiler confo- lation to them ; they tell them that as they are redeemed from death, they muft now be cheerful and happy ; and if they ferve them well, without murmur- ing or repining, nothing fhall be want- ing to make them fuch atonement for the lofs of their country and friends, as cir- cumltances will allow of. If any men are fpared, they are com- monly given to the widows that have loft their hufbands by the hand of the enemy, mould there be any fuch, to whom if they happen to prove agreeable, they are foon married. But mould the dame be otherwife engaged, the life of him who falls to her lot is in great dan- ger ; efpecially if me fancies that her late hufband [ 345 ] hufband wants a (lave in the country of fpirits to which he is gone. When this is the cafe, a number of young men take the devoted captive to fome diftance, and difpatch him without any ceremony : after he has been fpared by the council, they confider him of too little confequence to be intitled to the torments allotted to thofe who have been judged worthy of them. The women are ufually diftributed to the men, from whom they do not fail of meeting with a favourable reception. The boys and girls are taken into the families of fuch as have need of them, and are confidered as (laves; and it is not uncom- mon that they are fold in the fame capa- city to the European traders who come am^ng them. The Indians have no idea of moderat- ing the ravages of war, by fparing their prifoners, and entering into a negotiation with the band from whom they have been taken, for an exchange. All that are captivated by both parties, are either put to death, adopted, or made flaves of. And fo particular are every nation in this refpedt, that if any of their [ 3+6 ] their tribe, even a warrior, fhould be taken prifbner, and by chance be received into the houfe of grace, either as an adopted perfon or a (lave, and fhould afterwards make his efcape, they will by no means receive him, or acknowledge him as one of their band. The condition of fuch as are adopt- ed differs not in any one inffance from the children of the nation to which they now belong. They affume all the rights of thofe whofe places they fupply, and frequently make no difficulty of going in the war-parties againft their own countrymen. Should, however, any of thefe by chance make their efcape, and be afterwards retaken, they are efteemed as unnatural children and ungrateful per- ilous, who have deferted and made war upon their parents and benefactors, and are treated with uncommon feverity. That part of the prifoners which are coniidered as (laves, are generally distri- buted among the chiefs ; who frequently .make prefents of fome of them to the European governors of the out-pofts, or to the fuperintendants or commifiaries of In- dian affairs. I have been informed that it [ 347 ] it was the Jefuits, and French mifliona- ries that firft occafioned the introduction of thefe unhappy captives into the fettle- ments, and who by fo doing taught the Indians that thev were valuable. Their views indeed were laudable, as they imagined that by this method they mould not only prevent much barbarity and bloodmed, but find the opportunities of fpreading their religion among them in- crealed. To this purpofe they encouraged the traders to purchafe fuch flaves as they met with. The good effects of this mode of pro- ceeding was not, however, equal to the expectations of thefe pious fathers. In- ftead of being the means of preventing cruelty and bloodmed, it only caufed the dhTennons between the Indian nations to be carried on with a greater degree of violence, and with unremitted ardour. The prize they fought for being no longer revenge or fame, but the acquirement of fpirituous liquors, for which their cap- tives were to be enchanged, and of which almoit. every nation is immoderately fond, they fought for their enemies with un- wanted alacrity, and were conflantly on the [ 348 ] the watch to furprize and carry them off. It might frill be faid that fewer of the captives are tormented, and put to death, fince thcfe expectations of receiving fo valuable a confideration for them have been excited, than there umally had been ; but it does not appear that their accuf- tomed cruelty to the warriors they take, is in the leafl abated; their natural defire of vengeance mufl be gratified ; they are now only become more aiFiduous in fe- curing a greater number of young pri- foners, whilft thofe who are made cap- tive in their defence are tormented and put to death as before. The mimonaries finding that contrary to their wifhes their zeal had only ferved to encreafe the fale of the noxious juices, applied to the governor of Canada in the year 1693, for a prohibition of this baneful trade. An order was iffued ac- cordingly, but it could not put a total ftop to it ; the French Couriers de Bo'is were hardy enough to carry it on clan- destinely, notwithstanding the penalty annexed to a breach of the prohibition was [ 349 ] was a confiderable fine and imprifon- ment. Some who were detected in the profe- cution of it withdrew into the Indian countries, where they intermarried with the natives and underwent a voluntary banimment. Thefe, however, being an abandoned and debauched fet, their con- duel: contributed very little either towards reforming the manners of their new re- lations, or engaging them to entertain a favourable opinion of the religion they profeffed. Thus did thefe indefatigable religious men fee their defigns in fbme mealure once more frustrated. However, the emigration was pro- ductive of an effecl: which turned out to be beneficial to their nation. By the connec- tion of thefe refugees with the Iroquois, Miffiflagues, Hurons, Miamies, Powto- wottomies, Puants, Menomonies, Algon- kins, &c. and the conftant reprefenta- tions thefe various nations received from them of the power and grandeur of the French, to the aggrandizement of whofe monarch, notwithilanding their baniih- ment, they {till retained their habitual in- clination, the Indians became infenfibly prejudiced [ 35° ] prejudiced in favour of that people, and I am perfuaded will take every opportu- nity of fhewing their attachment to them. And this, even in deipite of the dis- graceful eftimation they mufl: be held by them, fince they have been driven out of Canada ; for the Indians connder every conquered people as in a ftate of vaflalage to their conquerors. After one nation has finally fubdued another, and a condi- tional fubmimon is agreed on, it is cufto- mary for the chiefs of the conquered, when they lit in council with their fub- duers, to wear petticoats, as an acknow- ledgment that they are in a ftate of fub- jeetion, and ought to be ranked among the women. Their partiality to the French has however taken too deep root, for time itfelf to eradicate it. CHAP. t 35* ] CRAP. X. Of their Manner of making Peace,^. TH E wars that are carried on be- tween the Indian nations are in general hereditary, and continue from age to age with a few interruptions. If a peace becomes neceffary, the principal care of both parties is to avoid the appear- ance of making the firft advances. When they treat with an enemy, re- lative to a fufpenfion of hoftilities, the chief who is commimoned to undertake the negotiation, if it is not brought about by the mediation of fome neighbouring band, abates nothing of his natural haughtinefs: even when the affairs of his country are in the worft (ituation, he makes no conceffions, but endeavours to perfuade his adverfaries that it is their in- terefl: to put an end to the war. Accidents fometimes contribute to bring about a peace, between nations, that otherwife could not be prevailed on to liften to terms of accommodation. An inftance [ 35* ] infhnce of this, which I heard of in al- moft every nation I paffed through, I {hall relate. About eighty years ago* the Iroquois and Chipeways, two powerful nations, were at war with the Ottagaumies and Saukies, who were much inferior to their adverfaries both in numbers and ftrength. One winter near a thoufand of the for- mer made an excurfion from Lake On- tario, by way of Toronto, towards the territories of their enemies. They coafted Lake Huron on its eaft and northern borders, till they arrived at the ifland of St. Jofeph, which is fituated in the ftraights of St. Marie. There they crofT- ed thefe Straights upon the ice about fif- teen miles below the falls, and conti- nued their route ftill weftward. As the ground was covered with mow, to pre- vent a difcovery of their numbers, they marched in a fingle tile, treading in each others footfteps. Four Chipeway Indians, paffing that way, obferved this army, and readily gueiTed from the direction of their march and the precautions they took, both the country E 353 1 couhtry to which they were haftening, and their defigns. Notwithftanding the nation to which they belonged was at war with the Otta- gaumies, and in alliance with their in- vaders, yet from a principle which can- not be accounted for, they took an in- ftant refolution to apprize the former of their danger. To this purpofe they haftened away with their ufual celerity, and, taking a circuit to avoid difcovery, arrived at the hunting grounds of the Ottagaumies, before fo large a body, moving in fo cautious a manner, could do. There they found a party of about four hundred warriors, fome of which were Saukies, whom they informed of the approach of their enemies. The chiefs immediately collected their whole force, and held a council on the fteps that were to be taken for their de- fence. As they were encumbered with their families, it was impoffible that they could retreat in time ; they there- fore determined to chufe the moft advan- tageous fpot, and to give the Iroquois the beft reception in their power. Z Not [ 354 ] Not far from the place where they then happened to be, flood two fmall lakes, between which ran a narrow neck of land about a mile in length, and only from twenty to forty yards in breadth. Concluding that the Iroquois intended to pafs through this defile, the united bands divided their little party into two bodies of two hundred each. One of thefe took poll: at the extremity of the pafs that lay neareft to their hunting grounds, which they immediately fortified with a breaft-work formed of palifades; whilfr the other body took a compafs round one of the lakes, with a defign to hem their enemies in when they had entered the defile. - Their ftratagem fucceeded ; for no fooner had the whole of the Iroquois en- tered the pafs, than being provided with wood for the purpofe, they formed a fimilar breaft-work on the other extre-- mity, and thus enclofed their enemies. The Iroquois foon perceived their fi- tuation, and immediately held a council on the meafures that were neceflary to be purfued to extricate themfelves. Un- luckily for them, a thaw had juft taken place, [ 355 1 place, which had fo far diffblved the ice as to render it impaffible, and yet there frill remained fufficient to prevent them from either p: fling over the lakes on rafts, or from i'vimming acrofs. In this dilemma it w; ; agreed that they mould endeavour to force one of the breaft- works ; but they fbon found them too well defended to effect their purpofe. Notwithftanding this difippointment, with the ufual compofure and unappre- henfivenefs of Indians, they amufed them- felves three or four days in fifhing. By this time the ice being quite dhTolved, they made themfelves rafts, which they were enabled to do by feme trees that fortunately grew on the fpot, and at- tempted to crofs one of the lakes. They accordingly fet off before day- break, but the Gttagaumies, who had been watchful of their motions perceiving their defign, detached one hundred and fifty men from each of their parties, to oppoie their landing, Thefe three hun- dred marched fo expeditiouily to the other fide of the lake, that they reached it be- fore their opponents had gained the ihore, Z 2 they t 356 ] they being retarded by their poles flicking in the mud. As foon as the confederates arrived j they poured in a very heavy fire, both from their bows and mufquetry, on the Iroquois, which greatly difconcerted them ; till the latter finding their fituation def- perate, leaped into the water, and fought their way through their enemies. This however they could not do without lof- jng more than half their men. After the Iroquois had landed, they made good their retreat, but were obliged to leave their enemies matters of the field, and in porTeflion of all the furs they had taken during their winter's hunt. Thus dearly did they pay for an unprovoked excurfion to fuch diftance from the route they ought to have purfued, and to which they were only impelled by a fudden de* fire of cutting off fome of their ancient enemies. But had they known their ftrength they might have deftroyed every man of the party that oppofed them ; which even at the firft onfet was only inconli* derable, and, when diminished by the action, [ 357 ] a&ion, totally unable to make any ftand again ft them. The victorious bands rewarded the Chi- peways who had been the means of their fuccefs with a mare of the fpoils. They preffed them to take any quan- tity they chofe of the richeft of the furs, and fent them, under an efcort of fifty men, to their own country. The difinterefted Chipeways, as the Indians in general are feldom actuated by mercenary motives, for a considerable time refufed thefe prefents, but were at length per- fuaded to accept of them. The brave and well-concerted refiftance here made by the Ottagaumies and Sau- kies, aided by the mediation of the Chi- peways, who laying alide on this occar fion the animofity they had fo long borne thofe people approved of the generous conduct of their four chiefs, were toge- ther the means of effecting a reconcilia- tion between thefe nations; and in pro- cefs of time united them all in the bands, of amity. And I believe that all the Indians in- habiting that extenfive country, which lies between Quebec, the banks of the Z 3 Miffiffippi [ 35§ ] Mifliffippi north of the Ouifconfin, and the iettlements belonging to the Hudfon's Bay Company, are at prefent in a ftate of profound peace. When their reftlefs difpofitions will not iufFer them to re- main inactive, thefe northern Indians fel- dom commit hoftiiities on each other, but make excursions to the ibutrnvard, againft the Cherokees, Cheetahs, Chickafaws or Illinois. Sometimes the Indians grow tired of a war, which they have carried on againft fome neighbouring nation for many years without much fuccefs, and in this cafe they feek for mediators to begin a negotiation. Thefe being obtained, the treaty is thus conducted. A number of their own chiefs, joined by thofe who have accepted the friendly office, let out together for the country of their enemies; iuch as are chofen for this purr pofe, are chiefs of the molt: extenfive abilities and of the greateft integrity. They bear before them the pipe of peace, which I need not inform my readers is ot the lame nature as a Flag of Truce among the Europeans, and is treated with |Jie greateft refpect and veneration, even i>3 [ 359 ] by the moft barbarous nations. I never heard of an inftance wherein the bearers of this facred badge of friendship were ever treated difrefpectfully, or its rights violated. The Indians believe that the Great Spirit never fuffers an infraction of this kind to go unpunimed. The pipe of peace, which is termed by the French, the Calumet, for what rea- fon I could never learn, is about four feet long. The bowl of it is made of red marble, and the item of it of a light wood, curioufly painted with hierogly- phicks in various colours, and adorned with the feathers of the moft beautiful birds. I have endeavoured to give as ex- acl: a reprefentation of it as poffible in Plate N° IV, but it is not in my power to convey an idea of the various tints, and pleating ornaments of this much efteemed Indian implement. Every nation has a different method of decorating thefe pipes, and they can tell at firft fight to what band it belongs. It is ufed as an introduction to all trea- ties, and great ceremony attends the ufe of it on thefe occaiions. Z4 The [ 3«° ] The affiftant or aid-du-camp of the great warrior, when the chiefs are.affem- bled and feated, fills it with tobacco mix- ed with the herbs before mentioned, taking care at the fame time that no part of it touches the ground. When it is filled, he takes a coal that is thoroughly kindled from a fire which is generally kept burning in the midft of the affem- bly, and places it on the tobacco. As foon as it is fufnciently lighted, he throws off the coal. He then turns the flem of it towards the heavens, after this towards the earth, and now holding it horizontally moves himfelf round till he has completed a circle : by the firft action he is fuppofed to prefent it to the Great Spirit, whofe aid is thereby fupplicated, by the fecond, to avert any malicious interpofition of the evil fpirits, and by the third to gain the protection of the Spirits inhabiting the air, the earth, and the waters. Having thus fecured the favour of thofe invifible agents, in whofe power they fuppofe it is either to for- ward or obftrudt. the ifTue of their prefent deliberations, he prefents it to the here- ditary chief, who having taken two or three E 361 ] three whiffs, blows the fmoak from his mouth firfr. towards heaven, and then around him upon the ground. It is afterwards put in the fame man-? ner into the mouths of the ambaifadors or ftrangers, who obferve the fame cere- mony ; then to the chief of the warriors, and to all the other chiefs in turn ac- cording to their gradation. During this time the perfon who executes this ho- nourable office holds the pipe flightly in his hand, as if he feared to prefs the fa- cred inftrument ; nor does any one pre-* fume to touch it but with his lips. When the chiefs who are intrufted with the commiffion for making peace, approach the town or camp to which they are going, they begin to fing and dance the fongs and dances appropriated to this occafion. By this time the ad- verfe party are apprized of their arrival, and diverting themfelves of their wonted enmity at the fight of the pipe of peace, invite them to the habitation of the Great Chief, and furnifh them with every con- veniency during the negociation. A council is then held; and when the fpeeches and debates are ended, if no ob- ftru&ions [ 36* ] ftru&ions arife to put a flop to the treaty, the painted hatchet is buried in the ground as a memorial that all animofi- ties between the contending nations have ceaied, and a peace taken place. Among the ruder bands, fuch as have no commu- nication with the Europeans, a war-:iub painted red is buried inftead of the hatchet. A belt of wampum is alfo giv n on this occafion, which ferves as a ratifica- tion of the peace, and records to the latefr. posterity, by the hieroglyphicks into which the beads are formed, every ftipu- lated article in the treaty. Thefe belts are made of fhells found on the coafts of New England and Vir- ginia, which are fawed out into beads of an oblong form, about a quarter of an inch long, and round like other beads. Being fining on leather firings, and fe-r- veral of them fewed neatly together with fine finewy threads, they then compofe the fame, what is termed a Belt of Wam- pum. The fhells are generally of two co- lours, feme white and others violet ; but the latter are more highly efteemed than the former. They are held in as much eftimaticn [ 3«3 ] eflimation by the Indians, as gold, fil- ver, or precious flones are by the Eu- ropeans. The belts are compofed of ten, twelve, or a greater number of firings, ac- cording to the importance of the affair in agitation or the dignity of the perfon, to whom it is preiented. On more trifling occafions, firings of thefe beads are prefented t by the chiefs to eacn other, and frequently worn by them about their necks, as a valuable ornament. CHAP. XL Of their Games. AS I have before obferved, the In-» dians are greatly additled to gam- ing, and will even flake, and lofe with compofure, all the valuables they are poffefTed of. They amufe themfelves at feveral forts of games, but the principal and mofl efleemed among them is that of the ball, which is not unlike the Eu- ropean game of tennis. The [ 5*4 ] The balls they ufe are rather larger than thofe made ufe of at tennis, and are formed of a piece of deer-fkin ; which being moiftened to render it fupple, is fluffed hard with the hair of the fame creature, and fewed with its finews. The ball-flicks are about three feet long, at the end of which there is fixed a kind of racket, refemhling the palm of the hand, and fafhioned of thongs cut from a deer-ikin. In thefe they catch the ball, and throw it to a great diftance, if they are not prevented by fome of the oppofite party, who fly to intercept it. This game is generally played by large companies, that fometimes confift of more than three hundred ; and it is not uncommon for different bands to play againft. each other. They begin by fixing two poles in the ground at about fix hundred yards apart, and one of thefe goals belong to each party of the combatants. The ball is thrown up high in the centre of the ground, and in a direct line between the goals ; towards which each party endea- vours to ftrike it, and which ever fide fiift f 365 ] lirft caufes it to reach their own goal, reckons towards the game. They are fo exceeding dextrous in this manly exercife, that the ball is ufually kept flying in different directions by the force of the rackets, without touching the ground during the whole contention ; for they are not allowed to catch it with their hands. They run with amazing velocity in purfuit of each other, and when one is on the point of hurling it to a great diftance, an antagonifr. overtakes him, and by a fudden ftroke dairies down the ball. They play with fo much vehemence that they frequently wound each other, and fometimes a bone is broken ; but not- withftanding thefe accidents there never ap- pears to be any fpite or wanton exertions of ftrength to effecl: them, nor do any difputes ever happen between the parties. There is another game alfo in uie among them worthy of remark, and this is the game of the Bowl or Platter. This game is played between two perfons only. Each perfon has iix or eight little bones not unlike a peach-ftone either in fize or fhape, except that they are qua- drangular ; [ 366 ] drangular; two of the fides of which are coloured black, and the others whiter Thefe they throw up into the air, from whence they fall into a bowl or platter placed underneath, and made to ipin round. According as thefe bones prefent the white or black fide upwards they reckon the game : he that happens to have the greateft number turn up of a fimilar colour, counts five points ; and forty is the game. The winning party keeps his place, and the lofer yields his to another who is appointed by one of the umpires ; for a whole village is fometimes concerned in the party, and at times one band plays againft another. During this play the Indians appear to be greatly agitated, and at every deciiive throw let up a hideous fhout. They make a thoufand contortions, addreffing themfelves at the fame time to the bones, and loading with imprecations the evil fpirits that affifr. their fuccefsful antago- nists. At this game fome will lofe their apparel, all the moveables of their cabins, and fometimes even their liberty, not- [ 367 ] notwithstanding there are no people in the imiverfe more jealous of the latter than the Indians are. CHAP. XIL Of their Marriage Ceremonies, &c. THE Indians allow of polygamy, and perfons of every rank indulge themfelves in this point* The chiefs in particular have a feraglio which confifts of an uncertain number, ufually from fix to twelve or fourteen. The lower ranks are permitted to take as many as there is a probability of their being able, with the children they may bear, to maintain. It is not uncommon for an Indian to marry two lifters ; fometimes, if there happen to be more, the whole number ; and not- withstanding this (as it appears to civi- lized nations) unnatural union, they all live in the greateft harmony. The younger wives are fubmimVe to the elder ; and thofe who have no chil- dren, do fuch menial offices for thole who are fertile, as caufes their fituation to differ [ 363 ] differ but little from a ftate of fervitude. However they perform every injun&ion with the greateft cheerfulnefs, in hopes of gaining thereby the affection of their hufband, that they in their turns may have the happinefs of becoming mothers, and be intitled to the refpect attendant oil that flate. It is not uncommon for an Indian* although he takes to himfelf fo many wives, to live in a ftate of continence with many of them for feveral years i Such as are not fo fortunate as to gain the favour of their hufband by their fubmif- five and prudent behaviour, and by that means to mare in his embraces, continue in their virgin flate during the whole of their lives, except they happen to be pre- fented by him to fome ftranger chief, whofe abode among them will not admit of his entering into a more lafting con- nection. In this cafe they fubmit to the injunction of their hufband without mur- muring, and are not difpleafed at the temporary union. But if at any time it is known that they take this liberty with- out firfl receiving his confent, they are puniflied i 369 ] p unifhed in the fame manner as if they had been guilty of adultery. This cuftom is more prevalent among the nations which lie in the interior parts* than among thofe that are nearer the fet- tlements, as the manners of the latter are rendered more conformable in fome points to thofe of the Europeans, by the inter- courfe they hold with them. The Indian nations differ but little from each other in their marriage ceremo- nies, and lefs in the manner of their di- vorces. The tribes that inhabit the bor- ders of Canada, make ufe of the follow- ing cuftom. When a young Indian has fixed his in- clinations on one of the other fex, he endeavours to gain her confent, and if he fucceeds, it is never known that her pa- rents ever obftruc~t their union. When every preliminary is agreed on, and the day appointed^ the friends and acquaint- ance of both parties affemble at the houfe or tent of the oldeft relation of the bride- groom, where a feaft is prepared on the occafion. The company who meet to affift at the feftival are fometimes very numerous ; A a they [ 37° ] they dance, they ling, and enter into every other diverfion ufually made ufe of on any of their public rejoicings. When thefe are finimed, all thofe who attended merely out of ceremony depart, and the bride- groom and bride are left alone with three or four of the neareft. and oldeft relations of either fide ; thofe of the bridegroom being men, thofe of the bride, women. Prefently the bride, attended by thefe few friends, having withdrawn herfelf for the purpofe, appears at one of the doors- of the houfe, and is led to the bride- groom, who ftands ready to receive her* Having now taken their itation on a mat placed in the centre of the room, they lay hold of the extremities of a wand about four feet long, by which they continue feparated, whilft the old men pronounce fome fhort harangues fuitable to the occafion. The married couple after this make a public declaration of the love and regard they entertain for each other, and ftill holding the rod between them, dance and ling, When they have finimed this part of the ceremony, they break the rod into as many pieces- as there are witnefles pre- fent, [ 37' 1 lent, who each take a piece, and preferve it with great care. The bride is then re~conduc~ted cut of the door at which fhe entered, where her young companions wait to attend her to her father's houfe ; there the bride- groom is obliged to feek her, and the marriage is confummated. Very often the wife remains at her father's honfe till fhe has a child, when fhe packs up her apparel, which is all the fortune fhe is generally pofleffed of, and accompanies her hufband to his habitation. When from any diflike a feparation takes place, for they are feldom known to quarrel, they generally give their friends a few days notice of their intentions, and fometimes offer reafons to juftify their conduct. The witnefies who were prefent at the marriage, meet on the day requefted at the houfe of the cou- ple that are about to feparate, and bring- ing with them the pieces of rod which they had received at their nuptials, throw them into the fire in the prefence of all the parties. This is the whole of the ceremony required, and the feparation is carried on without any murmurings or ill-will be- A a 2 tween [ 37 2 ] tween the couple or their relations, and after a few months they are at liberty to marry again. When a marriage is thus difTolved, the children which have been produced from it, are equally divided between them ; and as children are efreemed a treafure by the Indians, if the number happens to be odd, the woman is allowed to take the better half. Though this cuftom feems to encou- rage ficklenefs and frequent leparations, yet there are many of the Indians who have but one wife, and enjoy with her a ftate of connubial happinels not to be ex- ceeded in more refined focieties. There are alfo not a few inftances of women pre- ferving an inviolable attachment to their hufbands, except in the cafes before-men- tioned, which are not confidered as either a violation of their chaflity or fidelity. Although I have laid that the Indian nations differ very little from each other in their marriage ceremonies, there are ibme exceptions. The Naudoweffies have a lingular method of celebrating their marriages, which feems to bear no refem- blance to thofe made ufe of by any other nation [ 373 3 nation I pafled through. When one of their young men has fixed on a young woman he approves of, he difcovers his paffion to her parents, who give him an invitation to come and live with them in their tent. He accordingly accepts the offer, and hy fo doing engages to refide in it for a whole year, in the character of a menial fervant. During this time he hunts, and brings all the game he kills to the family ; by which means the father has an oppor- tunity of feeing whether he is able- to provide for the fupport of his daughter and the children that might be the confe- quence of their union. This however is only done whilfr. they are young men, and for their firfr, wife, and not repeated like Jacob's fervitudes. When this period is expired, the mar- riage is folemnized after the cuftom of the country, in the following manner. Three or four of the oldeft male relations of the bridegroom, and as many of the bride's, accompany the young couple from their refpe&ive tents to an open part in the centre of the camp. A a 3 The [ 37* ] The chiefs and warriors being here afiembled to receive them, a party of the latter are drawn up in two ranks on each fide of the bride and bridegroom immedi- ately on their arrival. The principal chief then acquaints the whole aflembly with the defign of their meeting, and tells them that the couple before them, men- tioning at the fame time their names, are come to avow publicly their intentions of living together as man and wife. He then afks the two young people alter- nately, whether they delire that the union might take place. Having declared with an audible voice that they do fo, the warriors fix their arrows, and difcharge them oyer the heads of the married pair ; this done, the chief pronounces them man and wife. The bridegroom then turns round, and bending his body, takes his wife on his back, in which manner he carries her amidit the acclamations of the fpe&ators to his tent* This ceremony is fucceeded by the moil: plentiful feall: the new mar- ried man can afford, and fongs and dances, according to the ufual cuftom, conclude the feftival. Divorces [ 375 1 Divorces happen fo feldom among the Naudoweffies, that I had not an opportu- nity of learning how they are accom- plished. Adultery is efteemed by them a hein- ous crime, and punimed with the greateft rigour. The huirjand in thefe cafes bites off the wife's nofe, and a feparation in- itantly enfues. I faw an inftance wherein this mode of punifhment was inflicted^ whilft I remained among them. The children, when this happens, are diftri- buted according to the ufual cuftom ob*- ferved by other nations, that is, they are equally divided. Among the Indian as well as Euro- pean nations, there are many that devote ihemfelves to pleafure, and notwithstand- ing the accounts given by fome modern writers of the frigidity of an Indian con- stitution, become the zealous votaries of Venus. The young warriors that are thus diipofed, feldom want opportunities for gratifying their paffions ; and as the mode ufually followed on thefe occafions is rather lingular, I mall defcribe it. When one of thefe young debauchees imagines from the behaviour of the per.- A a 4 fon [ 376 ] fon he has chofen for his miftrefs, that he fhall not meet with any great ob- ft ruction to his fuit from her, he purfues the following plan. It has been already obferved, that the Indians acknowledge no fuperiority, or have they any ideas of fubordination, ex- cept in the neceffary regulations of their war or hunting parties ; they confequently live nearly in a ftate of equality purfuant to the firft principles of nature. The lover therefore is not apprehensive of any check or controul in the accomplishment of his purpofes if he can find a conve- nient opportunity for compleating them. As the Indians are alfo under no ap- prehenlion of robbers, or fecret enemies, they leave the doors of their tents or huts unfaftened during the night, as well as in the day. Two or three hours after fun- fet, the flaves or old people cover over the fire, that is generally burning in the midfl of their apartment, with allies, an$ retire to their repofe. Whilfl darknefs thus prevails, and all is quiet, one of theie fqns of pleafure, wrapped up clofely in his blanket to prevent his being known, will fometimes enter t 377 J enter the apartment of his intended miftrefs. Having firft lighted at the fmothered fire a fmall fplinter of wood, which anfwers the purpofe of a match, he approaches the place where (he repofes, and gently pull- ing away the covering from her head, jogs her till me awakes. If me then rifes up, and blows out the light, he needs no further confirmation that his company is not difagreeable ; but if, after he has difcovered himfelf (he hides her head, and takes no notice of him, he might reft allured that any further foli- citations will prove vain, and that it is neceflary for him immediately to retire. During his ftay he conceals the light as much as poffible in the hollow of his hands, and as the tents or rooms of the Indians are ufually large and capacious, he efcapes without detection. It is faid fhat the young women who admit their lovers on thefe occaiions, take great care, by an immediate application to herbs, with the potent efficacy of which they are well acquainted, to prevent the effects of thefe illicit amours from becoming vi- fible ; for mould the natural confequences enfue 3 [ 378 ] enfue, they mud for ever remain unmar* ried. The children of the Indians are always diftinguifhed by the name of the mother ; and if a woman marries feveral hufbands, and has iflue by each of them, they are all called after her. The reafon they give for this is, that as their offspring are indebted to the father for their fouls, the invifible part of their efTence, and to the mother for their corporeal and apparent part, it is more rational that they fhould be diftinguifhed by the name of the latter, from whom they indubitably derive their being, than by that of the father, to which a doubt might fometimes arife whe- ther they are juftly intitled. There are fome ceremonies made ufe of by the Indians at the impofition of the name, and it is conndered by them as a matter of great importance ; but what thefe are I could never learn, through the fecrefy obferved on the occasion. I only know that it is ufually given when the children have patted the ftate of in^ fancy. Nothing can exceed the tendernefs fhown by them to their offspring ; and a per fan [ 379 ] perfon cannot recommend himfelf to their favour by any method more certain, than by paying fome attention to the younger branches of their families. I can impute, in fome meafure, to the prefents I made to the children of the chiefs of the Nau- doweffies, the hofpitable reception I met with when among them. There is fome difficulty attends an ex- planation of the manner in which the Indians diftinguifh themfelves from each other. Befides the name of the animal by which every nation and tribe is deno- minated, there are others that are perfo- nal, and which the children receive from their mother. The chiefs are alfo diftinguimed by a name that has either fome reference to their abilities, or to the hieroglyphick of their families ; and thefe are acquired after they arrive at the age of manhood. Such as have fignalized themfelves either in their war or hunting parties, or are pofTefled of fome eminent qualification, receive a name that ferves to perpetuate the fame of thefe actions, or to make their abilities confpicuous. Thus [ 3«° ] Thus the great warrior of the Nau- doweflies was named Ottahtongoomlifhcah, that is, the Great Father of Snakes ; ottah being in Englifh father, tongoom great, and lifhcah a fnake. Another chief was called Honahpawjatin, which means a fwift runner over the mountains. And when they adopted me a chief among them, they named me Shebaygo, which fignifies a writer, or a perfon that is cu- rious in making hieroglyphicks, as they faw me often writing. CHAP. XIII. Of their Religion. IT is very difficult to attain a perfecl; knowledge of the religious principles of the Indians. Their ceremonies and doctrines have been fo often ridiculed by the Europeans, that they endeavour to conceal them ; and if, after the greatefl intimacy, you defire any of them to ex- plain to you their fyftem of religion, to prevent your ridicule they intermix with it many of the tenets they have received from t 38' ] from the French miffionaries, fo that it is at laft rendered an unintelligible jargon, and not to be depended upon. Such as I could difcover among the Naudoweffies, for they alfo were very re- ferred in this point, I mail give my rea- ders, without paying any attention to the accounts of others. As the religion of that people from their fituation appears to be totally unadulterated with the fuperfti- tions of the church of Rome, we mail be able to gain from their religious cuf- toms a more perfect idea of the original tenets and ceremonies of the Indians in general, than from thofe of any nations that approach nearer to the fettlements. It is certain that they acknowledge one Supreme Being or Giver of Life, who prelides over all things. The Chipeways call this being Manitou or Kitchi-Ma- nitou ; the Naudoweffies, Wakon or Tongo-Wakon, that is, the Great Spi- rit ; and they look up to him as the fource of good, from whom no evil can proceed. They alfo believe in a bad fpi- rit, to whom they afcribe great power, andfuppofe that through his means all the evils which befall mankind are inflicted. To [ 3** ] To him therefore do they pray in their diftrefles, begging that he would either avert their troubles, or moderate them when they are no longer avoidable. They fay that the Great Spirit, who is infinitely good, neither wifhes or is able to do any mifchief to mankind, but on the contrary, that he mowers down on them all the bleffings they deferve ; whereas the evil fpirit is continually em- ployed in contriving how he may punifti the human race ; and to do which he is not only povTefled of the will, but of the power. They hold alfothat there are good fpirits of a lefler degree, who have their particular departments, in which they are conftantly contributing to the happinefs of mortals. Thefe they fuppofe to prefide over all the extraordinary productions of nature, fuch as thofe lakes, rivers, or mountains that are of an uncommon magnitude ; and likewife the beafts, birds, fifties, and even vegetables or Hones that exceed the reft: of their fpecies in fize or Singularity. To all of thefe they pay fome kind of adora- tion. Thus when they arrive on the borders of Lake Superior, on the banks of [ 3*4 ] of the Miffiffippi, or any other great body of water, they prefent to the Spirit who refides there fome kind of offering, as the prince of the Winnebagoes did when he attended me to the Falls of St. An- thony. But at the fame time I fancy that the ideas they annex to the word fpirit, is very different from the conceptions more enlightened nations entertain of it. They appear to faihion to themfelves corporeal reprefentations of their gods, and believe them to be of a human form, though of a nature more excellent than man. Of the fame kind are their fentiments relative to a futurity. They doubt not but they mall exift in fome future ftate, they however fancy that their employ- ments there will be fimilar to thofe they are engaged in here, without the labour and difficulty annexed to them in this period of their exigence. They coniequently expect to be trans- lated to a delightful country, where' they fhall always have a clear unclouded iky, and enjoy a perpetual fpring; where the forefls will abound with game, and the lakes with fifh, which might be taken without [ 3«4 ] without requiring a painful exertion of (kill, or a laborious purfuit ; in fhort* that they fhall live for ever in regions of plenty, and enjoy every gratification they delight in here, in a greater degree. To intellectual pleafures they are Gran- gers ; nor are thefe included in their fcheme of happinefs. But they expert that even thefe animal pleafures will be proportioned and diftributed according to their merit ; the fkilful hunter, the bold and fuccefsful warrior will be entitled to a greater mare than thofe who through indolence or want of fkill cannot boaft of any fuperiority over the common herd. The prieits of the Indians are at the lame time their phyficians, and their con- jurors ; whilft they heal their wounds or cure their difeafes, they interpret their dreams, give them protective charms, and fatisfy that defire which is fo prevalent among them of fearching into futurity* How well they execute the latter part of their profefiional engagements, and the methods they make ufe of on fome of thefe occafions, I have already (hewn in the exertions of the priefr. of the Killif- tinoes, who was fortunate enough to fuc- ceed t 3*5 ] reed in his extraordinary attempt near Lake Superior. They frequently are fuc- cefsful likewife in adminiftering the falu- brious herbs they have acquired a know- ledge of; but that the ceremonies they make ufe of during the adminiftration of them contribute to their fuccefs, I mail not take upon me to aflert. When any of the people are ill, the perfon who is invefted with this triple character of doctor, priefl:, and magician, fits by the patient day and night, rattling in his ears a goad-fhell filled with dry beans, called a Chichicoue, and making a difagreeable noife that cannot well be dele ri bed. This uncouth ■ harmony one would imagine mould difhirb the lick perfon, and prevent the good effects of the doc- tor's prefcription ; but on the contrary they believe that the method made ufe of contributes to his recovery, by diverting from his malignant purpofes the evil Spi- rit who has inflicted the diforder; or at leafl that it will take off his attention, fb that he fhall not increafe the malady. This they are credulous enough to imagine he is conflantly on the watch to do, and would B b carry C 386 ] carry his inveteracy to a fatal length i£ they did not thus charm him. I could not difcover that they make ufe of any other religious ceremonies than thofe I have defcribed ; indeed, on the ap- pearance of the new moon they dance and fing, but it is not evident that they pay that planet any adorations ; they only ieem to rejoice at the return of a lumi- nary that makes the night cheerful, and which ferves to light them on their way when they travel during the abfence of the fun. Notwithftanding Mr. Adair has afierted that the nations among whom he reiided, obferve with very little variation all the rites appointed by the Moiaic Law, I own I could never difcover among thofe tribes that lie but a few degrees to the north- weft, the leaft traces of the Jewifh reli- gion, except it be admitted that one par- ticular female cuftom and their divilion into tribes, carry with them proof iuffi- cient to eftablifh this aflertion. The Jefuits and French miffionaries have alio pretended that the Indians had, when they firft travelled into America, fome notions, though thefe were dark and con- [ 3«7 ] confuted, of the chriftian inftitution ; that they have been greatly agitat- d at the light of a crofs, and given proofs by the impreflions made on them that they were not entirely unacquainted with the facred myfteries of chriflianity. I need not fay that thefe are too glaring abfurdities to be credited, and could only receive their exiftence from the zeal of thofe fathers, who endeavoured at once to give the public a better opinion of the fuccefs of their millions, and to add iupport to the caufe they were engaged in. The Indians appear to be in their reli- gious principles rude and uninftruc~ted. The doctrines they hold are few and fim- pie, and fuch as have been generally im- preffed on the human mind, by fome means or other, in the moil ignorant ages. They however have not deviated, as many other uncivilized nations, and too many civilized ones have done, into idolatrous modes of worfhip ; they venerate indeed and make offerings to the wonderful parts of the creation, as I have before obferved, but h ther thefe rites are performed on account of the impreflion fuch extraordi- nary appearances make on them, or whe- B b 2 ther [ 388 ] ther they confider them as the peculiar charge, or the ufual places of residence of the invifible fpirits they acknowledge, I cannot pofitively determine. The human mind in its uncultivated flate is apt to afcribe the extraordinary oc- currences of nature, fuch as earthquakes, thunder, or hurricanes, to the interpoli- tion of unfeen beings ; the troubles and difafrers alio that are annexed to a favage life, the apprehenfions attendant on a pre- carious fubfiftence, and thofe numberlefs inconveniencies which man in his improv- ed ftate has found means to remedy, are fuppofed to proceed from the interpolation of evil fpirits ; the favage confequently lives in continual apprehenfions of their unkind attacks, and to avert them has re- courfe to charms, to the fantafKc ceremo- nies of his priefl:, or the powerful influ- ence of his Manitous. Fear has of courfe a greater mare in his devotions than gra- titude, and he pays more attention to de- precating the wrath of the evil than to fe- curing the favour of the good beings. The Indians, however, entertain thefe abfurdities in common with thofe of every part of the globe who have not been illu- mined [ 3*9 ] mined by that religion which only can difperfe the clouds of fuperftition and ig- norance, and they are as free from error as a people can be that has not been fa- voured with its inftructive doctrines. CHAP. XIV. Of their Diseases, &c. TH E Indians in general are healthy, and fubje£t but to few difeafes, many of thole that afflict civilized nations, and are the immediate confequences of lux- ury or (loth, being not known among them; however the hardships and fatigues which they endure in hunting or war, the in- clemency of the feafons to which they are continually expofed, but above all the extremes of hunger, and that voraciouf- nefs their long excurlions confequently fubject them to, cannot fail of impairing the conftitution, and bringing on difor- ders. Pains and weaknefles in the flomach and breaft are fometimes the refult of their long failing, and confumptions of the B b 3 exceffive [39° ] exceflive fatigue and violent exercifes thry expole tbemftlves to from their infancy, before they have ftrength fufficient to fup'port them. But the diforder to which they are moil, fubjedt, is the pleurify ; for the removal of which, they apply their grand remedy and prefervative againfr, the generality of their complaints, fweating. The manner in which they conftruct their ftoves for this purpofe is as follows. They fix feveral fmall poles in the ground, the tops of w hich they twift together fo as to form a rotunda : this frame they cover with ikins or blankets ; and they lay them on with fo much nicety, that the air is kept from entering through any crevice ; a fmall fpace being only left juft fufficient to creep in, which is immedi- ately after clofed. In the middle of this confined building they place red hot flones, on which they pour water till a fleam arifes that produces a great degree of heat. This crufes an inftantaneous perfora- tion, which they increafe as they pleale. Having continued in it for lome time, they Immediately haften to the nearefr. ftream, and plunge into the water; and after bathing [ 39 l ] bathing therein for about half a minute, they put on their cloaths, fit down and imoak with great compofure, thoroughly perfuaded that the remedy will prove effi- cacious. They often make ufe of this fudoriferous method to refrefh themfelves, or to prepare their minds for the manage^ ment of any bufinefs that requires uncom- mon deliberation and fagacity. They are likewife afflicted with the dropfy and paralytic complaints ; which however are but very leldom known among them. As a remedy for thefe as well as for fevers they make ufe of lotions and decoctions, compofed of herbs, which the phyficians know perfectly well how to compound and apply. But they never trufr. to medicines alone ; they always have recourfe likewife to fome fuperfiiti- ous ceremonies, without which their pa- tients would not think the phyfical pre- parations fufficiently powerful. With equal judgment they make ufe of fimples for the cure of wounds, frac-> tures, or bruifes ; and are able to extract bv thefe, without incinon, fplinters, iron, or any fort of matter by which the wound is caufed. In cures of this kind B b 4 they [ 39* J they are extremely dextrous, and com- plete them in much lefs time than might he expected from their mode of proceed-? With the fkin of a make, which thofe reptiles annually fried, they will alfo extract iplinters. It is amazing to fee the fudden efficacy of this application, not- withftanding there does not appear to \>q the lead: moifture remaining in it. It has long been a fubject of difpute, On what continent the venereal difeafe firit received its deiiructive power. This dreadful malady is fuppofed to have origi- nated in America, but the literary contefl ftill remains undecided ; to give fome elu- cidation to it I ihall remark, that as J could not difcover the lealt traces among the Naudoweffies with whom I relided fo long, and was alfo informed that it was yet unknown among the more wef- tern nations, I think I may venture to pronounce that it had not its origin in North America. Thofe nations that have any communication with the Europeans or the fouthern tribes are greatly af- flicted with it ; but they have all of them acquired a knowledge of fuch certain and expeditious [ 393 ] expeditious remedies, that the communi- cation is not attended with any dangerous confequences. Soon after I fet out on my travels, one of the traders whom I accompanied, complained of a violent gonorrhoea with all its alarming fymptoms : this increas- ed to men a degree, that by the time we had reached the town of the Winneba- goes, he was unable to travel. Having made his complaint known to one of the chiefs of that trine, he told him not to |je uneafy, for he would engage that by following his advice, he mould be able in a few days to purfue his journey, and in a little longer time be entirely free from his diforder. The chief had no fooner faid this than he prepared for him a decoction of the bark of the roots of the prickly am, a tree fcarcely known in England, but which grows in great plenty throughout North America; by the ufe of which, in a few days he was greatly recovered, and having received directions how to prepare it, in a fortnight after his departure from jhis place perceived that he was radically £ured'<> If [ 394 ] " If from exceffive exercife, or the ex- tremes of heat or cold, they are affected with pains in their limhs or joints, they fcarify the parts affected. Thofe nations who have no commerce with Europeans do this with a lharp flint ; and it is fur- prizing to fee to how fine a point they have the dexterity to bring them; a lan- cet can fcarcely exceed in marpnefs the inftrnments they make of this unmallea- ble fubftance. They never can be convinced a'perfon is ill, whilit he has an appetite; but when he rejects all kind of nouriihment, they confiderthe difeafe as dangerous, and pay great attention to it. And during the continuance of the diforder, the phy- fician refufes his patient no fort of food that he is defirous of. Their doctors are not only fuppofed to be (killed in the phyfical treatment of difeafes, but" the common people believe that by the ceremony of the chichicoue nfually made uie of, as before defcribed, they are able to gain intelligence from the Ipirits of the cauie of the complaints with which thev are afflicted, and are thereby the better enabled to find remedies for them. [ 395 ] them. They difcover fomething fuper- natural in all their difeafes, and the phy- tic administered muft invariably be aided by thefe iuperftitions. Sometimes a fick perfon fancies that his diforder arifes from witchcraft; in this cafe the phyfician or juggler is confulted, who after the ufual preparations giv r es his opinion on the flate of the difeafe, and frequently finds fome means for his cure. But notwithftanding the Indian phyiicians always annex thefe fuperftitious ceremo- nies to their prefcriptions, it is very cer- tain, as I have already obferved, that they exercife their art by principles which are founded on the knowledge of fimples, and on experience which they acquire by an indefatigable attention to their opera- tions. The following ftory, which I received from a perfon of undoubted credit, proves that the Indians are not only able to rea- fon with great acutencfs on the caufes and {y mptoms of many of the diforders which are attendant on human, nature, but to apply with equal judgment proper remedies. In [ 396 ] In Penobfcot, a fettlement in the pro- vince of Main, in the north-eaft parts of New England, the wife of a foldier was taken in labour, and notwithstanding every neceflary affiftance was given her, could not be delivered. In this fituation fhe remained for two or three days, the perfons around her expecting that the next pang would put an end to her exigence. An Indian woman, who accidentally pafled by, heard the groans of the un- happy fufferer, and enquired from whence they proceeded. Being made acquainted with the defperate circumftances attend- ing the cafe, fhe told the informant, that if (he might be permitted to fee the per- fon, fhe did not doubt but that fhe could be of great fervice to her. The furgeon that had attended, and the midwife who was then prefent, hav- ing given up every hppe of preferving their patient, the Indian woman was al- lowed to make ufe of any methods fhe thought proper. She accordingly took a handkerchief, and bound it tight over the nofe and mouth of the woman : this immediately brought on a furJocation ; and I 397 1 and from the ftruggles that confequently enfued fhe was in a few feconds delivered. The moment this was atchieved, and time enough to prevent any fatal effedt, the handkerehief was taken off. The long fuffering patient thus happily re- lieved from her pains, foon after per- fectly recovered, to the aftonifhrnent of all thofe who had been witnefs to her defperate fituation. The reafon given by the Indian for this hazardous method of proceeding was, that defperate diforders require delperate remedies ; that as fhe obferved the exer- tions of nature were not fufficiently for- cible to effect the defired confequence, fhe thought it neceffary to augment their force, which could only be done by fbme mode that w r as violent in the extreme. CHAP. [ 39* ] CHAP. XV. Of the Manner hi which they treat their Dead. AN Indian meets death when it ap- proaches him in his hut, with the fame resolution he has often faced him in the field. His indifference relative to this important article, which is the fource of fo many apprehenlions to almoft. every other nation, is truly admirable. When his fate is pronounced by the phyilcian, and it remains no longer uncertain, he harangues thofe about him with the greater!: compofure. If he is a chief and has a family, he makes a kind of funeral oration, which he concludes by giving to his children fuch advice for the regulation of their conduct as he thinks neceiTary. He then takes leave of his friends, and iffues out orders for the preparation of a feail:, which is deiig-ned to regale thofe of his tribe that come to pronounce his eulo- gium. After t 399 ] After the breath is departed, the body is drefled in the fame attire it ufuaily wore whilft living, his face is painted, and lie is feated in an erect pofture on a mat. or ikin placed in the middle of the hut, with his weapons by his fide. His relations being feated round, each harangues in turn the deceafed ; and if he has been a great warrior recounts his heroic actions nearly to the following purport, which in the Indian language is extremely poetical and pleaiing. " You ftill fit among us, Brother, " your perfon retains its ufual refem- " blance, and continues fimilar to ours, " without any viiible deficiency, except " that it has loft the power of action. " But whither is that breath flown, " which a few hours ago fent up fmoke " to the Great Spirit ? Why are thofe " lips lilentj that lately delivered to us *' exprefiive and pleaiing language ? why " are thofe feet motionlefs, that a fhort " time ago were fleeter than the deer on " yonder mountains? why ufelefs hang " thofe arms that could climb the talleft " tree, or draw the tougheft bow? Alas! M every part of that frame which we " lately [ 4oo ] lately beheld with admiration and wonder, is now become as inanimate as it was three hundred winters ago. We will not, however, bemoan thee as if thou waft for ever loft to us, or that thy name would be buried in oblivion ; thy foul yet lives in the great Country of Spirits, with thofe of thy nation that are gone before thee ; and though we are left behind to perpetuate thy fame, we fhall one day join thee. Actuated by the re- flect we bore thee whilft living, We now come to tender to thee the laft aft of kindnefs it is in our power to beftow : that thy body might not lie neglected on the plain, and become a prey to the beafts of the field, or the fowls of the air, we will take care to lay it with thofe of thy predecefibrs who are gone before thee ; hoping at the fame time, that thy fpirit will feed with their fpirits, and be ready to receive ours, when we alfo fhall arrive at the great Country of Souls.' * In fhort fpeeches fomewhat fimilar to this does every chief fpeak the praifes of his departed friend. When they have fo [ 40I ] fo done, if they happen to be at a great diftance from the place of interment ap- propriated to their tribe, and the perfon dies during the winter feafon, they wrap the. body in ikins, and lay it on a high flage built for this purpofe, or on the branches of a large tree, till the fpring arrives. They then, after the manner defcribed in my Journal, carry it, toge- ther with all thofe belonging to the fame nation, to the general burial-place, where it is interred with fome other ceremo* nies that I could not difcover. When- the Naudoweflies brought their dead for interment to the great cave, I attempted to get an infight into the re- maining burial rites ; but whether it was on account of the flench which arofe from fo many bodies, the weather being then hot, or whether they chofe to keep this part of their cuftoms fecret from me, 1 could not difcover; I found, however, that they confidered my curiofity as ill* timed, and therefore I withdrew. After the interment, the band to which the perfon belongs, take care to fix near the place fuch hieroglyphicks as mail (how to future ages his merit and accom- C o plifhments. [ 4°3 ] plifhments. If any of thefe people did in the fummer at a diflance from the burying-ground, and they find it impof- fible to remove the body before it putre- fies, they burn the flefh from the bones, and preferving the latter, bury them in the manner defcribed. As the Indians believe that the fouls of the deceafed employ themfelves in the fame manner in the country of fpirits, as they did on earth, that they acquire their food by hunting, and have there, alfo, enemies to contend with, they take care that they do not enter thofe regions de- fencelefs and unprovided : they confe- quently bury with them their bows, their arrows, and all the other weapons ufed either in hunting or war. As they doubt not but they will likewife have occaiion both for the neceflaries of life, and thofe things they efleem as ornaments, they ufually depolit in their tombs fuch (kins or fluffs as they commonly made their garments of, domeflic untenfils, and paint for ornamenting their perfbns* The near relations of the deceafed la- ment his lofs with an appearance of great forrow and anguifh ; they weep and howl and [ 403 ] and make ufe of many contortions, as they fit in the hut or tent around the body, when the intervals between the praifes of the chiefs will permit. One formality in mourning for the dead among the Naudoweffies is very different from any mode I obferved in the other na- tions through which I pafled. The men, to mow how great their forrow is, pierce the flefh of their arms, above the elbows, with arrows ; the fears of which I could perceive on thofe of every rank, in a greater or lefs degree ; and the women cut and gam their legs with (harp broken flints, till the blood flows very plenti- fully. Whilft I remained among them, a couple whofe tent was adjacent to mine, loft a fon of about four years of age. The parents were fo much affected at the death of their favourite child, that they purfued the ufual teftimonies of grief with fuch uncommon rigour, as through the weight of forrow and lofs of blood, to occafion the death of the father. The woman, who had hitherto been incon- folable, no fooner faw her hufband expire, C c 2 than [ 404 ] than (he dried up her tears, and appeared cheerful and refigned. As I knew not how to account for fo extraordinary a tranfition, I took an opportunity to afk her the reafon of it ; telling her at the fame time, that I mould have imagined the lofs of her hufband would rather have occasioned an increafe of grief, than fuch a Hidden di- minution of it. She informed me, that as the child was fo young when it died, and unable to fupport itfelf in the country of fpirits, both me and her hufband had been appre- henfive that its fituation would be far from happy ; but no fooner did fhe behold its father depart for the fame place, who not only loved the child with the tendered affection, but was a good hunter, and would be able to provide plentifully for its fupport, than fhe ceafed to mourn. She added, that fhe now faw no reafon to continue her tears, as the child on whom fhe doated was happy under the care and protection of a fond father, and fhe had only one wifh that remained un- gratified, which was that of being her- felf with them. Expreffions [ 405 ] Expreffions fo replete with unafTe&ed tendernefs, and fentiments that would have done honour to a Roman matron, made an imprefTion on my mind greatly in favour of the people to which me be- longed, and tended not a little to coun- teract: the prejudices I had hitherto enter- tained, in common with every other tra- veller, of Indian infenfibility and want of parental tendernefs. Her fubfequent conduct confirmed the favourable opinion I had juft imbibed ; and convinced me, that notwithftanding this apparent fufpenfion of her grief, fome particles of that reluctance to be feparated from a beloved relation which is implanted either by nature or cuftom in every hu- man heart, flill lurked in hers. I obferved that me went almoft every evening to the foot of the tree, on a branch of which the bodies of her huiband and child were laid, and after cutting off a lock of her hair, and throwing it on the ground, ill a plaintive melancholy fong bemoaned its fate. A recapitulation of the actions he might have performed, had his life been fpared, appeared to be her favourite theme ; and whilfl: me foretold the fame C c 3 that [ 4o6 ] that would have attended an imitation of his father's virtues, her grief feemed to be fufpended : — " If thou hadft continued with us, *• my dear Son, would (he cry, how 44 well would the bow have become thy i\ hand, and how fatal would thy ar- *' rows have proved to the enemies of our 6i bands. Thou wouldft often have " drank their blood, and eaten their 14 fielh, and numerous (laves would have " rewarded thy toils. With a nervous " arm wouldft thou have feized the 44 wounded buffalo, or have combated 44 the fury of the enraged bear. Thou M wouldft have overtaken the flying li elk, and have kept pace on the moun- 44 tain's brow with the fleeteft deer. f* What feats mighteft thou not have 46 performed, hadft* thou ftaid among ** us till age had given 'thee ftrength, and f 4 thy father had inftru£ted thee in every 44 Indian accompiiihment ! " In terms like thefe did this untutored favage be- wail the lofs of her fon, and frequently would fhe pafs the greateft part of the night Jn the afFe&ionate employ. The [ 407 ] The Indians In general are very ftridt in the obfervance of their laws relative to mourning for their dead. In fome na- tions they cut off their hair, blacken their faces, and fit in an erect pofture with their heads clofely covered, and depriv- ing themfelves of every plealure. This feverity is continued for leveral months, and with fome relaxations the appear- ance is fometimes kept up for feveral years. I was told that when the Nau- dowemes recollected any incidents of the lives of their deceafed relations, even after an interval of ten years, they would howl fo as to be heard at a great diftance. They would fometimes con- tinue this proof of refpedr. and affection for feveral hours; and if it happened that the thought occurred and the noife was begun towards the evening, thofe of their tribe who were at hand would join with them. Cf4 QHAR [ 408 ] CHAP. XVI. A conclfe Character of the Indians. TH E character of the Indians, like that of other uncivilized nations, is compofed of a mixture of ferocity and gentlenefs. They are at once guided by pamons and appetites, which they hold in common with the fiercefr, beads that inhabit their woods, and are poffefled of virtues which do honour to human na- ture. In the following eftimate I fhall en- deavour to forget on the one hand the prejudices of Europeans, who ufually an- nex to the word Indian epithets that are difgraceful to human nature, and who view them in no other light than as fa- vages and cannibals; whilft with equal care I avoid any partiality towards them, as fome muft naturally arife from the favourable reception I met with during my flay among them. At the fame time I {hall confine my remarks to the nations inhabiting only the t 409 ] the weftern regions, fuch as the Nau* dowcflies, the Ottagaumies, the Chipe- ways, the Winnebagoes, and the Sau- kics : for as throughout that diveriity of climates the extenfive continent of Ame- rica is compofed of, there are people of different difpofitions and various charac- ters, it would be incompatible with my prefent undertaking to treat of all thefe, and to give a general view of them as a conjunctive body. That the Indians are of a cruel, re- vengeful, inexorable difpofition, that they will watch whole days unmindful of the calls of nature, and make their way through pathlefs, and almoft unbounded woods, fubfifting only on the fcanty produce of them, to purfue and revenge themfelves of an enemy, that they hear unmoved the piercing cries of fuch as unhappily fall into tSeir hands, and re- ceive a diabolical pleafure from the tor- tures they inflict on their prifoners, I readily grant ; but let us look on the reverfe of this terrifying picture, and we {hall find them temperate both in their diet and potations (it mult be remember- ed, that I ipeak of thofe tribes who have little [ 4i° ] little communication with Europeans) that they withftand, with unexampled patience, the attacks of hunger, or the inclemency of the feaibns, and efteem the gratification of their appetites, but as a iecondary confideration. We mall likewife fee them fociable and humane to thofe whom they confider as their friends, and even to their adopted enemies; and ready to partake with them of the laft morfel, or to rifk their lives in their defence. In contradiction to the report of many other travellers, all of which have been tinctured with prejudice, I can affert, that notwithftanding the apparent indifference with which an Indian meets his wife and children after a long abfence, an indifference proceeding rather from cuftom than in-r fenfibility, he is not unmindful of the claims either of connubial or parental ten- dernefs ; the little ftory I have introduced in the preceding chapter of the Naudow^ erne woman lamenting her child, and the immature death of the father, will elucidate this point, and enforce the af- fertion much better than the moft fludied arguments I can make ufe of. Accu£ r 411 ] Accuftomed from their youth to innu- merable hardships, they foon become Su- perior to a fenfe of danger or the dread of death ; and their fortitude, implanted by nature, and nurtured by example, by precept, and accident, never experiences a moment's allay. Though ilothful and inactive whilft their ftore of provilion remains unex- haufLd, and their foes are at a diftance, they are indefatigable and perfevering in puriliit of their game, or in circumvent- ing their enemies. If they are artful and defigning, and ready to take every advantage, if they are cool and deliberate in their councils, and cautious in the extreme either of dilcovering their fentiments, or of revealing a fecret, they might at the fame time boaft of pof- femng qualifications of a more animated nature, of the fagacity of a hound, the penetrating light of a lynx, the cunning of the fox, the agility of a bounding roe, and the unconquerable rlercenefs of the tyger. In their public characters, as form-, ing part of a community, they poffefs an attachment for that band to which they belong, [ 4i2 ] belong, unknown to the inhabitants of any other country. They combine, as if they were actuated only by one foul, againfr, the enemies of their nation, and baniih from their minds every confide ra- tion oppofed to this. They confult without unnecefTary op- position, or without giving way to the excitements of envy or ambition, on the meafures neceflary to be purfued for the deftruction of thofe who have drawn on themfelves their difpleafure. No felf- ifh views ever influence their advice, or obftrucl: their confultations. Nor is it in the power of bribes or threats to diminifh the love they bear their coun- try. The honour of their tribe, and the welfare of their nation, is the nrfr. and moft predominant emotion of their hearts ; and from hence proceed in a great mea- fure all their virtues and their vices. Actuated by this, they brave every dan-> ger, endure the moil exquilite torments, and expire triumphing in their fortitude, not as a perfonal qualification, but as a national charaderiilic. ~From [ *'*» ] From thence alfo flow that infatiable revenge towards thofe with whom they are at war, and all the confequent horrors that difgrace their name. Their uncul- tivated minds being incapable of judging of the propriety of an action, in oppofi- tion to their pafTions which are totally infenfible to the controuls of reafon or hu- manity, they know not how to keep their fury within any bounds, and con- fequently that courage and refolution which would otherwife do them honour, degenerates into a favage ferocity. But this fhort differtation muft fuffice ; the limits of my work will not permit me to treat the fubjecT: more copioufly, or to purfue it with a logical regularity. The obfervations already made by my rea- ders on the preceding pages, will, I truft, render it unneceflary ; as by them they will be enabled to form a tolerably juft idea of the people I have been defcribing. Experience teaches, that anecdotes, and relations of particular events, however trifling they might appear, enable us to form a truer judgment of the manners and cuftoms of a people, and are much more declaratory of their real {late, than the [ 414 ] the moil: ftudied and elaborate difquifition, without thefe aids. CHAP. XVII. Of their Language, Hierogly- ph i c k s, &c. THE principal languages of the na- tives of North America may be divided into four claffes, as they confift of fuch as are made ufe of by the nations of the Iroquois towards the eaftern parts of it, the Chipeways or Algonkins to the north- weft, the Naudo wellies to the well:, and the Cherokees, Chickafaws, &c. to the fouth. One or other of thefe four are ufed by all the Indians who inhabit the parts that lie between the coall: of Labradore north, the Floridas fouth, the Atlantic Ocean eaft, and, as far as we can judge from the difcoveries hitherto made, the Pacific Ocean on the weft. But of all thefe, the Chipeway tongue appears to be the moft prevailing ; it be- ing held in fuch efteem, that the chiefs of every tribe, dwelling about the great lakes, t 415 ] lakes, or to the weftward of thefe on the banks of the Miffiifippi, with thofe as far fouth as the Ohio, and as far north as Hud- fon's Bay, confirming of more than thirty different tribes, fpeak this language alone in their councils, notwithftanding each has a peculiar one of their own. It will probably in time become uni- verfal among all the Indian nations, as none of them attempt to make excurfions to any great diftance, or are confidered as qualified to carry on any negotiation with a diftant band, unlefs they have acquired the Chipeway tongue. At prefent, befides the Chipeways, to whom it is natural, the Ottawaws, the Saukies, the Ottagaumies, the Killifti- noes, the Nipegons, the bands about Lake Le Pleuve, and the remains of the Algonkins or Gens de Terre, all con- verfe in it, with lome little variation of dialecl: ; but whether it be natural to thefe nations, or acquired, I was not able to difcover. I am however of opinion that the barbarous and uncouth dialect of the Winnebagoes, the Menomonies, and many other tribes will become in time totally [ 4i6 ] totally cxtinft, and this be adopted in its ftead. The Chipeway tongue is not incum- bered with any unneceffary tones or ac- cents, neither are there any words in it that are iuperfluous ; it is alfo eaiy to pronounce, and much more copious than any other Indian language. As the Indians are unacquainted with the polite arts, or with the fciences, and as they are alfo ftrangers to ceremony or compliment, they neither have nor need an infinity of words wherewith to em- bellifh their difcourfe. Plain and unpo- liihed in their manners, they only make ufe of fuch as ferve to denominate the ne- ceffaries or conveniences of life, and to exprefs their wants, which in a fiate of nature can be but few. I have annexed hereto a fhort vocabulary of the Chipeway language, and another of that of the Naudo wellies, but am not able to reduce them to the rules of grammar. The latter is fpoken in a foft accent, without any guttural founds, fo that it may be learnt with facility, and is not difficult either to be pronounced or writ- ten. It is nearly as copious and expref- five as the Chipeway tongue, and is the moil [ 4-<7 ] ttioft prevailing language of any on the weftern banks of the Mifliifippi ; being in ufe, according to their account, among all the nations that lie to the north of the MefTorie, and extend as far weft as the fhores of the Pacific Ocean. As the Indians are not acquainted with letters, it is very difficult to convey with precifion the exact found of their words ; I have however endeavoured to write them as near to the manner in which they are exprefTed, as fuch an uncertain mode will admit of. Although the Indians cannot commu- nicate their ideas by writing, yet they form certain hieroglyphicks, which, in fome meafure, ferve to perpetuate any extraordinary tranfaclion, or uncommon event. Thus when they are on their ex- curfions, and either intend to proceed, or have been, on any remarkable enter- prize, they peel the bark from the trees which lie in their way, to give intelli- gence to thofe parties that happen to be at a diftance^ of the path they muft pur- fue to overtake them. The following inftance will convey a more perfect idea of the methods they D d make [ 4 i8 ] make ufe of on this occafion, than any expreffions I can frame. When I left the Miffiffippi, and pro- ceeded up the Chipeway River in my way to Lake Superior, as related in my Journal, my guide, who was a chief of the Chipeways that dwell on the Otta- waw Lake, near the heads of the river we had jufr. entered, fearing that fome parties of the Naudoweilies, with whom his nation are perpetually at war, might accidentally fall in with us, and before they were apprized of my being in com- pany, do us fome mifchief, he took the following fteps. He peeled the bark from a large tree near the,entrance of the river, and with wood-coal mixed with bears-greafe, their ufual lubfKtute for ink, made in an un- couth but exoreilive manner the figure of the town uf the Ottagaumies. He then formed to the left* a man drefled in ikins, by which he intended to reprelent a Nau- dowefiie, with a line drawn from his mouth to that of a deer, the lymbol of the Chipeways. After this he depictured ilill farther to the left, a canoe as prc^ ceeding up the river, in which he placed a man [ 419 1 a man fitting with a hat on ; this figure Was defigned to reprefent an Englishman, or mylelf, and my Frenchman was drawn with a handkerchief tied round his head, and rowing the canoe ; to thefe he added feveral other Significant emblems, among which the pipe of peace appeared painted on the prow of the canoe. The meaning he intended to convey to the Naudoweffies, and which I doubt not appeared perfectly intelligible to them, was, that one of the Chipeway chiefs had received a fpeech from fome Naudoweffie chiefs at the town of the Ottagaumies, defiring him to conduct the Englishman, who had lately been among them, up the Chipeway river ; and that they thereby required, that the Chipeway, notwith- standing he was an avowed enemy, ihould not be molefted by them on his paSiage, as he had the care of a perfon whom they eSteemed as one of their nation. Some authors have pretended that the Indians have armorial bearings, which they blazon with great exactnefs, and which distinguish one nation from ano- ther ; but I never could obferve any other arms among them, than the Symbols al- ready defcnbed. D d 2 A Short t 420 ] A fhort Vocabulary of the Chipeway Language. N. B. This people do not make ufe either of the confonants F or V. A BOVE XjL Abandon Splmlnk Packiton Admirable Pllawah Afterwards All Mlpidach Kokinum Always Amifs Arrive Kokall ISfapltch Takouchln Ax Ames Affiil Agacwet Plngoe Mawinewah B Ball Alewin , Bag, or tobacco-]poxich.Cafpetawgan Barrell Owentawgan Beat Pakklte Bear, a Mackwah Bear, [ 421 ] Bear, a young one Mahon Beaver Amik Beaver's fkin Jlpiminique Be, or to be tfapaie Beard Mlfchiton Becaufe Mewinch Believe tfilerimah Belly Mijhemout Black Markaute Blood JVlifkow Body 7*oe Bottle ShiJJjego Brother Neconnis Brandy, or Rum Scuttawawbah Bread Paboujhigan Breech Mifcoufab Breeches Kipokitie Koufab Buck Wajketch C Canoe Cheman Call c Te/henekaw Chief, a Okemaw Carry Petou Child, or Children Bob J oJhin Coat Capotewian Cold, I am Kekatch Dd 3 C Come [ 42 2 ] Come on Moppa Come to Pemotcha Comrade Neechee Concerned 'I'alleiwjfi Corn Melomin Covering, oraBlan-? tTr 7 . ° > W awbewwn ket J Country Endawlawkeen Courage 'TagwawmjJJii Cup Olawgan * D Dance Nemeb Dart She/hikwee Die, to Nip Dim \ Mackoan Dog AUm Dead Neepoo Devil, or evil Spirit Matcho~Man Dog, a little one Alemon Done, it is done Shiah Do 'Tojhlton Doubtlefs Ontclatoubah Drefs the kettle Poutwah Drink Minikwah £Vrunken Ouifquiba Duck Chlckhlp Earth [ 423 j E Earth Aukwin Eat OwiJJine Each Papcgik Englifh Sagaunojfj Enough Mimilic Equal, or alike 'Tawbifcouch Efteem Nawpetelimaw Eyes Wyklnkhie F Faft IValieblc Fall Ponk'ijin Far off IVatfaw Fat Phnmltee Friend Niconnis Father Noofah Few, or little Maungis Fatigued 'Taukwi/Ji Field fown Kittegaumic Fire Scutta Fire, to ftrike Scutecke Find Nantounawazv Fifli Kickon Fork Najfawokwot D d 4 Formerly Formerly Fort Forward French Freeze, to Freezes hard Full Fuzee or Gun [ 424 ] Pirwega Wdkalgo^ Nopaw'mh Neehtegoq/h K'iflin < KJJfm Magat Moufkinet Pqfkejtgan G God, or the Great ) «. . . , , ., Spirit Go by water, Girl Give Giafs, a mirror Good Good for nothing Govern S Pimmifcaiv yeckwajjin Millaw IVawbeniQ Cawlatch Malatal tfibarimaw General, or Com-1 Kit chi Okimaiv mander in Chief \ Simauganifh Grapes Shoamin Great Manatou Greedy SawfawViffi Guts ' Oldwbiflj Hare [ 42-5 ] H Hare JVazvpoos Heart Michewah Hate Shingaurimaw Half Nawbal Hair, human Lifts Hair of beafts Pewal Handibme Canogininne Have I'andaulaw Head Onjiecouan Heaven Spe?ninkakwm Herb Mejqfk Here Aconda Hidden Kemouch Home Entayent Honour Mackawalaw Hot Akejldotta How 'Tawnc How many- rfawnemilik Hunt Kewajfa Hut, or Houfe Wig-lVaum I IJlrinawbah Indians ' Iron. Pewawbick Ifland [ 426 ] Ifland Immediately Indian Corn Intirely Impoftor It might be fo Minis Webatch Mittawmin Nawpitch Mawlawtljjie 'Tawnccndo K Kettle AcMkom King, or Chief Okemaw Keep Ganwerimaw Knife Mockoman Knife that is crooked Cootawgon Know Thickeremavj Lake Laugh Lazy Lame Kitchigawmink Pawpi Kittlmi Kikekate Leave Pockiton Letter Life Mawfignaugon Nouchimowln Love Saukie Long fince Land Carriage Shawjh'ia Cappatawgon Lofe [ 427 ] Lofe Packilaugue Lie down Weepemaw ' Little iVaubefieen M Meat Weas Much Nibbilaw Man Jlllijjinape March, to go PimmouJJie Marry JVeewln Medicine Majkikic Merchandize Alokochigon Moon Debicot Mortar to pound in Poutawgon Male Nape Miftrefs Neremoufin N Needle Shawbonkin Near Pewitch Nation Irinee Never Cawikkaiv Night Debicot No Kaw Nofe Toch Nothing Kakego Not [ 4^8 ] Not yet Kawmifchi Not at all Kagutcb Nought, good te\ Mdatat nothing J O Old Otter Kauwejhim JSfikkik Other Coutack P Pipe Part, what Part Poagan tfawnapee Play Packeigo Powder, gun, or dull Pingo Peace, to make P ecacotiche Pray tfawlaimia Proper Prefently Peninfula Sawfega. Webatch MinnjJJln CL Quick Kegotch Regard ». t 429 ] R Regard fflanfibemo Red Mifcoiv Refblve I'ibelindon Relation tfawwemaw Refpect c fauagonie f Whence Taunippi Where Tab White PFaubi Who is there ? §>uagonie Maubah ? Wind Loutin Winter Pepoun Woman Ickwee Wood Mittic Wolf Mawhingon ■ Y Yefterday Petchilawgo Yet Minnewatch Young Young Yellow 43 2 ] iVifconekiffi 'JVazzo. The Numerical Terms of the Chipeways* One Two Three ' Four , Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twenty Thirty Forty Fifty Sixty Seventy Eighty PhJJnk Ninch Nijfou Neau Naran Ningoutwaffbti Ninchowajfou Nijfowajfou Shongajfou Mittaujfou Mittaujfou Pajhik Ninchtawnaw Nijfou Mittawnaw Neau Mittawnaw Naran Mittawnaw \ Ningoutwajfou Mit- I tawnaw \ Ninchowajfou Mit* \ tawnaw \ Nijfowajfou Mit- \ tawnaw Ninety t 433 1 Ninety J Shongajou Mlttaw* * I naw tt j j iMittauJfou Mitt aw- \ naw »t Shuah Houfe I'eebee Heaven Wofita Teebet T Iron I Muzah I, or me Meoh K . King, or Kill Chief Otah Negujhtaugaw E e a JLittk [ +36 ] Little Long Lake Love Jeft'in 'Tongoom 'Totigo Meneb Khwahmeah M Much Otab More Otenaw Moon Oweeh Mouth Eeb Medal Muzab Otab Mine Mewah Milk Etfawbob N No Near Heyab Jeefiinaw O Oh! Hopinlyablel Pipe [ 437 } Pipe Shanuapaw Pipe of Peace Shanuapaw Wakon R Rain Owah Meneh Ring Muzamchupah Round Chnpah S Shaweah Smoke Salt Water Menis ^ueah See, to E/htazv Sleep EJhteemo Snake Omli/hcaw Sun Paahtah Spirit Wakon Spirituous Liquors Meneh Wakon Snow Sinnee Suprizing Hopiniayare Silver Muzaham Ee i Tobacco [ 438 ] Tobacco Shawfaffaw Talk Owehch'm Tree Ochaw There Dache W Woman Winnokejah Wonderful Hopiniyare Water Meneh What T'awgo Who is there? ^awgodache ? Wicked Heyahachta You Chee Young Hawpawnaw You are good Wajhtah Chee You are a Spirit Wakon Chee You are my goodl IFaJhtah Kitchiwah Friend J Chee No Good Heyah Wajhtah. [ 439 1 The Numerical Terms of the NaudoweJJies* One JVonchaw Two Noompaw Three Tawmonee Four Toboh Five Sawbuttee Six Shawco Seven Shawcopee Eight Shahlndohln Nine Nebochunganong Ten Wegochunganong Eleven \Wegochunganong { H'onchaw Twenty 1 Wegochunganong * 2 Noompaw TO c Wegochunganong y 5 Tawmonee Forty C Wegochunganong I Toboh ¥ C Wegochunganong * / Sawbuttee si C Wegochunganong y I Shawco Seventy j Wegochunganong * | Shawcopee fi e 4 Eighty [ 44o J p. . \l¥egochu?iganong ° J * i Shahindohin Nine \ iVegochunganong \ Nebochunganong Hundred Qpohng Thoufcnd Wegochunganong I upohng To this fhort vocabulary of the Naudo- weffie language, I mall adjoin a fpecimen of the manner in which they unite their words. I have chofen for this purpofe a fhort fong, which they ling, with fome kind of melody, though not with any appearance of poetical meafure, when they fet out on their hunting expeditions : and have given as near a tranflation as the difference of the idioms will permit. Meoh accootvah efotaw paatah negujh- laivgaw fiejah menah. c Tongo IVakon meoh wo/Jjta, paatah accoowah. Hopini- yahie oweeh accooyee meoh, wo/hta pat ah otoh tohlnjoh meoh teebee. I will arife before the fun, and afcend yonder hill, to fee the new light chafe away the vapours, and diiperle the clouds. Great Spirit give me fuccefs. And when the liin is gone, lend me, oh moon, t 441 ] light fufficient to guide me with fafety back to my tent loaden with deer ! CHAP. XVIII. Of the Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Rep- tiles, and Insects, which are fowid in the interior Parts of North Ame- rica. OF thefe I mall, in the firfl place, give a catalogue, and afterwards a defcription of fuch only as are either pe- culiar to this country, or which differ in fome material point from thofe that are to be met with in other realms. OF THE BEASTS. The Tyger, the Bear, Wolves, Foxes, Dogs, the Cat of the Mountain, the Wild Cat, the Buffalo, the Deer, the Elk, the Moofe, the Carrabou, the Carcajou, the Skunk, the Porcupine, the Hedge-hog, the Wood-chuck, the Raccoon, the Martin, the Fiiher, the Muikquafh, Squirrels, Hares, Rabbits, the [ 44* ] the Mole, the Weazel, the Moufe, the Dormoufe, the Beaver, the Otter, the Mink, and Bats. The TYGER. The Tyger of Ame- rica refembles in fhape thofe of Africa and Alia, but is considerably fmaller, Nor does it appear to be fo fierce and ravenous as they are. The colour of it is a darkifh fallow, and it is intirely free from fpots. I favv one on an ifland in the Chipeway River, of which I had a very good view, as it was at no great diftance from me, It fat up on its hinder parrs like a dog; and did not feem either to be apprehenfive of our ap*- proach, or to dilcover any ravenous in- clinations. It is however very feldom to be met with in this part of the world. The BEAR. Bears are very nume- rous on this continent, but more partis cularly fo in the northern parts of it, and contribute to furnilh both food and beds for almoft every Indian nation. Thofe of America differ in many refpecls trom thofe either of Greenland or Ruffia, jthey being not only fomewhat fmaller, bu£ timorous [ <43 ] timorous and inoffenfive, unlefs they are pinched by hunger, or fmarting from a wound. The light of a man terrifies them; and a dog will put feveral to flight. They are extremely fond of grapes, and will climb to the top of the higheft trees in queft of them. This kind of food renders their flefh exceffively xich and finely flavoured; and it is con- fequently preferred by the Indians and traders to that of any other animal. The fat is very white, and befides being fweet and wholefome, is poflefled of one valu- able quality, which is, that it never cloys. The inhabitants of thefe parts conftantly anoint themfelves with it, and to its efficacy they in a great meafure owe their agility. The fealon for hunt- ing the bear is during the winter ; when they take up their abode in hollow trees, or make themfelves dens in the roots of thofe that are blown down, the entrance of which they ftop up with branches of fir that lie fcattered about. From thefe retreats it is faid they ftir not whilft the weather continues fevere, and as it is well known that they do not provide them- felves with food, they are fuppofed to be enable4 [ 444 ] enabled by nature to fublift. for fome months without, and during this time to continue of the fame bulk. The WOLF. The wolves of North America are much lefs than thofe which are met with in other parts of the world. They have, however, in common with the reft of their fpecies, a wildnefs in their looks, and a fiercenefs in their eyes ; not-, withftanding which they are far from be- ing fo ravenous as the European wolves, nor will they ever attack a man, except they have accidentally fed on the fleih of thofe flam in battle. When they herd together, as they often do in the winter, they make a hideous and terrible noife. In thefe parts there are two kinds ; one of which is of a fallow colour, the other of a dun, inclining to black. The FOX. There are two forts of foxes in North America, which differ only in their colour, one being of a reddiih brown, the other of a grey ; thofe of the latter kind that are found near the river MiihTIippi, are extremely beautiful, their hair being of a fine filver grey. DOGS, [ 445 ] DOGS. The dogs employed by the Indians in hunting appear to be all of the fame fpecies ; they carry their ears erect, and greatly refemble a wolf about the head. They are exceedingly ufeful to them in their hunting excurfions, and will attack the fierceft. of the game they are in purfuit of. They are alio remark- able for their fidelity to their matters, but being ill fed by them are very trouble- fome in their huts or tents. The CAT of the 'mountain. This creature is in mape like a cat, only much larger. The hair or fur refembles alfo the lkin of that domeftic animal ; the co- lour however differs, for the former is of a reddim or orange caft, but grows lighter near the belly. The whole (kin is beau- tified with black fpots of different figures, of which thofe on the back are long, and thofe on the lower parts round. On the ears there are black ftripes. This crea- ture is nearly as fierce as a leopard, but will feldom attack a man. The BUFFALO. This beaft, of which there are amazing numbers in thefe parts, is larger than an ox, has fhort black horns, with a large beard under his chin, [ 44« ] chin, and his head is fo full of hair, that it falls over his eyes, and gives him a frightful look. There is a bunch on his back which b gins at the haunches, and increaiiLig gradually to the fhoulders, reaches on to the neck. Both this ex* crefcence and its whole body are eovered with long hair, or rather wool, of a dun, or moufe colour, which is exceedingly va-* luable, efpecially that on the fore part of the body. Its head is larger than a bull's, with a very fhort neck ; the breaft is broad, and the body decreases towards the buttocks. Thefe creatures will run away at the fight of a man, and a whole herd will make off when they perceive a fingle dog. The flefh of the buffalo is excel- lent food, its hide exceedingly ufeful, and the hair very proper for the manu- facture of various articles* The DEER. There is but one fpe- cies of deer in North America, and thefe are higher and of a flimmer make than thofe in Europe. Their fhape is nearly the fame as the European, their colour of a deep fallow, and their horns very large and branching. This beaft is the fwifteft on the American plains, and they herd toge* [ 44/ ] together as they do in other other coun- tries. The ELK greatly exceeds the deer in fize, being in bulk equal to a horfe. Its body is fhaped like that of a deer, only its tail is remarkably fhort, being not more than three inches long. The co- lour of its hair, which is grey, and not unlike that of a camel, but of a more reddifh caft, is nearly three inches in length, and as coarfe as that of a horfe. The horns of this creature grow to a pro- digious fize, extending fo wide that two or three perfons might fit between them at the fame time. They are not forked like thofe of a deer, but have all their teeth or branches on the outer edge. Nor does the form of thofe of the elk re- femble a deer's, the former being flat, and eight or ten inches broad, whereas the latter are round, and confiderably nar- rower. They ihed their horns every year in the month of February, and by Auguffc the new ones are nearly arrived at their full growth. Notwithstanding their fize, and the means of defence nature has fur- nifhed them with, they are as timorous as a deer. Their fkin is very ufsful, and will [ 448 ] will drefs as well as that of a buck. They' feed on grafs in the fummer, and on mofs- or buds in the winter. The MOOSE is nearly about the fize of the elk, and the horns of it are almofr. as enormous as that animal* s ; the ftem of them however are not quite ib wide, and they branch on both fides like thofe of a deer. This creature alfo fheds them every year. Though its hinder parts are very broad, its tail is not above an inch long. •It has feet and legs like a camel, its head is about two feet long, its upper lip much larger than the under, and the nofc trils of it are fo wide that a man might thruft his head into them a considerable way. The hair of the moofe is light grey, mixed with a blackim red. It is very elaitic, for though it be beaten ever fo long, it will retain its original fhape. The flefh is exceeding good food, eaiy of digeftion, and very nourifhing. The nofe, or upper lip, which is large and loofe from the gums, is efteemed a great delicacy, being of a firm coniiftence, be- tween marrow and griftle, and when pro- perly drelied, affords a rich and lufcious difli. Its hide is very proper for leather, being t 449 ] being thick and ftrong, yet foft and plia- ble. The pace of this creature is always a trot, which is fo expeditious, that it is exceeded in fwiftnefs but by few of its fellow inhabitants of thefe woods. It is generally found in the forefts, where it feeds on mofs and buds. Though this creature is of the deer kind, it never herds as thole do. Mod authors confound it with the elk, deer, or carrabou, but it is a fpecies totally different, as might be difcovered by attending to the defcription I have given of each. The CARRABOU. This beaft is not near fo tall as the moofe, however it is ibmething like it in fhape, only rather more heavy, and inclining to the form of the afs. The horns of it are not flat as thofe of the elk are, but round like thole of the deer ; they alio meet nearer together at the extremities, and bend more over* the face, than either thofe of the elk or moofe. It partakes of the fwiftnefs of the deer, and is with difficulty over- taken by its purfuers. The flelh of it likewife is equally as good, the tongue particularly is in high efteem. The lkin F £ , being [ 450 ] being fmooth and free from veins, is 23 valuable as fhamoy. The CARCAJOU- This creature/ which is of the cat kind, is a terri- ble enemy to the preceding four fpe- cies of beafts. He either comes upon them from lbme concealment un perceived f or climbs up into a tree, and taking his ftation on fome of the branches, waits till one of them ? driven by an extreme of heat or cold, takes melter under it; when he fattens upon his neck, and opening the jugular vein, foon brings his prey to the ground. This he is enabled to do by his long tail, with which he encircles the body of his adverfary ; and the only means they have to fhun their fate, is by flying immediately to the water, by this method, as the carcajou has a great diflike to that element, he is fometimes got rid of before he can effect his pur- pofe. The SKUNK; This is the moil ex- traordinary animal that the American woods produce. It is rather lefs than a pole-cat, and of the fame ipecies ; it is therefore often miitaken for that creature, but is very different from it in many points. t 451 ] points. It's fkin or fur is long and fhin- ing, of a dirty white mixed in fome places with black, fo that it appears to be (haded in particular parts with black, without being either fpotted or flriped* Its tail is long and very bufhy like that of a fox, and it lives chiefly in the woods and hedges. But its extraordinary powers are only (hewn when it is purfued. As foon as he finds himfelf in danger he ejects to a great di fiance from behind a final 1 flream of water, of fo fubtle a na- ture, and at the fame time of fo power* ful a fmell, that the air is tainted with it for half a mile in circumference ; and his purfuers, whether men or dogs, be- ing almofl fuffocated with the flench, are obliged to give over the purfuit. On this account he is called by the French, En* fant du Diable, the Child of the Devil ; or Bete Puante, the Stinking Beafl. It is almofl impoffible to defcribe the noifome effects of the liquid with which this creature is fupplied by nature for its defence. If a drop of it falls on your cloaths, they are rendered fo difagreeable that it is impoflible ever after to wear them ; or if any of it enters your eyelids, F f 2 the [ 452 ] the pain becomes intolerable for a long time, and perhaps at lafr. you lofe your light. The fmell of the fkunk, though thus to be dreaded, is not like that of a putrid carcafe, but a ftrong foetid effluvia of mufk, which difpleafes rather from its pe- netrating power than from its naufeouf- nefs. It is notwithftanding confidered as conducive to clear the head and to raife the fpirits. This water is fuppofed by naturalifta to be its urine ; but I have dif- fered many of them that I have fhot, and have found within their bodies, near the urinal veflels, a fmall receptacle of water, totally diflinct from the bladder which contained the urine, and from which alone 1 am fatisfied the horrid flench proceeds. After having taken out with great care the bag wherein this water is lodged, I have frequently fed on them, and have found them very fweet and good ; but one drop emitted taints not only the car- cafe, but the whole houfe, and renders every kind of provifions that are in it un- fit for ufe. With great juflice therefore do the- French give it fuch a diabolical name. The [ 453 ] The PORCUPINE. The body of an American porcupine is in bulk about the fize of a imall dog-, but it is both fhorter in length, and not fo high from the ground. It varies very much from thofe of other countries both in its fhape and the length of its quills. The former is like that of a fox, except the head, which is not fo fharp and long, but re- fembles more that of a rabbit. Its body is covered with hair of a dark brown, about four inches long, great part of which are the thicknefs of a ftraw, and are termed its quills. Thefe are white, with black points, hollow and very ftrong, efpecially thofe that grow on the back. The quills ferve this creature for ofFeniive and defeniive weapons, which he darts at his enemies, and if they pierce the flem in the lead: degree, they will link quite into it, and are not to be ex- tracted without incifion. The Indians ufe them for boring their ears and noles to infert their pendants, and alfo by way of ornament to their ftockings, hair, &c. befides which they greatly efteem the flefli. F f 3 The [ 454 ] The WOOD-CHUCK is a ground animal of the fur kind, about the fize of a martin, being nearly fifteen inches long ; its body however is rounder, and his legs fhorter ; the fore paws of it are broad, and conflrucled for the purpofe of digging holes in the ground, where it burrows like a rabbit ; its fur is of a grey colour on the reddilh ca$, and its flenH tolerable food. The RACOON is fomewhat lefs in fize than a beaver, and its feet and legs are like thole of that creature, but fhort in proportion to its body, which refem- bles that of a badger. The fhape of its head is much like a fox's, only the ears are fhorter, more round and naked, and its hair is alfo fimilar to that animal's, be- ing thick, long, foft, and black at the ends. On its face there is a broad fh'ipe that runs acrofs it, and includes the eyes, which are large. Its muzzle is black, and at the end roundifh like that of a dog ; the teeth are alfo fimilar to thofe of a dog- in number and fhape ; the tail is long and round, with annular ltripes on it like thofe of a cat ; the feet have five long flender tees armed with fharp claws, by which [ 455 ] which it is enabled to climb up trees like a monkey, and to run to the very extre- mities of the boughs. It makes ufe of its fore feet in the manner of hands, and feeds itfelf with them. The flefh of this creature is very good in the months of September and Odlober, when fruit and nuts, on which it likes to feed, are plenty. The MARTIN is rather larger than a fquirrel, and fomewhat of the fame make ; its legs and claws however are confidera- bly fhorter. Its ears are mort, broad, and roundifh, and its eyes mine in the night like thofe of a cat. The whole body is covered with fur of a brownim fallow colour, and there are fome in the more northern parts which are black ; the fkins of the latter are of much greater value than the others. The tail is co- vered with long hair, which makes it ap- pear thicker than it really is. Its flefl} is fometimes eaten, but is not in any great efteem. The MUSQUASH, or MUSK-RAT, is fo termed for the exquifite mufk which it affords. It appears to be a diminutive of the Reaver, being endowed with all the F f 4 proper- [ 456 J properties of that fagacious animal, and wants nothing but Uze and Strength, being not much bigger than a large rat of the Norway breed, to rival the creature it fo much refembles. Was it not for its tail, which is exactly the fame as that of an European rat, the ftructure of their bodies is fo, much alike, efpecialiy the head, that it might be taken for a fmall beaver. Like that creature it builds itfelf a cabbin, but of a lefs perfect construction, and takes up its abode near the fide of fome piece of water. In the Spring they leave their retreats, and in pairs fubSiSt on leaves and roots till the lummer comes on, when they feed on Strawberries, raf- berries, and Inch other fruits as they can reach. At the approach of winter they ieparate, when each takes up its lodging apart by itleif in iome hollow of a tree, where they remain quite unprovided -with food, and there is the greateSt reafon to believe, iubfift without any till the re- turn of ipring. SQUIRRELS. There are five forts of fquirrels in America ; the red, the grey, the black, the variegated, and the flying. The two former are exactly the fame [ 457 ] fame as thofe of Europe ; the black are fomewhat larger, and differ from them only in colour ; the variegated alfo re- femble them in fhape arid figure, but are very beautiful, being finely ftriped with white or grey, and fometimes with red and black. The American flvino; fquirrel is much lefs than the European, being not above five inches long, and of a ruflet grey or afh-colour on the back, and white on the under parts. It has black prominent eyes like thofe of the moufe, with a long flat broad tail. By a membrane on each fide which reaches from its fore to its hind legs, this crea- ture is enabled to leap from one tree to •another, even if they ftand a confiderable diftance apart ; this loofe fkin, which it is enabled to ftretch out like a fail, and by which it is buoyed up, is about two inches broad, and is covered with a fine hair or down. It feeds upon the fame provifions as the others, and is eafily tamed. The BEAVER. This creature has been fo often treated of, and his uncom- mon abilities fo minutely defcribed, that any further account of it will appear un- necef- [ 458 ] ncceffary; however for the benefit of thofe of my readers who are not fo well acquainted with the form and properties of this fagacious and ufeful animal, I fhall give a concife defcription of it. The beaver is an amphibious quadruped, which cannot live for any long time in the wa- ter, and it is faid is even able to exifr, en- tirely without it, provided it has the con- venience of fometimes bathing itfelf. The largefh beavers are nearly four feet in length, and about fourteen or fifteen in- ches in breadth over the haunches ; they weigh about fixty pounds. Its head is like that of the otter, but larger ; its fnout is pretty long, the eyes fmall, the ears lhort, round, hairy on the outiide, and fmooth within, and its teeth very long ; the under teeth ftand out of their mouths about the breadth of three fingers, and the upper half a finger, all of which are broad, crooked, firong, and fharp ; befides thofe teeth called the incilors, which grow double, are fet very deep in {heir jaws, and bend like the edge of an axe, they have iixteen grinders, eight on each fide, four above and four below di- rectly oppofite to each other. With the t 459 3 former they are able to cut down trees of a conficLrnble fize, with the latter to break the hardeft fubftances. Its legs are fhort, particularly the fore legs, which are only four or five inches long, and not unlike thofe of a badger ; the toes of the fore feet are feparate, the nails placed ob- liquely, and are hollow like quills ; but the hind feet are quite different, and fur- nimed with membranes between the toes. By this means it can walk, though but (lowly, and is able to fwim with as much eafe as any other aquatic animal. The tail has fomewhat in it that refembles a fifli, and feems to have no manner of re- lation to the reft of the body, except the hind feet, all the other parts being fimi- lar to thofe of land animals. The tail is covered w r ith a Ikin furnifhed with fcales, that are joined together by a pellicle ; thefe fcales are about the thicknefs of parchment, nearly a line and haif in length, and generally of a hexagonical figure, having fix corners ; it is about eleven or twelve inches in length, and broader in the middle, where it is four inches over, than either at the root or the extremity. It is about two in* heS thick near r 460 ] near the body where it is almoft round, and grows gradually thinner and flatter to the end. The colour of the beaver is different according to the different cli- mates in which it is found. In the moft northern parts, they are generally quite black ; in more temperate, brown ; their colour becoming lighter and lighter as they approach towards the fouth. The fur is of two forts all over the body, except at the feet, where it is very fhort ; that which is the longefl is generally in length about an inch, but on the back it fome- times extends to two inches, gradually diminishing towards the head and tail. This part of the fur is harm, coarfe, and mining, and of little ufe ; the other part confifts of a very thick and fine down, fo foft that it feels almoft. like filk, about three quarters of an inch in length, and is w T hat is commonly manufactured. Can- tor, which is ufeful in medicine, is pro- duced from the body of this creature ; it was formerly believed to be its tefticles, but later difcoveries have mown that it is contained in four bags fituated in the lower belly. Two of which, that are called the fuperior from their being more elevated [ 461 ] elevated than the others, are filled with a foft refinous adhefive matter, mixed with fmall fibres, greyifh without, and yellow within, of a ftrong difagreeable and pe- netrating fcent, and very inflammable. This is the true caftoreum ; it hardens in the air, and becomes brown, brittle, and friable. The inferior bags contain an unctuous liquor like honey ; the colour of which is a pale yellow, and its odour fomewhat different from the other, being rather weaker and more difagreeable ; it however thickens as it grows older, and at length becomes about the confidence of tallow. This has alio its particular ufe in medicine, but it is not fo valuable as the true caftoreum. The ingenuity of thefe creatures in build- ing their cabbins, and in providing for their fubfiTrence is truly wonderful. When they are about to chufe themfelves a ha- bitation, they aflemble in companies fome- times of two or three hundred, and after mature deliberation fix on a place where plenty of provifions, and all neceflaries are to be found. Their houfes are always fituated in the water, and when they can find neither lake nor pond adjacent, they endea- [ 462 ] endeavour to fupply the defect by flop- ping the current of fome brook or fmall river, by means of a caufeway or dam. For this purpofe they let about felling of trees, and they take care to chule out thofe that grow above the place where they intend to build, that they might iwim down with the current. Having fixed on thofe that are proper, three or four beavers placing themfelves round a large one, find means with their ftrong teeth to bring it down. They alfo pru- dentlv contrive that it fhall fall towards the water, that they may have the lets way to carry it. After they have by a continuance of the fame labour and in- duftry, cut it into proper lengths, they roll thefe into the water, and navigate them towards the place where they are to be employed. Without entering more minutely into the meafures they purfue in the conftrucrion of their dams, I mall only remark, that having prepared a kind of mortar with their feet, and laid it on with their tails, which they had before made ufe of to tranfport it to the place where it is requifite, they conftrucl: them with as much folidity and regularity as C 463 3 as the moil experienced workmen could do* The formation of their cabbins is no lefs amazing. Thefe are either built on piles in the middle of the fmall lakes they have thus formed, on the bank of a river* or at the extremity of fome point of land that advances into a lake* The figure of them is round or oval, and they are fafhioned with an ingenuity equal to their dams. Two thirds of the edifice (lands above the water, and this part is fuffici- ently capacious to contain eight or ten inhabitants. Each beaver has his place afligned him, the floor of which he curi* oufly ftrews with leaves, or fmall branches of the pine tree, fo as to render it clean and comfortable ; and their cabbins are all fituated fo contiguous to each other* as to allow of an eafy communication^ The winter never furprizes thefe animals before their buiinefs is completed, for by the latter end of September their houfes are finifhed, and their flock of provifions- are generally laid in. Thefe confift of fmall pieces of wood whofe texture is foft, iuch as the poplar, the afpin, or willow, &c. which they lay up in piles, and dif- pofe of in fuch manner as to preferve their moidure. Was I to enumerate ever\r t 464 ]■ every inftance of fagacity that is to be difcovered in thefe animals, they would fill a volume, and prove not only enter- taining but inftruc"tive. The OTTER. This creature alio is amphibious, and greatly refembles a bea- ver, but is very different from it in many refpects. Its body is nearly as long as a beaver's, but confiderably lefs in all its parts. The muzzle, eyes, and the form of the head are nearly the fame, but the teeth are very unlike, for the otter wants the large incifors or nippers that a beaver has ; inftead of thefe, all his teeth, without any diftinction, are fhaped like thofe of a dog or wolf. The hair alfo of the former is not half fo long as that belonging to the latter, nor is the colour of it exactly the lame, for the hair of an otter under the neck, ftomach, and belly, is more greyim than that of a bea- ver, and in many other refpecls it likewife varies. This animal, which is met with in moll: parts of the world, but in much greater numbers in North Ame- rica, is very mifchievous, and when he is clofely purfued, will not only attack dogs but men. It generally feeds upon [ 46 5 ) upon fifh, efpecially in the fummer, but In the winter is contented with the bark of trees, or the produce of the fields. Its flem both taftes and fmells of fifh, and is not wholefome food, though it is fome- times eaten through neceflity. The MINK is of the otter kind, and fubfifts in the fame manner. In fhape and fize it refembles a pole-cat, being equally long and flender. Its fkin is blacker than that of an otter, or almoft any other creature, " as black as a " mink," being a proverbial expreflion in America ; it is not however fo valuable, though this greatly depends on the ieafon in which it is taken. Its tail is round like that of a make, but growing nattifh towards the end, and is entirely without hair. An agreeable mufky fcent exhales from its body ; and it is met with near the fources of rivers on whofe banks it chiefly lives. G g OF [ 466 ] OF THE BIRDS. The Eagle, the Hawk, the Night Hawk, the Fifli Hawk, the Whipperwill, the Raven, the Crow, the Owl, Parrots, the Pelican, the Crane, the Stork, the Cormorant, the Heron, the Swan, the Goofe, Ducks, Teal, the Loon, the Water-Hen, the Turkey, the Heath- cock, the Partridge, the Quail, Pigeons, the Snipe, Larks, the Woodpecker, the Cuckoo, the Blue Jay, the Swallow, the Wakon Bird, the Blackbird, the Redbird, the Thrum, the Whetfaw, the Nightingale, the King Bird, the Robin, the Wren, and the Humming Bird. The EAGLE. There are only two forts of eagles in thefe parts, the bald and the grey, which are much the fame iize, and fimilar in mape to thofe of other countries. The NIGHT HAWK. This Bird is of the hawk fpecies, its bill being crooked, its wings formed for fwiftnefs, and its fhape nearly like that of the common hawk ; [ 46 7 ] hawk ; but in fize it is considerably lefs, and in colour rather darker. It is fcarcely ever feen but in the evening, when, at the approach of twilight, it flies about, and darts itfelf in wanton gambols at the head of the belated traveller. Before a thunder-mower thefe birds are {een at amazing height in the air, aflembled to- gether in great numbers, as fwallows are obferved to do on the fame occasion. The FISH HAWK greatly refembles the latter in its fhape, * and receives his name from his food, which is generally fifh ; it fkims over the lakes and rivers, and fometimes feems to lie expanded on the water, as he hovers fo clofe to it, and having by fome attractive power drawn the fifh within its reach, darts fuddenly upon them. The charm it makes ufe of is fuppofed to be an oil contained in a fmall bag in the body, and which nature has by fome means or other fupplied him with the power of ufing for this purpofe ; it is however very certain that any bait touched with a drop of the oil collected from this bird is an irrefifti- ble lure for all forts of fifh, and infures the angler great fuccefs. G g z The [ 468 ] The WHIPPERWILL, or as it * termed by the Indians, the Muckawifs. This extraordinary bird is fomewhat like the laft- mentioned in its fhape and co- lour, only it has fome whitifh ftripes- acrofs the wings, and like that is feldom ever feen till after fun-let. It alio is never met with but during the ipring and fummer months. As loon as the In- dians are informed by its notes of its re- turn, they conclude that the froft is en- tirely gone, in. which they are feldom deceived ; and on receiving this afiurance of milder weather, begin to fow their corn. It acquires its name by the noiie. it makes, which to the people of the co- lonies founds like the name they give it Whipper-will ; to an Indian ear Muck-a- wifs. The words, it is true, are not alike, but in this manner they ftrike the ima- gination of each ; and the circumftance* is a proof that the fame founds, if they are not rendered certain by being reduced to the rules of orthography, might con- vey different ideas to different people. As foon as night comes on, theie birds, will place themielves on the fences, flumps,, or {tones that lie near fome houie, and repeat [ 46 9 ] repeat their melancholy notes without any variation till midnight. The Indians, and fome of the inhabitants of the back fettle- ments, think if this bird perches on any houfe, that it betokens fome mifhap to the inhabitants of it. The OWL. The only fort of owls that is found on the banks of the Miffrf- fippi, is extremely beautiful in its plumage, being of a fine deep yellow or gold co- lour, pleafingly fhaded and fpotted. The CRANE. There is a kind of crane in thefe parts, which is called by Father Hennepin a pelican, that is about the fize of the European crane, of a grey- ifh colour, and with long legs ; but this fpe- cies differs from all others in its bill, which is about twelve inches long, and one inch and half broad, of which breadth it con- tinues to the end, where it is blunted, and round like paddle ; its tongue is of the fame length. DUCKS. Among a variety of wild ducks, the different fpecies of which amount to upwards of twenty, I mall confine my defcription to one fort, that is, the wood duck, or, as the French term it, Canard branchus. This fowl G g 3 receives [ 47° ] receives its name from its frequenting the woods, and perching on the branches of trees which no other kind of water fowl (a cbaracteriftic that this frill preferves) is known to do. It is nearly of a fize with other ducks, its plumage is beautifully variegated, and very brilliant. The fleih of it alfo, as it feeds but little on frfh, is finely flavoured, and much fupferior to any other fort. The TEAL. I have already remarked in my Journal, that the teal found on the Fox river, and the head branches of the MhTifTippi, are perhaps not to be equalled for the fatnefs and delicacy of their flefh by any other in the world. In colour, fhape, and fize they are very little different from thofe found in other countries. The LOON is a water fowl, fome- what lefs than a teal, and is a fpecies o£ the dobchick. Its wings are fhort, and its legs and feet large in proportion to the body; the colour of it is a dark brown, nearly approaching to black, and as it feeds only on fifh, the flefh of it is very ill-flavoured. Thefe birds are exceedingly nimble and expert at diving, fo that it is almoft impoilible for one peribn to moot them, [ 47' ] them, as they will dextroufly avoid the mot by diving before they reach them ; fo that it requires three perfons to kill one of them, and this can only be done the moment it raifes his head out of the wa- ter as it returns to the iurface after div- ing. It however only repays the trouble taken to obtain it, by the excellent fport it affords. The PARTRIDGE. There are three forts of partridges here, the brown, the red, and the black, the firft of which are moft efteemed. They are all much larger than the European partridges, being nearly the fize of a hen pheafant ; their head and eyes are alfo like that bird, and they have all long tails, which they fpread like a fan, but not erect ; but contrary to the cuftora of thole in other countries, they will perch on the branches of the poplar and black birch, on the buds of which they feed early in the morning and in the twilight of the evening during the winter months, when they are eafily fhot. The WOODPECKER. This is a very beautiful bird ; there is one fort whofe feathers are a mixture of various colours ; and another that is brown all G g 4 over [ 47 2 ] over the body, except the head and neck s which are of a fine red. As this bird is fuppofed to make a greater noife than or- dinary at particular times, it is conjectured his cries then denote rain. The BLUE JAY. This bird is ihaped nearly like the European jay, only that its tail is longer. On the top of its head is a creft of blue feathers, which is raifed or let down at pleafure. The lower part of the neck behind, and the back, are of a purplim colour, and the upper fides of the wings and tail, as well as the lower part of the back and rump, are of a fine blue ; the extremities of the wings are blackim, faintly tinctured with dark blue on the edges, whilft the other parts of the wing are barred acrofs with black in an elegant manner. Upon the whole this bird can fcarcely be exceeded in beauty by any of the wingtd inhabitants of this or Other climates. It has the fame jetting motion that jays generally have, and its cry is far more plealing. The WAKON BIRD, as it is termed by the Indians, appears to be of the fame fpecies as the birds of paradife. The name they have given it is expreffive of its [ 473 1 ks iuperior excellence, and the veneration they have for it ; the wakon bird being in their language the bird of the Great Spirit. It is nearly the fize of a fwallow, of a brown colour, fhaded about the neck with a bright green, the wings are of a darker brown than the body ; its tail is compofed pf four or five feathers, which are three times as long as its body, and which are beautifully fhaded with green and purple. It carries this fine length of plumage in the fame manner as a peacock does, but it is not known whether it ever raifes it into the erect po- rtion that bird fometimes does. I never faw any of thefe birds in the colonies, but the Naudoweffie Indians caught feve- ral of them when J was in their country, and feemed to treat them as if they were of a fuperior rank to any other of the feathered race. The BLACKBIRD. There are three forts of birds in North America that bear this name ; the firft is the common, or as it is there termed, the crow blackbird, which is quite black, and of the fame fize and fhape of thofe in Europe, but it jias not that melody in its notes which they [ 474 ] they have. In the month of September this fort fly in large flights, and do great mifchief to the Indian corn which is at that time juft ripe. The fecond fort is the red-wing, which is rather fmaller than the firft fpecies, but like that it is black all over its body, except on the lower rim of the wings, where it is of a fine bright full fcarlet. It builds its neft, and chiefly reforts among the fmall bumes that grow in meadows and low fwampy places. It whittles a few notes, but is not equal in its fong to the Euro- pean blackbird. The third fort is of the fame fize as the latter, and is jet black like that, but all the upper part of the wing, juft below the back, is of a fine clear white ; as if nature intended to di- versify the fpecies, and to atone for the want of a melodious pipe by the beauty of its plumage ; for this alfo is deficient in its muiical powers. The beaks of every fort are of a full yellow, and the females of each of a rufty black like the European. The RED BIRD is about the fize of a fparrow, but with a longer tail, and is all over of a bright vermillion colour. I faw [ 475 ] faw many of them about the Ottawaw Lakes, but I could not learn that they fung. I alfo obferved in fome other parts, a bird of much the fame make, that was entirely of a fine yellow. The WHETSAW is of the cuckow kind, being like that a folitary bird, and icarcely ever feen. In the fummer months it is heard in the groves, where it makes a noife like the filing of a faw; from which it receives its name. The KING BIRD is like a fwallow, and feems to be of the fame fpecies as the black martin or fwift. It is called the King Bird becaufe it is able to matter almoft every bird that flies, I have often feen it bring down a hawk. The HUMMING BIRD. This beau- tiful bird, which is the imalleft of the feathered inhabitants of the air, is about the third part the fize of a wren, and is fhaped extremely like it. Its legs, which are about an inch long, appear like two fmall needles, and its body is proportion- able to them. But its plumage exceeds defcription. On its head it has a finall tuft of a jetty mining black ; the breafl of it is red, the belly white, the back, wings, [ 4/<5 ] wings, and tail of the fineft pale green ; and fmall fpecks of gold are fcattered with inexpreffible grace over the whole : befides this an almofl imperceptible down foftens the colours, and produces the moil: pleafing ihades. With its bill, which is of the fame diminutive fize as the other parts of its body, it extracts from the flowers a moifture which is its nourishment ; over thefe it hovers like a bee, but never lights on them, moving at the fame time its wings with fuch ve- locity that the motion of them is imper- ceptible; notwithstanding which they make a humming noife, from whence it receives its name. Of the FISHES which are found in the Waters of the MiflifliM>L I have already given a defcription of thofe that are taken in the great lakes. The Sturgeon, the Pout or Cat Fifh, fhe Pike, the Carp, and the Chub. The [ 477 } The STURGEON. The freft water fturgeon is fhaped in no other refpeft like thofe taken near the fea, except in the formation of its head and tail ; which are fafhioned in the fame manner, but the body is not fo angu- lated, nor are there fo many horny fcales about it as. on the latter. Its length is generally about two feet and half or three feet long, but in circumference not proportionable, being a {lender fiih. The ftem is exceedingly delicate and finely fla- voured ; I caught Ibme in the head waters of the River St. Croix that far exceeded trout. The manner of taking them is by watching them as they lie under the banks in a clear ftream, and darting at them with a fim-fpear; for they will not take a bait. There is alfo in the Miffiffippi, and there only, another fort than the fpecies I have defcribed, which is limilar to it in every refpect, except that the upper jaw extends fourteen or fifteen inches beyond the under ; this ex- tend ve jaw which is of a griftly fubftance is three inches and half broad, and continues of that breadth, fomewhat in the fhape of an oar, to the end, which is flat. The fleih [ 4/8 ] flefh of this fifh, however, is not to be compared with the other fort, and is not fo much efteemed even by the Indians. The CAT FISH. This fifh is about eighteen inches long; of a brownifh co- lour and without fcales. It has a large round head, from whence it receives its name, on different parts of which grow three or four ftrong fharp horns about two inches long. Its fins are alio very bony and ftrong, and without great care will pierce the hands of thofe who take them. It weighs commonly about five or fix pounds ; the flefh of it is excefiively fat and lufcious, and greatly refembles that of an eel in its flavour. The CARP and CHUB are much the fame as thofe in England, and nearly about the fame fize. OF SERPENTS. The Rattle Snake, the Long Black Snake, the Wall or Houfe Adder, the Striped or Garter Snake, the Water Snake, the Hiffing Snake, the Green Snake, [ 479 1 Snake, the Thorn-tail Snake, the Speck- led Snake, the Ring Snake, the Two- headed Snake. The RATTLE SNAKE. There appears to be two fpecies of this reptile ; one of which is commonly termed the Black, and the other the Yellow ; and of thefe the latter is generally confidered as the largeft. At their full growth they are upwards of five feet long, and the middle part of the body at which it is of the greateft. bulk, meafures about nine inches round. From that part it gradu- ally decreafes both towards the head and the tail. The neck is proportionably very fmall, and the head broad and deprefled. Thefe are of a light brown colour, the iris of the eye red, and all the upper part of the body brown, mixed with a ruddy yellow, and chequered with many regular lines of a deep black, gradually (hading towards a gold colour. In fhort the whole of this dangerous reptile is very beautiful, and could it be viewed with lefs terror, fuch a variegated arrange- ment of colours would be extremely pleating. But thefe are only to be {cen in [ 486 ] in their higheft perfection at the time this creature is animated by refentment ; then every tint rumes from its fubcutaneous recefs, and gives the furface of the fkin a deeper ftain. The belly is of a palifh blue, which grows fuller as it approaches the fides, and is at length intermixed with the colour of the upper r3art. The rattle at its tail, from which it receives its name, is compofed of a firm, dry, callous, or horny fubflance of a light brown, and confifts of a number of cells which articulate one within another like joints ; and which increafe every year and make known the age of the creature. Thefe articulations being very loofe, the included points ftrike againft. the inner furface of the concave parts or 1 rings into which they are admitted, and as the fnake vibrates or fhakes its tail, makes a rattling noife. This alarm it always gives when it is apprehenfive of danger ; and in an inftant after forms itfelf into a fpiral 1 wreath, in the centre of which appears the head erect, and breathing forth vengeance againft either man or beaft that mall dare to come near it. In this attitude he awaits the [ 48 1 ] the approach of his enemies, rattling his tail as he fees or hears them coming on. By this timely intimation, which heaven feems to have provided as a means to counteract the milchief this venom- ous reptile would otherwise be the per- petrator of, the unwary traveller is ap- prized of his danger, and has an oppor- tunity of avoiding it. It is however to be obferved, that it never acts ofFenlivcly ; it neither purfues or flies from any thing that approaches it, but lies in the pofition defcribed, rattling his tail as if reluctant to hurt. The teeth with which this ferpeht effects his poiibnous purpofes are not thofe he makes u1e of on ordinary occalions, they are only :wo in number, very fmall and fharp pointed, and fixed in a ilnewy fubftance that lies near the extremity of the upper jaw, refembling the claws of a cat ; at the root of each ofthefe, which might be extended, con- tracted, or entirely hidden, as need re- quires, are two fmall bladders which nature has fo conitructed, that at the fame initant an inciilon is made by the teeth, a drop of a greenilh poiibnous liquid enters the wound, and taints with H h • its [ 4»z ] its deftrucYive quality the whole mafs of blood. In a moment the unfortunate victim of its wrath feels a chilly tremor run through all his frame ; a fwelling immediately begins on the fpot where the teeth had entered, which fpreads by degrees over the whole body, and produces on every part of the fkin the variegated hue of trie fnake. The bite of this reptile is more or lefs venomous according to the feafon of the year in which it is given. In the dog-days, it often proves inftantly mor- tal, and elpecially if the wound is made among the finews fituated in the back- part of the leg above the heel ; but in the fpring, in autumn, or during a cool day which might happen in the fummer, its bad effects are to be prevented by the immediate application of proper remedies; and thefe Providence has bounteoufly iupplied, by caufing the Rattle Snake Plantain, an approved antidote to the poifon of this creature, to grow in great profufion where-ever they are to be met with. There are likewise feveral other remedies beiides this, for the venom of its bite. A decoction made of the buds or bark of the white afh taken inter- nally [ 48 3 ] nally prevents its pernicious effects. Salt is a newly difcovered remedy, and if applied immediately to the part, or the wound be warned with brine, a cure might be af- fured. The fat of the reptile alfo rubbed on it is frequently found to be very effica- cious. But though the lives of the per- fons who have been bitten might be pre- ferved by thefe, and their health in fome de- gree restored, yet they annually experience a flight return of the dreadful fymptoms about the time they received the initilla- tion. However remarkable it may ap- pear it is certain, that though the venom of this creature affects in a greater or lefs degree all animated nature, the hog is an exception to the rule, as that animal will readily deftroy them without dread- ing their poifonous fangs, and fatten on their flefh. It has been often obferved, and I can confirm the obfervation, that the Rattle Snake is charmed with any harmonious founds, whether vocal or in- ftrumental ; I have many times feen them even when they have been enraged, place themfelves in a liftening poflure, and continue immovably attentive and fuf- ceptible of delight all the time the mu- H h 2 fick [ 4&4 ] fick has lafted. I mould have remarked* that when the Rattle Snake bites, it drops its under jaw, and holding the upper jaw erect, throws itfelf in a curved line, with great force, and as quick as lightning, on the object of its refent- ment. In a moment after, it returns again to its defenfive pofture, having difengaged its teeth from the wound with great celerity, by means of the polition in which it had placed its head when it made the attack. It never extends itfelf to a greater diitance than half its length will reach, and though it fometimes re- peats the blow two or three times, it as often returns with a fudden rebound to its former ftate. The Black Rattle Snake differs in no other refpect from the yellow, than in being rather fmaller, and in the variegation of its colours, which are exactly reverfed : one is black where the other is yellow, and vice verfa. They are equally venomous. It is not known how thefe creatures engen- der; I have oft-n found the eggs of fe- veral other lpccies of the fnake, but not- withftanding no one has taken more pains to acquire a perfect knowledge of every property [ 48 5 ] property of theie reptiles than myfelf, I never could difcover the maun r in which they bring forth their young. I once killed a female that had feventy young ones in its belly, butthefe were perfectly formed, and I faw thern juft before retire to the mouth of their mother, as a place of fecurity, on my approach. The gall of this lerpent, mixed with chalk, are formed into little balls, and exported from America for medicinal purpofes. They are of the nature of Gafcoign's powders, and are an excellent remedy for complaints incident to children. The flefh of the ihake alfo dried, and made into broth, is much more nutritive than that of vipers, and very efficacious againfr, confumptions. The LONG BLACK SNAKE. Thefe are alfo of two forts, both of which are exactly limilar in (hape and iize, only the belly of one is a light red, the other a faint blue ; all the upper parts of their bodies are black and fcaly. They are in general from (ix to eight feet in length, and carry their heads, as they crawl along, about a foot and half from the ground. They eafily climb the high- eft trees in purfuit of birds and fquirrels, H h 3 which [ 4-86 ] which are their chief food; and thefe, it Is faid, they charm by their looks, and render incapable of efcaping from them. Their appearance carries terror with it to thofe who are unacquainted with their inability to hurt, but they are perfectly inofFenfive and free from venom. The STRIPED or GARTER SNAKE is exactly the fame as that fpecies found in other climates. The WATER SNAKE is much like the Rattle Snake in fhape and fize, but is not endowed with the fame ve- nomous powers, being quite harmlefs. The HISSING SNAKE I have already particularly defcribed, when I treated, in my Journal, of Lake Erie. The GREEN SNAKE is about a foot and half long, and in colour fo near to grafs and herbs, that it cannot be dis- covered as it lies on the ground; happily however it is fvee from venom, otherwife it would do an infinite deal of mifchief, as thofe who pafs through the meadows, not being able to perceive it, are deprived or the power of avoiding it. The THORN-TAIL SNAKE. This reptile is founded in many parts of America, [ 48 7 ] America, but it is very feldom to be feen. It is of a middle fize, and receives its name from a thorn-like dart in its tail, with which it is laid to inflict a mortal wound. The SPECKLED SNAKE is an aqueous reptile about two feet and half in length 3 but without venom. Its fkin, which is brown and white with fome ipots of yellow in it, is ufed by the Americans as a cov er for the handles of whips, and it renders them very pleaiing to the fight. The RING SNAKE is about twelve inches long; the body of it is entirely black, except a yellow ring which it has about its neck, and which appears like a narrow piece of riband tied around it. This odd reptile is fre- quently found in the baFk of trees, and among old logs. The TWO-HEADED SNAKE, The only fnake of this kind that was ever feen in America, was found about the year 1762, near Lake Champlain, by Mr. Park, a gentleman of New England, and made a prefent to Lord Amherfl:. It was about a foot long, and in map 3 H h 4 * like [ 4«8 ] like the common fnake, but it was fur- nifhed with two heads exactly fimilar, which united at the neck. Whether this was a diftincr. ipecies of fnakes, and was able to propagate its likenefs, or whether it was an accidental formation, I know not. The TORTOISE or LAND TUR- TLE. The fhape of this creature is fp wellknown that it is unneceflary to de- fcribe it. There are feven or eight forts of them in America, fome of which are beautifully variegated, even beyond de- fcription. The fhells of many have fpots of red, green, and yellow in them, and the chequer work is compofed of fmall Iquares, curioufly difpofed. The moit beautiful fort of thefe creatures are the fmalleft, and the bite of them is faicl to be venomous. LIZARDS, &c. Though there are numerous kinds of this clafs of the animal creation in the pwntry 1 treat of, I mail only take notice [ 48 9 ] of two of them ; which are termed the Swift and the Slow Lizard. The SWIFT LIZARD is about fix inches long, and has four legs and a tail. Its body which is blue, is prettily ftriped with dark lines fhaded with yellow; but the end of the tail is totally blue. It is fo remarkably agile that in an inftant it is out of fight, nor can its movement be perceived by the quickefr. eye : fo that it might more juflly be faid to vaniih, than to run away. This fpecies are iuppofed to poifon thofe they bite, but are not dangerous, as they never attack perfons that approach them, chufing rather to get fuddenly out of their reach. The SLOW LIZARD is of the fame ihape as the Swift, but its colour is brown ; it is moreover of an oppolite dif- pofition, being altogether as flow in its movements as the other is fwift. It is re- markable that thefe lizards are extremely brittle, and will break off near the tail as eafily as an icicle. Among the reptiles of North America there is a fpecies of the toad termed the TREE TOAD, which is nearly o.f the [ 49* J the fame fhape as the common fovt, but fmaller and with longer elaws. It is ufually found on trees, fHcking clofe to the bark, or lying in the crevices of it; and fo nearly does it refemble the colour of the tree to which it cleaves, that it can with difficulty be diftinguilhed from it. Thefe creatures are only heard during the twilight of the morning and evening, or juft before and after a mower of rain, when they make a croaking noife fomewhat fhriller than that of a frog, which might be heard to a great diftance. They infeft. the woods in fuch numbers, that their refponiive notes at thefe times make the air refound. It is only a fummer animal, and never to be found during the winter. INSECTS. The interior parts of North America, abound with nearly the fame infects as are met with in the fame parallels of la- titude ; and the fpecies of them are fo numerous and diverfined that even a fuc- cinc~t- defcription of the whole of them would t 49* ] would fill a volume; I mall therefore confine myfelf to three forts, which I believe are almofr. peculiar to this coun- try ; the Lightning Bug, the Water Bug, and the Horned Bug. The LIGHTNING BUG or FIRE FLY is about the fize of a bee, but it is of the beetle kind, having like that infect two pair of wings, the upper of which are of a firm texture, to defend it from danger. When it flies, and the wings are expanded, there is under thefe a kind of coat, conftructed alfo like wings, which is luminous ; and as the infect paffes on, caufes all the hinder part of its body to appear like a bright fiery coal. Having placed one of them on your hand, the under part only mines, and throws the light on the fpace beneath ; but as foon as it fpreads its upper wings to fly away, the whole body which lies behind them appears illuminated all around. The light it gives is not conftantly of the fame mag- nitude, even when it flies ; but leems to depend on the expanlion or contraction of the luminous coat or wings ; and is very different from that emitted in a dark night [ ^9 2 ] night By dry wood or ibme kinds of fifh, it having much more the appear- ance of real tire. Thev feem to be fen- iible of the power they are penciled of, and to know the molt iuitable time for "ting it, as in a very dark night they are much more numerous than at any oth Thev are only ittn during : iummer months, June, July, and :, and then at no other time but in the night. Whether from their co- lour, which is a dufky brown, they are not then citcernable, cr from their retir- ing to holes and crevices, I know not, but they are never to be difcovered in the day. They chiefly are ieen in low fwampy land, and appear like innumer- Le traniient gleams of light. In dark there is much lightning, without rain, they feem as if they whhed either to imitate or afiiil the flaihes : for curing the intervals, they are uncom- monlv _ h; and endeavour to throw out every rav they can collect. Not? withiranding this effulgent appearance, thele infects are per; barralefs; vou y pern..: them to crawl upon your . " 6 : [>I fix, if tl hib.it t 493 ] exhibit their glow together, will enable you to read almoft the fmalleft print. The WATER BUG is of a brown colour, about the fize of a pea, and in fhape nearly oval : it has many legs, by means of which it paries over the iurface of the water with fuch incredible fwift- nefs that it feems to Aide or dart itfelf along. The HORNED BUG, or as it is fometimes termed the STAG BEETLE, is of a dulky brown colour nearly ap- proaching to black, about an inch and half long, and half an inch broad. It has two large horns, which grow on each fide of the head, and meet horizon- tally, and with thefe it pinches very hard ; they are branched like thole of a flag, from whence it receives its name. They fly about in the evening and prove very troubleiome to thole who are in the fields at that time. I mutt not omit that the LOCUST is a feptennial inlect, as they are only i^tn, a fmall number of ftragglers excepted, every feven years, when tney infeft thefe , parts, and the interior colonies in large fwarms, [ 494 J fwarms, and do a great deal of mifchief. The years when they thus arrive are de- nominated the locuft years. CHAP. XIX. Of the Trees, Shrubs, Roots, Herbs, Flowers, &c. IS H A L L here obferve the fame me- thod that I have purfued in the pre- ceding chapter, and having given a lift of the trees, &c. which are natives of the interior parts of North America, particu- larize fuch only as differ from the pro- duce of other countries, or being little known, have not been defcribed. OF TREES. The Oak, the Pine Tree, the Maple, the Afh, the Hemlock, the Bafs or White Wood, the Cedar, the Elm, the Birch, the Fir, the Locuft Tree, the Poplar, the Wickopic or Suckwic, the Spruce, [ 495 ] Spruce, the Hornbeam, and the Button Wood Tree. The OAK. There are ieveral forts of oaks in thefe parts ; the black, the white, the red, the yellow, the grey, the fwamp oak, and the chefnut oak : the five for- mer vary but little in their external ap- pearance, the mape of the leaves, and the colour of the bark being fo much alike, that they are fcarcely diilinguiihable ; but the body of the tree when iawed difco- vers the variation, which chiefly confifts in the colour of the wood, they being all very hard and proper for building. The fwamp oak differs materially from the others both in the mape of the leaf, which is fmaller, and in the bark, which is fmoother ; and likewife as it grows only in a moifr. gravelly foil. It is eifeemed the tougheft of all woods, being fo ftrong yet pliable, that it is often made ufe of in (lead of whalebone, and is equally ferviceable. The chefnut oak alio is greatly different from the others, particularly in the mape of the leaf, which much refembles that of the chef- nut tree, and for this reafon it is io de- nominated, F 496 ] nominated. It is neither fo ftrong as the former fpecies, or fo tough as the latter, but is of a nature proper to be fplit into rails for fences, in which ftate it will en- dure a considerable time. The PINE TREE. That fpecies of the pine tree peculiar to this part of the continent is the white, the quality of which I need not defcribe, as the timber of it is fo well known under the name of deals. It grows here in great plenty, to an amazing height and fize, and yields an excellent turpentine, though not in fuch quantities as thofe in the northern parts of Europe. The MAPLE. Of this tree there are two forts, the hard and the foft, both of which yield a lufcious juice, from which the Indians by boiling make very good fngar. The lap of the former is much richer and fweeter than the latter, but the foft produces a greater quantity. The w r ood of the hard maple is very beautifully veined and curled, and when wrought into cabinets, tables, gunftocks, &c. is greatly valued. That of the foft fort differs in its texture, wanting the variegated grain of the hard ; it alio grows [ 497 ] grows more ftrait and free from branches, and is more eafily fplit. It likewife may be diitinguifhed from the hard, as this grows in meadows and low-lands, that on the hills and up-lands. The leaves are fhaped alike, but thofe of the foft maple are much the largeft, and of a deeper green. The ASH. There are feveral forts of this tree in thefe parts, but that to which I fhall confine my defcription, is the yel- low alii, which is only found near the head branches of the Mitfiffippi. This tree grows to an amazing height, and the body of it is fo firm and found, that the French traders who go into that country from Louiiiana to purchafe furs make of them periaguays ; this they do by ex- cavating them with fire, and when they are completed, convey in them the pro- duce of their trade to New Orleans, where' they find a good market both for their veflels and cargoes. The wood of this tree greatly refembles that of the common am, but it might be diftinguifhed from any other tree by its bark ; the rofs or outfide bark being near eight inches thick, and indented with furrows more than iix I i inches [ 498 ] inches deep, which make thofe that are arrived to a great bulk appear uncom- monly rough ; and by this peculiarity they may be readily known. The rind or iniide bark is of the fame thicknefs as that of other trees, but its colour is a fine bright yellow ; infomuch that if it is but flightly handled, it will leave a ftain on the fingers, which cannot eafily be warned away ; and if in the fpring you peel oft the bark, and touch the fap, which then rifes between that and the body of the tree, it will leave fo deep a tincture that it will require three or four days to wear it off. Many ufeful quali- ties belonging to this tree I doubt not will be difcovered in time, befides its proving a valuable acquilition to the dyer. The HEMLOCK TREE grows in every part of x\merica in a greater or lefs degree. It is an ever-green of a very large growth, and has leaves fomewhat like that of the yew ; it is however quite ufelefs, and only an incumbrance to the ground, the wood being of a very coarfe grain, and full of wind-fhakes or cracks. The [ 499 ] The BASS or WHITE WOOD is a tree of a middling fize, and the whiteft and fofteft wood that grows ; when quite dry it fwims on the water like a cork ; in the fettlements the turners make of it bowls, trenchers, and dimes, which wear fmooth, and will laft a long time ; but when applied to any other purpofe it is far from durable. The WICKOPICK. or SUCKWICK appears to be a fpecies of the white wood, and is diflinguiihed from it by a peculiar quality in the bark, which when pounded and moifrened with a little water, in- ftantly becomes a matter of the confift- ence and nature of fize. With this the Indians pay their canoes, and it greatly exceeds pitch or any other material ufu- ally appropriated to that purpofe ; for be- iides its adhefive quality, ijt is of fo oily a nature, that the water cannct penetrate through it, and its repelling power abates not for a coniiderable time. The BUTTON WOOD is a tree of the largeft fize, and might be diftinguimed by its bark, which is quite fmooth and prettily mottled. The wood is very pro- per for the ufe of cabinet-makers. It is 1 i 2 covered [ 5 00 ] covered with fmall hard burs which fpring from the branches, that appear not unlike buttons, and from thefe I believe it receives its name. NUT TREES. The Butter or Oilnut, the Walnut, the Hazlenut, the Beechnut, the Pecan- nut, the Chefnut, the Hickory. The BUTTER or OILNUT. As no mention has been made by any authors of this nut, I mall be the more particu- lar in my account of it. The tree grows in meadows, where the foil is rich and warm. The body of it feldom exceeds a yard in circumference, is full of branches, the twigs of which are fhort and blunt, and its leaves relemble thofe of the walnut. The nut has a (hell like that fruit, which when ripe is more furrowed, and more eaiily cracked ; it is alfo much longer and larger than a walnut, and contains a greater quantity of kernel, which is very oily, and of a rich agreeable flavour. I am perfuaded that a much purer oil than that of [ 5°« ] of olives, might be extracted from this nut. The inlide bark of this tree dyes a good purple ; and it is faid, varies in its (hade, being either darker or lighter according to the month in which it is gathered. The BEECH NUT- Though this tree grows exactly like that of the fame name in Europe, yet it produces nuts equally as good as chefhuts ; on which bears, martins, fquirrels, partridges, turkies, and many other beafts and birds feed. The nut is contained, whilfr. growing, in an outride cafe like that of a chefnut, but not fo prickly ; and the coat of the infide {hell is alfo fmooth like that ; only its form is .nearly triangular. Vail: quanti- ties of them lie fcattered about in the woods, and fupply with food great num- bers of the creatures juft mentioned. The leaves, which are white, continue on the trees during the whole winter. A decoc- tion made of them is a certain and expe- ditious cure for wounds which arife from burning or fcalding, as well as a reftorative for thofe members that are nipped by the frpft. The PECANNUT is fomewhat of the walnut kind, but rather fmaller than a I i 2 walnut, [ 5°i ] walnut, being about the fize of a mid- dling acorn, and of an oval form ; the iheli is eaiily cracked, and the kernel fhaped like that of a walnut. This tree grows chiefly near the Illinois river. The HICKORY is- alfo of the walnut kind, and bears a fruit nearly like that tree. There are feveral forts of them, which vary only in the colour of the w r ood. Being of a very tough nature, the wood is generally ufed for the handles of axes, &c. It is alfo very good fire wood, and as it burns an excellent fugar diftilis from it. FRUIT TREES. I need not to obferve that thefe are all the fpcntaneous productions of nature, which have never received the advantages of ingrafting, transplanting, or manur- ing. The crab apple-tree, the plum-tree, znd the cherry-tree. The CRAB APPLE r TREE beirs a fruit [ S°3 ] fruit that is much larger and better fla- voured than thofe of Europe. The PLUM-TREE. There are two forts of plums in this country, one a large fort of a purple caft on one fide, and red on the reverfe, the fecond totally green, and much fmaller. Both thefe are of a good flavour, and are greatly efteemed by the Indians, whofe tafte is not refined, but who are fatisfied with the productions of nature in their unimproved irate. The CHERRY-TREE. There are three forts of cherries in this country, the black, the red, and the fand cherry; the two latter may with more propriety be ranked among the lhrub : , as the bum that bears the fand cherries almoft creeps along the ground, and the other rifeS not above eight or ten feet \\\ height ; how- ever I fhall give an account of them all in this place. The black cherries are about the fize of a currant, and hang in clufters like grapes ; the trees which bear them being very fruitful, they are generally loaded, but the fruit is not good to eat, however they give an agreeable flavour to brandy, and turn it to the colour of cla- I i 4 ret. [ 5°4 ] ret. The red cherries grow in the greateft. profufion, and hang in bunches like the black fort juft defcribed ; fo that the buines which bear them appear at a diftance like folid bodies of red matter. Some people admire this fruit, but they partake of the nature and tafte of alum, leaving a difagreeable roughnefs in the f*hroat, and being very aftringent. As I have already defcribed the fand cherries, which greatly exceed the two other forts both in flavour and fize, I fhall give no further defcription of them. The wood of the black cherry-tree is very ufeful, and works well into cabinet ware. SHRUBS. The Willow, Shin Wood, Shumack, Saffafras, the Prickly Afh, Moofe Wood, Spoon Wood, Large Elder, Dwarf Elder, Poifonous Elder, Juniper, Shrub Oak, Sweet Fern, the Laurel, the Witch Ha- zle, the Myrtle, Winter Green, the Fe- ver Bum, the Cranberry Bum, the Goof- berry Bum, the Currant Bufh, the Whir- tie [ 5°5 ] tie Berry, the RafiSerry, the Balck Berry, and the Choak Berry. The WILLOW. There are feveral fpecies of the willow, the moll: remarka- ble ot which is a fmall fort that grows on the banks of the Mifliilippi, and fome other places adjacent. The bark of this fhrub fupplies the beaver with its winter food ; and where the water has waihed the foil from its roots, they appear to confifl: of fibres interwoven together like thread, the colour of which is of an in- expreflibly fine fcarlet ; with this the In- dians tinge many of the ornamental parts^ of their drefs, SHIN WOOD. This extraordinary fhrub grows in the forefts, and riling like a vine, runs near the ground for fix or eight feet, and then takes root again ; in the fame manner taking root, and ipring- ing up fucceffively, one ftalk covers a large fpace ; this proves very troublefome to the hafty traveller, by finking againflhis fhins, and entangling his legs ; from which it has acquired its name. The SASSAFRAS is a wood well known for its medicinal qualities. It might [ 5°6 ] might with equal propriety be termed a tree as a fhrub, as it fometimes grows thirty feet high ; but in general it does not reach higher than thole of the fhrub kind. The leaves, which yield an agree- able fragrance, are large and nearly iepa- rated into three diviiions. It bears a reddim brown berry of the fize and fhape of Pi- mento, and which is fometimes ufed in the colonies as a fubftitute for that fpice. The bark or. roots of this tree is infinitely fuperior to the wood for its ufe in medi- cine, and I am fuprized it is fo leldom to be met with, as its efficacy is fo much greater. The PRICKLY ASH is a fhrub that fometimes grows to the height of ten or fifteen feet, and has a leaf exactly refem-. bling that of an afh, but it receives the epithet to its name from the abundance of fhort thorns with which every branch is covered, and which renders it very troublefome to thofe who pafs through the fpot where they grow thick. It alfo bears a fcarlet berry, which when ripe, has a fiery tafte like pepper. The bark of this tree, particularly the bark of the roots, is highly efteemed by the natives for i;s medi^ [ 5 6 7 ] medicinal qualities. I have already men- tioned one inftance of its efficacy, and there is no doubt but that the decoction of it will expeditioufly and radically remove all impurities of the blood. The MOOSE WOOD grows about four feet high, and is very full of branches ; but what renders it worth no- tice is its bark, which is of fo ftrong and pliable a texture, that being peeled off at any feafon, and twitted, makes equally as good cordage as hemp. The SPOON WOOD is a fpecies of the laurel, and the wood when fa wed re- fembles box wood. The ALDER or ELDER, termed the poifonous elder, nearly refembles the other forts in its leaves and branches, but it grows much ftraiter, and is only found in fvvamps and moift foils. This (hrub is endowed with a very extraordinary quality, that renders it poifonous to fome conftitutions, which it effects if the perfon only approaches within a few yards of it, whiJft, others may even chew the leaves or the rind without receiving the leafl: detriment from them : the poilbn however is not mortal, though it operates very [ 5°8 ] veiy violently on the infe&ed perfon, whofe body and head fwell to an amazing fize, and are covered with eruptions, that at their height refemble the confluent fmall-pox. As it grows alfo in many of the provinces, the inhabitants cure its venom by drinking faffron tea, and anoint- ing the external parts with a mixture com- poied of cream and marfli mallows. The SHRUB OAK is exadly fimilar to the oak tree, both in its wood and leaves, and like that it bears an acorn, but it never rifes from the ground above four or five feet, growing crooked and knotty. It is found chiefly on ^ dry gravelly foil. The WITCH HAZLE grows very bufhy, about ten feet high, and is co?. vered early in May with numerous white bloffoms. When this fhrub is in bloom, the Indians efteem it a further indication that the froft is entirely gone, and that; they might fow their corn. It has been faid, that it is pofleffed of the power of attracting gold or fllver, and that twigs of it are made ufe of to difcover where the veins of thefe metals lie hid ; but I am appreheniive that this is only a falla- cious t S°9 ] cious ftory, and not to be depended on ; however that fuppofition has given it the name of witch hazle. The MYRTLE is a mrub about four or five feet high, the leaves of which are larger than thofe of the common myrtle, but they fmell exactly alike. It bears fmall berries, which are generally called Bay Berries, and thefe are full of a gluey fubftance, which being boiled in water, fwims on the furface of it, and becomes a kind of green wax ; this is not fo valu- able as bees- wax, being of a more brittle nature, but mixed with it makes a good candle, which as it burns fends forth an agreeable fcent. WINTER GREEN. This is an ever-green of the fpecies of the myrtle, and is found on dry heaths ; the flowers of it are white, and in the form of a rofe, but not larger than a filver penny ; in the winter it is full of red berries about the fize of a floe, which are fmooth and round ; thefe are preferved during the fevere feafon by the lhow, and are at that time in the higheft. perfection. The In- dians eat thefe berries, efteeming them very balfamic, and invigorating to the itomach. [ 5'° ] ftomach. The people inhabiting the in- terior colonies fteep both the iprigs and berries in beer, and ufe it as a diet-drink for cleanfing the blood from fcorbutick diforders. The FEVER BUSH grows about five or fix feet high ; its leaf is like that of a lilach, and it bears a reddifh berry of a fpicy flavour. The italics of it are excef- iively brittle. A decoction of the buds or wood is an excellent febrifuge, and from this valuable property it receives its name. It is an ancient Indian remedy for all inflammatory complaints, and like- wife much efteemed on the fame account by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. The CRANBERRY BUSH. Though the fruit of this bufh greatly refembles in fize and appearance that of the com- mon fort, which grows on a fmall vine in moraffes and bogs, yet the bufh runs to the height of ten or twelve feet ; but it is very rarely to be met with. As the meadow cranberry, being of a local growth, and flourishing only in moraffes, cannot be tranfplanted or cultivated, the former, if removed at a proper feafon, would t sM 3 would be a valuable acquifition to the garden, and with proper nurture prove equally as good, if not better. The CHOAK BERRY. The fhrub thus termed by the natives grows about five or fix feet high, and bears a berry about the fize of a floe, %f a jet black, which contains feveral fmall feeds within the pulp. The juice of this fruit, though not of a difagreeable flavour, is extremely tart, and leaves a roughnefs in the mouth and throat when eaten, that has gained it the name of choak berry. ROOTS and PLANTS. Elecampane, Spikenard, Angelica, Sar- faparilla, Ginfang, Ground Nuts, Wild Potatoes, Liquorice, Snake Root, Gold Thread, Solomon's Seal, Devil's Bit, Blood Root, Onions, Garlick, Wild Parfnips, Mandrakes, Hellebore White and Black. SPIKENARD, vulgarly called in the colonies Petty-Morrelh This plant ap- . pears to be exactly the fame as the Aiia- tick [ 5«* ] tick fpikenard, fo much valued by the ancients. It grows near the fides of brooks in rocky places, and its ftem, which is about the fize of a goofe quill, fprings up like that of angelica, reaching about a foot and a half from the ground. It bears bunches of berries in all refpects like thofe of the elder, only rather larger. Thefe are of fuch a balfamic nature, that when infufed in fpirits, they make a mofl palatable and reviving cordial. SARSAPARILLA. The root of this plant, which is the moll: eftimable part of it, is about the fize of a goofe quill, and runs in different directions, twined and crooked, to a great length in the ground ; from the principal ftem of it fprings many fmaller fibres, all of which are tough and flexible. From the root immediately (hoots a ftalk about a foot and half long, which at the top branches into three ftems ; each of thefe has three leaves, much of the fhape and fize of a walnut leaf; and from the fork of each of the three ftems grows a bunch of bluifh white flowers, refembling thofe of the fpikenard. The bark of the roots, which alone mould be ufed in medicine, is of a bitterifh fla- vour, t 513 ] vour, but aromatic. It is defervedly efteeraed for its medicinal virtues, being a gentle fudorific, and very powerful in attenuating the blood when impeded by grofs humours. GINSANG is a root that was once fuppofed to grow only in Korea, from whence it was ufually exported to Japan, and by that means found its way to Eu- rope ; but it has lately been difcovered to be alfo a native of North America, where it grows to as great perfection and is equally valuable. Its root is like a fmall carrot, but not fb taper at the end ; it is fbmetimes divided into two or more branches, in all other refpects it refem- bles farfaparilla in its growth. The tafle of the root is bitterifh. In the eaftern parts of Afia it bears a great price, being there confidered as a panacea, and is the laft refuge of the inhabitants in all difor- ders. When chewed it certainly is a great ftrengthener of the ftomach. GOLD THREAD. This is a plant of the fmall vine kind, which grows in iwampy places, and lies on the ground. The roots fpread themfelves juft under the fur face of the morafs, and are eafily K k drawn [ 5»» I drawn up by handfuls. They refemble a large entangled fkain of thread of a fine bright gold colour ; and I am perfuaded would yield a beautiful and permanent yellow dye. It is alfo greatly efteemed both by the Indians and colonifts as a re- medy for any forenefs in the mouth, but the tafte of it is exquifitely bitter. SOLOMON'S SEAL is a plant that grows on the fides of rivers, and in rich mea- dow land. It rifes in the whole to about three feet high, the {talks being two feet, when the leaves begin to fpread themfelves and reach a foot further. Every fibre of the root has an impreffion upon it about the lize of a iixpence, which ap- pears as if it was made by a feal, and from thefe it receives its name. It is greatly valued on account of its being a fine purifier of the blood. DEVIL's BIT is another wild plant, which grows in the fields, and receives its name from a print that feems to be made by teeth in the roots. The In- dians fay that this was once an univerfal remedy for every dilbrder that human na- ture is incident to ; but fome of the evil fpirits [ 515 ] fpirits envying mankind the pofTeffion of fo efficacious a medicine gave the root a bite, which deprived it of a great part of its virtue. BLOOD ROOT. A fort of plantain that fprings out of the ground in fix or feven long rough leaves, the veins of which are red ; the root of it is like a fmall carrot both in colour and appear- ance; when broken, the infide of it is of a deeper colour than the outride, and diftils feveral drops of juice that look like blood. This is a ftrong emetic, but a very dan- gerous one. HERBS. Balm, Nettles, Cinque Foil, Eye- bright, Sanicle, Plantain, Rattle Snake Plantain, Poor Robin's Plantain, Toad Plantain, Maiden Hair, Wild Dock, Rock Liverwort, Noble Liverwort, Blood- wort, Wild Beans, Ground Ivy, Water Creffes, Yarrow, May Weed, Gargit, Skunk Cabbage or Poke, Wake Robin, Betony, Scabious, Mullen, Wild Peafe, Moufe Ear, Wild Indigo, and Cat Mint. K k 2 SANICLE [ 5«6 1 SAN1CLE has a root which is thick towards the upper part, and full of fmall fibres below ; the leaves of it are broad, roundiin, hard, fmooth, and of a fine fhimng green ; a flalk rifes from thefe to the height of a foot, which is quite fmooth and free from knots, and on the top of it are kveral fmall flowers of a reddiih white, fliaped like a wild role. A tea made of the root is vulnerary and balfamick. RATTLE SNAKE PLANTAIN. This ufeful herb is of the plantain kind-, and its leaves, which fpread themfelves on the ground, are about one inch and half wide, and five inches long ; from the centre of thefe arifes a fmall ftalk nearly fix inches long, which bears a little white flower; the root is about the fize of a goofe quill, and much bent and divided into leveral branches. The leaves of this herb are more efficacious than any other part of it for the bite of the reptile from which it receives its name ; and being chewed and applied immediately to the wound, and fome of the juice fwallowed, feldom fails of averting every dangerous fymptom. So convinced are the Indians of [ hi ] of the power of this infallible antidote » that for a trifling bribe of fpirituous li" quor, they will at any time permit a rat' tie fnake to drive his fangs into their flefh. It is to be remarked that during thofe months in which the bite of thefe creatures is molt, venomous, that this remedy for it is in its greatest perfection, and moll: luxuriant in its growth. POOR ROBIN's PLANTAIN is of the fame fpecies as the laft, but more di- minutive in every refpect ; it receives its name from its fize, and the poor land on which it grows. It is a good medicinal herb, and often adminiftered with fuccefs in fevers and internal weaknefles. TOAD PLANTAIN refembles the common plantain, only it grows much ranker, and is thus denominated becaufe toads love to harbour under it. ROCK LIVERWORT is a fort of liverwort that grows on rocks, and is of the nature of kelp or mofs. It is efteemed as an excellent remedy againft declines. GARGIT or SKOKE is a large kind of weed, the leaves of which are about fix inches long, and two inches and half broad; they refemble thofe of Jpinage in K k 3 tiuir [ 5«« ] their colour and texture, but not in (hape* The root is very large, from which fpring different italks that run eight or ten feet high, and are full of red berries ; thefe hang in clutters in the month of Septem- ber, and are generally called pigeon ber- ries, as thofe birds then feed on them. When the leaves firft fpring from the ground, after being boiled, they are a nu- tritious and wholefome vegetable, but when they are grown nearly to their full fize, they acquire a poifonous quality. The roots applied to the hands and feet of a perfon afflicted with a fever, prove a very powerful abforbent. SKUNK CABBAGE or POKE is an herb that grows in moift and fwampy places. The leaves of it are about a foot long, and lix inches broad, nearly oval, but rather pointed. The roots are compofed of great numbers of fibres, a lotion of which is made ufe of by the people in the colonies for the cure of the itch. Tnere iffues a ftrong mufky fmell from this herb, fomething like the animal of the fame name before defcribed, and on that account it is fo termed. WAKE [ 5*9 WAKE ROBIN is an herb that grows in fwampy lands ; its root . refembles a fmall turnip, and if rafted will greatly inflame the tongue, and immediately con- vert it from its natural fhape, into a round hard fubftance ; in which ftate it will continue for fome time, and during this no other part of the mouth will be affected. But when dried, it lofes its aftringent quality, and becomes beneficial to mankind, for if grated into cold water, and taken internally, it is very good for all complaints of the bowels. WILD INDIGO is an herb of the fame fpecies as that from whence Indigo is made in the louthern colonies. It grows in one fralk to the height of five or iix inches from the ground, when it divides into many branches, from which ifiue a great number of fmall hard bluifli leaves, that fpread to a great breadth, and among thefe it bears a yellow flower ; the juice of it has a very difagreeable fcent. CAT MINT has a woody root, di- vided into feveral branches, and it fends forth a ftalk about three feet high ; the leaves are like thofe of the nettle or be- tony, and they have a ftrong fmell of K k 4 mj.it, [ 5 2 ° ] mint, with a biting acrid tafte ; the flowers grow on the tops of the branches, and are of a faint purple or whitifh co- lour. It is called cat mint, becaufe it is faid, that cats have an antipathy to it, and will not let it grow. It has nearly the virtues of common mint. FLOWERS. Heart's Eafe, Lilies red and yellow, Pond Lilies, Cowflips, May Flowers, JeiTamine, Honeyfuckles, Rock Honey- fuckles, Rofes red and white, Wild Hol- lyhock, Wild Pinks, Golden Rod. I mail not enter into a minute defcrip- tion of the flowers above-recited, but only juft obferve, that they much refemble thofe of the fame name which grow in Europe, and are as beautiful in colour, and as perfect in odour, as they can be fuppofed to be in their wild uncultivated ftate, FARI- [ 5" 1 FARINACEOUS and LEGUMINOUS ROOTS, &c. Maize or Indian Corn, Wild Rice, Beans, the Squafh, &c. MAIZE or INDIAN CORN grows to the height of about five or fix feet, on a ftalk full of joints, which is {tiff and folid, and when green, abounding with a fweet juice. The leaves are like thofe of the reed, about two feet in length, and three or four inches broad. The flowers which are produced at fbme dis- tance from the fruit on the fame plant, grow like the ears of oats, and are fome- times white, yellow, or of a purple colour. The feeds are as large as peas, and like them quite naked and fmooth, but of a roundiih furface, rather comprefled. One fpike generally confifta of about fix hundred grains, which are placed clofely together in rows to the number of eight or ten, and fometimes twelve. This corn is very whole fome, eafy of digeflion, and yields as good nourifhment as any other fort. t 5 22 ] fort. After the Indians have reduced it into meal by pounding it, they make cakes of it and bake them before the fire* I have already mentioned that fome na- tions eat it in cakes before it is ripe, in which flate it is very agreeable to the palate and extremely nutritive. WILD RICE. This grain, which grows in the g-reateft plenty throughout the interior parts of North America, is the moll: valuable of all the fpontaneous productions of that country. Exclufive of its utility, as a fupply of food for thofe of the human fpecies who inhabit this part of the continent, and obtained with- out any other trouble than that of ga- thering it in, the fweetnefs and nutri- tious quality of it attracts an infinite number of wild fowl of every kind, which flock from diflant climes to enjoy this rare repafl ; and by it become inex- preffibly fat and delicious. In future pe- riods it will be of great fervice to the infant colonies, as it will afford them a prefent fupport, until in the courfe of cultivation other fupplies may be pro- duced ; whereas in thofe realms which are not furniihed with this bounteous gift; [ 5*3 ) gift of nature, even if the climate is temperate and the foil good, the firft fettlers are often expofed to great hard- ships from the want of an immediate re- fource for neceflary food. This ufeful grain grows in the water where it is about two feet deep, and where it finds a rich muddy foil. The {talks of it, and the branches or ears that bear the feed, re- femble oats both in their appearance and manner of growing. The {talks are full of joints, and rile more than eight feet above the water. The natives gather the grain in the following manner : nearly about the time that it begins to turn from its milky ftate and to ripen, they run their canoes into the midfr, of it, and tying bunches of it together jufl below the ears with bark, leave it in this tituation three or four weeks longer, till it is per- fectly ripe. About the latter end of September they return to the river, when each family having its feparate allotment, and being able to diflinguilh their own property by the manner of fattening the meaves, gather in the portion that be- longs to them. This they do by placing their canoes clofe to the bunches of rice, ia [ 5 2 4 ] in fuch pofition as to receive the grain when it falls, and then beat it out, with pieces of wood formed for that purpofe. Having done this, they dry it with fmoke, and afterwards tread or rub off the outfide hulk; when it is fit for ufe they put it into the fkins of fawns or young buffalos taken off nearly whole for this purpofe and fewed into a fort of fack, wherein they preferve it till the return of their harveft. It has been the fubject of much fpeculation why this fpontaneous grain is not found in any other regions of America, or in thole countries fituat- ed in the fame parallels of latitude, where the waters are as apparently adapted for for its growth as in the climates I treat of. As for inftance, none of the coun- tries that lie to the fouth and eait. of the great lakes, even from the -provinces north of the Carolinas to the extremities of Labradore, produce any of this grain. It is true I found great quantities of it in the watered lands near Detroit, be- tween Lake Huron and Lake Erie, but on enquiry I learned that it never arrived nearer to maturity than juft to blofibm ; after which it appeared blighted, and died t 5*5 ] died away. This convinces me that the northweft wind, as I have before hinted, is much more powerful in thefe than in the interior parts ; and that it is more inimical to the fruits of the earth, after it has pafled over the lakes and become united with the wind which joins it from the frozen regions of the north, than it is farther to the weft ward. BEANS. Thefe are nearly of the fame fhape as the European beans, but are not much larger than the fmalleft fize of them. They are boiled by the Indians and eaten chiefly with bear's flem. The SQ^JASH. They have alfo feveral fpecies of the MELON or PUMPKIN, which by fome are called Squafhes, and which ferve many nations partly as a fubftitute for bread. Of thefe there is the round, the crane-neck, the fmall flat, and the large oblong Squafh. The fmaller forts being boiled, are eaten during the fummer as vegetables ; and are all of a pleating flavour. The crane- neck, which greatly excels all the others, are ufualiy hung up for a winter's ftore, and [ 526 ] and in this manner might be preferved for feveral months. I am feniible that I have not treated the foregoing Account of the natural productions of the interior parts of North America with the preciiion of a naturalift. I have neither enumerated the whole of the trees, mrubs, plants, herbs, &c. that it produces, nor have I divided them into claffes according to their different genera after the Linnaean method : the limits of my Work, in its prefent flate, would not permit me to purfue the Subject more copioufly. However, if the favour of the Public mould render a future edition necef- fary, as I truil:, from the number of Subfcribers who have already favoured me with their Names, will be the cafe, I then propofe to enlarge it conliderably, and to infert many interesting particulars and defcriptions, which the fize of the prefent Edition obliges me to curtail or entirely to omit. A P P E N- APPENDIX. TH E countries that lie between the great lakes and River Miffiffippi, and from thence fouthward to Weft Flo- rida, although in the midft of a large continent, and at a great diftance from the fea, are fo fituated, that a communica- tion between them and other realms might conveniently be opened ; by which means thofe empires or colonies that may hereafter be founded or planted therein, will be rendered commercial ones. The great River MirTilfippi, which runs through the whole of them, will enable their inhabitants to eftablim an inter- courfe with foreign climes, equally as well as the Euphrates, the Nile, the Danube, or the Wolga do thofe people which dwell on their banks, and who have no other convenience for exporting the produce of their own country, or for importing thofe of others, than boats and vefTels of light burden : notwith- ftanding; t 5*8 ] {landing which they have become power- ful and opulent ftates. The Miffiffippi, as I have before ob- ferved, runs from north to fouth, and paries through the moft fertile and tem- perate part of North America, excluding only the extremities of it, which verge both on the torrid and frigid zones. Thus favourably fituated, when once its banks are covered with inhabitants, they need not long be at a lofs for means to eftablim an extenfive and profitable commerce. They will find the country towards the fouth almoft fpontaneoufly producing filk, cotton, indigo, and to^- bacco ; and the more northern parts, wine, oil, beef, tallow, fkins, buffalo- wool, and furs ; with lead, copper, iron, coals, lumber, corn, rice, and fruits, befides earth and barks for dying. Thefe articles, with which it abounds even to profufion, may be tranfported to the Ocean through this river without greater difficulty than that which attends the conveyance of merchandize down fome of thole I have juft. mentioned. It is true that the Miffiffippi being the bounda- ry between the Englifh and Spanifh fet- tlements, t 5*9 ] tlements, and the Spaniards in poffeffion of the mouth of it, they may obftrucl: the paflage of it, and greatly dilhearten thofa who make the firft attempts ; yet when the advantages that will certainly arife to fettlers are known, multitudes of adven- turers, allured by the profpect of fuch abundant riches, will flock to it, and eftablifh themfelves, though at the ex- pence of rivers of blood. But mould the nation that happens to be in pofTeffion of New Orleans prove unfriendly to the internal fettlers, they may find a way into the Gulph of Mexi- co by the River Iberville, which empties itfelf from the Miffiffippi, after paffing through Lake Maurepas, into Lake Pon- chartrain ; which has a communication with the fea within the borders of Weft Florida. The River Iberville branches off from the Miffiffippi about eighty miles above New Orleans, and though it is at prefent choaked up in fome parts, it might at an inconliderable expence be made navigable fo as to anfwer all the purpofes propofed. Although the Englifh have acquired fince the- laft peace a more extenfive L 1 knowledge [ 530 ] knowledge of the interior parts that! were ever obtained before, even by the French, yet many of their productions ftili remain unknown. And though I was not deficient either in afhduity or attention during the fhort time I remained in them, yet I muft acknowledge that the intelligence I gained was not io perfect as I could wifh, and that it requires further refearches to make the world thoroughly acquainted with the real value of theie long hidden realms. The parts of theMiilinippi of which no ill rvey has hitherto been taken, amount to upwards of eight hundred miles, follow- ing the courie of the ftream-, ^hat is, from the Illinois to the Ouifconnn rivers. Thole which lie to the north of the lat- ter are included in the map of my travels. Plans of fuch as reach from the former to the Gulph of Mexico, have been de- lineated by feveral hands ; one of *he bed of thefe, according to its fize, now extant, in which is included the whole continent of North America, is annexed to this work. And I have the pleafureto find that an actual furvey of the interme- diate parts of the MilMippi, between the nil- t 53' ] Illinois river and the fea, with the Ohio, Cherokee, and Ouabache rivers, taken on the fpot by a very ingenious Gentleman*, is in the prefs and will be foon publifhed. I flatter myfelf that the obfervations therein contained, which have been made by one whole know- ledge of the parts therein defcribed was acquired by a perfonal inveftigation, aided by a folid judgment, will confirm the remarks I have made, and promote the plan I am here recommending. In the map of North America adjoin- ed, I have partitioned the country which lies adjacent to the eaftern borders of the Miffiffippi into plantations or fubordi- nate colonies ; chufing fuch lands only for this purpofe as by being contiguous to fome river, might enjoy all the ad- vantages I have before pointed out. Thefe I have divided by dotted lines, and num- bered ; that future adventurers may rea- dily, by referring to the map, chufe a commodious and advantageous iituation. * Thomas Hurchins, Efq; captain in his Ma- jefty's 6oth, or Royal American Regiment of Foot. L 1 2 I (hall [ 53 2 ] I fhall alfo here give a concife defcriptioii of each, beginning according to the rule o£ geographers, with that which lies ftioft to the north. It is however necefTary to obferve, that before thefe fettlements can be eftablifh- ed, grants mult be procured in the man- ner cuftomary on fuch occafions, and the lands be purchafed of thofe who have acquired a right to them by a long pof- femon ; but no greater difficulty will at- tend the completion of this point, than the original founders of every colony on the continent met with to obftrucl: their intentions; and the number of Indians who inhabit thefe tracts being greatly inade- quate to their extent, it is not to be doubted but they will readily give up for a rea- fonable consideration, territories that are of little ufe to them ; or remove for the accommodation of their new neighbours to lands at a greater diftance from the Mif- iiffippi, the navigation of which is not efientiai to the welfare of their com- munities. N° I. The country within thefe lines, from its fituation is colder than any of the others ; yet I am convinced that the air [ 533 ] air is much more temperate than in thofe provinces that lie in the fame degree of latitude to the eaft of it. The foil is excellent, and there is a great deal of land that is free from woods in the parts adjoining to the Miffiffippi; whilft. on the contrary the north-eaftern borders of it are well wooded. Towards the heads of the River Saint Croix, rice grows in great plenty, and there is abundance of copper. Though the Falls of Saint Anthony are fituated at the fouth-eaft corner of this divifion, yet that impediment will not totally obftrucl: the navigation, as the River Saint Croix, which runs through a great part of the fouthern fide of it, enters the Mifiiffippi juft helow the Falls, and flows with fo gentle a current, that it affo.ds a corir- venient navigation for boats. . This tract: is about one hundred miles from north- weft to fouth-eaft, and one hundred and twenty miles from north-eaft to ibuth- weft. N° II. This tract, as I have already defcribed it in my Journals, exceeds the highefl encomiums I can give it; not- withstanding which it is entirely uniu- 228 230 296 ERRATA. Page, xvi, 29» 3°» 45» 66, 69, 74> 14J» 209, 269, 362, 3?6» 59°» 448, 467. 469, Line, For 18, rendet — 8, as other great lakes— 20, of the berries — 21, and run — 24. fifty miles 17, thofe he afferts - 19, nueftern fituation 19, nor the country 8, this coalV 22, join the dance 23, they then corapofe } the fame, whats- is termed \ 6, or have they 18, to creep in 16, thruft his head in • 8, at amazing height ■ 21, round like paddle ■ Read -render. -as the other great lakes -of berries. -and having run. -fifteen miles. —which he afferts. -fouthern fituation. —nor is the country. — the coaft. —join in the dance. f they then compofe — < what is termed. — nor have they. — to creep in at. —thruft his hand in. —at an amazing height — round like a paddle. vi